Muses and Mindings

uhm...

joey5542001@gmail.com — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 06:05:54 GMT

You know you're a yarn snob when you look at a wonderful tam pattern, then when you look at the yarn, you close the window because it calls for cotton instead of wool.

Cotton! Blech!

So freakin' neat!

joey5542001@gmail.com — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 03:50:39 GMT

joey5542001@gmail.com — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 23:54:37 GMT

Lifted from bearzilla

A - Age: 30
B - Bed size: Single twin
C - Chore you hate: cleaning
D - Dad's name: Samuel
E - Essential start your day item: Tea [Tazo's Awake or Earl Grey]
F - Favorite food: at the moment sushi
G - Gold or Silver: Gold
H - Height: 5ft.6
I - Instruments you play(ed): Clarinet
J - Job title: Knitter [like that is even one]
K - Kid(s): plenty of nieces and nephews
L - Living arrangements: With mom and sisters
M - Mom's name: Mary
N - Nicknames: JoJo
O - Overnight hospital stay other than birth: none
P - Pet Peeves: Stupidity, not listening, lack of common sense
Q - Quote from a brilliant person: I'd rather be a failure at something I enjoy than a success at something I hate. -George Burns
R - Right or left handed: Right
S - Siblings: Three older sisters, one older brother, one younger sister
T - Time you wake up: 9:30am more or less
U - Underwear: tighty-whities [tmi, I know]
V - Vegetable you dislike: napales [ew]
W - Ways you run late: trains
X - X-rays you've had: leg, ankle
Y - Yummy food you make: omlets
Z - Zoo favorite: hippos

Points to Ponder

joey5542001@gmail.com — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 06:01:10 GMT

Yes, another running commentary.

Since we do not have cable, I have been forced to bittorrent the new Doctor Who episodes. All four of them. I cried at the last episode, I don't deny it. I can imagine Diana tearing up a little also. Now, from what I gather from the brief moment the new Doctor appeared, I can imagine him being this klutz that appears to be messing up everything, but doesn't. Like in "Family of Blood", where he act the klutz but explodes the ship. Something to that effect. Maybe even a streak of the Seventh?
The hat is still on the needles, waiting to be bound off. The problem is the fact that I'm distracted with the first mitten. It is a cool pattern to work with, and the construction is nice and steadily slow. Like a row or two every day. But damn, ain't it nice.
Shame they aren't Ravenclaw colors though. *shrugs* Ah well.
During the weekend I cleaned out under my bed, where I found all of my MtG collection. I spent a few hours reminicing over them. I also found lots of dust kittens and had to toss them out. From there I tidied up the yarn cabinet, then the dresser [where I reorganized the magick reference books], then the comp desk, where it was so much more room.
Tomorrow is Mister Sam's 1st birthday, but his party was yesterday at the local Peter Piper Pizza, where we mingled with Angie's family and co-workers and had a good time. I wanted to take the knitting, but I changed my mind at the last moment, which was good because I wouldn't have found the time. Anywho, I was thinking of making him a grumpasaurus, since he almost always has that grumpy expression, like he is disapproving things. But then, that is typical Capricorn behavior. :\

joey5542001@gmail.com — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 22:23:54 GMT

I am mildly bewildered at my luck once more.

Went to UTB to see about my financial aid standing. Found out that my probation followed me from TSTC, which is alright. I can take two classes and not worry, yay.

What is kinda remarkable is the fact that my FA monies are going to cover the semester with just $45 for books leftover. I know it's a small amount, so I got the paperwork set up for a subsidized loan [the government pays the interest] and I should get a response by next week or so.

Remarkable for the fact that once again by the skin of my teeth I slide through. A minor bit yes, but this has happening, more or less, everytime I set myself up for college...

Heh, forgot about this

joey5542001@gmail.com — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 23:24:31 GMT

During MFF I ran into an exceptional artist the name of Hillary Luetkemeyer, who does traditional artwork of various mythological and natural creatures [gallery] and I got these two wonderful prints. I finally found frames for them and parked them on the bookshelf. The one on the left is titled "The Sea Monster" while the one on the right is titled "Sea of Monsters".

joey5542001@gmail.com — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 03:18:55 GMT

I haz a hat! And itz a gud hat. :P

Taken from Denny's a few hours ago.

joey5542001@gmail.com — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 01:29:11 GMT

Should old acquaintance be forgot,
and never brought to mind?
Should old acquaintance be forgot,
and auld lang syne?
Lou Rawls: Auld Lang Syne

Happy New Years y'all. From me to you. *hug*

Objects in training...

joey5542001@gmail.com — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 19:55:57 GMT

What do you think?

Joey Hat No. 6, the Sinfest Secret Santa gift. What can I say? It's something [s]he might like or not.

The first bit of the mittens. I'm taking them slow, since it is at the moment quite sunny and a nice 53F. As compared to yesterday, which was cloudy and in the upper 40s. :|

A Running Commentary

joey5542001@gmail.com — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 03:02:37 GMT

*shoves the strange situation into a paperbag and tosses it into a wastebasket* Done!

Thanks in no part whatsoever to Mom's shawl, I havn't been doing my SinfestSecretSanta, but now I am. It is indeed an hat and I'm sure that whoever it is going to [s]he will like it. I'm sure of it.

A few weeks ago Stan gave us his old VCR. After some finagling, I got it working and now everyone is watching VHS movies, all the while looking for more. Today Mom found a few while she and I was the local Salvation Army: Smokey and the Bandit, the Wedding Singer, and Sixteen Candles. Everyone [but me] are watching the third one. Another nostalgia attack!

I also found another wooly sweater over there also, this time a mild beige. Mom is demanding I use the wool for a hat and scarf set, which I'll be more than happy to oblige...the moment I'm done with the hat...

Hmmmmm...

joey5542001@gmail.com — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 02:28:57 GMT

Alright, I like the alerts that LJ have, but this is just strange.

I got notified of a comment that got deleted. That was it. Nothing else thankfully.

I know it's not noteworthy, but to be told this is kinda paranoid of the site, yes? Anyone know of how to turn the notifications off?

Decade in Review!

joey5542001@gmail.com — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 02:09:33 GMT

Eh, why not? I did so much that I cannot remember it all, but at least I can give most of it here. I hope it is in chronological order...

~~~

At the start of the decade I was in TSTC, halfway through my Culinary Arts degree. Due to a mild nervous breakdown I moved to Digital Imaging Tech. I was also working as a MSN Technical Service Rep where I goofed off for most of the time inbetween calls. I had enough money to put a down payment on a custom built computer which served me well throughout most of the decade.
Found Sinfest. Found a whole group of crazy, kooky, cool, and freakin' awesome people I'm proud to call freinds while hanging in the fourms and the IRC room.
Started goofing off at college [the library had a wonderful collection of math books including Wheels, Life, and Other Mathematical Amusements] and took various semesters off. Also got fired from the job due to a confusion of schedule, but it was a good thing because the place closed down a few months afterwards.
Was best man at my brother's wedding. Didn't even get drunk. But the room was mine!
Used my self-taught HTML training to make a new page at the now defunct Geocities. Included journal and javascript coding.
Had my email hacked into. Started a new one from scratch [also with new Geocities page with new Journal]. Made a Gmail a few years after that.
Gotten into practicing Photoshop and Illustrator by coloring and meddling with Sinfest comics. Also started writing stories of my Bull universe.
Found DeviantArt and started submitting Photoshop creations. Deviated to fractals soon after that.
Whilst chatting on IRC, sundesha got me on a LiveJournal account. Been enjoying since [including all of the anon hecklers *waves!*]
Also found Pandora Radio. Also had my last semester of college. Didn't graduate.
Ran away from home! Came back five hours later.
Went to El Paso to hang out with some friends. And a piano recital.
Had the house flooded.
Lost Dad to cancer. Had friends help me prop me up soon after that.
Had my own webpage, meddlerinc.com, that went bust a couple years after.
Got more into anthro. This included making my own character, Joey Moose.
Learned how to knit!
Went to North Carolina and came back sane and refreshed.
Had a hurricane crawl over us.
Went back to school. For work! Yarn population exploded soon after that.
Replaced old comp with new comp.
Visited freinds in Chicago

And that was that. I had to dig deep into my archives for some of the info, and had to ask siblings for some other info.

What will happen next decade? Only the gods above know that one.

I want to love you madly...

joey5542001@gmail.com — Sat, 26 Dec 2009 21:05:25 GMT

I want to love you now...

So Christmas was alright. We stayed at our sisters for the night and just back home. How's you?

Got three things: A pajama set [with extra flowing pants, I feel so runway model with them on], a retro stripe shirt [which unintentionally makes me look extra gay], and a Fossil wallet [with a discreet Dallas Cowboys logo on the corner]. Had plenty of cookies [including some very good brownie bars] and homemade cocoa [still need to ask Mom for the recipe]. Also had a good lunch [sliced ham/turkey along with stuffing, veggies, sweet potato cassarole, and gravy]. Also played a bit with the kids, including one of the gifts they got: Super Mario Brothers Wii.

ohwowohwowohwow! Sheer nostalgia right there! It got me a bit misty-eyed playing it. I will definately be buying it later on, whenever I get the money to get it.

Next up, NewYears! The introduction of a new decade and nothing to show for it. Well, not really... ;) Expect a decade's listing soon enough.

knitknitknitknit

joey5542001@gmail.com — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 20:57:38 GMT

So, the day after the shawl was blocked, I looked at some skeined sweater yarn [gray] and gave it a sniff. Mmm, citrusy, effect caused by the Soak wool wash I bought earlier in the year. Paired it with a wheel of Knitpicks fingering [blue], and gave it a few moments thought.

Then I pulled up the pattern for the Vespergyle Mittens and began plotting.

A few days later [delay because of last minute wrapping], I'm already halfway the cuff. Corrugated rib is tiring on the fingers, especially with US1 doublepoints. But it sure looks pretty.

I wouldn't have minded doing Eunny Jang's Anemoi mittens, but I do not have the money for the pattern. Sigh.

We might be staying the night again, for tomorrow's specials everywhere. Who knows. I had a nice Christmas brunch, stuffed myself full of cookies, and I'm also reading Pratchett's Hogfather, the perfect holiday novel. ;)

Nom nom nom

joey5542001@gmail.com — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 16:36:12 GMT

Merry Christmas!

At the moment I am in the dining room at Lisa's, eating cookies and enjoying the gifts I got [shirt, pajama set, Fossil wallet]. The girls love the scarves.

I so wanted yarn...enough for a sweater...*pouts*

joey5542001@gmail.com — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 18:35:13 GMT

So it is Christmas Eve. Howyadoin?

Everything here is done for the most part. We're heading off to my sister's house [where there is wifi] and celebrating over there [alongside with our family]. Might do other things, who knows.

Anywho, I would like to wish everyone here a very Merry Christmas. I hope that you get what you wish and deserve. Whether it be a time away from domineering parents or a sticky marshmellow kitten candy.

*hugs to all*

A brief spin into silliness

joey5542001@gmail.com — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 21:05:52 GMT

So I'm at the library now, reading books [duh!]. I am currenty wierded out by the strangeness in a craft encyclodia by the name of "Stitch by Stitch", which targets crochet, knitting, needlework and sewing.

I mean, I'm looking at these patterns [for knitting no less] and wondering what the editors were on! Chevron panelwork on a garter stitch overcoat? Cowboy jacket with fringe? A quilted vest!? Ew!

Yeah.

FO: Alix’s Lace Prayer Shawl

joey5542001@gmail.com — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 02:09:23 GMT

Pattern: Alix's Lace Prayer Shawl
Yarn: Almost two skiens of Knitpick's Gloss Lace Yarn, Fiesta
Needles: US4 Circular [29in.]

Good lord, what an amazing project. Four months worth of work, of taking it to everywhere, of talking about it to people! Just wow.

Two problems though. I had plenty of mistakes with it, even though I swatched the pattern severely [how can one swatch severely, I wonder]. I lost count with the stitching. I goofed in the yarnovers. I once even had a dropped stitch that rented down a few rows [no fun]. But all in all, it was a wonderful project.

The top left pic shows it just off the needles. The top right shows is blocked. And of course, the bottom shows Mom flaunting it. She's loving it and wants to show it off, which I did give her permission to.

Whoo!

joey5542001@gmail.com — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 18:17:32 GMT

I finished binding off the last stitch last night, around 2am. And I couldn't be happier.

It's off the needles! But not done yet. Needs blocking, and for that, I need more research. I'm currently re-reading Eunny Jang's blocking tutorial to see exactly what I should be doing. More pics later on.

D'awwwww!!

joey5542001@gmail.com — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 06:51:12 GMT

joey5542001@gmail.com — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 19:59:33 GMT

Taken from the one and only jaxsonott

1. What did you do in 2009 that you'd never done before?
Had looseleaf tea
Got surgery for gallbladder
Went to Chicago!
Went to a furcon [MFF '09]
Knit socks for myself
Got hooked on the Doctor
Turned a flag into a scarf
Got a new computer
Knit a shawl [still not finished]
so much more...

2. Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I didn't make any resolutions, apart from trying to keep the job, which worked until recently *sigh*

3. How will you be spending New Year's Eve?
Probably going back to Lisa's and having another cookie swap.

4. Did anyone close to you die?
None I know of.

5. What countries did you visit?
None.

6. What would you like to have in 2010 that you lacked in 2009?
Driving lessons, a boyfriend, the chance to go back to Chicago, to succeed in college

7. What date from 2009 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
The two weeks I spent in Chicago. And that wonderful Saturday. And that fantastic Thursday. *happy sigh*

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Apart from having a job that lasted more than six months? Enjoying [mostly] every bit of it?
Apart from going somewhere else I wanted to visit for a long time? Hm...

9. What was your biggest failure?
Some people would think that me not keeping the job was a failure, but I do not. Only a stepping stone and a lession to boot. Apart from that, I don't think I had any failure this year.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Gallstones, which they removed.

11. What was the best thing you bought?
The trip to Chicago and what fun I had. Saw so many things, met so many people, ate my first Chicago pie [I want another one! :( ]

12. Where did most of your money go?
I would say yarn, but no. Most of it went to phone and net bills. And books. And of course, the trip.

13. What song will always remind you of 2009?
I don't do that sort of thing.

14. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Knit? *lol*

15. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Nothing comes to mind...

16. What was your favorite TV program?
Doctor Who!

17. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
No.
18. What was the best book you read?
Terry Pratchett's Making Money

19. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Too many to count...

20. What was your favorite film of this year?
Seeing that I havn't seen any movies, I'm at a loss...

21. What did you do on your birthday?
Turned 30, had a wonderful birthday thanks to the kids, had an extremely chocolate cake

22. What kept you sane?
music, knitting, tea, good chat friends

23. Who did you miss? I still miss Dad.

24. Who was the best new person you met?
Too many to count.

25. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2009:
Enjoy every moment you're given, for good or for bad. Treat each one as a perfect moment.

I've now got the new LiveJournal Messenger.

joey5542001@gmail.com — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 05:55:30 GMT

I've now got the new LiveJournal Messenger. My Windows Live ID is meddler_inc@livejournal.com. Sign up now and we can chat!

Hm...

joey5542001@gmail.com — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 02:12:54 GMT

This new 'My Guests' plugin is interesting. Lets me see who has been on my page in the past 30 days. Fascinating!

But most of the folks are anons...

So, to all of you anons, low and high, comment if you want to! Give shout outs, boos, crazy calls, I don't care! Do your worst!

And if you LJers wish to do it, I'm giving you the chance to go ahead also. :D

joey5542001@gmail.com — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 18:12:34 GMT

Traveling Music for Traveling Minds

I've said once that deep blues are perfect for the winter. Here are songs to ease you through them.

Has this happened to you?

joey5542001@gmail.com — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 17:40:43 GMT

For the recipient I mean.

I havn't reached that stage yet.

No, I tell a lie. My top drawer is filled with knitted hats. >.>