Not holiday-themed, just fun

If you're not watching Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, well, why the hell not?! It is fantastic, so long as there are no small folks around.  I do miss Santino Fontana, because super sexy voice, but am bearing up well.  This made me howl...

There are last-minute ornaments to embroider (Mark's co-workers--like he couldn't have told me sooner! Eh, no biggie, they're fast), but I will return soon, promise.

Good things

The blogosphere has been really quiet lately.  Not that I can blame its members.  Our schedule change really cramped my style - and that was before I turned into a huge anxiety ball. And that was before everything went pear-shaped.

I haven't really processed yet - I was actually in the hospital with gastroenteritis the second week of November, and with the recovery on top of everything, I need baby steps. I plan to get more involved once I'm ready to jump back in - volunteering at my daughter's school, which is majority lower-income, will be an easy place to start - but in the meantime I need to focus on good things. I'm an inherently optimistic person (even as a teenager, and was trying to be all angry), and I have to, HAVE to believe that the vast majority of people are good, and that we CAN change the world for the better.  So I'll still be here, and I'll try to spread a little happiness. We damn well all need some.

Make like a tree

Kind of loving this song...

 

I am about 25% done with the five feet of i-cord required for the cardigan. I am so ready to start something else!

I won't cry for yesterday...

Because it's always a good time for Duran Duran.

Even if it’s Nineties Duran Duran.  At least there’s no weird African/women-as-animals fetishism in this video. 

Last week was Rosina’s first week of school, and other than some minor interpersonal things (Mean Girl hogs sparkly red pencil, drama ensues) she loves it and is doing great.  She even likes phys ed! (If I didn’t know any better, I’d say we brought the wrong baby home…) Her school offers free breakfast every morning, and she’s been walking to the cafeteria, picking out her food, and finding her way to her classroom by herself.   (I didn’t even know any of this until I asked her.)  We may even try school lunch one of these days!  ($2.25.  What in the world…) Because she’s going to a magnet and not her neighborhood school, we were planning to use an express bus stop.  Turns out that the bus stop was more than twenty minutes from our house, in the wrong direction for the school and our jobs, and took about forty minutes to get to the school.  We would have to leave the house before seven, and she wouldn’t get home in the afternoon until after four.  So not only was it more than two hours round-trip, it would have been a nine-plus hour school day, for a five-year-old.  Suffice to say I have swallowed my pride, and am driving her to and from school (about twelve minutes).  I hate doing this – it goes against my principles – but now I understand why so many people have to do it.  The bus situation in this county is just terrible.  Her school is fairly small, and it’s in right in a neighborhood with lots of walkers, but there are only TWO BUSES for a whole elementary school.  That would transport about 1/3 of the students.  How many kids are being left out?? Anyway, morning drop-off is a piece of cake, but pickup sucks big time.  I guess I’ll have to get used to it…

In crafting news, I am getting close to finishing my cardigan.  The body is done, and I only have about two inches of the first sleeve left.  I’m not super impressed with the fit – the yoke is too big in front (I KNOW – how is this possible?!), and the sleeve shaping is triangular and fits a bit oddly – but I think blocking will really help. (Famous last words…) My stripes are a bit different due to the yardage on hand, and I’ve had to fudge a bit on the sleeves to accommodate what I had left over, but it’s going to work.  Once the knitting is completed, I have to sew in a zipper – and may have to order one online, since I need a long one – so I’m not nearly as close as it seems, but it will be done by the time I need a densely-knit, light-worsted weight handspun wool cardigan.  (GO HOME SUMMER, YOU’RE DRUNK.) I am already thinking of my next projects:  a hat for Rosina, a baby sweater for a coworker’s pregnant daughter, bears for new-baby gifts for my SIL and cousin, stranded slippers for me?  Oh, and Rosina wants this Tunisian-crocheted ammonite.  That may wait until Christmas.

Alternate summer anthems

Somehow I got a certain "summer anthem" by a certain former Disney star-turned-wayward youth-turned-new Voice judge stuck in my head.  I'm not even sure how, because I can't imagine voluntarily listening to it.  (Maybe because the chorus starts out like "Mo' Money, Mo' Problems,", which samples "I'm Coming Out" - two summery songs that are not terrible like this one...) Anyway, I needed to evict it, and this sort of worked.







Summer has been passing quickly.  We just completed a trip to see Mark's family (Buffalo with record high temperatures and zero control over the schedule = not a vacation!), and had my parents come visit this past weekend.  (Only one fight about police brutality with my mother, and I tried desperately to change the subject...)  School supplies have been purchased, and Rosina starts kindergarten in less than three weeks!  Nope, still not really processing that.  I am working from home until after Labor Day, since camp is over.  We have been watching the Olympics, and I have been working on my handspun cardigan!  After two separate stupid mistakes (miscounting and switching to the wrong size tips, respectively) which each involved frogging huge amounts - two feet of plus-size cardigan total, I kid you not - I think I am finally on the right track.

From the Queen of England to the hounds of Hell

Loving this so much today.  The muted trombone solo is amazing.  I could listen to Postmodern Jukebox all day!



Heavy crafting this weekend, including finally soaking and finishing handspun from last year (this is not hard or time-consuming, WTH?) in preparation for Tour de Fleece.  I also finished spinning this:

(Background photo is from last October, taken of the Hudson River at Cold Spring, NY.  It was also used in our holiday cards.)  I also sewed myself a very trendy kimono-style jacket out of a sarong bought on my honeymoon.  Oh, and we went to an actual play on Saturday night!  (Which means in preparation for the babysitter, I also cleaned the house on Saturday. Nice to have done.)

Zucchini, I promise you this:

Appropriate because we just bought a ton of produce:

This was of my favorite commercials as a kid.  It is funnier now that I actually know the original song. Also, is this when freezer bags came out? How odd that a product I use every day hasn't been around forever... 🤓

In other news, have you heard about the Volkswagen drama? We've been kind of in limbo since September, with a series of rumors floating around, but it looks like we'll know more on Tuesday.  Since we were all pretty much lied to, and the Magic Snowflake Fuel-Efficient Automatic with Cargo Space doesn't really exist, we've basically decided on replacing the Sportwagen with a CRV. Everyone we know who's ever had one has loved it, they last forever, reliability, etc. The 2015 models get about 33 highway, which isn't as good as I was hoping for, and I dislike having to get an SUV (I do put my foot down about minivans; I was willing to do a station wagon, but I have my limits), but it has more cargo room (note this is for Mark, who does actually haul things in the Jetta) and is waaay cheaper in the long run than the runner-up, the Prius V. (We also chose the Jetta over it back in 2013, for the same reasons.) Ideally we'd like the auto swap process to be a net-zero situation, but we may end up with a very tiny loan, depending on how much cash back we can get.  

It bears repeating

I finally watched The Silver Linings Playbook, and I did like it (though minus a star for the age difference, groan), but now I have this song stuck in my head.

Granted, it doesn't take much to get this stuck in my head. I still lament not giving The White Stripes a chance while they were still a thing. The movie had a great soundtrack in general - Zeppelin, even.

Last weekend we went to the beach, for the first time in years (not counting a day trip last August, when it was in the 70s and too cold to even wade). Rosina's favorite part: wiping out in a (small!) wave. That and meeting a baby sea turtle at the aquarium. It was a nice trip! Our other excursions this summer are basically for family obligations, so it was good to have time to ourselves.

Orlando

I am processing by listening to sad songs.

We are fine here, other than Mark's nasty case of poison ivy, but subdued. 

I guess it's summer, then...

I suppose if you're going to have a song stuck in your head, this beats an annoying Ed Sheeran song.

And did you know? It's a Carter Family song.  No surprise!

Rosina's birthday was a little crazy, but she was so excited, and her friends had a great time at the party. And my cardigan is done! I even got a chance to wear it today before it gets ridiculous hot. I need to get a photo!

They grow up so fast...

This video is cool for a lot of reasons--and altruistic as this sort of thing goes, since it sounds unforced and is not a hot mess of showboating old men trying to sing/play over each other--but check out the kid in the background. Is that George Harrison's son, or possibly his clone? Whoa. Regardless, Prince's solos are so great, so stay tuned. He is making that hat WORK. 

(Speaking of music, I may have been conceived while "Afternoon Delight" was the #1 song in America. I doubt that's what my parents were listening to, but it is indeed troubling.)

Regarding my own little clone: she's turning FIVE this weekend. ("Just the Way You Are" by Bruno Mars was the #1 song when she was conceived.  At least it's not a novelty song! And no, TMI, the radio was off.) I am not sure how we've reached this point. She's a little unsettled herself by all the changes happening in the next few months: she's been at the same place for school and camp for two years, and in September she'll be going to a completely new place where she doesn't know anyone. (She's going to a STEM magnet school, not the base school, but none of her friends live in our neighborhood anyway.) We know she will do great, and that realizing how big the world is is just a part of growing up, but she's been clingier lately because of it, and it does make me feel for her.

On a happy note, look what she gave me for Mother's Day! This is why we keep them around...

Actual Knitting Content: the fingering weight, top-down, garter-striped circular yoke cardigan I've pastiched is nearing the home stretch. There may actually be pictures once I finish the second sleeve.

Enough, 2016. Really.

Why does this keep happening?!  I'm still processing--when the news came over the radio yesterday, I just kept yelling NO--but you should check this out.  Are we sure he didn't write this song?

Unexpected lullaby

I just happened to chance upon this. I went to grad school with Rhiannon--and yes, it is crazy to think there's one person between me and Elvis freaking Costello, but I suppose that's just being a musician... Anyway, she's great, and this is a lovely cover, even if it's for reasons that will not go away.

Not that I'm feeling this maudlin, but my birthday is tomorrow, and the gravity of being very close to forty has hit me, and it is not pleasant. I could complain about how I feel like I've wasted time, then admit that I really haven't, life well-lived, etc., but that is BORING so whatever. Mark and I haven't discussed anything about it, so I wonder if he has some surprises planned. I do love surprises! Coming up soon after that is our anniversary (and THANK GOD I was able to line up a sitter, as we have absolutely terrible luck with that), and Rosina's birthday a month later. We're planning a party this year, but considering the possibility of renting a pavilion at a playground and just serving cake and drinks, rather than an actual meal. It would be easier if her birthday weren't in mid-May, when it can be relied upon to be hot and humid, with an afternoon thunderstorm--otherwise a party from 3-5 would be great. If you have a party from 9:30-11:30, is it okay to just have cake? Maybe if we have coffee to appease the adults? :) I'd love to do a donut party, but Rosina is currently skeptical. We'll keep working on her!

Better late than never: Lorde

I meant to post this last week, but somehow it was still pending. Anyway, this song was stuck in my head all last week. 

How cool is Lorde?! Since I am actually old enough to be her mom (i.e. I even know who her father would've been), it seems like a weird choice. Most of her songs are about being a teenager, naturally, and she wouldn't be here without the ladies of my era--definitely Tori Amos, Fiona Apple, Ani?--but damn, she just does it so well. And she seems fairly normal and well-adjusted in interviews. May she make fifty more albums!

Despite my usual (and justified!) reluctance to embark on charity knitting and knitting-for-hire, I've decided to knit a few hats for Rosina's preschool's silent auction. Her Felicity (technically made for me) was so darn cute, and she got a lot of compliments on it. I had two more skeins of the same yarn, so why not? That and a few basic watchcaps--also from leftovers--and hopefully they will earn a few dollars. (As in, they better go for at least $12 apiece. Probably better if I don't ever know...)

A prescient title

In my continuing examination of twenty-year-old music, Exhibit Foo Fighters.  Out of the ashes of Nirvana, polymath Dave Grohl writes and plays all instruments on the group's eponymous album.  It wasn't even an actual group yet (he had to recruit them for the tour!).  I liked Nirvana OK, but for all the posturing, I was never wholly a grunge person.  Even at my worst teen angst, I was still inherently an optimistic person, and have always been a lover of melody.  And even in this first attempt, we see what Foo Fighters would continue to be:  more melody, more interesting harmonies, better singing, a freaking sense of humor, lyrics that aren't just about shocking people... So yes, I maintain that Foo Fighters is/was a way better band than Nirvana, even at this stage.







And this video--with all its grunge-era posturing--is apparently about fighting viruses or something, a la Fantastic Voyage?  Already this is more fun than Nirvana.  Just wait until they start spoofing Mentos commercials!



Rosina had kind of a pointless field trip this morning--storytime at Barnes & Noble?  Other than change of venue, this is basically what they do every day at school--but after dropping her back at school, I had a particularly Bourgie Mom morning:  eyebrow threading (ouch! luckily I only do this about once a year to maintain shape), Bath & Body Works (belated birthday gift for my mother), then shoe shopping (because I always default to sneakers, even to work, and I don't love that).  Does it help that the shoes are faux Alegria Mary Janes with a blue-and-purple swirly pattern?  They should go really well with my new hipster-Ariel glasses...

It's spelled that way on purpose

For some reason, multiple radio stations have been playing way more Bush lately than seems warranted. (After Jeb Bush suspended his campaign, ironically...) I've never been a huge fan, but this song reminds me of that time in tenth (?) grade when we had one school dance DJed by the local hard rock/alternative station. This was one of the last songs they played, and I finally had the courage to ask Ed M. to dance. (I had a crush on him forever--an actual nice guy, which was rare, but it didn't mean he was interested! I later learned he'd had this huge unrequited crush on a girl who'd been with the same guy since middle school. That couple is still together.). He mumbled something about being right back, then did not rematerialize, but he was even more awkward than I was, and was probably unable to deal... But yeah, this song brings it all back!

Gavin Rossdale was cute in such a '90s way. I am a bit envious of his bouncy curls, but what were they all thinking with the man-bobs??  Incidentally, if Google Image Search is any indication, he has aged extremely well. He is fifty, and still pretty hot! O.O

Speaking of aging, I hope the child grows out of her current rebellious phase with a swiftness. Today was not a good day for that. I am very looking forward to having a few hours to myself tomorrow morning.

Nostalgia

This makes me feel really old, but is also super awesome (stay tuned around 3:15):

Way to rock the Weber grill!

We came home an hour early today due to possible tornadoes, so now I'm kind of killing time with the kid. (Luckily she is over the drama that ensued when the television was turned off.). I think we will bake some bread! I usually go the no-knead route, but recently heard about a three-hour no-knead version--fantastic if it does work. I should really also clean the bathrooms...

Queries

I know fun. is on a break right now, but dude, this guy's voice is so compelling to me. I'd love to give him a lesson--see what's under the proverbial hood, so to speak. 

Also, apparently this song is about being on tour? Am I the only person who thought it was about Iraq or something?

Children's programming question of the day: what kind of currency is accepted on the Dinosaur Train?  This show requires so much suspension of disbelief (TARDIS-y train,  a T. rex raised by pteranodons, dinosaur Elvis??), I don't think it's too much to ask.

Still Missin' Bowie

My brief hiatus has as much to do with being busy (two colds, performance, sewing the dress for said performance!) as with the sorry state of Blogger when it comes to smartphones. The app sucks if you want to do anything besides enter text, and Safari is not fully compatible--and while desktop YouTube has a Blogger button, the app does not. You would think Google would want to have connectivity among its own products... But I guess we're stuck in 2005 here.

Anyway, David Bowie died, and I'm still bummed about it.

I was never a #1 Bowie Fan, but I always respected the hell out of what he did. (I also cannot dispute the powerful effect of Jareth the Goblin King. That wig! Those pants!!)  I've been enjoying some deeper cuts that don't get much airplay, even on AOR. For example, how was this not my absolute favorite song in high school?!  I listened to WNEW and everything! Scandalous.

So Rosina is officially registered for kindergarten. I have no clue how she is almost five already. We applied for a few magnet schools--specifically this really cool engineering magnet!--but she is currently assigned to her very good base school, and wait-listed for the other. They do another magnet round in April, so we will hold out until then. Only six months away! :O

After a quick flurry of Lopi mittens for Mark and Rosina, I have started a fingering-weight cardigan for myself. (Another one?!) I couldn't find exactly what I wanted--top-down, with a circular yoke in garter stripes and the rest in stockinette--and I wasn't going to pay for a pattern that didn't meet my parameters, so I'm basing it loosely on this. The main yarn is Louet Gems Fingering in burgundy, and the contrast is some lovely peachy-orange Ella Rae Lace Merino. Working from stash, yo...