Posts for category ‘Sport’

As of late I have been dipping my foot (well, okay more like diving in head first) into areas that I have not been in touch with for years. My taking up of throwing darts has been a nice challenge. I find myself improving each week in every league match, and concentrating on form is paying off. The throwing motions seem to complement the ones used in knitting. While each dart must be precise to the target, each stitch must be knit to turn a pattern into a well-fitting garment. The latest result of that steady work is winning the “Luck of the Draw” tournament with Jack (my team captain) as my partner. We split the first prize of $50 and each received a tee-shirt from Awful Arthur’s.

Now that I have found a hobby to balance my awesome knitting-related occupation, the need to address my physical activity is next on my agenda. Early yesterday morning I received a phone call from Shannon, a co-worker of my friend Charlie. He had told her that I played rugby years ago, and she wanted to know if I would like to practice with the Blacksburg Rugby Club men’s squad. Before I could think about the consequences (aka a sore body from running in freezing weather and being tackled on the icy ground) my answer was “Of course!” She then forwarded me some information and I attended my first meeting last night at The Pub (London Underground Pub in Blacksburg). I look forward to getting back into shape with the crazy amounts of running. The improvement of body coordination is also a benefit I want. The one question to answer is “How can I convince ten women to form a sevens team to play this summer?” Stay tuned to see if I bite at the bait to recruit women in the area to play with me!

In case folks new to my blog are wondering how darts and rugby tie into the “Making Eggs” topic, please read “Making Eggs – Part 1” when possible. To “Let me sum up” (a skein of sock yarn to the first person who comments which movie that quote is from) I came back to Blacksburg to discover myself. Whether it be in going back to school, a new job, a temporary place to live, or a new group of friends, I am trying to figure out how I like my eggs. So far the Boys and I are doing okay, even with the downs from the apartment and low available funds. As for the latest favorite way I am making my eggs? I have been frying two in unsalted butter yolks broken with coarsely ground sea salt and black pepper. I then cover the seasoned eggs with melted shredded sharp cheddar and sprinkle bacon pieces on top of them. I have named it my “breakfast pizza” and yes, it is oh so good. How good? I ate the pizza before taking a photograph of it because I did not want to eat it cold! =:8

For those who know my little head, I am consistently changing my mind when the scenario calls for it. I tell folks that I am adapting to my surroundings by instinct. Others say that I am just being a woman. No matter what the topic, I do come back to the beginning, just like Inigo did in The Princess Bride. With the 2010 Winter Olympics kicking off tomorrow at Vancouver, Canada, it is only fitting that I do not one, not two, but THREE projects in the Knitting Olympics to ease my ever-moving thoughts. Yes I know that there are only two sports in which two events must be tackled. However I just could not choose one without impartially whining for the others. I humbly present a triathlon of Fair Isle, Cable, and Lace:

• Adrian Bizilia’s Fiddlehead Mittens in Cascade 220 and Neighborhood Studio Mohair
• Mari Muinonen’s Sylvi in Briggs & Little Atlantic
• Vickie Howell’s Pash-Greena in Juniper Moon Farm Cormo Worsted

So I am a little crazy. But I have figured out a couple of things:
One is that the knitting will go faster when my mind is going from piece to piece instead of the entire project at the same time. The other is when I thought only professionals in the knitting world could try such a feat, I then realized that I have become what I have dreamed about! To make the whole scenario even more fun, I get to blog about these crazy challenges.

My schedule will go as follows:
Simultaneously cast on and knit the Sylvi sleeves during opening ceremonies. As soon as the sleeves are done, the first Fiddlehead Mitten is cast on and knit. After the mitten is finished without its lining, the Pash-Greena will be cast on and two skeins will be used out of the allotted five. The rotation goes back to Sylvi…

Of course all of this scheduling is subject to change, especially if I decide to drive up to New England tomorrow. (I am still on the fence about that, but I dislike the idea of being alone for Valentine’s Day.)

If anyone can wish this crazy bunny luck, I will need it! (Or at least lots of wine, beer, and aspirin for the pain in my wrists…) =:8

Whew! Huge apologies to everybunny. I had looked at the calendar this morning and realized that I have not blogged for some time when I meant to do so each week. There have been a lot of events, some crazy some just plain fun, but all have been adventurous. I will do my best to provide a quick summary…

December 31st:
While my friend Jessica (@bumbl_be) and I were eating the pints of Jeni’s Ice Creams that just arrived, Richie calls me on my iPhone. He asks what I was doing, and I told him about Jessica and Jeni’s. His response, “Hmm… Maybe I’ll have some today.” I had a whirring thought that he ordered some, and conversed about some other topics. He then said, “Maybe I should have some Jeni’s NOW.” I stopped mid-sentence. I asked, “Where ARE you?” He responded, “In your parking lot.”
That cheeky bugger!! Of course with his visit, we ended up missing the Juniper Moon Farm’s Open House on New Year’s Day. At least we saw the Hokies spank the Volunteers (Let’s go TECH!!) and drove up to Mountain Lake to see the snowed in hotel where the movie “Dirty Dancing” was filmed.

January 8th:
I had a fabulous belated Christmas celebration with my parents and sister’s family. The handknit presents were a hit, except for the hat that was too small for my brother-in-law. That’s more than okay; his Mom, the wonderful Edith, took it off his hands. My niece loved her Twinkle scarf, my sister loves her Pretty Thing, and my Mother loves both her red dress hat and Little Parade. My Daddy’s Koolhaas was quickly snatched by my Mother. Note to self: Make Ma lots of hats!

I had lunch with my BFF Anita and her son Aidan in Kelly’s Tavern at Pembroke Mall. Afterwards we visited my friend Brett at Artistic Creations Gallery. It was a nice time catching up with them!

January 13th:
Now that my darts are back (they were in my Civic), I popped into The London Underground Pub to see if I can challenge Ron (@ronaldb) to a game of Cricket. He was not there, but Sara his teammate was. Twisting my arm, she talked me into participating in “Luck of the Draw” on that Saturday. Little did I know how darts would change my social life in Blacksburg! I met so many folks since then, my time is a whirlwind.

January 21st:
Since I have joined two darts leagues, I decided to practice one day after work. Doing so, I met the delightful Patsy and Eva, part of the Martinettes. These women are in a group that welcomes lady newcomers to the New River Valley area. I attended my first meeting that Saturday (the 23rd) and am awed by their cheerfulness and excitement with life. Already I have been asked to display some of my fibery goods and to teach a workshop on knitting. I love these daring ladies! They refuse to keep still and take life by the horns.

Another cool bit? During my usual Friday night stop at Lefty’s on the 22nd, I met some of the fun and intelligent folks behind “The Plaid Avenger” of John and Katie Pritchard. John created the Plaid Avenger to keep folks abreast of what is going on with the world’s society. He teaches various geography classes at VA Tech. The one that caught my ear was his “Wines of the World” class. Boy, that would be fun to participate in those tastings discussions!

January 26th:
Today I start a fun adventure. I get to chat about STITCHES on my blog “On the Road to STITCHES” at Knitting Universe’s KniTalk Community!! The topics I will be discussing would be what knitterly items I want to make and wear for the trip, the classes I will be taking, the events I am lining up to see, and of course all the goodies that the Market is offering! As for Bigsock, no worries! I will be there too, so make sure you find some time to help the attempt on breaking the current Guinness Book World record for the largest handknit sock!!

If wondering about the Boys, they are alive and well. Caesar is as hungry as ever, and Julius is as mischievous. I have learned that if Julius is in my bedroom in the morning, I best get out of bed ASAP. Why? If I do not, he (ahem) will use my laundry basket as a litterbox. Crazy bunnies!! =:8

There was an episode of Sex and the City in which Carrie discovers that Big has replaced her with a younger woman — Natasha is 26 years-old and screams “I am PERFECT” in droves. The following episode depicted Miranda becoming immensely upset when she runs into ex-beau Steve after he pragmatically dumped her. Both of these episodes discuss dealing with broken relationships and how they were handled by the characters. I likened these personal relationships to my work interests. Some are still unresolved under my belt, and I must address them sooner than later. I have a bit of an analysis already in place with some explaining to preface.

Years ago my addiction to surfing occurred because my sister wanted to learn the sport. Since I was the only sibling with a driver’s license, I would accompany her to Croatan Beach on a bodyboard. After easily boardriding the waves on my stomach, I decided to try riding a wave on one “dropped knee” on the board for fun. Seeing how I was able to ride the bodyboard, my sister handed me her surfboard to do the same. Instantly I fell in love from the feeling achieved in catching that wave and dropping down from the top of the crest. Later I spent hours (okay, more like YEARS) in the water trying to grab that bit of adrenaline, and would still be trying if I could.

Gary Busey’s Big Wednesday character of Leroy “The Masochist” Smith became one of my role models. Leroy had no problem going into the water no matter how dangerous the conditions were, and I dove into that persona with the water and in life (and still do in many ways). With each season in the water I learned a little about myself. I learned what to do when a shark swims straight at me (that happened during my first trip to OBX). I learned that the gorgeous greenish “Coke bottle” glow in the water during dawn was from an amazing combination of the light, water, and plankton. I learned not to dismiss the lack of booties when surfing in the middle of March. (There are folks who surf in these cold New England waters, but frankly I steadfastly avoid any chance of getting hypothermia again.)

What does surfing have anything to do with my analysis? Nature provided endless entertainment in the water because surfing each individual wave was consistently a new experience. My attention to work was dependent on its variety and possibility. When I was introduced to rugby, the newness of playing exhilarated me. I was able to get into “hunting” modes that fed my cravings for adrenaline once again. While I was at work, I listened for those cravings to speak, but all I could hear were muffled words spoken to me as if I had been underwater. I strained to comprehend the mumblings in vain and became lost. By the time I could understand the words it was too late. Interestingly enough, because of what I heard, the cravings are back. For the past several weeks ideas popped into my head that addressed potential issues for Verdasys. These anecdotes have been scribed and filed away for now. Meanwhile I hear mumbling from my knitting and house WIPs. They want me to attend to them immediately, and I will be giving them my rapt attention. =:8

Last year, Rich took me to a NASCAR race in Loudon, NH. Skeptical, I went knowing that the drive would mean great knitting time. I cast on and finished a pair of worsted weight cabled socks using Classic Elite Inca Marl Alpaca which reminded me of a checkered flag. I do not remember how I made them because they were “off the cuff” so to speak. BUT, I do remember that they were top-down and knit 2-at-once.

This year, I was looking forward to going to see a race. Luckily, Rich’s co-worker decided not to go and again offered up his tickets to Rich and me. Snatching them up, we planned our trip in anticipation. My anticipation was due to trying to figure out what to eat and to knit. Rich’s anticipation was to make sure we could carry everything without having to use the bulky cooler from last year.


The drive up was not so fun because the rain poured down on us like a hurricane. Rich kept reminding me that the more it rained during the drive, the less chance the race would be called off. Not believing him, I imagined that as soon as we arrived to the New Hampshire Motor Speedway (NHMS), an announcement would be made saying the race was being rescheduled for Monday. Fortunately my pessimism was for naught. By the time we arrived at the Montgomery County High School, the skies stopped their weeping. We joined all the other riders and climbed into our police-escorted buses and were sent along our merry way to NHMS. I knitted my Secret Pal’s socks the entire time from the drive in RI and only stopped when I needed.

Our arrival to NHMS was timely. The race was only delayed so that the track could be dried. During our wanderings around the souvenir trailers, we stopped to get something to eat and drink. Finding a table that did not drip directly on myself, I continued working on my Secret Pal’s socks. I even made Rich take my photograph while doing so, humidity-flattened hair and all!

Ironically there is not much to really discuss on what happened that is worthy of being written. I kept taking photos of the pit crews because I thought it was neat how they were vigilant and always ready to pounce in front of a moving car’s path to work on it. Biffle did win the race, but I will let all the photos do the talking! =:8

Baseball is something I can obsess over besides anything knitting related. After playing my first game of softball, I find myself desperately wanting to improve so I can make those awesome catches that the professionals do so easily. To refresh a couple of memories, I adore baseball and HAVE to watch it daily. If I cannot watch a Major League Baseball game — does not matter who — I listen on the car radio and root for the team who has players that I like.

This past Sunday was a special treat. A month or so ago, I spotted an email from Red Sox nation saying “enter for a chance to win tickets for RI Day” and did so. I shared the links with other RI pals, but ironically, non-RI-native me won a chance! On the day allotted to purchase the tickets, I was sick in bed. If there was anything I was going to do while miserably sick, it was to at least buy those tickets! When noon hit, I did my best to grab the best seats as possible, and managed to get 4 box seats in right field. I had no idea how close the seats in the park, but I did not care. The original idea was to see if a couple of friends could join us too to share in the fun. Lo and behold, newlyweds Kerri and Mike were interested in the tickets and were up for a great afternoon.

To say that Kerri and Mike are Red Sox fans is the biggest understatement of a lifetime. They had looked into having their wedding at both Fenway and McCoy Stadium, but decided that the emptiness would feel too odd and offer a non “Red Sox” feeling. Plus, they told me that just to get married on the Fenway Park roof started with a $3000 fee — does not include the food/catering! In other words, to get married on field itself, be prepared to start the tab at $15000. FYI: Years ago in 1998 having a Disney wedding required spending at least $10000. Sorry, I would rather have that over Fenway. But I digress…

To say we had a blast at the game is an understatement. Though we could have done without the rain delay, the dark clouds that were in the sky were ominous. Add the lightning and the weather was not quite as nice. I took a ton of photos, so much that the camera’s battery died in the 7th inning! Hope everybunny enjoys them. =:8

Well maybe not everywhere, but this crazy bunny ended up playing in our fourth softball game Thursday night because of the “3 women must be on the playing field” rule in our league. What? I never mentioned that I play softball? Teehee, nobunny is missing much. I had never played before until a month after I started working at my new job and was told about a team being formed. Knowing that I lack the hand-eye-coordination to catch or bat, I warned folks that as much as I would like to play, I would not be a good player but would be a good cheerleader. With the first two games postponed due to rain, somehow I ended up in the batting line-up in the third game. I surprised myself by actually hitting the ball for a base hit and out-running the throw to first! Wow! Excited from being able to get on base, I called my (high school jock) sister “Ace” after the game. I could tell she was proud for me. Admittedly I think losing the extra weight helped in running around the bases. Now if I could only lose those last additional pounds…

Clicking the photo of myself on base will show how badly I felt during Thursday’s game. I kept coughing up a storm, and my misery was evident. We did win 24 to 17, so at least my pain amounted to something! One of the coolest shots is of us after we said “good game” to the other team when everything was over. The three men in the middle consist of one of my co-workers Ron (#11), my boss Jerry (grey cap), and QA extra-ordinaire Mike (with glasses). The photos above are from a friend from work, Misha. He has a fabulous camera and is one of our team’s “official” photographers. The photo below shows the other photographer Rich M. in the background and Misha in the foreground. I remember taking the photo, but was getting agitated because I could not find it. Later I realized that I was using the coach’s camera, not mine. DUH! The other photo happened when I drove home on Thursday. Right after the game, it began to rain, then it downpoured. Driving on the newly grooved Route 128 highway was not fun. Attempting to Kinnear a rainbow in the downpour is also not fun! Please excuse the blurriness, but it was the only shot of many that shows the colors best.

Now with the title mentioning bunnies, I just had to post some recent photos that I took of my fur-children in action. Today Zydeco kept flopping on his side, so I just could not resist snapping the camera at him. The other is his “giving disapproval” look on taking his photo the other night.

For the crazy part, Julius is still pining for a girlfriend and keeps hoping Jessica Bunny will give in and be his. Unfortunately for him, this middle-aged biddy has other thoughts. By the way, that photo of her and him together is her biting him in an attack!

Teehee! Time for the Secret Pal 12 Question of Week 8!
What is your favorite supper for a hot summer evening? (For added “flavor”, post a photo or recipe link)
With this SP12 question, I had to think for a bit but only for a short time. My favorite meal ever during the summer was just over (gasp!) 13 years ago. My sister Ace, our room-mate Anita, their (now husbands) boyfriends, my “puppy” (that was what my rugby teammates referred to the hapless creature), and I cooked a bushel of blue-crab along with a couple pounds of butter. Pair that with cases of cold beer and white German wine, and that is a feast to remember! Lately I have a tendency to pick up 2-3 pounds of King crab legs or large shrimp. Somehow those and lobster salad sandwiches seem to be the summer treat in the house. However, since showing a photo is mentioned, I will happily show everyone what I eat about every morning. A two-egg omelet (well that day it was a frittata) of bacon, cheese, onions, and tomatoes paired with a parfait of fresh fruit, granola, and yogurt. Add my cup of tea and loads of water, that is what I eat daily for my diet! =:8

Take me out to the ball game,
Take me out with the crowd;
Buy me some peanuts and Cracker Jack,
I don’t care if I never get back.

Let me root, root, root for the home team,
If they don’t win, it’s a shame.
For it’s one, two, three strikes, you’re out,
At the old ball game.

Enjoy the photos! =:8

I wish I could give a hug to everyone that commented on the last post! The wonderful memories of last week are what keep me going at work. Why? There never was a reason to admit that I have been depressed at my current job for quite some time. The problem is that my yearly review demonstrated how my unhappiness was apparent in my lack of initiative and poor performance. To be frank, I was expecting security to escort me out of the building after the review. However being told that your entire office has no faith in your work and refuses to work with you is quite an eye-opener. Granted I am extremely anxious because I find the department’s approach taken on Quality Assurance very condescending to the customer. But that is my humble opinion… If folks are wondering why I am not worried on co-workers reading my little blog, it is because I am seen as a knitting idiot who has nothing worth reading. Comforting thought, eh? Now on to better and MUCH more enjoyable thoughts…

Looking at the names who signed my little book on February 6th, I continuously smile in recognition. Here are the delightful ladies I met who have an online presence:

• Britta, on frk.storm, is gaffah on Ravelry and is the founder of the Ravelry Danish Knitters group
• Carina, blogless for now, is carinamaria on Ravelry
• Bettina, on Hjertet pa Vrangen, is pepsimags on Ravelry
• Tina, on A Knitting Chick!, is tpoulsen on Ravelry
• Tineke, on I Knit-a-Little, is striktyni on Ravelry
• Julia, on Aalerusen, is JuliaZahle on Ravelry
• Inge, on Madsen’s Strik, is im201959 on Ravelry
• Elisa Marie, blogless for now, is not on Ravelry yet
• Pia, blogless for now, is piaknits on Ravelry
• Irene, blogless for now, is not on Ravelry yet
• Hanne, on Har Du Nu Købt Garn Igen, is 2knitornot2knit on Ravelry
• Anne, on Hverken Fugl Eller Fisk, is anlist on Ravelry
• Maiken, blogless for now, is mairol on Ravelry
• Susanne, on Dyrholms Hjørne, whose Ravelry id escapes me for now
• Susanne, owner of Tante Grøn garn shop, is susannepia on Ravelry
• Ingerlise, blogless for now, is ingerlise on Ravelry
• Jette Marie, blogless for now, is Strikkemarie on Ravelry
• Maja, owner of BC Garn, is LittleBobo on Ravelry
• Jette, owner of Danmarks Mindste Forlag, is danmark on Ravelry

For the beginning of some fun stuff, I discovered this contest for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Inspired by that along with:

1. my 3rd year blog anniversary is next month
2. I missed celebrating my 1500th comment
3. my stash needs a fun little uplift

I decided to have a contest!
However it is not going to be easy. Here is the information:
The first person to email me (please feel free to use my Contact Me page) all the yarns with their colorway in the following photo below is going to get a fun package. It can already be assumed that coffee syrup will be in the goodies — my signature! To give folks a good chance to complete this challenge, I will take the last entry on March 17th — Saint Patrick’s Day — at 11:59PM-ET. The winner on will be announced on my anniversary — March 20th. Good luck!! =:8

This past holiday weekend was full of a different sort of F-bomb, the kinds that are enjoyed by many (I heard that there are, *GASP*, folks who dislike this wonderful game). Nothing is better than spending time with them, and proof of that consists of the happy memories in my head. Another “F” is going to be said now — FINALLY. I gave up trying to find the photos I took with the old Sony, and re-shot the goodies from one of the fabulous Knit Goddesses, Debbi, who is known as Cockeyed in Ravelry. I had been trying to write a post just on her special package for the Ravelry Scarf Exchange and am happy it is DONE! Her delightful package came from Oregon — a state that I very much want to visit. Besides Debbi, my mysterious Sock Monkey and my cousin Ray live there. She lives in Portland while Ray lives in Sunriver.

The first bit of goodies are well-thought of to match me. I have a 2008 rabbit calendar, a sweet ceramic rabbit figurine with moving arms and legs, a bar of my favorite Toblerone, and treats for my furry children. Did you click on the larger photo yet? Are they not SO COOOOL?!!

The next part of the package is, in my humble opinion, oversizedly generous. I like to think that Debbi’s heart is the same way, because of the size they are.

The enormous steeping teacup is awesome! I love how the pieces fit together like a glove. Who said that practicality had to be ugly? The clean lines are smooth and warm. To balance the simple glow of the steeping teacup, Debbi sent me something a bit unexpected — 2 skeins of BMFA Bambu in Scaponia. A while back, I noticed that she had marked her single skein in Ravelry as “For Sale or Trade” so I inquired about it. She replied by asking if it would be okay to include it in my package (this was not a secret swap). Not thinking much else about it, I agreed. I never expected to get 2 skeins!! WOW.

The lace scarf she made for me is breathtakingly gorgeous. She knitted the Brooke’s Column of Leaves Knitted Scarf Pattern in (get this!!) the Cockeyed colorway of Socks That Rock!! If you have not read her blog yet, she is at Blue Moon Fiber Arts. I absolutely love wearing this scarf because its size is perfect in the office. Whew. That took long enough to write. Next post? More packages — Jette’s goodies from the Fano Festival, and a special birthday package from my Secret Pal. Now one last photo before I close… It is a gift from Sarah, aka “swroot” on Ravelry. I had favorited it once before, and she sent it to me because of the work I have done in Ravelry! Now I am searching for the perfect pattern to make with it. Be sure to stay warm from the snow this weekend everybunny! =:8