Film Fest Knitting

In between rounds at the Film Fest, you can't really watch movies - too much to do...

But in those 15-20 minute chunks of time, it's not at all fun to sit and stare at the wall, so I started a new (portable) knitting project for spring!

My Wanderlust Cami (formerly the Un-beaded Cami).



I finally understand that cotton yarn = drapey, so I saved this beautiful yarn for a flowing tunic-ie top that will be perfect for sunning my shoulders.

Pattern can be found here

Film Fest

I've been down at the Film Fest since last Thursday night.

Not quite as literally as last year when snow kept me at Tower City for 3 days straight - but I worked Thursday night, took a vacation day to work Friday, was there for Sat'y and Sun'y, too.

And because the opera has opening night on Friday and a matinee on Sunday - I'm working evening shifts all week.

Tonight I actually stayed to watch a film!

There is something about the busyness and choas is so energizing - it goes beyond the films for me.

So that's where I've been, that's where I'll be.

Phone off, email unchecked, Facebook un-updated and blog (generally) ignored...

NPD

You know those people.
Those. People.
The ones that show up in your life and drive you crazy.
Not in a charming way...well - maybe - at first.
But the ones that even when you wash your hands of them, you still see red when you run into them on the street or even think about what will happen if you run into them on the street.

Part of what drives you crazy is that these people, they don't react to things like people should.*

They parry and thrust around life in a way that is simply un-understandable, illogical and generally leaves a lot of bad feelings all around.

Anyway, I just read this article in Slate about Narcissistic Personality Disorder and it gives a good description of those very things that lead to head scratching/teeth grinding/throw your hands in the air and give up.

And it's calming to see these experienced actions described as "bad behavior" in a neutral space - not just coming from friends or your own attempts to reconcile why you've found yourself staring deep into the eyes of shadenfreude.

It's one of those articles you stumble upon and find yourself saying out loud at work "Ohmygod, that's EXACTLY what he/she/it/they would say!"

It is sad to learn that they even leave a slug trail of frustration through therapy, a quote from the article...

"clinicians reported feeling anger, resentment, and dread in working with narcissistic personality disorder patients; feeling devalued and criticized by the patient; and finding themselves distracted, avoidant, and wishing to terminate the treatment."

I'll leave you with this...

"...researchers explored whether NPD should even be considered a disorder since the people who have it, by definition, think so highly of themselves. The authors conclude it is a pathological condition but one that uniquely causes "pain and duress" not to the sufferers but to those closest to them."

* Full disclosure: I have my own PD - Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder which basically means I have one acceptable view of how the world works and those who stray outside it are wrong wrong wrong.

Spring Knits

Spring is in the air and I'm want to knit lovely light things.

I don't know if these count as "lovely" or "light," but I thought knee socks in the colors of water would be a good place to start!
2 socks
4 balls of yarn
1 pair of circular needles




I finished my Candy-colored socks just in time for spring. I love them and so does the Lucy-cat.









A Shalom sweater for my grandmother made of alpaca and cashmere... super soft.
















































Finally - extra credit for me - I was given this linen - but I have to detangle the yarn barf.

Just the thing to do whilst lying in a hammock in the spring sun.

Thaw

This past weekend was one of those spectacular weekends that make you happy to Be.

Friday evening I met a friend and went for a brisk walk around Shaker Lakes, enjoying the extra light at the end of the day and taking advantage of house-sitting on the east side. I spent the evening teaching myself how to knit a pair of knee socks from the toe up, 2 at a time.

Saturday I drove to Lorain to get the paperwork dealt with for the Javelin, the title is now in my name and I secured the license plate for the trailer.
While my parents were off looking at model trains in Cleveland, I was in their backyard on a ladder trimming back the grapevines on the arbor, cleaning leaves out of the gutters and generally tidying up the backyard for spring.

I got a call while I was on the ladder and fighting a particularly difficult bit of vine. I described my current status as "Manifesting my dominance over nature." - I was immediately smacked in the face by the vine who let me know, in no uncertain terms, that regardless of my shears, I was not the one in control. Even wrapping up the vines into neat and tidy bundles with twine was highly satisfying and put a spring into my step.

A walk to Lakeview Beach was lovely, but after I happened upon a half a deer washed up on shore, I decided to head back to Cleveland as I did not care to be reminded that not everything revealed by the thaw is charming.

I stopped at two knit shops on my way back - considered the materials and practiced enough self-control to not buy anything new.

I ended my day at Laura-friend's, knitting and eating sushi - and doing my best not to reveal that her upcoming birthday trip to "Chicago" was actually going to be a trip to Paris... she knows now, so I can stop fidgeting. I left with oodles more de-stashed yarn and the idea to stripe my socks - which means I'm now working with 4 balls of yarn on 1 pair of needles.

Sunday was going to be a trip out to my uncle's to get the boat and clean it - but the earth is too spongy yet, so I stayed in town and left ruts unmade.

I made my way to the Physicist's where we played in the garden - clearing leaves and thinning out aggressive lilies - stopping, of course, for a bit of tea while we admired the work.

A trip to the garden center proved that we were too early in the season, so it evolved into a trip to Borders and then early dinner/late lunch. Back to wash cars of the salt crust that built up over the winter before it became too chilly or dark to stay outdoors. That turned into using the power-washer to clear the driveway, walks and rinse the windows - I hate to simply watch someone else work, so I started in on clearing the front beds.

The day ended with a film of short films, "Paris, Je'taim," tea and a slice of cheesecake.

What can I say - God's in his heaven and all's right with the world.

Coming from an agnostic, that means alot...

456

I have 456 unread Make blog posts.

Everyday I say, "I'll read those later, when I have time to process them."

And every night I say, "I'll read those tomorrow."

In addition to Reader, I get approximately 10-15 daily links from the Physicist.
All of which are interesting and lead more research, reading and often expand my Reader list by a few.

I do the same thing - sending links upon unsolicited links to friends.

Excellent way to expand knowledge or time suck?

Opinions?

Hellllooooo

I'm a little bit back.
I've been working and knitting and enjoying weekends with the Physicist.
A short list of the past few weeks.
I've...

• seen the Weston Exhibit at the Akron Art Museum.
• spent the afternoon in Oberlin and taken in the collection at the Allen Art Museum.
• seen E.O. Wilson speak at Severence Hall on Darwin
  
• seen Brian Greene speak at Finney Chapel on String Theory
  
• read "White Teeth" by Zadie Smith
• read "The Year of Magical Thinking" by Joan Didion
• started "A walk in the woods" by Bill Bryson
• started "Epitaph for a peach" by David Masumoto
  
• watched countless TED talks
• drank copious amounts of tea
• finished watching the complete "Brideshead Revisited"
• weened myself off sleeping with a white noise machine (sometimes...)
  
• learned to ask for the little things that make life better
• learned that asking sometimes even results in receiving
• ate hybridized chestnuts
• strengthened my vegetarian cooking skills
• learned what a 2-stroke engine is AND am preparing to help fix one (!)

All in all, it's been a good few weeks - strike that - months.

Happy just isn't fodder for blogs - but I'll try to keep up appearances...