So, we *think* we got the apartment! There is a bit of miscommunication between the realtor, the landlady and us....but it'll be straightened out today. I hope. We want this place. It's huge. It's really really nice. Like, feels like a real home nice. Our current place feels like a 1st apartment. This would be a Home.
And, it'd have a craft room. A whole room for my knitting/sewing adventures. PC would get a library room... and we'd still have living room, dining room, master bedroom, kitchen and two decks. Plus an attic, basement and garage.
Keep fingers crossed and pray.
Oh, and if you live in the Boston (preferably Newton/Watertown/Waltham area) and know a GOOD mover... email me at kskaare@gmail.com.
:)Mini
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
When the lights go out in the city.....
Mini and PC head to the movies! Yup, a rare Tuesday night movie opportunity arose last night when our entire village lost power. NStar trucks had been seen in the area and well, c'mon... when you see an NStar truck, don't you get nervous?? I know I do. A phone call to the "customer service" line (which closes at 4pm) and being transferred to the "emergency customer service" personnel... a very bored rep told me "umm.. it'll be on at 9:30?"
Which leads to me to something that is bothering the CRAP out of me right now. My generation said "like" every other word growing up. "like, totally" and "like, I like him." But, I have been encountering a whole new crop of language issues lately. And, today (b/c the camera and the computer aren't playing nice): we'll discuss them.
1. Phrasing everything as a question.
C'mon teachers.. chime in here! Not one person under the age of 24 seems capable of making a simple declarative statement. The grocery store clerk who says "that'll be $40?" makes me wonder... is there an option for negotiation here? Should I start bartering with this person? If I say "$35?" will she take less for my dinner party groceries?
What is driving me even more crazy is that I am encountering this in PROFESSIONAL situations! A young recruiter who called me this morning said "I can find you a job?" I don't know... Can he? Or the receptionist where I went to interview who said "oh, he'll be with you in a few minutes?" But, will he? And she followed up with "he's on the phone internationally?" I don't know... I don't know who he's talking to.
PC says I am getting old and crotchety when it comes to these things, but speech pattern is something that can make or break you. Phone interviews are a new, cheap, efficient way to weed out applicants. If you sound like you can't make a single declarative sentence... would I hire you? And, on the flip side, when I have worked with people of this "generational speech", I am often asked "are you asking me that?" which leads me to think: you can't tell a command from a question.
I have a theory. The whole "everyone wins a trophy" and allowing children to have "options available" is a parenting thing that started after my mom was raising children. We were given sandwiches for lunch. No options. If you lost the t-ball game, well, you learned to wipe the tears, shake hands with the winners and try harder next game. I learned to say what I mean and mean what I say. I was taught that ambivalence was the equivalent of lying... if you have a statement, make it! Are we teaching our kids ambivalence?
2) "IM" speak.
"WTF?" I overheard at the gym. I looked up and it was a young girl looking at the *broken* treadmill. Huh. She didn't say "what the fuck", she said "W.T.F." I heard her later, talking to the front desk and she said "I was all like OMG, the treadmill is DOA and I said WTF!" I get what she was saying, but it's a little over the top.
What's wrong with using words? I like words. I like reading words, I like speaking words... and I respect words. Words can hurt, calm, cure, pacify, cut, shred, and project.
So, what do YOU think about this current speech phenom? I know a lot of you (Carole, Ruth, Julie) have kids about this age... and I wonder what you guys think/see/ feel about this. Will it pass? Is it a phase? Colleges are struggling with this as well. Will the next generation in the workforce be an "inquisitive" bunch without a single (non-IM) "declaration"?
Which leads to me to something that is bothering the CRAP out of me right now. My generation said "like" every other word growing up. "like, totally" and "like, I like him." But, I have been encountering a whole new crop of language issues lately. And, today (b/c the camera and the computer aren't playing nice): we'll discuss them.
1. Phrasing everything as a question.
C'mon teachers.. chime in here! Not one person under the age of 24 seems capable of making a simple declarative statement. The grocery store clerk who says "that'll be $40?" makes me wonder... is there an option for negotiation here? Should I start bartering with this person? If I say "$35?" will she take less for my dinner party groceries?
What is driving me even more crazy is that I am encountering this in PROFESSIONAL situations! A young recruiter who called me this morning said "I can find you a job?" I don't know... Can he? Or the receptionist where I went to interview who said "oh, he'll be with you in a few minutes?" But, will he? And she followed up with "he's on the phone internationally?" I don't know... I don't know who he's talking to.
PC says I am getting old and crotchety when it comes to these things, but speech pattern is something that can make or break you. Phone interviews are a new, cheap, efficient way to weed out applicants. If you sound like you can't make a single declarative sentence... would I hire you? And, on the flip side, when I have worked with people of this "generational speech", I am often asked "are you asking me that?" which leads me to think: you can't tell a command from a question.
I have a theory. The whole "everyone wins a trophy" and allowing children to have "options available" is a parenting thing that started after my mom was raising children. We were given sandwiches for lunch. No options. If you lost the t-ball game, well, you learned to wipe the tears, shake hands with the winners and try harder next game. I learned to say what I mean and mean what I say. I was taught that ambivalence was the equivalent of lying... if you have a statement, make it! Are we teaching our kids ambivalence?
2) "IM" speak.
"WTF?" I overheard at the gym. I looked up and it was a young girl looking at the *broken* treadmill. Huh. She didn't say "what the fuck", she said "W.T.F." I heard her later, talking to the front desk and she said "I was all like OMG, the treadmill is DOA and I said WTF!" I get what she was saying, but it's a little over the top.
What's wrong with using words? I like words. I like reading words, I like speaking words... and I respect words. Words can hurt, calm, cure, pacify, cut, shred, and project.
So, what do YOU think about this current speech phenom? I know a lot of you (Carole, Ruth, Julie) have kids about this age... and I wonder what you guys think/see/ feel about this. Will it pass? Is it a phase? Colleges are struggling with this as well. Will the next generation in the workforce be an "inquisitive" bunch without a single (non-IM) "declaration"?
Monday, April 27, 2009
Now, don't be shocked... but I actually KNIT. Yup, been known to do it every day, in all sorts of colors and patterns...
And, the last 4 days: nada. Not one stitch made. Why?
I don't like the 'hot' and in Boston, it's been hot. Our breezeless oven of an apartment is reminding me daily why we are moving. No, we haven't found a place yet... we thought we did, we lost it. And, now we might have. I'll keep you updated as much as possible w/o compromising our privacy.
Work. Well, I wish I had better news there too. I had applied for a dream job (one I would have eventually been transferred to at my old company) and was chosen as 1 of 2 candidates to interview (out of hundreds of applications) and I am #2. Sad, but if I choose to look on the bright side, at least I made it that far. Dreams dashed. So, I haven't stopped sending resumes out and calling about positions, but honestly... it's rough out there. I've got to think "next steps" for the future... are any of my skills transferable? Let's see:
Socks. Yup, a very not-so-exciting pair of socks. I love them though. And, I think my mom will love them too. They are in the "christmas basket" (see Amy: it does exist!) for now.
Pattern: my own: cast on 54 stitches on US2, k2p2 til your bored, switch to stockinette, heel flap and reduce to 52 stitches for foot.
Yarn: ( i think I already blogged this...)
Pattern: duck. (rav link)
Yarn: Paton's chunky in yellow, leftovers in orange and blue
Needles: US 5
Notes: you really have to trust this pattern... it makes no sense until you start sewing it up... but, there were 0 errors in the pattern. Stuffed w/ love and polyfill, he went in my nephew's easter basket.
Pattern: Feb baby sweater (EZ)
Yarn: Dale Baby Ull
Needles: US 3
Notes: made for Simone's granddaughter, Brooklyn. Simone's in my knitting group and her 1st grandbaby arrived in early April... just before Easter. She needed a cute little sweater, so I happily whipped this one up as a surprise for Grandma.
And, this is my FO... It's Amy's. This is her FIRST COLORWORK MITTEN. Woohoo!!! She dealth w/ the frustration, the tangles, and the "what the f?" moments we all encounter in colorwork mittens like a trooper. Give a shout out for Amy's 1st colorwork mitten!
Oh, and here's my 1st shawl. :) It's the Forest Canopy Shawl.
Pattern: forest canopy (by the beautiful and talented Susan )
Yarn: brown alpaca (it was a birthday gift awhile ago)
Needles: US 5
Notes: love it !
More tomorrow... but wish me luck! I have AN INTERVIEW TOMORROW!
And, the last 4 days: nada. Not one stitch made. Why?
I don't like the 'hot' and in Boston, it's been hot. Our breezeless oven of an apartment is reminding me daily why we are moving. No, we haven't found a place yet... we thought we did, we lost it. And, now we might have. I'll keep you updated as much as possible w/o compromising our privacy.
Work. Well, I wish I had better news there too. I had applied for a dream job (one I would have eventually been transferred to at my old company) and was chosen as 1 of 2 candidates to interview (out of hundreds of applications) and I am #2. Sad, but if I choose to look on the bright side, at least I made it that far. Dreams dashed. So, I haven't stopped sending resumes out and calling about positions, but honestly... it's rough out there. I've got to think "next steps" for the future... are any of my skills transferable? Let's see:
- Is there a need anywhere outside biotech/pharma for an assay developer?
- What about someone w/ flu research experience?
- How about a person who can negotiate well w/ vendors?
- Someone w/ a great personality and superb people skills? (those of you who know me *for reals* know that I can charm the stripes off a tiger)
Socks. Yup, a very not-so-exciting pair of socks. I love them though. And, I think my mom will love them too. They are in the "christmas basket" (see Amy: it does exist!) for now.
Pattern: my own: cast on 54 stitches on US2, k2p2 til your bored, switch to stockinette, heel flap and reduce to 52 stitches for foot.
Yarn: ( i think I already blogged this...)
Pattern: duck. (rav link)
Yarn: Paton's chunky in yellow, leftovers in orange and blue
Needles: US 5
Notes: you really have to trust this pattern... it makes no sense until you start sewing it up... but, there were 0 errors in the pattern. Stuffed w/ love and polyfill, he went in my nephew's easter basket.
Pattern: Feb baby sweater (EZ)
Yarn: Dale Baby Ull
Needles: US 3
Notes: made for Simone's granddaughter, Brooklyn. Simone's in my knitting group and her 1st grandbaby arrived in early April... just before Easter. She needed a cute little sweater, so I happily whipped this one up as a surprise for Grandma.
And, this is my FO... It's Amy's. This is her FIRST COLORWORK MITTEN. Woohoo!!! She dealth w/ the frustration, the tangles, and the "what the f?" moments we all encounter in colorwork mittens like a trooper. Give a shout out for Amy's 1st colorwork mitten!
Oh, and here's my 1st shawl. :) It's the Forest Canopy Shawl.
Pattern: forest canopy (by the beautiful and talented Susan )
Yarn: brown alpaca (it was a birthday gift awhile ago)
Needles: US 5
Notes: love it !
More tomorrow... but wish me luck! I have AN INTERVIEW TOMORROW!
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Winner! Winner! Chicken Dinner!
Okay, Trinity, Carole, Sprite, Alicia and Cindy: SEND ME YOUR ADDRESSES!
I have been groovin' to the new tunes all weekend.
And, Trin? Pumpkin was subject to a impromptu Michael Franti dance party this morning. I'm not sure it works as well w/ cats, but she likes the video. :)
I wanna send out packages (as I pack up my stash) this week... so if I called your name, get your addy to me ASAP.
:) K
I have been groovin' to the new tunes all weekend.
And, Trin? Pumpkin was subject to a impromptu Michael Franti dance party this morning. I'm not sure it works as well w/ cats, but she likes the video. :)
I wanna send out packages (as I pack up my stash) this week... so if I called your name, get your addy to me ASAP.
:) K
Friday, April 10, 2009
Smart People Knit
Watch CBS Videos Online
If knitting makes my memory better, why can I never find my US 8 needles???
Contest winners announced tomorrow.
:)
Saturday, April 04, 2009
Brand New Day! And a CONTEST
Well, the pneumonia/bronchitis combo has apparently left the building. Can we say double yuck? The Z-pack the doc gave me left me waking up this morning feeling FANTASTIC. So fantastic that I have the windows open, the mp3 player hooked up to the stereo and I am pajama-dancin'! C'mon, you know that you do it.
An email from my old college roomie got me thinking about the pajama dance parties we used to have in our townhouse. Just the 3 other girls I lived with, with the stereo blaring something really cheesy and easy to dance to... bustin' a move in our pjs in the living room. Now, those of you who really know me (ahem: Sylvie?), know that I love to dance, dance, dance. Especially to super-cheese-alicious music. So, this morning was dedicated to updating the mp3 playlists for the gym (heading back on Monday).... here are a few gems I downloaded today...
Miami (Will Smith)
My Little Girl (Tim McGraw)
Everything (Michael Buble)--- this makes me think of PC
Akon
Apple Bottom Jeans (T-Pain)
Corinne Bailey Ray
Eclectic, no? Well, that's me... I am like a schizophrenic music listener. I love Metallica (enter Sandman gives me energy), soft rock, love country, and can get jiggy w/ ultra cheeseman Will Smith (must be the ears).
Now, here's a CONTEST. Send me (in the comments) a song that you think I MUST have on my mp3 player for bustin' a move, running at the gym... whatever. If I listen to it and love it, I'll send you something. Don't forget to provide me someway to find you. :) Remember, I love angry girl music, country, rockabilly, punk, etc... but here's what I don't like: screaming. If it's just screaming, I won't listen (sorry). So, good friends: wow me. Show me what I am missing!
Tomorrow, some FOs to show off... for now, enjoy the music. (all links are to youtube.com).
An email from my old college roomie got me thinking about the pajama dance parties we used to have in our townhouse. Just the 3 other girls I lived with, with the stereo blaring something really cheesy and easy to dance to... bustin' a move in our pjs in the living room. Now, those of you who really know me (ahem: Sylvie?), know that I love to dance, dance, dance. Especially to super-cheese-alicious music. So, this morning was dedicated to updating the mp3 playlists for the gym (heading back on Monday).... here are a few gems I downloaded today...
Miami (Will Smith)
My Little Girl (Tim McGraw)
Everything (Michael Buble)--- this makes me think of PC
Akon
Apple Bottom Jeans (T-Pain)
Corinne Bailey Ray
Eclectic, no? Well, that's me... I am like a schizophrenic music listener. I love Metallica (enter Sandman gives me energy), soft rock, love country, and can get jiggy w/ ultra cheeseman Will Smith (must be the ears).
Now, here's a CONTEST. Send me (in the comments) a song that you think I MUST have on my mp3 player for bustin' a move, running at the gym... whatever. If I listen to it and love it, I'll send you something. Don't forget to provide me someway to find you. :) Remember, I love angry girl music, country, rockabilly, punk, etc... but here's what I don't like: screaming. If it's just screaming, I won't listen (sorry). So, good friends: wow me. Show me what I am missing!
Tomorrow, some FOs to show off... for now, enjoy the music. (all links are to youtube.com).
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