Explanations

Well, I'm home.  It's good to be home.  One would think that living in a hotel, where someone makes the bed and brings you fresh towels, and bring you chicken fingers at 10 pm, and make you a Dr. Pepper float (because they don't have root beer, and floats aren't even on the menu) would be great.  And it is.  But shit gets old fast.

So I'm happily home.  I've got Chris and three cats, and a brand new Nintendo Wii.  A quick word about video games:  I am a complete spaz.  My video game prowess stops at Kirby and Pokemon.  I cannot do a 16 button combination to pick my nose.  But I can flail my arms like a jerk.  If you can accomplish this, then you can play the Wii.  I fully recommend it.

So, I titled my blog entry for today Explanations.  Which type?  Why was I gone?  Nah, you're big boys and girls, I had work, suck it up.  Why the sky is blue?  Check out Wikipedia.  No.  I am going to talk about the type of explanations that we make to non knitters.

Everyone knows the common ones.  How did I make these cool color changes?  (Do you explain arduous color changes, or do you just shrug and say it's easy, or do you stop being a pretentious jerk and tell them about Opal?)  How can you sit still long enough to do that?  (Ask them about the storyline to Lost, 24, or the line up on American Idle, I mean, Idol)  Could you teach me? (I adore this question and will always respond to it positively.  I may pick up on this later).

My favorite question this week was "How many different things are you knitting?".  Ah.  Travel knitting.

You pack your clothes, x number of pants, shirts, underwear, bras, socks.  Toiletries.  A book.  And knitting.  I was all easy up until then.  My answer to the above question (after a quick pause and calculation) was 3.  But I finished one, so I brought 4. 

But why?  I like this question to come next. 

Well, first, you have the brain pudding knitting.  This is the knitting you can do while talking, you can do it in the dark, and you can drop it and pick it up again with little thought.  This was the helmet liner I did for Heather.  After that it was a Sock of Doom for a few poor souls who never got socks out of that Sock Wars travesty.

After the brain pudding knitting comes the mantra knitting.  This is something that pulls you in, forces you to shut off the tv, and center yourself on it.  Anemoi mittens.  I would have finished the hand on one, but I didn't have a finishing needle.  Well, I thought I didn't, but I did.  My purse eats things and coughs them up later at the exact time that would amuse it the most.  I know some of you out there share my affliction.

And then there is obligation knitting.  This is something that needs to be done.  You can love it or hate it, but you have to finish it.  Sleeves for the Cable Wise Cashmere.  I actually ripped what I had finished already, and knit back up.  Not done, but I am satisfied with what I did. 

So yes, packing for travel is a big deal.  I leave again after Spa, and I'm already planning for the next trip.

Another explanation that had to be made was recognition.  I spent the week in another office of the company I now work for.  We deal with the people in this office daily, but this was our (myself and two other gals) first time down there.  We were waiting in a hallway for someone, and a nice lady came up and started introducing herself.  After names were exchanged she turned to me and said "You're the knitter."

The conversation that ensued was about yarn stores we'd been to, the fact that her Web's catolog had come in the mail the day before, our respective last trips to Webs, local yarn stores, past projects, and favorite yarns.  This woman and I are already friends.  As we left the building one of the girls traveling with me looks at me and goes "You're the knitter?".  "Yeah," I said, "We're kinda like Masons, but with yarn."

We really are lucky people, to have each other.  I will say this until I'm old, but anywhere that has knitters will be a good place for me. 

So there's my travels.  Not as knit centric as you would have hoped, but I promise to do better next time.  Of course, next time will be after Spa, so I just don't know what will amaze me.

If you want to laugh your butt off, listen to this episode of It's a Purl, Man, and make sure to have this entry of Stitchy's blog up, because you're going to want to follow along with the pictures.

I'm going to bed.  My bed.  My Chris.  My three cats.  Mmmmmm.

And as an addition, I love that so many of you keep blogs.  With Google home and Google reader, I need never be far away from the people I enjoy being with.

Comments

[Gigi]

Welcome back! It's funny you talk about knitting and connections. I was chatting with a good friend who is a non-knitter this week and trying to explain how one of the best things about this "hobby" is the social aspect. Meet a knitter/crocheter and it's like velcro...instant connection!

[Gina House]

Glad you're back! We missed you at knitting and Daves. See you Wed!

[Yarnophiliac]

Hi sweetie!! Glad you're home! Ain't knitters grand? Can't wait for SPA!

[Nichole]

Welcome back! I agree with everyone's comments above - knitters have an unspoken bond... well, not so on the "un" part once we get to know other knitters... then it is quite the spoken bond indeed!

[Arleta]

Hah! I totally get your knit-packing. hehe

Lucky you! A new knitting friend, and a Wii!

[Arleta]

Hah! I totally get your knit-packing. hehe

Lucky you! A new knitting friend, and a Wii!

[Gina House]

Woohoo! Your new website is up! You must be happy!