Category Archives: Randonymity

Alongs, Contests, Randonymity, Reading

In which the link thing gets completely and totally out of hand

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It’s time for Jane’s Fourth Annual Show Me Your Socks Contest! Check out the details and drool over the gorgeous prizes (sock yarn, of course) donated by Numma Numma. Contest closes at midnight EDT, September 28.

BrainyLady Alison’s giving away a copy of Mason-Dixon Knitting Outside the Lines. For your chance to win, leave her a comment (by September 29) about what your favorite knitting book was this year.

Sarah’s having her preemie hat knitting contest – sign up on her blog if you’d like to knit some preemie hats.

Yesterday’s post inspired Michaele to share this link to a short video about the very cool bike racks former Talking Heads’ frontman David Byrne designed for New York City. Thanks, Michaele!

On Saturday, September 27, the Smithsonian is sponsoring Museum Day – you can “enjoy free general admission for you and a guest to hundreds of museums and cultural venues nationwide.” Some of the participating locations in Minnesota include the Minnesota Zoo and the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum.

If I had seen these signs, I probably would’ve been laughing too hard to take pictures…

Can’t you just picture Mayhem in this particular lol? (Although I suspect that a kung fu mouse would make her very happy!) I thought these two lolz went well together.

Last weekend, Lifehacker’s Ungeek to Live column was about how to fit reading into your life.

Ewwwwww! Clever, though.

So, what’s your personal fairy? Jeanne thinks mine is the parking fairy. Can’t argue there – I’m always bemused when I don’t get rockstar parking, because it so often just happens. I could also make a case for the book fairy. Here’s an example – when I embarked on my rereading of all the Dark-Hunter/Dream-Hunter novels project last week, I used the Minneapolis Public Library catalog to figure out how to get all the books via the minimum number of close libraries. Over two days, I stopped at four different libraries (all within four miles of me): Walker, Hosmer, Washburn, and Linden Hills. As I was driving down 50th Street from Washburn to Linden Hills for the last few books, I had the twitchy urge to stop at the Paperback Exchange (not one of my usual haunts). They had a single Dark-Hunter novel, which I purchased even though my list showed it to be at the Linden Hills Library. When I got to Linden Hills, guess which Dark-Hunter novel was not to be found? Yup. I get that little twitchy urge for both used bookstores and thrift stores and it’s usually right on target.

Have a great weekend, everyone!

“Go away! Quit pretending you can see me!!” -Mayhem

Contests, Randonymity, Reading

Back to that crushes on fictional characters thing…

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If you will practice being fictional for a while, you will understand that fictional characters are sometimes more real than people with bodies and heartbeats.

– Richard Bach, Illusions of a Reluctant Messiah

Kristi’s knitting a tessellating fish afghan for her twins’ November birthday. In order to complete the afghan in time, she’s looking for some tessellating fish donations. For each tessellating fish received by November 3, the knitter will be entered in a prize drawing. (How many non-knitters are wondering “WTF?” right now?)

Scout’s giving away some KnitPicks Harmony needles if you leave a link to some great “swag” for her by the evening of September 25.

Did you see this wonderful cat modeling knitwear photoshoot over at Domesticrafts last week?

Imbrium has a very thoughtful post about knitblogging and Ravelry.

Oy, I am soooooo behind in Google Reader. The returning to work? Dang. Not an easy transition, especially since it appears I now am simply seven work days behind instead of relaxed from vacation!

Reading Update
Night Play, Seize the Night, Sins of the Night, Unleash the Night, Dark Side of the Moon, Devil May Cry (Dark-Hunter, Books 6-11); The Dream-Hunter, Upon the Midnight Clear, Dream Chaser (Dream-Hunter, Books 1-3) by Sherrilyn Kenyon. Ok, I finished rereading the Dark-Hunter and Dream-Hunter books, then reread the last bit of Part 1 and all of Part 2 of Acheron as I tried to figure out why the heck Acheron bothered me so much. I think I understand that now.

All of the previous Dark-Hunter and Dream-Hunter novels integrate the flashbacks into the story. In Acheron, Part 1 is the flashback to Ash’s human life 11,000 years ago, while Part 2 is the modern story. At the beginning of the book, Kenyon explains why she did this – she felt that Ash’s backstory was simply too extensive to do as flashbacks. As written, I have to agree. However, I think that writing the backstory was cathartic for Kenyon and it got self-indulgently out of hand and overwhelming for the reader. I think this would have been a much stronger and more satisfying book if she’d integrated then and now as she usually does.

When I reread Acheron, I skipped most of the backstory and just read the last bit of Part 1 (from Ash’s mortal death) and all of Part 2. While I still think that Part 2 would’ve been stronger with more flashbacks, I did enjoy the story much more this time. I was less dubious about Tory and Ash. I still had all the details from the previous 14 books (counting the Dream-Hunter novels) in my head, so things felt less “gappy.”

And really, I had huge expectations for this book, which I doubt it could ever have met… Because, hello, Acheron?! Yum. Speaking of which, we haven’t talked about this for a while – what fictional characters have you had crushes on lately?

I’m still rather fond of Roarke and Ranger (mentioned in that previous post). I’m a bit less fond of Jean-Claude and Doyle (mentioned in the comments to that previous post), since I’m getting a bit bored by the Laurell K. Hamilton books that take 400 pages to cover three hours…

Of course, when I wrote that post, I hadn’t read the Dark-Hunter novels (suggested by several people in the comments then)… so I now have to add Acheron (obviously), Ravyn, and pretty much all of the non-blond Dark-/Dream-/Were-Hunters. Then there’s the delectable Japhrimel from the Dante Valentine novels. Harry Dresden. David from the Weather Warden novels. Clayton Danvers from the Otherworld series. I’m sure you’ll suggest some others that I’ve forgotten or have yet to discover!

“Even though I’m not fictional, maybe I’ll make some of those crush lists, since I’m so dark and handsome and suave and all.” -Chaos

Randonymity, Reading

Thanks and links and even a feather toy, oh boy!

33 Comments

Many, many thanks for your many wonderful comments for Carol yesterday. I think she was a bit overwhelmed by how great you guys are, but in a good way. 🙂 Here’s what she asked me to post for all of you:

Cyber-love is real. I can feel the healing. Thank you all for your blessings and well wishes. I am lucky in a couple of respects already. One is that my cancer is a curable lymphoma and the other is that Chris is my neighbor.

Chaos and Mayhem are nice neighbors for the most part also. Chaos gets a little loud sometimes but that’s only when Chris doesn’t feed him enough or something.

Blessings,

Carol

Aww!

For those wanting to see a modeled shot of my new glasses, Jodi got one when we met up for coffee and knitting on Saturday.

Only one half of a sleeve (plus weaving in ends and blocking) left on my shaped cardigan!

Here’s a knitting t-shirt I haven’t seen before – also available as a totebag). Actually, this site has a lot of edgy, wicked, and/or offensive t-shirts – I particularly like the reading t-shirt and the crazy cat lady t-shirt.

Purrsonals, the dating and social networking site for cat staff. I haven’t worked up enough nerve to check it out yet. Besides, I’m willing to bet the female to male ratio is heavily skewed!

Looking for urban fantasy book reviews and ideas on what to read next? Check out Urban Fantasy Land.

Reading Update
Sex and the Immortal Bad Boy (Immortally Sexy, Book 4) by Stephanie Rowe. You know me – how could I resist such a cheesy title?! I may or may not read any other books in the series.
Fantasy Lover, Night Pleasures, Night Embrace, Dance with the Devil and Kiss of the Night (Dark-Hunter, Books 1-5) by Sherrilyn Kenyon. I’m on a quest to re-read the series and get a better grasp on why I was so disappointed by Acheron. This project has really cut into my Nora Roberts reading. 😉

Have a great weekend, everyone! I’m going to take a little vacation from posting (and I’ll be heading up to the cabin for a few days) – look for me again Tuesday morning.

“Feather toy, oh sweet feather toy – I’m glad I have you to keep me company while Mom is gone.” -Mayhem

Contests, Randonymity

A very special request after the contest info…

54 Comments

Brenda’s giving away some lovely sock yarn in belated celebration of her blogiversary. To participate, simply leave her a comment – and if you would include condolences for Rip, her family’s kitty who just turned 20 and is nearing his end, it would be much appreciated.

My next-door neighbor Carol is just a bit older than I am. She’s the one who takes care of the kitties when I travel to the cabin or take longer journeys. Last week, she was diagnosed with non-Hodgkins lymphoma. Considering that they at first thought she had aggressive lung cancer, this is relatively good news. Anyway, Carol had a bone marrow biopsy yesterday and will probably start chemo in the next few days. I’m helping her out as much as I can (picking her up from appointments and such), but what I’d like to ask all of you for is your good thoughts and/or prayers for Carol as she prepares to start her treatment. I completely believe that all of the positive energy you sent my way last fall helped me get better after my surgery. I will pass along comments to Carol. Please, no scary stories, ok? This is all about positive, healing energy.

Many thanks to all of you.

“Even though I growl and hiss at you when you come over to take care of me when Mom’s gone, I think you’re pretty ok for someone who isn’t Mom, Carol, and I hope you get better quickly!” -Chaos

Randonymity

Sort of new glasses

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Yes, I picked up my new glasses on Friday… and I’m pretty sure no one will ever notice that they’re new. Why? Because I got the exact same frames in a slightly different shade. Below, the glasses in back (old) are “Tan” and the glasses in front (new) are “Olive.”

Pretty radical change, eh? Not. I always go in for new glasses, resolving to get something exciting and different… and then reality hits. I have a narrow face, so there aren’t a lot of adult glasses that will even fit me. Since most of the kids’ glasses aren’t really my thing (Hot pink! With butterflies! And daisies!), I won’t wear plastic frames (must have the nose pads that wire frames use), I’m anti-bling on glasses (the JLo line was particularly scary), and my prescription restricts me to somewhat small lenses… Yeah. I didn’t see anything that I liked more than the poor old beat up frames I already had.

“Hmm. These aren’t knitting needles.” -Mayhem

“Let’s just give them a taste anyway…” -Mayhem

Gotta go! Must rescue glasses!

Contests, Knitting, Randonymity, Reading

If I offer you a nectarine, you might want to wash it again…

33 Comments

Yesterday was another crazed day at work, but I am now officially on vacation until the 23rd! Although there’s a good chance that I’ll get called at least once due to some work crisis, I’m going to put even the possibility of that out of my mind. Besides, I’ll probably head up to the cabin next weekend, and there’s no phone service (not even cell) at the cabin. Unless I drive down to mile marker 193. Which I won’t. 😉

Disturbing discovery of the week: Walking into the kitchen and discovering Chaos on the counter, licking the nectarines that were ripening. Ewwwwww!

After its nearly yearlong nap, I’ve pulled out my KP&S Neckdown Shaped Cardigan #241. (Probably only Marina remembers that I was knitting a sweater.) I tucked it away when I got really sick of knitting stockinette back and forth. The funny part? I only had an inch or two of said stockinette left, plus an inch or two of seed stitch for the bottom edge. Now I’m ready to pick up and knit the sleeves (in the round! Yay!) and do the seed stitch neck edging.

Don’t forget about my wee contest! If you enjoy urban fantasy/paranormal romance and haven’t read Night Shift, the first Jill Kismet book by Lilith Saintcrow, send an email to my contest line by Sunday, September 14, 9 pm CDT. A winner will be randomly selected from among the entrants. Be warned that, while this is an extremely well-written series, it is also graphically violent at times.

Reading Update
Paths Not Taken (Nightside, Book 5) by Simon R. Green. Obviously inspired by the Dresden Files, but a bit darker and more British.
Sacred Sins; Love By Design (Loving Jack & Best Laid Plans); Taming Natasha & Luring a Lady (Stanislaski Books ! & 2); Falling for Rachel / Convincing Alex (Stanislaski Books 3 & 4); Waiting for Nick / Considering Kate (Stanislaski Books 5 &6) by Nora Roberts. She hasn’t written quite an infinite number of books, Kat, but close!
Underground (Greywalker, Book 3) by Kat Richardson. This continues to be an extremely well-written and intense urban fantasy series. Highly recommended.
If Wishing Made It So by Lucy Finn. Very light’n’fluffy paranormal romance. Perfect beach reading… although I guess beach season is mostly done for the year.
The Night Serpent by Anna Leonard. Ignore the cover, as its relevance to the story is extremely low! There’s a bit of violence against kitties that I found traumatizing (albeit less so knowing the author is a kitty owner and found writing it a challenge), but this was a compelling paranormal romance with an unusual premise.
Hunter’s Prayer (Jill Kismet, Book 2) by Lilith Saintcrow. This continues to be an excellent urban fantasy series – but be warned that it is very, very violent.

Have a great weekend, everyone!

“Mmmm… sleeping in… what a nice change…” -Mayhem

Randonymity

Unfocused

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So crazily busy you’re not even getting a focused picture today… Counting down to vacation tomorrow! My big plans for Friday include sleeping in, attempting to catch up on Google Reader, and going for a bike ride if it isn’t raining.

“What do you mean, what if my face freezes this way?! You’re kidding about that, right?!!” -Chaos

Randonymity

“Thunderbolt and lightning, very very frightening me!”

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“You aren’t supposed to be able to find me. This is my safe spot.” -Mayhem*

“But since you did, are those scary thunderstorms over yet?” -Mayhem

They are indeed, Mayhem! You can come out now. Have a great holiday weekend to those of you in the US and Canada and a great regular old weekend to the rest!

*She’s between the head of my bed and the wall. The end of the baseboard radiator is to the left and there’s a bookcase blocking the end off to the right.

Contests, Randonymity

Bullet post

34 Comments
  • Lisa’s having a contest – send her an email guessing whose home is pictured and you could win enough yarn for a small project. Send your emails by August 29, 6 pm EDT.
  • Over the weekend, I biked 15 miles on Saturday, then walked/wandered five miles. On Sunday, I biked another 20 miles. I’m slowly getting more comfortable on my new bike, but my legs are not very happy with me right now.
  • Last week, I ordered a few things from amazon.com, using the free shipping. They shipped my stuff in two separate packages. No big deal, right? Except… the first package I received said “1 of 51.” Eeeek!!! Fortunately, there weren’t any weird charges on my credit card, nor have 49 extraneous boxes appeared.
  • Remember my Bake Neko (oldschool ipod shuffle) woes last month? It still plays, but when I skip ahead to the next song, it goes dormant for a while. In frustration, I bought a SanDisk Sansa Clip 4 GB mp3 player. My only complaint (which I knew before I bought it) is that the Clip doesn’t play m4a/aac (a common ipod music format, besides being what of a lot of my music library is). I do have plenty of mp3 music – but the main reason I bought it is because it should be NetLibrary compatible (and I have free NetLibrary access via my local library system). (I haven’t verified this yet!) It also has an FM receiver.
  • Apologies to those who friend me on GoodReads, as I’m nearly inert there. Most of my time is spent on LibraryThing.
  • I’ve been seeing a lot more people on bicycles and scooters since gas prices went up… but I’m not seeing a lot of people with helmets. You won’t get me on a bike with out a helmet. If you need some reinforcement on the importance of helmets, maybe Kellee’s photos after being hit by a bus will inspire you.
  • Remember my sheepy water bottle? I’ve been using it, and I have to say that this Laken brand bottle has the least metallic taste of the bottles I’ve tried. (The others were Sigg aluminum and Enviro stainless steel.)
  • I never followed up on the whole internet dating thing, did I? One word sums it up: meh. I went on four or five first dates and even a few second dates. The only guy I found really intriguing (cyclist whose best female friend is married to the guy who was the best man in my wedding 19 years ago – how weird is that?!) got back together with someone he had dated in the past. Ah well. My backup plan of becoming a crazy cat lady seems to be proceeding apace.
  • If you’re really bored, you can wander through my Google Reader shared items. They aren’t in my blog sidebar because I haven’t found a way to format the snippet (the five most recent items) so it doesn’t look horrible. Dang, you can also subscribe to a feed of them, if you are really, really bored. Who knew?!
  • Chaos and Mayhem continue to love their ScratchScroll, although I’m not sure how much actual scratching they do. They play with the feather toy, crawl through the tunnel, and sprawl on it far more than they scratch it.
  • I think I need to clean Chaos’s teeth (see below). Alas, I can’t see that happening without bloodshed (mine). I don’t think the vet will try cleaning the Chaos Kitty’s teeth again unless anesthesia is involved (for Chaos, not the vet!), although it didn’t look like his hand would scar too badly…

“NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!” -Chaos

Randonymity

A new bag… or two

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I think you’re all well aware of my weakness for bags at this point, right? And you might remember that a few months ago, I got rid of two tote bags that just didn’t work out for me. Of course, that meant I’ve had my eye out for a new bag, since I really am tired of the piece of REI carry on luggage I’ve been lugging around. A few weeks ago, I picked up a Case Logic canvas messenger bag and I love it! It has a laptop sleeve that works well for carrying books and work stuff, too. I also picked up a new hardshell camera case for my Olympus 1010 to protect it while it’s in my messenger bag. (You can almost see the camera case under May’s tummy below.)

“Out of my way, May.” -Chaos

“As if! You’re not the boss of me, big kitty!” -Mayhem

Fortunately, before that could devolve any further, I pulled out my newest sock project bag, which completely distracted Chaos.

“Hmm, what is that little dangly thing?” -Chaos

“This dangly thing rocks!” -Chaos

“I love you, dangly thing!” -Chaos

*nom nom nom* -Chaos