Maybe I'll Spin Today...Or Maybe Talk About Movies

Since my 'lil peanut' surprise, I haven't been spinning or knitting much. Just too darn tired and not focused enough to sit that long enough in front of a wheel.

However, I'm not about to let all that pregnancy exhaustion stop me from spinning today. I'm going to spin today, even if it's only a few minutes. I've got lots of yummy fiber lying around waiting to be spun, and if not today, there's tomorrow, where I'm planning on joining Fiberfreek and Janro for some spinning (fingers crossed, of course)!

Yesterday I spent a wonderful day with my BFF Pam who's going through what she's termed "endstage ovarian cancer". We started the day walking along Little India in her search for a certain Chandrika brand soap, which we eventually found at the last store, Ambala Cash & Carry, which had been my first choice to take her to because it's been around the longest in the neighborhood - and a local favorite.

She'd never tried mango lassi and so I took her to Ambala Sweets & Snacks, a lovely vegetarian 'hole in the wall' that's just the best place ever! We each got ourselves a glass of fresh mango lassi (no powdered mangoes here!) and a plate of yummy spinach pakoras - which became the first of my 5-small-meals-a-day pregnancy diet. I'm not supposed to have spicy food, but it was too yummy to resist!

We then had some soup and salad at Mimi's Cafe before seeing the movie, Away We Go. Lovely movie - totally independent, and totally something I would choose over the latest Transformers movie. I'm such a sucker for movies with awesome soundtracks, and this is definitely one of them! Maggie Gyllenhaal is a hoot!

One of the cool things about watching independent movies is definitely the trailers! Remember Third Rock from the Sun? Well, the youngest kid has grown up and he looked pretty cute in 500 Days of Summer, with Zooey Deschanel. Then there's one powerful movie that I can't wait to watch - although I may wait till it goes to video because I hate crying inside the theater - it's called "Precious" and it's based on the novel "Push - by Sapphire", and while it features an amazing unknown named Gabourey Sidibe and a powerful performance by Mo-Nique, it also features - get this - Mariah Carey, who actually is an amazing actress herself!

After the movie, we parted ways wishing we didn't have to leave so soon. I've known Pam since 1997, when I first started massage school and she is one of the most amazing women I've ever known. Full of life and love, she is now fighting for her life against ovarian cancer and after almost a year since she started her fight with surgeries and chemo, she finally lost her hair. But she is still so vibrant and positive, and I love her so much. It reminds me each day to remain positive and always look at the bright side of life - no matter how bleak it may seem...

I'm Ready for Some Intelligent Fare

Last week, I visited my local Salvation Army in search of some reading books and found Stephanie Meyer's sequel to "Twilight", "New Moon" for two dollars. I figured, what the hell - why not? Then I found the prize - Joseph Campbell's "The Power of Myth" by Bill Moyers, the written transcript of Moyers' last interview (which took days and was broadcast years ago but you can watch it on Netflix!) with Campbell prior to Campbell's death.

If you haven't heard of Joseph Campbell, you may have experienced the results of his writings through modern movies like the Star Wars trilogy which feature hero archetypes from his books, and through many other movies and books. It's a kind of formula, but it works, and most books that I've read and movies that I've seen (and loved) follow Campbell's "hero's journey" - which most of us follow in our own lives as well (though we're not aware of it). Harry Potter, Bilbo Baggins, even Wesley Gibson of Wanted (the movie).

Unfortunately "Twilight" does not follow such a formula. Instead, I spent a few hours each night struggling through the first book, and its recently acquired sequel, till I finally set it down without finishing it. One more "No, don't leave me," and I'm gonna puke.

There are no archetypal heroes in this damn series. I wouldn't want my kids to follow Bella's example of whining, whining, whining (teen anst or not - er, do you want cheese with that?) and the more I read the book, the more I wished Victoria would just show up and kill her already and end my misery (alas, this does not happen).

Don't worry - I'm not about to spend the rest of my post to rant about the Twilight series. I know friends who love it, and I also know that the people who do range in age from 9 to 90, so I guess there is something there (though not much). I do have to admit that I liked the movie - it took me two viewings to get into it, but it was okay. I liked the soundtrack and I found that I liked Cam Gigandet who played James.

But I'm done with needy girls, and lame plots. I'm ready for some strong, intelligent women (and men). I'm ready for some real heroes (and heroines!).

One Wicked Hat & One Sneak Attack!

Yup, my first hand-dyed, handspun, handknit FO to share (on second thought, it may not be the first, but definitely still fun!)!

I started with some Sheep Shed Studio mill ends in black and white, which I kettle dyed (just threw in the colors in layers and prayed), then navajo-plied, and finally knit into this hat that I hope isn't too big for Leo's head.

I usually use the Yarn Harlot's notes for knitting generic hats and socks, so this was pretty easy!


In other developments, I was sneak-attacked yesterday from The Handmade Movement (thank you so much, Heather!) and my shop Liz and Leo got its first seven sales (that's what happens when one has too many shops to begin with - but Liz and Leo on etsy has proven to be most representative of Leo's and my my work) so basically my earlier shops are going to fade away soon.

So all in all, it's been a good day! It's been slow for my practice but it works out because I'm helping Matt, my son, get all his stuff together so he can find himself his first job (he's 19) and today we went to DMV so we could get him his drivers, er, identification card. He says he's not driving yet because he doesn't want to be saddled with the expenses tied to owning a car. Good for him!

At least, he's going to look for a job locally so he can take the bus and the metro easily. Thank goodness we live in a central area with transit within a block or two away...

I have to constantly remind myself to be more patient with him since he's only 19 and being raised overseas where he had everyone doing everything for him, coming the US is a huge leap - especially when there are no maids here. Hehehe...heaven knows I need one in this little house as it is to control my fiber and yarn stash that's spilling out of every nook and cranny!

Back to Regular Programming...For Now

Before I say anything else, let me introduce you to my new DRUM CARDER! Yes! It's a full size Fricke 205 drum carder to go along with my Fricke wheel. The Fricke line of drum carders has since been purchased by Otto Strauch but this one is still a beauty! I picked her up today from Betty, a Raveller who was driving down to San Diego from Central California (saved me on shipping), and we had a wonderful hour spent talking about - what else? Fiber!

I haven't given him a name yet, but at lease I know it's a male. I did end up destashing my Petite and it's en route to New Jersey as we speak.


I also started dyeing again today. I started with two 4-ounce braids which I kettle-dyed and then added in some tussah silk noils to the dye pot to exhaust the rest of the dye. I was pretty pleased with the result, considering that I'm scared to death of mixing or blending my colors. This time I told myself that it wasn't rocket science and no life depended on it. It's simply called 'creativity'...


End result? Not bad at all. Guess this is something I'll be doing more often.

Then Leo came home and said that we should go out to dinner (it's my birthday after all), and after deciding on some T-bone steak, he ended up with sushi. So here's my 'full' plate before I attacked it.

Knitting With Friends Over Coffee, Eyeballs, and the Best Knitting Bag...Ever!

Today was the day to knit and catch up with awesome friends, Jamie and Abraham, and new knitting convert, Meka at Coffee Bean in Bixby Knolls, a quaint little Long Beach area right next to Trader Joe's where I promptly went shopping shortly after we were done knitting almost six hours later! Wow, how time flies!

Meka, a new knitting (and spinning) convert, needed some Knitting 101 tips from Jamie and so he presented her with the Reversible beginner's hat pattern using straight needles. Meka doesn't feel ready for DPN's and I don't blame her - it too me years to brave those darn things myself! I had to convince myself to try out circular looms only to find out the DPN's were way faster and didn't challenge my fading eyesight finding those darn pegs.

Jamie showed off his Vitreous Humor yarn from Jacey Boggs of Insubordiknit and it is just so soft and amazing. Next up was a matching pink 'manly' yarn from Manspun, and it even had some sparklies in it! That's the new age manly for ya!

Of course, Jamie had to show off his latest acquisition - no, not the Spinolution Bee wheel (although that is amazingly portable and on-so-cute!) - but his Nantucket Bagg! It has pockets for everything a knitter should ever need! It can unzip so that it lays flat; zips up so it becomes a bag; and by pulling the top straps tight to close the top, use those straps to turn your Nantucket Bagg into a backpack! You can also use this bag inside out, or outside in - they're amazing either way! I consider it the Best Knitting Bag...Ever!


In fact, I just ordered one for myself - and the coolest thing is - help the company publicize the bag, and you get a free one! I could sell these to non-knitters! It's for everything but the kitchen sink, I tell you! So head on over to the Nantucket Bagg website and order one for yourself! It is one amazing, sturdy, carry-everything bag!

I'm so glad I spent most of the day with comrades in arms (and needles) instead of staying home and wondering if Leo was ever going to remember that two days from now would be my birthday - he's only managed to forget it the entire time we've been together (um, four years). It can be depressing, but what can you do? I could hire skywriters, but in this economy, it's out of the question.

But I'll live...

Vintage Find

Don't ask me why, when I should be destashing stuff, I'm bringing in more stuff into the house instead. This week, in addition to my wonderful haul in books, I also got myself a free printer and a whole bag of brand new, unopened ink cartridges for said printer, from someone on Freecycle. The printer doesn't work, just as she said, but there's about 10 boxes of unopened ink cartridges, so I'm happy.

Today after spending a lazy morning in bed with my coffee and laptop, Leo and I headed to his parents' house for his mother's birthday party. Their idea of a party is short and sweet. Chat a little bit, eat, maybe chat a little bit more, and then less than 2 hours later, everyone is out ladened with goodies. Not a bad deal, I tell you. Happens every time.

On the way home, I stopped by the bead store to get some bead caps for a few drop spindles I'm making (none of them fit, of course) and then at the thrift store just a few blocks from me.

As I browsed, the owner asked me if I was in the market for a sewing machine. In reality, I'm not. I already have a Kenmore that's about 18 years old and I've sewn many a pillow, curtain, hot pack, a few pairs of those cool 'pajama' pants, and Ren Faire outfits on it without ever once oiling it (maybe that's why it's all seized up and out of commission, eh?) and a hand-me-down Singer form Leo's sister. Who needs another sewing machine?

Apparently, I do.

So like a smart woman in search of a bargain, and that next treasure to live in my home, I said, SURE! So he drags out this little thing. Not too impressive, huh?


Weighs about 40 pounds. So he opens the case and out comes this gorgeous vintage piece of Italian machinery that screamed at me, "Take me home...now!" We talked price and settled for a whopping...get this, $30. I had no idea what a Necchi is but it sounded Italian to me, so I whipped out the cash and bought it.


Turns out that I scored myself a vintage Italian Necchi BU Nova, which does both straight and zigzag stitches. Prompt research states that Necchi BU Novas were built in 1955 and with proper TLC (like oiling it regularly), it should run forever!


Necchi ads even featured the young Sophia Loren. I still think she's one of the most beautiful women in the world, btw.


And because I'm getting older and can't remember crap, I found a parts label guide, and this threading guide just in case...


I also picked up a set of unused Knifty Knitter looms (those round ones they sell at Michael's) for $3, and for an extra 50 cents, a roll of fabric that my handspun, handknit purse has been waiting for as a lining! A match made in heaven!

I'm planning on using the looms for my bulky handspun - and see what I come up with it. I used to have these same ones, including wonderlooms, long looms, the "authentic knitting loom", you-name-it-I-probably-had-it-loom, but I destashed them all on eBay one day and got some pretty bucks for them, too! And to get this set for $3 - it was simply a buy I couldn't resist. I had actually been contemplating getting one when I was at JoAnn's last week - thank goodness I waited.

Alright, enough rambling - I'm off to play with my new toys!

Books!

Last week, when I got stuck in Friday traffic for about 2 hours (freeway was so slow so I figured I'd take the side streets according to my GPS and I ended up in Compton/Watts area for a whole lot longer than I would have if I had stayed on the freeway), I decided to stop by a Goodwill store to shop their books.

After finding about 8 books to haul over to the counter and wondering why none of them had prices on them - they had price tags, just no prices indicated on them - I was shocked to discover that this particular store based the sale price on the publisher's price on the book cover. So, a paperback that was originally $7.95 would be $2.99, and anything that was over $15 would cost you over $7.

I think that's outrageous! I took them all back and kept only one small paperback by Tami Hoag, Dust to Dust, and even that dinged me $2.99 plus tax. Highway robbery, I tell you.

So yesterday, stuck in the PCH traffic from my studio to home, I decided to give my "real" favorite thrift store a try - Salvation Army. They're pretty straightforward. Prices are on the covers and the prices range from $1 for a paperback, $2 for those larger paperbacks, and $3 for hardcovers. Besides, I'm tired of sitting in traffic. Just that morning, I drove to client's house 40 miles away for 1.2 hours and then to my office 29 miles away (same direction as home, though, not farther away) for a speedy 40 minutes (I was lucky. The 405 south wasn't as packed as it would have been if I had waited another 2 hours. So a few minutes at the Salvation Army's book section was a perfect respite from Los Angeles traffic.

So, I ended up with a lot of books and I can't wait to dive in and read all of them! I just wish they were all audiobooks and I can listen to them while I knit or spin!

My score, so far:

Possession, A Romance, by A.S. Byatt - $1
The Other Boleyn Girl, by Philippa Gregory - $2
Wicked, by Gregory Maguire - $1 (this was a large book, btw, but the clerk was nice enough to label this and another unmarked large book $1) I saw the Broadway play and it was wonderful, but I always love to read the original source! Lots more information than one can include in a 2 hour play.
Collapse: How Societies Choose to Fail or Succeed, by Jared Diamond - $2 (This title seems to reflect our current economical situation, don't you think?)
The Wheel of Darkness, by Douglas Preston & Lincoln Child (hardcover) - $3 (I was really hoping to find "The Relic" but I'll settle for this one for now. I did see them have "The Reliquary" so I may just return and get that, too)
False Memory, by Dean Koontz - $1
The Mummy Congress, the Science, Obsession, and the Everlasting Dead, by Heather Pringle - $3
Women Who Run with the Wolves, by Clarissa Pinkola Estes - $1 (I have this in hardcover and love it! But on paperback, it's perfect to slip into my knitting bag!)

TOTAL COST: $14 - not bad for a great selection of books that were also in wonderful condition! They're all going to find perfect homes (well, most of them - some of them are destined to be donated back to the Salvation Army) in my library.

I usually pick up cool knitting books when I visit thrift stores but lately, I haven't found any. But a score on non-knitting books works great for me, too. I definitely need it these days when all I hear and read in the news is how everyone on Wall Street is getting everything and then some, and how the current administration has no plan whatsoever to deal with this crisis. They talk about plans, and seem to execute said plans, but I'm talking about plans that actually work - not the ones that backfire on them, and the public - why no one in the administration foresaw the $165 million in bonuses to executives (some of whom received $4 to $6 million each) who then bailed out of the company afterwards is beyond my comprehension. So there. I'm also tired of all the rhetoric. I love to listen to NPR but lately I've been tuning it all off. It's depressing.

In the knitting front, I haven't done much knitting because my elbow has been acting up. Ever since I strained it from moving boxes in the garage over a month ago, it hasn't recovered. I can't knit for over half an hour without the elbow hurting - but, thank goodness for this - I can spin! So my WIP's have been languishing all over the place.

However, after discovering over 3 large trash bags filled with yarn conveniently hidden in my closet (away from DH's eyes - what he won't know won't bother him eh?), I have launched OPERATION STASHBUSTER. As long as I don't overdo the knitting, then I plan to knit a few rows each day and slowly get through the current projects and then move on to newer projects. After all, Christmas is only 9 months away. By Christmas, hopefully, I'd have birthed at least 20 projects.

Oh, ambition...