see, not dead

Yeah, haven't posted. Went thru a head cold and then a chest cold, Thanksgiving, and now gearing up for Christmas.

You gotta see this, tho:



Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince is out on DVD/Blu-Ray on TUESDAY! Want.

Cheers!

yes, still alive, i am

This was kinda cool....my Twitter cloud! Click it to see it full sized.



Stuff to talk about, news, yarn, news, did I mention news? More soon.

play like a cardinal

I'm going to bed. Really. I just had to share this:



By the way....postseason? Watch out. St. Louis Cardinals, 2009 National League Central Division winners are coming your way!

Cheers!!

SNP '09, #stlcards style

Where I was tonight:

(Edit: They removed the video.  Meh. I was at the Stitch 'N Pitch at Busch Stadium, and there was a news video from Channel 5 in this space.)

KSDK ftw!

The Cards won, 11-6.

Sorry, I haven't posted lately. I have some very sad news, and I'm trying to really sit down and write about it, but I'm having a hard time. Bear with me.

Hi all! No, I haven't fallen off the face of the planet. Really. I do have a ton of yarn to review and post and some adventures to share, but I just wanted to let you know I'm still kicking.

Had some computer issues (and phone issues) - Alice, the Mamabear lappy, managed to corrupt itself last night, and I had to do a lot of contortions to get Vista re-loaded to the computer. Damn hidden recovery partitions!! Now I have to re-install all my programs. *wails* Open Office, here I come. The G1 ALSO had to be hard reset last night due to an issue with the accellerometer - and wouldn't you know, I forgot my GMail password for the darn phone? I had to create a new stinking e-mail and everything before I could get into the phone itself. Not a happy camper was I for 7 hours last night.

This'll cheer you up:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/cricket/8216899.stm


It's Tom and Dan at one of the cricket matches during the Ashes series between the UK and Oz:

Harry Potter stars Daniel Radcliffe and Tom Felton join Jonathan Agnew for A View From The Boundary, encountering an angry Geoffrey Boycott as they enter the commentary box.

It's funny. :)

Cards are in first *dances* by 10.5 games, I think. I don't remember if the Cubbies are playing this afternoon or not, but we're getting ready to beat up on....*goes to look*.... Pittsburgh. I don't think we should have any problems with them, as they're 24.5 back *cough* but you never know. I'm going to the Stitch 'N Pitch on Sept 14th at Busch - we're playing the Marlins, who are 70-64 right now. Gonna beat up some Pirates this weekend!!

I have yarn from DBNY, CTH, Dyeabolical, My Sister's Yarn, and HL, I think, to review. My house is a disaster area, I'm planning on having guests in October (yes, the cleaning starts this weekend, as it's driving me to drink), and I am looking at new living room furniture. I'm sure NE!Sue will be happy with that.

More on yarn, Chicago (MSI FTW), rude teenagers, dogs, and college football later.

Go Mizzou! Beat the Illini!!

Cheers!

idle chatter

Miss me? Awww!

I know this was from a few days (weeks?) ago, during the media blitz before HBP came out, but it's funny! It's in 2 parts, and Yes, it's Dan. ;P Ah, July 9th. Just over three weeks ago.





Sorry, I think the sound is all left channel, but I can't help that.

Still haven't taken pics of the yarn yet - and I'm buying a kettle-dyed lot from Rachel @ Dyeabolical today. She went and dyed it, and then had a severe allergic reaction to it! She posted about it late last night, and I'm relieving her of half of what she dyed this evening. I'll take a pic of that as well. *hugs to Rachel*

I'm almost to the center point of the Ravenclaw shrug, and need to get one more ball of the grey yarn. Meh. I hope they have the same dye lot. In the meantime, I've started yet another sock: it's called Outside In and it's available on Knitty.com in the Summer 2009 set. I'm using the Premier Yarns "Serenity Sock Weight" in Aquamarine for the socks - I've already ripped back and restarted with a larger needle (a US2 instead of a US1) and I think they'll fit better. Me and my big feet!

I'm going to see HBP in IMAX tomorrow - the first 15 minutes are in 3D, so the joke has been that I have a date with Harry in 3D. LOL!

I'm still planning on reading the fic that Ryan wants to podcast, but the Peons have run into a little trouble - it appears that we're going to have to re-record several eps, as one of the guest hosts had a HDD crash and lost all her files. Before she uploaded them. Grrrrrr. We're going to have a meeting tonight to discuss it.

The Cards are in first place (w00t!!) and the new acquisitions (Holliday and Lugo) have been productive! According to...I don't remember, one of the sportswriters off my Twitter list, I think....if the Cards are in first on the morning of 8/1, they have won the division. If they are not in first, they have not won the division. That goes back to the beginning of the franchise, I believe. We're in first today. The trend will continue!!

That's all from me right now. Cheers!

sooo jealous of nyc

I wish wish wish I'd been able to go to this....it sounds amazing, and there was even a Charm City Cakes cake!

Harry Potter Magically Conjures....

I even know where this was...when D and I went to NYC last October, we couldn't get into the American wing of the AMNH due to the fact that they were setting up for a banquet. I think I got a shot of the life-sized model of the blue whale that was suspended from the ceiling!

Enjoy the article. Cheers!

ultimate hp timeline

I just ran across this on my local newspaper's website, and thought it was pretty cool!

The Ultimate Harry Potter Timeline STLtoday

Kirstie Alley is running an Aquathon on Twitter right now - proceeds go to PlayPumps for fresh water wells in Africa. You can see what's going on at the Aquathon2009 site. Go donate!

Cheers! (no pun intended...)

rupert on yahoo

Masterofmystery over on LJ tweeted about this vid:

Rupert Grint on Swine Flu, Kissing a Castmate @ Yahoo! Video

Ryan is giving me trouble about 'how many days till DH1?' *rolls eyes*

Happy Birthday to Dan Radcliffe....yesterday was his 20th, and yesterday was two years since I saw OotP and the day that started The Jumper That Ate My Brain, and indirectly, this blog! Who needs Kevin Bacon for six degrees of seperation. Ha!

I do have yarn to review (I think I mentioned it last time) and I'll get there soonish. Ryan wants me to read Harry Potter and the Psychic Serpent which is oh, 435K words. By next week. So I can podcast. I'm going to kill him.

Cheers!

having way too much fun with this

Yes, another video. ;)



Lust object? Giggles? Who knew?? *g*

Cheers!

more hp schtuff

A couple of Harry Potter-related articles from the Kansas City Star, 10 questions for Dan Radcliffe from TIME, and a video from the BBC! w00t!

First, the vid:



TIME Magazine asks the questions: (link to video page)

10 Questions for Daniel Radcliffe

Article #1:

Harry Potter is meant for marathons - Kansas City Star

Shared via AddThis


And article #2:

Growing up Potter: The stars look back on their childhood at Hogwarts - Kansas City Star

Shared via AddThis

Still giddy - everyone was ribbing me at work about the grin on my face when they asked me how the movie was! PFW did a bit of a commentary tonight about it...8 people on the phone all at once was mayhem!

I'll say it again. Go see it if you haven't. Really.

I got some yarn in today that I'd ordered from DBNY - one of the hanks is a reddish solid (gingersnap) and the other one is an exclusive colorway that I wasn't sure I was going to like, but looks scarily like a Ron colorway. More than I thought it was going to. I'll be taking pics of them both soonish.

Cheers!!!!

rotten tomatoes article

I'm planning on writing up a review, my thoughts, etc about this movie (yes, I've already seen it twice, and it'd been out for less than 18 hours) but I wanted to share this article about Dan (yes, again).

ROTTEN TOMATOES: RT Interview: Daniel Radcliffe on Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

Shared via AddThis

There was another article entitled "Harry Potter Makes a Magical $22.2M Entrance" but the link takes one to a comments-only page. Yes, it set a new record for midnight openings.....and without the IMAX factor, as well!! The Transformers movie has exclusive rights to the IMAX until the 29th.

This has been a so-much-fun two days - I can't tell you how much I enjoyed this movie and all the stuff that went on online leading up to it, and this isn't even red carpet! I know that Robert (of SpellCast) and company got to do LA Red Carpet a few years ago, and I wish I could do something like that, but oh, this was great!

don't want to blink now

Yet another video. They're in the middle of the media blitz, so there may be more posted. I'm trying to concentrate on the Home Run Derby tonight, but I get distracted by HP tweets!


Watch CBS Videos Online

This one's from The Early Show on CBS. Spoiler alert! hahhhhaaaa!

One of my forum-mates got to see the movie about 12 hours ago in Adelaide, and now can't talk to anyone about it because we all haven't seen it yet. I'm not sure if she's exploded yet. ;)

Off to find food and get ready for the Derby.

Cheers!

ps: 1 day, 5 hours, 43 minutes. w00t!!!!!

time out article

Interesting article.

3 days, 5 hours to go!!!!!!!!!!

Daniel Radcliffe interview - Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince - Film - Time Out Sydney

Shared via AddThis

some articles leading up to hbp

I ran across some interesting articles - yeah, they're about Dan - and thought I'd share.

'Harry Potter' countdown: Dan Radcliffe talks about life at Hogwarts and beyond

Craig McLean meets Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe

I really liked the second one - he's got an idea of what he really wants, and I'm looking forward to seeing how it all pans out.

We have 8 days, 1 hour and 36 minutes, and I have my ticket. Come on, July 14th!

Cheers!

yet another hbp clip

This one was put up a couple of days (2?) ago, and made me squee! Okay, so all of them are making me squee. Gimme a break.

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince Exclusive Clip


I'm working on a new project - a shrug based on the Caron Simply Shadows Shrug. It will be dark oxford grey mix with new denim stripes above the wrists and in the opening ribbing. The stripes are fairly subtle, but they show off my Ravenclaw house colors! I'm making it out of Patons Classic Wool. I'll post some pics of it as I go along!

Tomorrow night I'm going to get my copy of Harry, A History signed by Melissa Anelli! Apparently they are coming to St. Louis instead of Kansas City for the PC/Wrock tour, so they'll have a booksigning, a PotterCast show recording, and The Remus Lupins and Whompy! St. Louis County Library Headquarters at 6, people! Come see them, and say hi.

I found out that the closest theatre is going to have HBP for the midnight show, and I'll be getting my ticket for that on Sunday. w00t! 11 days, 23 hours and 25 minutes.

Watching the replay of the game today (we won) - we're tied for first with the Brewers, and Albert rocks. First player in history to get 30 homers in each of his first nine (!!) seasons. Awesome.

Off to sleep soon - working both Friday and Saturday. Yay for holiday pay!

Cheers!

bts and countdown

This was on one of my comms on LJ, and I found the need to share:

ETA: Or I would if I could link to it from Photobucket. Fail.

I also came across this article: Mr. Potter, Meet Mr. Oscar?

Yahoo! Movies had this behind-the-scenes thing:



Not that I'm, you know, hyperventilating or anything.

Not that we have 18 days and 1 minute to Half-Blood Prince.

*waits*

Okay, who the heck am I fooling. Squeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

finally! yarn, baseball, and the countdown

I'm watching the baseball game - I think the guys have come back from where ever they were, as it's 11-1 mid 7th, we're up on Detroit! w00t!

We have 28 day, 2 hours, and 35 minutes to HBP. 4 weeks. Double w00t!!

I have yarn! *cue gasps* Yes, I actually took pictures of them, too.

The haul over the last 6 weeks:

• 1 100g ball Yarn Bee "Walk Away Sock Yarn" (70% superwash wool, 23% polyamide, 7% PBT) in colorway Pettitoes (black, charcoal, steel grey, light grey)
• 1 100g hank FireLizard Studios "Joy" (80% superwash merino, 20% nylon) in colorway Stargazing (deep gold, navy, indigo, amethyst, rust) #2
• 1 100g hank FireLizard Studios "Joy" (80% superwash merino, 20% nylon) in colorway Love (deep gold, rust, burgundy, amethyst, brick red) #2
• 2 50g balls Premier Yarns "Serenity Sock Weight" (50% superwash merino, 25% bamboo, 25% nylon) in colorway Aquamarine (indigo blue, sky blue, fern green, olive, leaf green, white)
• 1 4oz ball Baby Bee "Sweet Delight Pomp" (54% acrylic, 36% polyamide, 10% rayon) in colorway Crayons (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, teal, amethyst)
• 1 4oz hank Dragonfly Fibers "Sea Sock" (70% superwash merino, 30% sea cell) in colorway Flaming Lips (lipstick red, hot pink, medium red)
• 1 100g hank Dyeabolical "Sporty! Sport Weight" (100% superwash merino) in colorway Firefly (black, bright red, orange, sunshine yellow)

Phew.

Another chapter of After the End is up on the RSS feed, for those of you who are listening to it. Make sure you 'restore all items', as one part of Chapter 27 was backdated.

That's all I'm gonna post about right now - been feeling rather ill all day, and need to do some stuff over on PFW. Oh! I've been installed as Head of Ravenclaw House over on the PFW forum! I'm a tad surprised and very flattered by the appointment. :)

Cheers!

just so you know the time...

There are 31 days, 3 hours, and 15 minutes till this:



Not like I'm counting, or anything.....!

sorry, long time to post

Hi everyone! I'm still with you all, I've just been busy and/or not motivated to post. Sorry about that.

I just ran across this article about a town hall meeting today:

I have an excuse, I swear

And the note?

I love it!

We have just over 33 days until HBP open in theatres - *flails* - and I haven't been able to find out about the midnight show yet. NOTE TO SELF! Stop by the Regal @ The Mills on Monday. Some manager has to know if they will have the midnight show.

I've been totally sucked into Twitter, and am following such HP-related peeps such as DR (and his official site), Bonnie, Tom, Matt (and his buddy Chris 'Cuzzy'), as well as a whole range of other people - Cards fans, Mythbuster peeps (Grant and Adam), NPR feeds, wizard rockers, PFW, PotterCast, and SpellCast people, and so on. It's a lot of fun!!! Very addictive, as Kirstie Alley has discovered. She's extremely chatty, and has a mouth on her. Oi!

I have yarn from all over the place to review (it's sitting here in a pile, I swear), but I haven't had time to shoot it yet. Now that my head is on a little better, I may do that in the next day or so. Maybe Saturday evening. We'll see.

Okay, that's all for me for now.

Cheers!!

sts-125 on the ground

I had the launch last week, so here's the landing. Welcome back, folks! Great job! :)



Cards are playing the Royals, trying for the sweeeeeeeep. The guys have won 5 in a row, and right now we're in the 4th, KC leads 1-0. Tomorrow, Milwaukee! Root for the Twins (!!) today so we can go to MIL with soul possession of first, k?

51 days. *sigh*

hbp featurette

Yeah, I think this is yesterday's news, but omg.



I didn't want to blink.

54 days. July 15th can't get here soon enough.

yarrrrrn sale

Rachel of Dyeabolical is having a moving sale! Yay! It's only until tomorrow! Boo!

You can check out her Etsy store for sale info - I've bought from her before, and I love her yarns. Go buy!! She'll be in 'vacation' mode right after the sale so don't wait.

Off to get ready for work...

Cheers!

star trek ftw, omg

First, the shuttle launch, if you missed it (170K+ online streamed it! w00t!)



First time I've seen a launch in a while. Was nice!!

PK and I went to see Star Trek this afternoon. OMG, OMG. It was amazing! I'm not going to spoil you, but it's a must see. Abrams did an outstanding job. It is already on my "I so totally need to own this" list. I teared up when they played the original theme over the end credits! Oh!! *pats heart* I think Matt Lewis is planning on uniting Trek fans to take over the world - although, I thought we already did that...?

I only have one thing to say as an observation. You'll see something that will remind you of an event in ST:TVH. Just think 'transparent aluminum'. You'll understand. ;)

One movie I wanted to see down. One to go....in 64 days. w00t!

Must actually go get ready for Peoncast. I'm feeling the downhill slope though...been awake for 34 hours now. No sleep last night. I felt fine until just about 30 minutes ago, but I'm fading rapidly and there's no baseball tonight to help me stay awake. Ack.

Cheers!

the greatest play in baseball

One of the STL twitters posted this video this morning, and I thought I'd share it with y'all.



The shuttle is supposed to take off for the final Hubble Servicing mission in about 6 hours or so... gonna watch? NASA TV

Cheers!

interesting shuttle article

Watching the baseball game (meh. C'mon, TLR, Lohse is done), tweeting here and there, and ran across an interesting article about the upcoming Hubble repair mission:

NASA set for dramatic shuttle rescue

Also, thanks to Ms. Alley, I am now craving Cheerios peanut butter bars. Sigh.

I need a nap.

new tv spot for hbp

Been a few days....

First up, new TV spot for HBP! It makes it look like a teen movie! Ack. LOL!



66 days to go. Sigh.

We may go see Star Trek tonight - it depends on PK. Actually, I may go see it by myself, as sometimes it's hard to pry her out of the house. And I thought I was bad. Biggest issue is that Faire starts next week. I have no idea if I'm working (probably not as it looks) but we'll see.

Rick Ankiel went onto the DL this week - I'm thinking it was retroactive to the 5th of May - due to the crash on Tuesday. Nothing broken, thank god, but he's got a deep 'contusion' on his right shoulder and a case of whiplash. I'm sure he's pretty body sore! I'm just really glad he's okay. He even thought that he'd broken his neck. Phew.

We're still in first in the Central, but we need to exact some revenge on the Reds today. I also want to know what the heck is going on with other teams plunking our players!! We apparently lead the NL in the hit-by-pitch (HBP? hehehe) category with 17 - 5 times in the 2 games we played the Phillies, and twice in the second Pirates game. Seven times in four games. What's up with that?? It's not like they're standing over the plate - these are usually after 3-4 pitches into the count. Weird.

I have yarn to review at some point (I sound like a broken record) and I've started the "Charade" socks again, this time cuff-down, two at a time on magic loop. I need a longer needle, as the 32" is starting to drive me bonkers. I think I need a 40" or so. The shop that I'd go to on the way home from work on Saturday has closed its doors now, I think (Chris' Craft on Olive, very sad) so I'll have to wait till Monday or call Thi and see if she has any long US1s in stock. Haven't been there in a while!

Did I mention that the Canucks swept the Blues right out of the playoffs? I didn't think so. Ang was a happy bunny *rolls eyes* but she's been tearing at her hair over round two. Payback is hell, yeah?

Discovered Kirstie Alley and Melissa Gilbert on Twitter - Kristie is totally addicted and posts several HUNDRED times a day. I knew she was awake this morning when my Chirpr (which was fairly quiet up till then) started tweeting at me every thirty seconds or so. She's yakky! Yesterday was Melissa's birthday, so she wasn't online, but apparently she's pretty yakky too. I remember talking to her (a lot!) in the old AOL Eclipse Cafe. She was a self-proclaimed chat addict, and I think she's going to be just as 'bad' on Twitter. LOL!

Back to work. Cheers!

sending good thoughts

I was flipping back to the game tonight (two shows recording, one had just finished), and everyone in the stands were on their feet and QUIET. This is never a good thing. Next thing I see is players and coaches huddled around the wall in the outfield with THE CART. At first I thought someone had fallen OVER the wall, but it turns out that Rick Ankiel had gone for a ball (caught it) and then careened face-first into the wall.

STL Cardinals.com article and video

There was an update about 45 minutes ago - from Twitter:

stl_cardinalsRT @dgoold Scans showed no fractures in his head, neck or back. He is staying at the hospital overnight for observation.

Let's hope he's okay. We lost the game, but I really don't think anyone cared at that point.

Night all.

caution: sunglasses needed

I don't follow golf. Really. Having said that, I had to laugh at this:

John Daly's horrifying new golf pants are visible from orbit

*dies*

On another note, Teh Prez was in town this morning marking his 100th day in office. I missed his motorcade going by, but I understand that they closed the highway for a mile ahead and behind it, and blocked all the overpasses. I'm wondering if they didn't go through downtown on the way back, since I think they left Fox about 12:30 and we didn't see them come back by. Ah well.

I do actually have a little bit of yarn to review - that'll be some time in the next little while. I started a pair of "Charade" socks, and after finishing the heel flap and turn (which I had to frog twice!?!) I ripped it all out and decided to use the same number of stitches (increased to 72 from 64) and a smaller needle. I'm also going to see if I can't do these two at a time with the magic loop technique. I just didn't like how the yarn looked - it's Paton's Stretch Socks in Taffy, and it was just too loose of a stitch, especially with the stretch in it.

The Trio were spotted in Piccadilly last week, filming the Apparation from the wedding, and part of the 'cafe attack'. They've moved it from Tottenham Court Road to Piccadilly, apparently because Piccadilly is more recognizable. There are a metric ton of paparazzi pictures from the sequence - they were there at least two nights, filming in the middle of the night with lots of extras and everything else. the pictures have already been picked apart for details! Hermione's 'beaded bag' looks like a pouch bag, in maybe dark green. I liked her red dress and shoes, though! There were also shots of Dan and Emma and a tent from the weekend before in Scotland. No Rupert, so I'm guessing it's the scene after he leaves. The tent looks like the one they used in GoF!

I'm having way too much fun with Twitter. Even got Mom on it, but I'm guessing she hasn't even looked at it since last week. It's amusing watching Brent Spiner's 'run from the law' and Matt Lewis' pining over missing Rachel (his new car). ;)

Cards lead in the Central by 2.5; still early early, though. Rubber game with the Braves tonight!

Okay, back to work for me. Cheers!

fanfic rec - go read

Yeah, this is gonna be a short post....

Just finished reading Away From The Sun by cibjasfad, aka hgfan1111, aka Andi. I've talked about this a little before, and she posted the epilogue and the "incredibly long author's note" on her LiveJournal tonight. It's still in the process of being posted at SIYE and SimplyUndeniable, but is complete on LiveJournal.

This is a really good story. I cried, I laughed, I read with my hands over my face, I cheered.

I've also nommed it for review on PFW, and I hope we can get it there. Wow.

Go read it. I'm not kidding. Don't be dissuaded by the character death. Trust me.

Cheers!!

omg final full trailer

I am so freaking excited about this movie. I have been in a state of squee all afternoon - and it's now UP for viewing!



*dances around the room* Did you see the Unicorn in Captivity tapestry in front of Ginny when they were holding hands??!!?? w00t!!!!

You can also download various sized versions at Leaky here, and we've discovered that you can do frame-by-frame on Quicktime by using the arrow keys! Raesive and I spend over 30 minutes going thru each frame...and the trailer is only 2:20 long! Was WAY FUN!! In fact, we're STILL picking it to pieces...and Rae has figured out that the guy that Greyback has in his clutches in Diagon Alley is Ollivander! Holy crap!!

PotterCast did a special - or tried to do a special - recording, but Rae said that there were 300+ people in the ustream chat. I'm sure that THAT was an adventure!

Go....look......don't forget to breathe....

Cheers!!

oshie for mayor and other chuckles

Okay, in a bit of a better mood than I was two days ago. I'm still miffed at Warner Bros for jerking us around, but I'll get over it.

The Blues lost the first game of a best-of-seven to Vancouver last night *eyes Ang* but they played a good game. They really poured it on in that last minute! Go Blues!!!

On a Blues-related note, someone apparently broke state law by writing in T. J. Oshie for mayor and then taking a picture of the ballot. *rolls eyes at Missouri* Give me a break. I think it's very funny that he was a write-in, considering he's 22 and not FROM Missouri (altho....I've been to Mt. Vernon, WA, where he is from).

Cards are playing Chicago this afternoon - Carpenter is on the DL *sniffs* and they called up two pitchers from Memphis. They're saying he's got a left oblique strain, and that he may be out a while. I remember Woody Williams having the same thing (his was severe, if I recall) and he was out for MONTHS. Sigh. We're on top on the Central, though. 10 games in, and we're 7 and 3. Hopefully we can keep the momentum going!!

I still haven't posted about the yarn I got from DBNY - it's been an up-and-down couple of weeks, but I'll get to it. The Peons recorded another PFW 'cast this week which should be out some time in May, and we should be getting back to our own podcast starting next week.

I've been reading a fic called Away From The Sun by hgfan1111 (aka cibjasfad, aka Andi). It's really, really good. You can access it at Sink Into Your Eyes (edited) and Simply Undeniable (may be edited, login required). I've been reading it off of her LiveJournal, and talked OR!Sue and indirectly Jules into reading it as well. She's also a friend of (the eevil) Ella aka deadwoodpecker, who wrote Yellow Submarine among other things. *prods you into the direction of fic*

I think that's all for right now - there will be a new trailer released tonight, and I'll link/post it here when I get it! There's at least one new clip - Katie Bell being cursed - so we'll see how it looks.

Cheers!

not happy with wb

Why do they keep doing this?

`Harry Potter' sweeps into theaters 2 days early

We're all geared up for the Friday premiere, midnight shows, podcast reactions from Azkatraz, people taking time off work, etc. I think they do this on purpose. Dorks.

The better news is that we're supposed to be getting a 'new' new trailer on Thursday - not the same as the Japanese trailer - at least, that's what it looks like. The one in the post below is just at 2 minutes, and the one for Thursday is supposed to be 2:20. I'll believe it when I see it. We've also had a few new pics out; one of them has Harry playing the piano of all things. Um, I don't think so.

I have a little bit of yarn to review, but I'm off to bed. Just popped in to watch the end of the Cards-D'backs game (we lost, extra innings, alas) and if there was an update on Carp (possible pulled left ribcage). We JUST got him back, and he left before the first pitch of the fourth. *crosses fingers for not bad injury*

Cheers!

'new' international trailer is up

98 days. 98 DAYS. NINETY-EIGHT DAYS!



So can't wait for this. To quote Jen, "Oh my gosh, I'm so excited!!"

Got to see Trek first, though!!

*goes off to breathe into a paper sack for a bit*

Cheers!

ps: Twitter is a hoot! No pun intended, but there you go. Try it!

tweeting and other news

Yes, I have succumbed to Twitter. I don't have much on it yet - no access to it from the work computer (as expected) - but I can text in Tweets. I only signed up for it two days ago and I've already got two followers who I totally don't recognize. I DO have a few that I did recognize - and one of them is making me laugh and laugh! I followed him, and he followed me back. See if you can figure out who it is. ;)

Anyway, I think I'll search for some more once the "Find" function comes back. Apparently Twitter had a meltdown right after I signed up (coincidence? hmmm) and the 'Search for Others' functionality went poof.

This will be more fun once I get the smartphone. Heh heh heh.

I guess I didn't mention in the last post that I never made it to Kansas City over the weekend. No way was I driving through sleet, freezing rain, ice, and snow. KS!D said that they were closing stores on Saturday due to the weather. I'm glad I stayed at home. We got 2 inches here between 3AM and 5 AM - it snowed sideways for a while! - and it was all melted by 8AM. Why can't we have snow like that for Christmas?

My DNBY order arrived, and so I need to shoot, post, review, and stash the yarn. I got two colorways that are very similar! Ah well. NE!Sue, they're in 'my colors'. You'll know what I mean!

Baseball in 6 days. w00t!!! The Blues may make the playoffs this year, too. I know. Cue "*GASP*". They're in Chicago tonight, playing the Blackhawks. Go Blues!

Happy 63rd anniversary, Oma & Opa! I love you.

Happy April Fool's Day, everyone else!! Cheers!

yarn haul catchup

Oh, dear lord.

I've been working on this list for the last 5 hours, and there's more on the way here. Yikes. The first two are from Weaving Dept, the next eight are from Michael's, four from Hobby Lobby, three from Yarn Barn of Lawrence, KS, two from DNBY, and one each from hand-dyers. That's 21 yarns.

• 1 100g ball Zwerger Garn "Opal Wintermarchen (Winter Tale)" (75% superwash wool/25% polyamid) in colorway #2153 (cream, dark tan, cream, demin blue)
• 1 100g Zwerger Garn "Opal Rainforest" (75% superwash wool/25% polyamid) in colorway Der Aufmerksame Emil (Clever Emil) (cream, tan, deep forest green, medium green)
• 1 3.5oz ball Bernat "Baby Jacquards" (90% acrylic/10% nylon) in colorway Boo Berries (white, medium to very pale blue)
• 1 3.5oz ball Bernat "Baby Jacquards" (90% acrylic/10% nylon) in colorway Berries & Cream (hot pink, bright yellow, white)
• 4 50g balls Patons "Stretch Socks" (41% cotton/39% wool/13% nylon/7% elastic) in colorway Plum (purple, plum, orange, olive, forest green, cream, pink, white) 2 balls of this were purchased at Michael's, as they were on clearance, and the other 2 at Hobby Lobby.
• 2 50g balls Patons "Kroy Socks Stripes" (75% washable wool/25% nylon) in colorway Burnished Sierra Stripes (orange, grey, rust, black, brown)
• 2 50g balls Patons "Kroy Socks Jacquard" (75% washable wool/25% nylon) in colorway Fern Rose Jacquard (pink, green, rust, blue, green, white, purple, yellow)
• 2 40g balls Bernat "Glow In The Dark" (70% acrylic/30% nylon) in colorway Green Glow (electric green/white twist)
• 2 40g balls Bernat "Glow In The Dark" (70% acrylic/30% nylon) in colorway Light Bright (electric yellow/white twist)
• 1 100g ball Patons "Divine" (79.5% acrylic/18% mohair/2.5% polyester) in colorway Regal Red (lipstick red, black)
• 1 100g ball Yarn Bee "Walk Away Sock Yarn" (70% superwash wool/23% polyamide/7% PBT*) in colorway Tootsies (chocolate brown, very dark brown, electric blue, white, lime, olive, orange, yellow, indigo) #2 and #3
• 1 4oz ball Yarn Bee "Rainbow Wool" (86.4% wool/5% mohair/8.6% acrylic) in colorway Waterway (blue, white, charcoal twist)
• 1 4oz ball Yarn Bee "Snowflake Wool Blend" (56% wool/22% polyester/22% PTT**) in colorway Cloudy (white, light to dark blue, charcoal, red/yellow/blue/white fleck)
• 2 50g balls Red Heart "Heart and Sole" (75% superwash wool/25% nylon) in colorway Black (black)
• 1 100g hank Mountain Colors "Bearfoot" (60% superwash wool/25% mohair/15% nylon) in colorway Yellowstone (rust, orange, red, burgundy, red-brown)
• 1 100g ball Plymouth Yarns "Encore Sock" (75% acrylic/25% wool) in colorway 7521 (grey, charcoal, white, lipstick red)
• 1 100g ball Knit One Crochet Too "Ty-Dy Socks" (80% superwash wool/25% nylon) in colorway 1767 (lime, yellow, hot pink, purple)
• 3 100g balls Plymouth Yarn "Sockotta" (45% cotton/40% superwash wool/15% nylon) in colorway Serendipity (#6674) (grey, purple, dark brown, hot pink, forest green)
• 1 100g hank Cherry Tree Hill "Supersock Solid" (100% wool) in colorway Ginger Snap (light brick red)
• 1 100g hank Sunshine Yarns "Twist" (100% superwash wool) in colorway Department of Mysteries (dark blue, indigo, black, charcoal grey, sky blue, white, electric yellow)
• 1 400yd hank Razzy Tazzy Yarn "Hand Painted Sock" (100% superwash wool) in colorway Gryffindor (rust, orange, yellow)

Some info about two of the yarns...there were some new fibers listed:

*Product Name: High Elasticity Fiber:PBT
Brief introduction & Characteristics:

PBT (polybutylene terephthalate) fiber is a new polyester fiber developed in recent years, it has many excellent properties, such as good processability, good dyeability, high colour fastness, soft handle of its fabric. Garments made of it can flex with human body's move, which make consumers feel very comfortable. The elasticity of PBT fiber is between that of nylon and polyurethane fiber. At certain scope, it can replace polyurethane fiber, its resistance to chemical corrosion and aging is better than that of polyamide fiber and its price is only that one quarter of polyurethane fiber.

Characteristics

1)Good elasticity, the elastic recovery percentage of nylon and PET are 70% and 55% respectively, if that of PBT is 100%.
2)Dyeable without media at normal temperature and pressure and it colourfastness is high.
3)Good resistance to chemical corrosion. Compared with nylon, it doesn't have the disadvantages of prone to yellowing and chlorine corrosion.
4)Good dimensional stability.5)Soft handle, good antipill and antistatic properties

and the second:

**PTT is an advanced polymer that can be spun into fibers. The fibers and yarns have a unique combination of properties including stretch and recovery, softness, bulk, and easy dye. Fabrics produced from PTT fibers and yarns clean easily and have superior durability.

Like I said, more on the way!

Cheers!

a mini-catchup

Okay, so this really isn't a blog post...I'm a bit behind on posting, and have been (seemingly) all over the place in the last month. Sorry about that.

Hallows & Horcruxes II/Gathering of Awesome was ...well, awesome! Bought CDs, jumped around like I was 10, sang at the top of my lungs with a roomful of people doing the same thing, hung out with PFW peoples, awesome. Really, I have pictures, and links, and all sorts of other stuff to share about the trip. I've also managed to get at least one Ministry of Magic song totally trapped in my head. Sigh.

I also have a bunch of yarn to photograph, add to stash on Rav, and review here from a bunch of places including Yarn Barn of Lawrence.

A few more promos have been released for HBP, and I managed to see the trailer (#3, I think) for the new Star Trek. Oh Em Gee.

Speaking of rendering me speechless (*g*), I have just in the past hour or so finished Backward With Purpose by the evil Ella, aka deadwoodpecker. Oh my freaking Merlin. If you have a spare...oh, I don't know, few days, go read the fic. It's linked in the Books Read 2009 sidebar. PFW reviewed this fic, and it's sequel The Book of Albus, on upcoming episodes. I haven't started BoA yet, but plan to do so ASAP. This is the same author who wrote Yellow Submarine (which I have apparently forgotten to add to the Books Read list *fixes that*) and has at least three or four other irons in the fire. She's on LJ and on ff.net. Go read her stuff. I'm not kidding.

I got to record a PFW! Go me! I'm a guest host on the second Season 3 PFW ep. We reviewed the last half of Harry Potter and the Power of Truth by CreativeQuill. Yes, it's linked on the sidebar. ;) No word yet as to when the release date is....probably May or so. You can hear me on Peoncast starting with the season opener, too! We've been having a great time with the one-shots and short chaptered fics.

Oh! and you can also hear me narrating a story for Spellcast. I think the podcast with the reading will be released in the next week or so.

I'll be driving (on Saturday) into the winter storm that is apparently going to be zooming through Kansas City this weekend...D and NE!Sue are having a mini-meetup, so I'm going for an overnight. It looks like I'm not going to get snowed on until at least Boonesville, and it shouldn't be too bad. I hope.

Last but certainly not least, please keep my OR!Sue (aka Sueatducksfoot) from PFW in your thoughts...her grandfather passed away on Friday, and she's in California this weekend for the funeral. It's been a difficult week for them.

Phew. This wasn't going to be this long.

Cheers!

PS: BASEBALL IN 12 DAYS!!!!!!!! w00t!!!!!!!!!!!!!

nine chickweed lane

I'm amusing myself today (and yesterday, and the day before that...) by reading way way old back 'issues' of the comic strip 9 Chickweed Lane by Brooke McEldowney. I've discovered that he's probably a Harry Potter fan: (click on each one to go to the site and see it full size)



I mean, who uses the name "Hermione"?? Besides...well, you know.

The older Amos gets the more I like him:



Oh, and that Gran knits! Which is rather dangerous, as she's really a pistol. Yikes. I'm laughing at the fact that she has no yarn, however...

There was this strip from almost 5 years ago:



...which apparently had it's resolution just a few weeks ago:



Amos and Edda are adorable. Really. They finally got together, thanks in part of the interfering Isabella and all the others. I just spent the free time of the last 3 days reading almost 3000 back strips of this comic...yay Brooke!!

Oh, had to add this one:



More later. I have yarn, trip chat, wizard rock introspectives, and more. I think.

Cheers!

a pic and a present

Wandering thru my LiveJournal, I see this:

and omg, that's Pluto. Not really, but close enough for me to have to pick my chin up off the floor.

And.....

hbpnew
by masterofmystery

*dances*

Plu and I will be leaving for Kansas in about 6 hours (!!) to participate in the Gathering of Awesome - oh, and yeah, the Hallows and Horcruxes Ball II, too. ;) I'll be writing from the road!

Cheers!!!

regal's first look at hbp

Gakked from masterofmystery at the hbpmoviepics community on LiveJournal:



*imagine me dancing around the room, hands in the air*

That is all. *g*

Cheers!

the teeny clip from the oscars

Oh, and here's the entire montage:

mtv's spoiler peek courtesy of leaky

W00t!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



Ahem.

There were a few other writeups this week concerning the Harry/Ginny ship. The first one was the list, and the second was the defense!

The Book Examiner's 5 Most Annoying Literary Romances - And the 5 Most Romantic.

The Book Examiner - In Defense of Harry and Ginny

Finally, I was listening to last week's NPR Science Friday, and one of the interviews was with Neil Tyson, who is the director the Hayden Planetarium at Rose Center, which is part of the American Museum of Natural History in New York City (Yes! I was there! w00t!). He talked about his new book, The Pluto Files which is about Pluto and the issues around 'demoting' it to a dwarf planet. He was very amusing (he cameoed on Atlantis and apparently was bad at playing himself! LOL!) and the interview was interesting. You can listen to it right off the website. Check it out!

The Oscars were on tonight, and after getting hyped because there was going to be footage from HBP, I was disappointed that it was about 15 seconds right at the very end of the awards show. Meh.

Oh well. That's all from me for now. Cheers!

a vid gakked from tom smith and babbles

Everyone know Tom Smith? No? You should so go check out his website and blog!!

Anyway, I gakked this from his LiveJournal. I love the smiles!!




I bought yarn from.....Michaels and The Weaving Department. I'll list them after I shoot them - I did get one of the Winter's Tale yarns by Opal! I'll shoot the Ron socks at that time, too. I'm already about halfway through BSJ #....6? No. #7. It's in the Angel yarn, Blue River. I'll be sending this along this week to a baby. Oh, yeah, and to his mom, too. ;) PK and D have decided that what I should give up for Lent is yarn purchases! ack.......!

Not much else happening - Leaky posted that the role of Reg Cattermole was cast for DH - which means the Ministry of Magic scene is in! YAAYY!!

Must read fic for tonight's podcast...Cheers!

the post without a title

I'm tired, I'm cranky, and I'm not taking it any more!

Okay, so, I'm just tired. And I have yarn.

• 1 100g hank Dome Hill Yarns "Supersock" (80% superwash, 20% nylon) in colorway Blueberry (pale to medium sky blue). This is a local hand-dyed yarn out of Warrensburg, Missouri! It's a lovely, smooshy yarn. Check out her shop!
• 1 4oz hank Dream in Color "Smooshy" (100% superfine merino superwash) in colorway In Vino Veritas (dark red, wine, deep purples). "In wine [there is the] truth." Yum.
• 1 100g hank Mountain Colors Yarns "Bearfoot" (60% superwash, 25% mohair, 15% nylon) in colorway Mystic Lake (indigo, blue, wine, purple, orange-gold, forest green, pine) #2.
• 2 50g hanks Mirasol Yarn Collection "Hacho" (100% hand dyed wool) in colorway #308 (dark blue, wine, burgundy, forest green, olive, lime, gold, yellow, orange). It's very colorful!!

I didn't get to see Chi on Monday (you are supposed to cook the meatballs all the way through, roommate-of-Teh-Chi), so instead I went to True Blue Fiber Friends in Columbia where I met Bex (*waves!*) and bought the above yarns. Plu was very very good in the car, even with the high winds pushing me all over the road and the windshield wipers going. The yarn shop is easy to get to, and she has local-dyed yarns and artwork for sale there, too.

Not much else going on - Charter is in the news this week (no, they aren't closing, I promise), and my car needs to go BACK to the shop again for electrical something. I managed to blow out 4 fuses in 2 days, and still have no dashboard or running lights. The GPS and the radio are fine! Meh.

Pitchers and catchers report for Spring Training tomorrow *happydances!!!!* and filming for Deathly Hallows starts...next week, I think! Only 153 days to go for HBP. Sigh.

I'm listening to The Temptation of the Night Jasmine by Lauren Willig. Audible *finally* got Crimson Rose - only took a year. I already bought the CDs, though, darnit. It's pretty good, but I think the Eloise/Colin storyline is going to kill me for its length. It's like reading a romance novel that has 3 chapters published every year!

Almost almost almost finished with the Ron socks. I'm ribbing. Yay!!!!!!!!!!!!

Okay, I know it's early, but I'm pooped.

Cheers!

highway signs part the second

OMG!

*laughs*

road trip and yarn haul

Hi again!

Well, last weekend was rather busy. DG and I went to the Blues game vs. the Philadelphia Flyers, and the guys won, 4-0! w00t! Too bad that last goal was close to the end of the game...the chant of "We Want Blizzards" only got a workout for about 5 minutes. Alas! We had a good time, tho.

Sunday morning, I got up before the crack of dawn, packed the car and the dog and took off for Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Yes, I can hear you scratching your collective heads. The Cedar Rapids Museum of Art, which was damaged last June (2008) by flooding from the Cedar River, still has not reopened its permanent exhibits. The two exhibitions that were open, however, were the The Year of the River: Flood Photography from The Gazette, and the one I went to see: Mary GrandPré: Harry Potter and Beyond. This was her first exhibit in years, and as a HP fan, I thought it was very, very cool.

I hadn't realized that she'd provided the models for the humans in Ice Age, and she has quite a few children's books under her belt, as well. I particularly liked the program covers she did for Aida - I cannot remember what orchestra/philharmonic they were commissioned for (ARGH!), but they were very good.

The main draw for me, though, were the Potter sketches.

It was amazing to see the uncolored images - most were done on tracing paper with lead pencil, and it was just cool to be able to see the light reflect from the layers of lead on the paper making up the image. Yes, I am a geek! It was also interesting to see that the original title for the first book was Harry Potter and the School of Magic! I wasn't able to take shots of the art - tsk, tsk to those who have!! - but it was worth the trip. I'd thought that the exhibit went through the month of February, and discovered that it actually closed on February 1, so that sealed the deal.

Oh!! The museum has a video tour! Check it out:



See how neat that was!!??!!

I did detour on the way north - I drove right past Riverside, Iowa. Those of you who are Star Trek fans may recognize the name of the town - yes, this is the 'future birthplace of James T. Kirk'! I had to stop and get a picture of the USS Riverside - this is the 'float' that is used in the TrekFest parade every year in June. See the snow?? They didn't get snow when we did (last week) but they've had no melt weather for a while and so they have big piles everywhere.

I did find an unofficial crest marker - I parked across the street from the museum in a parking garage, and this was painted at the base of the stairwell. The museum lost everything that was in storage in the basement as well as some of the items on the first floor. They are the home of the Grant Wood Collection; you may know this artist as the one who painted "American Gothic".

I spent the night in Cedar Rapids - missed the Super Bowl (slept through it!) and Plu had his own bed. Got up the next morning before the crack of dawn (again) and drove to my all-time favorite dairy to buy cheese. I was too close not to go!

It was a picturesque drive through eastern Iowa and southwestern Wisconsin - rendered even more so because the GPS took me on the 'shortest route' which were barely-paved, unmarked country roads in Wisconsin! Remember I said that there were piles of snow? I was driving down roads that had snowdrifts taller than my car piled down their route. Some of the sights I saw were a monastery between Cedar Rapids and Dubuque, lovely rolling hills, a rather dramatic rock cut just east of Dubuque, and the Sinsinawa Mound in southwestern Wisconsin.

I bought all sorts of mild cheeses from Decatur: Havarti, Muenster, lace Swiss (Stettler Swiss), butter kasse, cheese curds (YUM!!!) and some mozzarella. The first time I visited this dairy, the silly dog tried to eat the curds on the way home while I was fuelling up the car! Bad dog! Decatur has awards for their Havarti and Muenster cheeses. If you're ever in south central Wisconsin, I'd recommend visiting them. It'll be worth your drive.

I then drove down through Rockford, IL to a yarn shop called Unique Yarns. The staff was friendly, and they have a nice, open layout. I bought some souvenir yarn, natch. More on that in a bit. I also picked up Mason-Dixon Knitting.

Back on the road, we headed home. I did stop at Dixie Trucker's Home in McLean, IL for scrambled eggs and biscuits and gravy. Yum!

Okay, yarn time! The first four I bought from DBNY, and the last three from Unique Yarns.

• 10 50g balls Plymouth Yarns "Eros" (100% nylon) in colorway Leaded Glass (silver grey).
• 6 50g balls Plymouth Yarns "Eros" (100% nylon) in colorway Tapestry (red, gold, blue, lime, black)
• 1 4oz hank Cherry Tree Hill "Supersock Solids" (100% merino superwash) in colorway Cherry (rich red)
• 1 100g hank Fire Lizard Yarns "Joy" (80% superwash merino, 20% nylon) in colorway Love (gold, burgundy, purple, yellow-brown). Picture #2
• 1 100g ball Tofutsies "Limited Edition" (50% superwash wool, 25% SoySilk, 22.5% cotton, 2.5% Chitin*) in colorway #872 August 2008 (cream, sky blue, bronze, grey)
• 1 100g ball Berroco Yarns "Sox" (75% superwash, 25% nylon) in colorway Geilgud (cream, tan, black)
• 1 100g hank Misti Alpaca "Hand-Painted Sock Yarn" (50% alpaca, 30% merino wool, 10% silk, 10% nylon) in colorway Seattle (olive, rust, brown, burgundy, gold, teal, orange)

Phew! That's enough. Time for a dog walkies.

Cheers!

when did february get here?

Hi all. I think I misplaced January....

I have a couple of links to share first - this is going to be a quickie, because the yarn is at home and I actually did a mini-roadtrip this past weekend to IA and WI.

Link number one is something that I started seeing last week - Alli had a LJ post that had a picture and now the madness has spread. First Warning! Watch Out For Zombies!! PFW had a laugh about it...Hufflepuff!Dan commented that "Well, as far as safety goes, drivers did slow down to read it..." to which Nate replied "...which was cunning plan of the zombies the entire time! Damned genius undead!" LOL! The first link has a sidebar entitled "Your Guide to the Undead" which is utterly funny.

Link number two is kinda cool if you're interested in American history: America’s first first lady: Foxy or frumpy? Historians use technology to revamp Martha Washington's image

Link number three is HBP promo posters. They're not as nice as the OotP ones, in my opinion, but Yay! Promo posters!

Okay, more later.

Cheers!

was going to bed...

I was. Really. This is all OR!Sue's fault.

Anyway.

I just finished reading an interview from "The Daily Beast" with Dan Rad. It's an interesting read (and also not rated G, so heads up).

Filming for DH starts in about 2-3 weeks - no, NE!Sue, I don't know the date :P - and there's already been a serious accident on the set. I hope and pray that it's not as bad as it sounds.

I finished knitting on SiL's scarf - yeah, I started it ages ago, but the modified checkerboard at 62 inches long was starting to drive me barmy. Hope she likes it. I'm almost to the start of my short row heel for Ron Sock #2, and I have lots more knitting to do, so I'm working on that at lunchtime.

Jen on PFW had her baby! I almost won the baby pool! Lee Russell, 26 Jan 2009, 7lb 5oz, 20 inches long. Congrats to Jen and James, and welcome to the mayhem, Baby Lee! This is so exciting! ;D

Oh! I kept forgetting: My Books Read 2008 list is linked below the new 2009 list. I finished up This Will Be Our Year earlier (when I was actually GOING to bed) and it is linked on the new list. Go read!!

I have yarn arriving from DNBY tomorrow *ducks the flying shoes* via UPS, and I actually shoveled the path between the back door and the gate. I didn't put salt down, however, because it's below 20F and most of that path will not get sunlight, so it'll just stay frozen. That, and Plu's feet wouldn't like the salt. We ended up with somewhere between 6 and 9 inches of snow, but it was sunny today! Or yesterday. Something like that.

Okay. Going to bed now.

Cheers!

snow snow snow

snow012809-1
Originally uploaded by sierragolfone

Just a quickie - I stood in the middle of the street and took this shot with no flash.

It's 12:50 AM!

We've had about 6 inches or so, and will maybe get another inch or so. It's a little heavier at work (18 miles south), so it will be an interesting ride to work in the morning. Only took me an hour or so to get home last night. What a mess!

Good night!

teh yarn post for teh day

Just a yarn post now - go watch the trailer again!!!!

• 1 100g hank Dyeabolical Yarns "Alter Ego" (100% superwash) in colorway Primaries (red, yellow, blue, green) Purchased from Knitorious, but you can also get yarn from Rachel's online store, at Etsy at the moment and soon to be at her own site.
• 1 127g hank Blue Moon Fiber Arts "Socks That Rock Lightweight" (100% superwash) in colorway Christmas Bells (red, white, yellow, silver, green, purple, pink) from Teh Sue in NE!

I had a heck of a time with the photo for the STR: when I took it, the purple was blue on the photo! I had to go in and color-correct it in Paint.net (thanks, Julia, for pointing me at that program! It's terrific!). I wonder if I can do that with the shots I took of the Blue that made it look...Blue. it's actually purple (amethyst) yarn - I was using it as the 'design' yarn.

Yeah, I'm babbling. I'm tired. Cheers!

ETA: It would help if I linked the photo, yes? Said I was tired. Ohh...I want the red yarn on the BMFA site....this is baaaad....

japanese hbp trailer!!!

Without further ado:



*squeeeeeeeee* 174 more days. I want to see the English version of this trailer!!!

Yarn later....Sue sent me STR! w00t!

an amazing, historic day

I think of all the photos so far today, this is my favorite. From Reuters.

President Barack Obama is sworn in as the 44th President of the United States during the inauguration ceremony in Washington, January 20, 2009. Michelle Obama watches at right. The Bible Obama uses is the same one that President Abraham Lincoln used at his Inauguration in 1861.

REUTERS/Jason Reed (UNITED STATES)

yarn and dan rad on conan

Well, I'm still here. Sue thinks I'm MIA, but I'm not.

I did find a sock yarn cache of epic proportions in my storage room, so be prepared! This is a scary list, considering that it is NOT counting the (mostly hand-dyed) yarn I have in the office. Note that I haven't bought (much) yarn in the last month - I'd say that the Kroy Stretch and the Baby Jacquard have been the last purchases....I do have one from Dyeabolical that I need to shoot and list. Later.

The mondo list:

• 1 5oz skein Hobby Lobby "I Love This Yarn" (100% acrylic) in colorway Freedom Ombre (red, white and blue)
• 1 5oz skein Hobby Lobby "I Love This Yarn" (100% acrylic) in colorway Autumn Stripe (sage, rust, green, burgundy, orange)
• 1 5oz skein Hobby Lobby "I Love This Yarn" (100% acrylic) in colorway Cranapple Stripe (cream, cranberry, red, green)
• 1 4 oz skein Red Heart "Hokey Pokey" (100% acrylic) in colorway Sunshine (yellow with red, blue, green, purple and yellow fleck)
• 2 5oz skeins Red Heart "Super Saver Multi" (100% acrylic) in colorway Lipstick (red, burgundy, pink, rouge)
• 2 5oz Red Heart "Super Saver Fleck" (96% acrylic, 4% other fibers) in colorway Aran Fleck (cream with brown, black, rust, and dark green donagal fleck)
• 1 100g ball King Cole "Stonewash Double Knitting" (70% acrylic, 30% cotton) in colorway Denim (blue and white)
• 1 100g ball of Plymouth Yarn Co. "Sockotta" (45% cotton, 40% SW wool, 15% nylon) in colorway #13 (white, grey, charcoal, sky blue). I call it "Glacier".
• 1 100g ball of Plymouth Yarn Co. "Sockotta" (45% cotton, 40% SW wool, 15% nylon) in colorway #11 (grey, blue, yellow, orange)
• 1 100g ball of Plymouth Yarn Co. "Sockotta" (45% cotton, 40% SW wool, 15% nylon) in colorway #15 (red, green, blue, yellow, orange)
• 1 100g ball of Plymouth Yarn Co. "Sockotta" (45% cotton, 40% SW wool, 15% nylon) in colorway #16 (purple, charcoal, orange, pink)
• 1 100g ball of Plymouth Yarn Co. "Sockotta" (45% cotton, 40% SW wool, 15% nylon) in colorway #09 (charcoal, grey, white, blue)
• 1 100g ball of Plymouth Yarn Co. "Sockotta" (45% cotton, 40% SW wool, 15% nylon) in colorway #08 (medium to very pale blue)
• 1 100g ball of Plymouth Yarn Co. "Sockotta" (45% cotton, 40% SW wool, 15% nylon) in colorway #12 (bright green, red, yellow, blue, pink, orange)
• 1 100g ball Colorado Yarns "Worsted" (100% superwash) in colorway #1415 (blue)
• 1 100g ball Fortissima "Colori 1000" (75% wool, 25% nylon) in colorway #490 (blue, forest green, leaf green, red, yellow, burgundy, orange)
• 1 100g ball Regia "Plus Cotton Jacquard Color" (25% nylon, 37% cotton, 38% wool) in colorway #5274 (dark to light blue, cream to chocolate brown, white/grey dot)
• 2 50g balls Lane Cervinia "Forever Jacquard" (75% superwash, 25% nylon) in colorway #10 (red, green, purple-blue, white/black dot)
• 2 50g balls Regia "Ringel Color" (75% wool, 25% nylon) in colorway #5048 (pink, light orange, blue, lime green, yellow)
• 2 50 g balls Regia "Stretch" (70% wool, 23% nylon, 7% polyester) in colorway #88 (olive, pea green, tan, brown, charcoal)
• 1 100g ball Scheepjes "Invicta Coloris" (75% wool, 25% nylon) in colorway #1702 (burgundy, dark yellow, purple, blue, green, cream, white/black dot)
• 1 100g ball Scheepjes "Invicta Coloris" (75% wool, 25% nylon) in colorway #1700 (bronze, blue, grey, white/black dot) Ravenclaw house colors!
• 2 50g balls Regia "Jacquard Color" (75% wool, 25% nylon) in colorway #5274 (dark blue, sky blue, light chocolate brown, tan, white/black dot)
• 1 100g ball Rellana "Flotte Socke" (75% wool, 25% nylon) in colorway #828 (white, red, yellow, blue)
• 1 100g ball Trekking "XXL" (75% wool, 25% nylon) in colorway #23 (red, white, yellow, purple, green)
• 2 50g balls Regia "Mini Ringel Color" (75% wool, 25% nylon) in colorway #5220 (purple-blue, sky blue, med green, leaf green, black)
• 1 50g ball DGB "Confetti" (75% wool, 25% nylon) in colorway #236 (charcoal, grey, white/black dot) Souvenir yarn from Wool & Wicker in Richmond, BC.
• 3 50g balls Patons "Kroy" (75% wool, 25% nylon) in colorway #54040 (black)
  1 3.5oz skein Bernat "Baby Jacquard" (90% acrylic, 10% nylon) in colorway Berries & Cream (yellow, very light pink, pink)
• 1 3.5oz skein Bernat "Baby Jacquard" (90% acrylic, 10% nylon) in colorway Cherry Berry (white, pink)
• 2 50g balls Patons "Kroy Socks" (75% wool, 25% nylon) in colorway Flax (grey)
• 2 50g balls Patons "Stretch Sock" (41% cotton, 29% wool, 13% nylon, 7% elastic) in colorway Mineral (sky blue, medium blue, grey, orange, brown)
• 2 50g balls Patons "Stretch Sock" (41% cotton, 29% wool, 13% nylon, 7% elastic) in colorway Licorice (black, grey, charcoal)
• 2 50g balls Patons "Stretch Sock" (41% cotton, 29% wool, 13% nylon, 7% elastic) in colorway Taffy (cream, caramel, chocolate brown)
• 2 50g balls Red Heart "Heart & Sole with Aloe" (70% superwash wool, 30% nylon) in colorway Rustica (medium brown, orange, blue, red, white, sky blue)
• 1 7oz skein Hobby Lobby "I Love This Yarn" (100% acrylic) in colorway Orange. This is for Karen's fingerless mitts (Fetching).
• 1 3.5oz ball Yarn Bee "Haute Fur" (100% Exoline) in colorway Rouge Wiles (red)
• 1 3oz ball Yarn Bee "Gilt Eyelash" (55% polyester, 45% lurex glitter) in colorway Passionspark (peachy pink)
• 1 3oz ball Yarn Bee "Gilt Eyelash" (55% polyester, 45% lurex glitter) in colorway Star Ruby (red)
• 1 3.5 oz ball Yarn Bee "Elvish" (100% polyester) in colorway Almond (cream, tan, white) Hedwig colors.
• 1 3.5 oz ball Yarn Bee "Elvish" (100% polyester) in colorway Raisin (pink and dark purple)

Some notes on some of these:

I bought the King Cole Stonewash Denim along with a ball of the same yarn in pink that were knitted into my very first pair of socks. I don't have those socks anymore - they were 'borrowed' by Steve R. just after I finished them because he had no thick socks for hunting! He still wears them, and it's been at least 10 years since I knitted those.

I love Sockotta - and at one time had every color that had been dreamed of at the time. Several of the ones listed above have been discontinued for at least 6 years.

It amused me that two of the yarns - the Scheepjes Invicta "Ravenclaw" colors and the Regia immediately following the Invicta are both Ravenclaw house colors - and I'd bought them long before I'd even read the Potter books, let alone before I was sorted into Ravenclaw!

The Colorado Yarn was bought as a test skein for the Aran-styled sweater Jack which is still in design and test phase. I've designed 5 sweaters for the Stargate: SG-1 team (original team plus Jonas) that are on paper only. I'd seriously considered doing them in colors, but I think I've decided to make them all cream-colored. It is a pretty blue, though.

I also found several pairs of socks that I'd finished knitting, and for some reason hadn't finished grafting and weaving in the ends. One was in Regia Plus Cotton, one was Swizzle greys, one was in Sockotta stone browns (I think that was the same pattern that I sent Linds when she went from crutch to cane for the first time many years ago!) and one knee-hi pair in what looks like Fortissima Colori self-striping. Go me!

I'm almost finished with Lisa's scarf - I soooo want to be done with this thing. I've been sneaking in more rows on the Ron socks...and I really want to finish Seeker.

Dan Radcliffe was on Conan O'Brien again this past week - the clip is on YouTube...er, it WAS on YouTube. Removed. oops!

Sue in OR and I were talking about Mr. Rad a little tonight - I know this sounds odd, but I'm starting really see what he's going to look like in a few years, when the rest of the adolescent 'baby fat' has melted away. His features are becoming sharper. It's rather hard to explain, and not sound like a perv. ;) He is (imho) good-looking now, and will be striking in a few more years.

The Japanese version of the international trailer for HBP was capped over on the hbpmoviepics comm on LiveJournal - there are a few caps that I haven't seen yet, and so we're all waiting anxiously for the English version! The new caps had the Harry/Ginny kiss literally a breath away...I think they're trying to kill us. Guh.

Pitchers and catchers report in 26 days. YAY!!!

Happy Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Tomorrow - Inauguration Day! Going to be a busy news day, I think.

Cheers!!

welcome to 2009

Happy new year!!

Just a quickie - I will be updating the Books Read list, and some other things in a bit but for right now, to help you understand and remember the past year, I give you Uncle Bob:

ETA: oops. Video was removed by user. Meh. It was funny, too!!

ETA2: Okay, it wasn't Uncle Bob - it was Uncle Jay. And I found it on his website!! Go watch.

Cheers!!!