Strings and Yarn

In case you are interested, I just got my C-leg back! Not only did I get it, but it works! It kind of feels weird walking on it again since I got used to my crappy leg, but I’m so glad that I can hop and skip and not worry about hitting the ground! Woo hoo! Off I go to be bionic woman again!

I saw a post about banned books on Thaleia’s Blog as I was browsing and decided it was definitely worth a mention.

Although Banned Book Week is almost over, Sept 24th - Oct 1st, many libraries, book stores and such do banned books during the whole month of Oct. I actually find the week/month very interesting because it always shocks me to find out what some people may consider offensive. We aren’t talking just one person getting offended, there have to be many, many that feel that this book is creating some sort of societal wrong.

I love how people (or groups of people) somehow feel responsible for the rest of the population. Personally I don’t want anyone to responsible for me and I would rather that I am left to make my own decisions accordingly. For whatever reason we cannot be happy with sharing ideas, but instead try to impose them on others.

If you would lie more info on Banned Books you can visit the American Library Association. You can read some banned books on the Books Online Library. Most local libraries do something for the week, including the Eugene Public Library and their First Friday night on banned books and censorship. Meanwhile, pull out one of those classics that was banned and enjoy the freedom of reading it!

I have a project, a knitting project, that has been sitting around for a few years. (They call those UFO’s but I can’t remember what that stands for.) Two summers ago I took a class and learned how to purl. I already knew how to knit, but purling had never been explained. I completed my first project which had several interesting things such as garter stitch, stockinette, decreases, increases and even two bobbles for eyes. It was my red snake.

The picture isn’t great, but the snake doesn’t look so good anymore. Even though it was acrylic yarn, it has gone through it’s own felting process called being a cat toy.

So after I made the snake I decided I wanted to tackle a sweater. I found a pattern on the Lion Brand web site that I was interested in but there were several problems. The yarn I liked was not the same weight that the pattern called for so naturally there were a lot of things that need adjusting. Luckily I had a master knitter on my side and we were able to come up with a pattern that would be a custom fit.

We didn’t finish the pattern all the way through though. Soon classes started back up, and I no longer had time for knitting. Before I knew it, Relay for Life had come around and I was very busy crocheting up hats and scarves to sell for fundraising. Now I’ve moved away and I still have a back of a sweater finished and the very bottom edge of the front started.

After I read the Stitch n’ Bitch book by Debbie Stoller (Stitch n’ @$!*#) I felt like I could maybe pick up my old sweater again. I looked over other patterns in the book and figured out how to add in a V-neck, a front pocket, and maybe even a hood. I was back in business. I have now completed half of the front and will soon be starting my V-neck. Not to mention I also know where to search out help if I need it.

I am hoping that my sweater turns out as beautifully as I picture it in my head. I promise to post pics as soon as it looks more like a sweater and less like big squares. It just feels so good to pick it up again and feel potential.

It is long past time to profess my love for Rufus Wainwright! Yes, for those of you who know me, my obsession is still strong. For the past year or so, I have been listening to Rufus pretty much non-stop. His most recent album, Want Two, released in Nov. 04 (I think?) and it is a permanent fixture in my CD player. It also came with a DVD of concert in San Francisco. Of course I have all of his albums and I love each and every one of them as equally as I can. My first Rufus album was Want One. I had seen him play in Phoenix and it was love at first sight. Rufus played in Portland in August, but I didn’t get to go; no money, and I was still trying to settle my life in Eugene. Alas, I will just have to wait for my next chance to see him playing live. Come back to Oregon Rufus!

So I finished my socks! They turned out great and are nice and comfy. Of course I’ve already started a new project but I can’t talk about that one for awhile. Actually, there may be several projects that I won’t be able to talk about until they are in the hands of rightful owners. I promise to post a picture when I the boyfriend gets back in town with the digital camera. Until then you’ll just have to imagine what they look like.

Okay so I think that the best way to describe Homestar Runner and his gang is random. Things have reached a new level because now they’ve added even more randomness to the site, literally.

I don’t know if many of you have explored the site in the quite the depth that I have, but we’ll just say I have spent enough time to have seen a good portion of the randomness available. So, at the very top of the main page there are three very small round buttons, or rather there used to be three, and now there are four. The fourth button is the most special. It is the random toon button! Now when you can’t quite decide if you’re in the mood for an SB e-mail or a short you can let the site decide for you. It’s also very handy if you are new to the many smiles, confused looks, and yes, rolling on the floor laughter that this site will provide.

It doesn’t stop there! Oh no, if you know you want a SB e-mail and just can’t decide (The list is getting quite overwhelming) there is also a random button on the top right hand corner of the scroll bar. I feel like I get to experience Homestar all over again!

I had my first lesson of the semester yesterday. It was exactly what the doctor ordered. I really need to have a lesson to feel that love for playing again.

I’ve been working on Mozart Concerto #5 in A Major. This is my easy summer project. Learning the notes is not hard and doesn’t require a lot of teacher help, so I’ve been able to put in my own horrible fingerings and bowings and almost get away with it. (Somehow I’ve never become very independant with my bowing and fingering desicions even thought Louise always tried to get me to be.) So all summer I would occasionally pick up my Mozart and learn a little more, eventually memorizing it and trying desperatly to make it sound interesting. Of course it never did sound interesting. My Mozart just sounded lazy and “without sparkle”.

So in my lesson yesterday we spent the first portion talking about my background, my rep list (which is pretty skinny) and my previous technique experience (which is also kind of skinny). As soon as we started into the Mozart I could tell the Mr. G felt that I had potential. We worked on giving the piece more character and fine tuning some of the little mistakes.

We ran out of time before we could get very far on the Mozart so I have another lesson on Wed. Only a half an hour this time though so that we can straighten out a few fingerings. While we were working on the Mozart Mr. G said something shocking. “It doesn’t really matter to me if you use the music or not at this point” Yeah! my insides shouted! This is refreshing. I have been working on memorization for the past five years (and while it’s been valuable it is certainly not the most important thing in playing) and am so ready to be doing more detail work and less block memorization. Overall, I really felt ready to start the semester and put my nose back to the grindstone.

I’m not really that shy I just like how all those little symbols look for forbidden words. So lately my brain has been everything knitting. In order to make sure that I do the things that I need to get done, I have to reward myself with knitting at the end of my chores, even if it’s just a few rows. Just one more row…please….

So in an effort to quench my thirst for my new found obsession, I got Stitch n’ Bitch: The Knitter’s Handbook, by Debbie Stoller, from the Eugene Public Library. This book is absolutely fabulous. I read it pretty much cover to cover in a few days! Even though most of it was a review for me, it really helped me understand knitting so much more. I fixed several little things that were plaguing my stitches and now my knitting has gone back to the consistent way it used to be.

Why would my knitting get worse over the last year or so? Well, it’s a matter of having too many teachers, who won’t teach me my way! I knit “continental style” which simply means that I hold my free yarn in my left hand. I get this from the many years of crocheting. The more popular and common style is “English” which holds the yarn in the right hand. You wouldn’t think that this would confuse people that much, but it does! I have been told that I should just switch because it would be easier, but in fact it is not only easier for me continental, but much, much faster.

So now my second sock is coming along, and much quicker than the first one. I’ve already done my cuff and heel and am working on the foot section. Soon enough I will have my beautiful pair of socks!

Stitch n’ Bitch is so well written that even a very beginner could learn from this book. The book covers the very basics, intermediate, advanced techniques, a brief history and how to start your own stitch n’ bitch group. The advanced techniques are just a brief overview and probably would need further explanation. Even though I got this book from the library, it may have to find its way into my permanent collection. It’s just that good!

I can feel it! The craziness of school is going to start and my lazy summer is coming to an end. It’s weird because even though I’ve lived here for a good month and a half I still feel very lost when it comes to school. Of course all of you with real jobs or in regions where school started weeks ago are glad that I am finally getting my dose of work. Next week is the dreaded week before classes start which often can be more crazy than when the classes are in session. At least this year is since I’m the new kid.

Most of it is really exciting though! I have my “get ready for the term” violin lesson on Monday morning. I will get new assignments and pieces, which is always a good thing, not to mention a new perspective on my playing. I’m also hoping that I’ll have a whole new rejuvenation in my own practicing. Partially because I will absolutely need to practice now and partially because I’ll be so excited about practicing. I’m also going to a few orientations. The orientations themselves are not very exciting, but the chance to meet a few new people, and the other new grad music students is.

The least exciting thing next week is definitely my grad entrance exams. I have a theory exam on Friday from 3 - 5, with some short aural components after. Then a history exam from 7 - 9. That is a little more than 4 hours of tests! If I don’t pass I have to take an additional class this term or two this term. It’s time to really buckle down and start learning that theory all over again! Hello University of Oregon, here I come!