Getting back into the swing.. of something....

[artemis42]

Both the time spent in New England in December and in New Orleans for the turning of 2007 were wonderful, rejuvenative and went by way too quickly. We had good times at various parties and gatherings, hanging out at the co-op in Brattleboro, getting to see Sam working on a medieval loom was awesome, as well as getting a new travel wheel and a bag of roving that I've already spun up the majority of. My mom got some great gifts from her children this year, from my sister's gift of an iPod and Sirius satellite radio for her car, to my cobalt blue glass pumpkin and U2 albums on vinyl, which tickled her to death. She's just now starting to get into listening to music that's new to her. Finding out that she now likes AC/DC sent me into spasms of laughter. Dad got some super comfy smartwool socks from us and the usual bags of pistachios and mixed nuts for him to merrily crack open, as well as my sister and I both running around bringing him tea and food in bed. Not getting to spend the QT I wanted to spend with my dad was a bit of a disappointment, which was overshadowed while it was unfolding by my worry and concern about his poor health. Thankfully, he's doing better, but I have yet to talk with him to get an update straight from the source.

I emailed my sister a picture of my antique wheel to show to dad, now that I've fitted it with his newly-made connecting rod and the distaff he stained for me, which actually matches pretty well, all things considered. Now I just have to fabricate a tension knob. The piles of beads at the foot of the wheel were caught by us at a Mardi Gras parade on 12th night, commemorating the Krewe of Zeus' 50th anniversary.



Spinning wool from the distaff has actually been interesting.. I started to try it out last night, and it's definitely a lot better for my back, but it will take me a little time to get used to that style of drafting out the fibers. I'm getting the right batt consistency from the drum carder for dressing the distaff spindle, light and airy, but I don't think it will work as well with the more continuous, dense roving. More experimentation will follow, as well as a photo of the new traveling wheel.

The time spent in New Orleans was intense, both in terms of the several days of prep for the huge NYE party, but there was also a lot of coordinating visits with all the people we wanted to touch base with. All in all, we got to hang out in the Quarter several times, with J&A and Mer, and again later with J and all the rest getting beignets at Cafe Du Monde and quoting various comedians. The parties we attended were splendid, thanks again both to Mer and family and to Kent, who has an awesome collection of Pez dispensers. So much good food. Many hours of Lord Of The Rings. Lighting fireworks like a pyro at midnight on the 31st. Pisco Sours and Absinthe Suissesse made with Henri's dad. Driving down into the major disaster areas in the Lower 9th and Lakeview, noting that many houses in the more affluent Lakeview area have been rebuilt in the past year, while the Lower 9th Ward, especially near the breach, is still a bit of a ghost town, flickering to life here and there as people rebuild. I did notice a major difference in the city since my last visit for Jazz Fest, in that many more people's houses are lit, rubble that once choked neutral ground medians has been cleared, and there are people rebuilding everywhere. Hope is a good thing.

This afternoon, I watched the Macworld keynote address up on Apple's website and had my mind blown by the new iPhone. I can't afford it, and won't be getting one in the near future, but I'm happily in the midst of Mac-nerd glee, and coveting one is free. Perhaps someday, when my business is actually bringing in money, the price of this nifty gadget goes down, and the technology has had a year or two to change the market utterly, then maybe I'll clutch one in my hand, remembering the dark times in the 1990's when I was a lonely loyal Mac geek in a crowd of Windows users, getting metaphoric sand kicked in my face. Kind of a cool feeling when a company whose quality products I've enjoyed since childhood not only survives, but begins to dominate the market with innovative and cool stuff. I don't cheer for the corporate world very often, but I will admit to having a few fangirl moments watching Steve Jobs unveil this one.

Went to an anti-war protest rally this evening here in Palo Alto for an hour or so, which was pretty well attended. Got my picture taken by someone who liked the juxtaposition of my Wonder Woman sweatshirt with the hand-painted sign I was holding, saying "Is it Vietnam yet?" It was pretty chilly out though, and with my head cold not quite through making me miserable, we went to have some dinner before my nose ran away. Came home to watch The Daily Show, The Colbert Report, and spin while watching another hour or two of the Appendices from LOTR: The Two Towers.

Enough of this long update. Time to finish my Emergen-C and go snuggle.

Later.

-Me.

Comments

[identitee.livejournal.com]

I'll clutch one in my hand, remembering the dark times in the 1990's when I was a lonely loyal Mac geek in a crowd of Windows users, getting metaphoric sand kicked in my face. Kind of a cool feeling when a company whose quality products I've enjoyed since childhood not only survives, but begins to dominate the market with innovative and cool stuff.

Hear, hear! I won't buy one either, at least not until the price comes down substantially, but the Google Maps application by itself makes the iPhone much more affordable than, say, buying a Cadillac so I can have that satellite map thingie (PrimeStar?). I am NOTORIOUS for getting lost wherever I go. ;-)