Book Related Fun

Librarian Action Figure with Bookcart and Computer & Librarian Action Figure with Assorted Books - Who doesn't need an action figure or two?

Nook - Expect an upcoming post on this, but I have to say I love it!

Fun Brain & MadLibs - MadLibs. What else need to be said?

BookIt! Reading Program - It was fun twenty-odd years ago when I did it and still is fun for kids.

Cute Games

I love trying out new flash games. Here is a slew of 'em.

News Oddities

Impromptu billboard porn film stops traffic - Apparently, perviness is not an American only concept.

Sneaky strategies aim to get kids moving
- In my world, my kids get their fitness in PE, sports, and household chores like shoveling and vacuuming.

Boy's science project prompts school evacuation - The principal at the magnet school for techies really didn't imagine a scenario like this? Really?


Floor caves under Weight Watchers weigh-in - I think I would throw in the towel.


Bobbies scolded for using riot shields as sleds - London either has a very, very low crime rate or a very, very high one.

Home vs. Haiti

I don't want to seem cruel and I am not saying that we should not help Haiti. But, wouldn't the $100,000,000 that the president pledged to send Haiti, be better spent at home?

More and more US citizens are losing their jobs, their homes, and their ability to support their own families. When I looked at this map (from the Bureau of Labor Statistics), I was astounded by how much of the US had unemployment rates of 10% or higher from December '08 to November '09.

I could understand our government spending our tax dollars abroad if everything was hunky dory at home. But, it isn't.

Interesting Print and Online Media

During my days as customer service rep at a fulfillment house, I became aware of many magazine, newspapers, and other media that I would not have given a second thought to otherwise. I've learned my lesson and will now leaf through most newspapers and magazines before dismissing them.

The Onion is a neat online and print newspaper. It presents news in an humorous thought provoking fashion. One of my favorite cartoons is The Mall.

My favorite knitting mag is Interweave Knits. Interweave also publishes several other fiber arts magazines. They also host Knitting Daily, a great resource for new and advanced knitters.

Those are just two of my favorite must read mags. What do you like to read?

Neener, Neener and Nine-One-One

I now remember why I always wrote posts in "edit html" instead of "compose." Bye-bye annoying twittering widget!

Back to something more important. My girlfriend and I have a difference of opinion over the Cantrell/911 debate. She thinks that 911 operators should be able to guide callers through various life saving techniques.

I agree to a point, but believe it is primarily the responsibility of parents to know appropriate first aid and CPR to protect their children. 911 is a dispatch for emergency services including police, fire, and ambulance, not an emergency room.

What do you think?

Try it. I dare you!

No piece of normal-size paper can be folded in half more than 7 times.

It is not possible to tickle yourself.

After spending hours working at a computer display, look at a blank piece of white paper. It will probably appear pink.

New Year's Eve Blue Moon

Blue moons occur about once every 2.5 years while New Year's Eve blue moons only occur about every 19 years. Today is the day to take advantage of those desires that get filled less often that once in a blue moon. I think I see some new sock yarn in my future. I got new needles and a yarn cutter for Christmas from my wonderful wife so I should be all set.

On a side note, I wonder if having a second full moon will have a synergistic effect on my Alzheimer's unit? Between the snowy, icy, damp, disgusting weather and med reductions, I don't know if I can stay sane with moon issues added in.

What's Up?

I have had a nice long sabbatical. But, it has been very busy.

I've got started an office job last April. In January, I found out the company I work for is closing it's doors in Illinois and Colorado to move everything to Florida. I will probably end up going back to CNA work.

We have started the process for me to legally adopt the kids. We've been talking about it for a coon's age but are finally able to afford it. ::insert Heather's happy dance::

My better half has found out that she has migraines, tension headaches, and psuedotumor cerebri. No longer can she say the pain is from me. We are hoping that the medicines to reduce her sIpinal fluid work so that she doesn't need a shunt in her spine. We are putting off her next spinal tap until after the adoption.

My love for knitting is only increasing. Socks, blankets, and greyhound sweaters are the current works in progress.

The written word is still a love of mine, but I am only editing Stac's projects right now. She is going to take the summer off to write and submit. Please send some kind thoughts her way.

I have officially quit nicotine.

I am hoping to reestablish contact with my online buddies. I will lurk no longer.

Ta-ta for now.

99 Words...

Do NOT drink or eat while watching this! You have been warned.

Fake!

Remember when, about age 10, we used to offer something to a friend just to yank it bank and yell "Fake!"

Apparently, FEMA has not reached puberty yet.

'Nuff said.

One Down, Two to Go

Curlie Cue is done. Only two more baby blankets to go.

Pattern: Basic Dishrag on the Bias-when I started to decrease I used intarsia to make the two smaller triangles. Then, I made a bunch of i-cord for the curlie cues.

Yarn: Stash yarn that I got for a dollar a pound from a local charity sale. Feels like Baby Teri by Red Heart.

Needles: 16" Size 7 Crystal Palace bamboo circular

What do you do when you have three different colorways and three different lengths of i-cord to make? Knit the three colorways of the same length all at once, of course. Let me tell you that knitting i-cord is a zen experience. Knit 3, push to the other end, knit 3, push.


Even more zen, is miles of garter stitch. knit 5, yarn over, knit to end, knit 5, yarn over knit to end. Continue until you run out of pink yarn. Using purpley pink variagated, knit 4, knit 2 together, yarn over, knit to center. Using white variagated, knit to end. Knit 4, knit 2 together, yarn over, knit 2 together, knit to center, switch back to purpley pink, knit to end. Repeat until there are two stitches left, always switching yarns at the center.


Knit.
Yarn over.
Knit 2 together.
Crossing yarns.
I-Cord.
Simple.


The end product was not what I suspected. I was knitting this to order for a girl at my girlfriend's work. I *hated* this until it was finished. Then, well, see for yourself.


Now, I think it is kinda cute. The color side had pink i-cord, but it made this way too busy.

Can You Find the Man?

Knitted

Baby blanket. Must. Get. Knitted.

Must. Get. Done.