MondayLunchCrew

Hope you have a great day and a great long weekend.

Coming up soon-ish, photos from our trip to Seattle.

Details:

[Read more →]

This is something that would have been fun! But sadly, I’ll miss it because I’ll be on a plane heading for my summer holiday (and perhaps the only real holiday for a while since G and I don’t have compatible school schedules!)

This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t go! I wonder which trainers and instructors will be there!

This I quote from the email I got.

With that in mind, I am excited to let you know that on August 16th, STOTT PILATES® is co-hosting a special event befitting our 20th anniversary year! Together with Can-Fit-Pro, we’re attempting to create fitness history by breaking the Guinness World Record for the largest Pilates class!
Lindsay and Moira Merrithew will be there to host this exciting event – and Moira will lead you through the workout with several of our fellow STOTT PILATES instructors and ITs by her side! So grab a mat (or buy one at the event) and join the fun! Leave with a unique t-shirt (while quantities last) commemorating your involvement in this rare experience. Don’t miss out on this once-in-a-lifetime, phenomenal fitness event!

STOTT PILATES | Events

Poster about the event in PDF.

Pattern:

Ornette Socks by Cookie A.

Yarn:

Opal Uni Solid 4 ply

Needles:

US 0, 2mm dpns

Date Started:

May 5, 2008

Date Finished:

August 3, 2008

Modifications:

Only 1 intensional modification. I needed to start the pattern off in size L to accommodate my calves but my foot is size medium. So, to decrease from L to M by ankle, after 2 repeats of the chart for foot, I stopped the increases in the chart for the last repeat. This brings me to size M for ankle and I kept working the rest of the patterns in size M. The left foot was done first and I struggled with it more, there are a few unintentional mistakes in it. The Right foot, I strive to get as perfect as I could

Will I make it again?

Probably not. I’m not sure I have enough concentration in me.

[Read more →]

We recently had a long weekend here in many parts of Canada. For us however, it was a semi-holiday. I was going to do a little more on the weekend, but having come down under the weather on Saturday, I spent Saturday and Sunday resting up. And since everything was closed on Monday, ended up staying in Monday too. G had a weekend of studying in prep for his exams, but came down sick on Monday. (different symptoms).

This means every little fun, but it does mean that I made extra efforts on my knitting. After all, a somewhat uncomplicated pattern was about all I could manage on Saturday. Yet, somehow, I still managed to mess up many many times on the sleeve of Urban Aran cardigan, easy fixes, so I could manage them. But it was okay. Something to keep me occupied when I was resting in bed. I had so little energy that even reading or a little DS game playing was too much for my failing concentration.

Monday, was a different story, my concentration was 80% back, and I tackled one of my outstanding UFOs - Ornette Socks. For some reason, the second half of the second sock was particularly hard for me to execute. I had a lot of trouble with the counting, etc. I must have knit and ripped it at least 1.5 times, and I knew I had to get back to it before too long, or it may languish and never be done. In hindsight, It was too complex a pattern for me to work on non-exclusively.

I present a little photo to demonstrate the completion of the pair:

All the details to follow another day.

Urban Aran still needs another 3/4 of a sleeve and the collar before it reaches finishing state. But it’s much further along than it was a couple of weeks ago. I am pleased at the prospects of it being finished in time for colder weather.

Speaking of weather, they are forecasting rain again for all of this week. Before the humidity had a chance to let up, we’re at it again. It’s down right impossible to wash and block any item I’m finishing these days. But never you mind, I’ll just keep working on them, and I see myself doing a lot of finishing in the fall.

School does not expect us to buy computers for school or buy specific software, unlike those in the MBA program

During my undergraduate program, I had a computer, but it was a PC. It was used almost more for irc and email than school papers. Most of what I studied in school consisted of pages and pages of notes in equations and occasionally a computer program or two to write. A computer was not useful in note taking at all.

Skip ahead 10 years, and it’s a new world. I’m more hooked into my computer than ever (good or bad), my computers are now macs, and I am looking forward to using it in my learning process.

For work and my own personal productivity, I use curio and Omni products, and adobe products, with a lot of web browsers (cross browser testing). I rarely use any Microsoft software anymore given that there’s google docs. However, I still have a copy of office on my work mac and will need to continue to use office to some extent if I must for school.

Now, I’m looking at productivity tools for students. Most people who use PCs love OneNote. I do not plan on using that for school (since it’s only available for Windows.), so I’m looking for products that will help me take notes, gather material for research, and help with writing papers. I don’t see this masters program will require of me to copy a lot of formulae and equations from the board. I don’t expect to have to show my work and derive anything. Using the computer for note taking is now a possibility. Not bad since I really do type much faster than I write.

With the help of the Mac group on Ravelry*, I have been exploring a few more tools to see if I might want to add them to my arsenal of tools for school.

On top of Curio, I’ve been looking at Notebook, Journler and Scrivenr, Zotero, and Scrapbook, and will soon be playing with Notetaker, DEVONthink

It’s still a work in progress, and I’m researching some more programs. Throw some recommendations my way if you have them! Looking for anything really that you think is a fun and useful program. Whatever the application use. Who knows if I might find it useful.

In the meantime, testing continues. I’ll post results before school starts and we’ll see which ones I put down money to buy. Further into the school year, we’ll see how I make out with using them.

*Honestly, there’s a group for everything on there. I can find info on mac programs, help with my RPG games and even Animal Crossing playing partners!

Each season brings out the previews for the new knitting magazines, all of which I very much look forward to. But the Autumn/Fall season is particularly interesting since it heralds in a new knitting season for the year.

In 3 days, we’ll also have a new online magazine/pattern store - Twist Collective. The previews have been very interesting so it’s looking good. Actual patterns and prices will help determine if I become a customer.

The new knitscene and Interweave Knits previews are up. I have to say, neither got me very excited. I’ll be getting interweave Knits in the mail, so I’ll better judge from there. Knitscene often underwhelms and then later, when I see projects from others, I get a better impression of them.

I was very excited about the preview of Vogue Knitting, and got the magazine yesterday. It has special concentration on Canada and Canadian products, knitters, stores and patterns. So that was an added bonus. But honestly, I got it for these mittens (Ravelry).

I was the most excited about the fall releases were the new patterns from Chicknits. I’m most keen on Cassidy (Ravelry) and Basic Chic Hoodie (Ravelry). Copies of them are on the way to me now, so that I may possibly finish one of them by the time winter gets here.

The new releases for Fall from Berroco are just lovely. I am particularly fond of the designs from Norah Gaughan, vol. 3. It’s my favorite yet of her collections. Many styles of pieces I’d actually be interested in making and wearing like Eastlake, Strawberry Hill, Assemblage, Loppem and Calvert. Whew, what a lot!

Of course, at some point, the new Knitty comes out. So, a lot to keep knitters busy for another knitting season coming up. And even more releases coming up and out all right around the corner.

(Apologies for the lack of photos. But I tried to make up for it with loads of links?!)

[via] IT competencies for metadata librarians

I find these particular quotes very intriguing and exciting:

Question 1: What are the IT competencies for metadata librarians?
• Metadata librarians should know XML.
• Relational database design: may not have to be an Oracle programmer, but should understand the structure, and be able to form queries
• Be able to do data modeling
• Have traditional cataloging skills as well as database, XML, XSLT skills
• Maybe cannot do all of the computer programming, but should be able to read programs and know what they do. Basically, have the ability to speak the language.
• Perl scripting
• Cataloging background no longer as important, but need to help catalogers move from the MARC environment to the non-MARC environment

Question 2: Is it possible to find all of these things in a single person?

Question 3: How do we teach IT competencies in library school?
• It’s hard to keep up with changing technologies so having people willing to learn becomes extremely important.
• Library schools don’t train people in cataloging competencies either.

At this moment in time, I have no idea if I’d be interested in being a Metadata Librarian. But with exception of traditional cataloguing skills (which I may acquire in school or perhaps by some part time experience), the person they describe is me!

Yes, while library schools may not train someone in all those IT competencies that may be required going forward, there are likely many second career candidates who may fit the bill exactly. (Of course, there are those librarians willing to go on their own to learn those IT skills on their own time.) I’m personally most impressed that those skills asked for are the ones I’m still interested in IT.

But this makes me want to get to understand more of what’s involved in this type of library work. Interesting indeed. And oh yeah, anyone who wants to hire an intern/part-timer with those skills not afraid to train me in a little traditional cataloguing. We should talk!

I’ve been keeping this some what under wraps for a while. At first because I didn’t want to jinx myself. Then it’s because it doesn’t seem quite real yet.

For those who friended me on facebook has been seeing some updates, and of course, I have told people in person. But for the official announcement to the world, it’s come.

I have signed up for my classes this morning and I start graduate school in September. I decided to go back to my Alma Mater partly due to cost, to the accreditation of their program, the fact that I live here once again, and that G and I will once again graduate in the same year. (Okay, the last one is just funny, not really a reason.)

The title of this post has two meaning of course, one, I will have to hit the library for studying; but also, my masters is in Library and Information Science. It’s very cool that the school has now changed it’s name to ischool. But a bummer still that the degree name is still unchanged, I think I’m just annoyed that while it’s equivient to, it’s not exactly, and MLIS degree. I want that “Library” in the name! What are the chances that’ll change in the next two years before I graduate?

It’s been over 10 years since I last went to school, so it feels surreal and strange. The whole concept of preparing for school is very different now. I’m looking forward to the experience.

[Read more →]

For some reason, I really thought that the cardiganized versions of Urban Aran (Ravelry) were done using steeks. I had even started mine with a great yarn perfect for steeks.

So, I finish the back in just about no time since the yarn is bulky and the pattern not too challenging. But then the project sat dormant while I tried to figure out what to do with the front pieces. How do I put in the steek? How do I execute it? How do I figure out how many extra stitches to add? How to reinforce?

I read what is generally agreed on the web as the best resource for steeks - Eunny’s tutorials, but found the whole crochet reinforcement still too confusing. Probably my general freaking out about crochet given my limited skills.

But after swatching the green sweater, my need to finish projects before starting another kicked in. I spend some time checking out the other Urban Aran Cardigans and realized that most people didn’t steek theirs.

Lightbulb moment! I can chicken out of the challenge.

I ended up starting my front pieces. Two knitted at the same time. But separately, no cutting needed. So, the Urban Aran cardigan is getting some attention again.

I’ll have to wait steek for another project.

Some times, I crave yarn. I’m sure yarnies knows the feeling.

This past week, I’ve been dreaming about yarn, planning projects that I can start with new yarn, trying to find ways to find sales, and in general wasting time. Because I was craving yarn and wanting to start a new project. I needed to try to nip that in the bud. I am trying to resist the siren call of yarn sales.

Best way to do it is to see what projects I can do with yarns in stash and maybe even start as many of them as I need to to satisfy the need to buy more yarn. I do hate to start many projects, but I’m willing to give it a try and see if it helps. I feel the need to finish old ones before starting new ones. But I started swatching for a new project anyway. I’m hoping this helps either help me finish an existing project or I’ll stop craving yarn once I start a new project with new yarn.

It’s obvious that I love this shade of green I just so happens to have some of those other green items around, so might as well put it in the photo for styling.

AppleInsider | Spat with Rogers leaves Canadian Apple stores without iPhones

This has been on my mind for a while now. I’ve been needing to replace my ipod for the last year. Since I haven’t needed to commute for a while now, I’ve put off the replacement. (Am looking again to get a replacement now.)

My 3 year plan has come up (yes, I’ve been here that long now!) and I was looking for a new plan/provider/phone.

This new phone has come out and would have been perfect for my needs. All except for Rogers.

So, instead, I’ll be getting a standalone ipod. (Yes, there were many other music phones I could have gotten, but I didn’t like the look of any of them and I loved my ipod and really do want another one.

And last weekend, I signed up for a new phone plan and got a new toy:

Tomorrow, I drop off the old phone for charity. I’m going to miss it, I loved how lovely and green it was. But I’m enjoying the new phone. But it’s nice to get a nice new toy on occasion.

I actually got my YOL project rather quickly this time around. I guess makes up for last time’s seemingly forever delay.

I knew going into this lace club that I wasn’t going to like everything they put out. In fact, the first kit was a bit of a disappointment for me. I didn’t love the pattern and the yarn crocking got me a little intimated to use it. While I’ve a new plan for the yarn, I’ll likely never make up the pattern. Who knows how my tastes might change going forth?

However, I love the second kit, and ever since getting it, immediately cast on and have been working on it with a bit of fervour.

While I love this kit and think that the club is a fun way to get to try new yarn and designers, I am very disappointed by the spirit of the club. I was looking forward to blog rings and forums and websites. Instead, the second package has been sent out (half club year has past) and there’s been no blog rings. Any websites and forums has been moved onto Ravelry. (which I don’t really mind since I’m a member, but what happens to those who don’t want to join?). But most importantly, the atmosphere has been anything be supportive and fun and sharing. And don’t think I didn’t notice how you’ve cheaped out on your own website forum development!

No matter how nice people are and how much people want to share projects and discuss the knitting successes and struggles, it’s been totally undermined by the atmosphere from the top. Both by Make 1 studios and by the official group for the club on Ravelry. I take a lot of issue with the fact that there is the policing and general condemnation of people who want to post photos, discuss etc the club projects when not everyone has gotten theirs yet. Hello? This is a using the post office as delivery system. Some people may be months before getting their projects. (another PO grip all together).

By the time everyone has their projects (and how the heck they determine that, is anyone’s guess! And btw, no one’s come around to start telling people that everyone’s got theirs and you can start discussions now!) some of the quicker knitters and those lucky enough to get their projects earlier would have finished their projects, all the time unable to participate or share in their process. Part of the FUN in any KAL is to Knit-it-along-side-everyone-else-and-discuss-and-share. Not secretly-knowing-I’m-knitting-this-with-everyone-else-but-I’m-condemned-to-discuss-or-share-and-must-do-it-all-on-my-own!

I do my own little protest by not hiding my projects in progress. I put up my photos on flickr and on my blog.

And yes, I’m knitting it all on my own and not KAL at all.

I guess for those running the club, it’s more of a surprise purchases club than a KAL. I saw it as both a purchases club and a KAL since, I quote from their website:

Stay tuned for an enhanced website featuring interactive features such as a blog ring, flickr pool, and online forum. We’ll also be announcing a great weekend Year of Lace Retreat for late 2008, where you can meet some of the designers, and your fellow lace knitters.

But perhaps that’s my own disappointment due to my misunderstanding. So, while I read the forum(rav link) and also the Year of Lace Unchained, the how ideal of the KAL is defeated for me. I look it at purely as a club for purchases only. Seriously, what’s the point of a forum if there’s do be no discussion of the projects!? Is the idea of the forum only to discuss customer service and post office problems?

In terms of value for money, so far, the projects are lovely and materials as well. It’s hardly very expensive given the yarn and patterns so far as I can see. But if you’re looking for more than just the projects, you’re better off going elsewhere.

I’ll be keeping this all in mind as they get ready to open up the sign ups for next year. I was once really keen on the club and the idea of it. Now, I’m unsure if I’ll sign up again. I’ll take it one club kit at a time and see how things go from here.

For now, back to knitting on the project. Photo above is from days ago and I’ve made much more progress. I’m too distracted to get another photo of it again, maybe in a day or two

… a sleeve!

The day the pattern came out, I was intrigued. I wanted to make this sweater for kid/baby, but never got to it. It looks so nice as an adult cardigan, I wanted to make it. It went right on my queue.

Next day, there’s a Ravelry group, and intrigued became obsessed.

I went right to get the yarn I wanted to try: Cascade 220 Heathers and got started on it after finishing a couple of projects (to relieve the guilt) as previously mentioned.

It’s a quick knit and I was doing really well on it. I also was craving a lace project! It’s only got one sleeve left to be knit. Since there are no seaming (great!!) I just need to weave in ends, sew up buttons and wash and block. However, the dpn work on the sleeves is driving me crazy and I got totally distracted by the new kit from Year of Lace. (LOVE it!! and the knitting of it is like potato chips, can’t put it down…)

So, this sweater is in limbo…. might get back to it soon. I want to have it ready to wear by the Fall.

And yes, I totally jumped on the bandwagon with this latest trend in knitting. It feels a little strange to be on the leading edge of a knitting craze.

In August, the Olympics will be starting. (Seriously, who didn’t know that?)

Last time the Olympics rolled around, there was the Knitting Olympics. While I’d like to participate in one again, and in fact, it’s on my list of my 101 things to do. However, I may not be able to manage another one in my 1001 days schedule… so I’m trying to take every opportunity to come my way. Stephanie won’t be hosting hers again for another two years.

This year, on Ravelry groups, there are two groups working on two different Olympics related challenges/endeavours. The Olympic Trails and UFOlympics.(Yes, you’ll need to be a member to see the groups.)

One is in the spirit of the original event, to challenge yourself by starting and finishing something new and challenging. One is to challenge oneself to finish X number of UFOs.

I’m at a place where I’m uncertain what my plans are. I wanted to tackle a new project (of course) but I get into phases where when I want to start new projects, I go and finish a bunch of old ones so I can feel free to work on new projects without guilt.

Currently, I’ve got three projects that can officially be categorized as UFOs. I haven’t worked on them in ages and I have no inclination or rush to tackle them.

• Manos Four Seasons Blanket (my rav project entry)
• Crushing (crushed) Zara cable sweater
• And a half finished baby hat for charity

One or two of them can easily be tackled in the UFO challenge and get them off my plate. However, during the Olympics, we go on a family holiday and I’ll have to carry the projects with me.

So, I’m left to ponder this decision for a while.

Are you going to be participating in any of these challenges this Olympic Season?

Yeah, they are so cute I had to share:

Details:

Birki’s Dorian in Valentine’s Day (White), the style also comes in black but not at the store I was shopping at. I’m just happy to have them. They make me happy just to look at them. It’s been a while since I saw shoes I had that kind of a reaction to.

Pattern:

Hemlock Ring Blanket by Jared Flood (Ravelry)

Yarn:

Malabrigo Yarn Merino Worsted in Dusty Olive 241

Needles:

US 4 (3.5 mm) Dpns and US 9 (5.5 mm) Circular and Dpns

Date Started:

June 4th, 2008

Date Finished:

June 18th, 2008 (yup, finished it in two weeks!)

Modifications:

I made up to row 117 of the extended chart before starting the bind off row. The center was done on US 4 dpns by mistaken, but I didn’t rip and restart since it didn’t look like it would have a huge difference.

Will I make it again?

Yes, I think I will. It’s a simple pattern that’s easy to knit, I’m likely going to make more of them, maybe for snuggles donations. But the next time I try to make it out of yarn, I may be more tempted to get it steamed professionally. The iron and ironing board was hours of hard work and it’s still not well blocked enough for my liking.

Recipient

My Father

Occasion:

Father’s Day, oh sure, it’s too hot to use now, but it’ll be nice for the winter. And yes, it’s a Father’s day present a week after Father’s Day. My dad didn’t mind I gave it to him this weekend when we met up for a belated Father’s Day lunch.

As expected, it has past Flour’s approval.

Spread Firefox | Download Day 2008

Download day is tomorrow. I’m looking forward to the new version of Firefox.

Best of Barcelona Set:

Complete Barcelona Set:

Yes, I’ve been dragging my feet on getting this last set of photos out. But there are a lot of photos to caption and it’s hard to try to pick which photos to include.

This is my first trip to Barcelona and G’s second. He’s seen a lot of the places we went to, but it’s a very different experience. I wanted to get a mini Gaudi tour since I love interesting architecture and when given one day in Barcelona, I knew that I had to see some of the places. We were able in a very short time, see a good number of the sights of the city and even managed to do some shopping. Since I was in Barcelona, I had to try to get something from Custo Barcelona of course. We even got to eat two yummy meals!

[Read more →]

Pattern:

Hanami by Melonie Gibbons (Ravelry)

Yarn:

Lane Borgosesia Baruffa Cashwool in pink purchased from theloopyewe

[Read more →]