Another Distraction

A Weekend in San Simeon

2009-04-20T21:14:00.000-07:00

It's probably bad blogging form to blog about something a week and change after it happened, but I think we've pretty much determined I'm not exactly an exemplary blogger.

The DBF and I were in San Simeon for a weekend earlier this month. It was incredibly windy, but beautiful.

Naturally, we went to see Hearst Castle. We took the garden tour and the evening tour. Unfortunately, I don't think I can share any of the photos here, given Hearst Castle's photography policy.

One of the first things we saw in the area was a beach full of elephant seals. They're apparently molting right now.

Pretty amazing. We really need to go on more weekend trips...

I'll take "Copyright" for $200, Alex...

2009-04-11T01:50:00.000-07:00

Once upon a time, I was a writer. Of sorts. I know--hard to believe, given the state of this blog, but it’s true. Not so long ago, I was paid to write. Still am, from time to time.

As a writer, both amateur and professional, and being someone who has done both "work for hire" and work where I retain my copyright, I suppose I have a particular sensitivity to copyright issues.

But even as a child, I learned that it was wrong to take credit--either explicitly or implicitly--for someone else’s work, or to copy without permission. As I got older, it also became clear that using someone else’s work for one’s own financial gain without permission was also Not Cool. Until recently, I thought this was a pretty universal experience. It never really crossed my mind that I’d run into adults who didn’t share this understanding.

But now I have. And apparently, they’re everywhere.

A couple of months ago, I was asked to help out on a project. We just needed to create a few brochures--and the contents had already been created. Turns out, the way the content was created for these brochures was largely by copying and pasting contents from a competitor’s brochure--word for word. I kid you not. There were other issues , too, but that was the biggie. And they lied to me about it when I asked where the content came from, but that’s another rant entirely… The scary thing is that when I put them on the phone with our lawyers to get an understanding of what copyright infringement is, they said, “but it was on the Internet, so it’s public domain--free to use”.

Un-freakin’-believable.

Let’s be clear--that is NOT the way it works. Just because something is on the Internet does NOT mean it’s in the public domain or free to use. A clue might be the copyright statement. I don’t know--I’m not a lawyer--I’m just sayin’… It probably wouldn’t hurt to check.

Mind boggling.

And now the same types of issues seem to be rearing their ugly heads in the knitting community. Wendy blogged about it back in February . Kate has recently blogged about it, and so has Pam.

I’m not going to re-hash their posts. I’ve linked to them, and I encourage you to read the posts for yourself. And then I would ask that if you see folks violating a designer’s copyright (or a writer's copyright, or an artist's copyright--or anyone's copyright, for that matter), that you call them on it. Gently. If it’s an honest mistake, they’ll fix it. If not, you might want to re-think where you do business.

Just my two cents.

Mealtime

2009-04-09T21:34:00.000-07:00

Breakfast:

Lunch:

Dinner:

Leisurely

2009-03-31T22:05:00.000-07:00

Yes, well, I'm certainly taking my time about posting all that great stuff, eh?

Perhaps this cuteness will distract you from my lack of posting.

Back (relatively) soon; hopefully with more to say. For now, wish me luck on finishing up my taxes!

Fish or Cut Bait?

2009-02-02T21:59:00.000-08:00

Photo Credit: OAR/National Undersea Research Program (NURP), courtesy of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration/Department of Commerce

Wow. I am a terrible blogger. Not a single post in January. And yet I persist in keeping the blog. Why is that?

Actually, I’ve been thinking about that a lot lately. Knitting, and wanting to be a part of the online knitting community, is really what got me started blogging. Of course, I wanted the freedom to talk about anything that struck my fancy, but knitting was the instigator, and my main topic. But now there’s ravelry, so for someone like me (a rather slow, uninspiring knitter), it’s my answer to participating in the online knitting community.

Remeber Alice? Still not done...

And yet, I keep the blog. There are other things to talk about, right? But, I believe I’ve mentioned before that I’m not so good at the sharing of personal stuff.

I finally thought I had come to the conclusion (again) that it was time to let go of the blog. Except that, all of the sudden, I now have a bunch of stuff that I want to blog. Evil elevators. Caffeine. Pets. Bread. LOTS of bread… Travel. Procrastination. Cool technology. Wonderful people. (And let’s be honest--perhaps a few not-so-wonderful people.) Fear. Hope. My firm belief that the Wizard of Oz can explain about 90% of life. And maybe I’ll even mention knitting on occasion.

Image courtesy of the Smithsonian Institution, © 2001, Smithsonian Institution Press

So, for now, I will fish. Which is to say, I will blog. In a leisurely fashion, because I do it solely for recreation--my own personal enjoyment. And perhaps, from time to time, I’ll catch something good. But it’s more about the sport than the prize. I think I’ll be content to just relax and enjoy myself out here. And you’re welcome to come hang out, too.

Photo courtesy of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration/Department of Commerce

Holiday Headlock

2008-12-23T22:37:00.000-08:00

Well, last year's picture was better--definitely more professional--but that pup's just so darned cute, it doesn't matter. He looks perfectly happy in spite of Santa's headlock. And $5 of the photo price went to help homeless animals, so it was worth it.

Happy holidays, whatever you might celebrate, to you and yours, from me and mine. Including the furry little cutie in the picture!

Move over, Johnny Depp...

2008-11-13T16:51:00.000-08:00

Make room for Kitty ScissorTeeth...

That USED TO be an adapter that would let me plug two sets of headphones into my iPod. Handy for traveling with two people and one Pod. At least, it WAS...

[Note to self: remember to put cords--and yarn--somewhere the cat can't get them...]

Pride and Prejudice

2008-11-05T06:36:00.000-08:00

photo from http://www.barackobama.com

Do I have to tell you which is which?

I am thrilled with our country's pick for the next president. And very disappointed that it looks like my state (California) is legislating discrimination.

Have you?*

2008-11-04T15:42:00.001-08:00

*You know, if you're an eligible American voter...

Getting Started

2008-11-02T12:03:00.000-08:00

Naturally, I'm already behind schedule with NaNoWriMo. Big surprise*. I'm not pleased with what I've written thus far (another big surprise*), I can't put my hands on the list of writing ideas I've already started, and I have absolutely no idea what I want to write about, so today I'm starting over with some exercises.

Of course, I can't easily put my hands on the books and decks of writing exercises I already have, so I've turned to the Internet.

In case any of you are interested in doing a few creative writing exercises of your own, I'm listing some of the sites I've found here, although I haven't yet tried any of them, so use them at your own risk:

Writers' Digest, here
CreativeWritingPrompts.com
Writing Fix, here (intended for kids, but has some good, general purpose prompts, too.)
The Creativity Portal's Imagination Prompt Generator
C.M Mayo's site, here
Meridith Sue Willis' site, here
The "Buried Treasures" blog
The 6' Ferret Writers' Group, here
One of Us Creative Writing Web site, here
about.com, here and here

And then, just for fun, there's this one ('cause we really don't want to take all of this too seriously)--warning: it contains foul language and some crass content. Funny, but crass.

http://www.mcsweeneys.net/2006/5/4wiencek.html

Anybody else know of any good resources?

*sarcasm

I believe it is now official...

2008-11-01T18:17:00.001-07:00

I've lost my mind.

Scary Story

2008-10-27T19:55:00.000-07:00

And you know what's scarier than that? (No--it's not the fact that I'm finally posting again.) I haven't done much in the way of knitting--a bit here and there--but lured by the quick win offered by crochet, I may have started--and finished--a couple of small projects while my current knitting WIPS languish.

A hotpad (the Crochet Flower Hot Pad), just 'cause the sample I saw at Bobbin's Nest was so dang cool...

(The one at Bobbin's Nest was much prettier.)

...and the pouch bag pattern I got at Full Thread Ahead, although this isn't the Louet Euroflax I bought for it--after reading about others' experiences with the pattern on Ravelry, I wasn't sure one skein would really be enough--or that my crochet skills would be up to the whole "counting" thing (I "wing it" too much with crochet...), so I used some Patons Grace.

Now back to our regularly scheduled knitting...

(Oh--and I did finish--and gift--the kitty pi. Picture with the kitty when I get a chance.)

While I've been away

2008-09-21T22:54:00.000-07:00

Another quick update...

For the past four days, in addtion to work and a few social engagements, I've been doing the Peninsula to Pier LYS Shop Hop 2008 (also known as the "P2P"). Much fun! But of course, because I didn't post each day as I went, the post is becoming ginormous, and there's no way I'll finish it tonight, so today I bring you up to date on my knitting progress of late.

The nephew socks:

Yeah. Not much different than the last time...

And the kitty pi.

Soon, there will be a P2P post. Or two. But not tonight...

Almost there...

2008-09-01T18:30:00.000-07:00

Crazy! No time to blog. Must post pictures, and Flickr keeps stopping just before they're uploaded. My first, last, and only pair of SOS08 socks are finally DONE!

Details later--must get the pix posted so I can post to Ravelry...

Another Charitable Knitting Opportunity

2008-08-12T21:20:00.000-07:00

Just a quick note to pass along another charitable knitting opportunity. Knit (or crochet) a scarf for the 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games. Details are on the Coats and Clark Web site.

Must See!

2008-07-26T23:01:00.000-07:00

Seriously.

Go watch. Now.

You gotta love Joss Whedon.

(If you're not convinced, check out the trailer, first.)

Little Things

2008-07-25T23:39:00.000-07:00

I am constantly amazed at the little things I notice and the little things I miss completely. In my work life, part of my job is to make sure all the little details are right, and I'm pretty good at it. But in my real life, I'm forever missing some of the best little details.

Case in point: On a recent walk, the DBF pointed these little guys out. I would have walked right past them.

I was too distracted by this.

Not a bad distraction, to be sure. But definitely far more obvious than the little birds. (And, truth be told, I spent as much time looking at the houses across the street as I did taking in the breathtaking scenery.)

Maybe the difference is that at work, I know what I'm looking for, and in real life, I generally just think about what I'm looking at. Or maybe it's because it's easier to spot what's amiss than what's in harmony. Or perhaps I'm too focused on what's straight ahead to even consider looking around. But I think it's mostly that I'm too busy inside my own head to notice the wonder around me. I need to work on that. In the mean time, I'm very fortunate to have found someone willing to lend me his eyes.

Not literally, of course. That would be gross...

Let me explain. No--wait. There is too much.

2008-06-21T21:00:00.000-07:00

Let me sum up.*

Instant Gratification Cardi: done

Jam (olallieberry on the left, and rose petal on the right): done

Summer of Socks kick off project (Fawkes): started

... ? ...

Packing for the trip that requires I leave at 5 a.m. tomorrow: um, packing? hmm...

*Extra points if you know where that's from.

Wrapped in Care

2008-06-19T07:53:00.000-07:00

Like to knit shawls, or know someone else who does? Want to help someone who's going through a difficult time? Knit a shawl for someone who must leave the Birth Center or Newborn Intensive Care Unit with empty arms. All the details (including patterns, if you need them) can be found in Susan Rainey's "Wrapped in Care" post on the Rainey Sisters' blog. Please check it out and help spread the word.

Cuteness

2008-06-18T23:55:00.000-07:00

While I'm trying to finish up my Instant Gratification Cardi and prepare for the Summer of Socks, here's a little cuteness to keep you occupied.

The latest additions to my Dad's household.

Winning news and other randomness

2008-05-15T16:53:00.000-07:00

Winning news:

This is the inside of my freezer.

"Winning news" doesn't immediately jump to mind when you look at this, does it? This sad photo gives you a pretty accurate glimpse into what a weeknight dinner is for me. It's not that I can't cook, but that I'm usually too tired, too distracted, or too lazy to cook after a long day at work. Especially if I'm just cooking for me, which is about 80% of the time.

Why would I show you this? Because soon--very soon--I should be eating quick, healthy dinners, thanks to Wendy. I won a copy of The Splendid Table's How to Eat Supper through one of her fabulous blog contests! Perhaps I'll even blog a meal or two once I get the book. Stay tuned.

Other randomness:

* I did, in fact, sign up for the Summer of Socks 2008. I figure it shouldn't be too tough to do better than I did last year. And I will likely enter the "Socks on Vacation" contest. I will not be entering the "Most Socks" contest. Clearly.

* Here's a photo of the slow progress on the Instant Gratification Cardi Jacket. (In my defense, I've been traveling, so I haven't touched it in three days.)

* And a photo of the even slower progress on the fingerless gloves. I have no defense for the lack of progress here, although I will say that on the aforementioned trip, I chose to try and sleep on the plane, rather than read or knit, given it was essentially two cross-country (SFO-JFK-SFO) red-eyes with an all day meeting in the middle.

* Should you ever find yourself at JFK looking for a pleasant meal and a drink, steer clear of the Bacardi Lounge. The service is both slow and surly, and the drinks are overpriced.

* And since you're here... I'm going to take advantage of my increased Web traffic (since Wendy linked to me, and all) to let you know about two great hat-knitting-for-charity opportunities:

- Coveted Yarn's quarterly newborn hat drawing--a great cause and a great prize ($50 gift certificate at Coveted Yarn's online store)
- Kristy's "300 Hat Project", which I first read about on RC's blog. I understand there is also a Ravelry group for this worthy project. The hats are for orphans in the Ukraine, and if that's not enough incentive for you, RC's putting together a contest for the project.

It's shaping up to be a tasty meal-making, happy sock- and hat-knitting summer!

Do I dare?

2008-05-12T22:21:00.001-07:00

Jessica's doing the Summer of Socks (SOS) again this year over at Zarzuela Knits and Crochets. I was perhaps the most pathetic participant last year, finishing a grand total of *almost* ONE sock. So, I wasn't even going to officially play along this year. I figured I should just sit on the sidelines knitting sock(s) while I watch. You know? Prove myself (or redeem myself) before I try again. But now Wendy's writing a new sock pattern that's only available to SOS participants. And it's really, really cute. And I want it.

I do have a few long plane rides planned for the summer, so I should have more sock knitting time this summer...

Do I dare?

A question, a sweater, and a plan

2008-05-10T12:09:00.000-07:00

Does anyone know how (or if) I can stop people from spoofing my e-mail address and/or domain? You know, since they're clearly spamming people and making it look like the e-mail came from me or my domain? Or how I might track them down and prosecute them to the fullest extent of whatever law they may be subject to? Any tips would be greatly appreciated! I'll also accept really great, appropriate curses.

Actually, I read one that really made me laugh the other day. I wish I could remember where, so I could give due credit to the blogger, but memory fails at the moment. Anyway, the curse was something like, "May the fleas of a thousand camels infest your armpits." For now, that's the one I'm using for the spoofers.

In the mean time, I've just started a new cardigan. I need a "quick win", so how could I resist something called the "Instant Gratification Cardi Jacket"? I've not gotten very far with it yet, but I'll post a photo and details soon.

And since a blog post just doesn't seem to be a blog post without some kind of graphic, I give you (courtesy of Dave Walker at We Blog Cartoons) an idea of what I will be doing today:

Cartoon by Dave Walker. Find more cartoons you can freely re-use on your blog at We Blog Cartoons.

(Note that while I own the copyright on everything on my blog unless supplied by blogger or otherwise stated, Dave owns the copyright on the cartoon up there.)

So, with so many UFOs (and such a large pile of laundry looming), how is it that I've started yet another knitting project? It's true, I have a few projects that just won't seem to finish themselves and a whole slew of new projects I really want to start (odd how that always seems to happen, eh?), so I've made myself a little deal. I've moved all but one of the slower projects into "hibernation" on Ravelry. I will allow myself one new project and one "pre-existing" project at a time. I have a trip to NY coming up soon, so I figure I'll work on the second glove (my current "pre-existing" project) for that trip. It's two red-eyes, with a meeting in between, so I probably won't get a whole lot of knitting time. Maybe enough to finish up that glove, though.

In the mean time, I'll be off hunting down curses. Between loads of laundry.

Progress, such as it is...

2008-04-11T07:43:00.000-07:00

Done.

Ugly, but done. (It is soft, but I'm afraid its ugliness will send it on its way to Good Will.)

And one of an only slightly less ugly pair is almost done.

These I will keep (and wear), even if the colorway's not quite doing what I expected. (The striping, yes. The blotching--not so much...)

Details in ravelry.

Maybe I'm weird...

2008-03-27T19:07:00.000-07:00

...but I totally want to make a BristleBot. (<-- That's a link to YouTube. I don't have the patience to sign up, so I can't embed the video here.)