The Tiger in my Bed Kept Me Up Half the Night!

I'm talking about the kitten...what did YOU think? Yeah, Zuni discovered that unsuspecting toes, covered by a mere sheet, make great playthings. This discovery was made around 12:30 AM. And again at 6:00 AM. That combined with very unrestful sleep (my back/shoulder thing was really acting up last night) made for a tired slinger today. That, combined wtih a day when nothing would work, combined with other stuff, has left me feeling tired, on overload, and just needing to hole up tonight. So my dear ManchVegasknitters, I will not be joining you. The thought of actually getting in my car and driving anywhere makes me want to go crawl under a pile of covers...'cept it's too hot for that!! Work challenged me in a big way today. For those of you who don't know what I do, I am a Software QA Analyst - that means I beat on software and make sure it won't break before it gets sent out to the customers. OK yeah, it's a bit more involved than that, but that about sums it up. So Monday and Tuesday were spent trying in vain to re-create a problem in a previous version that has been fixed in the version we are working on. Finally, much to my great joy (I'm talking a chorus of angels sang), I was able to produce the error just before I went home yesterday! Yay!!! That meant that today I could actually start testing it on my system, which has the latest and greatest version of code. So I arrive at the office primed to finally sink my teeth into this one, thought about it the whole ride in, so I get everything ready and on the very first run, it bombs. So I spend the next hour or so going through various checks, only to find that it works everywhere else in the universe except on my system. So, the remainder of my day was spent uninstalling/re-installing, lather, rinse repeat, beg for help (I love my co-workers, they rock!) and at 5:25 pm there was still no solution. Now, usually when there is a problem, it can be reproduced on other systems. Nope. Only mine. THere is a plus side to this. While all the uninstalling/re-installing was happening, I was knitting. It kept me calm. My co-workers should be very thankful for this. Only I realized at 5pm that I had made a mistake and have to rip out a couple rows. (note to Laurin: no frogging is going to happen - I promised I would save all my frogging for when you were present, and I will keep that promise!) One of the reasons I love my co-workers is conversations like this: (Scene: Melissa has just tried the 4 millionth attempt at resolving this situation. Her co-worker, M, has been helping out, but at the moment is elsewhere. Melissa very calmly rises from her chair and proceeds to the QA Lab, where she decides she will make some Iced Coffee using the Iced Tea machine that was purchased for us. (Melissa only just found out this week that said Ice Tea machine can also make Iced Coffee).

So, I grab all the neccesary items and proceed to make the Iced Coffee. At which point, the following exchange occurred:

M: It didn't work, did it?

Me: (smiling) Nope

M: Yeah, I saw you come in and state you were going to make Iced Coffee and I figured.

Me: (smiling) Yup!

About 15 minutes later I returned to the Iced Tea machine to see how my Iced Coffee was doing. What I found was a rather light coffee colored pot of water. (insert big sigh here)

OK, I'll go make regular coffee in the regular coffee machine!!!

Yeah. That was a splendid idea. Only, I made the coffee and then promptly forgot about it until about 15 minutes before quittin' time.

So yah, it's been *that* kind of day!

On top of all that...it just seems like there is an awful lot of *stuff* going on in the world this week. People seem to be really wound up and the energy feels really frenzied. That's reason numero uno why I am hiding out tonight. I am just on overload from all that is going on around me. And I don't know what to do about it. People just seem - for lack of a better word - fried, on so many levels. Even tonight, when I was walking Rusty, I was coming up my street and this guy (who I think is a complete and total a**hole) was publicly fighting with his son (who was practically in tears and is 18!) out on his front stoop, dropping the f*bomb every other word (note: I know those of you who know me would say, whoa, but YOU have quite the potty mouth yourself. To you I will say, indeed, that is true, but I don't stand out in public and run my mouth for everyone to hear).

So, I am choosing to stay in tonight, though I will miss you all (but perhaps Friday night in Windham is happening and I will see you then?) 'cuz I just can't deal with the general (chaos) public at the moment. Instead, I am going to make something yummy to eat, play with my doggy and my kitty, and do some knitting.

Oh. Yeah. Knitting. Let's see. This past weekend I worked on the Forest Canopy Shawl. I did 2 rows and realized that I started on Row 1 when I should have started on Row 3. Had to tink those 2 rows and am going to put in a lifeline before I proceed. I may do that tonight. I did finish the second sock that I an knit-testing for Heather. Heather, if you are going to be at Y&F on Friday night, bring the other one and we'll take pictures!! I am itching to start a new project...I am going to force myself to wait until the weekend though. I guess tonight I will work on Thuja (the sock I messed up at work today) and perhaps I will get at least the first one done!

It's love...

HEY!! What's THAT!?!?!?!?!?

Z: Hey, I'm Zuni. You smell...

R: ohboyohboyohboyohboyohboyohboyigotsakitty!!

Phew...he's exhausting!!!

Bonus..

Two in one day! Had a great visit with Cindi tonight! (thanks to Lora for the conversation on the way down!) This years dorm is in a great building on Brattle St., a much shorter walk to Harvard Square, but a much longer walk to classes which might suck a bit this winter. We walked over to "the burger shack" where we both decided to try something new. I normally get the Ted Kennedy (cheddar and mushroom) and Cindi the Bill Clinton (BBQ sauce and cheese). This time we both went with something new. She had the Professor Skip Gates (teriyaki with a slice of pineapple) and I had the Michael Bloomberg (mayor of NYC - I had to ask, never heard of him) which was a burger with cheddar, chili and sour cream. Wow. Deee-lish. Waddled back to her dorm (which is part of something called the Episcopal Divinity School, see the pic, it's really cool!!) and as I was heading over to my car, I heard this really cool Indian music and chanting coming from the building across the courtyard. The door was open, so I crept in to check it out. I stood in a brightly lit hall outside an open doorway that led into a small, dimly lit room. In the hallway, lined up neatly, were all the guests shoes. Now, I am not at all drawn to the whole having a guru thing - but I do appreciate the many ways that people chose to worship and pray, and satsang is one of the more joyous ways, I think anyway. I wasn't drawn to go in and sit, it was nice just to hang out in the hall and listen and feel the good energies. After a while the chanting came to a close, and Swami Nityananda began to speak. I listened to him for a few minutes, then gave a little prayerful bow of my head and continued on my way home. I love stumbling upon something like that. Just a little slice of someone else's life. They are doing something called "In the Footsteps of Bliss" where they are going around the world, for the next year, to all the places where Baba Muktananda had touched people's lives. There is a quote on their website that says "May all beings be content". So thank you kind chanting ones for bringing a smile to this heart tonight.
Content. Yes, content is good. I am at a place in my life where I am content and that makes me happier than, well, anything!
So, to all who have commented on my earlier entry - guess I have a few pies to bake, huh? And Mel, I will send you some more pictures of that bone, a different angle and you will be able to see that it is definitely a leg...I'll measure it too, because whoever's leg it was, wasn't very tall!!

Roadtrips and stuff

Road trip...

ARE WE THERE YET???

YOU SMELL LIKE GOAT!!


NO THANKS...YOOOUUUUU PICK 'EM FOR ME!

So Saturday afternoon, after it stopped raining, me and Rusty took a mini road trip to Londonderry to Macks for some apples. For those of you not familiar with Londonderry, it is just south of Manchester and has many large apple orchards. Much of what you buy for apples in your grocery stores in this region most likely grew in Londonderry. I used to live there and loved driving through the orchards year round. Spring when they are in blossom is uplifting. Fall when the aroma of the apples is in the air and the "pickers" come to town equally delightful. Now in the past I have never welcomed fall so early. Oh usually by the first week in October I am into it and over being grumpy that summer is over. But this year I am already into the fall thing. And I haven't even put my shorts away yet. Not to mention being hopeful for a few hours at the beach this weekend. But I digress. By the time I had purchased my apples (Jonamacs - my fav, along with a few Paula Reds and Gingergolds for pie) the sun was out, so me and Rusty took a walk in the orchards and visited with many ducks, geese, and swan, and of course, with the goats. Came home and then on Sunday, produced these:

PAH!

Now, being that I reside alone, I needed to pass on one of these pies. So, in a neighborly gesture, I brought the pie over the the crackhouse. Now, those of you who know me in person, know I am talking about the house across the street from me. I don't like to blog about people and their problems, so let's just say that the family over there has their issues, and I have suspected that some drug dealing is going on over there. Friday night things got a little heated over there, as they sometimes do, and I went over to talk to them. Makes me appreciate my own life very much. Anyway, I present to you...

The Crackhouse

The crackhouse is actually only the left side of the house. I wanted to zoom in on the front porch so you could see the remaining items out there from roommates moving in on Friday night. It's now Tuesday afternoon and all that stuff is still out there. And today was trash day. So anyway, when I brought the pie over it was hilarious. The little girl who lives there peeks through the blinds on the door window, then opens the door a crack. I hand her the pie and a bag of apples, and there is the mother in the background yelling thank you. And the door closes. Now, I had no expectations, it just struck me funny.

The Tenement on the Corner

this is where the loud people who yell at their kids all day, and at each other live. They also set fire to the porch of the house across the street this past summer in the middle of the night because a convicted sex offender lives on the 3rd floor. Yeah, if you check the registry, she was convicted 10 years ago and it was a one time thing. Not condoning that by any means, but I do believe in second chances. Someone from the Tenement did get charged. This house is just disgusting. I cross the street when I walk by, that's how bad it is over there...

Other than that, I had a nice relaxing weekend. Did all my shopping and errands on Friday and the rest of the time was mine, all mine!! I did squeeze in some knitting, 'specially watching 3 Red Sox games and a Nascar Race! I also spent some time working on a little art project, inspired by something I read about on Ray's website. I have *never* enjoyed drawing or art stuff very much, but after having it come up in conversation with a couple of different people, and Ray's site and some internet research, I went out and bought a nice set of colored pencils and some drawing paper, and I spent a few days making this:


It's called a mandala. It's weird, because prior to deciding to try making one, for the past few months I have been dreaming about them. And even seeing them in my head, only I don't possess the artistic skills to be able to draw some of the things I see. But, perhaps I can learn? Anyone out there wanna teach me? Or I suppose I could take a course...anyway, I really enjoyed this process. I mainly worked on it in the morning when I would get back from my walks with Rusty. It was kind of a meditation and I can't wait to start another one!

So a few random things...

These are the S + P shakers that Cindi brought me back from France!!

This is Zuni, who hopefully will come home this weekend!

I found this on the beach when I was on vacation. Anyone know what it is? I think it is the leg bone of a small animal, like racoon, but someone else said maybe it was seal?

and there is something very wrong with a Charmin TP commercial being choreographed to the Halleluia Chorus...

Feelin' Silly...

Yeah, TOUCH my handmade socks kitty and you are TOAST!!

I'm Baaaaaaaack!!

I think it has been a good month just about since I was last able to blog. I have been computerless for a stretch of time here, only able to check e-mail at work (no time to blog or anything) and though I could read e-mail on my old iMac at home, I wasn't able to reply to anything.

Honestly though? I haven't really missed it all that much. Yeah, I do miss reading my blog friends and will get caught up eventually. But I have found that I enjoy mornings more without the computer. Sometimes I read, or knit, or journal instead. Or sleep in a little. And I wait until I get to work now and have a sec to check the e-mail. On weekends, I'm up for hours before I even think to check the e-mail. I like it.

Vacation was soooooooo great. I will post about that another time, when I have my pictures. The fabulous Heather hooked me up with her hubby who has repaired my laptop for me! I totally jumped the gun by ordering this new system...but in the long run it will work out for the best. When I work from home, it is better for me to sit at my desk rather than on the couch with the laptop. And, I *love* my new 19 in flat screen monitor...oh YEAH!

Life has been good, although kinda busy. Cindi is off at school and I do miss her. My nephew left yesterday for Washington State to be with his girlfriend. Send him some good thoughts as he drives across the country all alone. I will be calling him soon to see how he's doing.

Well, one more thing before I go...if you at all like music, please go check out Aksara's website and listen to some samples from their new cd, Comfort and Grace. They have an amazing sound and are a really special group of women. Music and sound are so healing, and so important, and they manage to combine the two in their own special way.

I promise to be better about updating now that I have the new 'puter.

Adios for now...

It is 4:29 pm on Friday and as soon as I hit "Publish Post" I am shutting down this computer and not touching it again until 8/20. Then I will go home, check my e-mail one last time, shut down that computer and not touch a keyboard again for the next 8 days. Amazing. I think it has been years since I have gone that long without a computer. I think it will be a good thing. I work on a computer all day, and then I try to squeeze in things like blogging and Ravelry and responding to e-mails when the last thing I want is to be typing yet more! So when you think of me and Rusty over the next week, picture us walking on an island in Maine, hearing the waves and the seagulls and enjoying total relaxation. We'll take some pictures and update upon our return...peace OUT!

Gearing Up...

for vacation!!! I so do not feel like working...so I'm not at the moment! I had the morning off and came into work at 1:00. Why? Because I had a late night last night. Why? Because I went here with Lora to see
Brandi Carlile

and Indigo Girls!!
Lora's got some pics and videos up - I completely forgot to grab my camera on the way out the door, but she was kind enough to share hers with me.

Brandi Carlile opened. I had seen her about a month ago in Boston, with her band, and at first I was disappointed to see this was going to be an acoustic show. By the end of the first song (Someday Never Comes) I had goosebumps that lasted through her whole set. The Girls came out and sang on Cannonball with her - their harmonic blend was so amazing. Brandi came out for 5 or 6 songs during the Indigo Girls set and once again, incredible harmony. I enjoyed the Indigo Girls also, though I would have preferred seeing them with their band. I'd never seen them before and it was a great first show. The crowd was great, the venue I absolutely love. At first I was a little disappointed because they played so many songs I don't really like all that much, you know the ones you always tend to skip over in the car...(Ozilline, Yield) but then they made me happy by doing World Falls and Hope Alone (didn't expect to hear that one and I LOVE that song) with Brandi Carlile on both. But what really sealed the deal for me was Amy doing Romeo and Juliet (had tears in my eyes at the end of that one!) and Kid Fears. When they started in on Kid Fears I said to Lora that this song just won't be the same without Micheal Stipes from REM singing his part...ok...I was right...because it was even better...they had Brandi Carlile come out and sing that part and the goosebumps were back!! What a great show, I could hardly get to sleep last night from the energy of such fine music...
Glad I took this morning off from work. Got some stuff done around the house, gave Rusty his pre-vacation bath and now am at work. Surprisingly, given how little sleep I got, I am not feeling tired.

Well, I suppose I should go do some work today...wish vacation started right now!!!

Reason # 645 why I never update!

#645: because it is so time consuming!!! It took me forever to do that last post. None of the pictures would line up on the actual blog the way they did when I was writing the entry. I almost said *nevermind*. There has got to be an easier way?? What I did, is I downloaded all the pics from my camera to my laptop. Then I uploaded the ones I wanted to use to Blogger. Then I wrote and dragged the pics around, placing them with their corresponding text (I make it sound so simple - yet it just wouldn't come out the way I wanted it to. I supposed one of these days I will have to just sit down and learn more about this Blogger thing.
Knitting is going well. I finished the Angel Sweater and sent it off to France with Cindi - AND FORGOT TO TAKE ANY PICTURES!!! I hope Cindi thinks to take some for me, 'specially if baby niece wears it (I think it will be too big for her at the moment though). I have 2 socks in progress, one pair that should be done before I leave for vacation. My vacation knitting plans are to slog through the Tofutsies socks (I just do not like working with this yarn), make a pair with Heather's yarn, and if time allows, get started on another pair with Ray's yarn. I'm also hoping to work on (and possibly finish) the Forest Canopy shawl. I know, it's an ambitious plan, but I think I can make it happen!
Cindi is in France all this week - she is floating around on a barge with her dad and his family to celebrate her grandparents 50th anniversary. Some people have it rough, no?
I am gearing up for vacation. I am leaving after work on Friday - and I am unplugging. If it is an emergency (or ya just really, really miss me) leave a message on my cell and I will be checking it every evening. I.CAN'T.WAIT!!!
And on that note, I am going to leave work on-time for a change and try and talk myself into visiting the gym on the way home...adios!

A Day in Pictures

GOODMORNING

So I thought it would be fun to do a "day in the life" blog entry, so the other day I hired a camera crew* to capture my exciting life for a day, to give you, the reader, who may not even know me in the "real world", a taste of the adventure that awaits me on a daily basis! So, pour yourself a cup of coffee and follow along!

*Rusty followed me around with my cheap-ass digital camera all day


First order of business was setting some limits... NO SHOWER PICS!!! My public is not interested in seeing that sort of thing...


After showering, I love to just putz around the house, drinking my coffee and hoping I can manage to leave on time (never happens). For some unknown reason, I get up around 6:15 and it take me 2 hours to get ready. Most mornings there is a 20 - 30 minute walk with Rusty, followed by 1/2 hour or so of checking e-mail, drinking coffee, maybe journaling or reading a bit...so how come I always end up cramming fixingmyhairputtingonmakeupgatheringfoodforthedaymakingthebedandfixingcoffeefortheroad into the last 10 minutes??

Every so often I squeeze in some knitting related time. This morning I blocked the washcloths I made for a good friends birthday present.












Finally, I am out the door and on my way. (after saying bye to Rusty and asking him to
watch the house while I am gone). Doesn't
he just break your heart???








Yes, I do realize that the car needs a good vacuuming. I admit it - I am lazy.















The ride through the city is never boring.
We like it when the lights are green.
And you would not *believe* the scary people I see walking out of Mike's Pub & Grub at 8 or so o'clock in the morning.










Even with all the construction going on, it only takes me less than 10 minutes to get on the highway from my house.




















Some sights along the way, including a random pile of bricks:













Normally it is a good commute, and this morning was no exception.
E-Z Pass is one of those inventions you wish you had thought of and marketed. At first I missed my tokens and the great discount they afforded me...but now I have to say, it is worth paying the addition 6 cents a day to not have to stop, and to not have to open my windows when it is cold.

Let's listen to a few tunes while we get on the high way and cruise to Nashua...

Music listened to:
Working Class Hero - John Lennon
F-Me Pumps - Amy Winehouse Gold Dust Woman - Fleetwood Mac
Shadow on the Wall - Brandi Carlile
You Sent Me Flying - Amy Winehouse

nope,it's not a very long commute. plus, I probably checked the radio stations I have programmed a few times because for some reason that is what I have to do...

I think I am being followed!! (no, not really, but you have to admit it made this alot more interesting!!)





Rut-roh - this is the look I get on my face when another driver is being stupid. If you could read my mind, you would hear "what the f&$* was that?"




and then, before you know it, we are at my exit...






ready to start another day...here are some random pictures of work:


The office park we work in is pretty nice. Right
off the highway, which makes for a good commute. This is a shot of the back of the building. I started parking out back 2 summers ago after someone left their car running in the front parking lot. It started a fire and took out 4 other cars - had I been at work that day, my car would have been one of them. The downside to parking out back though is that the back door is where all the smokers congregate. Here is my favorite smoking ashtray...I hold my breath on the way in. Of course, if there is a group of smokers out there, they stand right on the path so you have to walk through their little cloud. Yuck.

This is the view approaching the lobby. It really is a nice building.











Here we are in the lab...to the left is the view from where I sit. I get to watch planes take off and helicopters buzz around since the airport is close by.





For lunch today I went out to the LYS to get a gift for Lora's birthday. I had a hard time parting with it, but after fondling it for a while made the right choice. I will go back and get another one for myself (like I need MORE sock yarn). I'll add a picture of it in later...

Went back to work - yes, I know, the afternoon is sadly lacking in pictures...Rusty had to have his afternoon nap. I don't remembering negotiating this when I hired him, but I guess you get what you pay for...

Wednesday nights are knittin' night at the Manchester Barnes and Noble. Jackie wanted to show me a book she recommended I read. The title of the book is "The Big Book of Breasts". I took a picture of it so I would remember which book it is when I have some extra cash....




After knittin' for a while, we moved over to Famous Dave's next door to celebrate Sarah and Lora's birthdays. It was kind of dark in there, but most of us are in the picture...




After Daves it was time to go home. Luckily I don't have far to drive...

When I got home I was pleased to see that the maid had stopped by and turned down the covers.

and now I am ready to slide into bed and call it a day!!!

Morning Thoughts

Nothing makes my day more than walking into work and being greeted by the aroma of smoldering cigarette butts...why is it that disgusting ashtrays are placed right outside doorways? And that people have to stand right there, in the doorway, on the path, smoking??

I should have a tape recorder in my car in the mornings. I have some great thoughts but by the time the day gets underway, I forgets. This morning I sent myself a text message as a reminder...yeah, geeky I know.

So this morning there was a Comcast van tailgating me ( love that so much) and when I was able to pull over and let him pass me, on the back of the truck was one of those "How's my driving? Call 1-800-etc-etc. and get me in trouble" messages. Which got me to wondering, do people ever call? Have YOU ever called? I did once. I don't remember what happened, it was a couple of years ago, and I am lucky if I can remember what I had for breakfast, never mind some random incident like that. So anyway, then I got to thinking, wouldn't it be HILARIOUS to put that message across the back of my car? I mean, it would totally crack me up if I saw that on someone's car...I guess you'd have to have been there (i.e., in my head and trust me, that would be a very SCARY experience).

Not a great knitting week - more like 2 rows knitted, 1 row ripped out. Hoping to get caught up this weekend. I haven't worked on my lace in over a month. I'll probably save it for vacation at this point.

My buddy Lincoln may be looking for a new home...if you haven't already seen it over on Lora's blog... Lincoln my friend, you are in SOOOOO much trouble!! I hope mom can find it in your heart to forgive you, but it's probably going to take some time. You need to be extra nice and extra good or they might send you back to my house!!

Well, that's about all that is happening here...I have to get back to work...I promise a good update really soon!! xo

Just Catching Up

It's knitting night with the Manchvegas Knitters...so why am I home updating my blog?? Well, I have felt like crap all week. So not like me. It started really on Saturday night. I have some sort of weird stomach thing (I'll spare you the details) that is going around and leaves me feeling nauseous much of the time. Oh, and tired. Oh, and then there were the 3 days when my ribs HURT - like all of them, all the way around my trunk and for no apparent reason. And then there was the headache and extreme exhaustion, in spite of getting more than enough sleep, on Monday. Got up at 6:30, walked the dogs, e-mailed work to say I was working from home, and promptly fell back asleep until 10:20!! SO not me! The good news is it is 10 and I am still awake, which has not been the case lately. It's kinda gotten me in a funk though because I don't feel like doing anything...

Anyway...I miss my knitters. Went over to B&N right after work and stayed til around 7:30, had to get home to the boys. Linc goes home this weekend...me sad...he is SUCH a great boy!! Lora, we are going to have to work out some visitation here...Rusty is going to be so lonely!! I am considering getting a kitten...Cindi's little sister's cat is expecting...but I'm just not sure I want to do the cat thing again. Mainly because my brother is soooooo allergic and would not be able to come visit, and then there is the litter box. It would have to be an indoor kitty. But I *know* that Rusty would just LOVE to have his own kitty...he adores kittys and when he meets up with them in our travels he just does not understand why they don't want to be friends. There are a couple of kitties in the neighborhood who have made friends with him, it just makes his day when "meow meow kitty" says hi. We shall see...

On the knitting front...OY! Well, the tiger socks are done, and if I do say so myself they came out great! I gave them to Wendy and she loves them! I picked up some Tofutsies at The Yarn Sellar on my way to Ogunquit Saturday (had a BLAST there) and have started a Jaywalker (photo above) for me! The baby sweater is coming along, but I haven't worked on the shawl for weeks. I guess I will get back to it on vacation in August (if that still happens, long story, stay tuned!)



Rusty is doing good - no more seizures. He had a hair cut recently.
Before and After:










I am looking forward to some more beach time soon...I am out of sorts, mainly because physically I am not feeling well, but also I am feeling irritated by things and need to take some time out. I realize that this is a familiar place I often get to and also have recently learned that it happens because I need more time to myself than I realize! Who knew?

So Gina...how's your luck these days??? ;-)

I adore Jonathan Papelbon. His focus just inspires me. The Sox were doing good for a while, but ended up losing. It's still good watching Jonathan close though. I strive to be that focused in my life...on anything, I'll settle for maintaining a focus on just one thing!!