Love me some Oregon

I am once again working aboard Oregon State University's R/V Wecoma out of Newport, OR. We arrived a day or so before we were really needed (mostly because our compressor arrived late, as usual) so I had some time to wander about one of my favorite places on the West Coast to visit. The weather was exactly what I like too. Rainy, cloudy, cool.

Went to Yaquina Head Lighthouse and checked out Cobble Beach and Quarry Cove, we were both a little disappointed to miss low-tide as we wanted to check out the pools, but we saw harbor seals. Agate Beach was also gorgeous, lots of dunes and misty photos.

The food has been fantastic, Rogue beers (Old Crusty is delicious and will knock you on your ass), steamer clams, sides of crab (I am never ordering a dish again without asking if I can get it with a side of crab), fresh berries, marionberry stuffed french toast (it was HUGE!)





I have been a knitting fool working on a baby blanket for a friend of mine who has only just heard the heartbeat. My knitting group had a swap not long before I left. We built a yarn/needle/book mountain in the middle of someone's living room and swapped till we couldn't swap no more. It was a lot of fun. I walked away with 12 skeins of Vanna's Choice and a a blanket that had been started with it which I am expanding on for the baby. There was a pattern in the bag, but I have decided on just randomly placing "bricks" of color and it is coming out semi-log blanket-ish but a little more random.



I'm running out of yarn (not altogether, just traveling with me) and am toying with starting to add modular bricks, so I don't have to add sections the entire length of the blanket. I'm afraid running out would hold me up and who wants to waste knitting mojo? It could never return. Not to mention I would hate to feel like I had to buy more when I got to Newport (found it at the local Fred Meyer) when I have EIGHT more skeins at home.

In other knitting news I found a knitted French press cozy at the Newport Farmer's Market. I never ever thought about that before, but it makes a lot of sense as they are usually glass and glass is not very insulating. They were very cute and usually, when I come across something knitted that I love, my first instinct is to try to work something similar out on my own, sans pattern. However, this time I knew I didn't want to work it out. Someone else had perfected it and knit it up and had it available. Not to mention, she was trying to make a living. So I bought one. I don't have a French press. I'm not that cool, but a certain sister does. And I think she'll love it.

Only a few more days at sea. It is a short trip.

For those reading this on Facebook, you probably want to come to the blog to make sure you see the pictures. Did I mention the steamer clams were FANTASTIC?

Far from home and learning to live

I miss home. I miss it so much it burns me. I stalk my friends and family on the web and find out what they are doing without me. Especially anytime more than one of them congregate and have fun. I get jealous. And lonelier. I don't know how to deal with that. Every day I feel more and more sequestered from my family. My few visits home are not enough to catch up with the months we are apart.

My plan of attack has been to re-build my life, incorporating those I'm separated from as much as possible, but making new friends in my new home. Making my new home someplace I adore and want to be. Making new friends is difficult and exhausting. I feel I am constantly on my best behavior trying to sell myself. Wearing a facade that gets heavy.

This week I had a visitor from home and it was everything I needed and wanted. Someone who loves me all the time no matter my emotional or mental status. I didn't have to behave myself. I didn't have to be funny or smart or pretty. I didn't have to entertain or cater. Every moment spent together was just perfect for both of us, no matter what we were doing. It was like taking off a suit of armor I didn't realize I had been wearing and taking a long overdue deep breath.

I was informed that I was missed, but he was supremely impressed with the life I had created for myself here. I have to admit it gets better and better all the time and I love and appreciate the friends I have made here. However, the call from home is constantly ringing in the background. I would give anything to relive 2005/2006. I was in love, surrounded by good friends and content.

Now I am alone again and it is back to the war. Make new friends, live happily and well rounded, find someone to love, and finish my knitting projects.

where would we be
who would we become
together
apart
us or me
home is with you
and him
and she
a beat there
another here
never again to be whole
never again complete

While I was away

1. I completed a sweater. Which I have then lost.

2. I went to Ensenada Mexico which was great. But I don't want to work there again. I want to go back for fun.

3. I have been spinning yarn on a drop spindle. I love it. I bought a TON of roving on the web cheap. Actually two pounds of roving equals a ton. Just for the record.

4. I went to the fairgrounds today and ate my weight in trans fat. I think I will survive, but if you know a place with drive thru bypasses, let me know. It may just be fruit, V8s and water for a few days.

5. I have been making all kinds of soup but I broke the lid to my crockpot and I'm waiting for a replacement. Yesterday I made chorizo bean soup and it was sooo good.

6. One of my bestest friends is coming to see me on Wednesday and I am so excited. It is going to be so much fun and relaxing and awesome.

7. I bought a Roku. I love it. LOVE it!

Congratulations on reading the most boring post ever. But you are caught up.

MICROSOFT!

How I hate thee!

A recent Microsoft update is installing an add-on for Firefox, without telling you and making the "uninstall" unavailable. This makes me very angry. Bubbling lava angry. Imminent explosion angry.

They have a fix for this on their support page which requires upgrading the add-on in order to remove it. Upgrade? In order to uninstall?

I call bullsh*t. No No No.

This website however showed me how to remove it without the "update". Very simple. Just follow the directions and it will be gone. You don't need it.

The Anniversary of Tiananmen

So China started blocking social networking sights leading up to today. I think they were afraid we would remember what they did.

Personally, I think it is more about remembering the students who died. I think the internet should make so much noise it is impossible to silence.

Let's not forget today and if nothing else, remember for those who don't have the freedom to do so themselves.

Repeat it wherever you can.

Bad Knit Blogger!

I forgot to mention that I was using Universal Tides in the colorway Deluxe that I bought on eBay.com. I have 5 skeins, but I think I will only need 4. It is a 100% wool, thick and thin yarn. The thick and thin characteristic bothered me at first, particularly when the ball got stuck in my bag and a little tug pulled apart one of the loosely spun "thick" sections.

However it has grown on me and I think this is a great pattern to display the "awesome" of the yarn. It is all stockinette.

I'm sorry if you tried to link to the sweater and it appeared broken but the site appears to be gone (really? I just started this sweater, what's that about?). Thankfully you all know what mad skillz I gots. It is my third top down raglan and I worked it out with some bust shaping even.

Today is payday and I have decided (which is not unexpected) that the buttons I have just will not do. So I'll pop into Beverly's before knitting tonight and get something perfect. A co-worker pointed out I could stain my own wood buttons if the colors weren't right.

...

Of course I could! I know I could. Why did I never think of that. We'll see what I can find. Over the next two days I will be running around craft stores as I have some goodies I need to make for a special Single Knitter on Ravelry.com

Also less than 24 hours to the launch of Bus Stop Comic, don't forget to check it out.

Buttony is a movin!

This is what I did this weekend. Played around on the computer and watched a lot of shows. Kinda feel like it is a weekend down the tube, but not if I have a sweater to show for it soon, right?

also, some random thoughts I had this weekend. Miley Cyrus is "Finally happy again" according to some magazine I was checking out. Now, I hate to belittle, but c'mon Miley! You are 16. You have yet to see your worst moments. I think the words finally and again should be cut outta your mouth. Just sayin.

There are some places you just can't remove pet hair from. Never.

A spider crawled across my face right when I was dozing off the other night. It freaked me out. I had to text about it. Then, I tweeted. haha.

I have been reunited with A Softer World. Someone I had a very unhealthy relationship with once upon a time, told me that the site reminded him of me. I freaked out and stopped reading it. But really, there is a reason, I love it. It is exactly my humor. I am no longer freaked out, but I would love to produce work personally that nailed me so exactly like A Softer World. I'll put them up on the sidebar when I feel like editing my layout. Later.

Everyone I know seems to be planting lately. Have all of us always been gardening and I didn't notice? Have my friends just become grownups? Is it an economy thing? Hopefully, from the sounds of it, every one will be stuffing their faces with good for you fresh from the garden veggies. Go us. If I get a single vegetable from my garden and the basil perks up, I'll be in heaven. Mind you my garden is a bunch of pots. I don't know if I'll have a successful pot harvest (HA!) but I"m going to try.

If you don't already know the Semi-Crazy Blonde Girl she is putting out a webcomic that debuts on June 2nd... Bus Stop Comic Check it out and feed back. She has been working like crazy and I think most of us know how hard it is to put ourselves out there for the world to see. If it takes off, maybe they will come visit me next year for the San Diego Comic Con... hint.

Also I made a new friend who makes a comic that is new this year as well. I'm all about promoting my friends, even if I only have two readers, but check out Near and Far. They are in the middle of a hiatus while scripts are written, but it'll be back soon. And I know, most of you would be totally excited to know it is drawn by a knitting male and really, whatever it takes to get you over there. They will be at ConnetiCon. If you are an East Coaster or just happen to be there and you are a "con" type (don't lie, I know you are) go buy their stuff. Or just say hi I've heard of you.

I didn't mean to turn into a promoter, but honestly, while I'm at it. If you are ever in Seattle check out Mutual. You can find them on Facebook and on Twitter as MutualTunes. I have yet to see them perform live, but I think their music is great and I'm really impressed with their growth. Check em out.

You know what, tell em I sent ya. Maybe someday when they get merch, I'll get a little something.

Ok I am off to clean the bathroom then reward myself with cookies and ice cream. Go me.