Today, the mail carrier delivered a box from my dear Knitting Buddy. In with a note about my latest woes, were 2 bars of yummy hand crafted soap and a beautiful hand crafted crochet hook. I took pictures (before I lathered in lavender yumminess) but I'll have to wait to post them, since I am about to run out the door.
It must be that street fair that was just out side my window (2 weeks ago)
And what was it that I got there? Oh, right, my cigar box purse...
Okay, now that we have that in order, shal we talk about projects? I know that I have been a bit lax in my picture of my poncho. Well here you go.
I made this with the wonderful MiniChic Poncho pattern, sans the collar. I thought the collar would be too much with this yarn.
Also, on Sunday, I made an iPod Cosy (as I was just sitting around).
This was an adaptation of a pattern I found at SskeinS.com.
I didn't take any pictures of the big old box I got for the stash reduction. But I took out some Cotton Classic in a mint green (5 skeins), Debbie Bliss cashmerino in deep sage (3 skeins) and mauve (1 skein), and 2 balls of pretty sock yarn. I put in 5 skeins of varigated yellow, white and blue yarn, 4 skeins of navy lopi, 2 skeins of the yarn I used for the poncho and 1 skein of Lion Brand Homespun, plus a bag of a dozen homemade stitch markers.
I was working at the theatre tonight, as I do most every Tuesday. As I was opening my counter for the "Walk Out," the house manager and ushers were busily locking all but 2 of the front doors to the theatre. Since there was around 1500+ people sitting in the auditorium and the final number was well under way (but not yet at the curtain call), I thought that would be a bit WRONG.
Well, come to find out, there was some sort of police action happening just outside the theatre involving the ever interesting Roseland Ballroom across the street. I guess some guy parked his motorcycle in front of the theatre and proceded to get arrested in Roseland. The NYPD, being full of fear from who-knows-what decided to evacuate the entire block for the removal of the motorcycle.
Now, being someone of relative sanity, I realized that if it were a real emergency, they would not have let the cast continue with the show and made the building evacuate in a much more rushed manner. So, I really didn't care what they were doing. I continued to do my job.
A police officer (Grumpy McCopperson) came in, before the last of the patrons were even down the stairs from the mezzanine and told me that I had to close up shop. Fine, but I was in the middle of helping someone and decided that as I am pretty quick and competant, I can accommodate the patrons I was helping as I was closing up shop. Fine. Whatever. Still not convinced that there is a problem. (BTW the motorcycle in question was literally on the other side of the wall I was standing next to.)
Grumpy came back after attempting to herd more of the 1500+ people out the 2 available doors and yelled at me for not being closed up. I told him I was taking care of it and he had to be patient. Grumpy then pulled the "Do you know what is going on out there" crap, to which I said, yes and continued on my diligent way.
When I finally got downstairs to get my things (in no big hurry), the rest of the staff was in a frenzy (surprize all). I grabbed my belongings and proceded out one of the doors that was previously loocked, only to find a group of tourists standing next to the motorcycle in question, taking pictures. The cops had removed the barracades and all was back to normal - aside from the motorcylce still being in the same place. The traffic directing had stopped. People were no longer forbidden from walking to Broadway - diverted to Eighth Avenue.
So, could someone please tell me why this motorcycle was such a threat only a moment (literally) before? Oh, right, there was truly no need to panic and evacuate a city block just because. I guess it was a slow Tuesday night.
Can't wait until the Republican National Convention gets here and we have protests, bomb threats and paranoia about heightened security all over the place.
In any case, I owe some serious pictures and updates. I got my stash-reduction box today. Plus, I made an iPod cozy on Sunday. I am so behind with my posts - work, life, stuff keep getting in the way. But right now, I must go to sleep.
I ended up staying home from the office yesterday to nurse my hacking cough, but I did work at the theatre last night, after a day of resting. I feel better, but still not 100%.
Today, I was awakend to the noise of the set up of the Ninth Avenue International Food Festival. with the weather getting much warmer these days, today was really the best time for a stroll up and down Ninth Avenue for some street food - Ninth Avenue Style, shopping, and enjoying the neighborhood. I did get enticed into a little shopping. (I left my camera connection wire at the office, so you will have to wait until Monday for photos.) I splurged on a new purse made from a cigar box. Very cute.
Tonight is going to be a quiet night, with more home delivered DVDs and sleep to get rid of this lingering cough.
I may not be up to my old tricks quite yet, but I do have power over my voice again. Yea!!! Well, before I get too carried away, there is a remnant of Harvey Fierstein lingering in my timbre. Not exactly ideal, but it gets my point across without my butchered version of sign language. And the sinuses (probably aggrivated after being caught in a thunderstorm last night) are not adding a whole lot to the attractiveness of my being today. But really, I don't feel sick, just unable to breathe or speak normally. Well, there is also the sneezing...Wait a minute, what am I doing in the office in this condition???? Oh, right, I am a sucker for working.
So, I have been working diligently on the Chenille Blanket for the past couple of days. It is plain stockinette for ever, so I don't have to think about it and can put it down at any time. I think I have at least a foot done so far and I have only just begun to put a dent in the cone.
I have also been enjoying the wonders of Netflix. There is nothing like getting DVDs sent directly to your home for your viewing pleasure. I think I have about 35 DVDs lined up for me to watch, three at a time. At least it keeps me out of trouble.
For the past couple of days, there was a soreness and scratchinees in my throat that I have been attributing to allergies. It goes with the sneezing, scratchy and watery eyes and everything else. Well, this morning, my throat had turned to complete sandpaper and took my voice away with it. Such fun!
The steam from the shower helped a bit. The tea and orange juice is also helping. At least it's not as scratchy and sore. But I still have no way of speaking. I'm sure (for those of you who know me) it is a bit of a blessing for the people in my office. But don't worry, I'll be back to my old self before you know it.
I may end up going home early today, if it keeps up. Well, we'll see how things go. In the mean time, I am enjoying "playing dumb."
I fear the pollen season is in full forse this week. For the past 3 days, i have not been able to stop sneezing. Last night, there was a lingering tickle in the back of my throat which doesn't seem to be going away. I have taken the Claritin, but I'm still waiting for it to kick in.
Despite all of that, I managed to cram quite a bit into my weekend. The Tribeca Film Festival didn't quite work on Saturday. By the time we got to the theatre, the show was sold out (could only buy tickets at the door) and there were about 100 people in front of us trying to get in. So, instead, the plans changed to go see Super Size Me. If anyone had any curiosity about whether eating nothing but food from McDonalds might have some bad effects on a body, watch this movie. Be prepared for some absolutely disgusting moments. And most of thos moments are just from watching him eat constantly.
I couldn't tell you the last time I went into McDonalds. And other fast food restaurants are also, basically off my list. I admit that Taco Bell is a little bit of a weakness for me, but that is a rarity as there are a very small amount of them in Manhattan, as opposed to the 84 Mickey D's that live here.
Anyway, I am going to have some tea to try and clear up my throat, and get the thoughts of Big Macs out of my head.
So I haven't been very good about commenting on my blog lately. Things are getting a little bit crazy for me these days. So, to comment on a few e-mails I got, here is a little bit about some of my latest....um....stuff:
Computer It came in a couple of weeks ago. I love it!!! I am still in the process of setting it up (with no time, it takes longer than it should). Last night, I finally got my cable modem, so I can, theoretically, make the changes to my blog that I have been meaning to do for a while. In the mean time, I am slowly getting all of my stuff together.
iPod It came in last week. I love it, too!!! One of the big computer projects that I have actually been spending time on is uploading all of my CDs onto my iTunes and therefore my iPod. It is fabulous. So worthwhile.
Knitting I am so very scattered in my knitting projects. I have a bunch started but not really planned out well. Although, I am currently wearing my revised poncho here in the office (they have been "working" on the AC here so it is FRIGID). I do need to get that picture uploaded.... Maybe this weekend when I can focus a little on the computer.
Theatre It is Tony season, so I have been doing a little more theatre than normal. I'm sure that won't stop anytime soon, but at least it keeps me out of too much trouble.
Vegas I think I mentioned that I was contemplating a trip to Vegas next month. Well, I have decided to go. Not only that, but a couple of friends are thinking about heading out at the same time. I will be staying with family who are renting a house, while the friends are going to be staying with other family (not mine) who live there. I am really looking forward to getting out of the city for a while and meeting up with SO MANY people I don't see very often. Now if the airfares will come down a bit....
Other Stuff Okay, I may not have been talking about these things, but they are currently happening. Saturday, I am going to finally see a movie at the Tribeca Film Festival. I am planning on seeing Coffee and Cigarettes. It should be a hoot. If you don't know about the Tribeca Film Festival, they started it in the spring of 2002 to try to promote the Tribeca area which was severely hurt by the WTC attack in many ways. As that area is still trying to recover, the Film Festival is really helping to promote businesses and interaction downtown.
Last night, I got a surprise phone call from a friend of mine from high school. He is a sailor (non-military), well the captain of the Clearwater. His boat was docked on the Upper West Side. So, I met him for a tour of the boat and a little catching up. He has changed a lot since he has taken on this role of captain; cut his hair, keeps himself tidily groomed and even goes to bed at the unbelievably early hour of 9PM. Anyway, he is in this area pretty often with this new boat, so I hope to see him a bit more often than just once a year.
Well, I think that about brings me up to date...or so. I'm going to try to be a little better about posting on a regular basis, especially since I don't have to carve out time from work, anymore.
Last night my mailbox was full of all kinds of new evils to temp my creative mind. Not only was there the new Interweave Knits Magazine, but there was also the latest catalog from KnitPicks. This is clearly a dangerous combination. I am very easily persuaded to succumb to the evils of new projects and new yarns. Of course, do I really need to take on something new? Shall we take a clance at the list on the right side of the page? But maybe it will be the project of my dreams....maybe it will be the sweater that will bring my entire wardrobe together...maybe...maybe...oh, I can't even convince myself.
Anyway, last night I went to the theatre with a last minute invitation. I saw the new play, Prymate. There were a lot of things that I liked about this play, but also a lot that I didn't. To be honest, there was a lot more monkey sex in the show than I am really used to. Not that there is anything wrong with that, but I was not really prepared. But for the most part, this is a very thoughtful and provocative play that throws love in the face of science. But, I have a feeling that it won't be around too long.
Sometimes I wonder why it is that there are so many people that invest in theatre, especially on Broadway, that don't understand that it is such a mainstream venue that anything that requires thought doesn't make it very long.
