over-haul

I am over 2009. it was great in it's own way, but that was a rough year overall and I'm moving on. I'm also hauling out the old and encumbering . . . in case you wondered what the title was all about.

it's nice to wake up early in the new year (not in the morning per se, but in the calendar sense) and realize that you've honestly actually gotten over some pretty significant things. things like ex boyfriends or how you react when you see people you went to high school with or just a lot of old junk. you look at pictures someone took the night before and realize that the smile on your face wasn't faked or forced this time. it just feels good.

I'm working on a big trim-down of stuff. actually physical possessions for the most part. accumulation that I don't need. not an easy thing to do when you're an artist or craftsperson, but it's coming along. I sat down and took a good look a where I was spending the most time creatively, what I wanted to actually be spending more time on creatively as well, and have started trimming down the rest. knitting used to be a hobby, but now I seem to be making some money at it as a designer and instructor so it's getting the limelight. music I can't imagine not having as a part of my life, so it's getting more focus than it had been getting.

I've also been changing my eating habits. omnivore is the best term if you want to stick a label somewhere, but as I do more research and try things out on myself I'm finding that "organic" is the way I'm wanting to go. and don't get me wrong - I love a good steak, but I'd rather my steak have come from a healthy cow who got to eat what it was supposed to eat - things like grass. interesting tidbit - those bacteria problems could be cleared up if the cows got to go feed out in a pasture for a week or so. eating, you know, grass. just a thought. think about it though (and I have no hard evidence on this exactly, just my own logic) the hormones and various other chemicals that are produced by the body when you are sad, or sick, or just unwell are in your whole body, right? why take in that from something else? and sure, it costs a little more up front, but I find I get full a whole lot faster when I'm eating whole or "organic" foods. meaning I eat much less, and feel better. that works out for me. oh and tastes really good.

so that's some of what I've got going. for now though the pup needs some attention and I have some dinner to decide on.

happy 2010!

still haven't found it

ok, so I've been looking for a stitch and/or scarf pattern that I like to make a somewhat lacy scarf out of some Misti Alpaca yarn that I have. "a scarf?" you say? yes, a scarf. I figured out last winter that in all my knitting for other people (it was gifts at the time), I have somehow wound up with no scarves for myself. the knitter and teacher of knitting. oops. so anyway I've started a couple of things but none of them have clicked. that's the thing too - if you do it for long enough you get a feel for what's working and what's not. these aren't. maybe I just need to bump up a couple of needle sizes and do something super-open. it's alpaca - it's going to be warm regardless of what I do. oh and there are also five skeins of cashmere waiting to be knit up. and Christmas knitting . . .

the search continues . . .

this is how it's done . . . .

so how does one go from well over the 200 lb mark all the way down to "these new 14s are getting really loose"? I got a dog. not a little purse pooch who gets tired after a lap around the block mind you. oh no - I got a lab "mix" (mix as in I have no idea what the rest is, but it is by no means on the small side). his name is Jasper and he weighed in at just over 50lbs at the beginning of July when he was about 7 months old. Jasper and I get up pretty much every morning before 6am (or just after 5 like this morning - thanks, inkspot) and go do laps around the half mile loop that is my street. it's awesome. I am still slightly amazed that this natural night-owl is getting up before the sun even comes up, but if I didn't then my dog would be driving me insane. insane isn't such a good look, so I'll pass on that. come cooler weather the morning walks might shorten drastically and be replaced by afternoon/evening walks, but lately it's been too ridiculously hot for walks when the sun is out.

see more Lolcats and funny pictures

see more Lolcats and funny pictures

too. busy. to. blog.

will explain later.

it's not even two hours into 2009 and I'm awake knitting and planning knitting projects. I guess this is what bodes for the rest of the year.

back to basics gloves

I've been working on writing this new pattern for a while now, and it's almost ready to be published. still debating whether to publish as a free pattern or not, but it's been test knitted like crazy lately. so we'll see. here's a pic from one of the finished gloves:


the background is a shot of my backyard. which looks like Revendell right now.

musings

I'm taking a cue and updating because I haven't lately, so here goes . . . .

1. I absolutely love this time of year. I used to say spring and fall were my favorite times of the year, but the more I think about it, nope. fall is my favorite. it's the time of year I'm generally happiest. there's the whole lead up to Christmas (my favorite holiday), and all of the goodies that come with that. I'm generally a happier person in the fall. love (13851335192353154354)

2. I took in three inches on a favorite pair of pants last week because I didn't want to go shopping for new jeans yet, and they were literally falling off. I'm not kidding. I'm also eating amazing chocolate, butter, greek salads, berries galore, steak, and as much other fabulous food as I want. no drugs, not crazy boot camps, and I'm going to have to suck it up and buy some new jeans in about a week.

3. the move is absolutely going to happen. when? still not entirely sure, but it's coming, and very soon.

4. things are better for me around here than they had been. I found an amazing church with people my age and I love it there. it's great to walk away challenged and encouraged and feeling like you fit. love that. missed that. a lot. I've also been teaching part time at the LYS (Local Yarn Store) and that is awesome. it's a second home there, and I don't know what I would have done without it these last couple of years.

5. it's just over two weeks until Twilight opens, and I'm so excited. I just downloaded the soundtrack off iTunes this morning and it's awesome. but how could a new MuteMath or Paramore be a bad thing? love (16513654365436843)

6. if you don't get the love (1.......), then you're not on Ravelry. or not enough anyway.

that's enough for now . . . more to talk about later . . .

a friend of mine from Nashville posted this video that he starred in. at one point I think we were the only Artists in our group of friends who were mostly artists. if you say "artist" in Nashville then people immediately assume music. anyway, here's the video:

a friend of mine has been living in New Orleans for a couple of years now, and has evacuated with most of the population. the follow is a note he sent through his best friend . . .

We're staying in Baton Rouge at the Tracy Center.
There are some folks from Catholic Charities who just rolled in and are getting things together.
When I left New Orleans last night, traffic to BR was OK.
During the night, I've heard it took some folks many, many hours to get anywhere to the East.
But the interstate looks to be flowing rather smoothly through here.
What I've seen on the news suggests all roads out of NOLA are clear or are becoming so.

This may have something to do with the fact that we've evacuated 95 percent of the population of the coastal parishes since I have no evidence to back that up but word of mouth and what I'm reading on the internet. Friday. The Times - Picayune is reporting 1.
1 million have now evacuated the coast to areas north of I-10 and I-12.
That is a very, very good thing.


Now the real waiting begins.

Waiting to see what friends
As if we haven't done enough of that already. Waiting for the storm to turn. and family are doing and where they are going. Waiting in traffic. Watching as the storm pummeled Haiti and Jamaica and Cuba and knowing what may be in store for us.
Wishing it would just go away and not hurt anyone else. Waiting in line at the grocery store.
Hoping it is not our turn.
Seeing the green and yellow rain bands coming into the Weather Channel's radar sweep, and waiting for them to start rolling
over our own zipcode. And the waiting is terrible.
Everything is closed in this part of Baton Rouge, so I don't have the distractionsof being out and about.


Not that any sane person would be out and about right now, but I like having the option.


I'd love to take a nap.
I'm exhausted and sore and didn't sleep well last night.
I've had that bitter taste of adrenaline in my mouth for about 18 hours now.
Or that may be the coffee and cigarettes mixing together because I forgot to brush my teeth before I went to bed last night. Whatever it is, I can't get rid of it.
I feel like I used to back in Athens after an all nighter.


Went to mass at noon. Prayed.

Once you're done petitioning the
Thanks to everyone out there praying for New Orleans and South Louisiana. Almighty, please remember that we've got a lot of evacuees out there. Some may have come your way.
Drop off a canned good or something at the local shelter.
I know you've got something in the cabinet you aren't going to eat. And some Crystal hot sauce.
Everything tastes better with a little hot sauce.



I've gotten so many texts and calls and voicemails today I feel like one of the cool kids. That reminds me, I need to charge the phone up. Power won't last too long once things really get going, so the phone and the computer will need to be charged.
Cell towers will probably be down for some hours, so if you call and don't hear back don't worry until Wednesday.


Yup. I'll try and be back later with updates.


p

let them eat cake

Jen over at 144 Inches if I-Cord posted a link to this blog. the following clip had me almost falling out of my chair (at work!). that never happens.

something to teach Sable:

Ireland . . . day 4

we had breakfast at the hotel, and then checked out at 8:30 and loaded up the bus to head for Waterford, stopping first in Kilkenny. the drive took a few hour. I think today was the first day we encountered any actual rain in Ireland, but it wasn't anything heavy. we had a little time before our tour of the castle at Kilkenny, so the group scattered a but to checked out the crafts center and grab a bite to eat. the crafts center is located in what used to be the castle stables. the front areas are now two very nice gift shops, with a mixture of handmade local pieces as well as plenty of Irish souvenirs. above the shop is a little cafe. this was a very nice. however, if you cross the stable courtyard towards the back, you'll come to a pair of galleries. first let me say that the gallery spaces are walled almost entirely in windows, so the lighting is fantastic. the collection that was on exhibit that day was basketry from all over the world. it was a fascinating collection, but I might be a little biased. the array of styles, techniques, and materials was amazing. after I wandered around in there for a while, I headed back over to the castle for our tour time slot.

the castle is completely restored, and beautifully so. they don't allow photographs inside the castle, so the only ones I took were around the outside, and from the village bridge. the castle was fantastic - thick stone walls, tiny winding stairs, and grand staircases. the collection of landscape oils in the main drawing room reminded me of the American Art course I took back in college.

after the tour of the castle, mom and I walked through town and hiked (not kidding, it was a hike) up to St. Canice's Cathedral. besides St. Patrick's Cathedral in Dublin, this was probably my favorite of the churches and cathedrals that we visited. the wooden roof is a restoration, and was carved and built without even a single nail. Bill was allowed to play the organ in this cathedral as well.

after the group gathered at the bus, we loaded up and headed for the town of Waterford, where we were staying for the next few days. Days Inn Waterford is actually three (maybe four now?) old buildings linked by enclosed hallways. it's a little odd, and if you ever stay there make sure you shower later in the day or at 6am, otherwise the hot water might run out on you. other than that the hotel looks very modern, and the pub downstairs is great for meeting some of the locals. later we headed out to dinner at a pub a few blocks over.

Ireland . . . day 3

after and early breakfast at the hotel we climbed onto the bus at 9am to head for a day in the Wicklow Mountains.

Powerscourt was once a huge estate with a vast Art collection. in the 1970s a fire started in the mansion which destroyed everything but the stones. three months later the stone walls were still too hot to touch. sadly, the insurance on the estate was not sufficient to cover the damages, and the home and grounds were sold. eventually the first floor was restored, and is now part of the visitors center. the grounds and extensive gardens are now open to the public.

walking down the stairs that lead to the pond is like walking though a movie. if that wasn't enough the view from the stairs is incredible. it looks over the valley and mountains. truly spectacular. of course I had to see the Japanese gardens. they were full of little streams and nooks and even a grotto. standing in the grotto was like shutting out the world while standing under an open sky. all you can hear is the water dripping through the moss and ferns that cover the rocky walls. just you and the moment. it wonderful and very very strange at the same time. we came out of that garden and walked back up to the pond, where a mother duck was guiding her ducklings through the water. they almost disappeared against the water plants that covered the surface of the pond. we then climbed the path that led past the pet cemetery and up to the kitchen gardens. those gardens were once walled to protect the food, so of course the gates were gilded . . . yes, the gates were accented with gold. now it's a lush flower garden full of poppies and tulips and such. there's a fountain with a mermaid as well. after the garden we headed inside and grabbed a bite to eat. the little cafe had the best lemon curd tart I've ever tasted . . . so now I have another recipe to work on. no complaints about that of course. after wandering around the shops for a bit we got back onto the tour bus and headed to Glendalough.

Glendalough is home to a monastic site dating back to the 6th century. it was founded by St. Kevin. the site is now in ruins, but the stone chapel with its stone roof still remains. we actually were asked to sing inside of the tiny chapel, which is closed except to tours. it's in a beautiful little valley, located between two lakes.

after a day of hiking up and down hills we headed back to Dublin. mom and I decided to try a little fish & chips place around the corner from our hotel. I'm not exaggerating when I say that they give you half of a fish. we really should have split one order, but it was still worth it. the cod was great. after that we decided to call it any early night considering we would be checking out the next morning at 8:30am.

Ireland . . . day 2

an Irish breakfast varies a bit depending on who's serving, but it generally consists of some combination of eggs, sausage, bacon (ham to southerners), roasted tomatoes, toast, and black pudding. that's what they served in the hotels every day, with a selection of cold cereals as well. now, I know what they put in black pudding, so I skipped that. however, after a week of these hearty breakfasts and hiking all over Ireland . . . I had to go out and buy new jeans because my old ones were too loose.

St. Patrick's Cathedral in Dublin (there are others of that name in Ireland) was only a couple of blocks away from our hotel, so we walked over there for the second lunchtime concert on Monday. it's lovely and full of history, as most of these places were. in one part hangs the flags carried into battle over the centuries. some are so burned and blackened that the fabric and colors are no longer distinguishable, and a sort of net has been attached to hold the remaining pieces together. they hang as part of the memorials to lives given and lost over the centuries.

my favorite photo at St. Patrick's was one that I took from behind the altar. there is a space behind where the choir rehearses before the concerts and services. sort of a backstage area that is only separated by half-walls and wrought iron gates.

Melody and I stayed long enough to take some pictures of the concert, and then headed out to explore more of Dublin. we headed down to some of the shopping areas. I had to stop in the music stores, though as it turned out both shops that we passed were for sheet music and instruments, respectively. I didn't see any record stores. odd. eventually we headed back to the hotel and I did some reading and rested before getting ready for dinner that night.

Gogarty's Pub is in the heart of Dublin, and has a "beer garden" on it's first floor. we went up to the third floor restaurant for dinner. if you travel to Ireland, keep in mind that though the menu prices seem high, you're actually getting enough food for two people. if you want to try to eat it all yourself, you're welcome to, but it won't leave much room for beer. just saying . . . anyway, dinner was delicious. the cuisine is generally simple everywhere there, but the quality of the ingredients more than makes up for it. after stuffing ourselves we headed down to the second floor to hear live traditional Irish music. it was fantastic, and it's a tradition at the pub. if you're ever in Dublin, go find this place - it's well worth the trip.

Ireland . . . day 1

we landed in Dublin just before 7am local time, after about a six hour flight that departed Newark around 7pm EST. I tried to sleep a bit, but of course that came to little actual rest. the flight wasn't bad though, and if I remember the flight to Amsterdam correctly, this one was easier.

we were met by Andy, our tour guide for the week outside of baggage claim, and then all fifty of us followed him to the bus to load up for a tour of Dublin. part of the tour took us through Phoenix Park, where the residences of the Irish president and the American ambassador are located. America is well loved by Ireland, as we were the first country to recognize them as a country after they gained independence from Britain. no other ambassadors live in the park.

eventually we stopped outside of Trinity College to see the Book of Kells. now this was exciting to me for several reasons. I've studied it as Art, as musical inspiration, but most of all it is a book of the four Gospels . . . Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. in some of the darkest times in history, the saints and scholars of Ireland preserved the written texts of the Bible. the Book of Kells is one of those. it is an illuminated manuscript many centuries old. pictures aren't allowed inside the areas where the book is kept, as light damages the over 1,000 year old book. the room where you can view it is kept extremely dim. still, it was amazing to see the actual book, instead of slides on an auditorium wall.

after Trinity college, we piled back on the bus, and met John, our driver for the week. more on John later . . .

John drove us to Jurys Inn which is in downtown Dublin. our check-in was later in the day so we unloaded our bags into a secured room that they had for that purpose, and then wandered over to some local Pubs and restaurants for lunch. or, as it turned out . . . brunch. it wasn't quite noon yet so not all of the Pubs were open. in Ireland, Pubs are the places to go eat. trust me on this. after the meal we headed back to the hotel where some of our rooms were beginning to come ready. the hot shower was fantastic at that point.

around four we headed over to the Brazen Head Pub, Irelands oldest pub. it dates back 1198. I had the beef and Guinness stew, which is going to become a staple recipe in my kitchen. it was wonderful. the dinner took quite a while, but eventually we finished and I went with the choir to Monkstown for their evening concert. yes, it was that night . . . they were troopers. while the choir warmed up I went across the street with a couple of other "non-singers" from the trip and had a real Irish Guinness. it's not the same by the time it gets over here to the US.

the concert was a joint affair with the Dun Laohghaire Choir at the Parish Church in Monkstown. it was exceptional, and the audience was quite receptive to the FCC choir. afterwards there was a small reception across the street for the performers and friends. they were very nice. after that we piled back onto the bus and headed for the hotel and our beds.

I'm leaving for Ireland in less than three days, and I'm really looking forward to it. it's been years since I've been overseas. I even had to get my passport renewed. to be honest, I wasn't all that excited about the trip to begin with. you see, it's a tour (music) of Ireland which my mother is singing on and my dad was supposed to be going with her. but work picked up for him and he's in the middle of a least one major project, so traveling out of the country for eight days isn't the best idea for him. my dad is amazing, he never asks for anything, and he never goes on trips like this. I really REALLY wanted for him to go. but, the trip is already paid for, so they put the ticket in my name. after all, it's IRELAND (said like "it's IT-TAH-LEE" by Sandra Oh in Under the Tuscan Sun). the funny part is that so many of my friends have been asking whether I've seen P.S. I Love You . . . that would be a yes. I think I saw it the weekend it opened actually. "that could be YOU!" well . . . maybe. I plan on having a blast and having a Guinness as it should be.

I'm also coming to what looks like the end of a very hard, very dark chapter of my life. at least I have PLENTY of material to mine for songs, right? lately it feels like when I take one step froward there's a wave waiting to slam me five feet back. well, the wave can try all it wants . . . I'm not giving it an inch. not a chance. it's exhausting, sure - but you fight anyway. I am truly blessed to have some amazing friends in my life. ones who call when they know things are bad, and we pray for each other all the time. because we all have to deal with something. we all make mistakes, and we all have days when everything hurts. then you wake up the next morning and the day couldn't be more beautiful. there's a saying around here . . . "feelings are like the weather in Georgia, wait a minute and they'll change." there are good times and bad times, and that's just the way of it. you savor the good, the wonderful and remember that the bad will be over soon.

so many things

my pastor has been preaching a lot on running on empty, filling our lives with to many things, too many commitments. to be honest it's a struggle for me right now. sometimes I feel like I'm ten feet under the waves fighting to get a breath. my job is great, but working full time at the University and working on bringing my art to full time is a lot of very hard work. I know that it would be when I decided to go for this, but it isn't any easier. so some days I come home and just want to collapse on the floor. but I can't just do that. even though I'm going back to Nashville in less than a year, even though my circle of friends here has diminished substantially (this is a very transient town), I still want to give this place and the people that I love the time and attention that they deserve. it's my hometown after all, even though it feels less like home every day.

I don't know what is going to happen when I do move. if I have to get a desk job, even for a while, I'll do it. even if no one ever hears a song I write, or falls in love with any of my work, I'll still do it. it's just part of who I am and I'm a mess when it's not a part of my day-to-day. art is something I do, and music is like breathing. they've been there as far back as I can remember. no idea why piano recitals had me in tears the night before as a child and singing was so much fun, but that's how it always was.

for now I'm working and fighting as hard as I can to make these things happen. if one of my friends needs to talk, then the torch and the palette can wait. plus I can usually be found online during office hours.

new pendant series

I've listed some new pieces over in my Etsy shop!