Joanna’s posterous

Things have been interesting lately. School is so up and down in terms of how busy I am. I have a rough draft a presentation due Tuesday along with an actual presentation to DO on Thursday. Wednesday I have an exam. I have a couple of environmental policy assignments to do online and I need to finish up my math module for this chapter by the 1st. I think after that things will be calm till I do the presentation the draft is due for (which I think is the following week). I've been working really well under pressure this semester. There are some times where the work load is almost maddening... but I've managed. I'm this much closer to graduating though. Very nervous about all of that. It will probably feel quit surreal when it happens.

Other things are ok. Seeing the family was fun yesterday. We had a great dinner, per usual, and then we went to the movies like we do every year. We saw Four Christmases. I liked the movie and Vince Vaughn was hilarious as always. I'm pissed that I forgot my camera at my apartment up the road so I didn't get to take any pictures. I'll remember it for Christmas instead.

Tomorrow I get to go see my knitting girl friends, which is always fun and relaxing. I can't even begin to explain how great it is to be friends with such amazing women. The fact that they're beyond laid back, hilarious, and accepting makes them even more amazing. I'll probably continue working on the only Christmas gift I'm knitting this year: some colorwork mitts for my mom. It's the first time I've done any colorwork and I've really enjoyed them so far. They're turning out quite nicely.

Krissy is home now so hopefully I can see her soon. I'm excited to talk about Kenya and how things were and talk about what she plans on doing now that she's home.

I've been thinking about friendships and relationships a lot lately. I've also been thinking a lot about the type of person I am and the things I need to change to give myself a better life. Granted, I'm quite happy with the relationships I do have but I know I could be happier. I would really love to finally meet a decent guy and be in a committed relationship again. It's been so long. But who knows? It's hard to picture all that happening and I'm certainly not one to force or rush things. I have a couple of ideas about how to get out there and meet new people so I'll keep you updated.

And now its time to go get cute and head to the bars with all my cousins :)

Expect a real update soon. Pictures of soil monolith making and Thanksgiving probably.

But I had to share this... Ew.

Maybe one of the weirdest things I've ever seen. Granted I've got bumper stickers about knitting, farming, and blues music on my car... those are at least a little more cohesive.

So I don't have the first conversation because she sent it in a message attached to a friend request. Anyway I get a friend request from this woman. No idea who the hell she even KIND of is. She has ONE other friend on Facebook and I don't know who he is. She tries to friend me and says in her message "I heard from your friend, who's name I won't mention, that you have some amazing ink on your side. I was wondering if I could see it." Ok. I'm all for showing people my tattoos. I love them. You all have seen one. So I'm not exactly someone who is private about them. Either way I defriended her and then sent her a message saying:

"Who told you?"

Maybe it's just me, but when a 40+ year old woman messages me on Facebook and acts all cryptic, I'd like to know who the hell told her who I was. I don't have many 40+ year old guy friends. My dad. And he wouldn't have told this person about my tattoos. If he did, which he probably wouldn't, he would have probably called me to ask me for a picture or something. Today I wake up and find this message in my inbox:

"I'm sorry, I really don't remember his name. I was sitting next to him about six months ago at Damon's in Lexington Park. We got talking about tattoos and how much I liked them, especially the larger more colorful ones and he mentioned you. I like tattoos but am too chicken to get tattooed.

Fast forward to now, I was reading about this Facebook and decided to see what it was. I really don't understand how it works. I was looking at different people when I remembered the talk I had at Damon's. So I sent you the message. You are very kind to have answered, but I should not have sent you the message. The whole thing makes me very nervous.

Thanks again for your time."

I figured she would be from St. Mary's County too, but I really know NO older men who would've told her this. And even if one of them did, say maybe the male tattoo artists from the shop remembered me... how the hell would they know my full name (for the record my artist is a female)? And how the hell is THIS lady capable of remembering my full name to search for me on Facebook that she "just read about"? Seriously. Bizarre. I responded:

"Why does it make you nervous? I was the one who received an anonymous message from someone I don't even know that somehow remembered my first and last name to search for me online but can't remember even the first name of a person she spoke to about me.

I would've been more than happy to share all of my tattoos with you if you hadn't of been so cryptic. And the fact that you don't even remember how he knows me or anything is beyond weird and downright creepy."

We'll see if she responds again. And I'll attach a photo of my tattoo in question. It is undoubtedly my favorite one I have.

For those not in the "know" with the knitting community, we do swaps. I think other communities do them. I know other crafting communities do (quilting and card making come to mind). Basically you get an upstream and a downstream partner. You send to your downstream and receive from your upstream. Occasionally the swaps have themes. I'm currently participating in one themed around the TV show The Office. Sometimes they're secret meaning you do not know who is sending to you and you're not to let the person you are sending to know your identity until the package is received. I just signed up for a new one, the swap that got me interested in doing swaps to begin with. I've always missed signups before and you have to wait quite a while before sign ups start again. This swap is special in that you send a package every month for three months. In order for your partner to get to know you better and prepare a package specialized to your interests, you have to fill out a survey... so here's mine. Most of you won't find it interesting as its geared mostly towards knitting but if you ever need gift ideas I guess it could be useful as well ;)

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
Soft wools, cotton, silk blends. Not a huge fan of single ply yarns or really fine weight yarns.
2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?
I have a needle case for the straights and a gigantic ziplock that I keep all my circs in their original packages in.
3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?
Basically self taught, 2.5 years ago, I would say advanced.
4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
I have a bunch of favorited items on etsy.com (GentleJoanna is my username)
5. What's your favorite scent?
Lavender, citrus scents, anything clean smelling if that makes sense. Not a fan of flowery or food/sweet smells.
6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?
Not really but I loooove chocolate covered pretzels.
7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?
I do spin. I haven't really taught myself to crochet yet but I'd like to eventually. So mostly knitting for now. Recently bought a spinning wheel.
8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)
Big fan of indie/electronic/alternative. I'll listen to most except techno though. Can play MP3s.
9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand?
Green and blue are favorites with least favorites are pink by itself (ok mixed with others sometimes), orange by itself, not a huge fan of red.
10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
Live with a roomate in a 2B apartment, and we each have a cat so two cats.
11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?
All except ponchos.
12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
Smaller items usually though I've had the urge to do some sweater knitting lately they're just so hard to transport and work on.
13. What are you knitting right now?
Swatching for a sweater and finishing a hat, then plan to begin another hat.
14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?
Yes though I usually prefer to recieve hand made gifts that I couldn't make for myself... so soaps or something sewn might be nice.
15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
Aluminum, occasionally plastic. Hate bamboo. I love circular knitting if possible, but if my piece doesn't require it I like straights more than circs.
16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?
Yes, both.
17. How old is your oldest UFO?
Ohh... pretty old. Probably a year and a half. Damn. Haven't even thought about that.
18. What is your favorite holiday? What winter holiday do you observe?
I really like Thanksgiving and Christmas. Observe Christmas.
19. Is there anything that you collect?
Occasionally mugs. Sheepy things. I have a hoodie, a bag, a little knit sheep.
20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?
There are a couple of patterns I'd like to purchase. B Side Cardigan, Central Park Hoodie, Wicked (worsted), Gathered Pullover, Sunrise Circle Jacket, and that's about it I guess. I prefer buying larger patterns. For smaller patterns I can usually design myself I just don't purchase or I find something similar that is free.
21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?
I plan on trying colorwork soon by making some Endpaper Mitts
22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?
Kind of. I'm a US woman's 9. 8 3/4 inch around the ball and about the same from big toe to heel.
23. When is your birthday?
May 15th
24. Are you on Ravelry? If so, what's your ID?
GentleJoanna

Good luck, secret pal! I'm sooo looking forward to this swap.

I just have to make it to next week and everything will be alright. Right now I'm incredibly overwhelmed. I keep telling myself that this is make or break time. I either make it through this week with my grades in tact or I slip up and end up with a lower GPA this semester than I was aiming for. I'm currently aiming for straight A's. So far it looks... attainable. Maybe. It's going to be tough. I kind of knew I'd get sick this week, too. This is how it always goes. If I have a lot going on my body just gives up and it's all over. My throat currently feels like sandpaper and is covered in a lovely white goo. I know that turns most of you on but please, try to contain yourselves.

In good news... we'll have a new president in about 74 days. More specifically we'll have the president I wanted for this country.

Also, I foun d a new band I'm kind of in love with. They're called Passion Pit. They don't have much out yet. I've only found a single album with 8 tracks on it. The good news is: every single track is aaaaamazing. So far my favorite song is the one I'm going to share. Loooove it. The video on Youtube is interesting. Unique. So check it out.

Click here to download:

06 - Sleepyhead.mp3 (4896 KB)

How many times I've gotten goose bumps today. Today is life changing. Epic. I'm ridiculously proud and happy that I was a part of it (despite the fact that the county I voted in went red). I donated for the first time this year. This was something I got into and something I was passionate about.

The night isn't over but I have a good feeling that this country will begin to move in the direction I've wanted it to for such a long time now. I feel better about my future and my children's future.

You know what's awesome? Only needing two more classes to graduate from the University of Maryland only to discover that those two classes you need (which are only taught in the spring) are mysteriously missing from next semester's schedule of classes. I sure am glad I'm busting my ass this semester for this to happen.

In lighter news... tonight I discovered that Kozy Shack makes pumpkin flavored pudding.... AKA God's gift to fat people. It tastes sooo good. I can only eat a couple spoonfuls at a time.

I've also decided I'm going to start making lists. People like lists. I like lists. I just normally don't share them. I always compile weird lists in my brain only to keep them entirely to myself. Most people don't even know this about me. The past couple of days I've been working on one including all of my most absolute favorite out-there things. These are things other people take for granted. Off-beat and unexpected things. I've also started making a list of the world's scariest people-I-don't-know-but-see-on-TV. Gary Busey tops that list. So yeah. Expect a list soon.

I saw this once a while ago... the original is still way better. I don't think I could get drunk to the Alanis Morisette version.

Fergie, where did you go? Come back and write maybe three more catchy songs giving original names to my girly bits and that'd be great. Thanks.

Click here to download:

05-black_eyed_peas-my_humps.mp3 (8547 KB)

Now that I'm finally settled back in here at home in Maryland I've got some time to post some of my favorite pictures and talk about my trip. Two of my girlfriends came over and grabbed me and the fourth girlfriend over here in College Park. We grabbed a quick bite to eat then got on the road heading north on 95. For whatever reason the heat in the car wasn't working. The entire trip. I don't think my nipples have ever been that hard before. Ever. Was sooo cold. It also didn't help that I was still dressed like I was from Maryland. We finally arrive sometime after 12:30 am after Garmin told us we had arrived when in actuality we were literally in the middle of no where on the side of a mountain on a two-lane highway with NO shoulders with  no building in sight except for a creepy ass bait shop. Clearly, Garmin was wrong. We found the correct address and were the last of all of the crazy knitting and fiber enthusiasts to check into our hotel room. We promptly settled in and fell asleep.

The room wasn't bad. Like every hotel room, we had our fair share of interesting/disturbing stains. I didn't even care. That warm bed felt awesome after driving for about 5 hours and freezing my tits off.

We woke up early, though not too early. I'm fairly certain I saw Jesus when the curtains were opened. I never knew the sun got that bright. After my eyes uncrossed I showered and we were ready to roll. We stopped off to get some coffee and hot chocolate and then we were off. With the sun up we finally got to see all the gorgeous fall foliage. The leaves in Maryland have only just begun to change where as upstate New York was in full swing. We arrive to the fairgrounds and immediately start hitting the booths. We took some time to look at the animals. They were probably my favorite part. We watched some sheep herding and watched some weird people. Both were fun. Lunch was shitty despite looking absolutely delicious. I eventually dropped most of mine on the ground while cussing.

I'm very happy with my purchases. I picked up a spinning wheel, two types of roving, and a homemade bar of soap I've already put to good use. All in all it was a fun weekend and I spent it with some of my favorite women ever. I can't wait till Maryland Sheep and Wool :)

For all of my pictures you can view my web album HERE.

                           

Click here to download:

Rhinebeck.zip (2238 KB)