January Report

Okay... here's my sock yarn report for January:

Socks: two pair (Knittah's and Bron's) 2 x 400 yards
Clapotis: finished yarn but not scarf 400 yards
squid eyes: 2 (hmmm... one blanket square worth of yarn?)
bookmark: 1 (one square worth? two? I'll say two.)
blanket squares: 14.5

800 yards + 400 yards + 17.5 x 47 feet = 1474.16667 yards = 0.837594699 miles

Hrm. I haven't even made one mile yet! Sheesh.

Here's how the blanket looks:


And here's the silly bookmark I made:

It's a bit thick... and also wider than I thought it would be. I don't think I'll make any more.

Mail!

Mail!

Fun day today! Pretty stitch markers from Tiffany. :) Plus a ball of Hempathy to try out. Cool! Thanks Tiffany!

Mail!

Washcloth

...well, hand delivered by my brother. ;) If you can't make it out, there's a great "A" on it. Made for me by Jewels. Thanks Jewels!

Crochet Socks

Crochet Socks

It's about time to head to the post office again. ;)

Other Options

Other Options

...to finish my clapotis. (Of course, the flash makes the colours look funny.)

The red bit would be fun... but I doubt there's enough there. (It's a pretty small scrap.)

*Tired*

*Yawn* I should be doing something productive right now, but I'm tired. *sigh* Since I'm not getting anything done anyway, I figured I might as well ramble on a bit.

Cool... I just got an e-mail from Jewels that she got the yarn I sent along with my brother, and likes his toque. :)

I miss my J. He's down in Barbados right now. That would be really cool, but between what he needs to do for the meetings there, and other work he's trying to get done by a deadline, he doesn't have time to enjoy being there. Or time for us to talk on the phone. (He took his voip phone down there, so I can still call him for free... if he gets time while the internet is actually working, *and* I'm at home.) *sigh* Being in Barbados with too much work to do has got to be rough. Hopefully the workshop next week will be lighter, and he'll actually have a chance to enjoy himself. (Yes, he's got two back-to-back workshops in Barbados.)

Barbados is a cool place. I got to go to a workshop there once. I wish I could equalize pressure in my ears... then I could scuba dive, or even get a better look at stuff while snorkling.

Hmmm... I think this Knitty article on colour theory actually has useful information for applying to presentation design too. La, la, la... sent link to H (who likes it!), and my advisor (in case he's interested too).

I feel like I can concentrate now, so I guess I'll go try to work for the few minutes before we head out. (H heads home early to meet her son after school.)

Feedback

noricumsocks

Happy feet!

C's toque went over well too, and my brother still loves his. ;) (He apparently gets lots of fun reactions to it.)

So... these socks were one of the packages I mailed almost two weeks ago... that leaves two still to be delivered. They're surprises (sort of... more accurately *really* late Christmas presents), though, so I don't know if I should e-mail the recipients to check if they got them. They both read this blog... any of my readers get a package from me they haven't told me about?

Found On Flickr

Chuppah

Lovely! Absolutely lovely. I sure wish I had the time and space to quilt... although it's good that I don't: I don't need something else to spend money on! (Fabric is *sooooo* prettty... and *soooo* expensive!)

Oopsie

I'm nearly done Clapotis, but am out of yarn:

I thought I would surely have enough to finish by switching to decreases where I did, and that I might have even been able to go one extra straight repeat. (Hence the lifeline... which doesn't help me.)

As I see it, I have three options:
1. Rip back and make the scarf shorter.
2. Use a bit of stash sock yarn scraps to finish off.
3. Aquire more yarn.

I'd rather not do #1... I'd need to rip, pick up stitches, and reknit. But mainly I don't want to do #1 because the scarf is already pretty short.

As for #2, this is the closest I could find in my stash:

It's quite a bit more green and brown than what I've been using. I wonder if it'll stick out like a sore thumb?

Now to evaluate option #3: The yarn is Interlacements Tiny Toes colour 201 ("the blues"?) from Simply Socks Yarn Company. SSYC currently doesn't have this colour in stock, plus it seems silly to buy an entire skein for just that little bit. (Although I could rip back to the lifeline and extend the length with the additional yarn... but, of course, that depends on being able to *get* another skein of this colour.) Alternately, does anyone have a wee bit of Tiny Toes #201 left over from a project that they'd be willing to consider parting with?

I think I'll wait a bit to see if anyone has a wee bit of leftover, and then fall back on the Cherry Tree Hill green/blue/brown leftovers. Hmmm... I can always rip that back too, if it looks bad enough. ;) Okay, I'll sleep on it tonight. If someone *does* have a bit, can you email/comment? If not, I may finish this off tomorrow night with what I have.

Interesting Talk

Oooo... there's a potentially interesting talk today:

The Math Plague: Learning Strategies for Under-Achievers in Mathematics

Sherry Mantyka
Director, Mathematics Learning Centre
Memorial University

This presentation is anecdotal but the knowledge on which it is based is not. As a researcher at Memorial University, Dr. Mantyka has had the opportunity to study the learning problems of under-achievers in mathematics collaboratively with psychologists, teachers, and students, to do statistical analysis on large data sets, and to conduct controlled experiments. However, under-achievers have no interest in sophisticated research; they simply want to be able to successfully complete their required courses in mathematics. This has led us to also develop bridging strategies as motivation to introduce these new learning strategies to students.

The presentation will contain a sample of some common learning problems which have been identified, learning strategies to remedy these problems, and bridging strategies to motivate the student to use these new techniques.

Many of the learning principles discussed in The Math Plague are applicable to any discipline and to any endeavor. Examples of this and justification for this statement will be provided.

Talks like this can either be really good, or really bad. I'm hoping for the former.

While I'm rambling about research anyway, I'll give you a brief (cryptic?) dissertation update: I actually made some nice progress last week, and had a good (online) meeting with my advisor yesterday. Yay!

I Call It Cozy

C's Toque

If I call it done, will it be jinxed and come back for adjustments? ;) I'd be tempted to keep it myself... but H bought the yarn, so I really should let C have it. ;) (Just kidding! I wouldn't steal a toque from a kid!)

Found Necklace

Found Necklace

I found this necklace this morning near the bus stop. I'll post the sign on my way home.

I couldn't help but notice the necklace matches my iPod and notebook.

Found On Flickr

FairyLightsDetail3

Oooo... fun idea. :)

Labels

Labels are cool... however, I have 2456 posts (prior to this one), so I think I'll skip adding labels to all my old posts. I did add labels to the most recent 25, and plan to add labels to all new posts. Perhaps when I'm really bored I'll go back and label some of the old posts. For now, I'm going to try to get things back on the sidebar. ;)

New Blogger

Ooooo... it let me upgrade. Finally. (Oh... and the "out of beta" means they're no longer in beta testing, not that they're out of new blogger accounts or anything.)

In an effort to keep my academic life and blogging life separate, I've created a new gmail account (nori.noricum). Not that it'll necessarily undo the previous association I can't seem to get rid of, but maybe it'll help a bit. All of my old e-mail addresses continue to work, so feel free to use whichever you want.

The Toque That Ate Me

I seem to be specializing in too-big toques right now...

...although C does have a bigger head than me.

It may be okay, but I may have to rip back some.

Moving Right Along

Clapotis WIP

Looks like, although it'll be short, it'll be an acceptable length.

There's quite a bit of difference between these two skeins, even though they're the same dyelot. I think it's fine with this pattern, though.

Skating At The Forks

Last night I went skating with my dad and some of his friends (singles group) on the river trail at The Forks.


Although the trail goes all the way to Hugo Street, I made it to about halfway between the Donald and Osborne Street bridges... a bit under 2 km round trip. I probably could have gone further, but I didn't want to risk going too far and having trouble getting back. The benches along the trail were nice... although a few more would have been nicer. ;) I didn't use all of them, but when I *did* need a break, they usually seemed to be pretty far away.

Afterwards we had hot chocolate and shared some fresh (made-while-you-watch) mini doughnuts. Mmmm! (I'm guessing I ate more calories than I burned!)

I like The Forks. :)

Squid Toque

Squid Toque

He likes it! I can't wait to hear what the kids think... :)

Bron's Socks

Have a pretty side:


...and a not-so-pretty side:

I could have minimized this if I had thought to do a tiny bit of counting and math... I blame the podcast. I don't think it's too bad... what's your opinion, Bron? I can always rip and re-do.

Changing yarns all the time for the tapestry crochet flowers is a bit of a nuisance. However, I felt the Eastery socks needed flowers. ;)

The second sock is just barely started.

Squid Eyes

Jess asked about the eyes.





They're crocheted from leftover sock yarn in a half-sphere (sc, back loop only where the colours change), stuffed, and sewn on with the yarn tail.

Clapotis WIP

Clapotis WIP

The scrap of green yarn is tied around the spot where I joined the two balls of yarn... I'm not going to get a very big scarf out of this. :( Although, given how dramatically different the two balls are so far, buying a third ball of a different dye lot probably will give me additional length without being too (additionally) strange looking.

Found on Flickr

winter angels

I saw this photo on Flickr... it reminds me of the day back in November when J took me to see this before I left NY! *sigh* ...now *that* was a romantic day! I never did blog that day... perhaps I'll share it with you sometime soon. ;)

Fun And A FO

Hee hee! Fun with eyeballs!

Awwww... look at the cute little squiddy:


I'm feeling kind of scrambled:


All your eyeball are belong to us:


Just kidding, this is where they go:


And here it is finished:


But, since I don't think I've shown my head enough on the blog recently, here's some more mug shots:

Had enough now? Well, you'll probably get to see me again in a few days when I finish C's toque. ;)

C's Toque in Progress

I'm also making a toque for H's son, C. I thought I'd finally share some WIP photos. ;) The first one shows the toque better, and the second one shows how much is left to do.

The stripe widths (starting from the two narrow ones at the top) follow the Fibonacci sequence. The yarn is Mission Falls 1824 merino superwash wool, knit on size 5 needles instead of size 8. I've put it on waste yarn so C can try it on for size. (*Before* I get all the way to the bottom, and have to rip everything out! ;) ) I've been knitting this up at lunch, a few rows every day. (Grapefruit take too long to eat!)

Licorice Whip

Jess just completed an awesome sweater! It fits her so great. I think perhaps I'll have to work in some bust/waist vs hip size into my future sweaters.

My Weirdness Within Me Meme

THE RULES: Each player of this game starts with the 6 weird things about you. People who get tagged need to write a blog of their own 6 weird things as well as state this rule clearly. In the end, you need to choose 6 people to be tagged and list their names. Don't forget to leave a comment that says you are tagged in their comments and tell them to read your blog.

Warning: my weirdness contains TMI... read at your own risk.

1. I enjoy that feeling I get after a good BM. My mom does too. Is this a common thing, or something I inherited?
2. I like fixing things, *especially* if someone else doesn't know how.
3. I like eating snow. (I make sure it's white, though!)
4. Weeds and stuff touching my legs in water really freaks me out. Also, water that I can't see through freaks me out. (I blame watching too many nature shows as a kid.)
5. I squish my zits, and actually kind of enjoy getting the gunk out. Especially when I know I've gotten it all out. I hate zits that won't squish.
6. I find history fascinating, but history books boring. I wish the History channel didn't focus mainly on old war footage... I'd watch it way more if it didn't.

I could go on and *on* about my weirdness (like how I keep misspelling weird, and misspell it often enough that I can't remember which is correct), but the rules say six. I'd tag six people, but I hate tagging people. If you feel left out because no one ever tags you, let me know and I'll tag you.

Fame

Debbie Stoller

Cool... someone used this photo for the Wikipedia entry on Debbie Stoller. I feel like a famous photographer or something. ;) (Sorry, Debbie, for not taking a better photo... my point & click digital camera doesn't do so well at a distance in dim rooms.)

Duck Pond

Duck Pond

This is the duck pond I was skating around. Roughly measured, it was about 390 m per loop. (Around 425 yards for my American readers.)

Oooo... I just realized... each loop is like one pair of socks knit. ;) (I'm guessing ice skating laps don't count in my sock yarn marathon mileage...)

Here's Looking At You, Kid

Squid Toque WIP

I just need to add the eyes, and I'll be done. :) (I decided to leave the tentacles the way they were. If I ever do another squid toque, I'll do the proper number.)

Ice Skating

Ice Skating

There's something about ice skates that really hurt my feet. I'm hoping that if I get out a few times, though, my feet will adjust. I bought (used) hockey skates, since they're somewhat wider. It's strange not having the toe pick, but I seem to be getting the hang of them.

I did something like a half-dozen laps around the duck pond at St Vital park. (Not all at once... I took breaks for free hot chocolate and hot dogs that my dad's church group were giving out.) By the end my back was feeling the strain of constantly trying to keep my balance, so I decided that was enough for one day.

The ice was pretty rough from all the people skating on it.

I found it interesting that about half the people there were speaking French. The park is near the French area of town.

Winter Fun

Winter Fun

But not for me! ;) (I'm too chicken, and don't have the arm strength anyway.)

Speaking of arms, my upper arms and shoulders have really been bothering me lately... what's up? I wanted to spin the other day, but didn't because of the pain. Perhaps the weather is doing it...

Mail

I actually made it to the post office yesterday. Yay!

When I got to the post office, I told the lady I needed the forms for mailing stuff to the US. She pulled out some large white labels that said "express post".

"I want the cheap stuff," I said. (Heck, two out of the three packages contained Christmas presents... there's *no* way those suckers are going to travel back in time, so an extra bit late is not going to be an issue.)

"What?"
"I want the cheap stuff, this says express."
"I don't think it costs extra, this is standard."
Yeah, right. Canada Post is calling it's service "express" in order to make you feel better about paying too much for really slow delivery. "Are these even customs forms? Aren't they supposed to be green?"
"Well, we have these ones..." (green) "or these ones..." (smaller white forms, no express.)
"Could you look up the price?"
"Sure..."

Well, for one of the envelopes, "express" was +$12 (ouch)... and it turns out there was something called "small parcel post" for +$3.

"I'll take small parcel post, please!" The three envelopes came to just over $12 all together. Yes, it turns out you *can* get inexpensive mailing in Canada, you just have to make the underpaid clerks look for it.

Ironically, "express" said something about 10 days, and "small parcel post" said something about a week.

Silly Parents

Handspun Toque

Last night my mom commented that my hat looked like a Bobby hat. Then B said it looked like an under-deployed condom. He was reallly embarrased when I said I was going to share that comment with the internet. ;)

Squid Toquie WIP

Squid Toquie WIP

Why didn't anyone point out to me earlier that squid have *ten* tentacles? (The two special ones are *extra*, not part of the regular eight.)

Unless it really starts to drive me batty (which it may be starting to), this toque will be of an amputee squid.

Cartoon

Too true... especially for graduate students.

Seventh Tentacle Done

Squid Toquie WIP

One more tentacle, two eyes, and some fins to go. These tentacles are really sucking up yarn... I hope I have enough for the fins! The eyes I'm already considering doing a different colour. Or not. I still need to figure out the eyes.

Seeking Bron's Approval

Crochet Socks WIP

Bron: Do you like these so far? Would you prefer I do something different? Speak now or forever hold your peace. ;)