Saturday, February 18, 2006

Olympics progress and embarrassment.



Well, being that the Olympics are at the midpoint or so (YIKES!) I thought I would post progress on my slipped stitch mesh drape/shawl/poncho (still don't know how I am going to finish it). The pictures are not good and it's hard to see how pretty it actually is since it's not blocked but I am pleased with my progress so far. It will be a close call, maybe even a photo finish, to the end but real olympic athletes never give up, right?

Which brings me to the "embarassment" portion of the post. Is anyone else out there as utterly appalled and embarrassed by the lack of sportmanship and goodwill exhibited by Lindsey Jacobellis yesterday in the women's snowboard cross finals? Both my husband and I just shook our heads at her obvious attempt at showboating to the end. In a slightly wicked and evil way, I am kind of glad that she fell out of it and ended up with a silver. It would have tarnished the true spirit of the Olympics had she showboated and still gotten the gold. I was just so disappointed at the whole thing. To have looked over your shoulder to check the competition and then decided that you had a good enough lead that you could show off just seems completely reprehensible. Isn't the true olympian the athlete that competes to do their best and for the sake of competing? What WAS she thinking? And I don't care that she's young and it's her first olympic experience and she "got caught up in the moment". The moment wasn't her moment yet. The race was still going on. She's an athlete. She's representing the USA. She should KNOW what good sportsmanship is. Celebrate like hell after the race. Jump around, holler, hoot, pump your arms, laugh, cry, whatever you want when you actually have WON but how dare any athlete be arrogant & pompous enough to 'celebrate' and show off in the midst of competition?? It's one of the things that turns me off about professional sports. Give me college sports anyday where the athletes are there for the love of the game and the privilege of getting to play. If you would like to see this embarrassing moment in US olympic history you can go here and click on the link to "jacobellis' SBX race" and also read an article about it as well. And people wonder why Americans are often seen worldwide as being self-serving and arrogant. Exactly why that image exist can be explained by that race yesterday.

Thursday, February 16, 2006

Needle Exchange Questionnaire.

Yeah, I'm in on the needle exchange again. How fun, how fun! Here's my questionaire (my answers are in the bold lettering):

1. What do you like to knit or crochet? (socks, sweaters, etc.)All of the above!
2. What fibers do you like? I mostly work with natural fibers, wools, silks, cottons. I don't care for the 'feel' of acrylics although I do like the feel of some of the microfibery stuff out there.
3. What type of needles do you use most often? Addi's or Lantern moons
4. Do you like to knit in the round? YEP!
5. Do you use a magic loop method or any other we should know about? I do magic loop but I seem to prefer DPNs. Are you interested in learning a new method? A new method? Where, where, WHERE? I want to know! (tee hee)
7. Do you have a favorite place that you shop online? (knitpicks.com, knitpixie.com, jimmybeanswool.com....)? I shop at knitpicks and yarnzilla (and soon yarntopia ;->)
8. Do you want to be surprised? then erase all your answers above and write surprise me!!! You can surprise me if you like but I'll leave my answer in as well. Either works for me!

Secret pal 7 Valentine's (February) Package

OK, so the dark chocolate dove heart shaped candies are gone (a whole bag I might add) but here's the rest of my FAB goodies! Yeah to my secret pal. I can't wait to work on the ladybug socks! Tee hee. I must find the best pattern to showcase that yarn. . . . .

Now comes a question. I got these cool 'little' circs. Size 4 and 22 cm (that's 9 1/2 inches!) what do I DO with these? Can these actually be used or are they just to be admired for the adorableness (so small - tee hee)?


Olympic knitting is coming along. About 1/3 of the way through the knitting portion of the shawl/poncho/drape (haven't decided how to finish it yet). Will take pictures soon. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the slipped stitch mesh. Very neat stitch. You'll see.