Project Fail

Well, like so many other high hopes I have, that may be unrealistic, my project for the Ravellenic Games was a failure.

Remember this yarn, that was going to be a Caeles?

I did actually cast-on and get started during the Olympic Opening Ceremonies - I had already done my swatch the day before! - and things were going along pretty swimmingly.  I got a little bit beyond this point

when I ran into the type of directions that say, "Begin to decrease for the armholes, while also shaping neckline, decreasing 4 stitches every 8th row 6 times, and at the same time, begin neck shaping by knitting the first 10 stitches for 2 rows in stockinette stitch, and every 18th stitch on every 12th row in seed stitch, while also baking a cake and paying your bills, when not doing backbends."

OK, it didn't really say that, but at the point I was reading it, things sure sounded that way!  I realized I would need time to slowly read through the directions, perhaps make notes, and be sure I could actually read said notes, before going any farther.  The problem being, that the last couple of weeks turned out to be really hectic, and particularly busy at work.  I'd come home in the evening, and the last thing I would have been able to do was concentrate on the pattern directions.

So nothing else was accomplished.  I am disappointed, but not really upset, since I know that even though I'm putting it aside for a time out right now, I will go back to it.  I like the pattern and the yarn well enough that I don't want to NOT end up with a completed project!

I also realize that in the real world, I would not even make it to the Olympic trials, so it's not that I didn't win a medal, I didn't even go to London.  And that's fine, since it was more of a personal challenge than anything else.  I am willing to keep plugging along with my knitting, even if I am not patient enough in most other activities in my life.

I want to finish three other projects that are in different states of development before I even pick it up again.  And I've started to think about holiday gifts, even though I only have one project in mind that is a sure thing, and it's a quilting project.

Congratulations to those of you who accomplished your goals!  I hope you are feeling proud of yourselves.  I know that I'm impressed, truly.

So tonight, as I watch the Closing Ceremonies, I'll be sad that the Olympics are over, since I do enjoy them, but I'll also be enjoying watching those who were there celebrate just the fact that they made it in the first place, whether or not they are toting home medals.

(I probably won't be knitting though ...)

Furball Friday

Just in time before the closing ceremonies, I give you the results of the 

KITTY GAMES!!!**

Event:  Sleep Gymnastics

The following are all members of Team USA, who - for the first time in history -  not only swept the medals in this event, but are siblings!

BRONZE MEDAL

Name:  Milo (aka The Koodle)
Age:  4 months
Hometown:  Philadelphia, PA
Inspired by:  Doodle Dogs
Skill:  Single Upside Down Twist
Level of Difficulty:  6

Milo was awarded the Bronze Medal when the judges decided that the combination of his young age and willingness to be photographed on a contrasting pattern during this event made him worthy of a medal.

SILVER MEDAL

Name:  Jetsam
Age:  6 years
Hometown:  Philadelphia, PA
Inspired by:  Twizzlers
Skill:  Double Body Twist
Level of Difficulty:  8

Jetsam was given the Silver Medal when the judges were impressed by his ability to do a nearly full-body twist on a pad while almost matching the background, assuring that the position would still make him visible.

GOLD MEDAL

Name:  Pip
Age:  2 years
Hometown:  Philadelphia, PA
Inspired by:  Oscar Pistorius
Skill:  Double Twist with One-Legged Thrust
Level of Difficulty:  10

Pip managed to strike a unique pose, which also has an element of danger, since any sudden necessity to stand up could be difficult, as his only hind leg is twisted and straight up in the air.


Hope your weekend is free of any difficulty, with a perfect score!


**No way was I gonna use the "O" word, and be handed a Cease and Desist order from the USOC ...

Things I Don't Understand

Not all of them, of course, but there are so many all at once over the last few weeks, I'm hoping to get them out of my brain  ...

1.  Why, after writing about starting new projects when there are so many unfinished, I have not knit a stitch in over a week?

2.  Why anyone could possibly care about Olympic gymnastics champion Gabby Douglas' hair, when she has accomplished something that not even 10% of all humankind will even come close to doing?

3.  Why people like hot and humid weather?  I was dismayed at the wimpy winter we had (I know other parts of the country had a terrible winter, though), but then the summer came along with a vengeance.  Oh well, who needs to breathe, right?

4.  What is the deal with guns?  I don't think anyone should have a gun (well, OK I guess if you have an army you need to have guns), much less several.  And NO ONE needs assault weapons if you ask me.  I know this is not always a popular opinion, but if anyone reading this is offended, I am expressing my own opinion.  Whereas, I would like everyone to think like I do, I am not so naive as to think they do.

5.  Why people have to kill other people because they are different?  I am not by any stretch of the imagination the world's most noble, perfectly tolerant person.  But I learned that from a very early age that a) not everyone was just like me, and b) if they were not, and I didn't like it, that was my problem, and c) if I felt it was just so terrible as to be unbearable, I should stay away from them, move, or anything other than even think of harming them.  My parents were not necessarily enlightened, they were however, quite practical, and did not suffer fools gladly.  (In which case, Apple meet Tree ...)

6.  Why it's considered so weird/unnatural/selfish/fill-in-the-blank not to want to have children?  The world has plenty of people, and isn't it actually better not to have children if you don't want them, than to have them because it's the societal norm?

7.  Why the assumption is that if you don't want children, you will want to hurt them?  Plenty of people who have children they wanted do that, thank you very much.

8.  Why it is OK to answer a call on your cell phone while either talking to someone else in person, or ordering your food and drink while others are behind you in line?

9.  Why people who have been waiting to check out of the grocery store or for the bus for more than 5 minutes suddenly have to rifle through their purses/bags/pockets for the money or tokens to pay?  Really?  Did they think that somehow, it would be free??

10.  Why it is a bad thing in America to be smart?  If you show any intelligence at all - about anything - you are suddenly a snob, or elitist, or live in an ivory tower.  Which always amuses me, because you don't need to be smart at all to fall into those categories.  And yet, smart people are apologetic, as if it's a failing.  Don't we want smart people to be doing things, leading us, making discoveries?  Stupid people do plenty every single day, and some of them are famous for it.

OK, I'll shut up and move on with my life.  I do, however, feel a little better now that I've gotten that off my chest.

Which reminds me ... oh never mind. :-)

Old Photo Friday

My mom - I have no idea the date of this picture. 

I remember when I was a kid, being surprised when people would say my mother was pretty.  Because, well, as far as I was concerned she was OLD (meaning she was older than other kids' parents), and that just didn't make sense.  

But you know what?  She was pretty!  Way to go, Mom!

I hope your weekend is filled with pretty things, see you next week.

For a Good Time ...

I am using my 700th post (!) to suggest that you check this out:

The Knitters' Hunk Contest 2012

It's just so much fun, and people get so involved, trying to have their nominee be the winner.  Every year, I'm amazed and impressed that Kim gets it all figured out, as it's the kind of thing that would sound good to me in theory, but drive me nuts actually putting into place.  

This year, I nominated Jon Hamm, Denzel Washington, and Paul Rudd.  I usually decide on someone the day after nominations close, so I am quite proud of myself.

This year, she is adding another part, The Knitters' Chick, at the suggestion of her son.  I nominated, Rashida Jones, Sofia Vergara, and Meryl Streep.

For me, I just think the idea of hanging out with any of these people would be fun, even if they weren't knitters.  I have decided that a sense of humor and ability to laugh at yourself are real contributors to my idea of physical attraction.   Granted, the people I listed above may be considered "hunks" or "babes" by a lot of people, but for me, I thought of people who I enjoy before trying to think of who was good-looking.

In any event, check out the contest, and throw some names into the mix!  There's suspense, cliff-hangers, and prizes - who could ask for more???

 And to quote my mother, "It sure beats spittin' ..."