The 'Shmen are Coming!

For the last week, I have been composing the perfect "Top Ten Stupid Things Asked By Freshman" post for your enjoyment and my santity. Seriously, I've gotten everything from "I thought the government would just give me money, I didn't realize there was an application process involved" to "Can I bring my dog to the dorms with me? The policy says pets in glass tanks are OK, so he can sleep in one if he needs to". Mind you I work in Outreach. PRE-Admission Outreach. This means I am not versed in the logistics of the policy of dogs sleeping in fishtanks and the like.

Having worked on this campus for last 4 years, I am usually able to direct the student with a serious mental lapse customer to the right office, but when this happens 30-50 times a day, it starts to get the best of you. So my list. It was going to be a good one.

However, I just got back from walking around campus on this, the day before classes start for our 148th year (bet you didn't know San Jose State is the oldest public school in CA, eh?), and once again I learned an invaluable lesson working here. I passed a number of groups of 'shmen (that's short for Freshman) around campus on my lunch hour; huddled around the campus kiosks trying to locate the building that Psych 001 is located in, unpacking boxes from the back of their parent's minivan in front of the dorms (no dogs), eagerly wandering the bookstore looking their first SJSU letter-sweatshirt.

Maybe my first-day-of-college experience had gotten so far behind me that I was becoming the very campus employee I used to despise in my undergrad days. Seeing all this seriously brought the biggest smile to my face as I imagined all the things these kids young adults were going through. I mean this is college! The first day of the rest of their lives! Even Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks from Fleetwood Mac once walked this campus as first-time students!!


So I am changing my tune. It made me remember why I have one of the best jobs in the world. How cool is it that I have the ability to bring someone to our University and in some way, have influenced all that excitiment in their faces? Very cool.

If any of you out there have kids that are just starting out in college this year, I wish you the best of luck on the next 6 4 years. I'm off to answer more phone calls...

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PS - Why didn't someone tell me that Rowan Calmer is like, THE best yarn in the world? Seriously. I LOOOOVE it. Damn you $10 a ball...

Just Knitting... and the cat... and wine... and cooking...

This was originally a knitting blog, but I see that my posts seem to be wandering further and further and further from this intent. But that's ok with me, because this little corner of cyberspace has given me something that the entire drawer full of dusty old journals from my youth can't - an actual visual snapshot of my life that can forever be accessed and appriciated. Of course, I have not reached that point where I feel comfortable divulging my secret fears and desires for all the world to read, but this could be a good thing, since I am a person who usually keeps a lot inside and this is teaching me it's ok to put it all out there.

Ok, so that was my Wednesday meditation. But guess what! I do have knitting stuff!
Don't Look Now But...

Are you sick of seeing OSW's on the Internet yet? Well this is mine, in Cascade 220, with longer sleeves than called for, and a very confused look on my face. And that's Bonny Doon Syrah. MMmmmmm.... Syrah.....

OSW #2, the forgotten wedding shrug, survived a beating from a 6 month old kitten named Billy and is now hanging out in the knitting bag, awaiting the day I will be motivated to finish her. When that will happen is questionable, seeing that the wedding has PASSED. Ces't La Vie! For #3, I am working on a way to add some spice by applying a different stitch-pattern to the entire thing. We shall see.

Lacy, Pretty Things

Next up, is my progress on the Lacy Kerchief from Interweave Knits. This is Cotton-Ease and size 7 circs... and I LOVE this scarf. Every single teeny-tiny mistake I have made I have fixed - which is unheard of in Delia-Knitting. I'm like a proud mamma with this thing - I look at it and say wow - I did that? My first venture into real lace, the provisional cast on (I can kinda crochet!) and following an eight-row repeat. Yes, I am very, very proud.

Christmas in July August

As I cleaned out my office at work a few weeks ago (You KNOW I was stressed when I was CLEANING my office), I found a gift certificate for the Knitting Garden. You know what that means, right?

Obviously, this is all not from the Knitting Garden, but what it did was INSPIRE me to stash-enhance. Yes-sir. My enabler, if you will. I really has been a long time since I bought stuff on a whim, so I felt absoulutely no guilt. Score!

• 3 Balls Calmer, for Lelah (FINALLY!)
  
• 5 Balls Cotton-Ease (from Ebay) for Garet's X-Mas gift and other random things
  
• The awesome pattern for Sunburst Sling Bags (Elann). FINALLY I can use that recycled silk I bought like 16 months ago! Family and friends, behold your Christmas Gifts!

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College-Recruiter world kicks into full gear again in a few weeks - which means it is time for the return of the knitting-college-representative on the fair circut. Everyone else chating it up and perfecting their tables while I sit with my feet propped up on a stack of viewbooks with the needles flying. They are just jealous, I know it.

Ciao!

PS - It's been forever since Viva got some love so here she is, treating me like her bitch.

Batter Up

It's Monday, I am finally looking at my blog, and it's time to pass on interviews to a couple fellow knitters out there.

First up, for Anita at knits, purls, and curls:
1) What is your favorite firework and why?
2) If someone gave you $250 to spend at a local yarn store, what would you buy?
3) Who is your favorite male country artist?
4) Name 3 unique talents that you have.
5) Shag, Marry, Push of a Cliff, the Prime-Time TV Version: Matt LeBlanc, Eric McCormack, Ray Romano

Next, for Michelle... I don't know what your blog is so I can't personalize your questions! Comment me your link and you are due-up for an interview tomorrow!

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Work is killer today and I am still recovering from my friend's wedding. I have lots of fun stuff to talk about like how awesome my that pink lacy scarf is coming out and my yarn-diet-busting enhancements, but Wine and Needles is a photo-heavy blog and no photos=no verbatum. Maybe next time. Until then:

Someone from out-of-town talks about how foggy it is and tell them, "Just wait."

You Know You're From Fresno When...

You have to explain to friends from out of town what animal
a "Tri-tip" comes from.

You think salsa goes on everything

Drivers think a red light is just a suggestion.

Your out-of-town friends start to visit after October, but clear
out before the end of April.

The best restaurants in town start with "El" or "Los."

You think $400 a month rent is way too high.

You know a swamp cooler is not a happy hour drink.

People break out coats when the temperature drops below 70.

The pool can be warmer than you are.

You realize that Valley Fever isn't a disco dance.

You still don't know your way around downtown.

Anywhere "and 99" is too far away.

You think you're better than people from Clovis.

Someone mentions the Fair and your thoughts immediately turn to
"the fair tacos".

You drive just as fast on a sunny day in June as a foggy day in
December.

You have to explain to someone about "G Street."

The whole town shuts down at 11:00.

You complain about how boring Fresno is, but still make fun of
people from Sanger, Selma, Reedley, etc.

You hadn't been to Manchester Center in 10 years until the movie
theater opened.

You never knew how you managed before River Park.

Someone from out-of-town talks about how foggy it is and tell
them, "Just wait."

You know not to take Shaw at 8, 12, or 5.

You swear there was an orchard there last week, where now there are houses.

You actually get these jokes and pass them on to other friends from Fresno.

Get Your Own "You Know You're From" Meme Here
More cool things for your blog at Blogthings

These are very true, people, so be warned if you are planning a visit someday. However, I am adding some additions:

You know you are from Fresno...

...when you know that the best parking spot is not how close it is to the store entrance, but instead how much shade you can get your car under.

...when you know what the Armenian Mafia is (I'm Armo myself, I can say that)

...when as a child you woke up to channel 18 foggy day alerts and rejoiced when your district was on this list.

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Knit Updates:
I finished the Cascade OSW and have already worn it out of the house, loved it, and been made fun of by someone who will remain un-named, but whose name starts was a 'J' and ends with a 'SWAG'. Hmmm.... It seems I have mysteriously lost 'Da Bears sweater...

I picked up the Baby Kimono for pregnant friend Danielle, but if there is something more boring that stockingette it's garter stitch. I think my quest for something new needs to involved a pattern. or lace. hell, anything that isn't st st or garter.

I'm thinking this scarf from the Summer 05 Interweave Knits, in light pink Cotton-Ease:

Alas we shall see. Ms. Indecision has made up her mind for today.

Shag, Marry, or Push off a Cliff?

The very hip Kimberli of Kimberli New York interviewed me last week. Thank you, because after 5 days on the road every creative gene in my body is still recovering and today's post would have been VERY dull. Moving on....

1. You comment often about your jail cell...what would your Ideal job be?
--> Ha Ha, Hope that one doesn't get out to the higher-ups. My ideal job would be running a small Italian/Seafood restaurant that focused on gourmet small plates and wine pairings. If it was in wine country, even better. Cooking is a serious passion of mine, and ever since the big-girl job got underway about 8 monthes ago, I don't have the time I used to! Of course, there is always time to drink wine. I definitely have time for that. Salude!

2. What's top on your dream list of items to knit (whether it's because it's unreal or because you want to learn a new skill before making it)?
--> Something very large, because I would be in awe that my patience allowed me to. There is an awesome quilt in Simple Knits with a Twist that NEEDS to be on my bed someday. I would also really like to make a Charlotte's Web Shawl, but I already screw up basic lace so this is something that will have to wait until I have some more experience under my belt.

3. What are your top 3 wines?
--> That is a really, really hard question. I've tried so many that I love, but currently I'm liking:
1) Clos Du Bois Reserve Chardonnay. Bonus points for the no-longer available Reserve Pinot Noir.
2) Grgich Hills Zinfandel
3) Bonny Doon Old Telegraph.
Best New Cheap Wine: Twin Fin. Bonus: Screwcaps make it easy to travel with!

4. Plastic? Bamboo? Wood? Metal?
--> I like the asthetic of bamboo/wood, but usually find metal more accomodating to my tight-knit tendency. I have a nice mix of both in my stash.

5. And, because I agree with Cheryl that this should always be the last question (in honor of the undercover celebrity) Shag, Marry, Push off a Cliff: Mike Ditka, Owen Wilson, Iggy Pop
--> Shag: Owen Wilson. Oh My God, it's Hansel!
--> Marry: Mike Ditka. He is probably the only person in the world that I could marry that Jason would give his 'OK' to.
--> Push Off A Cliff: Iggy Pop. I don't really want to push IP off a cliff, but I don't really want to Marry or Shag him either.


Want to play? The Official Interview Game Rules:
1. If you want to participate, leave a comment below saying "interview me."
2. I will respond by asking you five questions - each person's will be
different.
3. You will update your journal/blog with the answers to the questions.
4. You will include this explanation and an offer to interview others in the
same post.
5. When others comment asking to be interviewed, you will ask them five
questions.

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Stupid Delia Moment #28495

Work feverishly to finish shrug for Kaci's wedding, then leave it sitting (unfinished) in a chair at someone elses house in Santa Cruz on Sunday. Delia can't get to Santa Cruz before the wedding.

CRAP

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I need a new project. Imagine that. Someone help me, please!

That Was Vacation?

Christ, have you ever had one of those vacations where you wake up Monday morning for work going 'crap-o-la, where did that 10 days go?' That's me. Plus I had about 50 voicemails and 100 emails. Yay for over-anxious freshman.

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Girls Gone Wild

It started with the bachelorette party. Oh, the bachelorette - It was a great time. We stayed at a fabulous hotel, had a lesiurely dinner and vino at a chic restaurant, and a trek home when the sun came up.


Apparently, I was the only one more concerned with the shot than the photograph.


My girl Kaci. Down for the count. Note my inability to open my eyes completely during a photograph. That's a family thing.

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Beach Blanket Babylon
Then there were those 7 days at the Beach House. A lot of lounging, wine and knitting as I had previously predicted.




1) Yours truly looking pleasant as always. 2) Mom and Nanny hangin' on the deck. Nanny drank a few glasses of hypnotiq during the day, prompting random comments of 'Nanny got hypnotized!' throughout the course of the week. 3) The Aptos interpretation of a 'sunset'. My family came from the Central Valley family where the weather is 10,000 degrees right now, so they really appriciate this. 4) The giant log that the men rolled over. This was brilliant, really. Jason, Nathan, and my Uncle swung this thing end-to-end about 6 times to get this up to our campfire area. The best part, my 13 and 14 year old cousins were directing the operation from afar.

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Knitting Progress
Random shots from the knitting basket:

Vinayard Socks
Knit Picks Simple Stripes, Size 2
Onviously still awaiting toe-grafting and end-weaving. These bad boys are on their way to Oregon with some Roobios Tea from Adagio.


Cashsoft Shrug
Rowan Cashsoft and Crystal Palace Angora-Something Kid Merino.
Size 8 needles
Modified OSW pattern to go over my dress at Kaci's beach wedding. Making your own clothes rocks.


Da' Bears.
Da Bears Da Bears Da Bears
TOOOO much stockingette. Must...find.... a way.... to.... go on....


The Farmers Market Bag, in all her glory holding leeks at the Sunnyvale famers market.
Lion Brand Cotton, Cream + Red
Size 8 needles
'Zeebee's Bag' Pattern from S'n'B

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Anyhow, I'm back on the road again the day after tomorrow, headed to Pomona in SoCal for a conference. And I get to be the backseat driver the whole way. LA, summer heat, and backseat driving here I come.

With any luck, I'll blog from a seminar on retention or some other joyous subject. Wish you were me!!!!