Where Did Last Week Go?

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Skyrim, video games

What, wait? A week passed and not a single blog entry for me again? Where is the time going? Oh, yeah. That’s right. Skyrim. Yes, folks I have yet again fallen victim of the time suck that is a video game. Just as I did with the previous two Elder Scroll games from Bethesda.

Deadlines? Bah! Who needs deadlines? Thankfully I do. Because if I hadn’t set them before my initial stint playing Skyrim nothing would get done. And I mean absolutely nothing.

Last week was filled with more than just playing of the Skyrim. There was plenty of organizing in printed patterns – which was actually finished for the most part today. Taxes for the last year were filed. A visit from my mum was in order as I had a procedure done on Friday that had me under anesthesia.

But yes, a lot of Skyrim has been played. If you don’t hear from me for another week you know where to find me – In front of the telly with a controller in my hands and a cat on my lap vying for attention, playing all the Skyrims.

Friday Wrap-Up

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Friday Wrap Up

This week has been rather busy all around. Some work, some play, all around pretty decent.

Here’s a little recap since I haven’t said much this week:

• Began reading The Robots Rebellion and Bill Moyers Journal: The Conversation Continues. I can already tell you that it will take me at least a month or more to read The Robots Rebellion. There is a lot to digest.
• Saw Girl With The Dragon Tattoo. (Actually this happened last Friday…) Amazing movie. Just amazing. Do not take children to see this. The themes within this movie are of a violent nature. Not your blood and guts violent; emotional and sexual.
• Finished the first section of a design in progress.
• Finally managed to get things to the post!
• Began a game of Fable III – quite liking it so far, even with the occasional glitch I come across.
• Welcomed Harper Natalie Williams to this place we call earth…not that she came from Space or anything. She’s cute as a button. (Which is now her nickname according to sources.)

How has your week been? Getting back into the swing of things now that we are well into the first month of 2012?

It Was A Dark And Stormy Night

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Birth Announcement

Five friends sat facing each other. Joined by a sixth person they formed a circle around a small table. The conversation waxed and waned as they waited patiently. The lobby was quiet for the most part. At the far end, near the entrance a TV showed El Cid on a Spanish channel. The sound competed with the rain beating against the bank of windows.

There were plenty of jokes bandied about. Stories were told to help pass the time. All the while everyone wondered when they would hear something. Anything.

The quiet is suddenly punctuated by the sound of a text arriving on one of the many phones, then another,  then another. Followed immediately by :

“She’s here! Oh my goodness, she’s adorable!”  as the first phone was held up to reveal a picture.

There were cheers and smiles. And more waiting. It was another hour or so before a very happy, loopy and tired father came into the lobby and said they could come up.

Harper Natalie Williams was welcomed into this world, first by her parents at 11:56 p.m. on the 8th of January.  Then again at 2:30 a.m. by the five friends (three aunts, two uncles) and a new grandmother.

Congratulations Carly and Matt! Harper will never lack for love and comfort… or laughter…

The Wise Man’s Fear by Patrick Rothfuss

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Book Review, Patrick Rothfuss, The Wise Man's Fear

The Wise Man’s Fear is the second book in the KingKiller Chronicle, a trilogy, by Patrick Rothfuss. If you are familiar with the geek web comic Penny Arcade this book is where they pull the “sexomancy” strip from. (Careful – it is spoilery so read at your own risk.)

First things first. If you don’t like reading incomplete series/trilogies then don’t read this book. If you don’t have the patience to wait for the final book to come out to finish the story – don’t read this book. You will want to immediately try and locate the last book and be sorely disappointed to find it is not out yet.

Now, I knew going into reading the first book, The Name of the Wind, that this series was not complete. That didn’t stop me from devouring both books as soon as I could get my hands on them.

Just like the first book The Wise Man’s Fear follows a certain pattern. You learn more about Kvothe and what shaped him as a person. You see more of the world, learn more about the cultures. There is more depth. While Rothfuss will give you answers to questions that come up, inevitably he leaves you asking one more as you piece together Kvothe’s story with that of the current events. It is not for the faint of heart.

While excellently written, it is clear (at least to me) where there was major editing done. There are paragraphs that leave me feeling as if there were more to the summed up explanation, that the original manuscript had more to say. Some of the transitions seem truncated. Which is to say it does not surprise me in the least. Rothfuss did write the entirety of Kvothe’s story in one go from what I’ve read.

I am very much looking forward to the final book and the conclusion of the KingKiller Chronicle.

Music Crush Of The Moment

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Florence + The Machine, music, Music Crush

Like just about everyone else, when the song Dog Days Are Over hit the airwaves, I loved it. Nevermind that it was because the album Lungs was re-released. I suspect it hit a chord with a lot of people given the last few years.

Towards the End of 2011 a new song by Florence hit the airwaves – Shake it Out, heralding the release of a new album. Lyrically and musically I adore the new single so it was a no brainer when I was presented with the opportunity to get my hands on the new album I took it and ran.

I was completely blown away the first time I listened to it. And again the third time, and the fifth…

One moment I am belting out the lyrics to  If Only For A Night

And the only solution was to stand and fight,
And my body was bruised,
And I was set alight,
But you came over me like some holy rite,
And although I was burning,
You’re the only light
Only if for a night

The next  I am wondering how she crawled into my head with the lyrics to

No Light, No light…

You are the hole in my head
You are the space in my bed
You are the silence in between what I thought
And what I said

You are the night time fear
You are the morning when it’s clear
When it’s over you’ll start
You’re my head
You’re my heart

No light, no light in your bright blue eyes
I never knew daylight could be so violent
A revelation in the light of day
You can’t choose what stays and what fades away

And I’d do anything to make you stay
No light, no light
No light
Tell me what you want me to say

Through the crowd, I was crying out
And in your place there were a thousand other faces
I was disappearing in plain sight
Heaven help me, I need to make it right

You want a revelation,
You wanna get it right
But, it’s a conversation,
I just can’t have tonight
You want a revelation
Some kind of resolution
You want a revelation

No light, no light in your bright blue eyes
I never knew daylight could be so violent
A revelation in the light of day,
You can’t choose what stays and what fades away

And I’d do anything to make you stay
No light, no light
No light
Tell me what you want me to say

Would you leave me,
If I told you what I’ve done?
And would you need me,
If I told you what I’ve become?
’cause it’s so easy,
To say it to a crowd
But it’s so hard, my love,
To say it to you alone

No light, no light in your bright blue eyes
I never knew daylight could be so violent
A revelation in the light of day,
You can’t choose what stays and what fades away

And I’d do anything to make you stay
No light, no light
No light
Tell me what you want me to say

You want a revelation,
You wanna get it right
But, it’s a conversation,
I just can’t have tonight
You want a revelation
Some kind of resolution
You want a revelation

You want a revelation,
You wanna get it right
But, it’s a conversation,
I just can’t have tonight
You want a revelation, some kind of resolution
Tell me what you want me to say.

–

Go listen to the album* yourself. Then go buy it. Seriously.

*Link takes you to Grooveshark

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Reflections

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Pulling Threads

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Pulling Threads News Letter

Issue No. 1,   January 5, 2012

Welcome to the fist issue Pulling Threads, the official newsletter of Picklesnot Design. Pulling Threads is intended to be a comprehensive look at what is going on with PsD and will appear at least once a month.

A Look Back at 2011

Picklesnot Design went through some growing pains in 2011. There were several site redesigns, blog reboots, and shopping cart changes. All of it was technical and none of it was strictly needed. It interfered with the creative side of Picklesnot Design.

By the end of the year, the website I was so keen on having was no longer. The Picklesnot Design store returned to Etsy, and the blog was essentially merged into Loose Endings. As these changes occurred PsD’s original focus changed as well which created breathing room for creativity to bloom.

By the end of 2011 Picklesnot Design released one pattern, the Winterberry Cowl, and formed a partnership with Tale Spinner Studio to sell Dana K’s unique and beautiful jewelry.

Though most of 2011 was fraught with obstacles of my own making for PsD I believe that it ended on a strong note and renewed sense of purpose.

A Look Forward

The calendar turned over and work immediately began on something new. A new pattern is in the initial stages of design. It may sound a little clichéd, but I’ve set a goal for Picklesnot Design to release no less than 4 new patterns for 2012. (It kind of defeats the purpose of calling myself a designer if I don’t design anything right?)

There will also be more things available in the Etsy store this year. One-of-a-kind pieces as I work out the new patterns as well as other projects that spark my interest.

I will also be more proactive in keeping everyone up-to-date on what is available in the Etsy store and taking on commissions.

Tech Notes

Many of you know that I am a member of Ravelry, an on-line community for knitters, crocheters and fibre enthusiasts. When Ravelry offered to host designers and their designs I jumped on the opportunity even though I offered my patterns on Etsy.

After much thought I have decided that the Etsy store will only be offering finished items. If you are interested in my patterns, free or other wise, you can find them here. (Or look for the link that says Pattern Store under pages in the side bar.) When purchasing a pattern it will take you to Ravelry to finish the transaction and the pattern will automatically be emailed to you. Please remember that all patterns are in PDF form and require a PDF reader.

Reading Challenge For 2012

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GoodReads 2012 Reading Challenge

My last post about the book Falling Star marked the end of the 2011 GoodReads Reading Challenge for me. I managed to read 30 books in one year. (Actually it’s more like 10 months as I didn’t start the challenge until March.)

As soon as the challenge ended I began to think about the reading challenge for 2012.  After reviewing the books I read last year I have decided to increase my goal to 40 books.  This year my goal includes reading a bit more non-fiction, be it memoirs, biographies, even philosophy. And while I will likely read several technical books (crochet, knitting, spinning etc.) I am going to try and not include them in this year’s count.

There are several series that I began last year that I would like to finish up; the ones that are completed at least. Last year I purchased the entire Hunger Games trilogy for 4 dollars but never got ’round to reading it. I would also like to include several classics to this years list that I haven’t managed to read yet.

Here is a small sample of books that I will be reading this year (links lead to GoodReads) :

• The Robot’s Rebellion by Kieth E. Stanovich
• The Hunger Games Trilogy by Suzanne Collins
• Dust by Arthur Slade
• The Hangman’s Daughter by Oliver Pötzsch
• Broadmoor Revealed: Victorian Crime and the Lunatic Asylum by Mark Stevens
• The Girl Who Played with Fire / The Girl Who kicked the Hornets Nest by Stieg Larsson

Are you planning on participating in a reading challenge of your own? What type of books are reading?

Loose Endings: 2011 in review

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holiday break

How appropriate is it that the firsts post for 2012 for Loose Endings is a post looking back at site stats for the past year?

I hope everyone had a lovely Holiday and a happening New Years Eve with friends and family alike. May this coming year be everything you hope it will be.

The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2011 annual report for this blog.

Here’s an excerpt:

A San Francisco cable car holds 60 people. This blog was viewed about 1,400 times in 2011. If it were a cable car, it would take about 23 trips to carry that many people.

Click here to see the complete report.

Creative Bits of Yarn

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Christmas 2011, fiber arts, yarn

This is a scarf. I call it the Round-A-Bout Scarf. Because the creation of it came in a round about sort of way. It went something like this:

“I need a scarf.”
“Ok.”
“…”
“Do you want me to make one for you?”
“Would you?”
“I don’t see why not…”

And just like that I was tasked to make a scarf for my sister. The only suggestion she had was that she wanted it to look like marble (black & white). As you can see, there is more than just those two colors in this scarf. That is because I found yarn that I could not resist using and I know my sister likes pink as well.

The Round-A-Bout Scarf is crocheted and is well over 6 ft long. (She also wanted it to hit her waist when she “tied” it – which today I found out I will have to teach her…)

My last project for the year is finishing up a pair of gloves. I’ve mentioned them before. Today I managed to get the second glove all the way up to the thumb gusset and to the point were the thumb is separated when I realized I needed my 5th DPN. Which I can not find. So I’ve set the gloves aside for the rest of the evening and will pick them up again in the morning once I’ve figured out what to do about the missing DPN. I’ll be thrilled to have these pretty purple fingerless gloves wing their way to their owner. She’s been waiting very patiently for them.

The Purple Prose gloves (I just decided their name) are the 14th project for 2011. One of those projects include designing the Winterberry Cowl.

Once the gloves are done I will not be working on anything new until the beginning of the year. I’ve got several designs plotted out in my head that will be put to the test come January.

This little beauty is my new chair.  When I was asked what I wanted for Christmas I responded with my two usuals – the kitchen aide and the spinning wheel. However I also added a chair for the studio so I wouldn’t have to sit at the desk in front of the lap top while working directly with yarn. I also said I wanted a foot stool/ ottoman.  I’m quite pleased with this chair. It’s from Ikea. We have one in our living room as well. It’s very comfortable to sit in for long periods. The downstairs chair is used primarily for video gaming, so it has been tested. I can see myself spending quite a bit of time in that chair over the coming year.  (And I can see Henry trying to oust me from it too!)