TechyGeekGirlKnits

aka: Shannon's Shananigan's (Since there seems to be less & less knitting and more Shananigan-ing going on as of late and well, let's face it, she's just going to always be a techygeekgirl!!)

Sunday, September 30, 2007

So That's What That's Like

I had a date last night and he brought me these:


He's a great guy. And I think he might be a keeper....!

Wednesday, September 26, 2007

Walking in Memphis

I'm in Memphis this week for a class on tablet technology. We are going through all the science of making tablets, from formulation through tablet coating. It's actually quite fascinating, if you are into that kind of thing. It's at the Univ. of Tenn - Memphis and can give you more information if you want it....
Ok, so really the best part of the trip has been BEING in Memphis. I mean, I'm staying at the Double Tree Downtown, which is literally 2 blocks off of Beale Street and across the street from The Peabody. Oh, and I overlook the Memphis Cardinals Stadium:


It almost looks like a mini version of Busch Stadium.

Here's the view from the other window facing East. (I'm on the top floor, too)


Yeah, that's the Greyhound Station in the front, but the view down Union is great!
On Monday, we went to Blues City Cafe for ribs that were amazing. We also sampled some music around Beale Street and drank "Big Ass Beers". Gotta love a place where open containers are legal on the street! I saw the "ducks" at the Peabody, though in the Duck Palace on the roof. I don't think I'll make the parade through the lobby this week...
Today was our "long" class day. We had 4 labs today, so lots of time on our feet. We got out a little early and I had a chance to go see Sun Records, but I was too beat to do it, so I came back to catch up on e-mail and crash for a bit.
Two more days to go!

Saturday, September 22, 2007

The Further Adventures of Bargain Hunting

A little change in plans today.

I got an e-mail from the lady I contacted early this week about an ad I saw on some "craigslist" type list for spinning wheels. It said they had a Louet and a wheel from New Zealand. The phone number was local for me, so I figured what the heck.

I didn't hear back after a day or two, so I called the Weaving Dept. and ordered my Traveler.

Last night I got an e-mail back. Today I made a phone call, made the trip over and made a deal for this:


I also got this:

And this:


For the bargain basement price of $160 cash!!! (Go ahead, look on E-bay and see what they are going for, I'll wait.) Yes, I saved a bunch of my bonus budget I had set aside for a spinning wheel!The woman was a spinner and had inherited a wheel (I'm thinking mine) and a giant weaving loom from a friend of hers. This woman had fallen ill and was unable to work with this anymore, so was getting rid of it. I did get a chance to say "hi" to her and thank her for the wheel. I assured her that it was going to a good home and would be used and loved. I think she was OK with that.

After I picked it up, I drove out to Weaving Dept. and had "the other" Nancy look at it. She was so jealous and impressed that I was able to get a hold of wheel in such great condition for so cheap! She said it was probably at least 80 years old and had most of the original pieces on it. She tightened everything up, showed me where to oil and got it going. It was fun to see her go through it and get it spinning and it did great.

I did feel bad about putting in an order, then canceling it, but they assured me that they will use the traveler. Before I left though, I bought a new single drive flyer and Mother of All with bobbins from them, along with a Niddy Noddy, so I did still spend money with them. Then I went out to buy stain and the other little parts to help keep her together.

I have about $175 left in my "start spinning" budget now, so plenty of funds to buy fiber!! The Weaving Guild show is coming up in November and E-bay is a good friend of mine, so we'll start trolling soon.

The couple is still looking at letting the Louet wheel and the weaving stuff go too. The wheel looks a couple of years old and is priced at $150. They also had a bunch of drop spindles and bobbins that looked antique. If you want to be put in contact with them, please let me know.

I'll be cleaning with Murphy's Oil Soap tonight and off to TN tomorrow, so spinning will have to wait a week. It's so worth the wait with the adventure I had today! (In a rental car from work, no less!!)

Wednesday, September 19, 2007

It's On Order

I did it.


I ordered a spinning wheel. It's the Ashford Traveler, Double Drive, Double Treadle, Finished.

I didn't think I would like spinning so much, but I do. And I've been waiting for some extra money to come my way to get one...and it did.

So I called Weaving Dept. today, talked to Nancy and put in the order.


Then I talked to Anna. Yep, that Anna. ENABLER ANNA. She struck again. I had lunch with her this week and she got me talking about needing a Woolee Winder, and where to get good fiber and how it's so much more fun to spin in the Winter. She did it. She turned me from a knitter, to a spinner/knitter.


It is supposed to be here in 10 days and I can't wait. Fortunately I have a training class in Memphis next week, so I will be otherwise occupied next week.


It's this one:





Apparently resistance is futile...

Saturday, September 15, 2007

CNTL-ALT-DEL

RESET.

I've been feeling way out of sorts lately with work, home, relationships, family and life in general. I do have to say that I've gotten to the point where I start to realize that before it totally spirals out of control. Usually I am able to stop it or at least change course so the big trainwreck doesn't hit!

This is what I've been doing since about July of this year. I have really been reflecting on my life - where I am, where I'm going, what the hell I want to be doing, going, etc. So I've decided to RESET it all.

No, wait, don't freak out - I haven't decided to move to some remote island in the South Pacific (though Winter is coming...). I have really tried to make sure that I know what's going on and making stuff for changes as needed.

The biggest thing is that I decided my relationship with T was going nowhere, slowly. We had gotten to the point where we were dating just like a year ago and he had no desire to move on past that. I was still the "weekend girlfriend", though I did have one night a week too, if I was lucky! He always says that he wants a relationship, but his actions say such the opposite. I was tired of dealing with it and feeling like I was really unimportant in his world, so I ended it. I feel better and honestly, I don't miss it a lot. (I miss having someone to do stuff with, but not really him as much...) I'm doing good and feeling really OK with it.

I also started getting excited about being home more and seeing my neighbors more. They are all so cool and I have missed seeing them. I'm looking forward to hanging out with them more in the future.

Oh, and I'm still knitting...I promise. I started a scarf a la Crazy Aunt Purl's Magic Scarf or giant seed stitch. I am doing it in Blizzard, an Alpaca mix and its' so fuzzy and soft - just love it! And I almost finished the red baby sweater - it needs to get in the mail before it starts getting cold in NC!

As for work, I'm finally am "getting it". It's been a transition and it's been tough and a little bit of a blow to the ego, but I'm hanging in. I am hearing from colleagues that it's tough and everyone goes through it, but if you are willing to put in the work, you make it through. I've never really backed down from a challenge, so I'm game. Good thing, as I really dont' want to job search right now!

And the blogging.... I'd love to promise that I'll blog every day, but that's not realistic. I did get the Internet back at home, so I can work more there. That will help get me back into blogging, I hope. So, no promises, but check back often...