here come the Ks and Ps

You knew it was coming. The long, lo-n-g overdue knitting update.

Nadia's sweater. This is one that I started with a plan for xmas, and then it became a January birthday present (that she got in February). From the first time I saw this "Union Square Sweater" by Kate Gilbert, it made me think of Nadia.




It is actually a really nice pattern with enough to keep it interesting. Having said that I will never knit another sweater on size 2 needles. I love the buttons on this one; again, Nadia was the inspiration.

This is a smitten that I made for Lexi this winter while she was living in London with Marjorie. I've had the pattern for a while, and was just waiting for a cute couple in a cold climate who could appreciate it.



I do love the idea of being able to hold hands in a mitten. Why compromise?

This is the sweater I gave my mom for xmas. It is from the Kimono Knits book and I really like how it turned out. It is too warm for L.A. but hopefully can be put to good use in Oregon. This is from my brother's birthday at my parents -- good times!

it started with an apple

I warn you to only read on if you have some time to spare.

My aunt challenged me to the apple game a few days ago and then I realized that there is a whole world of games offered by this company. They are simple so unlike Mario Galaxy you don't have to develop a whole new set of skills to figure out what is going on. Also, they are cute. This one makes me think of Samantha and this one of Sofia, this one makes me think of Lexi, this one makes me think of Henry, this one makes me think of Rob, and this one makes me think of eggs.

How many emotions can one girl have?

It has been a long week and it is only Wednesday.
For a long time I've been hearing that writing a dissertation is hard, but I don't think I really knew what that meant until the past few months. This part of the process is really wrecking me in a way I couldn't have anticipated. This week is particularly tough. I think my Chair and I both hit our breaking points at the same time on Monday and, I can only speak for myself but, it was a new low. As everyday is lasting for-e-v-e-r, I am reminded how lucky I am to have an O in my life. It could have been the bottle of Maker's on Monday, or the steady supply of chocolate strategically placed ("Sweetie, look in the armrest of the car. It will be ok. Just get gas and go home.") Even when I feel like there must be a voodoo doll out there who looks like me, I know in some deep (very deep) place that I am lucky. In addition to a supportive partner, I have friends who are willing to read and re-read chapters, and a cheering section of emeritus profs who I was lucky enough to see for dinner this evening.
Now, if I can just get to the weekend...

the update: drafts are going out to the committee. this is a good thing. cross your fingers for me.

Day 2: for Ernie

Of course I have Iowa pride. I am even thinking about a return to The Hawkeye State...GO HAWKS!



p. s. Ernie, if I had a pic with the state flag I would post it. The old capitol seems to be the nest I can do. The other option was the UI seal, but as you can see, this is not a good shot for multiple reasons.

"Day 1" of the Samantha Blog Challenge (SBC)

I think I should get a "pass" for yesterday's post since I had a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day (I argue even worse than in the book), but since it was the first day of the challenge I feel like I need to do something.

For anyone reading who is not also reading "Oh Drat!" the Adventures of Princess Bruise-y Knees and Adorable Baby Sister (or something like that), Samantha has thrown the gauntlet to post everyday for the month of June. I am evidently crazy enough to think I can do this, and have taken up the challenge.

I would like to petition that I am still in this as of this explanatory post. That and I am not even clear on if there are any "rules." Let's hope not -- even though I do respond well to some degree of structure....

Evidently it is peony season, as they have made their annual return to Trader Joe's. My mom got them when I was sick and I still remember that batch. They get HUGE and are amazing to watch over the course of three or so days. Believe it or not they all start the same color; as they get older the color fades out. These are going from dark pink to almost white. These are the last three of the bunch I got and it was a great surprise to find that O had taken their picture.
If I had to predict, I'd say there will be more than one flower entry this month and likely some long overdue knitting posts. I will try not to drag my life-and-career-drama into this space, but I can't promise anything.

To the June Challenge Taker Uppers, see you tomorrow!

yikes!

It has been a long time since I posted and I am at a loss as to where the spring has gone. Ok, not a total loss. There was the move back to Iowa City for an extended stay...


...this is the adorable house Lexi found for us to live in and Chris, our landlord (!) He was great.

And there has been the ongoing dissertation gauntlet (to be continued...) but also the bright-spot of going through the doctorate hooding.

I swear that is me -- the one who looks like a road divider from a distance -- and this is the big moment when I went from mere mortal to a Ph.D.*

[*ritually]

It was a beautiful day and with my family in Iowa for the grand occasion I couldn't have asked for more. I don't think we ever got a picture with all of us, but my uncles came down from Minnesota in addition to my proud parents and Alistair.



Check out this flag shot!

Let me know if you'd like one of your own in a commemorative frame of some sort ;)

To tell the truth is all happened very fast.
Renting a gown, getting the hood, turning them both back into the rental company...
Next thing I knew I was moving bookshelves back into the storage unit and heading back to L.A.

I am still spending my days at the computer and keeping an eye on the end of the tunnel. Just one more loose end to tie up and then I will let you call me "Dr." (please, not until then). Ok, if you must. But say it with a grain of salt and a touch of cynicism.

Samantha has thrown down a challenge to post every day for a month (June), so I getting warmed up and you'll have to check back to see how it goes.

I'll do what I can to keep you posted!

it's that time of year: PEEPS!

The 40 finalists from this year's contest sponsored by the Washington Post can be seen here. There is an article with more info and a video of the winner if you are looking for more details. This year a Hopper classic took top prize (you can thank the Washington Post for the image).



Very impressive and something to keep on the to-do list!
Happy Easter. Happy Passover. Happy Hanamatsuri. Happy Spring. xoxo

listen!

Go to your radio (if you live in Seattle), or your computer (love the live stream and the after-the-fact almost live stream) for TBTL. TBTL is Too Beautiful To Live, this radio show out of Seattle that is interviewing Jason (yeah, the one we know from Iowa, who lived in DC, and is now in LA kickin' it at the library with me) about things not to say to people looking for a job. He is on tonight at 9:00PM (pst) -- so early enough for you eastern time zones to listen before bed. My personal hope is that if he gets lots of listeners they will give him a regular spot. Then we would be friends with a "radio personality" -- like Ryan Seacrest, only cooler. If nothing else, it will just be nice to hear Jason's voice...(that way you can put off calling for another month!)

A is for Awesome!

The Academy Awards are old news (...but for the two people who asked about them I'll get around to it one of these days), but the latest is that Rob Decker has taken the title of Smartest Iowan. Just watch....if you listen closely I do believe you can hear a faint laugh-track from time to time.

Video chat rooms at Ustream

I must say that I am very impressed.
I am also pleased that there was at least one category devoted to Iowa specific knowledge. I now know that Hawkeye Peak exists, and that is something. I am having a hard time placing the host's accent, if anyone can help me out with that one.

Again, congratulations, Rob, and happy birthday!!

Gimme a "C"

"C" is for cookie, that's good enough for me. -cookie monster

Speaking of monsters, this is how I am feeling this morning:

Gimme an "S"

Happy Birthday, Jason!

For whatever reason I don't have a picture of you holding a cake. rats!
The best I can do is an offering of a cake I think you might remember...



Once I get through this week (and orion's recovered from the flu, and mir is home) we'll have some rosemary remembrance cake -- with candles. I should know better than to try and do anything besides work this week.

gimme an "O"

It is that time of year again...so roll out the red carpet and get ready for Oscar.
I started work this morning and wanted to share a glimpse of the glamorous world behind-the-scenes.




Yup that's my boot. The sole fell off mid-morning amid one of the bigger rains Hollywood has seen this year. And wouldn't you know that I'd be relocated into a trailer with the *fashion* people. Sheesh! It looks to be a busy week, but word is the weather will improve before the big show. Cross your finger!

two loves

Not since peanut butter and chocolate has a combo won over my heart the way kniittiing has. Just look!




Every once in a while I am reminded that brilliance and creativity is alive and well in the world. These artists may not be ending hunger, but they are deserving of a smile-with-head-nod and a round of applause. Even if you do not knit, or knit but do not Wii, you should really take a minute out of your busy day and visit this site of inspiration (look at the photos on the bottom to really grasp how kniitiing can happen). Rachel Beth Egenhoefer is great* and as best I can tell this is truly possible -- there is an engineer turned behavioral scientist involved (!), right?


* I do not know this woman at all, but I thoroughly enjoyed her website.

valentine

Not sure how long this will be up after Valentines Day, but Kate Spade has some great B-mine offerings worth checking out. Thanks to Em for sending me one.

Hope your day is happy. If not meeting your expectations, go buy some chocolate. You deserve it!
xoxo

confession

Confession #1:
Now that I have a draft of my dissertation done, I can fess up to what else I have been doing the past few weeks.






















While it is public knowledge that since the start of the new year I have been camped out in the library staring down my laptop, what has gone undisclosed is that when I wasn't there I was reading the Twilight series. I know I am late to get on this bandwagon, but after finding that everyone I encountered was reading it, I was curious. And for three weeks, I was hooked. As I write this, I can also tell you that I am through the withdrawal that followed the completion of book four -- a 700+ page tome akin to the Harry Potters that grew in girth with each new installment. Now that I can relate to popular culture again it must mean it is almost time to start editing the dissertation.

A brilliant friend who mocked my tryst with Twilight (but really experienced it vicariously through plot updates) created this amazing piece:

















For those of you who may be unfamiliar, that golden eyed pagan god made of marble-like skin is Edward. He is the vampire all the girls love to love.



Confession #2:
I am working the Oscars.....

it speaks for itself

"Fidelity": Don't Divorce... from Courage Campaign on Vimeo.

beasties

This is a great show, and if you are in LA, the days to see it are numbered. All of the pieces are inspired by the Beastie Boys and their music. Not sure if the link up top works, but if not...Gallery 1988 has become a neighborhood favorite of O and I. I still have a soft spot for the B-Boys and the art was really fun (we went to the opening). I hear that when the economy is bad the best thing you can do is buy art......

Skillz

Everybody has a talent. My gal, Alex, turned me on to this guy's here




It is a nice reminder that there are lots of ways to spend your time. Ah, time.

Speaking of time. You may expect that I would muse about aging, but I refrain. Instead, I just want to share that I do not have to return to the Coumadin Clinic for a whole month! If this miracle has occurred previously (and to the best of my recollection it has not) it was only because I left town or the country. It has been over three years (!!) of visiting for a blood test every other week, on average. While I do adore the staff, I am thrilled to not see them for a while :)

hearts

I was introduced to this by Lexi (who seems to have a knack for finding great stuff online). There are different topics, so check out a few of the headings at the top of the page

short month

I know that technically February is the short month on the calendar, but since Sundance is taking place I have been inspired to watch short films online. This is one that I ran across today, and I just liked it. If you go to the festival site (link above) you can access the 10 Shorts 10 Days in iTunes and view these shorts for free through the weekend. Here's to being short!


A Thousand Words from Ted Chung on Vimeo.