Knit knit, purl purl! I married young, the rest is a blur.

I finally finished my second illusion scarf!





Stockingette stitch always curls in on itself, which bugs the hell out of me. Unfortunately, from everything I've read so far about yarn, blocking is pretty much useless on acrylic yarn.

Merry Christmas. IF YOU DARE.

We've replaced these children's Santa Claus with a serial killer.

Let's see if they can tell the difference!

Toddler in the middle: Can totally tell the difference.
Little girl on left: Knows the horrible truth but can't quite bring herself to believe it.
Kid on the right: Made a deal with Evil Santa and is eager for the carnage to begin.

I'm made of meat, motherfucker.

Christine Alexander, the newest addition to Carl Wolfson's morning show on Portland's KPOJ, saw the now-infamous Palin turkey slaughter video during the broadcast last week and was so disturbed that she swore she would never eat turkey again. This morning she is talking about the Tofurky she is preparing for Thanksgiving tomorrow.

I still find it fascinating that we as a society are so detached from the reality of the foods we consume that many of us never make the connection between the bird carcass on our table and the violent death that must occur in order to put it there.

Something fishy.

Finally dined at Nicholas tonight! We met R and waited outside for a table for only about 10 minutes. Every time we'd stopped there before, the wait was estimated at about 45 minutes, so tonight was a pleasant surprise. But seriously, Nicholas: Get a bigger place. I've seen the crowds. You can afford it.

I had eggplant with a side of eggplant. Just kidding. But not really. I got baba ghanouj for an appetizer and deep-fried eggplant for the entree. Everything was delicious, especially the homemade naan, which was literally as big as our tabletop. So. Unbelievably. Good.

As I was enjoying my eggplant delight (four strips of eggplant, cut length-wise and deep-fried), R said, "I'm not even going to tell you what that looks like. You might not finish it." I peered down at my plate, trying to picture something disgusting.  

"Tissue samples?" I guessed, thinking of her work as a lab technician.  

"No," R answered. "It looks like a fish fillet."

Right. Like I said: tissue samples.

Gay bingo was very fun. I didn't win, but I gave a gay fella a backrub.

Spin me a yarn

Anybody know a good place in Portland to buy interesting (and preferably vegan) yarn and odd-sized needles? I need a set of 7-mm 16-inch circular needles, and so far all I can find are 8-mm and 6.5-mm needles...in bamboo. Which is nice and all, but the points are very blunt and I don't like that.

All in a day's work.

I got credited in a recent Supernatural recap on TWoP for coining the phrase 'Pimp Hand of Ipecac.' Hee. My first meme! Ah, the legacy I'll leave behind.

Wow. I just googled it, and it's all over the fandom. That's kinda...weird.

A brief update

I'm back home in beautiful Portland. Oh, Portland. I missed you so. *hugs Portland*

So glad I stayed in Chicago for election night, particularly since I got to have a mini reunion with the lovely and talented LT.  We met up at his house and then headed to Leona's. Bad news: Not enough soy cheeze for a pizza. Good news: Plenty of soy cheeze for Big Fat Vegan Burger and Marinated Tofu Wrap! Yummerz. After chow, we headed to the bar and watched the election results roll in. It is a night I will remember for the rest of my life, and I am glad I was fortunate enough to share it with a dear friend.

The train home was actually quite wonderful -- despite the supreme agony discomfort of trying to sleep in coach seating. I managed to conquer my fear of double-pointed needles and complete most of a kitty hat for Kiki, but it all went to pot when I tried to switch to double-pointed needles on the decreasing rounds. Bah. Good news: attempt No. 2 was a success; now to puzzle out the ear flaps and kitty ears. I think I might be bordering on knitting-addicted. L is shipping out a HUGE box of yarn that J never got to use, so I am planning on using it all to knit hats and booties and blankies for charity.

Work is good. Ran out of Adderall in Chicago, which is making things difficult, but I am coping. Hope to get an appointment with my NP this week.

The greatest night

HOW'S THAT FOR CHANGE?

I think I'm onto something here.

After a suggestion from my own LCSW and a lovely chat with my beautiful life support person last night (KJ, natch), I am getting excited about possibly pursuing a degree in social work with a focus on gerontology. Portland State has the only program in Oregon. I'm currently looking for volunteer opportunities to pad my resume. I found several outreach programs for the elderly including a Meals on Wheels gig and outreach for GLBTQI Seniors.

I feel too messed up and shy and disorganized to actually help anyone else, but this is really calling to me. I want to go back to school. I want a job that fulfills me and makes the world a better place.

It's so nice to have a plan.