I know I've missed me. But all the hard work I've put in this week with getting a topic for my Shakespeare's semester project approved and preparing for my Thesis Defense has been well worth the effort.
because yesterday afternoon I passed my defense with "minor corrections."
I knew they would want to see a conclusion (still haven't written that) before I turn it in for good. Not to mention the formating which is easier for writing but not to guidelines. Meaning, I have to turn in a 'perfect, completed thesis' to my Thesis Adviser on Monday.
guess what I'm doing this weekend? Working today at my LYS (have to work off my celebratory yarn) then promptly returning to my study to work.
but I passed the defense.
Saturday, March 29, 2008
Monday, March 24, 2008
you do not have to read this
so, I was catching up on some of my Ravelry friends' blogs when I discovered one friend was talking about a friend's new blog. A Slice of Liberal Tongue on Wry, how could I not click over with a title like that? (and the rest of the world says in a big voice, "Quite easily actually.")
the March 19th post is interesting, if only from an English perspective about the current use of the word "romantic." Anyways, I do not normally pull the politics of the world in this space. There are plenty of other people to do that and they enjoy it.
why bring this up? (and feel free to quit reading at any time) Because I am knee deep in the humanities and the aforementioned blog reminded me of a poem by a trench-war poet, Wilford Owen. Dulce Et Decorum Est is not my favorite of his works, though it is probably the one read most often. I found Owen in my English Lit 2 survey class as an undergraduate, and haunted bookstores for two years looking for a complete collection because I have been burned by those "complete works" before. My copy is currently standing beside Virgina Woolf on my bookshelf, but in any case I am rambling.
shortly after reading Owen, I better understood how people felt about the Great War. I mean, for the first time, the western world saw the damage science and technology could bring about. The people before then could boast of all the wonder things that the modern world had and think themselves superior. Science and technology were suppose to make life better and cure just about anything you had. But then the complete and utter destruction of war came about. War was no longer glamorous and played by a code and play book.
let's all be honest, war has not improved much since then. Sure, we have better toys and weapons, but it is still devastating even with the reduced body count. I admit wholeheartedly to being a pacifist and anyone who knows me in real life is not surprised by this admission. After all, my dolls were ambassadors from the U.N. who negotiated trade and water rights. Still, Owen's poetry confirms my belief that peace, not war, should hold the title of 'romantic.'
My friend, you would not tell with such high zest
To children ardent for some desperate glory,
The old Lie: Dulce et decorum est
Pro patria mori.
the March 19th post is interesting, if only from an English perspective about the current use of the word "romantic." Anyways, I do not normally pull the politics of the world in this space. There are plenty of other people to do that and they enjoy it.
why bring this up? (and feel free to quit reading at any time) Because I am knee deep in the humanities and the aforementioned blog reminded me of a poem by a trench-war poet, Wilford Owen. Dulce Et Decorum Est is not my favorite of his works, though it is probably the one read most often. I found Owen in my English Lit 2 survey class as an undergraduate, and haunted bookstores for two years looking for a complete collection because I have been burned by those "complete works" before. My copy is currently standing beside Virgina Woolf on my bookshelf, but in any case I am rambling.
shortly after reading Owen, I better understood how people felt about the Great War. I mean, for the first time, the western world saw the damage science and technology could bring about. The people before then could boast of all the wonder things that the modern world had and think themselves superior. Science and technology were suppose to make life better and cure just about anything you had. But then the complete and utter destruction of war came about. War was no longer glamorous and played by a code and play book.
let's all be honest, war has not improved much since then. Sure, we have better toys and weapons, but it is still devastating even with the reduced body count. I admit wholeheartedly to being a pacifist and anyone who knows me in real life is not surprised by this admission. After all, my dolls were ambassadors from the U.N. who negotiated trade and water rights. Still, Owen's poetry confirms my belief that peace, not war, should hold the title of 'romantic.'
My friend, you would not tell with such high zest
To children ardent for some desperate glory,
The old Lie: Dulce et decorum est
Pro patria mori.
Sunday, March 23, 2008
2 things...
that happen every Spring. Finals are coming up. And the Maternal Grandmother has Spring Break. Compared to the latter, the former is so much better. Why? Because she turns the house upside down to clean and rearrange just about every room we have. It is worse than a 7 novel comprehensive essay exam when you've only read 4 of the books. At least you walk in knowing you need some serious BS skills. Here, you never know where things are going or when you'll be able to find the stuff you need to.
yesterday, when she started talking about moving more furniture pieces into my room, Puppy and I left. And Puppy had one big adventure. We went down to Mom's house where I played sister/knit. She played in Mom's backyard with that home's resident hyper-insane dog. When the dogs came in, they played with the Twins who took them for a walk in the front yard. Then Mom, the Twins, Puppy, and I went to give StepDad and crew lunch. I ate a sandwich while walking around the developing subdivision with Pup. From there, we all went to Mom's office where my dog was able to drink some pond water (she tells me it is so much better and does not compare with the nasty tap water I give her). Needless to say, Puppy slept very well last night.
Cable is making new friends, but does not want these cats to come over to play. The new house layout is cool in her opinion, great big empty boxes, scrap paper, and new places to climb and/or hide. Other than being really cute and active, nothing much has happened to her.
school is going to be interesting this week: get a topic for Shakespeare's big essay/paper, nail down a defense date (or have one), figure out when I can take a test proving if I ever got lost in the back vineyards of France I could communicate (if only on notebook paper), and finish my homework/readings for the week. Wow. That is one long sentence.
as far as knitting goes (oh come on, you were expecting this part sometime), I've actually run into a snag. My Full-Blooded Sister's gift is hurting my hands to knit. No, I am perfectly serious. I thought the problem was the double-knitting the sleeves, a new technique for me and well there is a learning curve at times. Hence (such a lovely word that is starting to fade away) I frogged what I had done. Still hurts, so I went up a needle size from a US size 8 to US size 9. No improvement. I don't get it. I mean, the Pooka evening gloves are on a US size 3 and they don't give me any pain. The Xylem shrug was on a US size 10 and 10.5, they did not hurt. I could try knitting looser and less often. Or I could say the knitting deities do not want me to finish it. Either way, I am adjusting the pattern and sleeping with an IcyHot treatment.
my friend the Pirate Librarian (no, she doesn't knit so don't try to find her on the Pirate Knitters Group on Ravelry) sent me some wonderful pictures of her vacation. Never had the desire to see the desert first hand before, still do not want to buy the ticket but am more interested in the possibility. I really should write her an email tomorrow. You know, when I am hiding from the house make-over.
in any event, this post should be long enough to make up for the lack of post recently. So, night ya'll. BTW-the Easter Bunny brought my "Carpe Lanam" (Latin: Seize the Wool) shirt from the Sticks & String podcast. Very cool.
yesterday, when she started talking about moving more furniture pieces into my room, Puppy and I left. And Puppy had one big adventure. We went down to Mom's house where I played sister/knit. She played in Mom's backyard with that home's resident hyper-insane dog. When the dogs came in, they played with the Twins who took them for a walk in the front yard. Then Mom, the Twins, Puppy, and I went to give StepDad and crew lunch. I ate a sandwich while walking around the developing subdivision with Pup. From there, we all went to Mom's office where my dog was able to drink some pond water (she tells me it is so much better and does not compare with the nasty tap water I give her). Needless to say, Puppy slept very well last night.
Cable is making new friends, but does not want these cats to come over to play. The new house layout is cool in her opinion, great big empty boxes, scrap paper, and new places to climb and/or hide. Other than being really cute and active, nothing much has happened to her.
school is going to be interesting this week: get a topic for Shakespeare's big essay/paper, nail down a defense date (or have one), figure out when I can take a test proving if I ever got lost in the back vineyards of France I could communicate (if only on notebook paper), and finish my homework/readings for the week. Wow. That is one long sentence.
as far as knitting goes (oh come on, you were expecting this part sometime), I've actually run into a snag. My Full-Blooded Sister's gift is hurting my hands to knit. No, I am perfectly serious. I thought the problem was the double-knitting the sleeves, a new technique for me and well there is a learning curve at times. Hence (such a lovely word that is starting to fade away) I frogged what I had done. Still hurts, so I went up a needle size from a US size 8 to US size 9. No improvement. I don't get it. I mean, the Pooka evening gloves are on a US size 3 and they don't give me any pain. The Xylem shrug was on a US size 10 and 10.5, they did not hurt. I could try knitting looser and less often. Or I could say the knitting deities do not want me to finish it. Either way, I am adjusting the pattern and sleeping with an IcyHot treatment.
my friend the Pirate Librarian (no, she doesn't knit so don't try to find her on the Pirate Knitters Group on Ravelry) sent me some wonderful pictures of her vacation. Never had the desire to see the desert first hand before, still do not want to buy the ticket but am more interested in the possibility. I really should write her an email tomorrow. You know, when I am hiding from the house make-over.
in any event, this post should be long enough to make up for the lack of post recently. So, night ya'll. BTW-the Easter Bunny brought my "Carpe Lanam" (Latin: Seize the Wool) shirt from the Sticks & String podcast. Very cool.
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
the wait
I dropped off copies of my working thesis to my panel. It is approximately 53 pages long. Without a conclusion. Oh well. It will come together somehow.
needless to say, I dropped down asleep before nine last night. My mind was just tired. Body could have run a marathon. Which is a good reason why Puppy and I went for a walk this morning at 6:45.
and I finished the body of my "Xylem" shrug. Too tired to model for the camera, but I should have something up in a few days. My "Pooka" gloves have been cast on. Yea!
needless to say, I dropped down asleep before nine last night. My mind was just tired. Body could have run a marathon. Which is a good reason why Puppy and I went for a walk this morning at 6:45.
and I finished the body of my "Xylem" shrug. Too tired to model for the camera, but I should have something up in a few days. My "Pooka" gloves have been cast on. Yea!
Monday, March 17, 2008
i got in
that's right. I am accepted to Library School in TN. Just thought I'd let you know.
Now, back to the Thesis.
Now, back to the Thesis.
Saturday, March 15, 2008
Happy Ides Everyone!
and if your name happens to be Julius Caesar, I hope you made it through the day. If you've made it this far, you have a pretty good chance of making it.
I have spent the day reading Marx and applying to 2 of 3 Chapters. Had I not been knitting, I would not have made it. In fact, I present to you: Marx
In Knitting news, my Icarus is looking good...not on camera. But Daedalus will fly! Yes, I named my shawl after the father instead of the son. That shows how much faith I have that this project is going to be beautiful. And I will fly away with it. No crashing into the sea.
I balled the yarn for my Pooka gloves, the pattern is actually from a book I already had. The only modification I am doing to it is knitting it in the round. Pictures when I CO. I am also nearly ready to figure out the math on a glove design of my own. Now that I know they are not hard, I want dozens.
In Cable news, she goes outside as often as she can and comes back when called. It hailed last night, in addition to the rain. The backyard is swamped, and she did not really like that all too much. Nothing stops this girl for long.
Puppy feels better now that the weather has warmed up and we can take walks again. She did not like the storm last night but we all made it through.
I have spent the day reading Marx and applying to 2 of 3 Chapters. Had I not been knitting, I would not have made it. In fact, I present to you: Marx
In Knitting news, my Icarus is looking good...not on camera. But Daedalus will fly! Yes, I named my shawl after the father instead of the son. That shows how much faith I have that this project is going to be beautiful. And I will fly away with it. No crashing into the sea.
I balled the yarn for my Pooka gloves, the pattern is actually from a book I already had. The only modification I am doing to it is knitting it in the round. Pictures when I CO. I am also nearly ready to figure out the math on a glove design of my own. Now that I know they are not hard, I want dozens.
In Cable news, she goes outside as often as she can and comes back when called. It hailed last night, in addition to the rain. The backyard is swamped, and she did not really like that all too much. Nothing stops this girl for long.
Puppy feels better now that the weather has warmed up and we can take walks again. She did not like the storm last night but we all made it through.
Friday, March 14, 2008
great. just great...
two hours spent on a revision when I realized it had nothing to do with the thesis as a whole. Cut. New Document. Paste. Save As: Chapter 3 cuts. It even had Marx in it. (I am a close-reading-and-add-theory later kinda person.)
but I found a new podcast. Y Knit (it's genetic). A duet of guys with really great sound effects. This episode has a pretty cool interview. It just came out, so not a whole lot of back episodes to listen to. Lime & Violet has tons that I have not listened to out of time issues.
when I need a break tomorrow, I'll take pictures of some new things I've been working on. (I really just logged on to add the link.)
but I found a new podcast. Y Knit (it's genetic). A duet of guys with really great sound effects. This episode has a pretty cool interview. It just came out, so not a whole lot of back episodes to listen to. Lime & Violet has tons that I have not listened to out of time issues.
when I need a break tomorrow, I'll take pictures of some new things I've been working on. (I really just logged on to add the link.)
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Sorry...
...about the swearing. Stress bites.
good news, Chapter 1 is completely revised. Intro is written and in my Thesis Advisor's hands. Chapter 3 is waiting for me on his door.
Stars, I am so tired.
good news, Chapter 1 is completely revised. Intro is written and in my Thesis Advisor's hands. Chapter 3 is waiting for me on his door.
Stars, I am so tired.
Saturday, March 08, 2008
Please forgive my Early Modern English
but by all the p*x*d ridden gr**n w**stc**ts, my thesis has to be defended and corrected and turned in by when? Bl**dy April. Z**nds.
what b*s*b*rn* fool came up with that date? That lowly s*rp*nt must have r*t for brains and a c*dp**c* full of stockings. Obviously, they have no sw*rd for any sh**th. Their lover gave that r*ng to another, crowning them with h*rns. Their mother's h**r reached her kn**s, her breath smelt of foul enough to keep the bravest soldier home in bed, and her teeth are green!
St*rs have mercy on my d*mn*d hide. S*n of a wh*r*.
if no one sees me, either in person, email, blog, or Ravelry; do not take it personally. I have to finish my bl**d*ng p*x*ed thesis. This coming week. P*ss*ng, bl**d*, n*n*th circle of h*ll.
what b*s*b*rn* fool came up with that date? That lowly s*rp*nt must have r*t for brains and a c*dp**c* full of stockings. Obviously, they have no sw*rd for any sh**th. Their lover gave that r*ng to another, crowning them with h*rns. Their mother's h**r reached her kn**s, her breath smelt of foul enough to keep the bravest soldier home in bed, and her teeth are green!
St*rs have mercy on my d*mn*d hide. S*n of a wh*r*.
if no one sees me, either in person, email, blog, or Ravelry; do not take it personally. I have to finish my bl**d*ng p*x*ed thesis. This coming week. P*ss*ng, bl**d*, n*n*th circle of h*ll.
Friday, March 07, 2008
snow
Ok, so this is no big for most of the country, continent, world. But here in the land where "hills" are called "mountains," this much snow is enough to cancel school and make all the grocery stores run out of milk and bread. Naturally, I took Mama Puppy and her foundling out to explore.
We were not outside more than a few moments. It is cold.
good news
Chapter 2 revision: done
Presentation (20-30 minutes) on Barrie: date set
3rd Person on Thesis Committee: found
My Lent project: 54% done
KAL knitting: started and making good progress
Life is very, very good.
Presentation (20-30 minutes) on Barrie: date set
3rd Person on Thesis Committee: found
My Lent project: 54% done
KAL knitting: started and making good progress
Life is very, very good.
Tuesday, March 04, 2008
stupid clouds
I had the most perfect day in the whole wide world planned yesterday. Like, going to the bookstore and pick-up a new knitting magazine followed by knitting at the Botanical Gardens. The past 10 days have been tough, between pushing myself to finish Ch 3 and turn it in before the break and the normal stress of family drama and...well, you get the idea. I am worn thin and needed a day off. There was some overcast, but I thought the rain had a 4 o'clock appointment. Therefore, I started strolling along my favorite paths. Then the clouds did one of the following things:
Needless to say, the rain made things a bit cooler. For the past few days prior to yesterday, the weather has been around 70 F (21 C). It is now 32 F (0 C). Cold enough to spit snow, yet not nearly enough to make it stick. No snow day for us. Ha! I am on Spring Break this week so it does not affect me.
One good thing did come out of yesterday's not-so-perfect day, I found a new knitting podcast. Sticks & String is by this Australian guy. Now normally, I do not care for a single person podcasts. In fact, I like the duets so much more. This proves to be the exception to prove the rule. Must be the accent.
What else is happening in life? Oh, new favorite song to add to the list of favorite songs. PBS was having a fund raiser last night featuring The High Kings of Dublin (no website that I could find). They sang, "Black Velvet Band" and I swear if they had performed "My Lagan Love" I would have made a pledged to get front row seats. The new song is about a girl "with diamond eyes" got him in trouble for stealing. Lovely vocals, after all it is a group off 4 tenors/high baritones. So what did I expect?
- Lost their watch
- Forgot when they were suppose to rain
- Came really early, like 10 o'clock in the morning early
- Thought it would be great fun to ruin my day
Needless to say, the rain made things a bit cooler. For the past few days prior to yesterday, the weather has been around 70 F (21 C). It is now 32 F (0 C). Cold enough to spit snow, yet not nearly enough to make it stick. No snow day for us. Ha! I am on Spring Break this week so it does not affect me.
One good thing did come out of yesterday's not-so-perfect day, I found a new knitting podcast. Sticks & String is by this Australian guy. Now normally, I do not care for a single person podcasts. In fact, I like the duets so much more. This proves to be the exception to prove the rule. Must be the accent.
What else is happening in life? Oh, new favorite song to add to the list of favorite songs. PBS was having a fund raiser last night featuring The High Kings of Dublin (no website that I could find). They sang, "Black Velvet Band" and I swear if they had performed "My Lagan Love" I would have made a pledged to get front row seats. The new song is about a girl "with diamond eyes" got him in trouble for stealing. Lovely vocals, after all it is a group off 4 tenors/high baritones. So what did I expect?
Sunday, March 02, 2008
a new world
The star of my blog, Cable the Fearless Kitten, has discovered the outside world. Our lives will never be the same again.
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