KnittyOtter

Saturday Sky & Funktastic Day Oh My!

Sure this post is a few days late, but you will love it anyway so Nyah. :P

Here's a picture from the porch of my most awesome LYS.

Clickety Biggety!

Saturday was a good day. An interesting day...

I was a little hyper most of the day. Mainly because I was trying to counteract MonkeySock's & Victoria's yawning. Damn those girls need sleep more than I do. I have a cat on my head at night. What's their excuse. Pbfft. :P

Just kidding, ladies. *blows kisses* (How you doin'? *wicked grin*)

I got some knitting done. Almost to the point where I can do the heal flaps of both socks. I'm doing a new stitch for the heal flap. It makes a woven looking pattern that is supposed to be soft and long lasting. Me love it long time. *snicker*

It was a very nice day when the wind wasn't blowing. Not everyone's hair survived the day looking it's best. Myself included. o.0

I really enjoy knitting outdoors. Whether at my house or the shop. Especially if you enjoy the company of the people you are with. :D

Here's a cute little purple/blue flowery thing I found along the fence outside the shop.

Clickety Biggety!

Of course it's hard to knit very much when you're all hyper the way I was... am... I was too busy inflicting violence on people with my ultra sharp knit picks DPN's. Yay Violence!

No worries no lasting damage was done to anyone and I only violence those people I adore. Yay no lawsuits! *L*

It was a truly lovely afternoon with very little bloodshed and lots of laughs.

Here's a shot of the nearly full moon as the sun was setting later that day.

I hope everyone had a great weekend. I can't believe it's Monday already. o.0

Saturday Sky & Things In My Head Oh My!

It's been a long time since I've posted a Saturday Sky. I really enjoy the Saturday Skies so it's kind of a shame. Was it the winter sky, just being busy or what that kept me from it. We'll see, in the meantime I'd like to get back to it. Intention and action often produce very different results. *L*

I took this photo Saturday morning when the honey and I were out doing some errands. This field always has a bunch of Marmot's running around in it. We were not disappointed when we went past this week either. The warm weather has them sunning their tummy's and it is oh so cute! :D

I'm going to get a new camera in May after the model I want is released to the stores. *drools* I'll try to get some better pictures of them then. They blend into the grass so well. Here's one I caught havin' a snack. :D

The last few weeks have been going by so fast I've hardly had anytime to just stop think and take a deep breathe. It's not necessarily a bad thing, but I think I need a minute to just be still for a moment ya know. Heh. Even in stillness my brain won't stop though. I have so much to say, so much to get started on, to finish and just so much. Not even knitting related but just everything. Work stuff, home stuff, friend stuff, self improvement stuff, honey stuff & yes knitting stuff. The Ducky Hat is calling to me, but so in the Entrelac Scarf and the Honey Socks. Plus projects yet cast onto. I wish I could knit as fast as my mind comes up with new projects. *L*

There's so many parts to life and it's good to have possibility brimming in all the areas. It's good to enjoy it all. I'm really a lucky Otter. Even when I let my own bit of crazy get in the way. It could be worse, it could be better. I'm not too crazy most of the time. Inappropriate yes, but not TOO crazy. *L*

Normally I take time through out the day to find my balance point. I'll talk with my best friend and the honey. Sharing the stuff in my head helps me sort it all out. Kinda like blogging, but on a more private level. Some things you just shouldn't say out loud.

I try very hard not to say things out loud that will hurt people. I fail and it weighs on my mind. This weekend I blurted out to a woman who had just admitted to injecting Botox into her face, also known as pig botulinum, the words, "OH MY GOD, CAN YOU SMILE?!". Now I could blame the tequila that was rushing oh so happily through my veins. Or I could blame the sheer shock simply because she seemed normal and not at all stiff faced the way Celine Dion does half the time. But the truth is I'm kinda off the cuff that way at times. This causes me a little more stress than I need. I try to think before I speak. Sometimes it's funny. Sometimes it's just plain uncomfortable. Text is easier. Less chance of being a dumbass. Oh the chance is still there, but it's less. I can at least censor myself. *L*

The lady was very kind and accepted my profuse apologies and said they weren't needed. But still. If it stung me it surely stung her. Blah.

Dear Mouth,

I'm gonna get that duct tape out if'n you don't hold something back sometimes.

Love,
Otter

I wish I hadn't said that. I still feel bad. That's part of my crazy. I can't help mini reliving all my mistakes in my head.  Not even out and out mistakes like that. That's obvious, but all the little what if's. Did I make so and so feel like I was being pushy and know-it-all-ish when I helped that lady with her project. Did this thing I said to that person offend them. If I care about them it matters. Ya know.

It's almost like at the end of seeing people I should apologize for all the things I did wrong. Usually it occurs to me that I was annoying or offensive in some way after the fact. Then I wonder if maybe they didn't notice, maybe it wasn't that big a deal to them, or if maybe they will think I'm not worth their time anymore. Like maybe I've crossed a line.

I didn't email/make contact with Ann for a few days after I saw her because I had all these doubts. I'm pretty sure she doesn't think I'm a total dumbass. But I said a few things that I'm not sure came out right.

I'm a walking talking insecure crazy head. I have enough self doubts to keep my mind occupied from here to eternity. (Not that I want to dwell on such selfish and stupid shit. I'm much better than I was several years ago so I imagine I'll chill out some in time. *L* o.0)

Because I'm constantly thinking I did something wrong I apologize a lot. I don't mean to. I don't do it as much as I did years ago when I first met my honey. He tells me to stop it. Says it's bad self talk. I've had a lot of people lately tell me that I apologize a lot. Maybe because I'm meeting and seeing a lot of people face to face these days. Back in January that personal trainer lady said she was going to "break me" of it. I laughed, told her better men than her had tried.  :P

Just because I'm prone to saying I'm sorry on a fairly frequent basis doesn't mean I don't mean it. Sorry has so many meanings.

I'm sorry I said that and hurt you.

I'm sorry your cat died.

I'm sorry I stepped on your foot or whatever I just did.

I'm sorry I don't know what to say.

And even the occasional I'm sorry which simply and truly means I'm sorry for my very existence. Not that I'd ever say that out loud. But as I'm so filled with doubt sometimes it's just what I mean.

I have enough crazy that I don't need anyone else's bullshit or problems. When someone says  something off the mark to me I almost immediately forget what they said. I recall the way it made me feel and the general idea of what they said, but often not the exact words. It's like my mind is mini blown, a little blackout. Immediately followed by my face turning bright red. Pretty picture lemme tell ya. I'm so taken back that I have no idea how to respond.

Then the questions start flying in my mind. Did they say that to me because they don't have any impulse control and say whatever pops into their heads? I can relate to that obviously. Or was it intentional. Or simply bad socialization and they haven't got a clue how to be around other people. Or did I do something to offend them and this is some cheesy passive aggressive attempt to let me know they aren't pleased with my doing whatever.

If it's a person I have little or no regard for it means absolutely nothing and can be amusing even. I don't need everyone to love me. Never have. In fact I'm fond of the fact that not everyone you meet has to become a friend. I don't like all my friends friends, and they don't have to like mine. I don't like everyone who likes me and not everyone I like feels the same way back. I'm cool with that. Most people don't get that sadly. Even to the point of going off the deep end when you don't return their affections. o.0

How in the world the idea got spread around that everyone has to love and adore everyone else is beyond me. It's not realistic and to have that forced on people just breeds for ill will and bad times. Distrust too. How can you trust people when they smile at you from behind a fake face. Just not right.

But I've gotten off my point, if you can call these ramblings a point. Just things that have been fluttering through my mind off and on for some time now. *L*

I was saying how I've got enough crazy self doubts to not have time to deal with anyone else's brand of poopie.

But sometimes someone says something that strikes a cord. A raw spot that you weren't aware was so surface.

A lot of knitters I know talk about how their mates disapprove of the amount of time they spend knitting and/or doing knitting related activities. This has caused me to doubt myself and wonder if I'm irritating my honey since I've been busy and spending more time away from him lately. Add in all my usual doubts and self loathings and you've got one very sore spot that does not need to be poked at.

So when a person this weekend out of the blue and for no apparent reason asked when my honey was going to leave me it kinda upset me. Well at first it did.

At first I felt myself turning bright red and the phrase why in the hell would a person ask me that popped into my head. Amazingly enough I had the presence of mind to ask, "Why would you say that to a person?". 

I was feeling guilty for not seeing my honey very much this weekend. It just struck a cord and it upset me. I'm not sure if I conveyed that to the person who said this oddity. If I did they probably thought something silly like I had doubts about my honey and myself.

No I'm far too selfish for that. *L* All I could think was what about myself prompted them to say such a thing.

I came home and told my honey about the incident. He hugged me and said the person was foolish and obviously had no clue what they were talking about. Also suggested they said it because that's what happened to them. So now I kinda feel bad for not comforting them about this apparent personal tragedy. Makes sense, people view the world through the perspective with which they have lived through right.

Many years ago I had an aunt ask me if my honey beats me. Out of the blue, just like that. I was stunned and asked her if her husband beat her. She said no, but I've always wondered. That  is just too weird and specific to randomly ask another person. o.0

My honey is a great guy and is very encouraging of me to meet new people and explore the world on my own terms. I guess a not everyone has had that experience, but that's the perspective I view the world from.

I'm okay. This is not any kind of a depressed or upset post. I don't feel bad about what that lady said. For all I know she was making a joke. *L* I have a weird time reading certain people. This is just stuff in my head that I wanted to get out.

And now I have a Duckie Hat that is Quacking for some knitting time. :D

Quack Quack!

Saturday Sky & Nothing Else Oh My!

Been awhile since I've posted a Saturday Sky. o.0

Freaky Eh.

Clickety Biggety!

It's a beautiful day, even with a somewhat bumpy start. *L*

Thank goodness for coffee.

Zoom Zoom Zoom!

Cookie Day, Otter Yarn & the letter B!

Guess what today is?

If you guessed the birthday of the bestest friend an Otter could ever imagine than you are Correct!!! :D

I hope today and this year bring every happiness possible to you.  :D

Without you I wouldn't know how to be a friend or what one really is. Truly Thank You For Being You.

*OtterHuggles*

As for the Otter Yarn those of you who saw Dave's post yesterday saw what Otter Yarn can become. Heh. Those socks are totally cool!

Here's the yarn in the hank: Clickety Biggety

I'm so thrilled to see that yarn knit up. I really need to finish up my Midnight In the Pumpkin Patch socks. *L*

I'd have dyed you a skein of yarn, Cookie, but the weather has been crazy freaking cold. Btw, how come it takes longer for dyed yarn to dry than a knit object? o.0 Anyone else see how weird that is. Anyway I'm going to dye you a skein of yarn once things settle and get a little warmer. Of course there is yarn for your birthday... ;^)

In other news this weekend was so crazy busy that I never got around to posting. So here's my Saturday Sky Photo. Clickety Biggety

Saturday Cookie gave me a B. I really should use it don'tcha think. *L*

The rules of the game are: you get a letter from someone and then you have to list ten things, themes, theories, etc. in your life that begin with that letter.

1.) B is for ... TKK, my kitty's private life name starts with a B. *L*

2.) B is for BitchPants. You can't get anywhere in life without a really good pair of BitchPants. BitchBoots will also work too. :P Not saying being a bitch is a good thing, but knowing when to pull out the stops and step up in your BitchPants is.

3.) B is for Bedtime. As in is it bedtime yet? Heh.

4.) B is for ... My Honey, my honey's private life name starts with a B.

5.) B is for Brother. My brother isn't just a brother but a friend. He's also an awesome person.

6.) B is for BamBoo. I'd like to knit with the BamBoo yarn in my stash, but I haven't decided what to make with it yet. BamBoo is also my favorite basic needle to work with.

7.) B is for Bloggers. Bloggers are some of my very favorite people. Especially Knit Bloggers. Saturday I was hanging out with some Knitters and found out one of them is also a blogger. Pretty cool.  *Waves @ Victoria* :D

8.) B is for Boston Legal. I love this show so damn much. I wish more people were like Alan Shore... you know sane and with a real sense of right & wrong. Plus Denny Crane is a hoot. ;^)

9.) B is for Bunny. That's the name my honey calls me most often. *L* *hop hop hop*

10.) B is for Bento! I love everything about Bento and the culture surrounding it. :D I'm still somewhat new to Bento. I've made Onigiri once. It was yummy... and in the shape of a bunny. I finally just got in my wooden sushi rice making bowl so I can start attempting to make my own sushi too. For a neat look at the type of Bento I'm interested in check out Cooking Cute.  Look at her gallery. SO COOL! *L* For the winter Holiday Cookie got me a new Bento Box... a Hello Kitty Bento Box and a set of Hello Kitty Chopsticks!!! Notice the Cookie's on the box. ;^)

Here's my first Bento of the year using the Hello Kitty Bento Box Cookie gave me. :D Clickety Biggety.

Not the cutest Bento ever, but it was the first time I've ever made Pot Stickers. Wheeeeeee!

I didn't realize I had so many B things in my life. *L*

New Years Eve Reflections

Yesterdays Saturday Sky is todays Sunday SnapShot. Clickety Biggety.

This new years eve seems a little strange so far. Yes my whack has yet to return, but I hadn't counted on it coming back until after all this holiday weirdness was over and done.

I think I'll spend next week cleaning and organizing along with normal work and stuff like that. Maybe then I'll be normal again. *L*

The last few weeks (months?) have been so busy and with all that running around like a chicken with my head cut off it's no wonder I'm all discombobulated.

To top it all off I've been listening to hair metal music the last few days or so. It all started a few weeks ago (not sure when this was actually, years ago feels like) when I went to a friends house and we played this new fangled video game called Guitar Hero. It was fun and amusing, but it also reminded me of the music of my youth (well part of my youth anyway). So I've been listening to Slaughter, Megadeth, Faith No More, Queensrÿche and I just made two odd itunes purchases of the Sleeze Beez and Dangerous Toys.

o.0

Weird I know.

Next thing you know I'll bring out the Mötley Crüe and if I'm not careful Poison and Warrant. *L* I have all of those in my itunes already so it's not that big of a leap.

Hey Dave, is this any worse that than time I got stuck on listening to Keith Carradine? :P

Music is tied to memories and how I'm feeling or felt... I wonder what this is saying about me right now. Don't answer that.

Anyway so I'm still weird. That hasn't changed. It's always just different.

I've been doing some Knitting. Got a Noro Scarf I need to finish up. It's going to the Red Scarf Charity. I've decided I hate knitting with Noro. Those people have some issues. :/ More on that when I post the FO though.

I'm designing my own Double Knit Intarsia Duckie Hat. I finish up the chart this morning. I'm in love with this. *quack quack quack*

Before I got the hair brained idea that I had to make a duckie hat I was working on the ribbing for a Fair Isle hat. Much Love. It's Teal and White. If I'm lucky I'll finish it up before spring gets here. *L*

So I've been doing that. Mostly I've been hanging out with my honey though.

We've decided not to go out amidst all the drunk people later. I'd rather have a calm evening at home. Plus I got a bottle of bubbly and have some Cream de Cassis so there will be some yummy Kir Royals later. :D

Not doing too much for dinner or anything exciting really. I think I'll make Mac n' Cheese with Ham in it. It's yummy. You cook some ham, boil the noodles. Drain and put in casserole dish together along with the cheese sauce and extra cheese and bake. It's easy and yummy and I'm feeling easy... and yummy. *L*

I don't really have any New Year Resolutions. I know everyday of the year what I have to do to be where I want to be.  Action is harder to put into play than the ideas or words though, eh.

I will make some resolutions though.

In 2007 year I resolve to:

1.) I resolve to be kinder to stupid people who annoy me... better still I resolve to ignore stupid people who annoy me. *GRIN* That way I stay sane and don't kill people.

2.) I resolve to not care what people I don't like think as they are pointless and don't really know me anyway, therefore their opinions mean less than the people who are valid in my life and actually know me anyway. Wheeee! Or if I can't not care what they think I will avoid them so as to not know what they think. Yes, this is a winning plan. *L*

3.) I resolve to wear more mascara and lipstick. Rather more often, not more when I do wear them. *L*

4.) I resolve to call and email people when I think about them, rather than putting it off for a better time. There will never be a better time than now, so why wait... cause by then I'll forget or it will be too late.

5.) I resolve to knit a sweater. I'm still waiting on the rest of the yarn before I can get started. It's for Dulaan. :D

6.) I resolve to actually go see Ann rather than just stalk her like the chicken I am. *Bok Bok*

7.) I resolve to go to a doctor regarding my tonsils. Considering they've been bothering me since before I moved to Reno I figure I should have them looked at ya know. (been bothering me solid for a few weeks now and getting worse, ick.)

8.) I resolve to buy myself that new fangled digital camera I've been lusting after this year. :D

9.) I resolve to go on a real vacation. Fo reals, man.

10.) I resolve to drink more. *L* I know sounds odd, but really I don't drink enough.

Mostly I just want to love myself more and have happy bunnies fly out of my butt though. *L* Isn't that the sort of thing most people wish for. Seems like it. :P

For a funny look at New Years & Resolutions check out this Video. (safe for work, unless you can't giggle or something weird) DAMN FUNNY. *grin*

I hope y'all have a safe and happy night. Remember that even if you are sane and driving properly that there are assholes on cell phones and having had a few too many to drink on the road with ya, so watch out.

So how are you planning on making the new year a better world for yourself? *L*

*OtterHuggles*

Saturday Sky and Six Weird Things about me Oh My!

This Saturday Sky is another photo from my trip back east.

Shiny Shiny!

No for the weird things about me. These are the ones I felt okay to share with y'all online that is. :P

BarbP and Cookie have both tagged me on this one.

RULES: "Each player of this game starts with the "6 weird things about you." People who get tagged need to write a blog of their own 6 weird things as well as state this rule clearly. In the end, you need to choose 6 people to be tagged and list their names. Don't forget to leave a comment that says "you are tagged" in their comments and tell them to read your blog."

1.) I LOVE Zombie movies, especially by my man George A. Romero, who is also the namesake of my sweet little George. BUT I don't like most other scary movies. Especially the new fangled ones that feature lots of torture and over the top twisted violence where people kill for the fun/hell of it. Those movies are just hopeless and a real drag to watch. So much so that they've kinda got me turned off to scary movies right now. At least i the old fashioned Pre Saw/Hostel scary movie days the people/monsters had reasons for what they did. My honey thinks it's funny/weird that I love Zombie movies so much but get freaked out by the other scary movies. It probably is so I'll mention it here.

2.) I love Pink, but don't really think of myself as a pink kinda girl... even though my car is pink and I sometimes have pink streaks in my hair... and I like pink yarn. *L* It's hard for me to choose a favorite color even though I seem to like pink so much. No if I was asked what my favorite color was now I'd have to say Dave Daniels Kaleidoscope. That's my favorite color. No not all rainbow/many color combinations, THAT particular designed set of color tones in exactly the way Dave Does it. Individually I'm not so sure about all of the colors there or anywhere, but in that perfect combination they are pure beauty. :D

3.) I can make the perfect fried egg, but I can't always scramble the best egg. Even though I muchly prefer scrambled eggs over the fried egg. Oh and in my world the white part of the egg should NEVER be anything but solid. Otherwise that's just nasty and not cooked all the way. o.0

4.) I hate most humans, but I also love all humans. I feel really hopeless about the continuation of life on this planet given how most humans act. Used to be if man wanted to kill man he could only do it with his bare hands or the hands of his armies. Now we have so many devastating ways of doing it on a large scale that we're all pretty much fucked. The sick shit is that it doesn't have to be so confusing. The problem lies in the fact that people think their race, religion, country, yatta knows best and don't see that killing people who are different from them is such a big deal. Killing a lot of innocent people so some rich assholes can make more money on oil is completely beyond stupid and yet there are people out there who don't have a fucking clue what's going on and believe and say that so long as it means more people who are different from them are dead and therefor not a threat to them it's okay. I almost have to laugh, even though it makes me want to cry. Those same self righteous assholes who think this way don't get it that we are different from other people and that if everyone on the whole fucking planet feels this way we're never going to get anywhere. This makes me sad and hopeless and hate people. Cause we're all really fucked over this stupid shit and so are all the people who aren't in on the bullshit, like the animals and the woods and the water and everything else. We all get fucked up because stupid people with more money and bombs do what they want, even when it's not the right thing. Blah.  Last night someone told me they would kill everyone who looked different from them if they could. Because they couldn't trust people who were different. This is being posted without the context and sure that affects such a statement some, but not really. The fact that people can think this way makes me angry and sad. We are all fucked. The reason this is being listed as one of my weird things is because it's becoming more of an oddity not to think killing everyone else who is different is not okay. It's so simple. We're all just people. We can live, believe and think on the same planet even though we do it differently. It sounds simple but I don't think it will ever happen. So I hate people even though I love them. I can't hope for them anymore though. No reason to.

5.) I like to keep my house clean. It's not all that common anymore so I guess that makes me weird.

6.) My best friend is a cookie. *L* :P (just kidding, sweetums. If anything you are weird for getting me. *HUGS*)

The real #6) My honey calls me Bunny, even though I'm an Otter, well I'm an OtterBunny. He rarely calls me by my actual name so since he's around me the most of anyone I am most often called Bunny. *L* The second name I am most often called by is Otter, but that's mostly in text.

(\___/)
(='.'=)
(")_(")

*hop hop hop*

Tagging: Erin, Dave, Rachel, Jenn, Jae, Julie. *GRIN*

Also I don't exactly know who does this sort of thing, so if you aren't listed and you want to do this please do. :D

Saturday Sky: Now with more Sky & Stupid People Oh My!

Short post as I've been up since AAAAAAACK O' Clock this morning and had a long day out with the honey.

The first picture was taken this morning when we ran to the store to get pie crusts to make another pecan pie. Yes another one. The honey fell in love and lost all control it would seem. o.0 I had one piece and told him I better get two out of the next one. Maybe I'll make it tomorrow.

ANYWAY, the sky was beautiful and so was Mt. Rose. :D

Clickety Biggety!

I love living in Reno. Especially the part of town I live in. Everyday is a post card made real.

A little later after daring to venture into a bookstore and some other places we went for a little adventure. Took a nice walk in a park and enjoyed some lovely views.

This is a view of Downtown Reno.

After that a bunch of other stuff happened. If you are an idiot with some kids who got their asses busted today for drinking and screwing around with cans of spray paint/graffiti punk ass bitches, then you have me and my honey to blame. You're welcome, now stop being such a piece of shit and raise your kids to not be stupid. We'd all thank you if you did. Assholes. Feh. I'm just glad I have my camera on me at all times.  Seriously. It's not art. It's just vandalism. Go express yourself on a canvas if that's your point. Badly spelling out FUCK on someone else's property doesn't make you an artist or a big man. Grr. Stupids.

In happier news I frogged that hat yesterday and started over. Almost done and it's SO CUTE! It's Red and White. Looks like peppermint candy. :D

Saturday Sky and Holiday Shopping Oh My!

Today after hitting the stores for Thanksgiving stuff and Holiday shopping I took these photos.

I witnessed the funniest damn bit of stupidity while at Target today.

This man was staring into the dollar spot very intently. He looked like his head might explode. I look over and this woman is staring intently at some little plastic thing. She stands there several minutes. Meanwhile I'm grabbing some cheapie Holiday decorations with which to decorate George up all nice and fancy shmancy. *grin* I make such a mockery of these times.

*evil laugh*

Anyhoo so the lady is still standing there by the time I pick out the garland for George. The husband finally in a very exasperated voice asks her what she's looking at. She says in an equally exasperated way with a heavy side of confusion, "I don't know!!". It was very drawn out like a bad Captain Kirk (Shatner) impersonation. Only she was DEAD serious. o.0

The hubby replies, "Well then put it down and move on to the next thing".

*Bwhahahahahaha*

I take it she had been going through each item meticulously as if her life depended on it. He was at the end of his rope.

There were several people who had lost their minds at the Target today. The holidays will eat you up and spit you out if you aren't prepared.

That's why this season if you find yourself having to buy someone a gift,  just get them a big can of Bitch Slap**. Trust me, it's easier and you'll feel GREAT! *L*

I'm mostly done with the shopping stuff. Mostly. Now I just have to wrap the crap up and mail it off or whatever.

I'm having a Cape Cod though, so all is right with the world. For now at least. ;^)

**Bitch Slap, now with more STFU!

Saturday Sky, Fire and Wind from Hell Oh My!

Greetings from the land of weird. The sky was not blue today. Dave stole my Blue Sky. (Cookie's too. o.0)  That's okay. He was owed one or two.

Here was my sky this morning. Around 9:00 or so I think. (Been a long busy day. Where am I?)

Clickety to make Biggity

What you see in the photo is a combination of smoke and clouds. It was also snowing in the mountains in the background so it's all whited out as well. Very Smokey out there today. *cough*

Is it odd that after this summer I'm so conditioned to seeing fires and smoke it didn't really phase me. Even though it looks kinda close. It was a few miles away or so, so it's not like we were in danger. I have no idea how big it was or any real info. Haven't heard any news at all today so I have no idea what the dealy was. It's out now though so that's good.

More disturbing was the wind storm last night/early this morning. Around 4:30 am we woke up because the wind was howling and stuff in the backyard was banging around. The little wooden storage shed crashed into the house and broke into a million pieces. The honey went out and got the sun shade umbrella off the table as it was making the table hop around. It was really scary. Things got blown all over. The cat was freaked out and needed to sleep between us after we did all we could to secure things outside. Normally the honey wouldn't  go for that. She's only to be on my side of the bed but he was all cute and sweet. He even hugged and petted her. He's a good sweetiehead.

We didn't get much sleep after that. Then today we have been all over and gotten a ton of stuff done. I am now the proud owner of an actual stainless steal roasting pan, a new set of knives and some other crap. OH! I got a round brush. Been meaning to do that for ages. (years?) I feel like an adult now. *L*

There was also a trip to the grocery store. Not our normal grocery store as it was supposed to snow up that. (It did, saw people driving around with snow on their cars.) The store we went to instead was already playing Christmas music. o.0 Holy Crap. It's almost here.

I'm kinda irritated because now I'm in the mood to listen to Christmas music. Sure I don't go in for all the zombie baby birthday junk, but I do like the music.

After all that was said and done the honey took me out to dinner at a Japanese place we've been meaning to get to. It was yummy. I had a few Vodka Plum Martini's. *GRIN*

Now we are going to go watch some Jack Black Comedy and I'll knit on my hat some more too. Muchly fun.

It's been a long day, but a mostly good day.

Plus my hair was cute and that's always nice. ;)

Saturday Sky, Soar and Yarn Harlot Oh My!

Dial Up Warning: Image Heavy

Yesterday I had a little road trip. I wasn't sure if I would chicken out or not so I didn't mention it before. That and It was sorta last minute as I only found out about this event on Wednesday.

So yesterday I drove up to Tahoe City in  California. Yarn Harlot had mentioned in her blog that she would be at an event there. The event you ask, why it was the fiber drooling experience known as SOAR. :D That's the Spin Off Autumn Retreat in case you didn't know. ;^)

If I had known in advance that this was coming, like back in April, I'd have booked myself a room and taken classes. D'oh! But I did get to go up for the Open Market and Book Signings.

I was a little worried about the weather on the way up and back. It's a lot colder up the mountain than it is down here. Plus I left later than I intended. When I got there at 4:15 or so it was already 48 F outside and it was rainy. I was pretty nervous about the prospect of driving back in the dark and who knows if it would suddenly get icy or what. of course it was fine and I worried and freaked myself out for nothing. I'm very good at that, btw. :P

When I got there I was greeted almost immediately by this lovely woman I know from my LYS.  :D She has been teaching some spinning stuff and I can't wait to take her class. Unfortunately I've been out of town every time she's had a class. But hopefully soon!

After we said our hello's we parted ways and I was drawn to the corner of the room. I have no idea what made me go there first, but it must have been fate.

It was The Fold Boothe. *GRIN* Ya know what that means. Socks That Rock, Baby! *happy otter dance*

I got many yummy treats. Not everything is being shown as some are gifties. ;^)

After that it was sort of a blur of yummy fiber. *L*

I made a trip to my car halfway through to stash purchases. I still think I was relatively restrained. I didn't buy everything I saw that I wanted. I kinda wish I'd gotten more yarn. Well at least sock yarn. But that's all part of my SIMS: Stash Inventory Management System. *L* I'll tell you about that later.

Here's the rest of the goodies I picked up:

Nature's Pallete

I got a beautiful handmade Niddy Noddy, some Acid Dye, 1120 yards of Superwash Merino Sock Yarn and a neat little loopy thing that helps ya to try stuff on while you're making it. If I'd had this while I made my socks I'm sure they wouldn't be a little too big.

I got two nifty drop spindles and a booklet on spinning with a drop spindle. :D The one on the left is 81 grams and the one on the right is 30.59 grams.

And of course the fiber. Lots and lots of yummy soft squishy fiber.

The dark bundle at the top is Alpaca and Silk. The yummy soft grey is Baby Alpaca. I love Baby Alpaca muchly much!

The super yummy pink bundle on the left is  80% Merino 10% Angora and 10% silk. *grin* I cannot wait to get a clue so I can play with this stuff. So pretty! On the right is 6oz of silk caps in the perfect colorway. :D

I got a sample bag of really cool fibers. Top Left is Grey Yak Down (sounds like a movie, Yak Down, Yak Down, We have a Yak Down send in backup!! *L*) Bottom left is Brown Yak Down, Top Right is Baby Camel and Bottom Right is Mongolian Cashmere. This is all so wonderful and soft. :D

I also got a 2 oz bag of that Baby Camel Down.

You can never have enough baby camel. Plus I have a thing about camels. Back when my honey and I were first coming to the realization that we wanted to spend our lives together we began to dream about moving out to Nevada... where the sky is blue and all the leaves are green, the sun's as warm as a baked potato and everyday is a shpadoinkle day. (Anyone know what that is from? Clue that's actually over in Colorado. *snicker*) We'd joke around about what we'd do when we got here. It was our joke that I'd be a Camel Jockey and part time weather person... and I'd give the weather from atop my Camel. *L* It's something that hasn't been forgotten. He got me the DVD of Laurence of Arabia a few years ago as a giftie. We of course had a great laugh at the Camel Races this year. I of course did not race. I've ridden a Camel before and that's just way too high up for me.

So yeah, I like Camels. :P

Of course all of this could be blamed on Cookie. Yup. She got me my first bag of roving. She got me hooked on the stuff! Here's the bag she got me.

It wasn't just all shopping though. I could have gone up during the day today if it was just that. Nope I went yesterday so that I could attend the book signing featuring Stephanie Pearl-McPhee.

Lemme tell you I was a nervous wreck.

It all went wrong when they closed up the spinners market for an hour while the people who stayed there for the week had dinner. I wasn't part of that group so I thought I'd just hang out at an area with some chairs and knit.

Have you ever had a moment of dread so intense you felt your blood turn to ice? I had that when I realized I only brought ONE knitting needle with me. o.0 *head desk*

How does something like that even happen. :( It was awful. I thought I was going to be stuck doing nothing for an hour waiting for stuff to start back up.

But let's back up a moment, how you ask, did I end up with only one needle? Well I haven't used regular straight needles on anything since I finished my first scarf on June 30th. I've been using my circular needles as straight needles since then. When you use the circs you forget about having to make sure you have two needles because it's all there. You don't have to worry about dropping anything or loosing anything. Monday when I started the hat I switched the Red Scarf Project scarf over to straights so I could use the circs for the hat. Gah! I'd have brought the hat to knit but I was at the part where the decreases start and I wanted some mindless knitting.

I really am half temped to get the KnitPicks Options. Then I could just take the needles and keep the work on the cable. Oh how I wish they had the Option of BamBoo Needles! Hey Kelley, how 'bout some BamBoo Options for those of us with a Wooden Needle Addiction. *L*

Normally I'm not so... easily upset, but I was nervous, scared about the prospect of driving down the mountain in the dark wet weather and hormonal. Top it all off with feeling out of place idle hands and it's bad moment waiting to happen. I called my honey to tell him what a dork I was for forgetting one of my needles at home and to tell him I was The Loneliest Otter, cause nothing is as nerve racking as being alone in a crowd of people who are all laughing and having a good time. (such a lame dork!) Plus it was like 6:00 and I had skipped lunch as I wasn't hungry and was by that time starving. I did bring a bottle of water though so that was good.

N.E.WAY: So I'm sitting there feeling very stupid and out of place in this hallway when this nice lady with a spinning wheel comes up and sits down. She started talking to me and spinning some lovely STR roving. I immediately felt better about everything and less alone. (like I said, hormonal *sigh*)

Her name was Susan and she was very cool to spend some time talking with. :D

A little later some other ladies sat down with us and it was nice and cozy. It would have been better and less nervous if I'd had my needles in my hands, but my head didn't pop or anything so it was all okay. ;)

I was still pretty nervous though. There were a lot of people and I don't normally hang out in crowds of people, and certainly not by myself. I asked Cookie to come along, but it was too short notice, plus her drive would have been even worse.

Eventually the signing room was setup and they called my ticket color to go in. I was the second to get my book signed by Stephanie which was cool cause I wanted to drive home before it got to be too late.

Yes, even while getting my book signed I was worried about the drive home. It was all okay though and now I wish I hadn't freaked myself out. *L*

She was very nice and signed my book. I wasn't sure what to say to her. I knew she had some inkling of who I was as she mentioned me on her blog last week. But still, what do you say? *L* I leaned over and said quietly, I'm KnittyOtter. She lit up and recognized me. It was sweet. She said something or other about thinking you see ordinary people and it's bloggers in disguise. It looked a bit like this. With the bushy eyebrows, glasses and fake nose you can't tell it's me at all. *L*

I showed her my Socktoberfest sock and she showed me her Harloty socks. I took her picture with my sock and The Sock. :D

I also gave her a box of the best Nevada Chocolate ever, Ethal M. I'd have dyed her a skein of my OtterSocks if I'd had more notice. Plus I was out of yarn. (how'd that happen? o.0)

She was sweet and nice and said a lot of funny things, something about really liking me. That was after the chocolate was gifted. :P *L*

When I was leaving I was hugged by Spinner Susan and a few other people. Very Nice bunch of people. Next time I won't feel like a duck out of water. I didn't have any reason to feel that way this time. I'm just a dork, but we knew that. ;^)

And even though there are a million pictures this post here's another for the Saturday Sky. I took it on my way up yesterday.

It was a wonderful day and the start of lots of spinning projects in my future. :D