Fun Day

Today mom, B, Swatchy, and I went to Artarama, and then had a great dinner at Masa!

Ninety-Two and a Smidge Squares

I've started on the third (of four) triangles. The first two aren't at their final sizes yet, but I figured I'd get all four to the same size and then work on making each larger until they're the size I want.

No, I still haven't started weaving in the ends...

Stoopid Hoodlums

I was walking across the Redwood bridge and caught a group of four kids in the act of tossing the lifesaver ring into the river. So I took out my camera and started taking photos. In response they tried to hide their features (gee, they seemed rather practiced at it), gave me the finger (lots... ooo, I'm scared), and walked off.

When I got home I downloaded the photos, made sure at least some of them were decent, and called the non-emergency police line.

If you live in this area of Winnipeg and suspect the kids might be yours, let me know... I can send you the photos so you can verify. They deserve a spanking if nothing else.

Lesson to kids: don't tick me off, I've got a camera, and am not afraid to use it.

Found On Flickr

Jollyfish hat

Yar, this be wonderful!

Tapestry Crochet Hat

I finished up the crocheting last night, all that's left is weaving in a few ends. (The red hat on the right is one I bought several years back.)




Three balls of yarn was exactly right:

(Unless C wanted a wider brim... but I think it's fine.)

Since it was nearly 11pm when I finished, I modelled the hat while wearing my sexy, sexy pajamas:

River Rising

The river is definitely rising. Yesterday afternoon as I went over the Osborne Street Bridge, I could see that the riverwalk was below water. (The time before I could still see the riverwalk.) The rivers look even higher this morning. There's still ice on the river (at least in the center, where the river was over winter), but it's cracking into big chunks.

We had rain overnight, switching to snow this morning for my bus ride in. There doesn't appear to be any sort of water falling from the sky right now, although it's still grey out.

Spring doesn't really feel like a real season to me... it's more of a short transition between winter and summer.

Taste Test!

Today we successfully completed the Tim Hortons / Robin's taste test:


Initially, Robin's was leading in both categories:

but in the end Timmies managed a small lead in the chocolate dipped:

(click for biggy views).

I was a Robin's girl on both, although the Timmies old fashioned glaze wasn't bad. Timmies chocolate dipped was definitely way too sweet on top, though.

Those Wacky Engineers

Recently there's been some mysterious wood in the building. Today we found out what it was for:


That's the engeering lion! It usually hangs out in the tunnels:


Here's another shot of the engineering lion from the main floor:

I had to photostitch in order to get it all in!

More Snow Mold

Hell Yeah!

Smoke-free apartment buildings appeal to tenants

Nearly half of Ontario's apartment dwellers say second-hand smoke seeps into their homes, and most of them would likely choose a smoke-free building if they could, says an anti-smoking group.
Full Story

Found On Flickr

Cornish Pixie Doll

I want one. Don't you?

Attack Sheep

I heard about the farmer training attack sheep on As It Happens tonight. Here's a written article.

Feeling Sleepy...

Hmmm... I happened to read a news article on hemochromatosis (it's main point was about stroke risk, and I know someone with this disease), and it mentioned that two of the symptoms are fatigue and aching joints. Hmmm... those are two symptoms I have that have never been diagnosed! (I don't want to be a hypochondriac, but I want these two problems solved, or at least diagnosed. Grrr.) Anyway, after some googling, it looks like hemochromatosis has some symptoms that I don't have (but my friend didn't show *any* symptoms), is more common in people with thyroid problems (I have a family history of thyroid problems, although none diagnosed myself), and is underdiagnosed. I do know that when I go in and mention my tiredness, they check my iron and it's always fine (aka not low)... but I also know that when donating blood, that blood drop for the iron test drops like a rock (always impressing the nurses), I've been having (cut due to TMI) with Aunt Flo. I talked to my folks, and they think it's worth checking this with my doc, and also suggested asking about sleep apnea (probably a good idea), and keeping a record of how much I sleep.

...oh... and depression was another side effect! Wouldn't it be great if I could cure all my problems with the simple act of blood donation?!?

I must remember to call and make an appointment tomorrow.

Oh.. and if you have any other suggestions of things I should ask about, please post a comment or send me an e-mail! I hate being tired all the time.

Speaking of depression... that therapist never did call...

Update: What fun... a list of 80 proposed causes and/or cures of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) and non-CFS chronic fatigue. Somehow I don't think my doc would be too thrilled with me if I brought this in.

Snow Mold

I'm not kidding.

For comparison purposes, here is what mold-free grass looks like after the snow has thawed:

(The lilac likes to drop some of its leaves after we get snow.)

Now here's a particularly thick patch of snow mold:

Click for biggy view, if you dare.

Here's a photo containing both... the mold-free grass is at the bottom of the photo, and that thick patch of snow mold is near the upper-right-center:

There's even some snow in that photo. But mostly snow mold.

Why is it my southern friends never belive me when I tell them about snow mold?

No Duh!

Toxic chemicals behind 'new car smell': report

A new report from a U.S. environmental group suggests the "new car smell" long beloved by the purchasers of vehicles could be a sign of harmful chemicals inside the car.
Full Story

I never did like that stuff! And to think some places will actually spray your car to add "new car smell"! *shudder* I hate things that off-gas nasty chemicals!

Time For Crochet Content

I just started the brim on C's hat:

and Celeste's second sock:

Taste Test Trials

Tim Hortons Triple Chocolate Doughnut

Well, this time Robins was open, but they had sold out of Robin's Eggs. So C and I went to Timmies, since he likes their doughnuts better, and it's been a *way* long time since I've had Robins, so I don't know if I still like them. I wasn't going to get anything, but then discovered (and had to try) the triple chocolate doughnut.

This doughnut apparently qualifies as "triple" chocolate because it has chocolate filling, and two types of chocolate frosting (medium brown and dark brown). I think that may be cheating, but I was still drawn in by the name.

I was going to split it with H (C got his own), but had forgotten that H doesn't like doughnuts. However, I didn't have to go far to find someone to accept the other half. ;)

My impressions: This thing is just as sweet as a Krispy Kreme, but with a different distribution. Most of the insane sweetness was in the icing. The filling was very similar to the stuff in those storebought chocolate pudding cups. Thankfully Timmies doesn't do the "coat the entire sucker in sugar before icing" thing! However, I will *not* be having another any time soon. (It will be a long time before I'm foolish enough!)

I think I'm coming to the conclusion that I don't like Timmies doughnuts. The "original" cake timbit I had was pretty decent, but the chocolate cake timbit I had last week was, um, not worth the calories. Given the choice between Timmies and Superstore, give me Superstore!

Perhaps another day I'll be able to rate Robin's. Today's sugar quota has already been exceeded. (I'm not saying I won't have more, but I'm certainly not having another doughnut!)

Unhelpful

Last night we turned the TV on to the weather, and saw this:

Oh my! What's up?!? It must tell us on the next screen!

Nope... a very benign-looking current conditions screen came next. Let's try the other weather channel. Nope, nothing there either. Back to Environment Canada. There it is again! The black screen of death!

Look: the stupid thing doesn't even tell us the web page address, phone number, or even radio station! This is useless! Maybe it'll tell us what's worthy of this unusual black screen of death this time?

Nope... just the current conditions again. Okay... I need to get my camera and blog about this stupidity.

Back with the camera... more current conditions, other benign stuff... hey! It's giving actual information now! Where we can find out what the black screen means:

The actual weather statment:

Even road conditions!

What happened to the black screen now that I have my camera!?! ...Ah! Finally:

Spring!

The snow melted off the garden this weekend:

(On Friday on my way to school maybe 6" next to the house was clear.)

The daffodils and tulips are pushing up:

(Ours are always the first on the block... a combination of heat from the house and a sunny exposure.)

However, this means it's also the season for snow mold:

(It's the white, cobwebby-looking stuff.) Thankfully I haven't needed my Allegra much yet this season.

About an hour ago it was absolutely pouring rain, but it seems to have stopped for now.

Nicky Says

"Why won't you take me for a walk? Oh won't you pleeeeease take me for a walk? I'd really like to go for a walk! Pleeeeeeease?"


Don't worry... he did get a short walk after I was done helping dad fix the track on the parking pad gate. (A *very* short walk... dad didn't feel like walking more than two laps around the block after working on the gate all afternoon.)

Lime & Violet Marathon Mileage

Recalculating for the group spreadsheet...

Socks: 6.3 x 400 yards
Clapotis: 400 yards
squid eyes: 2 (hmmm... one blanket square worth of yarn?)
bookmark: 1 (one square worth? two? I'll say two.)
blanket squares: 87 - 46.5 = 40.5

2520 yards + 400 yards + (43.5 x 24.5 yards) = 3985.75 yards = 2.26463068 miles

Zee Hat, Eet Ees Growing!

Found On Flickr

variations on the blues

Mmmmm! (Can you imagine this yarn made into the vest I just posted about?!?!)

Found On Flickr

vest back

Mmmmmm!

Funerals Are Sad

Man... I know how devastated I was recently when I broke up with J... I can only imagine how my friend feels about losing his wife. She wasn't quite 33... way too young to die!

Unsurprisingly, I'm in a bit of a funk tonight.

Neato!

"I'm telling you, it's not straight!"

My brother sent me a link to these photos by Seb Przd... fascinating!

Dead Internets

Campus internets is pretty much down... occasionally something makes it through, but mostly it doesn't. Grump. I miss my internets.

I'm feeling kinda grumpy/blue this morning anyway... although things don't suck as much for me as they do for some of my friends. One is over in Kinshasa... she's not in the line of fire, but she can hear it outside the building she's in, she doesn't have food (or beer) or bedding (or even her knitting). Then there's another friend who is a few years older than me... and he just lost his wife to Lupus. They didn't even know she had Lupus until earlier this year, when her immune system went nuts. Funeral is tomorrow. I never met the wife, but I was friends with my friend, so I'm guessing I should go. Life sure sucks for them right now.

In happier news, I'm making progress on C's summer hat:

I'm almost done the top, and will shortly be crocheting without increases to do the sides. (I couldn't put it down, and so ended up working on it on the bus ride home and back to school.)

Another square done on the sock yarn blanket... I should take another photo soon. (And it got mentioned on BritKnitCast!)

Mmmmmmassage!

Mmmm! I got a $5, 15 minute back massage today! I think this type of fundraiser is great! (Well, except for the bit of itchiness due to whatever moisturiser stuff they used... but I'm doing my best to ignore that.)

Hook Happy!

Yay! I found the errant hook in my dad's parking pad. I must have fallen out when I was visiting with him and Nicky.

Watercolour Painting

Watercolour Painting

If you're interested:

If it needs to be shipped, I couldn't send it framed anyway as there would be too much danger of the glass breaking. I would sell it in the mat it's in (16" x 20" outside dimensions), with foam core backing in a crystal clear envelope for $100.00 Canadian plus shipping to any Canadian or continental US destination.

Crafting

Hmmm... now here's a book I'm interested in taking a look at! I'm guessing it's a niche market, though...

Speaking of crafts and books, H, L and I made a lunchtime run over to Copperfields, which is having a sale. I made it out with *only* two:

(There were others I was tempted by, but I managed to restrain myself.)

I saw these while I was there:

...not something I would get, but a cute idea. They're "quilt" wall hangings that don't require any sewing.

Miscellany

Another miscellany post.

Last night I stopped in to see my dad's dog on the way home. Nicky was *so* excited to see me! :) I wasn't excited to have the muddy footprints on my jacket, though. Dad had just come home, so I talked to him for a bit too. When I left, Nicky stood longingly by the back gate and whined and howled the way he does when dad is gone. Heh, heh, heh! (Dad now gets to know what Nicky is like when he's gone. Or not... dad's a bit deaf.)

I told dad I'd help him replace the track on his back gate. I'm not sure when we're doing this, but at least the weather is nice.

Mom painted cool chickens this week:

I think she did a fantastic job. It's really hard to let loose and paint with a big brush and still have something recognizable. (A lot harder than you'd think.) It's for sale, if anyone is interested. ;) (Although it may change slightly when she takes it in to her art class today for critique.)

I made some progress on my dissertation last night... my advisor wants me to do the proofs with invariants rather than procedural steps... I think I managed to make some progress on that. :) I have my meeting with him this morning.

I fell again this morning... I wasn't being too careful, because I wasn't walking on ice. It turns out, however, that there was some slippery frozen mud under a thin layer of slippery wet mud, and, well... I got mud on my hands, knee, and shoes, and my other knee feels a wee bit wrenched. Luckily I was close to home and had enough time to get a paper towel to clean my hands and shoes, although I didn't have enough time to change my pants.

I lost my size E crochet hook!!! I went to work on the socks on the bus, and my hook wasn't in it's bag! I'll check on the path I took from the bus stop to home, at home, and then home to the bus stop to see if it fell out one of those places. I have a spare, but I was a wee bit sentimental about how I had used this one so much I had worn off the finish in one spot. I need to go to Ram Wools to pick up a few more spares (now that I'm down to one hook)... perhaps I can console myself with a skein or two of koigu? ;) (I shouldn't, but I might anyway.)

My new glasses are ready! Here they are:

and here I am with them on, this time with no flash (but more zits and an unflattering colour of t-shirt):

They're a wee bit stronger, so I'm having to adjust. Everything looks just a bit funky. (To match my glasses! ;) )

SNB at L's last night was a blast again! I brought Debbie New's "Unexpected Knitting" to pass around, and everyone was fascinated. E brought a traditional Chinese dessert containing red bean paste and sticky rice flour. I'm about two thirds of the way through the first repeat of the second chart of Durrow's sleeves. The knotwork looks *awesome*!