HaNdKrAfT

One skein of Koigu

  I finished this neat headband out of Koigu last night: I used the Simple Knits Zigzag Headband pattern that I purchased from Knit-Purl in Portland, OR.  This is my first finished object in I don't know how long.  I don't know what the problem is, or why I don't seem to be able to finish anything, but it seems like the knitting mojo has returned.  I think the thing for me to do for a while is to concentrate on one project at a time, and finish them.  At least this way I will get the feeling of accomplishment. 

So the real question now is how much stuff can I make from one ball of Koigu?  The headband only used a small portion of the ball, and I have at least 80 yards left.  What should I knit out of the rest? An I-pod sock? a treasure bag? a bracelet? I am curious to see what I can get out of one ball.

Up Next: the yarn treasures that I brought back from my vacation. 

exhausted.

So I just came back from a week long vacation to the Pacific Northwest.  I had a fantastic time staying with my friends Kim and Issac and their menagerie (3 cats, 1 dog, and Jim, who works with Kim, and loves Ali Baba's).  This trip was a combination vacation/job interview trip for me.  I had four interviews while I was up there, two in Seattle, and two in Portland, Or.

I went while the weather was not so great, so I could see what it was like, and if I could see myself moving there.  I didn't mind it being overcast and rainy.  One of the things that Kim, Issac and I did was to drive up to Port Townsend, WA, which is this quaint Victorian maritime village.  Here is me on the Ferry from Seattle to Bainbridge Island:   

I had a great time, and I needed the break.  The week that I spent there did not seem like enough time to relay explore the city and everything going on in it.  I did do one touristy thing, which was go to Pike's Place Market, and see the original Starbucks.

I found it interesting that most Seattleites don't go to Starbucks.  There is literally a coffee shop on every corner.  Tully's is a big chain, and Seattle's Best has a few stores, but there are lots of indie shops there that seem to be thriving.

I was fortunate enough to see the Cherry Blossoms in bloom when I was there, and with my new camera, I got a few fabulous pictures of them. My friend Kim, is the manager of a Camera store, and she has helped me get a fabulous new camera, and taught me how to use some of its better features.  8 mega pixels!  I have more to post about, so check back tomorrow!

Agita

agita [aj-i-tuh]: 1. heartburn, indigestion; 2. agitation, anxiety.

I am supposed to go on leave day after tomorrow.  no one can find my leave request.  I have four job interviews that I am not prepared for yet.  I have to turn down another job offer because it is too low (and I have the impression that the firm would work me like a dog).  I am not packed, and I am about 5 lbs to heavy for my work clothes. 

All of this, including my job has me in ahigh state of anxiety (which I am sure will pass once I am on my way) I will have a day and a half in Seattle before i go to Oregon, and then will be there for a bout 24 hours.  I have to make my decision about where I want to live out there in such a short amount of time, but I know that I will be seeing the area at its worst, so I can make an good evaluation then.

The nice thing is that I am getting to go explore Seattle and its area to see if I really want to live there - same thing about Oregon. I have today to get further on my job interview prep, and to figure out where I want to go (shopping!)  I am already planning to go to the Aquarium and take a tour around Seattle.  i am hoping to get a chance to go to Mutnomah falls in Oregon while I am out there.  We will see what happens though.

I will keep you posted!