How to drive someone crazy from 1100 miles away

19 March 2008

Quickie

So, as much as insurance school was a big nap for me, my job just got a lot more interesting. Funny how having a frail grasp on what's going on can do that. It's nothing more than the fact that I know what they are talking about now. What's more, I can respond in kind. It's supernaturally weird.

And to Ms. Heather, who complimented me very nicely (thanks for that!) and wants to know what I don't like about memory wire: It makes me feel like the wire connecting my brain to my body is choking me a little. I like the look, it's smooth and even and nice, but I feel like a Frankenstein monster with a conduit around my neck that wants to self-destruct me, and dangling a heart at the center didn't help that illusion one bit. If you like memory wire, more power to you and, sister, you are welcome to it, because I don't think it is for me in a way that being battery-powered isn't for me.

Just sayin'.

16 March 2008

How I survived the weekend

Ladies and gentlemen, I have just completed (da-dada-DAHHHHH!!) insurance school.


It was hard(ish). It was tedious. It was necessary. And now, it is over. Excepting of course the continuing education.


So, to make life a little easier, I'll show you some (crappy) pictures of some of the jewelry I designed. It really takes the edge off.
Giant wooden beads, pink-peach shells or rocks or whatever, and some little white shell beads you can't really see in this blurry little photo, but trust me, they're there. And that's the wire to the lamp in the corner; I may turn it into an uber-punk choker some day (jk).

I don't think I really like the memory wire. This pressed flower pendant was Yoshi's idea, and I like it a lot, so I may re-purpose it.

Okay, I can't do much more than lie on the couch for a while now, I learned too much about coverages and risk (that I never even knew I wanted to know) to be able to entertain you properly.

08 March 2008

Yoshi needs...

According to Yoshi, all things Hawaii are good. He was born on Oahu, military brat that he was, and moved to the continental States when he was three. He swears he remembers sunsets that look just like postcards, but I sometimes suspect he is actually remembering, ahem, postcards.

But all things Hawaii must be good, according to him. Polynesian mythology. Magnum P.I. Tiki gods and hula girls. Lost on ABC. Pork baked with pineapple, pot stickers, and really, most Hawaiian cooking. Maybe he'd like surfing if we were the outdoorsy type, but seriously... we are strictly an air-conditioned couple.

So when a pair of Yoshi's pyjama pants gave up the fight to cover his arse, I knew I had to make him some in a Hawaiian print (because there is no freaking way I will knit pants for a six foot three inch man, no matter how well he cooks, and who would want that, anyway?). So, I went looking at the local craft-and-fabric mega mart for anything manly yet tropical.

It took three or four trips to figure out that there are no tiki-god prints at JoAnn's. I didn't want to buy fabric online, because I can't feel it and don't feel confident enough about it to spend some of my hard-earned on a not-necessarily-sure thing (did I mention the drastic pay cut I am currently laboring under? I think I called it slight last post, before my first check came through, with all the taxed taken out...). So I brought Yoshi with me, and he somehow found the only remotely masculine floral print I have ever seen, as well as a super easy sewing pattern for my newbie skills to sharpen themselves upon.

Anyone know how to re-furbish these to have a quick-removal rip cord without him noticing? I think Velcro would be a little obvious... ; )

He loves them. Which means, I love them. And of course, now he wants the matching robe.

02 March 2008

Completely change your life

Anyone wonder where I've been? I've been very busy starting a whole new life for myself.

I have, after much debate and angst, finally given up waitressing. I know, I'm surprised too, but I thought it was time to not be a thirty-one-year-old waitress. There isn't a lot of future in it, not much growth potential. I will miss it, I am sad to say. I loved the hustle, the fast pace, the way I always felt like I was a part of someone's celebration. I was a good waitress (I would say great, but I'm trying to be modest here). I could make or break someone's night. I tried to always feel like I was hosting several little dinner parties a night to keep the job enjoyable, and it usually worked. In fact, pulling off that attitude is exactly what helped me get my new job. I felt it was serendipitous.

One night, I had an absolutely lovely couple at my table. I helped them choose their wine, guided them through the menu (they had no idea what they wanted, I would never tell someone who knows what they want how to order. See, I was good.), left them alone at appropriate times, refilled their glasses without being obtrusive, you know, all those things that make a dining experience good. Just think of the worst server you ever had, and think that I did none of those things. Towards the end, they were finishing up their entrees and I could tel the lady really wanted another glass of wine even though their bottle had been emptied. i politely reminded her that I had her wine available by the glass, and would be happy to split one glass into two so she and her fiance could share. She looked at me and something changed in her expression.

"That's a great suggestion. If it's not inappropriate, can I ask if you like your job?" she says.

"Oh, sure, I love this job," I say.


"If it's not rude, may I ask if I might leave you my business card? I like to hire people like you." she says.

"Oh. Um. I don't know if it's entirely professional of me to... Sure. Go right ahead."

"Just in case." she said with a little smile.

So, a phone interview, two weeks of notice, and some training later, I call her Boss Lady and work in an industry that rhymes with schminsurance. I thought it over and decided it was time for a big girl's job. No, insurance is not terrible fascinating, but was serving steaks and cheeseburgers? It will be what I make it. I now have a desk in a semi-cubicle, get to not go home smelling like barbecue sauce, and have flip-flopped my hours from 4 to midnight to 8:30 to 5:30. I wear actual women's clothing to work instead of buying button-down oxfords in the little boys' section of the department store, and heels instead of non-slip grease resistant shoes. I have taken a slight pay cut for the time being (it's only temporary, and yes, I am still buying yarn). I have actual weekends now, a salary, decent health insurance, and the most important new thing: potential to grow. See, when you start at the bottom, there's nowhere to go but up. Oh, sure, there's out, but negativity never got me anywhere.

All this change has affected the knitting. I've only had the energy to whip out this small baby shower gift.

I present to you, Booties and Bonnet of My Own Devising. I had to make up a bonnet pattern on the fly when I got to work and realized I had brought the wrong length circular needle for the hat I was planning and knew that I had to get some work done on it right now if I intended it to be ready to wrap and go by Saturday. So, I guesstimated measurements and plotted shapes in my mind until I had a bonnet. I even threw a few short rows into the top of the head to account for some roundness. Nice little two-day project for a sweet little baby set.

As for the sewing, well. Fabric is a whole new obsession. I got myself some pink paisley and stripey quilter's cotton and some pale green corduroy, then made this bag out of that book I was raving about for a beautiful girl named Whitney.



(I swear, there's corduroy on the inside.)

It's the Tokyo Tie Bag, and I totally loved it. Loved it so much that after I gave it to Whitney, I missed it terribly and immediately went out and bought black duck cloth and printed flannel to make one for me (slightly larger).



I am crazed for this bag. It's so simple, and the little knot at the top is like a tiny geisha's obi. I did add a patch pocket to the inside of the larger one (b&w), and modified the bottom seam slightly to make it reversible, so sometimes, it looks like this.

Wicked cute, huh? Will you forgive me for not knitting? I have been swatching, I swear... and out of the stash, no less. You'd be so proud of me.

Next time, I will try to take pictures of the finished Square-Necked Blue Sweater of Death and the jewelry I've been making (oh, did I mention making jewelry?).