WoolGatherer

I quite like thighs.

Linen Stitch Scarf

After being in the knitting doldrums for quite a while, I finally got inspired by my friend Scott's great Malabrigo Linen Stitch Scarf pattern. The kit comes with 14 pre-measured balls of yarn, and the pattern, while simple, knits up into really interesting cloth with great color transitions. The scarf is knit long-wise on 300 stiches. (The cast-on is a pain in the butt, frankly.)

I still have to block the scarf, but I think I look rather dapper modeling it.

Now I'm working on another scarf for a friend in four different shades of purple, some solid, some variegated. For this one I cast on 360 stiches, and I plan to make it an inch or two wider, since I have more than enough yarn.

I'm excited to get this off the needles, as the next scarf is for me again, all in great shades of blue. Who knows, with the extended winter we've had here in Minnesota this year, I may still have a chance to wear it. (But I sure hope not.)

Cute sweater. Cuter guy.

This is what made me happy today...

Starting off 2013

Hi all. Anyone still out there? Happy New Year! I hope your holidays were dazzling.

After three lovely Christmas gatherings with my family, I started my year with trip to one of my favorite cities, Vancounver, BC. I spent the afternoon of New Year's Eve strolling along English Bay and Sunset Beach. Being by the water always makes me feel so calm. I met two lovely online friends, as well. Michael (my host) and Claus.

2013 finds me well. I started a new job in early November. The money is better, the people are great, and the work is fine. Not exciting (publishing HR polcies online), but it's nice to be busy and even nicer to be away from the world of crazy I used to work in. No more barfing from anxiety before work. Yay!

I recorded a little New Year's greeting last week. I share it with you now.

 

Morning woof...

Good morning, sunshine...

I'm in a good mood today. This is one reason why. (If you click him, he gets bigger...)

Brother, can you spare a dime?

Yesterday I was laid off from my job of five years.

Yeah, it kind of sucks.

On the other hand, I'd grown to truly despise the job.

So it's kind of cool that I'm free now. Cool but scary.

I've been interviewing quite a bit lately, so I'm hopeful that a new gig is on the horizon. When it appears, I'll be sure to let you know.

In the meantime, my last work day is October 12. After than I have eleven weeks of severance.

Let's hope I'm well into my new job before mid-January, when the money stops rolling in.

Anyone need a writer?

Pits are nice.

Missing Ann

My mom is often on my mind, but never more so than on August 30, the anniversary of her death. It has been eight long years now, but in some ways the loss always feels fresh.

I miss you, Ann.

- Seany

There and back again: Part the second

And more from Berlin! We spent four days there in all.

 

The Holocaust Memorial (near Brandenburg Gate)

 

Dinner at the charming Hackescher Markt

 

My dad, with his only full-sized beer of the trip (mixed with apple juice--it was surprisingly yummy)

 

Dusk, Hackescher Markt

 

Delicious German breakfast

 

My dad, sitting in a cozy corner of the breakfast room. The photos are of actors who frequent(ed) the hotel and its bar.

 

On the way to the Pergamon Museum

 

In the Pergamon Museum, standing in front of the Byzantium Gate

 

Some cool dudes

 

More soon...

There and back again: Part the first

Well hi there. I'm back with a report on my summer vacation. My dad and I spent the first two weeks of August traveling in Europe together. He was generous enough to pay for the trip, and I was the travel agent and tour guide as we worked our way through Berlin, Prague, and my old stomping grounds, Vienna.

My dad, who was my first German teacher, had never been to Germany or Austria, so I was excited to show him around and let him see where I first learned to live in a major city.

I did have one other companion on trip. I brought my little knitted monster, FooHoose. He enjoyed the sights, too.

So here we go. I'll be doing quite a few travelogue posts in the days ahead.

Waiting with FooHoose to board the flight from Minneapolis to Amsterdam. There was an annoying three hour delay.

FooHoose in Amsterdam. (He was annoyed to have too little time to hit a coffee house and toke up.)

 

First afternoon in Berlin, paying my respects to the Ku'damm bear

Another friendly bear. And a statue.

 

My tired dad, eating delicious currywurst on our first night in Berlin

 

Ready to start our tour of the Bundestag, Germany's parliament building

 

Grafitti left on the (now interior) wall by Russian troops after they conquered Berlin in 1945

 

Looking down into the session hall

 

About to walk up the dome

 

Inside the dome

 

With my dad at the Brandenburg Gate

 

 

FooHoose!

 

Unexpected drama at the Gate

 

Enjoying a mouthwateringly delicious Döner Kebab and half a liter of beer at an outdoor stand along Under den Linden

More Berlin in our next installment...

Hi there, handsome...

(unintelligble mumbling...)

Seany like.

Peek-a-boo!

Waterfall

Despite my wish NOT to know what day this is, it is in fact the one year anniversary of Darren leaving me.

I'm not all better, but I've been a hell of a lot worse in the year since that terrible day.

Anyway, Wendy & Lisa wrote a great song in 1987 that expresses how I feel.

And the girls say...

Wheeeeeeee!!!

A trip to the podiatrist yesterday presented a photo opporutunity that I've been enjoying too much for a man my age.

Shortly after take-off...

 

First stop, London!

 

Then on across the Channel...

... on to Bavaria

 

And finally zipping over the Himalayas

Yes, I'm a total dork.

I'm pretty sure this is my favorite photo of all time.