Amid my sweating last night, I tried to get a little further on my scarf. I don't think I am in love with the pattern I chose. I think it is too open and to frilly. I'm not that much of a frilly girl. I brought a couple of my stitch pattern books with me to bring to the S-n-B tonight. I think I need to have a little feed back from the S-n-Bers.

I also have my holiday gifts that I should continue to work on. I think the scarf and the gifts will be my back and forth projects for a little while.

That's really all for now.

I had an uncontrollable urge to buy yarn on Saturday. Decidedly, I went all the way down to Downtown Yarns to quell this need. I found some dark charcoal merino for a hat for a friend (which has since been finished) and some black alpaca for a scarf for me. In some ways it is just wrong to pine for wool when the weather is this nasty out. We're headed back up into the high 90s again.

So I am trying to figure out what to do on this scarf for myself. I don't want a plain scarf but since it is black, only lace and eyelets will show up. I have tried a couple of lacy stitches but I am not really sold on them yet. I think I tried about 5 just last night.

The hat came out very nice. It is so soft. I made a Seaman's Cap. My gauge was a little different so the ribbing is not quite so high. I hope it fits my friend's head which is kind of big. I know that I did most of it on 26" circulars and it fits on my head, too. I hope that means that it will cover his melon. If not, I can always start over. It's not like he is going to need it right away. But he will be in Minneapolis in November so he shauld be able to get some good use out of it before the end of the year.

I totally forgot to mention that the pattern for the blanket in the pictures is the Heirloom Knit Baby Blanket that I found through Knitting About.com. The pattern calls for 7 strips sewn together and then edged in a scolloped lace. It was really a great project to work on. I really like this pattern because it is delicate and lacy without being breezy and having big holes that can make the baby cold.

I can't say that I have done much on my holiday projects of late. I have been running out of time. What is this world coming to when I don't have time to knit!!! I also need to get going on the Book Club book, Paris to the Moon. Once again, I am behind in my reading. This time it is only because I don't have time. I have been reading on the train or bus whenever I take one. The down side is that those trips aren't very long. I am really enjoying reading this one.

The weekend looks like it will be a hot one. Saturday will be a steamer for Aaron's (flash site) half-birthday party (his birthday is in January) with his not quite up to snuff air conditioner. It should still be a lot of fun. He and John really know how to throw a good party. I guess it's always good to have a caterer and a DJ as hosts.

I just got some pictures of a baby blanket that I made a few months ago. And a cute little picture of Ian making good use of the blanket.



This blanket was made with Cotton Fleece in Cotton Ball and Antique Lace. It was really great to work with. I even had enough left over to make matching booties. I hope Ian and his parents get a lot of good use out of it.

I don't have a lot to say today. I did a little bit of knitting last night but not much. Mostly, I spent a lovely evening with Ayelet and Jackie down in the East Village.

I have a few things brewing these days to help me get out of the purgatory of work. Keep your fingers crossed for me. I am at the point that I will do most anything to not have to move to Jersey and then to upstate New York. I can't figure out how those two moves can possibly be good for keeping employees. Anyway, the fires are burning and my irons are being cast. I'll keep you all posted.

First of all, I need to wish my sister a happy birthday today. Happy birthday, Amy!!!

I think the new venue for the S-n-B last night was a success. I think Java N Jazz has a lot to offer our little group. The lighting is better; it is a larger space; they have nice staff; there isn't the shade-too-loud head-banging music; they serve food, not just pastries; they have nice staff; there are couches and a rocking chair; did I mention the nice staff. Basically, I think it is a good choice. I think we were really growing out too big for that space, as well.

I can't say that I am happy about being back at work today. The problems that I was having with my computer on Friday have still not been fixed while I was out of the office. This does not make me happy at all. To be honest, I am very close to trying to get our incompetent IT administator axed. If the powers that be won't take care of this major problem, I will take matters in my own hands.

It's painful to see that it takes less than 30 minutes in the office for 4 days of relaxation to be negated. I have to keep telling myself "I love my job."

I have decided to take a little time off work in order to gather some of my sanity. Today and tomorrow are all about chilling, hanging and knitting. I am taking a little break from all of that to check my e-mail at the library. If you haven't had the pleasure of waiting in line to log on at your local branch, it is quite a hoot.

Anymay, I have been knitting up a storm the last couple of days. I should have my Christmas presents finished before the westher cools. (Another reason for me to be at the library right now - 95 degrees with LOTS of humidity.)

I'm going to keep this short. I'm getting stares for the people waiting in line.

It's time for the Friday Five.

1. Where were you born?
Vancouver, WA

2. If you still live there, where would you rather move to? If you don't live there, do you want to move back? Why or why not?
I do not have any thoughts of moving back home. It will always be my hometown but I can't live in that small of a town. I am a city girl!

3. Where in the world do you feel the safest?
Contrary to most people's opinion, I feel pretty darn safe here in NYC. Despite the WTC, crime and all of that, this is a pretty safe city.

4. Do you feel you are well-traveled?
I would love to travel more. Basically, I feel like I have done a bit of travel. I have seen most of the country and recently ventured out to other continents. I plan on continuing the traveling in the future.

5. Where is the most interesting place you've been?
I loved the tranquility af the South of France, the resort feel of St. Martin, the excitement of New Orleans, and the hip atmosphere of San Francisco as well as many other places. But when it comes down to it, there is really no place more interesting than NYC. It is one of the best places to find fabulous restaurants, many kinds of culture and the widest variety of people and ethnicities around.

My meeting nightmare has now come to a close. I kept my cool throughout by knitting away diligently. I got quite a lot done in the past 3 days. Everyone kept commenting on my progress. I even got a few people requesting baby clothes for their kids. We'll see how that goes.

I have decided to take a couple of mental health days next week to collect myself. I am really looking forward to 4 days of nothing.

In the mean time, I am going to continue to fight with my office computer which has no access to the network server. I guess if I can't get any work finished, I should go home.

I have reached a new level of Grumpy! I was given the task of preparing a three-day meeting for 45 people the last night. Granted I didn't have to prepare any presentations or book rooms, but everything else is now mine to do. So that means, when I am at the office, I occupy both copy machines on the floor for hours on end only to have to spend the majority of the day sitting outside of a conference room in case the phone rings. The only thing that is remotely keeping me sane is I had the foresight to bring in my knitting. It relaxed me to the point that I won't kill anyone today, but I can't vouch for tomorrow or Friday. I need to get away from this place. Abuse is not even in the ballpark in describing my position.

AAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I finally got my E-Knitting order today! (Same order that was placed in April, lost by the Post Office and resent to my work address.) I am very happy about that. Now I have even more potential projects! Today is a good day!

I should take the rest of the day off just to knit. Let's see how long that fantasy lasts...

I didn't finish my sweater last night. All the pieces are finished and the entire left side is sewn. As I was starting to sew up the right sleeve, I discovered that I forget to make the initial bound off stitches to match up with the body. Instead of winging it, I frogged down to that row and finished again. Now I am ready to sew the rest. There really is no hurry since the weather is not very sweater appropriate right now.

A sI was stitching my sweater last night, I watched The Rocky Horror Picture Show on AMC. I woke up to Dammit Janet playing in my brain this morning. While I was in the shower, I couldn't help singing TIme Warp. My head has been invaded by a Sweet Transvestite from Transexual Transylvania. At least I didn't break out a bustier and fishnets for work this morning! That is definitely not business casual.

I am really looking forward to doing some yarn shopping today before S-n-B. I have no idea what I want to make but I'm sure I will be inspired by the yarns. It's the little things in life that make me happiest!

Thank you all for your birthday wishes. I had a pretty good birthday weekend. Sunday, I spent a lot of time on the phone with my family. I met up with a handful of my friends for a dinner and a decadent dessert (because I am all about full desserts!) at Serendipity 3 Restaurant. It was a really nice time with good friends and good food. Sadly, John Cusack did not show up for a Frozen Hot Chocolate. That would have been a great birthday present! (Don't think I am quite over the top with that last link. It just made me chuckle!)

Mostly, I got some knitting dane this weekend. My sweater is almost finished. I thought I was going to have to scrimp on the collar due to lack of yarn. As I was coming down the home stretch by using every short piece I could find to put the last pieces together, I found a rather large ball hiding. That means the collar will be back up to the The Flying Nun wing-span standards. I plan on having that finished tonight.

That means I can start tomorrow's S-n-B with a brand new project, thanks to a birthday gift certificate from Jackie from Downtown Yarns. WHERE TO BEGIN!?!?!?!? Now I have to think about what I want to make...

I am going to scream. I have lost my post twice this morning because technology is not playing nice with me!!!

Last night was the second meeting of the Book Club. We were at a bit of a disadvantage as 3 of the 5 of us that made it had not finished the book. Despite that, we did have quite a discussion. Nevertheless, I have decided that I will finish Love in the Time of Cholera at some point, just not right away.

I have been avoiding making plans for this weekend. Partly because I don't know what I want to do and partly because I have a hard time making plans for others based soley on my whimsy. For those of you not in the know, Sunday is my birthday. I am also not in much of a "big blowout" mood lately. Low key is my mantra.

Today is going to be a light update day. I have officially not finished the book for tonight's Book Club meeting. I really tried. Despite my less than exhuberant attitude toward it, I really did try to get it all in. Sadly, time and energy were not on my side these past couple of weeks.

I found out that my best friend from back home, Judy, is planning on coming out here for a visit next month on her way to Ireland. It has only been about 11 years that she has been promisisg to come visit me in New York. Even when her favorite cousin moved here, she still found excuses not to come. I will be very happy to see her.

That is really all that I have the energy to write about today. Maybe I'll perk up later in the day.

Last night was a really fun S-n-B. I have decided to start an internship under the Stitch Doctor. If I work really hard, I hope to have my residency by the winter, maybe go into private practice sometime next year. Debbie, will you give me a shot? I am a good student, I swear.

Carolyn sent me many words of encouragement on my crocheting endeavors. Mabe soon I will be worthy of this certificate. I will hold off on picking out a frame until I feel a little more sure of myself.

I am looking forward to this week being over. It has been a rough week for me and it's only Wednesday. I think I may have to take a little time of very soon. Mental health days, and all.

Tomorrow is the second meeting of the Book Club. We are going to discuss Love in the Time of Cholera by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. I have to admit that I have only finished about half the book at this point. I don't think I will finish it before we get together. I have really tried to get through it in time but there are not enough hours in the day. Maybe I should just get the CliffsNotes....

I just finished a big presentation at work today. I think this is just one more feather in my cap saying that I am not really an administrative assistant. Nevertheless, I am still wearing the hat of one (although my head is getting far too big for it). GGGGGGGRRRRRRRR!!!!!!

Tonight is the good old S-n-B. I can really use some quality knitting to calm down my nerves. Of course, I did not bring a whole lot with me since I wasn't sure if I was going to be able to make it. We'll see how far I got through tonight.

I am very excited that I got to talk to Scottie last night. Scottie is a dear friend that I don't get to see very often due to his travels. He has been out on the road with Saturday Night Fever for the past couple of years. Now there is a chance that he may be going out with The Producers (warning: flash site) at the end of the Summer. I like it much better when he gets a gig in town. Of course, I can't do much about that. At least he has work! That's more than I can say for people staying around this area, especially in the arts.

I want to send out a HUGE congratulations to Betsy and Ryan on their engagement!!! How fabulous to start the next phase in your relationship in a city with so much history, romance and awe, like Rome. Congratulations!!!!!

This weekend, I opted to stay in from the waning heat and waxing smoke. Before I hibernated, I stopped by the library and picked up Crocheting in Plain English. So I did what any sequestered fiberphile would do, I taught myself to crochet. Granted, I am not very good nor am I convinced that I am doing it right. Nevertheless, I got through a basic chain, single chain and double chain. I even ventured to try fishnet. I guess I'm just trying to beconme more well rounded.

I finished the shell on Saturday. I think it came out very well. I tried it on and it fits me even though it looks small. I even made a little I-cord button for the back closure. I think it will look really cute on my sister. On the heels of that, I made a big decision. The chameleon cardigan that has been on the needles for the past 5 months got frogged. I realized that I really did not like the stitch pattern and had no desire to finish it let alone wear it. Instead, it will become a cropped sweater with seed stitch edging and a collar. The pattern is in the Vogue Knitting on the Go: Vintage Knits book. I seem to be getting quite a lot of use out of this book. I have much more faith in this one working out.

Because I couldn't post on Friday due to server maintenance, here is Friday's post:

I spent so much of yesterday knitting and watching The Twilight Zone Marathon on the Sci-fi channel. Nothing like stiffling heat, Rod Serling and yarn to have a happy Independence Day! The shell is almost finished. I only have the front above the armholes left to finish. It looks really nice.

I did actually go out yesterday. Jackie took me along to 2 parties that she got invites to last night. We ended up watching the Macy's 4th Of July Fireworks from a rooftop in the WEST Village. For those of you who are unfamiliar with New York's fireworks, they are set off in the East River, between Manhattan and Brooklyn. They are generally not easily seen from the Westside due to the very large buildings in the way. So many of the buildings in the Village (east and west) are lower than 20 floors so we had a pretty good view. Thanks, Jackie for bringing me along!

Today is a short day at work. I am looking forward to extending the weekend by a few hours. We'll see if that actually happens....

Well, it's time for The Friday Five

1. Where are you right now?
Sitting at my desk at work. My home computer is dead so I have to do all my updates at work.

2. What have you lost recently?
Maybe it would be better to describe what I can't find. (Does that mean I lost it???) I realized I can't find a skirt that I generally wear in this weather. It has to be somewhere in my sub-compact home.

3. What was the first CD you ever purchased?
Simon & Garfunkle Live in Central Park. I bought it as a Sophomore in college right after my roommate, Bernadette, and I bought a stereo with a CD player. Unfortunately, it went down with the WTC.

4. What is your favorite kind of writing pen?
I love the medium point gel or roller ball pens. I only use a purple pen at work. Just one way of making sure I stand out in the crowd.

5. What is your favorite ice cream flavor?
If calories were no opject, I would eat Ben & Jerry's Phish Food everyday. It does come in Frozen Yogurt. For a lower calorie and not quite as rich but just as tasty substitution, I go for Healthy Choice's Happy Together. In all honesty, I rarely ever turn down any ice cream flavor.

Well, I am going to sign off for the holiday. I must go home to sweat, read and knit (not necssarily in that order, but most likely). Have a very happy and safe Forth of July. I will chat again on Friday!

Last night, after a long day at the office, I was really looking forward to relaxing at S-n-B. When I got there at my usual 1 hour before it starts, what do I see on the door? A sign saying they would be closed for the evening for a "Staff Meeting." Granted, the staff there could use some help, but it was really horrible for all of us weekly knitters. For 45 minutes, we congregated out front in the 95 degree, 85% humidtiy weather trying to find somewhere else to go nearby. We ended up going to Bulgin' Waffles a block away and left a sign on the door of the rest of the group. I think there is a small uprising within the ranks to find an alternative venue. Afterwards, Jackie and I wandered around the area looking for alternatives. Sadly, the options are rather limited by either space, lighting or business hours.

I splurged last night and bought my first Addi Turbo Circular Needles. I want to emphasize FIRST. I have been meaning to try them out for a while but haven't had the necessity to get new needles. I have been using my Susan Bates Circulars for the shell. Unfortunately, the tips are so sharp that they poke into my fingers. It is not comfortable, at all. The Addis are really great. And they helped me get through another ball on my shell. It seems to be progresing quite quickly now.

So, as I was taking the nice, air-conditioned bus home last night, I had my bag on the seat next to me as I was knitting. A few stops down the line, it got a bit crowded. I was moving my bag to the floor as I was moving into that seat. There was a #8 Susan Bates Straight needle that had poked through my bag, into my leg. Oh, yes, I drew blood on that one. I think Susan Bates will have to stay locked away for a while, now. I hope today gets better.

To quote Cole Porter, It's too darn hot! I think I have officially melted and it's only 9AM! The heat index is supposed to be over 100 degrees today. All you New Yorkers out there, stay inside at all costs!

I have jumped into the stash of yarn that Jackie and I inherited from the grandmother of a friend. Because almost everything is a fingering weight, I have been going a little nuts with the Knits for Barbie Doll pattern book. I am making the sweater coat on the cover out of a Paton's mohair/acrylic blend in off-white. It is coming out really cute. There is a fuzzy rug that is shown in the book made out of pink angora (only Barbie would have a pink angora rug!) that I am attempting in a furry, terry cloth like yarn. I hope I don't drop any stitches. I would never find them again. I have also nearly finished an i-cord coil rug (think braided rug) and a shorts set. My nieces will be swimming in Barbie clothes by the time I make it through this stash. The best part about knitting for Barbie is all of the projects are small and go quickly. I can finish a couple different items in an evening.

I think I may have fixed my shell problem. I have started knitting it in the round. I added the cable but removed the need for seams so it should give me just enough extra space. Of course, it is now much slower progress since I have twice as many stitches to deal with. Nevertheless, I have hope for it to come out ok.

Every summer, I realize how this city is so much like the play/film, The Seven Year Itch. The residents of the city clear out as soon as the temperature gets above 80 degrees. Anyone that is left is only here because either they don't have a place to go or they are tied here by work or other obligations. You would think that would leave an empty city, especially on the weekends. Alas, no. The space is filled up with tourists from every corner of the globe. Meanwhile, there is a hunt for a cool establishment, anywhere. Maybe that is why most of the "Summer Blockbuster" movies are such crap. People go to the movies to get out of the heat, not to see quality films. And, yes, the air from the subway grates is nice and cool when it blows up your skirt.

Stay cool, out there!