Saturday, March 31, 2007

The end of a sweater.

After a few weeks of PINK, I have finally finished my niece's sweater, just in time for her 9th birthday in 2 weeks.


All in all I'm pretty happy with the way it came out. Even though the colors are crazy bright, I still like them. Perhaps my favorite part are the daisy buttons.


Now I just need a card and a little gift wrap and it's ready to go!

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Friday, March 30, 2007

Ancient Technological Mysteries


Great Pyramid was built inside out, Frenchman says

PARIS (Reuters) - A French architect said on Friday he had cracked a 4,500-year-old mystery surrounding Egypt's Great Pyramid, saying it was built from the inside out.

Previous theories have suggested Pharaoh Khufu's tomb, the last surviving example of the seven great wonders of antiquity, was built using either a vast frontal ramp or a ramp in a corkscrew shape around the exterior to haul up the stonework.

But flouting previous wisdom, Jean-Pierre Houdin said advanced 3D technology had shown the main ramp which was used to haul the massive stones to the apex was contained 10-15 meters beneath the outer skin, tracing a pyramid within a pyramid.

"This is better than the other theories, because it is the only theory that works," Houdin told Reuters after unveiling his hypothesis in a lavish ceremony using 3D computer simulation.

To prove his case, Houdin teamed up with a French company that builds 3D models for auto and airplane design, Dassault Systemes, which put 14 engineers for 2 years on the project.

Now, an international team is being assembled to probe the pyramid using radars and heat detecting cameras supplied by a French defense firm, as long as Egyptian authorities agree.

"This goes against both main existing theories. I've been teaching them myself for 20 years but deep down I know they're wrong," Egyptologist Bob Brier told Reuters at the unveiling.

"Houdin's vision is credible, but right now this is just a theory. Everybody thinks it has got to be taken seriously," said Brier, a senior research fellow at Long Island University.

Egypt's Supreme Council of Antiquities was not immediately available for comment. Dassault said Brier and other Egyptologists attending the ceremony were supporters of Houdin's theory but had no financial links to him or the firm.


For more...

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Irish Hiking Scarf and the Mittens of Doom


Happy Birthday Li'l Sis! Here's hoping you enjoy 26 and stay warm in the windy city!


*Wes' title for this post was "Knit Happens!"

**I've been waiting anxiously for your birthday to arrive so I could post this photo. Hopefully priority mail got to you before my blog did!

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Thursday, March 29, 2007

April Fool - Spaghetti Grows on Trees!

I hate April Fools Day. Sure I'm amused by the funny newspaper headlines, but in general I'm not a fan of the big tricks people play on each other. However Yahoo has posted this article:

Ten of the best April Fool's Day hoaxes: US museum

NEW YORK (AFP) - From television revealing that spaghetti grows on trees to advertisements for the left-handed burger, the tradition of April Fool's Day stories in the media has a weird and wonderful history.

Here are 10 of the top April Fool's Day pranks ever pulled off, as judged by the San Diego-based Museum of Hoaxes for their notoriety, absurdity, and number of people duped.


-- In 1957, a BBC television show announced that thanks to a mild winter and the virtual elimination of the spaghetti weevil, Swiss farmers were enjoying a bumper spaghetti crop. Footage of Swiss farmers pulling strands of spaghetti from trees prompted a barrage of calls from people wanting to know how to grow their own spaghetti at home.

As an aside, my father once told me about this story. Sophomore year in high school Light and I tried to recreate this historic video as a project for our drama class. I still have the VHS somewhere... it's priceless!

-- In 1985, Sports Illustrated magazine published a story that a rookie baseball pitcher who could reportedly throw a ball at 270 kilometers per hour (168 miles per hour) was set to join the New York Mets. Finch was said to have mastered his skill -- pitching significantly faster than anyone else has ever managed -- in a Tibetan monastery. Mets fans' celebrations were short-lived.

-- Sweden in 1962 had only one television channel, which broadcast in black and white. The station's technical expert appeared on the news to announce that thanks to a newly developed technology, viewers could convert their existing sets to receive color pictures by pulling a nylon stocking over the screen. In fact, they had to wait until 1970.

-- In 1996, American fast-food chain Taco Bell announced that it had bought Philadelphia's Liberty Bell, a historic symbol of American independence, from the federal government and was renaming it the Taco Liberty Bell.

Outraged citizens called to express their anger before Taco Bell revealed the hoax. Then-White House press secretary Mike McCurry was asked about the sale and said the Lincoln Memorial in Washington had also been sold and was to be renamed the Ford Lincoln Mercury Memorial after the automotive giant.

-- In 1977, British newspaper The Guardian published a seven-page supplement for the 10th anniversary of San Serriffe, a small republic located in the Indian Ocean consisting of several semicolon-shaped islands. A series of articles described the geography and culture of the two main islands, named Upper Caisse and Lower Caisse.

-- In 1992, US National Public Radio announced that
Richard Nixon was running for president again. His new campaign slogan was, "I didn't do anything wrong, and I won't do it again." They even had clips of Nixon announcing his candidacy. Listeners flooded the show with calls expressing their outrage. Nixon's voice actually turned out to be that of impersonator Rich Little.

-- In 1998, a newsletter titled New Mexicans for Science and Reason carried an article that the state of Alabama had voted to change the value of pi from 3.14159 to the "Biblical value" of 3.0.

-- Burger King, another American fast-food chain, published a full-page advertisement in USA Today in 1998 announcing the introduction of the "Left-Handed Whopper," specially designed for the 32 million left-handed Americans. According to the advertisement, the new burger included the same ingredients as the original, but the condiments were rotated 180 degrees. The chain said it received thousands of requests for the new burger, as well as orders for the original "right-handed" version.

-- Discover Magazine announced in 1995 that a highly respected biologist, Aprile Pazzo (Italian for April Fool), had discovered a new species in Antarctica: the hotheaded naked ice borer. The creatures were described as having bony plates on their heads that became burning hot, allowing the animals to bore through ice at high speed -- a technique they used to hunt penguins.

-- Noted British astronomer Patrick Moore announced on the radio in 1976 that at 9:47 am, a once-in-a-lifetime astronomical event, in which Pluto would pass behind Jupiter, would cause a gravitational alignment that would reduce the Earth's gravity. Moore told listeners that if they jumped in the air at the exact moment of the planetary alignment, they would experience a floating sensation. Hundreds of people called in to report feeling the sensation.

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Wednesday, March 28, 2007

Inspiration Strikes Again: Be Very Afraid


Not that long ago I was inspired by this Bella Dia post and tutorial. Lo and behold today I find this group on Flickr. A few clicks through crochet ripple patterns, and many thoughts of the (dismaying) amount of green and other colors I have left behind, a new project is born. Hopefully this will result in massive destashing operations.

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A Book Report


I just finished reading The Rule of Four by Ian Caldwell & Dustin Thomason. When I say just finished, I mean I just tore through it in two days. It is a totally engrossing read the spans history, philosophy, mathematics, the Renaissance, stolen manuscripts and the antics of 4 Princeton seniors. The story primarily revolves around one senior's thesis - an uncovering of secrets buried in the Hypnerotomachia Poliphili, a Renaissance text of unknown origins. As the mystery deepens and the ciphers are decrypted, the story gets more involved, more dangerous and more engrossing. I would definitely recommend this one!

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Tuesday, March 27, 2007

Charity Blanket #6: It's not easy being green.

In honor of March, St. Patrick's Day, the beginning of Spring, my vast collection of green yarn, and the kickoff of Project Spectrum April/May colors:

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Shakespeare SMS Style


In light of this post, I'm trying a little experiment. What if Shakespeare was reduced to SMS? Take for instance the Balcony Scene.

The Balcony Scene

Scene II. Capulet's Garden.

Juliet.
O Romeo, Romeo! wherefore art thou Romeo?
Deny thy father and refuse thy name;
Or, if thou wilt not, be but sworn my love, (35)
And I'll no longer be a Capulet.

O Romeo Romeo, where u @?
GMAB. 4get the rents.
Or <3 me 4 true
And I'll 4get mine. BCNU.


Not up with the lingo? Check here for translations.

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Monday, March 26, 2007

I'm not dead yet.


But I might be tomorrow.

When I arrived this morning, I saw a bunch of new tasty snack collections in our 6th floor kitchen. As I was fixing my morning tea, I decided to sample a cinnamon flavored Laguna Alphabet Cookie. I was sadly disappointed. They tasted like cardboard with a slight cinnamon taste. Definitely not the satisfying cookie I had been looking for. I warned all coworkers that they weren't so good and didn't merit tasting.

This afternoon I received an explanation.

The cookies expired in 2004.

I ate a three year old cookie that they don't even manufacture any more.

I didn't know it was necessary to check the expiration date of the snacks they stock here. I don't know what's scarier: that we had a jar of cookies left from 2004, that someone who I KNOW who knew it was expired put it out in the common snack area, that management doesn't seem to care that they feed us moldy old treats, or that I ate one of them.

If I die tonight, I will my brand new couch to my intended. Enjoy its lush goodness love. I'll be in a better worse place...cookie hell.

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How to Feel Like a Grown Up: Part 27


Spend your Friday afternoon off from work, wandering furniture stores with your intended, in search of the perfect couch to fit your budget.

Thanks to Levitz, and $999, I will have a brand new couch on Saturday. Goodbye to the Craigslist hand-me-down that has been oh-so-faithful-but-oh-so-uncomfortable. Hello to reclining cushy goodness.

P.S. Anyone need a couch? ;)

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Sunday, March 25, 2007

O Sleeves, Sleeves. Wherefore art thou sleeves?



One project finished


And another one in progress

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Saturday, March 24, 2007

Date Night


For Wes' last night here we decided to head up to the Griffith Observatory in Griffith Park. Wes had never been and I hadn't been since before the remodel and reopening, so we bought tickets and headed out to Hollywood.


We ended up parking at the Hollywood and Highland shopping center and taking the shuttle up to the observatory. Inside we got to see all the new space exhibits downstairs, including a stop with Mr. Einstein which I particularly enjoyed.


We visited the exhibits and then went outside onto the roof. There is nothing quite like being able to see all of Los Angeles. The observatory is pretty impressive, and you get a great view of the Hollywood sign. After a little bit, we were ready to head back down the mountain.


We took the shuttle back to Hollywood and Highland and had a really delicious dinner at The Grill on Hollywood. We were skeptical, but the food was really, really good and we're definitely planning on going back.

Tomorrow Wes is taking off for Kansas. While I'm looking forward to having a bit more knitting time, I know after a few hours I'm going to miss him more than ever. I can't wait until we don't have to do this any more.

For more pictures of the trip, click here.

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Friday, March 23, 2007

Superstahhhhh Knitting


Check out this great feature on YourLA showcasing my favorite knitting store! And stop on by!

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Thursday, March 22, 2007

A feast of knitting....


Last night was the first time in two weeks I've been by the knitting store and boy did I miss it. I took Wes with me last night, which was fun. I also grabbed a bunch of new stuff to knit up as samples for the shop, and I'm going to work on a cute cardigan in a new silk/linen blend. It should be a perfect little Spring sweater in lavendar and lime green. It's a shop sample, so I get to play with new yarns for free, and get paid for my work!

I've also got a million projects on the needles. Finishing up presents for the Li'l Sis who has her birthday next week, a sweater for my niece, a baby kimono, and a sweater for me - a simple cardigan in a dark plum/mulberry color. Oh and a few charity blankets for good measure.

All in all, I'm just feeling ready to pour on the creative juices. Hopefully I'll carve out some time to do it in the next few weeks. Today I actually knit on my lunch hour and it was fabulous!

More pics of my work to follow, but for now I'll leave you with a photo of this yummy yarn which can be found here or at my favorite LYS. It's recycled sari silk spun into yarn and it's beautiful.

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Tuesday, March 20, 2007

Gone Fishin' Meetin'


Back on Thursday!

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Monday, March 19, 2007

'Til death do us part


Not a good idea to let Waters cut wedding cake

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - John Waters realizes that his newest role -- presiding as the Groom Reaper over Court TV's first original scripted series, "'Til Death Do Us Part" -- might make for some uncomfortable family situations.

The show, which marks Waters' first starring role on a TV series, finds the director of such twisted, offbeat films as "Pink Flamingos" and "A Dirty Shame" as well as the more mainstream "Hairspray" guiding viewers through dramatizations of true stories of doomed marriages that end with one spouse murdering the other. Waters admits his alter ego as the Groom Reaper might make it a bit awkward when attending the weddings of family or friends -- like his niece/goddaughter's upcoming nuptials.

Waters says he's not a big fan of weddings -- "I am single and therefore avoid being murdered," he says -- but was intrigued by the series' unique take on marriage the moment he was approached by its creator, horror director Jeff Lieberman.

He also has some advice for would-be newlyweds.

"Nobody thinks on their wedding day that they are going to murder each other," he says. "But right before you get married, you should look at the person, and if there's one little thing that gets on your nerves, think about how bad it will be in 10 years."

Having taught in prison for several years, Waters wasn't surprised at how many stories of spousal slayings are out there. But he says he did learn a thing or two about how tough it is to get away with murder.

"I learned that it's really hard to get rid of a body," he laughs. "They smell, and in America they are fat and heavy. It's also hard to get rid of DNA -- DNA ruins everything."


That's right folks... in case you missed it: In each episode the Groom Reaper chronicles a true story of spousal murder. I'm hoping my marriage is less..... deadly.

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Let the planning begin...


In the first of what I'm sure will become a long series of posts, let the wedding planning begin!

Wes arrived in town on Saturday afternoon. After a little R&R and a wonderful dinner at the Chart House with Mom and Dad on Saturday night, we headed out to Malibu on Sunday to look at a wedding site. Don't want to link here and extol too many virtues, for fear of jinxing it, but suffice it to say, we may have the WHERE of the marriage question settled. More details to come.

After the tour, we drove through Malibu a bit, grabbed some lunch and went to see 300 with Knitmeister S. We all enjoyed the movie, but it did get a little long in the middle. The stylistic and special effects were incredibly well done however.

Last night I cooked (I know... I'm not domestic!). I whipped up some chili and cornbread and we enjoyed some DVD's, some knitting and some snuggling. We were in bed EARLY (I must be getting old).

Now today is recovering from the weekend, dreading going back to school (only 7 weeks left!) and fuming over being blown off by my superviser yet again. Can't I just knit all day?

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Friday, March 16, 2007

A Belated Book Report and The Beauty of a Raglan Sleeve

Well, PHEW! The past two days have been super busy and stress-filled at work and I, for one, am exceedingly glad it's weekend. It might have something to do with the fact that my sweetie lands in T-13 hours to stay for a whole week! Or it might just be that I accomplished a lot this week at work. Not that I think it's going to pay off... but that's a story for a day when I want to be hopping mad.


I did manage to finish a charming book at the beginning of the week. I picked up Prodigal Summer by Barbara Kingsolver. I had been a fan of The Poisonwood Bible, and this did not disappoint. This was the story of several individuals finding their way through life in a small town in Appalachia. It was an easy read, simple and satisfying and just a really good escape. A perfect Spring Break book. (We won't discuss the fact that I should have been on a beach somewhere whilst reading it!)


In knitting news, I'm showcasing the beauty of a raglan sleeve. This is a top-down cardigan for my niece's birthday (mid-next month). Despite the fact that Wes thinks the color looks like a clown exploded, I like the bright pink. If I were turning 9, this is exactly what I would want... a cute little spring cardigan.

In general I haven't showcased too much knitting lately. I've actually been knitting like a fiend, I just haven't been able to post progress because many of the projects are gifts for people who read here. So sooner or later I'll be catching up with photos.

'Til then, have a great weekend!

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Thursday, March 15, 2007

Eccentric much?


Here is your horoscope for Thursday, March 15:

Kooky -- that's one word few people use to describe you. If only they knew! You've got lots and lots of weird, off-kilter and altogether lovely ideas. The more straitlaced the packaging, the more surprising the contents!

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It begins with T and that rhymes with P and that stands for Pool.


That T would be for Trouble. Which is exactly what THIS is:

(Clockwise)

Laines Du Nord Baby Star, 100% Merino Wool in a color sure to delight my 9 year old niece. It's going to be a cute little cardigan (30% complete)

Malabrigo, Kettle Dyed Merino Wool in Violetas for the Li'l Sis. Cabled Mittens and matching scarf, to match a hat she knitted herself! Good for the Chicago winters (55% complete)

Koigu KPPM in lovely lavendar and mint green for a baby Kimono. Not started yet, but needs to be because the baby is due any day now!

Lorna's Laces rainbow sock yarn, for my Grumperina Jaywalkers. To be completed after my second cabled sock... it will be a while.

Fiesta La Luz, 2 skeins (approx 400 yds) of pure silk. Got it for 75% off at the yarn sale. Any ideas what to make? It's absolutely luscious.

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Wednesday, March 14, 2007

The Piano


Worth the watch.

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Pretty Little Platypus

Another edition of what the knit is that.... so cute!


Can be found here.

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Tuesday, March 13, 2007

I'm really not that scary.


One of the things I've noticed throughout the years, is that through the internet, I am friends with all sorts of people I may never meet. I don't mean share-all-your-deepest-darkest-secrets friends, but more acquaintances who keep up with each others lives. Since I entered the blogosphere a couple of years ago, I have started reading several blogs almost daily and I now have this strange familiarity with people and their lives, even though I've never actually met them.

I've also noticed over the years, that my anti-depressants have made me dream extra vividly. Sometimes I think there are underlying reasons why I dream what I do, and sometimes I just think that jumble of conscious thoughts decides to have a party and see what weird stuff it can turn out.

So I shouldn't have been suprised last night when I dreamed I was hanging out with Beth Fish and her adorable daughter Mia. It wasn't anything freaky... we were just sitting on a sofa chatting. Mia was running around and dancing and I was videotaping it on my digital camera (which in reality doesn't record movies... go figure). And then I told Beth I would burn a copy of the adorable video to DVD and mail it to her.

So even though it wasn't creepy at all, I end up feeling weirded out this morning. Does anyone else experience this?

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Monday, March 12, 2007

I need me some Spotted Dick.*


Heinz Spotted Dick Pudding 10 oz (285g) Tin, imported from England. This is a traditional British sponge pudding made with golden syrup, suet and raisins. Best served hot with custard.

"A lovely sponge pudding studded with raisins. Has the consistency of a rich moist cake. A favorite dessert amongst English school children - hence the silly nick-name. Makes a great gag gift too! Heat up in the microwave or on the stove (it cooks right in the can!) and serve with custard sauces."

*this gets filed in the WTF Files

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Spring Break Baby!


Here we are, a lovely warm spring day in Los Angeles and I'm on Spring Break. Except that Spring Break is a student holiday, and even though I'm a student, I'm also gainfully employed. And somehow my bosses don't think Spring Break is a good idea. So I'm indoors, with the heater cranked up. (Yes I know it's 80 degrees outside, but somehow the office is an icebox!)

However, at 6pm today, I get to go home and knit knit knit all night long rather than listening to Professor Boring lecture us about something or other. And I get to do the same thing tomorrow night! And my sweetie arrives on Saturday. So this is going to be a good week, despite having to work. :)

More pictures of knitting to come - I spent a good chunk of the weekend knitting, but nothing is quite at the stage where it can be photographed well yet. On the needles: my li'l sis' present, a sweater for my niece, the green stripey blanket, a new mitered square blanket, and soon a baby kimono! Plus a sweater pattern I found this weekend.

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Training is for Wussies


Here at work we don't believe in training. We believe in throwing you to the sharks. If you make tasty human jerky, so be it. You just didn't have enough character to make it. You don't know how to do this paperwork? You SHOULD. How? By osmosis dammit.

Get your act together and shape up or shipshark out.

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Sunday, March 11, 2007

Notes to my future self.


Dear Self:

The reason you keep all those beautiful little samples and bottles of perfume around, but never use them, is because you are highly allergic to perfume. Wondering again what those perfumes might smell like leads you to sniff the bottles or spray a bit in the air. This leads you to a 20 minute sneezing fit until you feel like your head might explode, your eyes might use up all their tears and your chest might burst. A few minutes with the window open and some water will help this.

Minor exception to this rule: Like the French language, it's not a rule unless there is an exception. Your cheap and old school nose seems to be ok with Revlon's Classic Blue Charlie. Stick with what you know best.

Love and kisses,
your sneezy sniffly self

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Friday, March 09, 2007

One way to divide your assets....


German man chainsaws house in two in divorce split

BERLIN (Reuters Life!) - A 43-year-old German decided to settle his imminent divorce by chainsawing a family home in two and making off with his half in a forklift truck.

Police in the eastern town of Sonneberg said on Friday the trained mason measured the single-storey summer house -- which was some 8 meters (26 feet) long and 6 meters wide -- before chainsawing through the wooden roof and walls.

"The man said he was just taking his due," said a police spokesman. "But I don't think his wife was too pleased."

After finishing the job, the man picked up his half with the forklift truck and drove to his brother's house where he has since been staying.


Here's hoping they don't use the same method when fighting for custody of children or pets!

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Because I just finished the last stitch....


And yes I know it's 1am. I'm crazy like that. I present sock #1: Cable Sock in Lorna's Laces Vera, with a Picot Edge. And now I must sleep.

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Thursday, March 08, 2007

It's Thursday...could it get any worse?


Chopped up Nemo Sushi, extra ginger.

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Saving the Little Fishes


I just finished a book yesterday, Saving Fish From Drowning by Amy Tan. It has been a while since I read Amy Tan's other books, but from what I remember, this book is quite different. Although it didn't receive many favorable reviews, I enjoyed it as a quirky fun read. The book is narrated posthumously by a woman who watches her friends go on a trip to China and Myanmar (the artist country formerly known as Burma). This somewhat eccentric narrator travels along with her friends from some type of a purgatory state, and watches as the very best and worst of their human nature emerges. I found this book a fun read, if not great literature. I would recommend it if you're looking for a quirky story to keep you occupied.

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Wednesday, March 07, 2007

Hollywood Recap

William freakin' Shatner.

Dick Van Dyke.

Ron Rifkin.

Bradley Cooper. (yeah I had to look it up too.... Will on Alias)

And LOTS of others.

Oh yeah... and roses.

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Hollywood Beckons


Once a year, I spend an evening feeling like the Los Angelina everyone dreams about being: one who rubs elbows with the stars. Previous entries here and here.

Once a year, I get dolled up and head to the Beverly Wilshire for the Alzheimer's Association's big fundraiser, Night at Sardi's. Not only is it an excellent cause (my grandmother died of Alzheimer's), but it's where my mom works. The sheer star power is dazzling.

Tonight's musical revue is Guys and Dolls and promises to feature: Eric McCormack of Will & Grace fame, Jason Alexander (Seinfeld), Michael Chiklis (The Shield), Joely Fisher, Peter Gallagher (The OC), Victor Garber (Alias), Sharon Lawrence (NYPD Blue), Megan Mullally (Will & Grace), Brent Spiner (Star Trek), Lea Thompson (Caroline in the City), and this year's big stars Dick Van Dyke and Rita Wilson.

Besides that, you just never know who you're going to see in the audience. Three years ago, I stood on the red carpet next to Billy Crystal. The year after I saw Brooke Shields in the ladies room!

ETA: William Shatner will be there tonight as well as David Hyde Pierce. Can't wait!

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Tuesday, March 06, 2007

Shakespeare Says:

Get thee to a Liquor Store!!!! (or gas station)



ETA: Not a single gosh darn tootin' number! Guess those dreams of early retirement will have to be put on hold.

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Today's Word Is...


PROCRASTINATION


pro·cras·ti·nate (verb)

1. to defer action; delay: to procrastinate until an opportunity is lost.
2. to put off till another day or time; defer; delay.
3. to postpone or delay needlessly.

pro·cras·ti·nat·ion (noun)

1. the act of procrastinating; putting off or delaying or defering an action to a later time
2. slowness as a consequence of not getting around to it

Synonyms: averseness, dalliance, dawdling, dabbling, delay, delaying, frittering, frivolling, idling, loafing, loitering, playing, demurral, hold-up, impediment, interval, lag, postponement, putting off, reprieve, retardation, retardment, stall, stay, stop, stoppage, surcease, suspension, tarrying, wait

Here's how I deal with my old friend procrastination:

1. Get out a clean sheet of paper.
2. Make a list of all the things that need to be done.
3. Return to the Internet.
4. Do the list tomorrow.

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Swiss accidentially invade Lichtenstein.


Neutral Switzerland has apparently taken a stand... or have they?

Swiss accidentally invade Liechtenstein

ZURICH, Switzerland - What began as a routine training exercise almost ended in an embarrassing diplomatic incident after a company of Swiss soldiers got lost at night and marched into neighboring Liechtenstein.

According to Swiss daily Blick, the 170 infantry soldiers wandered just over a mile across an unmarked border into the tiny principality early Thursday before realizing their mistake and turning back.

A spokesman for the Swiss army confirmed the story but said that there were unlikely to be any serious repercussions for the mistaken invasion.

"We've spoken to the authorities in Liechtenstein and it's not a problem," Daniel Reist told The Associated Press.

Officials in Liechtenstein also played down the incident.

Interior ministry spokesman Markus Amman said nobody in Liechtenstein had even noticed the soldiers, who were carrying assault rifles but no ammunition. "It's not like they stormed over here with attack helicopters or something," he said.

Liechtenstein, which has about 34,000 inhabitants and is slightly smaller than Washington DC, doesn't have an army.


I was half watching, half sleeping to Craig Ferguson last night when he mentioned this story. He then detailed how there was some crazy tweezer and little scissor action as the Swiss drew their Army Knives on the Lichtenstinians. Teehee.

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Monday, March 05, 2007

A New Club for Me


Two words:

KNITTERS ANONYMOUS

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Blogger Temporarily Unavailable: Please try again later.


Excuse me while I retreat to the far corner under my desk, since Monday appears to be kicking my ass. It is 1:32pm and I JUST checked my personal email for the FIRST time today. Crazy drowning in work today (moral: never get sick and take two days off) and midterm tonight (stupid professor for planning to teach AFTER the midterm, I'm leaving). Will write again when head is not squeezed between rock and hard place.

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Saturday, March 03, 2007

A few creative goodies...


Well I finally seem to be recovering from whatever virus I had (lots of headaches, dizziness and a little fever) and I am steadily NOT looking forward to the approaching Monday. This week is going to bring lots of work stress, midterms, presentations and many other not so enjoyable things.


It will, however, also bring me one week closer to Wes' visit, and will bring the yearly Alzheimer's Association star-studded fundraiser so I guess it won't be all bad. Oh, and my mom's birthday (and I can finally post pictures of her present!).


While I've been down and out, I've been left alone with my tv and knitting (and crocheting). A few finished objects for you: a cute little red and purple hat for the Dulaan Project and Charity Blanket #5 - The Psychedelic Crocheted Granny Square.

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Thursday, March 01, 2007

Sick Day