All Hallows' Eve Eve

You know an evening will be fun when Dorothy and Tinkerbell start with a tea party...

Each October the youth group at St. Paul's hosts a Fall Festival (read: Halloween party) for the younger set. Apparently we have a healthy population of girly-girl princess types. B came as a pretty princess in pink, and Kidlet chose her character based on sparkly red shoes. Much fun was had, including caramel apples, games, and the first go-round of candy.

Forgive me, knitters, for I have sinned: I made Kidlet's wig, but stooped to use Caron One Pound No Dye Lot ACK-crylic yarn.

On a slight tangent, several weeks ago I picked up a Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF collection box for Kidlet, and last weekend introduced the concept to her as we ate dinner. Her box has four simple graphics on the front, representing the organization's aid goals of clean water, medical care, nutrition, and education for the world's children.

I mentioned that, for how easy it is for us to turn on the tap and have a glass of clean water, there are millions of children who have to drink from dirty streams and the like; so this year she could carry the box, in addition to her candy bag, and collect money for children around the world. "You mean I can help them?!?" she asked. "Yes, of course you can, sweetie."

"I don't even need that much candy!"

Does this capelet make my boobs look big?

... from SPACE???(Please excuse the poor color photo above - it's my phone camera. Some of us don't have iPhones.)

The Meema Files would like to thank Nicky Epstein's new book, Knitting on Top of the World, for today's contribution to the Just Say No department: The Fair Isle Tam Capelet.

One question, Nicky: what inspired you to put big round platters of colorwork atop your boobies?

"Hey, I have a spare swatch platter - I'll just throw that one on the back like so..."

Dome Dogs for dinner

State Tourney season is upon us, and so the weather turns colder. We hit 40ºF today, and it was a blustery one. I [heart] knitting weather! But I digress...

Kidlet, J and I were Metrodome-bound this afternoon on the light rail train to cheer on our friend, Andrew. His sister, Lindsey, stopped to greet us (she also plays futbol, but obviously on the women's team).

St. Louis Park played Bloomington Jefferson, and was it a nail-biter!

The game was tied 1-1 after two 10-minute overtime periods, so the teams went to a shootout. As Andrew approached his shot, SLP students hailed him with the "We're not worthy" salute. So. True. He made it with ease.


(Sorry for the poor video quality.)

Next game is Thursday night. GO PARK!!!

He's got game

Not only is he a pretty fierce trumpet player, bell ringer, and amazingly nice guy who loves his mom, but St. Louis Park senior Andrew Johnson (wearing #11) scored the ONLY goal of their State tourney-qualifying soccer game against Apple Valley last night. Next stop: the Metrodome on Monday afternoon.

Yeah, uh-huh, I know him. Servin' up vicarious coolness here on The Meema Files...

One last debate?

Oh. My. God.

This is nearly enough to make me finally beef up on crochet:

These amigurumi Obama and McCain finger puppet politicians are downloadable FOR FREE (gotta love that) from Lion Brand Yarns' website.

Imitation...

is the sincerest form of flattery.
- Charles Caleb Colton

That's the fashion message I took away from the accessories department at Le Target this afternoon. Power to the handknitters!

The Great Schlep

I know, I know - you're saying, "What's up with this, Meema? Another YouTube video? Come on, write something prosaic, or at least put up some knitting already!"

Believe me, if I had knitting to show, I would. I have been quite derelict in this regard, and to my knitting readers, I apologize. And as far as prose is concerned? Well, let's just say my personal muse must be on an extended tropical hiatus with my knitting mojo. Scandalous fling they're having...

Anyway, I loves me my Sarah Silverman, and she's made a very funny video promoting The Great Schlep. Do partake, support, and/or consider a conversation with familial elders.

*adult language alert in the following video*

Call 'em if ya got 'em!

The perfect fifth

Maybe it's because I'm a geek (this time, musical). Maybe it's because I'm a church musician and it's Sunday. For whatever reason, I felt compelled to share this video with y'all. I hope you find it funny, too; if not, well, more's the pity.

Whoa

I've been hairjacked:

How fast, do you suppose, can I finish this hat?

Hey, Sarah Palin

This rewrite of "Hey There, Delilah" cracks me up. I find myself singing snippets at random times (this, and "Pardon Me").

18 days and counting - enjoy!

All aboard!

Blog Action Day 2008

As you make your rounds on the Internet today, please consider the following:

The global economy is unsteady. Our most important election in decades is just days away. Yet for all the turmoil and uncertainty in our privileged nation, there is poverty in the developing world that we can barely fathom.

Think there's nothing you can do? Watch this video, then think again.

We are powerful and influential people, citizens. Our small actions really do have large effects.

Fire Safety 101

This sign in Saint Paul gave me a good chuckle on the way to work this evening.

I realize this probably wasn't put up as an homage to fire safety (more likely a fan of the Foxboro Hot Tubs), but still - Dick Van Dyke's PSA commercial wisdom will never leave me.

All laced up

I checked my e-mail this morning and, in one of the kntting newsletters I subscribe to (yeah, I'm a geek, but I embrace it), this caught my eye:

The Dutch design house Demakersvan produced these lace fences. You can see more of their artistically functional work here.

Grrr.

The Mason-Dixon extravaganza

Ann Shayne and Kay Gardiner have come and gone, entertaining hundreds of knitters in Saint Paul in the process. Dang, but they're funny.Meema confession: I left my camera's SD card at home. Wha? I know - dumbdumbdumb. My mom and dad were in attendance (in their South Park shirts, no less!), so these pics are courtesy of Dad's camera.

A willing audience member models the Mystery Sweater. It's a bit hard to see, but the torso has a sizable MLK quote chain stitched all around. Can also be knit without text. Wonderful design.

After about an hour of their "blog post" presentation, they began the process of - what else? - signing.

And signing.

And signing some more (see the pile on the table corner?). That's Ann at left, Kay on the right, and a bevy of Yarnery ladies.

Jess, Eric, Scott and I reprised our roles as the Yarnery Family Singers to honor (in order) knitting commerce, knitting communities, and knitting authors. Hope you likey.

Song #1 - Welcome to Our LYS

Songs #2 (On Ravelry) and #3 (Mason-Dixon!)

UPDATE: The lyrics are now posted on The Yarnery Blog. Feel free to check them out, but please ask first if you want to repost them. Thanks!

Pardon me, the gals are almost here

The Yarnery is hosting another knitterly book tour stop! This time Ann Shayne and Kay Gardiner, authors of the snarkily successful Mason-Dixon Knitting books, will be joining us in Saint Paul tomorrow. Y'all should come! Admission is free, and there are still tickets available. (The Yarnery opens at noon tomorrow, but I think you can come to WM and still get in.)

where: William Mitchell College of Law Auditorium

time: doors open at 12:00, show begins at 1:00 pm

any bonuses? Yes, the Yarnery Family Singers will be there, too. Though it seems Ann and Kay will be giving us a run for our money...

See you there!

Come out, come out, wherever you are

Happy National Coming Out Day!

100 days

... remain of the current US administration. Yup, I'm counting; the sooner, the better, IMHO.

Don't let the door hit you in the gluteus maximus on the way out, Georgie.

Take a mental health day

October 10 has been designated World Mental Health Day. The stigma of mental health issues prevents many people around the world from seeking and/or receiving the care and treatment they need. As someone who has benefited from such care, it saddens me to think of the pointless suffering so many people live with daily.

If you know a caregiver, choose today to applaud what they do. (Yay, Deb!)

On a lighter note, here's a bit of humor that's passed through my e-mail inbox several times before. Like the humor on South Park, its aim is equal opportunity; if you feel excluded, let me know and we'll work a rewrite for next year. We all can use a laugh - and hey, it's not political in the slightest!

Hello, and thank you for calling the [insert your location here] State Hospital. Please select from the following options menu:

If you are obsessive-compulsive, press 1 repeatedly.

If you are co-dependent, please ask someone to press 2 for you.

If you have multiple personalities, press 3, 4, 5 and 6.

If you are paranoid, we know who you are and what you want; stay on the line so we can trace your call.

If you are delusional, press 7 and your call will be forwarded to the Mother Ship.

If you are schizophrenic, listen carefully and a little voice will tell you which number to press.

If you are manic-depressive, hang up. It doesn't matter which number you press; nothing will make you happy anyway.

If you have short-term memory loss, press 8. If you have short-term memory loss, press 8. If you have short-term memory loss, press 8.

If you are dyslexic, press 9-6-9-6.

If you are bipolar, please leave a message after the beep or before the beep or after the beep. But please wait for the beep.

If you have low self-esteem, please hang up. Our operators are too busy to talk with you.

If you are menopausal, put the gun down, hang up, turn on the fan, lie down and cry. You won't be crazy forever.

If you are blond, please don't press any buttons. You'll just mess it up.

Meg and Ben - 4 Oct 2008

The following post is one day out of chronological order - apologies to my fixed linear readers.

J, Kidlet and I travelled to remote pockets of SE Minnesota on Saturday to celebrate the wedding of a sweet young couple. It was a glorious day (aside from my navigation frustrations - sorry, J).

The ceremony was outside Nerstrand, MN, at a quaint clapboard church perched high on a hill surrounded by rolling farmland. The "new" church was yards away from the "old". Kidlet had opportunity to stretch her legs and explore the churchyard after the 22-minute ceremony.

Reception followed in Miesville, with dinner and dancing. Kidlet's first motivation was cake, but then the prospect of dancing took priority. She was about to jump out of her skin as she waiting for the bride and groom to "finish their dancing" so she could join in. Kidlet would probably have danced until she passed out with fatigue, but her mommies cut the night short and headed home (still well after dark).

Every happiness to Meg and Ben - congratulations!

Blogger pride

The Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon was held today. I don't know how the runners felt about the weather, but it was fairly sucky for spectating at the beginning of the race - cold and rainy. Cate, husband mWAK, and offspring B and D braved the damp and drear and, with me and Kidlet, cheered on our friends from the southwest end of Lake Calhoun.

eWAC, in the red hat, showing fine form early on (time stamp 8:45 am).

Scott, in white shirt and hat, in his first-ever marathon (9:05 am).

Now before you jump to conclusions and think that Scooter's running technique is akin to Phoebe's, let me explain: Eric ran past us and, knowing Scott would be following, we prepared to wait a bit. Well, it was pretty chilly. And wet. And nature called B's name. So when the AnderClan left, Kidlet was ready to leave as well. "Let's wait one more minute," I proposed. We waited, cheering others on as they passed (I love it when they write their names on their shirts!), but it soon became clear it was time to find a warm place to have cocoa.

I stowed my camera in my pocket and, as we were about to turn and leave for the car, who runs toward us but Scooter. We hollered and waved, and the desperate photographer in me said "Wait! Wait!" as he approached and passed. (As if he's about to slow his slammin' pace for a photo op.) Anyway, he valiantly faced over his shoulder for several paces as I fumbled with the camera, but I snapped only as he returned to an upright and forward-facing posture. What a trooper, that Scott.

It was a fun morning for us, despite the bone-chilling conditions. I couldn't be more proud of my friends - congratulations, guys!

Declare yourself

PLEASE make sure you are registered to vote.

Some states require voters to be registered by October 4.

That’s this Saturday. Two days away.

Do it now.

October cuteness alert

From Anna, creative goddess of many knitted toys:

Say hello to the newest pattern in the Mochimochi Shop: Boo the Bat! This little bat features wraparound wings and feet that can hang from your finger or the nearest tree branch.

The pattern can be purchased as a PDF download for $5 here.

Live from St. Louis, it's Tina Fey

I can hardly wait for tomorrow night. And then SNL.