afghans! get your afghans!

Today's soundtrack:
Morning Coffee SkipMix

Here it is! The finally-finished afghan. It will soon be followed by the finally-revised Thesis.

Even though my house is basically a glorified sauna, I just cannot get warm. This probably means I'm getting sick, which I am happy about. If I luck out, I'll get the Norwalk virus. After pooping and puking for a week, there'll be no need to diet! Sadly, the more likely cause of my shivering is post traumatic stress that developed after reading the email alert from campus warning that there was another blizzard on its way to Saskatoon. Well, that's it! Me and my afghans are hibernatrixing until spring (insert inappropriate Taliban joke here).

it's funny 'cause it's true

Today's soundtrack:
Requiem in D- by Mozart

I don't think this needs any explanation, although I should probably reassure the Family (like the Mafia, but more intimidating) that I am thisclose to finishing the revisions.

lady knitterton rides again

Today's soundtrack:
Essential Bob Dylan by Bob Dylan

I finished the baby blanket. Of course, I tested it out on Alex (aka the Teddy Bear). He seemed to be very warm and cozy, so I guess it'll do the trick. The sweater on Alex is my aunt's creation (there is a knitting gene, it seems). I realised halfway through that the pattern is the exact same as Nana's dishcloth pattern, so essentially, all I've made is a giant baby dishcloth. More importantly, I've figured out how to use circular needles, which makes me feel like quite the knitting aficionado. All I need now is a houseful of cats.

Also making it a habit to pick out knitting jokes in movies. For example, in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Fred.. or possibly George.. tells the other students to "go back to your knitting". I giggled.

Hmm, just read that bit over again. Should I be concerned that I'm now giggling at knitting jokes in Harry Potter movies? I blame this temporary lapse in sanity on the Spaniard. If he doesn't get back soon, I'm going to knit myself a straitjacket. Like the wise man said, "No beer and no TV make Homer go something".

Oh well that last sentence made no sense whatsoever. Sigh.

it's a procrastination conspiracy

Today's soundtrack:
So Jealous by Tegan & Sara

Because Lady D is a vile and dusty strumpet, and because I have nothing better to do (re: would rather clean toilet than look at the Thesis tonight), I give you this alphabetical romp into my life. Enjoy.

A - Available or Taken: Taken, but he is MIA in Japan...

B - Best Friend: Miguel, Laura, Daniela.

C - Cake or Pie: Cake, unless the pie in question is pumpkin, in which case anything goes.

D - Drink of Choice: A pint of Keith's, or a glass of red wine.

E - Essential item you use everyday: Toilet paper. Oh, like you don't.

F - Favorite Color: My inner-Trudeauite wants to scream red, but I think I'm going through a blue period.

G - Gummy Bears or Worms: Neither, I go for the chocolate.

H - Hometown: Which one? The town I spent the most time in or the town I was a little kid in? You know what, I'll save us some time and just say that I'm an Island Girl.

I - Indulgence: And that would be the chocolate. And pillows.

J - January or February: February because the mini-eggs for Easter are out. I have my priorities.

K - Kids & ages: One, the Thesis. It's turning 2 soon.

L - Life is incomplete without: A good book. And sex. And chocolate. Not necessarily in that order.

M - Marriage Date or Most Memorable Date (and why): January 6, 2005. He thinks I don't remember, but I do. I just frequently forget.

N - Number of Siblings: One sister.

O - Oranges or Apples: Apples. Oranges are just a poor excuse for fruit. Scurvy be damned!

P - Phobias or Fears: Heights. Made hiking Cinque Terre all kinds of fun.

Q - Fave Quote: "Oh Lord, help me to be pure, but not yet." - Saint Augustine.

R - Reason to Smile: The thought of almost being rid of the Thesis.

S - Season: Summer. There's nothing like the lazy, hammock-filled days of summer in Saskatoon, or the lazy, deck-slug days of summer at Sproat Lake.

T - Truth or Dare: Truth. I'm completely terrified of having to run around the outside of the house in my underwear (N.B. The last time I played 'Truth or Dare', I was 10).

U - Unknown fact about me: Sometimes I pray the Rosary.

V - Vegetable you don't like: I'm pretty open about vegetables, but don't get me started on fruits.

W - Worst Habit: Biting my nails. When I'm nervous or anxious, they're the first to go.

X - X-rays: As in vision? No thanks, I'd prefer invisibility. Way more fun.

Y - Your Fave Food: Chocolate. And you thought I was going to say Kraft Dinner...

Z - Zodiac Sign: Taurus, which is basically an accurate description of me, save for my ditsy-ness, but that can be explained by the fact that Aquarius is my rising sign. I like my house to be a home, but I can never find anything I'm looking for. So it's well-decorated, but poorly-organised. Huh, a metaphor for my life.

So all that's left to do is to inflict this evil device of procrastionation on someone else. And who likes to procrastination more than Eolan. Now you have to update. Mwahaha.

hippos are better than groundhogs

Today's soundtrack:
Good News For People Who Love Bad News by Modest Mouse

Saw this on El País today. It made me smile, although not for the obvious reasons. Sure, Friday seems like reason enough to celebrate, but the presense of the butterfly and today's -11ºC winter heat wave (Saskatchistan-style) have given me hope that spring isn't too much farther away.

a gay cuban revolutionary vs. the never-ending afghan

Today's soundtrack:
Picaresque by the Decemberists

I sat down with my knitting tonight just as the news came on. I managed to avoid dropping stitches while Colbert gave a wag of his finger to the Aussie PM (although I did let out a very unEdwardian guffaw), but had to abandon the ongoing afghan project as soon as Fresa y Chocolate came on the CBC. Yes, this movie was amazing enough to make me drop my knitting. And it wasn't just because I needed to read the subtitles from time to time (the nerve of these Cubans not to speak with the th-ths of Spain) - the movie is just that good. Fresa y Chocolate has communism, politics, music, really beautiful men, homosexuality, oppression, and even that eternal debate art vs. propaganda (I believe the score is Plato 0, Aristotle 1). Although there wasn't nearly enough sex to live up to my stereotype of Spanish-language films (honestly, can you really blame me?), which may have been due to the fact that it was editted for the CBC, the relationship between the two male leads was convincing. I was shocked to find out that the powers that be in the Cuban government allowed this film to be made in Havana, but it all made sense was I learned that the director, Tomás Gutiérrez Alea, is something of a national cinematic icon. It was something along the lines of a Cuban The Boys in the Band mixed with more politically-focused Prick Up Your Ears. If you liked those two, you'll like Fresa y Chocolate. And if you haven't seen any of them, rent them all, watch them with your most homophobic friends, then have a round-table discussion on gay rights. You know, a typical Friday night.

Also, I came across this book of Harry Potter knitting patterns and thought of Nacho, although he has already made the scarf...

corporeally-challenged telephonic harrassment

Today's soundtrack:
The Crane Wife by The Decemberists

Dear Miss Austen,

Was thrilled to receive your message this evening. I would have picked up the phone, but it was during Kate's Special Alone Time (every Tuesday at 8pm on Global. Google it, if you have to. It starts with H and ends with -ouse is a very sexy drug-addicted cripple). Naturally, I am quite keen to phone you back and discuss Marianne's recovery (does she really become a modest woman?), but you neglected to leave any contact information. As you are already well-versed with the 20th-century invention of the telephone, I have no doubt that a well-turned Regency-era writer such as yourself will also be comfortable with the series of interconnected tubes called the Internets.

Yours, etc.

Lady Kate.

there are rules

Today's soundtrack:
"Rhapsody in Blue" by George Gershwin

Apparently, there are people out there who aren't in grad school. I know! I was shocked to discover this too! What's worse is that these people don't know about grad student etiquette. Allow me to illustrate:


Of course, once the said grad student has completed his/her work, it is appropriate... nay, expected... that you will inquire after his/her thesis. This will give the poor grad student a few moments of joy as he/she explains how he/she has successfully linked disability to the courtship narratives of Jane Austen (for instance). Keep in mind that all joy will be snatched away the moment he/she meets with his/her supervisor to discuss the final draft. After this, you are once again forbidden from inquiring after the Thesis until the aforementioned grad student has done the Kraft Dinner Happy Dance of Potential Freedom™ (N.B. This dance should not be confused with the Haliburton Iraqi Happy Dance of Potential Freedom™, although "Mission Accomplished" banners may be present at both).

If there are any further questions, you can find me on the "Undergrads have Cooties" forum on Facebook.

better late than never

Today's soundtrack:
General Hospital

Here it is, folks. Actual proof that I finished the Thesis.

Feel free to send the congratulatory Kraft Dinner now.