Kat with a K

Just a procedural note...

Recently, I've noticed several people submitting comments more than once. Now, this doesn't bother me or anything, but I just wanted to make sure everyone knows that I have to approve all comments before they are posted. So, unfortunately, you will not see your comment show up immediately. I do this because I get hundreds of spam comments a day. I try to get all comments approved within a day, but it occasionally takes longer when I'm particularly busy or away from the computer for some reason. Thanks for understanding!

Fiber Revival, anyone?

So, who's headed to the Fiber Revival this weekend? I had a great time last year, so I'm definitely looking forward to it!

Confession

I sometimes reread the archives of favorite blogs - the way I'd reread a favorite book. Is this weird? Does anyone else do this?

Bloglines Question

I swear that there used to be a way to put your feeds in various orders - alphabetical, most recently updated, maybe something else. (Or maybe just those two.) But now I cannot for the life of me figure out how to change that setting. Anyone? Did I make this up?

Update: Found it under Edit. (I had been looking in Options.) Thank you, Sandy and Theresa!

Bloglines issues?

Anyone else having problems with Bloglines? They seem to have republished thousands of posts. Ack.

Test

I'm finding I can't edit an older entry at the moment, so this is just a test to see if I can add one...

Update: Apparently I can add new entries, but not edit that old one. So. I know the first paragraph of June Books Part Two is messed up, and I will fix it ASAP.

Yarn Harlot tonight, anyone?

So, who's headed to WEBS for Steph's event tonight? I know it will be big enough that it will be hard to actually find people, but I'd like to know if there's anyone I should be watching for...

Monday Happy Things!

Friends! Socks! Yarn! All happy. So you know what's particularly happy? Friends who send sock yarn!

Thanks Kristen!

Oh, it's just that you all have lives.

I have to admit that it was a bit disconcerting to post my previous post early yesterday morning, go off to work, come home 14 hours later and find... nothing. What was going on? Had I managed to somehow offend everyone by posting on a controversial subject? But I know my readers, at least some of them, and I knew that at least a few of you (Cate) would be compelled to respond to something like this, even if you thought I'd handled it badly or something. So I was puzzled. And then I woke up this morning and found eight comments. A-ha! It was a Saturday, of a holiday weekend, even! No doubt you all just had better things to do during the day than comment on blogs. (I mean, I hadn't been home to read blogs all day, so why should I expect you would be?) Although why the heck are you all reading blogs in the middle of the night? Hmm.

Most of the time, I try to avoid too much talk of politics or especially religion, because I know my readers are fairly diverse in those areas (especially religion). My basic political views are fairly obvious, but most of you probably don't even know what my religious views are. (Of course, neither do I, much of the time, but that's a different issue). And virtually all of you read my blog (or at least started reading my blog) either for the knitting (um, sorry, I promise I still do that) or now the summer reading or because you know me from elsewhere, either in real life or somewhere else online. I know I'm not Bitch Ph.D. (although I'd sometimes like to be). I try to give you what I assume you come here for: knitting, books, updates on my life, the occasional cute kitten picture. But... I don't know. Sometimes I'd like to talk about more "important" things. (Although when it comes down to it, I'm not sure I'm convinced there's a whole lot more important than knitting and books and kittens.) Yesterday I did, albeit in a more humorous way. The comments I've gotten so far seem to indicate that you're okay with this, but I wonder about the people who didn't comment. I know that what I post on my blog is my business, but I care about my readers and I don't like the idea of alienating people by talking about things I should perhaps leave alone.

So... I don't know. Opinions? Do you mind the "serious" posts? Or should I just stick to my knitting?

(I also feel compelled to point out that in writing this post I have been simulataneously procrastinating doing my real homework, doing my D&D homework, kitchenering a toe [ha! knitting content!], and cleaning my house. And now I'm running late for an appointment. Bye!)

NH Sheep and Wool Festival plans

Okay! I finally know what I'm doing. Not that you've all been waiting with bated breath or anything, but just in case anyone's curious...

Saturday: I'm not going to the festival itself, but I will be at Margarita's for dinner. And I expect a full report from you all on what I should look for at the festival.

Sunday: Heading to festabal-land in the morning with Erica and Defulct. We'll probably be there more or less all day. Let me know if you want to meet up, or you'll be around and we should look for you, or whatever.
EDITED to add: Lunch! I hear rumors of covered picnic tables near alpacas. Anyone who wants to meet up, let's say around 12:30-1 o'clock (after the end of the Fleece to Shawl, basically).

Bonus! Tonight (Thursday): 251 Bar & Grill in Billerica. My boss is in the band that's playing, so a few of us are heading over. If anyone feels like stopping by, I'll be the one knitting a sock. (Umm, no, really? I'm sure you're shocked.)

And - breaking news! My completed Birch will be coming with me both Saturday night and Sunday, as long as none of you yell at me for bringing it along to show off before it's blocked.

No, I said "boots."

One of many notable conversations from the blogger gathering after Steph's event in Grafton last night:

Cate, to group at large: Hi, I'm Cate, and I'll be your lesbian stereotype for the evening.
Kat: Speaking of which, FemiKnit Mafia wants a picture of my boots.
Cate: Your - boobs?
Kat: No, my boots.
Cate: Oh. That's better.

You know, I sort of felt like I should be offended or something, but really, she's right. My boots are totally better than my boobs. So, um, anyway. Boot pictures for FemiKnit Mafia, taken by Cate:

And the dramatic shot, complete with fountain:

(Click to make big.)

Going to Grafton?

Anyone going to see Steph in Grafton tonight? I'll be the short one in the bright red patent leather boots, knitting Birch.

Oh, look. A Plan.

So I'm loving the Rule of Ten idea (well, except for this weekend when I was chomping at the bit to start Clapotis), but I'm apparently feeling the need to prioritize a bit more. Basically, what happened was that at some point last night I realized that I had all these vague ideas floating around in my head. Ideas like "You know, it was be awfully nifty if Birch was noticeably bigger when I bring it to Steph's next signing than it was at the last" and "If I wore Clapotis to NH Sheep & Wool, it would be easy for people to recognize me because it's so freaking bright." (Because you're all coming to Sheep & Wool and want to meet up, right? Right?)

So it seems as though it could be beneficial to write up a list of when I'd sort of like to have various things finished. None of these are hard and fast deadlines, per se - they're more just... goals. A Plan. I seem to attract Plans. Anyway:

April 16 (Easter/next time I'll see my family) - Dave's Scarf and Irish Hiking Scarf
April 21 (Steph's signing in Grafton) - Birch
May 13 (NH Sheep & Wool) - Clapotis and Salina
June 16 (roommate's birthday, so it would be nice if his Christmas present were done) - Campus Scarf
August 5 (family reunion) - Baby Aran
October 14 (Rhinebeck) - Rogue

I've been averaging three finishes a month of late, so that's all totally doable, even with my usual lack of focus. Well, April and May look a little cramped, but... we'll see. The main challenge will be convincing myself to knit anything but Clapotis. It's rather addictive. But today I left it at home and so I have high hopes of getting well into the third ball of yarn for Dave's Scarf at class tonight.

In other news, we're on Harlot Watch around here. The book is on the truck. On its way to my store. The shipment should get there this afternoon; they may or may not have time to unpack it. (I may or may not go unpack it for them after class.) Erica is supposed to call me with any news, but I'll be driving more or less by the store on the way to class (around 3:30) and on the way back (around 10:30). So. Unless Erica calls and tells me not to, I'll stop on the way down this afternoon - heck, I wouldn't mind a latte for the car anyway - and if there's no sighting by then I'll go back after class. And if for some reason that shipment doesn't make it there today, I'll go back after work tomorrow. Because, you know, what better to do on my night off than go to work? (Don't answer that.)

I spy with my little eye...

From JenLa:

1. A blog which you think people have not discovered: The Magpi
2. A blog whose author lives close to you physically. Just get as close as you can, it’s all relative: The Stitch Witch
3. An unusual or weird animal picture: Many of Chaos
4. An entry that made you laugh and got you strange looks from family or co-workers: Oh, so many. Recently: Peukalo is thumb. by Steph
5. An idea you wish you’d thought of: Buy More Yarn. I mean, really. 'nough said.
6. Something you’d like to knit: Rogue
7. A picture of something you consider beautiful: Juno's Highland Triangle
8. A blog whose author you’d like to one day meet in person: FemiKnit Mafia
9. A blog of someone you have already met in person: mamacate

P.S. 10 Reasons Why Liberal Men are Better in Bed

Books and TV and blogs, oh my!

I was all conflicted this morning: do I post about Black. White. or do I do a book meme? Decisions! Luckily, Cate made the decision for me by starting a new group blog: Reality TV Sociology. Come read or blog along with us if you're so inclined.

So the book meme! This is from Carole, even though she forgot me in the librarian list. ;-)

Meme instructions: Look at the list of books below. Bold the ones you've read, italicize the ones you might read, cross out the ones you won't, underline the ones on your book shelf, and place parentheses around the ones you've never even heard of.

The Da Vinci Code - Dan Brown
The Catcher in the Rye - J.D. Salinger
The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy - Douglas Adams
The Great Gatsby - F.Scott Fitzgerald
To Kill a Mockingbird - Harper Lee
The Time Traveler's Wife - Audrey Niffenegger
His Dark Materials - Philip Pullman
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince - J. K. Rowling
Life of Pi - Yann Martel
Animal Farm: A Fairy Story - George Orwell
Catch-22 - Joseph Heller
The Hobbit - J. R. R. Tolkien
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time - Mark Haddon
Lord of the Flies - William Golding
Pride and Prejudice - Jane Austen
1984 - George Orwell
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban - J. K. Rowling
One Hundred Years of Solitude - Gabriel Garcia Marquez
Memoirs of a Geisha - Arthur Golden
The Kite Runner - Khaled Hosseini
The Lovely Bones - Alice Sebold
Slaughterhouse 5 - Kurt Vonnegut
The Secret History - Donna Tartt
Wuthering Heights - Emily Bronte
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe - C. S. Lewis
Middlesex - Jeffrey Eugenides
Cloud Atlas - David Mitchell
Jane Eyre - Charlotte Bronte
Atonement - Ian McEwan
The Shadow Of The Wind - Carlos Ruiz Zafon
The Old Man and the Sea - Ernest Hemingway
The Handmaid's Tale - Margaret Atwood
The Bell Jar - Sylvia Plath
Dune - Frank Herbert

Hmm. There are some that might be on my bookshelf but I don't remember that they're there. (Someday I will complete my inventory...) Or that I've borrowed. Yeah. The Atwood is on my night table, actually, now that I think about it, but it's not mine so I didn't count it.

Also, apparently I do not decide that I won't read books. I mean, I'd read pretty much anything if you put it in front of me. (Vickie, this means you.) Also, yes, I've heard of all of them. Lit degree + enough time as a bookseller will do that.

Oh, and I forgot to tag people. How about Erica and Rachel and Kristen? (Sorry if any of you have already done it.)

No time.

I was going to do February Reads today but I have no time, so go say happy birthday to Ken and I'll see you tomorrow.

A Bloggers' (Silent) Poetry Reading

This midwinter poetry celebration is the brainchild of Grace's Poppies. This is probably my favorite winter poem, and it seems particularly apropos these days when I leave the house by eight and don't get home until midnight:

Whose woods these are I think I know.
His house is in the village, though;
He will not see me stopping here
To watch his woods fill up with snow.

My little horse must think it queer
To stop without a farmhouse near
Between the woods and frozen lake
The darkest evening of the year.

He gives his harness bells a shake
To ask if there is some mistake.
The only other sound's the sweep
Of easy wind and downy flake.

The woods are lovely, dark, and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.

It's Robert Frost, of course, via the Favorite Poem Project.

Happy birthday, Roe v. Wade

Today is the 33rd anniversary of Roe v. Wade. Honestly, this is an issue I've struggled with, but I have come to realize that the goal is the creation of a world in which abortion is not necessary. Since we do not live in that world, however, abortion needs to be safe, legal, and available. So I am joining hundreds of other bloggers in "Blog for Choice" day. Click on the icon for more information and to see the list.

The invisible divide

Isn't it weird when real life friends become online friends and vice versa? Yeah. I mean, I'm used to meeting people online and then meeting them in person. We all know how that goes. But what happens when an in person friend starts a blog?

Well, first you start finding about things in odd ways. Like you read that she's going to ask you something before she actually asks. I'm not, of course, suggesting that she shouldn't have written it... but perhaps it would have been easier to kill two birds with one stone and ask me directly in the blog.

And then this thing happened to me last night that I was going to blog about, but I looked over and Erica already had. You should read her post, because boy, is the holiday season at the bookstore fun. And to whet your appetite, my new favorite quote:

What a customer said to me last night:

"Hey, can I get, like, a library card for here? Is this a library? Nah, this ain't no fucking library."

I kid you not.

Giving thanks

Things I am thankful for this year...

* My family. They may drive me crazy, but I love them and I know they love me and that means a lot.
* My roommate. Not to be overdramatic, but the past year would have been much harder without him.
* My "real life" friends. I seem to have more of them than I think. It's nice.
* Especially the friend I spent Thanksgiving with... she's actually an online friend who seems to be crossing into "real life" territory.
* Which brings me to online friends/bloggers/e-mail lists/etc. Quite thankful for you all as well. (And then of course there's Erica, who also manages to straddle the real/online barrier, to sometimes interesting results...)
* Knitting. It has also done its part in saving my sanity.
* Books/music/movies. In all the relationship drama, I'd sort of... forgotten. Not had the mental energy to read/watch "hard" stuff. And I'd felt like I shouldn't, for various convoluted reasons. But I'm loving getting back to it.
* My job at the bookstore, because I love it.
* My other job, because it provides financial security.
* My lovely apartment, even with the bizarre shower.
* And now we get to the hard-to-define part... it has been an incredibly hard few months, and I can't really say I'm thankful for getting my heart ripped into a million pieces, but I am thankful for how it has made me take stock and think about who I am and what I want and how everything in my life was wrong. Um, I seem to be failing with the "positive spin" concept here. Sorry. But... I guess I'm trying to say that, even though I'm still fairly miserable a lot of the time, at least I'm getting better at letting me be myself. And that deserves thanksgiving.

Books and knitting and cake, oh my!

So who's going to Willow Books tonight for the book launch party? I'll be watching for Kristen... anyone else? I'll be the short girl with long brown hair wearing a burgundy velour dress (um, it's not as fancy as it sounds, really) and kitty shoes. Perhaps a better distinguishing characteristic for this particular event is that I'll be with my roommate, who will most likely be one of the relatively few men there. Tallish, dark blond hair and beard, burgundy sweater. (No, we didn't plan the matching color thing.) If you see us, say hi! And leave a comment so I know to look for you.

Aaaaaaaah.

I am now undoing all the data entry I did yesterday, because they gave me the wrong information. This is hours of work. And then I have to redo it all when they figure out the correct information. One of the people involved called to apologize, but really, couldn't they bring me chocolate or something? I was having a vaguely off day anyway. I don't feel good, but I have to be at work and then go to class. And work is being frustrating, and it's been raining for days, and I do like rain but enough is enough. And there could be some of what Cate is talking about going on, too. Actually, now that I reread Cate's entry, I'm identifying with a lot of it. Especially if you substitute "messy house" for "demon-possessed children." But yeah... cold/coughing, PMS, work frustration and overwhelmsion (WHAT is the correct form of that word? My brain is obviously gone at this point), contemplation of Big Life Changes, knitting frustration... check, check, check.

I'd like to say I'm going to go curl up in my comfy bed and drink tea and read and knit now, but, well, I can't. Which may be part of the problem.

Hope someone out there in Blogland is having a better day... send sunshine and cough drops.

Crazy idea

Plans are in the works (as of about two minutes ago, honestly) for Kat's First Annual Pre-Holiday Knitting Slumber Party. The idea is that we all (er, most of us) go crazy with the holiday knitting, so why not make a party out of it? If you're going to be pulling knitting all-nighters, wouldn't it be better with friends? The basic idea is to take just a quick break from family and holiday craziness in early to mid-December and have a night of knitting, talking, watching movies, and eating junk food (or healthy food if you prefer).

If you're in the area (southern NH, but there's no reason you couldn't drive here from MA or even the greater New England area), would you be interested? (I can't guarantee a completely open invitation because my apartment isn't huge, but we'll cross that bridge when we come to it.) If you're not in the area, do you have any suggestions for such a party? And would you be interested in some sort of virtual component (a chat, or all picking a night and blogging about it, or something)? I'm still at the brainstorming stage here, so let me know any thoughts/ideas.