Fantasy

I’ve been dreaming about the end of the semester. What it’ll be like when I don’t have to do school stuff anymore. You know, where I can just work? And hang out with friends? Yeah. That’ll be awesome.

Of course, it’s still a ways off yet. While yesterday evening I was confident that I’d be able to make it to December in one piece, now I’m not so sure. I have a presentation to do tomorrow, and while I pretty much know what I’m going to talk about, and have utmost confidence in my presentation partner that she’ll do wonderfully, I’m still panicking. Not about the getting in front of people part, just the reading my notes and making my slides. I know I have to go back through a couple of articles to clarify a few things, but every time I try to read, my eyes go a bit crossed, my breathing accelerates, and I can’t concentrate. I shouldn’t be panicked about reading. This is annoying.

Right. Moving on: It’s going to be awesome when I’m not in school anymore. I’ll be able to sleep. SLEEP! I haven’t slept more than 6 hours since… man, I don’t know when. It’s going to rule. Oh, and I’ll be able to read for fun. FUN! You know, where you don’t have to take notes and relate pertinent details to your peers? Or have to write papers? What a treat that’ll be, eh? I can’t wait.

Lest you get the wrong impression…

Despite the really long Red Sox posts lately, I’ve been keeping an eye on the Revs as well. It’s just that the Sox tend to take over when they make it into the World Series. But Saturday is Game Two of the MLS Cup Semi Finals. I’ll be out in western MA, but I’ll be checking in. They’re playing the New York Red Bulls, and in game one, it was a 0-0 draw, so it should be a good game.

Game 4

Well, I was at a wedding yesterday, so I didn’t get to post on the game. We did get periodic updates from those who ventured into the bar (downstairs from where the reception was being held). Conveniently, the restrooms were located near the room with the television, so we didn’t have to be too rude when going down to check on the game. It was nice to know the score, but I missed not knowing the play by play action. Oh, well. It was a nice wedding, and I enjoyed catching up with friends who I don’t get to see very often. (Though I will see them in two weeks, and then the week after. Hooray!)

Tonight is game 4, and it might very well be the last game of the season. It’s funny. I’m not as excited tonight as I was for the first game. You’d think I’d be leaping around like an idiot (not that I was doing any such thing for game 1, but still). I’ll be excited once I turn on the telly, though. I wish I could be out in the Fenway tonight, though part of me is glad to be staying home. We’re making soup. I guess we’ll call it Victory Soup depending on the outcome of tonight’s proceedings. We do have a bottle of wine, so we’ll have to crack that open as well.

Okay! Here we go!!!

One question at the start of the game, though: What’s up with the panties, Colorado? Or are they hankies? I guess everyone’s got their quirks, but I’ve never heard of waving unmentionables around to rally your team to victory.

I know everyone’s all “we’re going to sweep,” but I’m wary of saying such things. We’ve been down three games before only to come back, so it’s not over yet, guys; I’m worried they’re going to be sitting on their laurels a bit. They’ve still got work to do. Though, I admit it’s really fun being being the ones who are up three games. Woot!

Well done, Trisha Yearwood. I also dig the ginormous flag. It reminds me of high school marching band when we pulled a huge flag over the band during one of our patriotic numbers. At one point, we lost control of it, and took out several members of the band. It was awesome, though.

Man, that Fred Willard makes me laugh. He’s the same character, whether he’s in a Christopher Guest movie, or just being himself.

Inning Numero Uno: Okie dokie, we’ve got Cook pitching, and he might be a bit rusty, but I don’t know much about him, so I can predict how he’ll do. But Baby Ellsbury just got a hit off him, so that’s a good start. And he’s home, batted in by El Grande Papi. And now Frumpy’s up. Come on, Frumpy, don’t let us down. Ooh, that was a good play, Rox. Right-O, Lester! Let’s go! I can’t quite make out what the crowd is chanting… it sounds a bit like “du hast!” or maybe “boo yah!” I really have no idea. The announcers need to address these important issues.

Inning 2: Wow, this inning is going by fast, guys. I hope Lugo gets up to bat. I really like that guy. Bummer. Well, we’ll see him later. Nice try, Ellsbury. He moved as fast as he could, but it was just too far to run. Man, that outfield really is HUGE. You could plant crops out there, and still have room to play the game. Yay, Lugo and Ortiz! Lugo is so fast on his feet. I wish I’d have seen that rad play he made yesterday. I think he’s a fantastic short stop. Whew! that was close!

Inning the Third: First, I’d like to say that I want Fenway to have an old-timey organ player. That would rule. Reminds me of that Eddie Izzard bit: neh-neh-neh-neh… Wow, that went fast. Cook isn’t allowing many hits, or at least not very many good hits. Sheesh. D’OH!! Oh, Frumpy! He misjudged that one. At least he was moving, though. We’ve got to keep up our defense, especially if we’re not going to get many hits off of Cook. Lester’s able to hold them back, though.

Four: Come on Papi! And it’s caught. Bummer. Hope Frumpy gets a hit here. We’re already at two outs. Argh.

Five: Okie doke, we’ve got Lowell on second. Let’s load ’em up! SAFE!! Woo hoo! Hee, their doing the drum-line thing here, too. That’s awesome. Somehow it doesn’t have the same acoustics as Fenway, though. Ack! Another strike-out. Woah, and I got distracted by Ravelry forums, and missed the end of the inning. Right-o! On to the sixth!

Inning number six: Dude, Manny almost made it on base. Cook just keeps the top of each inning moving so quickly. Yay, Ortiz and Manny to get the first two outs.

Lucky Seven: Dude! Who put gum on Matzuzaka’s hat? Lame! (but funny) Yay, Lowell!!! Wooooo! Good night, Cook! Yay, Tek on base! Keep it going, Lugo. Crap. Caught in the middle. Did the Lonestar guy need to point at the mountain? Well, I probably would have done the same thing. They look like surfers. Like, dude, God bless American, and stuff. And, I’m sorry, “the banquet beer?” I don’t think so. Anyway, back to the game. Wow, that was one helluva hit. Welcome to the scoreboard, Rox. (Wave those undies, Rockies fans. And, um, I think I just saw a guy gnawing on a pair.) Dang. Missed that one. Delacarmen is out, and Timlin is in. Is it just me, or do the folks at Coors field have more clapping patterns than we do? I think we need to be a bit more creative.

Eight, eight, the burning eight (between Sunday and Monday, lies a day so dark day will devastate): [sorry, couldn’t resist.] Dude! Good job Kielty! All game sitting on the bench, and he comes out with this! Woo! And wow, could any more guys have missed that hit? Ellsbury on base. Ugh. Will the commentators please shut up about A-Rod? Sheesh. Damn. Well played, Rockies. Well played. That was a beautiful double play. Ok, Ortiz is up. Put us back on base, Papi. I’ve never understood how you can have someone run for you. Eh, whatever. (I’m getting wicked sleepy. I don’t know why these games need to start so damned late. Argh.) And is it just me, or does anyone else get that Soul Coughing song in your head when you hear Papelbon’s name? You know, Super Paplebon Super Papelbon bon. Yeah. I think I need some sleep. Okajima is in, by the way. Forgot to mention that. Ah, shite. I was worried something like that would happen. Well played Rockies. Now we’re only up by one run. I’m not comfy with such a slim margin. Well, Papelbon is up. Let’s see what he can do to hold off the Rox. I think I may have just seen a kid holding a little Wally doll. Well caught, Crispy.

Ok, here it goes. Inning Nine: Bummer. Lowell out already. Come on Drew, we need to get on base. Darn. Come on Tek… bah! Ok, Sox, hold ’em back. I can’t keep staying up late! One out. Two to go. WOOOOOOOOO, Ellsbury in left field! Ok, only one out to go. There it is!!!! (whew! That was close!)

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Go SOX!

I want to see them Riverdance.

Game 2

Phoned Dad today (happy birthday!) and left a message; I couldn’t help but end the message with “Go SOX!” Not sure why, as my family doesn’t watch baseball, but whatever.

I’m wicked out of it this evening; migraine this afternoon. I was out of it all day, though. I made it all the way over the river to MIT when I realized that today is not a Cambridge day, but a Fenway day. Yeah, supposed to go to class, not work. Oh, well. I got there in time, anyway.

Right, game 2. I had some homework to do during the first three innings, but I was doing it from the couch, so I haven’t missed much. Dude! I had a mild fit when Drew got hit in the ankle. I hope he’s not injured. We need him.

I’m probably not going to watch the whole game tonight, as I’m not feeling well, but we’ll do the same thing we’ve been doing all post season when we have to go to bed before the games finish: roll out of bed and switch on the computer first thing.

Ok, Ellsbury’s up. He’s, like, 12 or something. He seems like a cool kid, though. I hope our defense is together tonight; something tells me we’re not going to be able to rely on our hitters like we did last night. And can I say how much fun it is to say “Apadaca” or however you spell it? It’s fun! You should try it!

Game 1

The Rockies are so cute. They’re introducing the teams now, and the Rox are all nervous looking, shuffling their feet and what not. Ok, maybe not nervous, but certainly itching to get going. This is exciting! Yay!

John Williams, the “epitome of our culture?” Still, he rules. A special arrangement just for tonight? Awesome. I’m getting all misty; I can only imagine what it’s like to be in the park right now.

First pitch to Pedroia? Banked off the top of the monstah. Let’s keep it going, guys.

Well played, Sox. Go Youk! Scoring from first. Woot!

Three walks in a row? Dudes. And that’s their third pitcher thus far. “Mercifully end this inning,” indeed.

“How’s that gonna work? You could go into every Taco Bell in the country and be like ‘I ain’t got my taco.'” Lugo (I think) to Crisp in the dugout, re the Taco Bell stolen bases promotion.

Right. So, it’s the top of the 8th, 13-1. I have to go to bed now. Zzzzzz.

Rhinebeck

rainbow roving

(Or is that Yarnbeck? Eh, Abby?)

Well, I survived my first Rhinebeck (aka, the New York Sheep and Wool Festival). I caught the Yarn Safaris bus at Riverside T stop in Newton at 7:30 am (well, I got there around 7 because I was afraid of being late). The rest of the knitters (and spinners, and crocheters) piled on the bus and we were off – a bit late, but not too bad. Abby got there a few minutes after I did. I’d been looking forward to this day not just for the wool, but to catch up, too. We chatted the whole ride there, the whole day, and the whole ride back. (My cough came back with a vengeance, but it was so much fun.) The ride to New York was beautiful. The skies were blue, the trees were gold, red, and orange. We peeped our fair share of leaves all the way there. I also started a scarf on the trip out: grey wool (Patons Classic Merino), skinny-ish, with a single cable. On the way home, I think I may have decided that it would make an awesome sleeve for a floppy sweater.

We were all anxious to get inside and start our day at the festival. (Trying our best to avoid the woman who complained the whole ride there, and while we were waiting to get in.) They ran out of maps at the front gate, but we soon found an information booth (that was cleverly not anywhere near the entrance) where we picked up a couple of programs that had a map of the grounds. I was really overwhelmed at first. But we just jumped right in.

We spent a fairly long time in “Building A,” where I bought all of my goods in this order: glass buttons, wool covered soap, lace yarn, Shetland roving, and Socks that Rock yarn. You’ll notice that I didn’t actually buy all that much yarn. I didn’t want to buy too much that I didn’t have a plan for. And I was too overwhelmed to plan on the fly. If they’d had any kits that sprung out at me, I might have bought more yarn. (Click through above to see photos of my swag.)

We walked and walked, and everywhere we were surrounded by fiber. It was amazing. My camera crapped out on me after only a few pictures, and I didn’t have any rechargables. I’d brought some alkalines, but didn’t feel like using them, because I knew I’d only get a few more photos out of those. So I just depended on Abby‘s camera all day. (She’ll be guest blogging at Spinstah‘s blog soon; I’ll update when the post is up.) We were surrounded by gorgeous yarn, fluffy roving, and fun animals. We walked through several barns, pet some sheep, llamas, and alpacas. After a few hours we were so overstimulated, we could barely take any more in. The colors! The fluff! The sheepies! The wine tasting! (Yes, wine. I think Abby bought more in wine and food than yarn. Girl’s got her priorities, you know.) We just had so much fun. I should also mention that we chatted a little bit with a very nice Rockies fan, who noticed us by my Green Monstah shirt. That was wicked cool.

I was doing pretty good by this point. I hadn’t spent too much money, and was really quite satisfied with my first Rhinebeck. But something told me I should go back to the first building we were in and go play with the spinning wheels. I had taken a flier from The Merlin Tree earlier in the day so I’d be able to do more research when I got home. But I just had to try out a wheel before I left. When I got there, there was a woman spinning. Not one of the owners, mind you, but another fiber fan: Elisa (gosh, I hope that’s her name- I couldn’t find her online, but she was wearing a Ravelry button) was spinning away. I asked her a few questions about the wheel she was spinning on (The Hitchhiker): Was it a good first wheel, how do you like it, etc. She recommended that I try out the Ashford Kiwi that was sitting next to her. She set me up, and then one of the owners came over to give me a hand. Before long, I was spinning away. I’d never spun on a wheel before, and it was pure magic. Abby woke me from my reverie (goodness knows how long I’d been spinning), and could tell that I was totally smitten. I asked several questions about the wheel, but a short while later I’d placed a deposit on my very own Ashford Kiwi spinning wheel.

I was giddy for the rest of the day. We’d be walking through some other barn, looking at the cute sheepies, and I’d be like, “Hey Abby. I bought a spinning wheel.” I did not, however, spend the most money that day, even though I’d bought a wheel. (That honor would go to the abovementioned complaining lady. Oh, well.) There was even one person who bought only food that day, and wasn’t influenced by the wool fumes at all. That shows some pretty fierce resistance. I mean, if you’re a fiber fan, and you’re surrounded by thousands of enablers, it’s a complete miracle that you’d leave that place with no wool at all. The ride home was fun, too, though my cough was getting pretty bad (I hope I didn’t annoy everyone on the bus).

We couldn’t listen to the game on the bus (out of range of any good station) and so depended on text messages from friends to get us through. (This post was written during game 7 – Go SOX!!! See you Wednesday, Rockies!) JeT and I stayed up to watch the game, and then I promptly passed right out. In my wool-drunk haze, I only vaguely realized that my Knit Picks order had come in.

It was a wild and wooly day, indeed.

busy week

Jesse turned 30 on Saturday! Happy Birthday, old man! We went out on his dad’s boat for one and a half days. Pictures and details forthcoming.

This week was kind of meh. And ick. Stressful class stuff. Details not forthcoming. It’s over, thank goodness. Moving on.

Tonight I’m catching up on some reading for class. While watching the game (go Sox!) and drinking a bottle of wine with JeT. We have to record our thoughts on the readings in a journal that our instructor is going to read this weekend. I’m not so much behind on the reading, but the journals… um, let’s say I’ve got some catching up to do. I can never think of anything interesting to say in the journals, so hopefully the wine will help get the ideas flowing.

Right. Back to work. (We’re at the bottom of the 4th right now. I just saw Kermit the Frog in a Red Sox jersey on TV. I don’t think it was the wine. Awesome.

ETA: WOOO! 10 to 3, Sox win!!