listen | a life of photographoe

Hiding

January 28, 2013 1:48 pm , Phoe

I have been completely hiding recently. 3 rejections: one short story and 2 poems, hence the link below, a lack of faith in my abilities as a writer (rejections do that to a person), an emotional Monday and a basic reliance on things that are outdated, impossible to use or just plain ol’ will not work right. It’s been frustrating.

Note: if you are expecting a package from me, I WILL mail it as soon as I can. All my grand plans for last year went out the window when I broke my foot. And now that I know that I can’t do swaps and such like I used to (for many, many reasons), I now know not to enter into them. So. Once I clear out the backlog, I’ll be much more careful about this and it won’t be a year before I mail the darn things. Sorry. Life, you know?

Link Soup:

We’ve made this cauliflower crust pizza twice. Pretty darn good too.

Health:

Ugh. This is part of the frustration. Foot is still really painful (especially with all the snow we’ve been having which makes me nervous about arthritis in the joint which I was warned about as a possibility), which is annoying as this is 7 months post-break now. Podiatry appointment next month. Neck/upper back/shoulder is still cycling from awful to down right excruciating with bonus dizziness and nausea yet there’s nothing any of the doctors I’ve seen seem to want to do about it. Oh, and the mystery lung problem is still present, despite the extra dose of steroids. *shakes head* I have no more cope today.

Knitting:

Nothing. Well, not nothing. But it’s something I’m currently resenting knitting and it’s a gift so I need to work that out. Knitting group is still going strong though. We met up for lunch and while I went, I got really ill while there. *shakes head again*

Reading:

Just re-read the Emily series. I love Emily. Even more than Anne.

This book was terrible but very photogenic. Your Money or Your Life covered more information in a much better way. Plus, it hasn’t dated as much. This book was written in 2007 and NOTHING is the same now.

Currently: Twilight (audiobook), The Chemistry of Joy (giving this one another try after getting halfway about a year ago), An Embarrassment of Mangoes (so far, lovely).

Watching:

Castle, loaned to me on that ill fated lunch. I love Nathan Fillion but it seems to me the show’s gotten less funny and more gory. I don’t do gore. Also, Ski Sunday which is always fun.

Celebrating:

My 35th birthday last Thursday. It was a great day, the aftermath has been a bit rough though. Promises made, promises broken. However, I will just concentrate on the awesome part. Here’s a hint:

And a warning. Tons of photos coming of that day.

Listen.

Hey, Writers!

I’ve asked on Twitter and I’ll ask here. Anyone wanting or needing a supportive online writing group? I don’t have any local writer types and I know I need the support. If you’re interested, please comment or email via the contact page.

One last thing…

I’ve gotten word that commenting on the blog is less easy now than it used to be. I know, I’ve tried to fix it but haven’t yet worked it out. Basically, to comment, you have to click the post title from the main blog page. That will take you to the post page where you can comment. Annoying, yes.

Right. I’m out.

Posted in: iphoneography, listen, weekly thing

Hooray for Friday

May 25, 2012 2:59 pm , Phoe

It really has been the never ending week. I’ve thought it was Friday since about Tuesday.

A few random thoughts:

- I understand where at least part of my dissatisfaction with blogging comes from. When I get a huge backlog of stuff that I want to put on the blog but don’t have the time or energy to make them more than show and tell, that’s an issue. Should be more about what’s being shared, not just look! This! And This! And That! So. Working on that.

- Dude, it’s HOT. 26.8C in the house. That’s 80F. This building is fairly new but did they think to put air conditioning in? Of course not. This is why in summer we frequent our local Starbucks. Not for the coffee, for the A/C.

- I was up at 2am removing my toe nail polish because I was so sensitive to it that my toes were throbbing. How’s that for ridiculous? Stupid over sensitive body.

Health: Heat is the key, apparently. Joint/muscle pain has lessened. Fatigue is better (probably because the pain is less). The terrible muscle spasms I’ve been getting across my neck/shoulders/upper back are still there though. I know the problems: poor posture while using my laptop, knitting too much, flare/muscle issues, a desperate need to go see a chiropractor. Not going to knit for a few days (too hot anyway) to see if that helps. Dizziness is still around too. I’m thinking that’s either dehydration or neck related. Maybe both.

Knitting:

Just did a search and I haven’t posted a FO since March 2. Dang. I have a few but no modeled shots. It’s too darn hot.

FOs:

Shut Up And Drive (Driven by Veera Välimäki) in a little less than 2 skeins of Fleece Artist Organic Wool in Ruby. Why did they ever discontinue this yarn? It’s gorgeous. Great pattern, as always.

Sunshine on A Rainy Day (Brangian by Bronwyn Parry – free pattern) in 1 skeins of A Treehugger’s Wife Soft Sock in Western Buttercup. This is getting sent to Missy where it will be a shop sample in her store.

Manuka (Maluka by Bea Schmidt – free pattern) in quite a bit less than 1 skein of Sundara Sock in Beaded Turquoise. I used a bit of this yarn in Olive and had way too much yarn left over to just call it leftovers. Hence this wonderful, easy and very satisfying little shawl.

WIPs:

Embracing the Ugly Shawl. Technically done, needs blocking. A total case of loving a pattern and not wanting to buy single skeins of sock yarn (can’t knit socks, not really a single skein shawl wearer – I like my shawls bigger). It’s not ugly, in fact, it’s very pretty. But it’s not something I’m ever going to wear. So. Anyone want a shawl?

Sangria Shawl. Needs to be started. Pretty yarn though, yes? Courtesy of Melissa.

Impossible Princess Cardigan. Too lovely not to be started the day I got the yarn.

Super Secret Project. This is technically done and blocked but it needs to be mailed.

Reading:

Currently: In the Spotlight by Anne Mauren, The Willows: Haven by Hope Collier, Twice Bitten (Chicagoland Vampires #3) by Chloe Neill.

- Awake at Dawn (Shadow Falls #2) by C.C. Hunter – YA paranorm. Eh. The first was just interesting enough. The second, less so. Unsure if I will keep reading the series.

- Falling Under by Gwen Hayes – YA demon/underworld. THIS. This book has the sort of world I LOVE. As such, I have already bought the second one. I liked it but I admit the descriptions of Under would make me love it regardless.

- Nutmeg by Maria Goodin – chick lit/fiction. Very surprising book. The MC was a little stubborn but you get to understand why. The story is unassuming yet very strong. Would recommend.

- Bloodlust & Initiation (Vampire Beach 1 & 2) by Alex Duval – YA vamps. These books are my guilty pleasure series. A bunch of Malibu teenagers that are mostly vampires who have some surprisingly dark stuff happen to them. Not complex stuff but very enjoyable.

- Bound by Kira Saito – YA voodoo. From the sample I was really looking forward to it. Unfortunately, really, REALLY annoying characters with a penchant for mood swings and convoluted internal monologues + an interesting plot = eh. Will read the second one just because it did end on a cliff hanger I want to know what happens.

Watching: Eurovision, of course. I’m supporting Jedward because they I can’t watch them without laughing. They’re so damn BOUNCY. Seriously, when they heard they made the final one of the twins (no idea which) cartwheeled his way to the main stage. Plus, Simon Cowell hates them. Bonus.

Listen.

Man, I love Eurovision. Final is tomorrow. Go Ireland!

Posted in: bookworm, knitting, listen, weekly thing

Taking A Break

May 18, 2012 3:03 pm , Phoe

No, not from blogging (at least not an intentional one), rather from the heavy stuff. Thank you for reading Wednesday’s post and thank you even more if you commented. Lots to think about and comment on there. And I’ll do it, just not today. I’m wiped out. Nightmares and panic attacks and more cold weather and UGH. So. Weekly thing it is.

Link Soup: Things I’m Afraid To Do – some awesome bloggers have been taking part. I have not. For 2 days I’ve been working on it and for 2 days I’ve had really horrible nightmares. So it’s not so much that I’m afraid to blog about this stuff, I’m just afraid of it period.

Health: Fatigue is kicking my ass.

Knitting: There has been some but no progress pictures (I’m too tired). Instead, I have a question. Knitters, what’s your favorite kind of DPNs? I’ve stalled out on the puffy hexes (despite some lovely leftover sock yarn from Jacey) because the cheap bamboo DPNs I’m using are killing my hands. Lightweight is a must, metal preferred.

Reading:

Currently: Awake at Dawn by C.C. Hunter

- The Housekeeper & The Professor by Yoko Ogawa – fiction. The story was interesting but all the baseball was not. Also, the math. I like math and all but… eh. I have problems with Japanese fiction. It’s so dense and sometimes I feel I am too.

- Micah’s Magick by Anya Bast – fantasy short story, free Kindle book. Apparently you have to read the whole series before you read this or it makes no sense and you’re like WTF? I did not read the series first. So.

- The Magic Touch by Dara England – fairy godmother short story, free Kindle book. Cute.

- Effie at the Wedding by Tracey Marchini – chick lit very short story, free Kindle book. I’d call this a chapter, not a story. Which is a shame because I think this would be a fun story. Will not keep reading.

- Wander Dust by Michelle Warren. YA time travel. Potentially a cool story. Actually, not very. Mainly wanted to kick the characters. Honestly, let the bad guys get the MC. She’s annoying anyway.

- When She Woke by Hillary Jordan – YA dystopia. The first part of this book is fantastic. Really well developed world, really visceral scenes and emotions. And then it all went kind of fluffy and dithery and annoying. By the end I was hoping the MC would get caught as she was a complete user and she’s always almost getting into terrible, horrendous trouble but she’s rescued. Every single time. So obviously the danger is implied, not actual. Which makes most of her actions a moot point.

- Real Mermaids Don’t Wear Toe Rings by Helene Boudreau – YA seafolk. I would have loved this as a kid. In fact, I would recommend it to any kid who likes mermaids, cute boys and a well thought out plot. A minimal amount of teen angst. Maybe pre-teen angst is less? Very sweet (yet actiony!) book. This is where implied menace works well. You don’t see much of it but you know the consequences are real and there. Unlike When She Woke.

- The Rancher & The Reluctant Princess by Christine Flynn – Mills & Boon (think Harlequin). One of the cheap hospital books. A nice brain vacation where nice people have nice things happen to them and everyone lives happily ever after. Awwww.

Watching: Knight Rider is on Netflix Instant. There’s been a lot of making fun of the hair. A lot.

A drive through the countryside on a typical 2012 English spring. So wet, so cold. So dreary.

Listen.

Happy Friday.

Posted in: bookworm, day tripping, listen, photography, weekly thing

Sick Week Shuffle

March 12, 2012 4:33 pm , Phoe

Today it is springy. While I don’t think we had much in the way of a winter, I’m somehow still happy to see the sun. Come summer I’ll pray for rain but for now, it’s nice. With the exception of spring allergies. They start up as soon as the happy making weather does. And that sucks. But it means it’s time to swap out the heavy winter clothing for lighter, more springy stuff. That doesn’t suck.

Saturday:

We got a couch. It’s purple. Hurrah for the purple couch!

Sunday:

I somehow forgot to take my medicine and went out to knitting group. That was a fairly miserable and completely exhausting experience. Proof the drugs really do work, eh?

Health:

I spent the whole of last week sick, on antibiotics and worn out to utter and complete bits. Not fun.

Knitting:

Finished the Manuka shawl with just enough yarn left. Needs blocking.

Puffy hexes. Good bedridden knitting, by the way.

Brangian Shawl.

Reading:

Currently - Sucks To Be Me by Kimberly Pauley,Destined to Die (The Briar Creek Vampires #3) by Jayme Morse. Both serious fluff. It’s about all my brain is handling today.

Read this week -

Impulse Control (Talent Chronicles #0.5) by Susan Bischoff – YA superpower kids. Not my kind of thing but not a bad story.

Invoke by V.J. Chambers – YA spirit/haunting. A bunch of kids and their teacher invoke the spirits of the Arthurian legend and go up against the Morrigan. Pretty good.

Ryan’s Return by Barbara Freethy – free Kindle book. Chick lit/romance. Although there is a ghost so it isn’t totally paranormal free. Didn’t find the formula too bad in this (bad boy returns home, new-to-town good girl falls for him).

Paranormalcy by Kiersten White – YA paranorm/all manner of creatures. Not bad. Will read the second in the series.

Bridget Jones’s Diary by Helen Fielding – reread. Used to love this book. Now it’s just annoying.

The Invisible Ones by Steph Penney – mystery/mainstream fiction. About gypsies. Again, not bad. I wouldn’t read anything else from this author because I dislike the genre. But the book itself was pretty good.

Couldn’t finish -

The Historian – vampires/literary fiction. Almost everyone I’ve talked to about this loved it. They thought it was fantastic. I was so bored that I gave up on it twice (the aforementioned readers told me to give it another try). After 250 pages I couldn’t bear to keep going for another 500. But apparently it is fantastic. So.

Starcrossed by Josephine Angelini – YA Greek myth retelling. This book pissed me off (as those of you on Twitter would have seen). Twilight clone. A physically strong, emotionally weak female MC. Sexist, controlling male MC. Jokes about domestic violence, the MC takes a beating so the guy hitting her will get over his anger toward her, victim mentality like WHOA, incest… Yeah. I’m still angry over that one.

Watching: Old episodes of Top Gear. J’s hooked on Andromeda.

Listen.

Now I’m going to go crash out on the purple couch and rest. *YAWN* Happy Monday.

Posted in: bookworm, iphoneography, listen, saturday snaps, weekly thing

Just Breathe

March 2, 2012 3:48 pm , Phoe

Which is ironic really… *groan* *hack* *coughCOUGHcough* Ugh.

Health: Muggle creeping crud seems to be a lingering chest infection which is aggravating my asthma. No wonder I’ve been feeling so damn rotten. I have antibiotics and my inhaler at my side. Also, GRUMP. I hate being sick on top of being sick.

Link Soup: Just one – knitted stuff for swap/FKS + destash.

FKS Backstory: (for those new to it)

Way back in the Livejournal days I thought it would a fun thing to knit things specifically to give away. It’s a common knitterly urge. But since my family all live in California, there’s only so much wool I can push on them. So I started doing FKS (Free Knitted Stuff). The idea was I’d say “hey, who wants it?” and then people would get free stuff I’d knit. There was no swapping, no charging for postage, just me thinking generosity would be a fun thing.

And it was. At first. Fun enough to keep it going as I moved through the blogging evolutionary cycle. And then the annoyances started. Firstly, there were a handful of people who would only show up to get free stuff, claim it all and then disappear into the web-depths without a word. Which, ok, I guess. But it annoyed me. Then I made the rule that FKS came with a price: a thank you. Just a simple, thanks I got the package or thanks I like the knits or thanks today is Friday. Whatever. Simple enough, yes?

Then started the emails and comments asking when I was going to give away more stuff. Some people wanted a schedule so they could know and pounce first. After making it clear that it was totally random, the knitting factory crap started. The can-you-make-me-this, and the I-want-twelve-pairs-of-socks, and the I-asked-you-to-knit-me-something-why-did-you-refuse? People started placing orders against future FKS. This SUCKED. So I put a new rule up: swaps. I’ll give you whatever it is I’m willing to knit/give away but I get something in return.

This was actually really fun at the start. All the people just after freebies stopped bugging me. I would gladly knit someone something if I was able if they sent me something like yarn to knit something I wanted to knit for me. It made knitting fun again. As I knitter, I love to knit. Back then I’d knit socks or shawls or whatever for people and that was fun. I even got almost all the yarn for that Noro blanket through swaps with people. Which makes it that much more special. I look at it and think, “Bertha sent me yarn for this. And Missy. And Ashley. And Adriana offered to be my back up in case I was running short.” That is so awesome I don’t even have words for it. I think what happened there was that the freebie people just wanted free stuff and the swap people felt they’d had enough of my knitting and it was someone else’s turn.

I hasten to add that I don’t mind giving free stuff away. In fact, already three people have asked for the free knits/swaps I posted this week and I know these people well. They’re friends. They’ve gotten FKS before AND they’ve swapped before. They tell me how much they love the stuff they’ve gotten out of it, how they wear it all the time. That is awesome. And that is why I thought I’d give FKS/knit swapping one last chance. I really want this stuff to find a home and people who love to wear it. But maybe things have changed and there’s the push back to getting something for nothing.

A lot of work goes into knitting. One of those shawls I designed. This is something I do that goes deep. I don’t think it’s unfair to ask for more yarn in exchange so I can knit some more. You know?

So I’ll say it again, if you want something on that page linked above, by all means ask! There’s fluidity there – that’s the beauty of the barter system. You get nifty knitted stuff. I (hopefully) get nifty stuff in return. Win-win.

Let me just add here that I’m really annoyed that Amazon UK doesn’t have giftable Kindle books. Because Kindle books would be an awesome swap. (Apparently the way to do it is to give a gift certificate. Which is kind of a roundabout way to do things but it works.)

Knitting:

FO:

Gamine en Turquoise. Yarn: A Tree Hugger’s Wife Soft Sock in Phoe’s Turquoise, 6 skeins held double. (Having friends who are dyers = awesome.)

This pattern is great. Well written, the cable and lace pattern works well, the neckline is a thing of beauty and the color is awesome. But…

*accidental snap while trying to move around*

Bad sweater!

Stay…

Hrmf. The sweater is too short. Reblocking won’t help. I don’t have enough yarn to do a cut and knit thing. So long shirt underneath it is. Long waisted knitters contemplating this sweater: add an inch or three to the length.

WIPs:

Puffy hexes! After suffering hex burnout, I am knitting half a hex a day. This way I might actually get somewhere near the 400-ish needed hexes at some point this decade.

Maluka Shawl which I keep calling Manuka. In Sundara Sock. One day I will get my hands on more than just a single skein of that. Doesn’t a sock yarn Clapotis in Sundara Sock sound nice?

Frog In A Trench Coat. First sleeve done. And will be immediately frogged and reknit in a size up. Thank goodness I didn’t knit the steeked body first.

Reading:

- My Last Blind Date by Susan Hatler – short and sweet. Perfect lunch reading.
- Thicker Than Water (Briar Creek Vampires #2) – unintentionally hilarious/annoying. This book was really dire which is a shame since book 1 wasn’t that bad. I will read book 3 though because the plot is a good one. The MC is just idiotic.

Tried to read and failed:

- Savor by Megan Duncan – the sample was interesting but then it just turned into The Princess Diaries (except she becomes a vampire princess) and not in a good way.
- Evernight by Claudia Gray. – the 3am Twitter rant might have given some of you an inkling of my rage at this book. To sum up:

1. first person MC narration. For the first handful of chapters, life happens at this boarding school. Ok. Until suddenly she sucks someone’s neck. Which, ok. Maybe she’s just turned or something? Or you know, there’s a reason that she is all of a sudden different from the girl we’ve been learning about? Nope. Turns out that she’s been a vampire the whole time, drinking blood for breakfast. And the whole school is full of vamps and she’s omitted the details of her plasma diet for several chapters. No. That’s lying. And you cannot lie. It breaks the contract a writer makes with readers. And then I throw the book across the room. It’s in the contract.

2. Abusive, controlling teen relationships are not sexy, alluring, attractive or remotely anything like “true love” – SERIOUSLY.

3. Abusive, controlling boy has *seriously* betrayed her trust, lied by omission like whoa, murdered another student, tried to kill her parents and then she runs away with him because get this – he tells her he loves her? *headdesk* Nononononono. Let’s add in that she’s 16 or 17 and he’s a vampire hunter and since I’ve read the second book in this series, I know they wind up at vampire hunter central where they try to KILL HER. There are so many things wrong with this idea of “love”. Raaaaaage.

Watching: Rugby. Old episodes of Top Gear on Netflix Instant. And Scooby Doo. Hey, I like the show. Monkees videos on Youtube. RIP Davy Jones.