The Rosy Fingered Dawn Crept Noticeably Upward, Burning Holes In The Morning Fog.
Got out of bed, looked out the front window an saw the barest touch of sunrise. The river was wearing a thick blanket of fog. I stood and watched for a few minutes as the sky lightened. The sun turned a few fluffy clouds a rosy color, and the top of the fog began to strip away.
That's when the hideous title for this blog entry popped into my head. (sigh)
It was so awful, I just had to share.
Friday, September 30, 2005
Thursday, September 29, 2005
It Was A Hurricane, What Did You Expect?
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Scavenged from various news articles and mashed together here for your reading pleasure.
It was a hurricane. Conditions will be primitive for a while yet. A Midwest thunderstorm can knock out power for hours or days. Just one tornado can rip up an entire town. Hurricanes spawn multiple tornadoes and do more damage than a dozen severe thunderstorms. There is no instant gratification in recovery.
This was a very good article, covering a lot of viewpoints. I wish there were more journalists of DAVID CRARY's caliber. And let me just say... When my neighbor's home burned down, the Red Cross was there. When people need blood, the Red Cross is there. Wherever there are prisoners of war, the Red Cross is there. And when there's a hurricane, a tsunami, a flood, a drought, starvation, war, genocide, or an act of terrorism, the Red Cross is there. Don't bitch because they're getting the lion's share of donations. They do the lion's share of the work.
While the Red Cross is not perfect, they are able to get the job done in ways that smaller charities cannot.
Neat, huh?
References
Conditions Primitive in Texas After Rita
Red Cross Criticized, Urged to Share Cash
Peace Corps' Response to Hurricane Katrina
.
Scavenged from various news articles and mashed together here for your reading pleasure.
WOODVILLE, Texas - Five days after Hurricane Rita came ashore, conditions remained primitive in parts of Texas, where some residents were taking baths and brushing their teeth using water from the Neches River and others were sleeping in tents.
The plywood sign outside the home in East Texas where eight Beaumont families had sought refuge from Hurricane Rita carried a simple message: "Help Needed. Ice and Water. 43 People.
FEMA spokesman Ross Fredenburg said communications between Austin and rural East Texas have been troubled, in part because of power problems. But he said FEMA had set up distribution points in 27 southeastern Texas cities.
"I don't know what could have been done better since the materials were in place before the hurricane," Fredenburg said. "We're doing everything we can to get water and ice to whomever remains."
It was a hurricane. Conditions will be primitive for a while yet. A Midwest thunderstorm can knock out power for hours or days. Just one tornado can rip up an entire town. Hurricanes spawn multiple tornadoes and do more damage than a dozen severe thunderstorms. There is no instant gratification in recovery.
NEW YORK - As its hurricane relief donations near the $1 billion mark, more than double all other charities combined, the
American Red Cross is encountering sharp criticism of its efforts and mounting pressure to share funds with smaller groups.
The Red Cross estimates it will need $2 billion to finance Katrina-related emergency services.
"This work is so immense — it's dangerous any time you have a single organization monopolizing relief services," said coalition leader LaTosha Brown. "The Red Cross needs to recognize its limitations and reach out by partnering with local agencies who have people on the ground."
Yet the executive director of the watchdog group Charity Navigator said such pleas to the Red Cross are unrealistic, and many reflect envy of its fund-raising prowess.
"The Red Cross raised the money fair and square by making a compelling case to the American public that they were the best organization to get these dollars," Trent Stamp said. "To come in after the fact and ask them to share the money — I can't think of anything more pie-in-the-sky and naive."
Some activists have contended that the Red Cross response, notably in the first few days after Katrina, provided better services in mostly white areas than mostly black areas. "For the first 72 hours, they did not do an equitable job of responding to all communities," said Joe Leonard of the Washington-based Black Leadership Forum.
Red Cross chief diversity officer Rick Pogue said this perception arose because the organization, though committed to serving all in need, had more trouble getting teams into some impoverished black areas early in the crisis than into more affluent areas. "The need was so great, we'd go first to the areas we could get to the easiest," Pogue said.
This was a very good article, covering a lot of viewpoints. I wish there were more journalists of DAVID CRARY's caliber. And let me just say... When my neighbor's home burned down, the Red Cross was there. When people need blood, the Red Cross is there. Wherever there are prisoners of war, the Red Cross is there. And when there's a hurricane, a tsunami, a flood, a drought, starvation, war, genocide, or an act of terrorism, the Red Cross is there. Don't bitch because they're getting the lion's share of donations. They do the lion's share of the work.
While the Red Cross is not perfect, they are able to get the job done in ways that smaller charities cannot.
On September 2, Peace Corps Director Gaddi Vasquez accepted a mission assignment from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to provide Crisis Corps Volunteers to support the emergency relief efforts in the Gulf Coast region.
Crisis Corps Volunteers are returned Peace Corps Volunteers who work on short-term projects, utilizing the skills they learned during their Peace Corps service and in post-service careers.
Neat, huh?
References
Conditions Primitive in Texas After Rita
Red Cross Criticized, Urged to Share Cash
Peace Corps' Response to Hurricane Katrina
Wednesday, September 28, 2005
Strange Dream
.
I dreamt I was nominated to fill Justice Sandra Day O'Connor's seat on the Supreme Court. Of all the interesting things Congress could have asked me, they chose to focus on my religion. I kept refusing to answer because I didn't believe one's personal religion has anything to do with whether I'd be a good Justice or not. It didn't feel like persecution. I kept laughing in my dream as they asked me things like, "Are you a Satanist? Do you cast spells? Are you Wiccan?"
One senator (generic overweight gray-haired caucasian) asked me about my blog.
None of them asked me why I didn't complete college.
Strange
.
I dreamt I was nominated to fill Justice Sandra Day O'Connor's seat on the Supreme Court. Of all the interesting things Congress could have asked me, they chose to focus on my religion. I kept refusing to answer because I didn't believe one's personal religion has anything to do with whether I'd be a good Justice or not. It didn't feel like persecution. I kept laughing in my dream as they asked me things like, "Are you a Satanist? Do you cast spells? Are you Wiccan?"
One senator (generic overweight gray-haired caucasian) asked me about my blog.
None of them asked me why I didn't complete college.
Strange
Tuesday, September 27, 2005
Monday, September 26, 2005
YAY
*clap*clap*clap*
Today I progressed to "balancing" on my right foot. "Balancing" is in quotes because I didn't so much balance as wiggle all over the place while stubbornly glueing my foot to the floor. I also had a spiky ball rubbed all into the scar. (ouch)
I can now raise up onto my toes, making a good arch with my right foot, and sharing my weight equally. Two weeks ago I couldn't lift my heel more than an inch. When I concentrate, I can walk heel to toe and push off on the ball of my foot. I'm really happy with my progress.
No word yet from Aunt M in Houston.
*clap*clap*clap*
Today I progressed to "balancing" on my right foot. "Balancing" is in quotes because I didn't so much balance as wiggle all over the place while stubbornly glueing my foot to the floor. I also had a spiky ball rubbed all into the scar. (ouch)
I can now raise up onto my toes, making a good arch with my right foot, and sharing my weight equally. Two weeks ago I couldn't lift my heel more than an inch. When I concentrate, I can walk heel to toe and push off on the ball of my foot. I'm really happy with my progress.
No word yet from Aunt M in Houston.
Saturday, September 24, 2005
Poor Galveston
.
It's such a beautiful island, with such a beautiful view of the Gulf. I suppose the view will survive.
No word from my foolish aunt and cousin. I really did think Rita would miss Houston. (sigh) I keep trying to be mad at them, and all I am is worried. If Rita stalls, they could get 2 feet of rain. And all of it is going to run into my aunt's apartment. She lives in a very low-lying area.
I can't think about the risk to her life right now. Instead, I'm thinking about pictures. If aunt M gets flooded, really flooded; all her pictures of great grandma and great aunt Mary will be ruined.
Why didn't she leave?
There are no answers. Hopefully she'll be around after Rita has gone the way of the Dodo so that I can ask her.
.
It's such a beautiful island, with such a beautiful view of the Gulf. I suppose the view will survive.
No word from my foolish aunt and cousin. I really did think Rita would miss Houston. (sigh) I keep trying to be mad at them, and all I am is worried. If Rita stalls, they could get 2 feet of rain. And all of it is going to run into my aunt's apartment. She lives in a very low-lying area.
I can't think about the risk to her life right now. Instead, I'm thinking about pictures. If aunt M gets flooded, really flooded; all her pictures of great grandma and great aunt Mary will be ruined.
Why didn't she leave?
There are no answers. Hopefully she'll be around after Rita has gone the way of the Dodo so that I can ask her.
Thursday, September 22, 2005
Well, Nevermind
.
My idiot family members are staying put. There is a reason. I don't think it's a good enough reason.
My aunt has a boyfriend. His father died very recently. He's pretty depressed and doesn't want to leave the city. So she's staying too.
I think I'd be dragging him kicking and screaming if necessary.
She's stocked up on food and water. She put everything valuable up high, because she's expecting flooding. Pardon my sarcasm, but I hope she's got a good sized axe. She might need it to break a hole in the roof. (grrrrr)
And I have *no* idea why my cousin is still there.
I didn't say anything about evacuating (or not) in New Orleans, because I understand that some people have no way out and nowhere to go. But there is *no* excuse for not leaving Houston. The city provided buses and trains for those without cars. They offered shelter to those with nowhere to go.
MY FAMILY *HAS* SOMEWHERE TO GO! I have 40 family members living in the St. Louis area. We could have chipped in and forwarded money to evacuate, if they needed it. We have homes and food and loving support, damnit! Get the hell out of Dodge!
I'm sad and mad and baffled. Why?
.
My idiot family members are staying put. There is a reason. I don't think it's a good enough reason.
My aunt has a boyfriend. His father died very recently. He's pretty depressed and doesn't want to leave the city. So she's staying too.
I think I'd be dragging him kicking and screaming if necessary.
She's stocked up on food and water. She put everything valuable up high, because she's expecting flooding. Pardon my sarcasm, but I hope she's got a good sized axe. She might need it to break a hole in the roof. (grrrrr)
And I have *no* idea why my cousin is still there.
I didn't say anything about evacuating (or not) in New Orleans, because I understand that some people have no way out and nowhere to go. But there is *no* excuse for not leaving Houston. The city provided buses and trains for those without cars. They offered shelter to those with nowhere to go.
MY FAMILY *HAS* SOMEWHERE TO GO! I have 40 family members living in the St. Louis area. We could have chipped in and forwarded money to evacuate, if they needed it. We have homes and food and loving support, damnit! Get the hell out of Dodge!
I'm sad and mad and baffled. Why?
Yeah, I Know Somebody
.
My aunt M and her youngest daughter D both live in Houston, TX. I'm not worried. They are both smart enough to get the heck outta town. I haven't heard anything about them coming up here. I hope St. Louis is where they're heading. They've got family here. Any of us could make room for a week or a month -should Rita hit Houston head on. I don't think that's going to happen. I think Hurricane Rita is going to make landfall just West of Morgan City, LA.
However; my aunt's neighborhood floods with a heavy rainfall. A storm surge would put her apartment underwater. So I know she's left town. The questions are, did she get out-out, or is she sitting in traffic? Did she buy a plane ticket? (likely) If so, has she made it through security yet?
The traffic jam in Houston is ridiculous. People are running out of gas on the highway. The police and highway assistance vehicles are running out of gas to keep the evacuees moving. The gas stations all along the way are out of gas, or closed because the owners evacuated. Hey, at least they're not price gouging!
Speaking of price gouging... The major pipeline that ships refined gasoline through St. Louis is shut down. Which means the gas in my tank will have to do until the pipeline is up again. Um, yeah.
.
My aunt M and her youngest daughter D both live in Houston, TX. I'm not worried. They are both smart enough to get the heck outta town. I haven't heard anything about them coming up here. I hope St. Louis is where they're heading. They've got family here. Any of us could make room for a week or a month -should Rita hit Houston head on. I don't think that's going to happen. I think Hurricane Rita is going to make landfall just West of Morgan City, LA.
However; my aunt's neighborhood floods with a heavy rainfall. A storm surge would put her apartment underwater. So I know she's left town. The questions are, did she get out-out, or is she sitting in traffic? Did she buy a plane ticket? (likely) If so, has she made it through security yet?
The traffic jam in Houston is ridiculous. People are running out of gas on the highway. The police and highway assistance vehicles are running out of gas to keep the evacuees moving. The gas stations all along the way are out of gas, or closed because the owners evacuated. Hey, at least they're not price gouging!
Speaking of price gouging... The major pipeline that ships refined gasoline through St. Louis is shut down. Which means the gas in my tank will have to do until the pipeline is up again. Um, yeah.
MODOT
.
(sigh)
This morning the entrance ramp at Loughborough and 55 was closed. No advance warning. No obvious construction going on. Simply closed.
It was open on my return trip. But that didn't help me. I had to go around to the next onramp. Which meant going up to Germania, over Lemay Ferry, and down River Des Peres blvd. because Lemay Ferry road is the only place in my neighborhood to cross the river. Needless to say, this made L late for school. So he has detention. Again. For tardiness.
I called MODOT and complained. I don't want this happening again. I'm fine with the construction. It's the lack of advance warning when closing an ONRAMP that gets to me.
MODOT wasn't given advance notice, either. The contractor just went and did it. So. To Fred Weber Incorporated, I say this:
GET YOUR SUBCONTRACTORS TO GET THEIR SHIT TOGETHER! Please.
.
(sigh)
This morning the entrance ramp at Loughborough and 55 was closed. No advance warning. No obvious construction going on. Simply closed.
It was open on my return trip. But that didn't help me. I had to go around to the next onramp. Which meant going up to Germania, over Lemay Ferry, and down River Des Peres blvd. because Lemay Ferry road is the only place in my neighborhood to cross the river. Needless to say, this made L late for school. So he has detention. Again. For tardiness.
I called MODOT and complained. I don't want this happening again. I'm fine with the construction. It's the lack of advance warning when closing an ONRAMP that gets to me.
MODOT wasn't given advance notice, either. The contractor just went and did it. So. To Fred Weber Incorporated, I say this:
GET YOUR SUBCONTRACTORS TO GET THEIR SHIT TOGETHER! Please.
Sunday, September 18, 2005
Music
.
So the hubby-man and I chose some "dancing music" and commenced with the scar massage. Here's where you get a glimpse of our twisted humor. The first song was Annie Lennoxs' "Walkin' on Broken Glass". Followed by the song I can't not dance to; "Faith" by George Michaels.
The music really did help. Especially the second song. The hubby-man was able to press really hard and make those damn painful circles right on the scar, and the hurt was tolerable. I kept waiting for him to press the scar, because it didn't hurt enough for me to think he was pressing there. But he was! Wow.
.
So the hubby-man and I chose some "dancing music" and commenced with the scar massage. Here's where you get a glimpse of our twisted humor. The first song was Annie Lennoxs' "Walkin' on Broken Glass". Followed by the song I can't not dance to; "Faith" by George Michaels.
The music really did help. Especially the second song. The hubby-man was able to press really hard and make those damn painful circles right on the scar, and the hurt was tolerable. I kept waiting for him to press the scar, because it didn't hurt enough for me to think he was pressing there. But he was! Wow.
Knitting Needles and Physical Therapy
.
I had my first PT visit on Thursday, and I rewarded myself atferward with some new knitting needles from Knitorious. I bought size 1 crystal palace bamboo needles, both straight and circular. I love them, and they're... in need of work. Yeah.
The straight needles are perfect for the lace I'm making, except the tips are too blunt. So I sanded the tips until they were thin enough to suit my needs. The circular needles looked great, but both needles pull out of their casing easily. I need to find a way to glue the little buggers in without glueing the cable, which needs to rotate freely. (sigh)
Fortunately, it'll be at least 2 weeks before I'm at the point where I need the circs. I still have the edging to finish, then the insert; before I finally get to the large body of the shawl.
Now, for the PT. Ugh.
My darling, dearest husband massages my foot. Because I don't have the nads to do it myself. The thought of deliberately inflicting real pain on myself... can't do it. So I lay on the massage table and try to detach myself from my foot while he does the deed. You wouldn't thing of a 5 minute foot massage as torture, normally. But this isn't normal. It's 3/4ths of an inch of scar tissue being manipulated.
You know how, when you're walking through the woods, you get little burrs stuck to your shoelaces? Picture those burrs all stuck together in a sheet. Now imagine it inside your foot. Now imagine someone rubbing it around in there.
And there was a time when I thought this cut was "interesting".
We're going to try a new thing today. During the massage (torture) session, we're going to play some dancin' music. It will give me something to focus on, and remind me why I'm putting myself through this. I'm going to pick out about 5 minutes worth of music, and it'll be good.
.
I had my first PT visit on Thursday, and I rewarded myself atferward with some new knitting needles from Knitorious. I bought size 1 crystal palace bamboo needles, both straight and circular. I love them, and they're... in need of work. Yeah.
The straight needles are perfect for the lace I'm making, except the tips are too blunt. So I sanded the tips until they were thin enough to suit my needs. The circular needles looked great, but both needles pull out of their casing easily. I need to find a way to glue the little buggers in without glueing the cable, which needs to rotate freely. (sigh)
Fortunately, it'll be at least 2 weeks before I'm at the point where I need the circs. I still have the edging to finish, then the insert; before I finally get to the large body of the shawl.
Now, for the PT. Ugh.
My darling, dearest husband massages my foot. Because I don't have the nads to do it myself. The thought of deliberately inflicting real pain on myself... can't do it. So I lay on the massage table and try to detach myself from my foot while he does the deed. You wouldn't thing of a 5 minute foot massage as torture, normally. But this isn't normal. It's 3/4ths of an inch of scar tissue being manipulated.
You know how, when you're walking through the woods, you get little burrs stuck to your shoelaces? Picture those burrs all stuck together in a sheet. Now imagine it inside your foot. Now imagine someone rubbing it around in there.
And there was a time when I thought this cut was "interesting".
We're going to try a new thing today. During the massage (torture) session, we're going to play some dancin' music. It will give me something to focus on, and remind me why I'm putting myself through this. I'm going to pick out about 5 minutes worth of music, and it'll be good.
Thursday, September 15, 2005
Yeee-sush!
.
And ouch, too! I had my first physical therapy appointment today.
I have stretching exercises to do, and I should massage my foot several times a day. I was taught how to think about walking instead of just letting my foot do it's own thing. And I'm getting ultrasound therapy to break up the scar tissue.
My therapist explained why my heel hurts sometimes. It's because I sliced through the planar fascia, so it's not stretchy anymore. She gave me an exercise for that, too.
Three times a day, I must put a towel on the floor and scrunch it up with my toes. It is unbelievable how much this exercise sucks. It *hurts*. I mean, the stretching is kind of unpleasant; and the massage is very unpleasant... but simply scrunching a towel is excruciating!
So I'm gonna be towel scrunching until it doesn't hurt anymore.
Yay for determination! Yay for pain tolerance! Yay for memory! Because I remember dancing and running and camping on a mountainside, and those memories will drive me to recovery so that I can dance and drive and camp again.
.
And ouch, too! I had my first physical therapy appointment today.
I have stretching exercises to do, and I should massage my foot several times a day. I was taught how to think about walking instead of just letting my foot do it's own thing. And I'm getting ultrasound therapy to break up the scar tissue.
My therapist explained why my heel hurts sometimes. It's because I sliced through the planar fascia, so it's not stretchy anymore. She gave me an exercise for that, too.
Three times a day, I must put a towel on the floor and scrunch it up with my toes. It is unbelievable how much this exercise sucks. It *hurts*. I mean, the stretching is kind of unpleasant; and the massage is very unpleasant... but simply scrunching a towel is excruciating!
So I'm gonna be towel scrunching until it doesn't hurt anymore.
Yay for determination! Yay for pain tolerance! Yay for memory! Because I remember dancing and running and camping on a mountainside, and those memories will drive me to recovery so that I can dance and drive and camp again.
Wednesday, September 14, 2005
Clothing
.
I'll admit, I'm not much for style. I like oversized t-shirts, shorts and sandals (Or bare feet!) But this morning, I accidentally tipped over my coffee cup and spilled coffee all over myself. About 5 minutes before we needed to head out for school. I quickly threw on some clean clothes, thinking, "If anybody sees me, they'll only see the top half."
Um, yeah. Until We passed an accident involving one of L's classmates. All I saw was a stranded boy who was going to be late for school. I pulled over and offered him a ride. This involved me getting out of the truck. Which meant he could see my whole mismatched outfit. (picture forthcoming) I wonder why he turned me down? I think the lone purple sock was the least offensive, to tell you the truth.
.
I'll admit, I'm not much for style. I like oversized t-shirts, shorts and sandals (Or bare feet!) But this morning, I accidentally tipped over my coffee cup and spilled coffee all over myself. About 5 minutes before we needed to head out for school. I quickly threw on some clean clothes, thinking, "If anybody sees me, they'll only see the top half."
Um, yeah. Until We passed an accident involving one of L's classmates. All I saw was a stranded boy who was going to be late for school. I pulled over and offered him a ride. This involved me getting out of the truck. Which meant he could see my whole mismatched outfit. (picture forthcoming) I wonder why he turned me down? I think the lone purple sock was the least offensive, to tell you the truth.
Monday, September 12, 2005
Bureaucracy
.
My driver's license is up for renewal. As an anti-terrorism, homeland security, let's-make-citizens-lives-more-complicated measure, I must bring my birth certificate to the DMV. I don't happen to have my birth certificate, it was lost during one of my many moves. I can get a copy at city hall for a mere $15. Guess what I have to bring to prove I'm me?
.
.
.
My driver's license.
So, if my driver's license is good enough to get my birth certificate, why do I need my birth certificate to get my license renewed? Ah, bureaucracy.
.
My driver's license is up for renewal. As an anti-terrorism, homeland security, let's-make-citizens-lives-more-complicated measure, I must bring my birth certificate to the DMV. I don't happen to have my birth certificate, it was lost during one of my many moves. I can get a copy at city hall for a mere $15. Guess what I have to bring to prove I'm me?
.
.
.
My driver's license.
So, if my driver's license is good enough to get my birth certificate, why do I need my birth certificate to get my license renewed? Ah, bureaucracy.
Sunday, September 11, 2005
My Bearded Saviour
.
Yesterday I went out for snake food and stopped off at QT for milk and Pepsi. I left the store with my cane over my arm and carrying a very heavy bag. I was lost in thought, trying to figure out how to get my cane in a useable position, when a bearded man asked me if he could help. I stared in surprise for half a second and looked around as if he might be asking someone else. He wasn't asking someone else. He was asking me... looking me straight in the eye. No pity, simply concern.
I had meant to say, "Thank you! I think I've got it." Instead I said, "Thank you!" and thrust my bag at him. "If you could just put it in the passenger seat..." I asked, pointing at the truck 12 feet away.
Which he did. He blew off my second "thank you" with some embarassment, and went into the store. He made my day.
It's always men with beards who come to my rescue. At least when I'm too busy to realize I need rescuing.
When my sister got her hand caught in the escalator? It was a bearded man who freed her. When my car broke down and I had to carry my baby (in a rainstorm, no less!) to a gas station half a mile down the road? A bearded man and his family picked me up. When my sister and I missed the last bus home from Six Flags? A bearded man gave us money to call home.
Every single time, I was trying to fix the problem all on my own. And every single time, a man with a beard helped me out without overdoing it.
I see each one as a miracle. Thanks, guys.
.
Yesterday I went out for snake food and stopped off at QT for milk and Pepsi. I left the store with my cane over my arm and carrying a very heavy bag. I was lost in thought, trying to figure out how to get my cane in a useable position, when a bearded man asked me if he could help. I stared in surprise for half a second and looked around as if he might be asking someone else. He wasn't asking someone else. He was asking me... looking me straight in the eye. No pity, simply concern.
I had meant to say, "Thank you! I think I've got it." Instead I said, "Thank you!" and thrust my bag at him. "If you could just put it in the passenger seat..." I asked, pointing at the truck 12 feet away.
Which he did. He blew off my second "thank you" with some embarassment, and went into the store. He made my day.
It's always men with beards who come to my rescue. At least when I'm too busy to realize I need rescuing.
When my sister got her hand caught in the escalator? It was a bearded man who freed her. When my car broke down and I had to carry my baby (in a rainstorm, no less!) to a gas station half a mile down the road? A bearded man and his family picked me up. When my sister and I missed the last bus home from Six Flags? A bearded man gave us money to call home.
Every single time, I was trying to fix the problem all on my own. And every single time, a man with a beard helped me out without overdoing it.
I see each one as a miracle. Thanks, guys.
Friday, September 09, 2005
Darnit
.
L has a cold. I checked him this morning and fever is too high to dose him with tylenol and send him to school. In gradeschool, there is no doubt I'd be keeping him home. But this is high school. Kids don't spread germs as much in high school. And I think it's important to not miss any school. (grrr)
So here it is. 6 am on a friday morning. I'm wide awake and ready to tackle rush hour traffic.
I guess I'll knit. :D
*UPDATE*
I called the school and got that annoyingly loud tone in my ear, followed by, "We're sorry, all circuits are busy. Please try your call later."
Which I did. Again and again, for more than 2 hours. I did finally get through. Right around the time I'd achieved a state of blind panic wondering if the school had been taken over by terrorists or something.
Their power was out, and they'd spent the last 2 hours or so calling parents because they were sending the students home.
Go figure!
.
L has a cold. I checked him this morning and fever is too high to dose him with tylenol and send him to school. In gradeschool, there is no doubt I'd be keeping him home. But this is high school. Kids don't spread germs as much in high school. And I think it's important to not miss any school. (grrr)
So here it is. 6 am on a friday morning. I'm wide awake and ready to tackle rush hour traffic.
I guess I'll knit. :D
*UPDATE*
I called the school and got that annoyingly loud tone in my ear, followed by, "We're sorry, all circuits are busy. Please try your call later."
Which I did. Again and again, for more than 2 hours. I did finally get through. Right around the time I'd achieved a state of blind panic wondering if the school had been taken over by terrorists or something.
Their power was out, and they'd spent the last 2 hours or so calling parents because they were sending the students home.
Go figure!
Thursday, September 08, 2005
Searching For That Costume?
.
I understand. My son does it to me every year. My site stats tell me that someone was searching for "gambit costume pattern". Here's how I did it 2 years ago:
First I searched google images for a good pic of Gambit. I printed the pic (read: stole it off the internet... Fair use?) Then I browsed the patterns at a local sewing shop. I chose a knock off Matrix (first movie) pattern for women. Partly because the men's sizes were too large, and partly because I needed the extra chest room to accomodate the breast plate. I bought some cheap tan upholstery fabric while I was there. Now, Gambit's coat collar is larger than the pattern's collar, so after I cut out the pattern, I sorted through the scraps and found the perfect collar pieces. I think they were originally the armpit bits. I used the smallest size (6), but gave it a size 8 waist. Very easy to do. Just measure your child and apply the measurements to the pattern. The upholstery fabric gave the coat a little stiffness, which was perfect.
I couldn't have done it without Persephone. She did all the actual sewing.
Next came the tough part... the breastplate. I bought some 34 gauge copper sheeting (it comes in a tube at craft stores) and tried to hammer out pecs and a six pack with some of my jewelers tools. Hm. Not so good, there. The metal kept crimping. Never one to be discouraged, I grabbed the pestle from my mortar and pestle set and used that instead. I folded up a fluffy towel and placed the copper atop it. Then I made circles in the metal. Don't press to hard, copper is very malleable. I pressed down and "drew" a little circle, then just kept going, rotating outward until I got a "muscle" the size I wanted. The sheet of copper will begin to curve as you work it, which is all to the good, because you want a bit of a curve to fit the body. It took about 20 minutes for the entire breast plate.
When it was completed, I had what looked like the front half of a tank top, with muscles. I recommend cutting out the basic tank-top shape (scissors work just fine) before you start making the muscles.
I glued some foam to the inside, for comfort. I spray painted it red, because I didn't have any magenta paint. Nobody noticed. Then I glued the whole thing to a shirt. I'm lazy that way. If I'd had more time, I would have used rivets and soft suede straps.
Then came the boots. Um, yeah. I tried to make boot leggings out of copper, so that I could get the texture and all; but I ran out of time. Halloween morning saw me frantically cutting leather leggings and spray painting them silver. I used the "pestle technique" to make the knee caps, stuffed 'em with foam and glued them to the leggings. They didn't hold up very well. If I make another set, I'll add a strip of copper to wrap around and hold the little buggers in place.
Last but not least, the face mask. You'll love this. I cut the leg off of a pair of sweatpants that my son had outgrown and had him pull it over his head until it was rather snug. Then I drew the cut outs for the face, ears and top. Snip, snip, and Voila! One awesome face mask. No sewing required.
.
I understand. My son does it to me every year. My site stats tell me that someone was searching for "gambit costume pattern". Here's how I did it 2 years ago:
First I searched google images for a good pic of Gambit. I printed the pic (read: stole it off the internet... Fair use?) Then I browsed the patterns at a local sewing shop. I chose a knock off Matrix (first movie) pattern for women. Partly because the men's sizes were too large, and partly because I needed the extra chest room to accomodate the breast plate. I bought some cheap tan upholstery fabric while I was there. Now, Gambit's coat collar is larger than the pattern's collar, so after I cut out the pattern, I sorted through the scraps and found the perfect collar pieces. I think they were originally the armpit bits. I used the smallest size (6), but gave it a size 8 waist. Very easy to do. Just measure your child and apply the measurements to the pattern. The upholstery fabric gave the coat a little stiffness, which was perfect.
I couldn't have done it without Persephone. She did all the actual sewing.
Next came the tough part... the breastplate. I bought some 34 gauge copper sheeting (it comes in a tube at craft stores) and tried to hammer out pecs and a six pack with some of my jewelers tools. Hm. Not so good, there. The metal kept crimping. Never one to be discouraged, I grabbed the pestle from my mortar and pestle set and used that instead. I folded up a fluffy towel and placed the copper atop it. Then I made circles in the metal. Don't press to hard, copper is very malleable. I pressed down and "drew" a little circle, then just kept going, rotating outward until I got a "muscle" the size I wanted. The sheet of copper will begin to curve as you work it, which is all to the good, because you want a bit of a curve to fit the body. It took about 20 minutes for the entire breast plate.
When it was completed, I had what looked like the front half of a tank top, with muscles. I recommend cutting out the basic tank-top shape (scissors work just fine) before you start making the muscles.
I glued some foam to the inside, for comfort. I spray painted it red, because I didn't have any magenta paint. Nobody noticed. Then I glued the whole thing to a shirt. I'm lazy that way. If I'd had more time, I would have used rivets and soft suede straps.
Then came the boots. Um, yeah. I tried to make boot leggings out of copper, so that I could get the texture and all; but I ran out of time. Halloween morning saw me frantically cutting leather leggings and spray painting them silver. I used the "pestle technique" to make the knee caps, stuffed 'em with foam and glued them to the leggings. They didn't hold up very well. If I make another set, I'll add a strip of copper to wrap around and hold the little buggers in place.
Last but not least, the face mask. You'll love this. I cut the leg off of a pair of sweatpants that my son had outgrown and had him pull it over his head until it was rather snug. Then I drew the cut outs for the face, ears and top. Snip, snip, and Voila! One awesome face mask. No sewing required.
Wednesday, September 07, 2005
Pardon My Rant
.
L's school starts later on Wednesdays. I think it's because there are always accidents on the highways on Wednesdays, or something. So they decided to give the students extra time to get to school. The normal commute takes between 30-40 minutes. Today it took an hour and 20 minutes. Hwy 270 was a parking lot for 12 miles. We took 141 instead. And spent 25 minutes getting through Valley Park. Because they set their traffic lights to jam up traffic. Which leads to the real complaint...
I'm frustrated with my inability to do normal things. It was cute for a while. You know, can't go grocery shopping because I can't walk for more than a few minutes without pain, etc. It's not cute anymore. It's depressing. I'm angry a lot.
Last night the hubby-man and I got into an argument about getting a job. He's upset that I'd planned to sit at a coffee shop and knit while L is at school.(instead of job hunting) I don't *want* to sit and knit in public for 8 hours. I WANT to be working. I want to have a paycheck. And. I. Can't. Stand. On. My. Foot.
I have no office skills. I type 22 wpm. The only thing I've done for 14 years is customer service. What am I supposed to do?
Hubby-man says I'm arguing for my limitations. I say he doesn't understand how frustrating and depressing it is to be limited. I'm not sad-depressed, I'm angry-depressed. Help?
.
L's school starts later on Wednesdays. I think it's because there are always accidents on the highways on Wednesdays, or something. So they decided to give the students extra time to get to school. The normal commute takes between 30-40 minutes. Today it took an hour and 20 minutes. Hwy 270 was a parking lot for 12 miles. We took 141 instead. And spent 25 minutes getting through Valley Park. Because they set their traffic lights to jam up traffic. Which leads to the real complaint...
I'm frustrated with my inability to do normal things. It was cute for a while. You know, can't go grocery shopping because I can't walk for more than a few minutes without pain, etc. It's not cute anymore. It's depressing. I'm angry a lot.
Last night the hubby-man and I got into an argument about getting a job. He's upset that I'd planned to sit at a coffee shop and knit while L is at school.(instead of job hunting) I don't *want* to sit and knit in public for 8 hours. I WANT to be working. I want to have a paycheck. And. I. Can't. Stand. On. My. Foot.
I have no office skills. I type 22 wpm. The only thing I've done for 14 years is customer service. What am I supposed to do?
Hubby-man says I'm arguing for my limitations. I say he doesn't understand how frustrating and depressing it is to be limited. I'm not sad-depressed, I'm angry-depressed. Help?
Monday, September 05, 2005
Hmmm... Thinking
.
To knit a shetland shawl, you knit a border. Then you pick up a bunch of stitches along the edge. Then you knit with those picked up stitches. A lot of knitters never finish a shetland shawl because of those darned picked up stitches. So I was wondering... What if you wove in a bit of colored string at the end of each row, so that you know exactly where the stitches are to be picked up? How come nobody does that? Or is it some lace knitting secret that I'm unaware of?
Just wondering.
.
To knit a shetland shawl, you knit a border. Then you pick up a bunch of stitches along the edge. Then you knit with those picked up stitches. A lot of knitters never finish a shetland shawl because of those darned picked up stitches. So I was wondering... What if you wove in a bit of colored string at the end of each row, so that you know exactly where the stitches are to be picked up? How come nobody does that? Or is it some lace knitting secret that I'm unaware of?
Just wondering.
Sunday, September 04, 2005
Saturday, September 03, 2005
Just Stuff
.
L invited a girl to the school mixer. He sent her an e-mail. I'm not sure what to think about that. Would it be considered a formal invitation, because it's written; or informal because it's an e-mail?
The hubby-man fixed my gun lock. I can clean my rifle again! This weekend, we'll do some target practice and I'll find out if I can still hit the broadside of a barn. :D
I saw a caravan of humvees and trucks heading south. Go Guard!
When I saw them, I felt sad.
I also saw a cadillac station wagon on highway 40, loaded with water and boxes. I wondered what the two young men in the car were planning. I decided they were bringing relief to those who had made it as far as our state.
I think America can absorb a few million refugees, as long as we spread them out in a lot of cities. A friend of mine has an extra bedroom and was considering inviting a family from the hurricane area to stay for a while. She's 4 months pregnant.
We gassed up yesterday morning, paid $2.99 a gallon. The total was $47 and change. The same station was $3.19 in the afternoon.
The world response to America's disaster has been awesome. Some people think it's time the world paid us back for all the help we've given. I don't think of it as pay back. I see the offers as a gift. Thank you! Thank you for caring. Thank you for wanting to help. Thank you for giving. Thank you, Canada, for the assistance you've already sent. You'll be traveling through some beautiful country on your way to the southern coast. Take some pictures!
.
L invited a girl to the school mixer. He sent her an e-mail. I'm not sure what to think about that. Would it be considered a formal invitation, because it's written; or informal because it's an e-mail?
The hubby-man fixed my gun lock. I can clean my rifle again! This weekend, we'll do some target practice and I'll find out if I can still hit the broadside of a barn. :D
I saw a caravan of humvees and trucks heading south. Go Guard!
When I saw them, I felt sad.
I also saw a cadillac station wagon on highway 40, loaded with water and boxes. I wondered what the two young men in the car were planning. I decided they were bringing relief to those who had made it as far as our state.
I think America can absorb a few million refugees, as long as we spread them out in a lot of cities. A friend of mine has an extra bedroom and was considering inviting a family from the hurricane area to stay for a while. She's 4 months pregnant.
We gassed up yesterday morning, paid $2.99 a gallon. The total was $47 and change. The same station was $3.19 in the afternoon.
The world response to America's disaster has been awesome. Some people think it's time the world paid us back for all the help we've given. I don't think of it as pay back. I see the offers as a gift. Thank you! Thank you for caring. Thank you for wanting to help. Thank you for giving. Thank you, Canada, for the assistance you've already sent. You'll be traveling through some beautiful country on your way to the southern coast. Take some pictures!
Thursday, September 01, 2005
Hurricane Katrina Fund
September 1, 2005
Dear Lasallians,
We will continue to post on our website updates on what we know of our Lasallian ministries, Brothers and partners in the New Orleans area as information becomes available. The devastation in New Orleans and the Gulf Coast is overwhelming. Almost no one in this area is unaffected and over a million people are either homeless or suffering terrible consequences of this storm. This also includes our Lasallians, Brothers and Partners, and our schools in the area.
We at the Conference office have been in contact with Brother Louis Welker, Visitor of New Orleans and Santa Fe over these past days. As you might imagine the Provincialate there has been overwhelmed not only with questions and statements of concern but also from relatives seeking news of Brothers and partners. In solidarity with our Lasallians in the New Orleans area and to help them, we have offered to handle whatever questions we can and to serve as a clearinghouse for those wanting to assist Lasallians and our ministries in distress.
Any donations that you wish to go to hurricane relief for those in the New Orleans and Santa Fe District can be channeled through us at:
Hurricane Fund
Christian Brothers Conference
4351 Garden City Drive
Suite 200
Landover, MD 20785-7225
301-459-9410
We ask all interested parties to make donations payable to “Christian Brothers Conference” with a memo line, or separate note, indicating that it is for the Hurricane Fund.
I urge all of our ministries to have special collections or its first mission collections for relief of our brothers and sisters victimized by this hurricane. There are many agencies such as Red Cross and Catholic Charities USA through whom you may donate. However, if you wish to show solidarity with our Lasallians in New Orleans, we will be sure that funds get to them.
We also ask that you contact us rather than the Provincialate in Lafayette with questions. This will lessen the burden on their staff.
Let all of us do what we can to help our brothers and sisters in this time of disaster.
Brother Thomas Johnson, FSC
Regional Coordinator
Christian Brothers Conference
September 1, 2005
Dear Lasallians,
We will continue to post on our website updates on what we know of our Lasallian ministries, Brothers and partners in the New Orleans area as information becomes available. The devastation in New Orleans and the Gulf Coast is overwhelming. Almost no one in this area is unaffected and over a million people are either homeless or suffering terrible consequences of this storm. This also includes our Lasallians, Brothers and Partners, and our schools in the area.
We at the Conference office have been in contact with Brother Louis Welker, Visitor of New Orleans and Santa Fe over these past days. As you might imagine the Provincialate there has been overwhelmed not only with questions and statements of concern but also from relatives seeking news of Brothers and partners. In solidarity with our Lasallians in the New Orleans area and to help them, we have offered to handle whatever questions we can and to serve as a clearinghouse for those wanting to assist Lasallians and our ministries in distress.
Any donations that you wish to go to hurricane relief for those in the New Orleans and Santa Fe District can be channeled through us at:
Hurricane Fund
Christian Brothers Conference
4351 Garden City Drive
Suite 200
Landover, MD 20785-7225
301-459-9410
We ask all interested parties to make donations payable to “Christian Brothers Conference” with a memo line, or separate note, indicating that it is for the Hurricane Fund.
I urge all of our ministries to have special collections or its first mission collections for relief of our brothers and sisters victimized by this hurricane. There are many agencies such as Red Cross and Catholic Charities USA through whom you may donate. However, if you wish to show solidarity with our Lasallians in New Orleans, we will be sure that funds get to them.
We also ask that you contact us rather than the Provincialate in Lafayette with questions. This will lessen the burden on their staff.
Let all of us do what we can to help our brothers and sisters in this time of disaster.
Brother Thomas Johnson, FSC
Regional Coordinator
Christian Brothers Conference
A Semi-Personal Update From Louisiana
.
As you know, my son attends CBC High School. There are 4 (four) Lasallian partner schools in Louisiana. Two in New Orleans, one in Covington, and one in Metairie. Some of the Brothers left the schools in New Orleans, and some stayed behind to ride out the storm. This is from the CBC website:
"A Message from Brother Thomas Johnson Regional Director of the Christian Brothers Conference:
Dear Lasallians,
This is an update on the Hurricane Katrina situation as it affects Lasallians.
As you know, communication to New Orleans is very poor at this time due to the damage caused by the hurricane. I have been in contact with the Provincialate in Lafayette, LA. Some Brothers from New Orleans left prior to the storm and headed for Lafayette or other places. Others stayed to ride out the storm.
This morning I received the following message from Brother Louis Welker in Lafayette, Visitor of the New Orleans-Santa Fe District. Brother Louis writes:
"All attempts to reach the Brothers in New Orleans and Covington have failed. The National Guard will not let anyone in the city. We do not expect that the news will be good. I fear for our Brothers who decided to ride it out. Not knowing is hard! We will keep you informed."
Brother Louis Welker
August 30, 2005
Please keep everyone who has been affected by this disaster in your prayers."
Any loss is hard; and the Lasallian Brothers do so much for so many, that I find their loss particularly difficult. It is my hope that they are somewhere safe. Schools can be rebuilt, lives cannot.
.
As you know, my son attends CBC High School. There are 4 (four) Lasallian partner schools in Louisiana. Two in New Orleans, one in Covington, and one in Metairie. Some of the Brothers left the schools in New Orleans, and some stayed behind to ride out the storm. This is from the CBC website:
"A Message from Brother Thomas Johnson Regional Director of the Christian Brothers Conference:
Dear Lasallians,
This is an update on the Hurricane Katrina situation as it affects Lasallians.
As you know, communication to New Orleans is very poor at this time due to the damage caused by the hurricane. I have been in contact with the Provincialate in Lafayette, LA. Some Brothers from New Orleans left prior to the storm and headed for Lafayette or other places. Others stayed to ride out the storm.
This morning I received the following message from Brother Louis Welker in Lafayette, Visitor of the New Orleans-Santa Fe District. Brother Louis writes:
"All attempts to reach the Brothers in New Orleans and Covington have failed. The National Guard will not let anyone in the city. We do not expect that the news will be good. I fear for our Brothers who decided to ride it out. Not knowing is hard! We will keep you informed."
Brother Louis Welker
August 30, 2005
Please keep everyone who has been affected by this disaster in your prayers."
Any loss is hard; and the Lasallian Brothers do so much for so many, that I find their loss particularly difficult. It is my hope that they are somewhere safe. Schools can be rebuilt, lives cannot.
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