**podcast removed by request. email comanche dot red at gmail dot com for details.

Sunday afternoon podcast leaves us a little less animated than usual. This time with etiquette.

Labels: podcast, schmoovecast

You may not be able to see this very well. for some reason blogger likes to make the images smaller than my camera makes them. It is today's entry on my stitch n bitch page a day calendar. Mondays are "Fave Fiber" days, today's entry is Lion Brand Fun Fur Stripes.

Excuse me? No. I won't have it.

Lion Brand Fun fur is DISGUSTING. It looks ok but is absolutely awful to knit with and just feels creepy. In addition any person who picks up a couple of skeins and needles makes one up and fancies him/herself an entrepreneur. Therefore you can't hit your run of the mill craft fair without tons of fun fur scarves. Fun fur scarves which are overpriced considering you can buy one of those "Magic Scarves" for half the price, only the Magic Scarf is a bit more sturdy and knitted in the round allowing you to do all kinds of crazy stuff with it.

Oh, and the flip flops! i have three pair currently: two made with some kind of eyelash (this is what some people call Fun Fur) I got at the yarn store, one made with Lion Brand Fun Fur. The two with the other eyelash look rather nice--the fur isn't outrageous, the colors have held. The Lion Brand Fun Fur--well, no. not so much. Faded color, too fuzzy. Ech. Again, a craft fair staple. I've made them for friends, shown the process to the crafty group, and that's it. They take barely any time to make and require very little skill, so you can probably make them for half or less than half what you'd pay for them.

I've got some copper Lion Brand Fun Fur that my mom bought from a fellow choir singer who had surplus, it's still sitting there with the needles still in it. I won't finish it, it's just such a pain. I should state for the record that I love novelty yarns. In fact, I very rarely buy normal yarns because I just love the result you can get from them (plus they cover a multitude of mistakes). But Lion Brand Fun Fur is just different. It takes all the fun out of knitting with eyelash yarn.

Labels: crafts, pictures

Yesterday was a lovely day so I decided to spend most of it indoors and cleaning my house. I have a house guest coming for a night and don't want to give the impression i live in total squalor (partial squalor is ok). Actually, this is the sort of friend who I've known for a long time and understands my disdain of housework, but still, I want it to look nice for her visit. This means cleaning off the dining room table (I think the last time anyone actually dined on it was probably her last visit several years ago), moving things where they should go, and vacuuming. Oh man. Vacuuming. i don't mind vacuuming really, it's picking up things I don't like. It's the notion of cleaning top to bottom so I don't have to vacuum more than once per cleaning spell. I decide it's time to vacuum, look around at all the pre-vacuuming cleaning I need to do, give up. Repeat.

Right now the word vacuum probably has no meaning, you're questioning if it's even a real word. don't you hate when your brain does that?

But yesterday, oh man, I don't know what came over me. I even cleaned the window where Denny sits. It's a futile effort to be sure--I know that as soon as I windex the dog drool he'll just redroolify it. Still, it looks nice right now and that's what's important. I haven't really cleaned the kitchen or the upstairs yet but getting the living room done is a gigantic step.

So I'm feeling accomplished and the weather's warm so I decide it's high time to sleep with the window open, one of my favorites. Oh, sure, I haven't done this in a while because of my loud neighbors but that's ok, they seem to be out or calm or both tonight.

so around 3:30 in the AM I am proven wrong, that crazy doesn't have a "quiet time." i tried hard to hear the arguement (shut up, you know you would too) but couldn't really discern any specific words, except for the four letter one that starts with f. Then he sets the car alarm and it goes off. Denny is downstairs and lets loose a single bark (may have been bad dreams). All that lacked was some terrible rap or country music blaring and police sirens for it to be the best night of my life.

Labels: homestead, neighbors

Woke up intending to go shopping with the sister which didn't work out. Hey, it's all right, really. This meant a trip to the dog park where we met Flash, who seems to be finding some independence from Denny. He still likes to hang around Denny but he did a lot of running on his own. Denny ended up giving a dog the what-for. see, this young black lab mix kept wanting to hump denny, but denny didn't want none of that. Within seconds the lab mix was on his back in a move that said "ok ok you're the boss! I'm backing off!"

Even though the sister didn't want to join me in shopping I did end up checking out some of the hipper nashville shops. The biggest standout was Flaunt, a plus size clothing store I've seen advertised around town. I'm in between misses sizes and womens sizes right now which is no fun. What this means is that misses sizes are too snug and womens are too roomy. i am in a place where I can appreciate the differences in cut. The plus size clothes were cut a little roomier in the back which was pretty nice, I am very appreciative.

I also did a little outdoor skating and realized I hate outdoor skating in TN. I'm used to outdoor skating in FL where everything's flat, there are too many hills here and I'm afraid to go too fast in fear of hitting a stray pebble that would leave me with a delightful road rash.

Finally, I was supposed to go bowling. It had been talked about earlier in the week. I was beat and kind of didn't want to go but I decided yes, bowling. That's where it's at. It would seem, however, that everyone else decided that bowling was, in actuality, not where it was at and the bowling did not happen. What did happen is me at home watching jackass and waiting for SNL with former Vol Mr Peyton as host.

Labels: dogs

I haven't seen the 300. I don't intend to see the 300. Seriously. I like action movies as much as the next guy--ok, tht's not true. I probably like action movies slightly less than the next guy. Still, I like them just fine, but I'm not going to see the 300.

It's a fairly compelling story and it's also a great success story of a movie, plus it's because of them I can put 300 pictures on my myspace page.

Still, I just don't care.

One: I'm tired of seeing Mr Defined Chest Man with his angry face. I don't know who he is but the imdb tells me he's been in a lot of stuff I haven't seen. Hey, did you know there's a Beowulf and Grendel movie? anyway, he's in the absolutely dreadful "Reign of Fire" which I, sadly, did see the night it opened and I don't remember much beyond McConaughey, Bale, dragons, and a few ridiculous scenes. He plays The Phantom in the film version of, um, Phantom of the Opera, something else I haven't seen but I'll take this to mean he's a really good singer. I'm not making any comment on his talent, I'm just saying he's had quite a career yet I'm completely unfamiliar with the man. I'm doing my best to rectify that, I've read his mini-bio and he seems like an all around good guy. Now I won't think of him as the angry, chisled brute screaming lame catch phrases. Which brings me to

Two: "Tonight we dine in hell!" Now, really. It's rumored that this was an actual line uttered by the real life Leonidas, King of Abs. There is a line that can be drawn, people. It's one of the stupidest movie lines ever. I haven't seen the movie so I'll assume that it's a reference to how hard the battle's going to be, but to me it's just proof that any line said with enough force and emotion can be worked into a memorable, motivational phrase. I'm not a betting gal but I'd put my money on this here line making its way into vernacular of many a high school coach.

Labels: movies

Last night we drew nekkid people. Well, to be specific it was one nekkid person, a young lady. I'll be honest with you, I hope it's a long, long time before I see another nekkid person, man or woman. It's SO difficult. really.

We started by drawing as much as we could in 30 seconds. Over and over. then 15. then 60. then five minutes. Then we spent the remaining class (about 45 minutes) on one drawing. it was not easy. Seriously.

I'll share later on. Three more weeks of nekkid people. ugh!

Labels: school

**podcast removed by request. email comanche dot red at gmail dot com for details.

No etiquette but Dr Gay does take a quiz on Bea Arthur. He does not do as well as you'd think...

Labels: podcast, schmoovecast

Question: Why would the average consumer need a battery powered razor?

Answer: I have no idea, but it was on clearance so I bought it anyway.

So it's a Schick Quattro Power Titanium. Yes, all of that. The idea of a battery powered razor sounds like a disaster waiting to happen but who am I to judge? unfortunately it won't get use until next weekend since I'm relatively hairless and tent to stay that way for several days. I'll give you a report later.

How was your St Patrick's day? Mine was relatively green free, if you discount the green mini cupcake and the grass my ass fell upon.

It started at a wiffle ball double header. Good times, but a little windy and chilly. I strapped on my skates with the new outdoor wheels and provided the outfield entertainment (which means I skated up and down the street). I only fell once, and of course it was my ass which suffered.

They take this seriously. No joke. They've got stats going back to the sixties when Jimmy first created the rules. Here's a picture of Jimmy at bat. More wiffle ball pictures on my flickr account.

Later was a trip out east, of course, to a cookout at Cricket and Mimi's. Good times. I left with a smile on my face and a stack of books to read. I even got to play pigs!

I had to call it an early night. Damn straight it was a good day.

Labels: celebrations, wiffle ball

Oh wow. Wow. I think this may be the most boring movie EVER. Remember, this is coming from a fan of documentaries AND Al Gore and someone sympathetic to the whole cause but damn.

It's like sitting through a lecture in one of those required college courses. Unlike college I can turn it off, but as a left leaning moderate I would probably feel immense guilt if I did so.

It doesn't make me want to run out and buy a Hummer and leave the lights on all day but it does make me wonder what the hell I'm missing that everyone else seems to see.

Labels: movies, politics

it's cool, though. I will definitely keep trying. it was my falls.

Labels: roller derby

Here's why:

• The phrase "mistakes were made." It's right up there with "it is what it is." Another way to avoid taking responsibility for your own screw ups.


• The cost of running a presidential campaign, even if you're unsuccessful. An NPR story estimated costs around 50-100 million. Let's say you've got two candidates per party, and since the US only has two parties, and let's average that out to $75 million per campaign, well that's 300 million. Wow. Now that would buy a lot of body armor for our troops, insure a lot of children, rebuilt a few buildings in Mississippi and Louisiana...well, the list goes on. I am considering not voting in the next presidential election because of this. I know that one person is only one person, but I could just as easily be voting for one peanut butter brand over another. Marketing--blech.


• speaking of marketing, people who use Jesus to market a business or product or candidate. This morning there was a story about a dude who is selling holy water, water that has been blessed by a clergyman. There's even a disclaimer that it could cause blah blah blah problems in sinners. Hey, you know what? part of being human means we are all susceptible to sin. In fact, WE ARE ALL SINNERS. Like it or not. If you're a Christian all you can do is pray for forgiveness, but you're always going to sin. Also, cashing in on your faith? Bad practice, man.


• Podcasters who ask for money. Damn. i'm freakin broke as hell and all I want is a froggin theme song.


• Still don't know if I passed the skillz test. Only a minor irritation, but still.


• A Jaguar I saw in a parking lot yesterday still had the Carmax decal on it. Honestly, the decals come right off, rich bastard. I'll never be able to afford a Jaguar used or otherwise but at least I know enough to TAKE THAT DAMN CARMAX DECAL OFF. I mean, damn, I took most of mine off my car (left only the Max part. I can't STAND when people leave just the "carma" part--first off, it's goofy as hell and secondly it's not even the correct spelling) and it's only a freakin toyota.

Labels: drama, politics

Dr Gay comes to town and I twist my knee and ankle. coincidence? we're distracted by the TV a bit. I'm distracted by hunger and pain.

Labels: podcast, schmoovecast

So remember the skills test I'm supposed to be taking on Monday? Well it might not happen. I changed my wheels from my good pink Radar Tuners to the crap Chicago wheels that came with my crap Chicago skates, as I don't want to mess up the pink wheels. So I go in the garage and practice my stops and I'm doing great, just great, right? Seriously, I have it down. So I skate up the road and do just fine and try to cross over but it was too sharp a turn and I fall. No biggie, though, I fall on my knee and elbow which are heavily protected thanks to my gear.

And then Dr Gay shows up. He's going to take pics which is very much welcome. I say ok, but before you take a picture here's a demonstration of what I'm trying to do. Then, as I try to show I fall, and not in a good, controlled way. I twist my knee and ankle a bit as I'm falling. Right now they're wrapped up. I'm putting ice on it when I think about it. I'm doing 4 ibus every four hours. Here we are.

I'd planned to spend all weekend practicing but nop, now I'm spending all my time with my leg elevated. I'm still hoping to tke the test monday. We'll see.

Labels: drama, roller derby

Every time I log in to blogger I see a picture of the club de ville in austin and a notice about a SXSW party. waaaah! i don't get to go to sxsw this year! not enough money, not sure if I have a place to crash.
sigh. this is why I need a job as a professional blogger so I can get a wristband and a small patch of floor upon which to crash.
i suppose in order to do that, though, I would need to be a better blogger.

Labels: drama

Labels: pictures

Labels: pictures

Labels: pictures

Derby skills testing on Monday. Here's the minimum skills.

Labels: roller derby

Etiquette, both of olden times and of modern day. derby updates. make us a theme song.

Labels: podcast, schmoovecast

Please be patient because there's lots of pictures. some of them have been posted before, some not. Some are pretty old.
Me and David Lee from th'Legendary Shack Shakers
Mom and Charlie Louvin
Dogs
Scccaaaary Carton Plantation
What was once my eyebrow, Judy looks on.
A Peep in a chocolate egg.
Staredown
VU: institution of higher learnin'
Rockin out at the now defunct Sam's Bellevue
Chris Isaak and Silvertone
Kiss my fat ass.

Labels: pictures

I will take this moment to point out that I'm so happy that crafting is cool again. Thanks to Kate's reminder I made it to the Nashville Craft Mafia's craft fair over at the Cannery Ballroom. I have issues with craft fairs--a lot of the time it's stuff I could easily make myself or items I absolutely don't need. So I figured hey, it's saturday, might as well, right? And oh, what a craft fair it was. I walked in unsure, I left completely broke. Here are some of the items I purchased. Please click on the pictures for a larger view. and I do encourage looking at the larger images, I also encourage clicking on the links.
From Maryink. This is the first item I purchased. Mary's items are exactly the sort of prints I would love to do. The shirt is supersoft and the images are adorable.
From Jimiyo. I originally saw his work at the Plowhaus artisan fair but was short on cash at the time. Luckily he had the very shirt (which you can see above) that I wanted.
This is my very favorite purchase, from Nieves Uhl, a killer Luchador felted sweater bag. I. Love. This. She also had some amazing cigar box shrines. I strongly encourage you to click on the link and look at the items in her store. Check back often, she really has some great items and she's a lovely gal. She took a picture of me with the bag, she said it was her favorite.

Labels: crafts, nashville

The new skates are A. Maz. Ing. For reals. You'll hear more about it on the podcast but yes, I love them. They literally stick to the floor when needed and huggle my foot like a mama bear hugs her cubs. Of course, being new there are still hot spots where they hurt but that will change.

Last night I was involved in a few drills with the big girls. I kept up as best I could but had to drop out a couple of times because my endurance sucks.

But honestly, sometimes I get the feeling that I'm not sure i'll do this. It's not that I don't want to, but more of the I'm not sure I'm outgoing enough, or maybe I'll never get used to the fact that I've got to pay attention to ten things at once when I'm in the pack. I think eventually the strength and the stamina will come but the camraderie, the skill may take longer. I've been at it close to two months, you'd think I'd be there now. I've watched bouts, I've watched scrimmages, but I don't know.

Labels: roller derby