Tiny Bits of Progress

In the past month or so, I have been reading about, thinking about, and talking about knitting.  As far as actually knitting something - not so much.  I blame it on a combination of things, but primarily on an inability to focus for any length of time on much of anything, not just knitting.  You know, you have the desire to knit, or read, or bake, but when you actually go to do it, you are so unfocused that you either mess it up or just decide not to start in the first place.  I can't pinpoint one or even two reasons, but hopefully I'll be back on track soon. 

In spite of the aforementioned problem, I have managed to move a little bit closer towards the finish on a couple of my knitting projects.  I completed both front pieces of the Pickle Cardigan (shown unblocked in their right-off-the-needles-state):

I have started the back, which is the last big piece left to knit.  This is the first time I've knit a cardigan sweater, so besides the eventual sewing of the pieces together (not one of my fortes), I'll have to add the neckband and front buttonbands, which should be a challenge.  But I am loving the yarn, and I think the non-blocked pieces look good, so I am actually anxious to make it a successful project.  And at the rate I am going, I may have it ready to wear this spring!

Back in December, I mentioned that I had not made the progress I had hoped for on the Adventskalendar pattern.  I haven't made a ton of progress even by now, but I do have 12 of the 24 needed pieces knit:

One more mitten, and 11 hats to go.  I'll do the mitten first, since it's slightly more involved, and then the hats are quick little knits.  In another amazing feat, this may be ready for Christmas 2010 - if I get really ambitious, I may have it completely finished and ready to use as a decoration.  (Just saying that makes me feel light-headed.)

So all is not lost.  I guess I should just keep reminding myself that slow and steady wins the race ...

In other news, I've been busy watching the Olympics.  Not glued to the screen for every event, but seeing bits and pieces.  I always think that maybe I won't get sucked in, but I do, just like with a lot of sports in general.  I do my requisite amount of railing against the whole organized corporateness of it all ahead of time, and five minutes later am screaming at the TV screen at someone whose existence was unknown to me moments before.  Good times.

Remember when I started my new job, and in the second week or so attended the Friday Botany Department Happy Hour?  I haven't been back (mostly because I don't remember how to get to the Botany Department*), but yesterday the archivist for the Academy was nice enough to take me with her to Friday Afternoon Tea in the Malacology Department.  They brew real tea, in a real teapot, and have cookies, and spend about 20 minutes or so just chatting and joking.  It was fun, and a nice end to the week.  Plus, it only requires getting on an elevator and pushing the button for the correct floor, then when the elevator door opens, you are right at the hallway leading to the group, so I'll be able to remember how to get there.  And I do love me a good cup of tea ...


*Directions usually go something like this: "Go out the door and down the hall.  When you get to the __ diorama, and see the (exotic animal name not in English), turn left.  Then look for the (other words which may describe an animal ... or maybe not), and take the blue set of stairs, then ..." - at this point, I have stopped listening.  I mean, the whole place is practically nothing BUT dioramas of animals whose names and visual identities are completely unfamiliar.  Honestly.