Stupid socks!

I seem to hate knitting socks. Which is a problem, because I'm knitting this first pair out of old yarn, as I figured I'd save the two spanking brand new fancy stripey yarns for later, once I'd mastered the sock domain. But my wrists are killing me. I was not designed to knit this tiny-assed stuff. Now, I think that I am of at least average intelligence. I did survive a masters degree in electrical engineering and get into medical school, but apparently, understanding written instructions on heel-turning is beyond my meager intellect. Stupid socks.

Today -- neighbors, past posts, and research stinks

So the last 5 posts or so are random photos I needed to upload for some forum posts, but I'll try to add comments later so they have a little more purpose here.

Neighbors -- I freaking hate my upstairs neighbors. More and more each day. I mean, WTF? Don't they have work or school to go to, instead of playing that incessant loud music allllll the time? Wait, don't I have work or school to go to? Yes, but I hate it. At least they're not running around and making the plaster fall off of my ceiling like they have in the past.

Research -- I am not fond of my project. I don't see the point in walking all the way to that nasty little shared office, through the snow (and worse, slush), to use an inferior computer with inferior software. Of course, I might do some work there. History has shown I'm not too productive there either though.

Oh crap, I forgot to put the trash out and I hear the truck....

Behold, the first blog-evidence of my ever-growing plant addiction. This is the flower of a stapelia. Likely a stapelia variegata (arguably an orbea variegata, but let's not go there), to be specific. Too bad for you there's no smell-o-vision/smell-o-blogger, because it has the spectacular aroma of musty/moldy rotting meat. I can't remember if this was from late summer 2003 or 2004. If the former, it's extra-special, because that would be my very first stapelia flower all my own. Either way, it's still special, as I raised the plant from a tiny piece my mother gave me. Yes, I miss my mother, terribly. But anyone who knows me must be sick of me crying about her by now. Anywho, she gave me the piece in grad school, must've been 2000 or earlier, so it took a few years to raise the plant to flowering stage. I lost a bud first, as well.

Close-up of stapelia flower from late summer 2003 or 4

Octopus with a cleaning fixation?

Albuquerque Octopus Carwash!

This is the octopus on top of the Albuquerque Octopus Carwash. I used to be terrified of octopi as a child. But I'm developing a fondness for them. At least for giant fake ones hanging on top of a building in the middle of desert country, holding sponges and brushes and whatnot. And yes, I recognize that some may argue that "octopi" is not a word. I disagree, vehemently. Or at least argue that it should be. As should "walri" be a word. Really -- think about it, say this out loud to yourself: "Look at ALL those WALRI!" Doesn't that just feel far more satisfying thatn "look at all those walruses?"

Mom's yarn simple hat

So I'm finally learning how to post pictures....


My simple hat -- but special -- my first project to feature yarn from my late mother's stash. I just wish she could've seen me learn to knit!

Leafy-Green Sparkle Hat -- modified pattern from SNB 

Three hats inspired by SNB's Sparkle Hat