Everybody Loves Saturday Night

what a difference a week makes

Last week: busted computer, busted back, job instability

This week: new computer, improved back, new job (!)

I am typing this on my brand new and breathtakingly beautiful MacBook. Because I purchased it from Tekserve, I got 50% off the data transfer price, and another discount off the AppleCare protection plan. Plus I got to flirt with the cute but too young for me geeky computer boys (priceless).

So I have a brand new laptop, but all my old files and info -- all my pictures, all my iTunes, even my desktop wallpaper. Old computer in a new body. Yes. And that would be why I have dubbed the MacBook Orlando.

(Thank you. Thank you very much, the two of you out there who get that.)

Remember how I was a little concerned about not being able to afford this? I can now, thanks to the fantastic job offer I got yesterday. I'll fill you in on what it is I'll actually be working on when I start in a couple weeks, but it's something that I'm very excited about, a really good fit for me. I gave notice to my current employers this morning.

I am attributing all of this positive change to that attitude Carolyn commented on in my post from last week. I didn't think at the time that my 'tude was anything special, though I did feel rather Zen about everything that was happening, and I do remember telling myself repeatedly over the last few weeks that everything was going to work out one way or another. I think I'd also have to say that being in therapy has helped my perspective on things, or at least it's helped me stay more level, open, and focused on forward momentum. I guess that is an attitude adjustment, certainly from how I was feeling at the beginning of the year.

And now, Babette. I was playing around with Orlando yesterday so I didn't get around to seaming all of Section 5, but here it is partially put together:

This is my favorite section so far, my favorite color combos.

Today's Dr. Horrible quote: Look, I'm just trying to change the world, OK? I don't have time for a grudge match with every poser in a parka. Besides, there's kids in that park.

P.S. If you haven't read it yet, please scroll down to yesterday's post about how you can help Crochetme.com land an interview with Joss Whedon.

Get Joss!

Peeps, the world of yarn needs your help. I know that this blog, with its 240 subscribers on either Google Reader or Bloglines, isn't the major hub that other blogs are (you know, blogs with book deals)

(though hey, 240 subscribers? That's pretty damn cool! Thanks, subscribers!)

but anyway -- I know this site doesn't get a whole lotta traffic, but I'm going to do my part to help out.

See, here's what happened. Just as Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog launched, Joss Whedon gave an interview with Wired, in which the following exchange took place:

Wired.com: To what do you attribute the far-flung coverage and buzz about Dr. Horrible, considering there's been little to no press for the series?

Whedon: Fact is, there's been some buzz, but it hasn't reached the places it would normally. Where's our write-up in Crocheting Monthly? (I did a very sexy shoot for that one.)

WELL. You might guess what happened next.

The lovely, talented, Whedon fan Kim Werker, editor extraordinaire of Interweave Crochet and founder/editor of Crochetme.com, called Joss's bluff. You can read her post on the Crochetme.com blog.

That was enough to attract the attention of Whedonesque, and some buzz was generated, but it may not be enough. Basically, it comes down to this: the more attention this gets, the better chance it has of actually happening. And HOW COOL would that be?

Here's what you can do: if you have a blog, use it to spread the word. You can link here, of course, but it would be better to link directly to the original Crochetme.com blog post.

I do truly believe in the whole Six Degrees thing so I'm thinking that somehow, if I can get just six people to write this story up on their own blogs and ask their readers to spread the word, something good will happen and Kim will get her interview.

If you do this, let me know in the comments. And if I can get ten people -- just ten people -- to spread the word on their blogs, then I think that would be cause for some sort of prize drawing, don't you?

So spread the word, send Kim your pictures of Whedon-inspired crafts, use your connections, and let's remind everyone that we are a force to be reckoned with, indeed.

Also? if you missed the whole Dr. Horrible thing, you can still download it via iTunes. And you should. There are so many reasons why you should.

There will be blood
It might be yours
So go kill someone!
Signed, Bad Horse.*

* aka "The Thoroughbred of Sin." (that cracks me up every time.)

addicted

More Babette progress:

Section 3 got attached Monday; yesterday I attached section 4:

Have I mentioned that I'm addicted to this pattern? I'm on vacation this week, so I've had copious amounts of crocheting time. I'm one square away from finishing the next section and should be able to attach that by tonight.

...

Yup, that's about it. As I said: on vacation.

ambition

When I was a kid, I really really wanted to be on Sesame Street.

I just realized: I still do.

progress snaps

Square One:

This is a 12-round square, which alone comprises the first section of the blanket. It took me an entire evening to crochet this puppy -- partly because I kept changing my mind about the colors near the end, partly because I wasn't paying as close attention as I could have been to what I was doing, and partly because crocheting a 12-round square where the final round is comprised of close to 200 double crochets takes some time, you know?

Since I didn't do anything all weekend but lie around, watch TV and crochet squares, I got to the second stage fairly quickly:

Actually, I have more. I have the whole third section seamed together and got as far as attaching that to the first and second, but it looks a little wonky and I want to redo it. I'm sorta pleased with the way the first two sections look here, but I think it looks even better with the third attached.

it's the couch

Not that I'm blaming one piece of furniture for my back issues -- the chair in my office certainly needs replacing as well -- but here's a rundown of recent back-related events:

1. Since Tuesday, I have been sleeping, lying down, or sitting on said couch. It is a futon-style sort of couch, and it's hard and firm. It is also not the most comfortable thing to sit on for extended periods of time, with or without back issues.

2. Last night, I slept in my bed. I just couldn't take the living room or the couch any more, and I wanted the comfort of my mattress and pillows (I hadn't moved my bed pillows into the living room because I didn't want them to get coated with whatever I was dragging up from the floors.

3. I slept mostly on my side with a pillow between my knees, as I had been doing since Tuesday.

4. This morning I practically leaped out of bed, my back felt so much better.

Now, granted, the recovery may not have anything to do with my bed and everything to do with how I was taking care of myself these last five days, but still -- the bed didn't hurt, right?

5. I just spent half an hour on the couch, since it's where my computer was. Half an hour while icing my lower back. And you know what? Back started to hurt again. It's the couch. The couch is bad.

So I'm off the couch. I'm in the office with the, yes, kinda crap office chair, but the office chair is loaded up with pillows and it's just a better place to sit while typing.

I'm on vacation this week, too, which means I don't have to just sit in front of the computer. I am going to risk a little light vacuuming. I promise it will be light, but I'm telling you, I cannot stand the state of this apartment right now. There's cat food and little litter crystals everywhere, dust and dirt everywhere. I am not a fastidiously clean person but I am disgusted.

Stay tuned . . . I may have pictures of Babette later today. Two posts in one day! I'm outta control!

stir crazy

Is what I am. I've been inside for the better half of five days now, resting my back. I'm almost there. And I also have a good lead on an acupuncturist to whom I happen to be related by marriage (well, several marriages), so I'm looking him up this week as well. Because this limited mobility thing has gotten OLD, people. OLD. I need to get out of here.

Have pictures of Babette but Picnik not cooperating. Soon.

saturday sillies

First, a round-up, ala Kim:

1. It's the logic board. I need a new computer. This is a bad time for me to be spending a lot of money, but it's a necessity -- and I think I can write it off on next year's taxes. Silver linings: I wanted a laptop, now I can get one. Hard drive intact and transferable. Also, other things are going pretty well for me right now, so the computer and back issues restore balance in the 'verse. I can be broke-ass broke for a month or two if other things are going well.

2. Oof, my back. I have been taking it easy, but I had to go out yesterday for an appointment that I really couldn't miss, and that set me back a ways. This morning I am stiff, sore, and in need of a full day on the floor on my back with my knees up, etc. But at least I can still stand up. And feed the damn cat who woke me up at 6 am and would not stop meowing. Honestly. How do I get him to stop making so much damn noise?

3. The job situation is looking more dire right now -- not only am I looking and looking hard for something new, but my current job is in jeopardy due to, as I suspected, funds running out. Got that email yesterday. (See #1, universe correcting for balance.) I'm not worried, so you shouldn't be. I'll be just fine, whether I find something new immediately or not. I saw the writing on the wall about this months ago, so I haven't been blindsided and as I indicated, I haven't been happy where I'm at now either, so, you know, this is all going to work out just fine.

4. Babette Square count: 3.75 down: 1 12-rnd square, 2 6-rnd squares (but I'm not crazy about one of them), and 1 6-rnd square almost done. My plan is to follow Maryse's lead and assemble as I go, but I haven't quite found the color combos I like for sewing the 1st and 2nd sections together, so I'll just keep churning out squares until I do. I like the one I'm almost done with. I may just take pictures this weekend with the crap camera, because it's killing me, this not showing off for you.

5. I should point out that it was Maryse's Babette that seduced Colleen and her fiance. So in lieu of my own progress snaps, you should go look at hers. Because, damn.

Ok, now for the sillies. I found this on Neatorama yesterday and haven't stopped giggling.

I don't know either. I just know I love this.

notes on beginning a new project

I have started many blankets and afghans in my time. Haven't finished a single one.

This time it has to be different. This time it's not for me. Colleen's getting married in October, and after some discussion of object, pattern and color options she and her fiance have chosen the Babette Blanket as the gift they'll be getting from me.

I'm psyched, because I've wanted to make this for quite some time.

I ordered Wool of the Andes from Knit Picks in way more colors than I think I need. I opted to go up to worsted weight from fingering so that it would be a two-person afghan -- something they can snuggle under together.

The yarn arrived yesterday and it's gorgeous. I choose correctly in ordering the kettle-dyed stuff as well as the regular colors. Some of my choices I'm not sure are going to work, but it's early yet. And I am already sure I'm going to want to order an extra skein of a couple colors.

I have, as of today, exactly three months to make this blanket. I have finished the first 12-round square. 1 square down, 125 to go. This is totally doable.

And yeah, I really need to get that new camera soon, so I can record my progress.

on the mend

All the "healthy strong back" vibes you were sending my way worked, people. I'm able to stand up and walk without much pain as of this morning. And it's not really so much pain as it is "twinges" or a slight pressure, like something on the inside is pressing down on my lower vertebrae. I can't bend from the waist yet, but I should be able to do several things today that the inability to do over the last 36 hours has been driving me up a tree. Like shower. I haven't done that quite yet--I'm taking things slow, and right now am enjoying another session with the heating pad with the first cup of coffee I've been able to make since Tuesday morning (that's right, I went without coffee yesterday. I think I survived only because I was hopped up on painkillers)--but to shower is next on my list of things to accomplish today. After I take care of that, I may take the rest of the day off--we'll see how it goes. But I'm thrilled--I will be able to pick up my own mail, let Fresh Direct in when they get here, feed the cat by myself . . . I will never take my back for granted again. And yes, I will be working on strengthening it and taking measures to protect it from this sort of injury again. First thing: I'm getting rid of the chair in my office. It's a bad chair. And then I'm going to look into this Directional Non-Force Technique business.

Later that day . . .

Oh, the best laid plans. I'm still OK, but here's how the rest of my morning went down:

at about 10 am, I got ready to take a shower. Just as I was about to turn the water on, my phone rang. It was my friend in Amsterdam, and since we so rarely have the opportunity to talk to each other these days, I took the call. As we conversed, I went into the bedroom and lay down on my yoga mat, on my back, with my knees bent -- basically the position I've been assuming since Tuesday afternoon. Scout was on the bed, just chillaxing.

All of a sudden, Scout jumps down from the bed and something under the bed catches his eye, and he goes into stealth cat mode. I turn my head to see what he's hunting, and it's a GINORMOUS CENTIPEDE. I yell, "bug! bug! bug!" into the phone (not my proudest moment), somehow roll myself up to standing position, grab a shoe, put the phone down on the bed for just a second, and then whack the holy hell out of that thing. Seriously, you guys? That fucker was TWO INCHES LONG. *

And while I don't think I overdid it with the bug extermination, I think I set my back recovery back about half a day. I was able to shower, I was able to walk down the two flights of stairs to grab my mail, but once I got back up the stairs I realized the rest of my day would be best spent in that prone position with the heating pad and all that. So, you know, that's where I'm at now.

* Of course, now I'm reading that centipedes actually eat all sorts of other menacing household bugs, like roaches and, um, those bugs that come out at night to bite you and live in that piece of furniture that people tend to sleep in, those bugs whose name I dare not speak (we call them Voldemort bugs around here) lest I bring them into existence? I would much rather have centipedes than the bugs whose name I dare not speak.

I think.

No, I'm pretty sure.

**shudder.**

If it were a "Death is not an option" sort of choice, then yes. Definitely centipedes.

Please, let it not ever come to that kind of choice.