Change Is Upon Us:

First off, yes, I voted Obama today and the results tonight have me over the moon.

Here's the thing though. I have no real deep problem with Mr. McCain being our commander-in-chief either. There are some issues I don't think he addresses as well as I would have liked, but I feel that for Mr. Obama as well . . . just to a lesser degree.

Both of them picked running mates I am not for . . . just to a lesser degree with Mr. Biden. Mrs. Palin, quite frankly? I don't think there is one thing she's about that makes sense to me, outside of being supportive of Mr. McCain.

I would have like to have seen Mrs. Clinton on the ticket with Mr. Obama. Maybe that would have been too polarizing for the fence-sitters? I don't know. Political strategists and pundits can answer that better than me.

It just seems that Mr. Obama has *it*. That *thing*. A way of communicating hope and change and of feeling represented that no one else in this election has shown me. That I haven't felt for a good long time.

I feel a sense of peace now, knowing that in a few short months our country will be on the start of correcting its path - back towards prosperity, greatness and hope.

Enough with the fear and despair and oppression. Enough with our rights being snatched away under the guise of "in our best interest". Enough with the last 8 years of tanking this country and not looking out for our best interests.

E damn 'nuff.

Tonight I feel the change we're embarking on, and I want to be a part of it and our country again. Barack does that. He has the *it* and a grace about him that makes me believe in us again.

Plus One Minus One Equals Zero

Mike and I voted today, and we voted the complete opposite on everything except for Proposition 2 (you can read an overview of it here).

That means we basically cancel the other out with our votes.

Oh well, at least I made it so his vote doesn't count and I'm sure he feels the same way.

Fingers crossed there are less of him out there in our country, and more of me, LOL.

You know I took pictures!

"No on 8" Rally/Picnic in San Luis Obispo

If you have interest, there will be a rally/picnic to get out the "NO ON PROP 8" word.

Details:

When: This Sunday, November 2, 2008 at 2pm
Where: Mitchell Park in San Luis Obispo (Santa Rosa and Pismo streets)

More information can be found by clicking here.

It's the least I can do to help my fellow Californians in their fight for legal equality.

5 Years Ago Tonight:

I was a single gal, sleeping my last evening as an unmarried person, both nervous and excited.

The last five years have absolutely flown by and it blows me away.

Tomorrow, we celebrate another milestone anniversary and either commit to one more year or quit.

Something tells me we're both re-committing, although sometimes I wonder if one of us just needs to be committed, period, lol.

HBD To Me:

I'm a day late, but still. It's my blog and my 40th, so I make the rules, lol!

So much to catch up on and sorry to disappoint, but no pics at the moment.

If y'all remember, I made mention a while ago that I was planning a "Day of Crafting" the weekend of my birthday, and I cyber-invited all my friends (and even someone I haven't met in person but would love the honor of hanging out with *waves to Ellen*).

Between the original idea formulating and this last weekend, Suzanne, Christy and Carolyn all visited one right after the other and it wasn't feasible for them to come right back over again. The only other person I miss terribly since moving - Diana - is going through a hard time and I knew it would be nigh on impossible for her to make it over.

Despite all who were not there, there was a lot of fun had by those that did make it.

My BIL's girlfriend Misti brought the set-up to make one candle, which she did and then gave to me :grin:. I got to turn her on to the BPAL site Ms. Violet is always talking about for her soap-making supplies. Misti also got to listen and participate in a spirited discussion between me and my sister, regarding California's Proposition 8. It was great having Misti see me among "my people" and not as only another member of my husband's (and her boyfriend's) family!

My sister brought a metric ass-load of rubberstamping supplies and I gotta say . . . it was SO. FUN. !!! More on that later.

My photog friend Alex was in attendance and was such a good sport, she made a card and embellished it with some beads and shiny yarn from my enormous stash. She's not crafty, but I think that's only because she's never been exposed to stuff like this. Her grandmother is a knitter though, and she's said she MAY be interested in trying it "one day" . . . y'all know I'm slowly working that addiction, right? :evil laugh: Although Alex is only 20 y.o. she and I have hit it right off. She's really a tough nut to crack and she reminds me of myself at that age in a ton of ways. She also looks ALOT like my 16 year old niece, which is familiar in a way, but kinda freaky in another, lol.

Sheila eventually made it over after a very long day (and week) of work (she works in the government - elections - and this is pretty much her "tax season" and LORDYLORDY I know exactly what that's like!) She didn't have any knitting with her, so she worked on rubberstamping as well.

The afternoon/evening was slow to start and then ramped up quickly - I didn't even get to the dinner part until 8pm, although I made sure to have dessert ready just as people started to show up. It was my day and I gave license to eat dessert first! Due to the hectic-ness (it so too is a word) my time to craft didn't get going until late in the evening. Eventually everyone wandered towards home and my sister stayed over. I continued to play with all the stamping/crafting stuff until I couldn't keep my eyes open any longer.

The next morning, my sister and I continued to play. That woman has, no lie, a stash of rubberstamping stuff six times larger than my stash of yarn! She's been into it for 20 years too, and has done it as a 'business' for several years.

When she finally left around 2pm, I got myself together and picked up Alex so we could head out and take pictures at Montana De Oro.

I did not bill this "Day of Craft" as a birthday party. I just wanted my friends to come together, meet each other, and have a fun time. Mission Accomplished!

Other Little Bits:

I blew Alex away with my "craft room". She was genuinely taken aback by the volume of my stash and my deep love of knitting. She had no idea from the times we've gone on photog excursions and the look on her face was priceless. My friend Rhonda didn't make it, which surprised me, and my sister gave me the best presents! A "starter kit" of rubberstamping and (drumroll please . . . ) a camera tripod. If you could've seen me opening it on Sunday morning. Snoopy Dance and whooping right in my living room. I'm SO stoked about it . Also, Mike is getting me the only present I requested - (and yes, CJ, I absolutely stole this from you!) - low-top CLEAR Converse All-Stars to wear with my colorful hand-knit socks.



How frigg'n cool are THOSE babies?

Now I'm 40 and it doesn't feel a damn different than 27 or 34.

Halloween Options:

It just dawned on me tonight that Mike and I are ready-made for the perfect Halloween costume.

Don't laugh. Give it a moment . . .

For your consideration, the roles we were destined to play:



I'm the thinner blond one . . .



And a certain someone - after letting their facial hair grow a bit - is the other one . . .



What say you?

I think we could rock a costume contest with this get-up. The Mike just has to remember that he's the SILENT one, lol!

I Like to Die:

It is so incredibly warm here today. Three months away from the Central Valley summer heat has turned me into a mild-temperatured pussy apparently! That and no air conditioning. SLO doesn't believe in it.

99 degrees today.

CJ, you really picked a great time to visit! The crap overcast weather had just passed, and you got in when it was about perfect.

Today, we're miserable hot.

More to come - once I dry off my sweaty palms and neck!

Crash and Burn, Bass Style:

Do you see them on the list here?

No?

You have to squint and start from the bottom up . . .

Now?

Yeah, 53rd place. What a difference a day *does* make, LOL!

I've come to realize that while he and I can compare our passions, there is a point where we aren't comparable at all.

We both need tools: Multiple rods & reels versus multiple types of needles

We both need inventory: Multiple type yarns versus multiple type lures.

Here's were the difference lies.

I don't "bet" on my passion. I can sit in my living room and be content for hours upon days upon weeks. He on the other hand is not content to take his boat to a local lake and just sit and fish for hours upon days upon weeks. He has to enter competitions and basically bet on the activity. Paying money to "win" a game.

Michael Jordan and Tiger Woods didn't sit in their living rooms dreaming of skill. They got out and practiced, practiced, practiced and practiced some more. Mike wants to only fish for competition and apparently he's not that great at it. I'm guessing this is because of the hours he spends *dreaming* of winning versus the hours he never spends practicing.

The betting is the part I'm really souring on.

Thank you Diana, for the info on the Patron Saint of Fish! It didn't even dawn on me that you'd have the answer, LOL. I just love how there is a saint for everything.

I think I need to get in touch with the Patron Saint of Bettors, or Debtors, or something :eyeroll:

#10 With a Bullet, Baby!:

Check that out!

Out of 96 teams (2 people to a team) Mike and his partner are in tenth place for the first day.

AWESOME!

Tomorrow is another day, and anything can happen (and what other sports platitudes can I throw in there, LOL!) Another team can snag a 10lb slob right off the bat tomorrow morning and change everything. Fingers crossed that doesn't happen.

Everyone practiced Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday and Mike didn't catch one fish those first two days, and caught just a few yesterday.

All that matters is today and tomorrow though.

Which one is the patron saint of fish? I need to talk to that guy, LOL!

I'm really happy for his results today - because he's just over the moon about it.

Pictures when my camera gets back, and news as it happens.

And Thus it Starts:

After the visit with my sis last Wednesday, we made a date for her to come over this Wednesday and we'd work on my craft room.

Then I remembered that The Mike was going to be out of town and I have zero interest in doing anything responsible (outside of the care of my pets, of course!) while he's gone so I changed the plans to me going over to her house so she could show me some of my manual camera's features and settings.

Fast forward to our date day today. She already called crying about how she doesn't 'feel well'. No. Literally. Crying. Tears. Sniffles. The whole waterworks show.

I told her it was entirely up to her if she wants company or not, as I have absolutely no agenda besides goofing around with my camera. I wasn't planning some big excursion - just futzing around her house and seeing the family as they got home during the afternoon.

I'm going over in a few, against my better judgement.

I JUST KNEW IT. One week. That's all she could last before dragging out her well-worn blanket of Mystery Illness that she wraps around herself for comfort and sympathy. Too bad Fate gave her a sister born without the pity gene, LOL.

Today, I ran across this on the interwebs while looking at some local SLO stuff.

"It will be a great day when our schools get all the money they need and the air force has to hold a bake sale to buy a bomber."

It's from Food Not Bombs, and SLO has a local chapter.

LOVE THAT!

Gone Fish'n:

I left The Mike in a parking lot in Morro Bay at 5:30 this morning and now he's on his way to Clearlake for a really big fishing tournament. He qualified in the Golden Valley region.

I think I'm going to miss my camera the most, LOL.

Lucky me though, my friend Suzanne gifted me two really nice cameras and there's no excuse left to not start trying them out.

After I get some more sleep. It is WAAAAY to early to be up!

I don't know how much blogging I'll get to this week though - no husband for the next 5 days is too good to waste sitting around the computer, don't you think?

No Tears Equals A Good Visit:

The visit is done, and it went better than I expected. It's not that I want the worst, but I know my sister . . . usually.

It actually went pretty well, and we had a good visit. I think we both are ready to start on easy ground and stay there, for at least a while. No drama trigger points.

She even made a date to come visit again next Wednesday! Her. Visiting Me. LOL.

Postponed:

After several phone calls starting at 10am today, my sister decided at 1pm that she needed to stay home and take care of her daughter.

Since my niece had a headache and her boyfriend just broke up with her as well.

:eyeroll:

It's been postponed until tomorrow.

I really would have liked to be sitting here tonight with it already behind me.

Tomorrow Is Another Day:

Tomorrow. I'm kind of dreading it, but I'm making the effort to not go in with a negative vibe.

Way back at the end of the year, when I wrote it up, one of the items on my "to do" for 2008 was to try and establish a relationship with my sister again.

We haven't talked face-to-face for quite a while (at least a year?) and rarely in emails even anymore. When I moved back home (she lives in the SLO area as well) I made sure to give her my new address.

That was back in July . . .

She's *supposedly* going to be visiting me tomorrow.

I did this entirely on my terms for a change. Everything is always about her - visit at HER house, talk about HER problems, put up with HER interruptions.

When I still lived here 4+ years ago, we lived (no lie) about 6 big-city blocks away. She off The Pike and me off Highway 1, both in the same city. She visited me one time there. Ever.

For the 4+ years at our house in Porterville, she came to visit . . . lemme think now . . . *ticks off fingers* . . . uh, yeah. One time. Ever.

Apparently that's really pissed me off since I still hold it against her.

Back when her kids were younger, it would have made sense to be tied down to the house. Back when her kids were younger, she actually visited me MORE and I lived further away! In another state! I lived near one of the kid's grandparents though, so that's probably the real reason she came to visit me back then.

Now I'm back in town (albeit not 6 big-city blocks away but definately just 15 minutes away at most) and she'd finally deigned to come to my house tomorrow.

Again, this is all on my terms. I have not stopped by her house one time since coming home. She's asked several times, in her annoying way, hinting around about when I'm 'going to come see her'. Haven't. The road goes both ways and my house is the *new* place. The place to be seen and checked out and shown off. I've seen her house a bazillion times. She's thrown out the "your niece would love to see you" even. Really? The niece that just got her learner's permit? The niece that hasn't emailed or written or called since . . . oh about 10 years? That's nice, but save it.

I've just left this *thing* to sit out and simmer between us. She had the address and could do what she wanted with it. I got the "oh I'm sooooo busy with all the kids" (and that's another story for another day - she's only got two of her own and she's taken in one of her friend's kids for whatever Madonna-complex reason she works under) and the "oh I'm soooo busy with this class I'm taking" (one freak'n day a week) and just general "oh I'm soooo busy" poor me crap blanket she wraps around herself all the time.

I'm not buying into it any more. Ain't drinking her particular brand of Crazy Kool-aid and ain't catering to her.

She finally said she had a break in her Oh So Busy schedule (of not having a real job like the rest of the world) and will come over tomorrow. The only thing I wanted on our agenda was puttering around in my craft room. She's really into rubber stamping and general craft-like endeavors so I'm thinking this would be a good icebreaker for us. No heavy lifting, no Take Care of Little Sister mentality necessary, just hanging and crafting and if she has suggestions for organization I'm all ears. I had zero crafty interest before I moved away, so I'm hoping this mutual interest will work to bond us closer.

We'll see.

Here's where I'm expecting trouble: After ten minutes she's going to start crying and saying things like "I don't know why we're not close" and "You don't understand" - which means I don't understand about her crazy mixed up (made up? I seriously wonder) medical issues that never seem to have a root or a method of treatment. She's right. I DON'T get it. Don't get her.

She's full of all the shit I just don't understand in real life anyway. I wouldn't understand that in my friends, or my husband's family. I don't get sick and I have zero tolerance for people who use phantom illnesses to excuse all their poor life choices. Real people get real illnesses all the time. That I do get. It sucks and it's not fair and sometimes they throw up their hands and scream "WHY? WHY ME. Just "WHY?" Yet all those people get up every fucking day and live their lives and keep on keeping on with the good fight.

Nose to the grindstone. I totally get that.

My sister ain't that person.

This is a 20 minute blog post to encapsulate 32 years of family history between us. There's definately more history than I've written down to far.

She's not my *real* sister in terms of blood. Her parents adopted me (and my younger brother) when I was seven. They unadopted (we'll get to that one day) me when I was 15. I'm 39 now. We're sisters in our hearts though, and maybe that's the point of all I wrote just now. Remembering that we think of each other as sisters after all this time and history.

I'm going to try tomorrow. I won't unleash or vent or dump back all the crap she spews. I'm going to stick to the plan of 'crafting' and guide the conversation as best I can through the murky and turbulent waters of our different personalities.

See. FREE THERAPY!

Sybil:

I've split up the blog into three separate topics.

This one, Blue Content, will focus on the more "diary" like entries.

Knitting Blue WIPs will be tied to ravelry.com and knitting-centric in content.

Knitting Blue Pictures will be focused on my love of photography primarily, but I think there will be cross-over between Blue Content and Blue Photography.

I still need to clean up/streamline all three, so I'll work on that this week.

My nature is more towards compartmentalizing so this change feels *right*.

And yeah, I know that there could be some mental issues associated with compartmentalizing. That's where Knitting Blue Content comes in! Free therapy, LOL.

Bits of This and That:

I'm at a crossroad, folks.

One one hand, there is so much *great* going on around this place that it should be illegal.

Friday, The Mike and I had dinner out at Olde Port Inn (which is a misnomer because there ain't no "inn" to it), after visiting the last Avila Beach Farmer's Market of the season.

When I went to the Grover Farmer's Market the other day, I'd picked up some corn from Hayashi's and Oh Good Gawd it was the best corn on the cob I think I've ever eaten! And this is coming from the girl that grew up on a farm and had to tend the family's garden . . . pluck'n and shuck'n and weed'n and hoe'n until my arms like to have fell off!

I've been on the hunt for their corn ever since and lemme just tell you. It's not at the Avila Farmer's Market. Honestly? There really isn't much at that Market. I don't think I'm interested in going when it starts back up next season. Mike scored himself several sugar-free desserts though.

Today I buzzed over to Nipomo, (via Oceano to hit up Hayashi's roadside stand on the way. Three ears of corn, a loaf of artichoke and pesto bread, a bottle of *GET THIS* Porterville olives and a bundle of strawberries later) I visited my buddy Sheila. She's laid up with an extremely bruised back. We sat outside, we sat (I sat, she laid on the floor) inside, enjoyed the sun, enjoyed a movie, knit, didn't knit, ate, drank some wine and overall just hung out together. The weather was awesome from one end of the central coast to the other today.

Tonight was leftovers and in a while I'm going to be firmly planted on the couch, watching the season premier of SNL. Michael Phelps, y'all. And if that isn't incentive enough, then tell me that Tina Fey and Sara Palin are not identical twins from different mothers?

Tomorrow is chock-full of fun as well. It's the last day of this year's I Madonnari street painting festival and later, the monthly Central Coast Beer and Knitting meetup.

And here's where the crossroad comes into play.

My life has an aspect of Wine & Roses fun. Something I think is appropriate for a general knitting blog tied to ravelry that general people will happen upon.

The other aspect of my life isn't all peachy keen and my take on things isn't about the Sweetness and Light.

Today I heard a horrid phone conversation between two people starting down the path of divorce. Two people I know very well.

Some things that go on with me have roots in my childhood and there are some seriously dark parts to that.

I started this blog not actually knowing REAL people reading it . . . maybe CJ and I had met once by then, but we hadn't bonded or hung out like we have since. I didn't know any of you guys reading this when I started and I had started with the intent to talk about my life . . . my real day-to-day, 'no punches held' life story and goings on and what I really really think about shit.

Every day I start a blog post in my head about having been adopted, or unadopted, or how being married is, or how I REALLY feel about things and want to express for myself, to get my thoughts down, and I don't. People I know in real life read this and even though I have that 'Eff You' exterior, I would hate to know I've offended someone.

Having thought about it off and on for several weeks now, I've decided to make my "knitting/rose-colored glasses" blog the one tied to ravelry. I just haven't decided if I want to keep "Knitting Blue Content" that one or if I want to create one with a more 'bland' name to tie to ravelry. Whatever I decide, name-wise and content-wise, I will let my current "friends" know about so they can choose.

With that said, one will not be rainbow kisses and lollipop dreams, so read if you want but don't say I didn't warn you.

I Could Be Convinced:

You know that saying "I need XXX like I need another hole in the head" ?

Well, for me, I need more knitting needles like I need another hole in my head. I have straights, circs, dpns, and TWO sets of interchangeables.

Today I just stumbled across this, people!



Addi Turbos now come in an interchangeable kit!

Now I just need to figure out where this new hole in my head is going, LOL.

They come with a princely price tag attached, but seriously, you get pretty much all the Addi you'll ever need (although no sizes below 4) and that's for some quality knitting tools.

Crap. I should probably start looking for a job now, to finance this heavenly acquisition.

Avila Slideshow:

I'm trying to figure out how to get all "Ellen Bloom" on you, with the cool-ass slideshow stuff.

Today I ended up hitting Avila Beach, instead of Pismo Beach, for my 9/11 introspective/pensive day and took a ton of pictures.

Mmmkay. Apparently I suck at the embedding. Grrr!

You can check out the slideshow here instead.

So anywhooo. I elected to go to Avila because I had some errands to run in SLO and it made more sense gas-wise.

I don't have many great childhood memories, but the few I do have? Avila is one of the best ones. The 'lagoon' area is absolutely perfect for younger kids or older folks. It's just so peaceful and serene. The water is pretty shallow and the area is usually uninhabited . . . especially on a work day afternoon.

So there are my pictures. Of Avila, of birds, of people, of dogs, and just of. Of my foot that isn't broken anymore and of nature and of scenery.

It was time well spent.

Tomorrow:

I think I'm going to head on down to Pismo, to sit, knit and think about what happened 7 years ago.

That's what I did on 9/11/02 and it just feels like where I need to be for reflection again.

Seven years have passed, yet it feels like yesterday in so many ways.

I'm stopping now before I completely rant and vent my frustrations with our country and our current President (and his political party).

Seven years. I can hardly believe it.

Knitting, Fog, Friends and Fried Green 'Maters:

Holy Cats y'all! It's been a bit since I've last written and sorry for that.

While the days pass, I'm busy in some ways and lazy-dazy in others.

Knitting (cuz HELLO! This is first and foremost a knitting blog!)

I have a pair of socks off the needles. You can see what I'm talking about here.

Fresh on the needles are something I thought I'd never knit in a million years. Just. So. Not. Thank Ye and not interested in the least.

'Scept I not only cast on, I'm almost done with the first one.

There are several reasons why knucks (and all their offspring) didn't interest me. Half-assed gloves? Pfft. Pourquois? If it's that damn cold Outside, than either 1) this delicate flower is Inside or 2) I'm wearing glove-gloves. That made sense to me.

That is, until this delicate flower decided to knit outdoors this last Friday. "Outdoors in San Luis" you wonder? Yeah. Here in The Big City of SLO the sun always shines, the birds always sing and always with The Pretty People walking the sidewalks. Outdoors anywhere else along the coastline? It sucks weather ass. Truth be told though, it doesn't suck on the "hanging out and enjoying it" front. I love me some real Weather. It just sucks on the photog front and the "knitting outside" front.

Thus, the love of knucks was born. No way am I going to be outside in The Fog again, with cold hands and an itch to knit!

Outside of knitting?

Wait, what? There's stuff outside of knitting?

Oh, that's right. Local guy Chuck Liddell got his bell rung. and a local business owner passed on. I love Mo's alot. It's the best place to get fried green tomatoes outside of Louisiana or my kitchen. Mo's is some seriously good eats.

Tomorrow is the weekly Monday KnitUp at Woodstone in Avila (which if you're a true local . . . ? It ain't really Avila. It's "Avila Adjacent" and how snobby does THAT sound, LOL!) I'm looking forward to meeting up with these ladies again. They are so flipp'n nice and interesting and welcoming.

I AM wondering how my sweet friend SisterDi is doing though. She had a quick and unexpected move away and until I get to see her again, I worry.