Itchy Stitchin’ Finger

I wanted to post here a long time ago, but I have found myself just coming up blank. This past week has totally fried my brain, and rubbed my nerves and emotions pretty raw.

The biggest issue and thing I am dealing with is serving on this jury. Those are very long and tiring days. Two of those days, I had to put in three hours at work after.  I am exhausted. This is my first day off.  The trial is not over yet. I have to show up at the courthouse at 1:30 tomorrow, for what we all hope is the last day.  When this is all over, and I finally get to talk about it I have a lot to say.

The last day I was downtown, I got one of those disposable cameras and took a bunch of around Austin pictures. Someday soon there will be a little photo essay type of thing.

I am still crocheting. Nothing to take a picture of yet, but I am hoping to finish my Longhorns skinny spirit scarf today.  And if I am lucky I will finish one of my two dolls.  I might try to make legwarmers later if I am jonesing for something new to make.  

Yesterday was the jury selection. I was there from 1:30-6.

And I got chosen.  I am a juror.  My job is a tad displeased.  I found out if there is still three hours left on the shift I was supposed to work, I have to go in after court.  It is going to be a very long week, and I started it off right by getting no sleep last night.

I love putting my iTunes on shuffle. Sometimes it is pretty standard, and then I get ten songs in a row like the list below.  This just runs up and down my musical taste spectrum. I love it.

 Marlene Dietrich’s  Favorite Poem -Peter Murphy

Breathe - Prodigy

Take,Take,Take -The White Stripes

American Car - Mike Doughty

Material Girl - KMFDM

Bat Country - Avenged Sevenfold

Once In A Lifetime - Wolfsheim

Andy You’re A Star - The Killers

Transformer - Gnarls Barkley

Girl Anachronism - The Dresden Dolls

(maybe I shouldn’t be allowed to post after a certain time, and two tumblers of iced coffee) 

There is nothing like a big stream of conscious, early morning, before coffee post to make up for lack of posting!

This past weekend was very fun. I had the Knit Out and Crochet in south Austin on Saturday, and then the Knitting/Crochet meetup on Sunday.  I am worried that on both occasions I made a total ass of myself. Especially on Sunday. My mouth got ahead of me, I was just so happy to have a group of people to hang out with. 

On Saturday I walked away with a pretty ball of yarn from Bluebonnet Yarn Shoppe. I have some knitting needles as well. Someone sat down and taught me how to knit. It went great, until I got home and forgot everything I was taught!  I might try again, but right now my mind is focused on getting some projects done.

The lapghan I am working on is now to my knees. That is progress!  I have started, frogged and restarted a scarf four times already.  I think this time around it is looking right. At least I hope so. It will be a Longhorns colored scarf when it is done.

I have the urge to start a scrapghan to use up my stash. (So I can buy more…mwuahahaha) I may end up starting that today, just to have more projects in the works. In case I get bored.

All of this crochet has really helped me deal with some stress lately. (money stress mostly) I am really glad I taught myself. People also seem to think it is cool that I have jumped whole hog into this hobby. (Secretly it is because they want stuff) 

I have a weekend off, you know like people do that have real 9-5 jobs. Thankfully I know what to do with myself, and of course it involves crochet.

Today is the 2006 Austin Knit Out and Crochet Too.  I will be hanging out with all kinds of fun yarny type people. I may even try my hand at knitting.  Yeah we will see how that goes.

Tomorrow is another knitting/crochet meetup.  I need to make some yarny friends before I drive the people I live with totally insane.  

I used to write, at least that is what I tell people now. I had lofty ambitions once. About being a writer. Not a published writer per se, but just one who tells stories with the written word. Someone who has finished stories. Stacks of poems, even a novel in the works. A person that would always carry a pen and paper because inspiration could strike at any moment.

 Am I out of ideas? Hardly. I could have that stack, I could have that novel in progress. I walk around with a circus of ideas.

You could call it writers block. It is the most severe I have ever had. I am trying really hard not to blame it on the Wellburtrin.  It is hard to describe it’s crippling nature. What’s worse is I cannot find an ounce of care or worry to try and fiz it. I know it’s there, I know it is a huge problem but I cannot find myself giving a damn to try and change it.

Can anyone spare a damn? 

Someone at work thought it would be a good idea to bring a coffee pot to work. It’s a slightly contraban situation. Technically we are supposed to have a mini fridge and microwave. Period. They talk about fire hazards, and how the break area is not a kitchen. They are telling this to people who spend 30 to 60 hours a week in this place.  This is where I just shake my head and move on.

Coffee. I love coffee. I used to drink too much. I was trying to get better. Now I can make it there. Although after tonight, I am not sure the girls will let me make the coffee. I make it strong.  They had to add water to it.  What can I say, I make Army coffee.

On the crochet front I have been busy. I made one scarf, that was too short, so I am going to add more too it, and then finish the fuzzy edging.

I made a half dozen bracelets. Someone posted a neat pattern on Crochetville. They work up really quick, and are very cute.  

Now I am just working on the lapghan I really need to finish, and a skinny scarf. (orange and black for Hallowe’en) I hope the scarf is done by Saturday so I can wear it to the Knit Out & Crochet Too.  

I made a killing at Hobby Lobby yesterday. (*kisses her 40% off coupon*)   I got two hooks, two balls of Sugar N’ Cream cotton yarn. (I love this stuff)  and a bag of poly fill, for $5.00! With hooks being half off, it was hard for me to buy just two.

Now my work in progress list has grown. I am still working on two scarves. One I am happy to say is a bit more than 3/4 of the way done.  The other one is waiting until I can get more wool.  I started making some ROAK gifts as well with my new cotton yarn.  I really want to get cracking on some granny squares as well.

I am checking out two Goodwill’s today, maybe three. Hopefully one of hem will have some yarn. I am hoping for even just a little, but part of me wants to find another bag full.  

Well it looks like my "Allergic To" list just jumped from one thing to two.  I always thought I was pretty lucky, not having too many things my body rejected. Of course the first time I realized I was allergic to something was kind of scary.  Apparently Foster’s beer makes me break out in hives. I have never had hives in my life.  Ear infections, strep throat, even Whooping Cough, but never hives.  So of course it was slightly traumatic.

Added to that list is John Friedman’s Brillant Brunette shampoo.  I used it on good advice from a friend. The first time I washed my hair with it I was overjoyed at how nice it looked!  I was happy with my own hair color and did not feel the need to dye anymore!  The price tag was a bit steep,  but for this kind of happiness I was willing to pay five dollars.  Two days later I find a little sore on my scalp. I think no big thing and move on.  After this last hair washing I noticed another one and he brought friends.  It hurts to brush my hair on that one side now.   So, I am done with this shampoo, and back to my mousy brown head.

I have never heard of anyone being allergic to shampoo!