Monthly Archives: February 2012

a dog thing

27 Monday Feb 2012

Posted by in dogs

≈ 7 Comments

its been a while since i posted about doing stuff with my dogs. mostly thats because i havent actually done anything with them (except for walks) for a while. by ‘anything’ i mean organised sporting things, like herding or flyball. some readers may remember me making a decision to pull back from flyball this time last year. it was a hard decision but the right one at the time. for the most part, i have not missed flyball overly much. i’ve missed the fun of racing possum, and the people we were racing with, but the general bullshit craziness of dog people? not so much.

but this weekend just gone may have ended all that. well, started me thinking anyway. i went down to canberra to the royal national capital agricultural show. my ex-team (in which both possum and jem race, and ricco is in training) were the co-hosts of the national championships. they are a pretty big deal, three days of racing, two racing rings, 40 teams from all over australia. extra hands are always required. so i was asked if i could help with some of the organising and with ‘ring calling’ of the competition (this means allocating teams to a ring for their next race using a computer program and announcing the rings and calling teams etc over the loud speaker). i was ambivalent. i was nervous about going back to flyball. i was anxious about the people, whether i would cope with all the memories, whether everyone would just make me cranky. and i dont like being cranky (well not ALL the time). but i did it.

it wasnt entirely smooth sailing. i was with trent for the whole weekend and of course that meant we’d have to have at least one fight about something. i let my anxiety get to me. but we worked through it, and then it was fun. a lot of fun actually. i did a pretty good job (even if i do say so myself), and we got through 140 races on day one, 100 on day two. i made only one big mistake sending the wrong team to the wrong ring at about race 227, at which point i lost my cool a little, but we recovered and i think thats not a bad effort.

we had to be there every morning at 6am, long before everyone else, to set up the lanes and lights and make sure everything was working.

i spent most of my time under a cabana in front of a computer screen, with this as my view

and it was hot as hades in canberra this weekend of course, until the storm ripped through right over presentations on sunday night! thankfully we were staying at a fellow flyballers house who had a pool, so saturday night after a scorching day in the sun, we all jumped in. and i do mean everyone.

possum LOVES to swim. in fact shes obsessed. she knew this pool was here as soon as we walked in and she just stood at the back door waiting to be let out on the deck. then she tried to jump the glass fence and she barked and whimpered until we let her in. she is so adorable, she does this thing where she waits on the edge of the pool for you to say ‘ready set go’ and on the go she jumps in. then she climbs out

just so she can do it again. when she’s swimming she kind of yelps and bites the water in front of her, making it splash so she can bite at the splash!

god i love that dog.

she thoroughly deserved the swim though, she ran like a demon all weekend even though she’d started to scrape some skin off her pads from hitting the box too hard (hence the red boots).

jem and ricco also did really well. jem turned 10 last week and is still the ‘fastest wombat in flyball’ (as we call him), he really loves it, although he doesnt run as many races as he used to. ricco is still in training and ran in the singles (ie, just against one other dog rather than in a team of four) (by the way, if you dont know what flyball is, look here. you’ll see trent (“its fantastic!”) and possum in the red team with me putting the ball in the box). the team itself came third in its division, which is not their best result, but they had fun anyway

(possum doesnt care much for ribbons). it was so much fun that im thinking of going back to running possum myself. maybe when ricco is fully trained so trent can run the boys and i’ll run my girl. of course, i could just be suffering sun stroke! and i had no time for any knitting either. what’s become of me?!

kxx

balancing act

19 Sunday Feb 2012

Posted by in blogging, personal, work

≈ 10 Comments

you may have noticed a change in address. i bought a little domain name thingy from wordpress and have moved my room over here. apologies for the inconvenience, and thanks for coming over!

part of my reason for doing this was because i had started a work-related blog here, a kind of academic thingy. i started it over summer, when my head was empty and i was stress free, and i felt like writing lots of big words about obscure concepts. now i’m actually back at work, and thinking all day, and i realised i didnt want to do that on a blog as well.

also, it was kind of a false separation. the thinking-academic me over here, and the knitting-personal me over there. they’re not separate entities. so i’m back together, in one piece, trying to attain some balance.

which is the theme of todays post. i’ve said before, im not usually very good at it, and being back at work has really challenged me to find a way, and find it quick. this year looks like being even more busy and potentially stressful as we move into phase two of the Big Project, including implementation of the recommended policy changes that i made to the Flight Deck (executive) at the end of last year. and as a result of what we found out last year, there are at least three spin-off projects to manage as well. i spent a few hours on the whiteboard mapping it all out, making sure to take note of things occuring ‘at the same time’!

(this list got down to 12 processes, and then i did separate plans for each of the spin off projects). im breaking things down as i go into week by week things to do, and ive made this into a Big TO DO list.

this is about the next two weeks worth of work. somehow, having it large and on top of my desk like this is making it easier to keep track of what needs to be done next. because my boss and i like to write about everything we do, i made a list of possible publications that could emerge from all this work. there are 12 possible journal articles on my list. sigh. of course i dont intend to get through them all in a year, i just intend to move through my lists one thing at a time and do what i can. and i cant really complain because we finally submitted the paperwork for my promotion plus an application for a years back dating (i am not likely to get all that, but my boss wanted to ask. he didnt realise i’d been 3 years on the same level and feels bad!). plus i’m all booked for a trip back to the US in june, with 6 days in baltimore and 8 days in new york city.

so i feel like work is under control for the moment, which just leaves me with getting all the personal stuff organised. one of the things i really find hard to balance is other people, and my interactions with them. there is a large, anxiety driven, introverted part of myself that would rather not have anything to do with the human race at all, thanks very much. of course, leave me alone with that person too long and i start to go crazy. sometimes i think i made a mistake moving back here to this town. its close to work and the beach and all that, but, with one or two notable exceptions, i dont have many friends here and i miss the ease of connection and wealth of things to do in the city. it’s also easier to do things by yourself in sydney. here, everything is so family oriented. it makes my skin crawl. i dont know if i can handle it long term. another thing to balance: the commute vs social life. still working on that one.

i also got a bit overwhelmed last week with all the organising for the knitters guild display. i took it under advisement to just have the weekend off and not think about it at all. i’ve answered a couple of minor emails but otherwise i havent looked at my spreadsheets. i know it will all come together at the end, i dont need to organise everything to the enth degree. so i’ve been trying to catch up on my knitting this weekend. i finished the second bunt, after having to rip it and then untangle the yarn. i’ve made two:

yarntini self striping and cherry tree hill variegated sock yarn. thats all im doing, unlike some who are in the grip of bunting fever. i need to get some balance happening in my knitting too, which means getting some lingering projects off the needles. i’m about one black section then the red border away from finishing the ‘different lines’ shawl

and then i will finish the cotton cardigan, and not work on anything else until they’re done. and i’m also trying to fit in lots of singing practice, the ‘osana’ section in the ‘sanctus’ movement of requiem is driving me crazy and it’s meant to be perfect for rehearsal tomorrow night!

but at least these are all good things. i’ve stuck to my food plan at about 90% (i’d committed to 80%), still working out the balance between what makes me feel right vs what i ‘want’! plus starting to work in a bit more exercise. i’m getting help with the housework and doing my own little bit every day. and then trying to make time for lots of cuddles with my lovely puppies.

cant really complain, can you?

k xx

its a thing!

13 Monday Feb 2012

Posted by in knitting, socks

≈ 12 Comments

Tags

,

i have had my knitting time seriously encroached on this week due to Other Things like work, and singing practice, and a little thing called ‘organising the fabulous fibres feature display at the Sydney Royal Easter Show’.  im really enjoying being the co-ordinator of the display (where the knitters guild will have a large area to display our work and run demos and chat to the public etc) for the two whole weeks of the show, but good lord, the organising. lots and lots of spreadsheets and emails, trying to keep track of all the different elements. im lucky, i roped in some good people to take on specific tasks, and theyve been great, but sometimes collectives are harder than just doing it yourself. so much consensus building, and in a group as diverse as the knitters guild, consensus is a nice ideal! (Turns out I would have made a good facist dictator). but mostly, its been a good experience in staying focused on the goal and not sweating the small stuff.

i did manage to get one thing finished, one single lonesome sock, the first tarty pea (recovered from its little surgery).

this fits really well now and i like it a lot. the madtosh sock yarn knits up a dream. im not going to start the second one straight away. i owe someone a new pair of socks. these are the current knitted man socks in the house (missing one patonyle gansey – who knows where that is?)

as you can see some of them are faded and semi felted. sigh. so im going to start the first of these

and make one before returning to the tarty peas. that way he might have new socks by june.

i was also distracted this weekend by a little unexpected BUNT knitting. we decided for the stall to have some knitted bunting. bunting is a THING, mostly in sewing circles, but knitted anything is better, and my own guild group have decided it will be the thing they contribute to the stall. there was a string of them already on display at saturdays meeting, and i couldnt resist, i had to come home and make one:

this is some left over yarntini self striping. i have some cherry tree hill left overs too, and maybe a bit of wollmeise lying around. it could only be more of a THING if you put a bird on it, right?

k xx

music…response

08 Wednesday Feb 2012

Posted by in knitting, personal

≈ 11 Comments

Tags

i woke up at 530 this morning to yet another cool grey raining summer day down here in the antipodes. im not complaining. im very happy about La Nina, she can stick around as long as she likes if it means rain and cooler temps, after 10 years of drought and raging bushfires. but when i heard the rain and realised i was cold, i thought ‘i need more knitting time’. there is the cotton cardigan on the needles i need to finish, and ‘atelier’ i need to get out of hibernation, and a new one i want to start. so much knitting, so little time.

and then there’s socks – i managed to fix up the wasabi peas and it now slides on perfectly.

all i had to do really was reduce the amount of stitches in the decrease rounds. the pattern says purl 5 together. im just purling 3 together. much better. im enjoying these otherwise, but i need to knit other pairs for other people too. and lets not even start on the unscheduled knitting that was NOT ON THE LIST, some for the easter show, some for people who insist on having babies.

and if i didnt think things could get any more demanding at work i was wrong. i feel oddly calm about it however. perhaps its the calm one feels right before the executioner chops off one’s head? at any rate, there’s no point stressing about it as that wont help me get it done. i just need to make lists everyday and break everything down into tasks and tick them off as i go (and delegate as much as i can. i still have minions for that thankfully). i am also happy to report the home/cleaning/dog caring situation has improved, with my house mate now able to work remotely (as in, from home) for the rest of the summer, so he will be able to help with stuff around the house and with the dogs. he’s real good like that. as part of my new energy efficient eating plan, i also committed to 15 minutes house work a day. when you just do it in little chunks it doesnt feel so overwhelming.

but of course, instead of just relaxing into that little bit of breathing space, i’ve gone and added something else to my agenda. i joined a new choir!! im so excited about it, it was a huge leap for me to join this particular group – its the illawarra choral society and they do Serious Music. last year they performed Handel’s Messiah for their christmas performance, and when i arrived at rehearsal on monday night they handed me this

oh yes, Mozart. the whole entire requiem, to be performed in april. i havent sung classical since my high school choir, and i also have never learnt to properly read music (altho i can follow it), so sections like this are proving a bit of a challenge:

but they told me i did really well on monday night and are happy for me to come back. im singing in the alto part, i’m at the higher end of the range but operatic soprana doesnt come naturally, so i’m happy to be where i am. its a big group, maybe 50 people, and oh my god, they sound amazing! if i had been walking past i would have stopped and listened. so incredibly beautiful. its a real step up for me, from ethnic folksongs and rearranged beatles tunes to my favourite composer. i have the whole requiem on high rotation just trying to get the rhythms in my head – the lacrimosa was in my head when i woke up this morning so it wont take me long to get the hang of it.

a bit of a change from the usual ‘chemical brother’s (hence the post title) or ‘boards of canada’ i listen to while im working. and practice everyday is going to cut into knitting time, but i dont mind. singing makes me happier than just about anything else i do, i dont know why, i guess its true what they say about music and the soul. and theres just something about mozart -he’s always been my favourite but now to be part of these beautiful, complex and crazy harmonies, it makes me appreciate his amazing talent even more.

im so glad i took the risk to try out for a choir i thought was well beyond me. i was so anxious before i got there, so sure i wouldnt be good enough, i nearly turned around and came back home. you never know what you’re capable of until you try do you?

kxx

ps anyone up for a sunday afternoon in wollongong? i can arrange the group booking!

if in doubt…

04 Saturday Feb 2012

Posted by in knitting, socks

≈ 10 Comments

Tags

probably the most important thing i’ve learnt as i’ve progressed in my knitting skills is to trust my instincts. it turns out i am usually right. for instance: happily knitting along on the wasabi pea socks, added a few extra stitches, figured out how to stick to the actual pattern, loving the madelinetosh sock yarn (its even better for socks than it is for shawls). fits great on the leg, do the heel and sort of gusset decreases as directed, try it on:

houston, we have a problem. you cant really tell from these pictures but its too tight across the instep

it fits great everywhere else, but its just too tight there. theres no real stretch in it, and the pattern is meant to go down the foot,

whereas mine stops about one centimetre after the instep.

i knew it wasnt right, and continued for a bit, but the little voice inside my head wouldnt shut up, and so, you know what i must do. if in doubt, rip it out. as they say.

so thats a bit of a bummer, and ive been putting it off, but i will do it today. hopefully it wont be too stressful, as i am a bit wobbly today. the change in eating pattern (i do not use that D word) is going really well. im really super surprised by some of the changes, including a noticeable increase in energy and mental clarity, let alone the lack of stomach pain. everything is, for the most part, functioning normally. yesterday tho, i was really busy at work and went well below what im meant to on the carb level, and pretty well started sliding into a quasi-coma from about 8pm. i was so tired, and a bit headachy and the strange taste in my mouth, and this morning i woke up tired and cranky and crying.

of course, that could just be a delayed shock reaction from the week i’ve had at work. there is lots of movement at the station because of the new BossMan and ive been given a number of new (some rather important) projects. im determined not to let them stress me out and just do what i can each day, and ignore the fact that my boss just SMSed me. at noon. on a saturday.

perhaps i’ll just make a nice cup of tea before i start on that sock!

k xx

Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.

Join 300 other followers