April 2005 Archives
I'm always up for a doily challenge. This is how I sharpen my claws crochet hooks and develop my skills. I seek out the pattern made for the insane "expert crocheter with years of experience". I was sidetracked from starting my Yoko Suzuki doily that I've been wanting to make for 2 years when I came upon Patricia Kristoffersen's book called Doilies With A Twist. She is wickedly insane with her use of front and back post stitches and the use of spirals adds that delightful touch of elegance and complexity to the challenge.
The patterns in this book are well written with good pictures so that my level of frustration, terror, and night sweats has been zilch. For me it has been like crocheting any other doily. OK, the spirals have caused some irritation in getting them to twist up properly, but playing with them gets them to take a nicely shape.
What's keen is from Patricia's website you can buy autographed copies of her books! Oh, it's time to update my wishlist that's for sure! On the top of my list is Victorian Spiral Doilies Book 1. It may not be at the top of my wishlist for long as I probably will break down and buy it on my own because I can't stand to wait for it.
Addendum
I've decided that this doily will be sent out as an RAOK to someone who said they would like a doily.Esteemed and Honorable Shrone Ro has nominated two shrones to be included in the Soon-to-Be Famous Hall of Shrones! (Something tells me I should set up a special gallery for this because in time hundreds, if not dozens of shrones and shranes will be recognized for who they are!)
Shrone Ro's nominees are:
Roz from Monsters, Inc
"You didn't file your paperwork, Wizowski. This office is now closed." Roz is a scary shrone, the sort whose face would crack if she smiled. Her raspy voice and dry, sarcastic wit have earned her a spot in shronedom. It is without doubt that Roz's previous job was working as a lunch lady. Sadly, when Roz cruises for penis she scares away all of the men!
Edna Mode from The Incredibles
"I never look back, darling, it distracts from the now."
Edna is a Dragon Lady Shrone, the sort who possess dark, magickal powers that will always remain unknowable. She can make cigarettes spontaneously light, craft flamboyant clothing for shranes, and still have enough left at the end of the day to cruise for penis! She is the type of shrone only to dwell in affluent neighborhoods; there wouldn't be any ribbon candy in her ultra-modern home.
| Your Life Path Number Is 11 |
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The attitude toward life of those possessing this Life Path is somewhat extreme; extremely intuitive, avant-garde, idealistic, visionary, and cultured. These extremes make you an interesting, if unusual person, with much to offer society. The Life Path 11 person is deep-thinking, and you are no doubt interested in understanding many of life's mysteries and more intriguing facets. Your inventive mind and broad-minded views will permit you to succeed in life in any number of ventures. You can best serve society, however, in those endeavors utilizing your skills of counseling and guidance. Much of your idealism is people oriented and quite humanitarian in nature. You expect a great deal of yourself and of those to whom you are close. On the negative side, there is a lot of nervous tension associated with the 11 life path, and you can be a difficult person to deal with because of this. For this reason, relationships, at times, can be difficult. This is a Life Path that seems to feature broad mood swings between the elation and depression. You are likely to have trouble making decisions and getting your life in gear, so to speak. There is a tendency for the 11 to harbor feelings of uneasiness, and dissatisfaction with accomplishments and personal progress in life. Your grandiose schemes usually make sense, but you can get off the track and they can be very impractical. You have a very distinct side that lacks common sense, and you are quite often unable to distinguish between fantasy and reality. In this regard, you are perhaps more of a dreamer than a doer. When you do get on target, your ideas seem to have been inspired on high. Perhaps you are not a leader, but you are a visionary and a very talented idea person. |
Today I received the most awesome, wonderful news from my dear friend Pibb. I've not blogged about my adventures with Pibb as of late because she has been in deep seclusion studying to pass gross anatomy. For three years she's been plagued by this course. Pibb has chemical sensitivities and brutal asthma, so being in the formaldehyde labs has not been a Sunday picnic for her. It's been pure torture for her, even with wearing hazmat suits and full face masks that filter the air. Without further digression, I received word that she passed the last of her exams and is now free of all gross anatomy courses! This is truly a remarkable, blessed occasion! I'm so very proud of my Pibb! She hung in there when others with sturdier lungs and constitutions fled like rats escaping a sinking ship.
To honor her and her great accomplishment, she has been awarded The Bona Fide Shrone Award, because only a real Shrone would have the perserverance and fortitude to persist!
(Pibb doesn't have her own blog, BTW. So I posted this letter to her on her behalf.)
Pibb,
I've created a special award that I am pleased to bestow on you as one of the first recipients. It is The Bona Fide Shrone Award. I've determined that you possess many of the salient characteristics of a Shrone. Someday when you have your own blog, please proudly display your Shrone status! Here are the reasons why you are a Shrone:
1. After three long, torture-filled years, you are now free of Gross Anatomy and Kali, the Destroyer of Lives, aka Dr. Thomas.
2. You own a Super Pickle.
3. You crochet body parts.
4. You play the violin, decorate styrofoam heads, and you're possibly unknowable.
5. Something about you says when you get old and withered, you just might go out crusing for penis!
6. You have creatively used your George Foreman grill to bake cookies, pancakes, and even grilled steaks!
7. You have not succumbed to your utterly naturpathic classmates and turned vegan. You'll always be my kindred spirit in meat!
8. You're my bosom friend and kindred spirit and co-reviewer of cheeseburgers.
9. You're one groovy chick and I think you are super cool!
10. Despite all you've been through, you haven't killed your inner child.
Yours in Shronedom!
Lori
This shrone award idea has gotten me really inspired! Henceforth, recipients of the award will receive a complimentary shrone-themed prize along with their fantastic button to display on their blog.
I've been thinking about famous shrones. Yes, there are even famous shranes! So far my list is not very large, but it's a start.
Famous Shrones
Maxine from Hallmark
Her crotchety wit and old biddy demeanor are the basis for Maxine's shronedom. What really puts her into this category is her saucy humor and comments about sagging boobs.
Madame the Puppet
Madame is a Bona Fide Shrone through and through! Her double entendres roll off her puppet tongue like water off a duck's back. But, what makes Madame a shrone is her style. Any woman who wears a turban who isn't receiving chemotherapy is definitely a shrone!
Anne of Green Gables: Rachel Lynde, Aunt Josephine, and Hetty King
Lucy Maud Montgomery knew her shrones and she had many of them sprinkled throughout her Anne of Green Gables and Avonlea books.
Famous Shranes
Dame Edna
Dame Edna could be both a shrone and shrane, but I've decided to put her in the shrane category since the actor playing the character is male. Either way, shrone or shrane, Dame Edna is a classic modern day shrone! Her lavender hair and cat-eye glasses combined with her flair and British accent make her a Bona Fide Shrone.
Liberace
Liberace makes the list of shranes for two reasons: his clothing and his saucy minx ways. I never had the chance to see one of his performances, but my mom did. She remarked how naughty his jokes were. Without doubt, Bona Fide Shrone!
Chairman Kaga of Iron Chef
Chairman Kaga is a shrane not just because he raided Liberace's wardrobe—he has a commanding presence much like Darth Vader without the wheezing. The combination of flair and the dark side make the Chairman a Bona Fide Shrone.
Notes on this list: I noticed that all of the Shrones are fictional characters. I'm deciding whether or not Bette Davis and Katherine Hepburn are Shrones. I'll try to find more living examples of Shrones.
The Shranes are definitely not your stereotypical man. In fact, I'll have to think of a straight shrane—if one exists. Call me weird but I think today's men need to lighten up and flaunt their feminine sides like they did in the 1700s.
I've decided to create a special award to bestow upon those special people who come into my life that have evidenced that they are like me, Unknowable Shrones!
It was about three months ago under a shroud of great unknowable mystery that I came to know Deneen, one of the first recipients of this soon-to-be highly coveted award. She has evidenced herself as a classic Shrone in the following ways:
1. She has strange pets (guinea hens) and has named them.
2. She lives in an old house that has character, and she's got a kick-ass magnolia tree!
3. She makes me laugh, especially with her stories about Elena's antics and the things Elena says.
4. She is creative, crafty, wise, and possibly unknowable.
5. Despite all she's been through, she hasn't killed her inner child.
6. She knows the evils of predisone.
7. She totally impressed me and blew me away as being the greatest secret pal! The Yoko Suzuki book and the martha poncho have put her into The Secret Pal Hall of Fame!
8. She's my bosom friend and kindred spirit and fellow Virgo.
9. She's one groovy chick and I think she's is super cool!
10. Something about her says when she gets old and withered, she just might go out crusing for penis!
I've decided to create a special award to bestow upon those special people who come into my life that have evidenced that they are like me, Unknowable Shrones!
One of the first recipient of this soon-to-be highly coveted award is none other than Ro of world renowned fame, fortune, and unknowable mystery!
Ro has received a specially designed button to place somewhere on her blog to proudly announce to the world that she is without question or doubt a Bona Fide Shrone!
Here are ten reasons why Ro was chosen for this award:
1. She likes cats.
2. She names things that most people would not give names to.
3. She likes old houses.
4. She is creative, crafty, wise, and possibly unknowable.
5. Something about her says when she gets old and withered, she just might go out crusing for penis!
6. She likes Hello Kitty! and Disney.
7. She's generous and kind.
8. She's my bosom friend and kindred spirit.
9. She's one groovy chick and I think she is super cool!
10. Despite all she's been through, she hasn't killed her inner child.
But wait, there's more! Yes, I know of at least 3 others out there in the world that shall soon be the recipients of this remarkable award. Be on the lookout for that special e-mail in your inbox!
Pooky and I live in a cat attracting house. Today there was no denying it. Pooky took this picture of 6 cats that had collected on our front porch. We do not put out food for them. We do nothing but simply exist. The cats collect like lint on velvet. Curiouser and curiouser!
My belief is the cats can tell that a Shrone in Training lives within the house. They want me to let them in so I can give them distinguished sounding British names like Lady Bartlett, Mrs. Winslow, and Percival Qualm. They want to become part of my feline menagerie, hobknob with Mr. Doo and wear smoking jackets while puffing on stoagies in the sitting room around the fireplace. They want to swarm me in the mornings as I wait for the electric kettle to boil, rubbing their bodies shamelessly against the cabinetry where the cans of tuna live. They want me to scoop their box and be gagged by their toxic odors because cleaning up their poo is a sure sign of unconditional love.
There is a possibility that the beasties were holding a feline convention—something that mere humans would not be able to comprehend. I wouldn't be surprised if Mr. Doo has hatched a plan for total world domination and this is a sign that the end is near. I shouldn't underestimate the powers of Mr. B. He is a pair of eyes looming in the shadows hatching diabolic plots all the while appearing that he is in a constant state of oblivion.
The most logical reasoning for this cat gathering is mating season. I kept hearing the shrill sounds of what is best described as "someone slowly ripping off the fur of a cat" all last night. I never see any kittens result from these cacaphonous copulations. Hmmm. Curiouser and curiouser!
WIP
Last night I completed the back of the sweater and got 20 rows into the front. I'm moving right along. I may cut it close with having just enough yarn to make the sweater. I started on the last ball and will have the neck to complete once the front it made and I sew a few seams together.Ro sung my praise for understanding stitch gauge, but the test will come when I try to determine how to work the neck shaping. I'll feverishly work out some mathematical ratios to determine how many stitches, become hopelessly frustrated, and then just wing it.
I've been working on another secret project on the sly and once the sweater is done I think I'll work on getting the secret project made. It should go quickly (I hope). Before module 6 I have a sweater to make for a classmate, but I am not going to develop a repetitive stress injury trying to make it in a week. She said she wasn't in any hurry to have it made, so I can plod along with that at a comfortable rate.
That about wraps up my WIP Wednesday.
I have this active imagination when I sleep. I often awake and recall what I've been dreaming and just think, "I really dreamt about that?" It's interesting what flits through my subconcious brain as I sleep. Here's some recent examples:
A few nights ago I dreamt that Johnny Depp was a fellow classmate of mine in what was a blend of high school and the LIOS program. In the dream I recall thinking, "I don't recall him being a classmate, and yet I do. This is awfully strange!" Someone in the dream was asking me what it was like to attend class with someone so famous and I replied by saying, "He was very friendly and kind to everyone." My analysis of this dream has got to be related to the Mini-Module in which Carol showed us a plethora of Johnny Depp films in order to bring to life the various mental illnesses we were learning about.
Last night's adventure in dreamland was about my surgeon, Dr. S. A lot of people have been asking me when is my surgery going to happen, and I still don't know as I haven't heard from Dr. S. I hope that he's ok. In the dream, however, I find out that he's suffered a side effect of being so ill and he can no longer speak correctly. Whenever he talks, the words come out in the wrong order. My analysis of this dream is that I think there is a communication problem going on.
A long while ago I had this dream in which I went to the emergency room and the doctor who came in to treat me was none other than Alex Trebek! I recall saying to him, "You're not really a doctor, and I don't think you should try to treat me." He said that he has learned enough about medicine in his twenty-some years of being on Jeopardy! that he felt he could be my doctor. I still wasn't convinced! I have no analysis on that dream other than I do watch Jeopardy! almost every night.
| The Reveal Package | ||
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My secret pal was....the world's best pal...but you know her as Deneen!
She made me a wonderfully soft Martha poncho in Homespun—I believe the color is Barrington. Other wonderful goodies include a baggie of dried lavender and some homemade lavender ointments and balms, a jade lavender bracelet from China, some way-cool magnets, two balls of Lustersheen, a ball of white thread, a ball of pink thread, and some seed kits so I can grow my own lavender and anemones!
Deneen has been a stellar secret pal! She regularly sent me e-cards with thoughtful messages, procured for me a highly coveted book of Yoko Suzuki's helping me complete my collection, and she gave me the best gift of all: her friendship!
Thank you, Deneen, for all that you've done the past three months! I hate to lose you as a secret pal—but I'm more glad to have gained you as a friend!
I've learned one important thing as a self-proclaimed sweater maven: measure, measure, measure! The sooner the better to make sure the size will come out as it should be.
I was about 15 rows into the front of said sweater when I looked at it and thought: No, this isn't wide enough. So out I whipped the trusty measuring tape and found out that it measured only 18 inches and it needed to be at least 19!
When I calculated the number of stitches to adjust the stitch gauge, my math said it should be 19 inches, and I even measured the initial row which measured in at 19 inches, but in the process of working the pattern the yarn tightened up (which happens) and so it shrank! Egads! Thankfully the pattern is fast and I frogged the mistaken stitches and restarted with a few more stitches. It is now 19½ inches which should be just fine.
I decided to stop at 31 rows and have worked about 11 inches. I should get to the 15 inch mark tomorrow and start shaping the sleeves. Along the way I'll continue to measure, measure, measure!
I learned my lesson the painful way with the last wearable I made for somebody. I was two-thirds completed when I realize that the size was way too small and so I frogged the entire thing and started over. My vow was to never let that happen again. I'm doing my best to keep my promise.
Today the first tulip opened! The bleeding heart is in full "bleeding" mode, and I found a most wonderful, unexpected surprise! The lilac bush we planted last year has a little cluster of flowers! This is so incredibly special because I didn't think it would flower for another four years! What a lovely surprise! Once the little flowers open I may just spend the day sniffing them.
It is Thor's day, but instead of thunder and lightining there was a rainbow outside. My study partners saw it as they left. We had an awesome, productive day! And all with Madam Nym's son being cranky and whinining. (Madam Nym is one of my study partners, my newly assigned name for her.)
Mr. Doo wasn't too certain about Madam Nym's son, and I caught Mr. Doo hunting this child. The boy is eight years old, a rather large speciment to take down, but Mr. Doo acted like he was up to the task. Mr. B hid underneath the bed and didn't make an appearance. I gave out tuna to the beasts before my classmates arrived. This made both felines feel better, though I think Mr. Doo now feels I owe him for the transgression of having the prolonged disturbance of house guests.
Last night I worked on some secret crochet, and I proved to myself that I truly understand stitch gauge and how to manipulate it to adjust for using different yarn and hook sizes. If all goes well I should be able to make the second sleeve tonight and possibly be completed with the project next week.
I mailed out the romper set to my classmate yesterday and the delivery confirmation said it arrived today. Hopefully they aren't on vacation and the box is just sitting somewhere...Anyhow, I'm sure they will be pleased with the new little outfit. It felt so soft after being washed and treated with Downy.
And while I was ordering some Homespun from Knitting-warehouse.com I splurged and bought the last two Clover Soft Touch hooks that I don't yet own, so in a few days I'll have the complete set. I found out that the stitch row counter does fit on the end of the handle, but it has to be the larger size counter.
My motivation has returned and so tomorrow I'll get my internship application mailed out and I'll start working more seriously on transcribing my notes from class.
I added Haloscan comments to my blog because I've received a few bits of feedback that Typekey is a pain to use. I think Haloscan loads a lot faster and should be more use-friendly.
The romper set is done. Now onto the next project....
One of my learning goals is to ask for feedback from others as I think I've not been very good at asking this from others. I'd like to hear from you, so please take a moment and drop me a line.
What I'd like to know:
If I were a counselor or therapist in your community, would you utilize my services? (If you answer yes, try to be specifc why you said yes. If you said no, also please be specific. Pretend we're not friends if that is a concern.)
Going by what you do know about me, what attributes or traits do you see in me that you feel make for a good counselor or therapist? Likewise, what attributes or traits do you think detract from me being a good counselor or therapist?
What one or two things do you most expect from a person who is a counselor or therapist when you have your initial visit with them?
I know this is probably going to be biased in your responses, but one thing I'd like to do with my practice as a therapist is art therapy, specifically use knit, crochet, scrapbooking, etc. as a means to help others. What are your thoughts on this type of therapy?
Now, be honest ;-)! Are you looking forward to me being degreed and credentialed so you can ask me for free relationship advice?
If you'd prefer not to answer via the comments section, you can anonymously e-mail at: unknowable.shrone [at] gmail dot com.
I've gotten around to putting my Naturopathic Scrapbook back online. It was one of the sites that I used to have available from before. I felt inspired to make it available again because of Ro.
I miss scrapbooking. It's just too expensive and time consuming. I still have our 21 day roadtrip from 2002 to scrapbook some day. I have the starting materials for it, just not the motivation.
A few words about the Naturopathic Scrapbook. I made it in 2002 when I was in naturopathic medical school. That feels like a whole life ago! The rest should be self-explanatory. The pictures are big and will be a pain for those still puttering with dial-up connections. Sorry, but in order to read the text on the pages I needed to make them as larger as possible.
My Name's on the Cover, So It Must Be True!
Ready to be April Fooled? I'm really an editor of young adult books! Yes, it's true! See my name on the cover of the book? Why haven't I said anything about it until now (April Fools' Day)? Well, my counselor told me that she never says what she does for a living at a social gathering because she'll soon have everybody asking her for relationship advice. A published author almost has the same fate—people want your autograph, ask you to read their novel, who is a good literary agent, how should I encourage my kid to become a writer, etc.
Thankfully, my editing skills are not yet world renowned so I can still live a relatively normal life and pass myself off as the unpublished 364 days out of the year. But on this day I cannot keep it under wraps. No, I have to come clean about what I really do. It's only fair to you, my readers and friends, that the truth be told just for today.
And since today is special, for this day only, I'll give you all of the advice you seek about becoming published, who is a good literary agent, how to raise your kids to become famous writers, and I'll even sign a few books (granted that they have my name on them)!
