Saturday night, just after 8. I'm simulating listing to "Echoes" (or "Hearts of Space" even, check your local Public Radio station for airing details) by running Highways on iTunes. (If you're unfamiliar with Lanterna and love ambient music, you're missing out). It has been a perfect Saturday - weatherwise. A cool morning, a perfect warm afternoon, a wonderfully late sunset, and a lasting bit of warmth in my soul. The back of my neck and my rosy cheeks tell me I got a bit sunburned today. Hurrah. We're expecting this warmth for the next few days and I am making a personal plea to enjoy every last drop of it that I can.
What can I say - it's been a tumultuous spring. My last Good and Meaty post was the Shawl Collared Vest, all the way back in January. Since then, I've done a few small and short posts here and there (including a life-changing post about a sale at Knit Happens - which nearly 200 of you took part in from my blog alone [thank you crazyegg]. I think when we last left each other, I was just getting over an upper respiratory infection and getting better from this crazy leg thing - both of which healed successfully... and then, the work set in. Many of you know (or could have figured out), that after the success (or I'd like to think success!) of KwB, I was ready to start on a second book of mens patterns... everything seemed like a "go" in late January, but the publisher had other plans and unbeknownst to me, decided to pull out on the project (until I asked, and they told me). At first I was a bit sad... but, I've come to see the situation in a good way. I like to think that daVinci is most well known for a few select works - many of which are years apart in production - and that those years in between served a key role in maturing style and approach. As such, if I could momentarily liken myself to daVinci ("these hands are like the hands of Michelangelo". Anyone? Anyone?), I'd like to think it can be the same way for me - and that publishing two books, one after another could be tricky. Sure, for all intensive purposes, I was the first one out of the gate in this race (which I'm still proud of) - there are a ton of men's books coming out in the next few months or so... I'd like to see what else is out there before I make another "statement" so to speak. So, I've been taking the opportunity to do a lot of magazine work - I've even scored a tech editing gig with a magazine. All good stuff - plus, my anticipated visit to the camp - which, despite being more about Schoolhouse Press and it's wealth of techniques, I'm certain will advance me light years in my approach. But, I digress...
The work set in... Meaning, work got crazy. Totally and incredibly busy. Imagine yourself at a buffet. Imagine yourself eating like 12 plates of food. Then, imagine yourself thinking, that like 5 plates ago, maybe you've eaten too much. That's what it's been like - just lots of contracts, lots of projects, and more and more. Everyone at my organization is crazy busy right now - I get that, but I'm having some serious second thoughts on whether or not this is the life I want to lead - you know? I mean, something about sitting in front of a computer all day seems inherently wrong to me... like human beings were meant to be spinning fiber or tending crops all day... not spinning their own internal wheels (if you catch my drift). Truth is, the sweet siren song of Vermont, maple syrup, birkenstocks, and the Green Mountains is calling. It's calling hardcore. I have this sinking feeling that the strong call of Vermont, plus the way that fate can be (you know, how fate senses when you're needing more space to grow), will send me northwards in the not too distant future. Scary - truly. Well, less so than it was maybe a year ago, but still. Not sure what the plan is, from here on out - you know, what I might do next and what not, but I feel like a professional change is in order (sooner than the five years I'd hoped to give here, but, well, it is what it is).
In other news, the Portland Guy and I are long done (yes, the great guy who met me in Burbank and so on). I'll spare you the details (if you want some messy break up story, I recommend turning to "Passions"), but as one final jab (it's not over til the fat lady sings - and it does look like I have man-boobs on my episode of knitty gritty, see below), he evidently never saw Kelly's "You Can't Text Message Breakup". Like all breakups - even long distance ones - I was affected by it (even my dentist knew something was up...). And since, there aren't many sparks on the horizon... I did have one date a few weeks back (actually two - where on the second one, the guy "forgot his wallet" so I'd have to come back upstairs and get money for his portion of dinner - to which I was like, "Hell no."), but I quickly realized after this, that with work being what it is - and my introvert tendancies of wanting personal time every day, I don't have time for a 'Lorelai-Luke' style relationship right now...
On the knitting front, I've been doing lots of socks. Lots and lots of socks. Oh, and sweaters - I've got an Aran coming out in the next issue of Knit n Style (did you guys see my interview in the current issue? Want to know more about me than you ever could? Go get a copy before they're gone!) - which is so beautiful, and a henley pullover in the next issue (plus something great in the works for the next next issue...). I really like designing for Knit n Style - working with the editor whom I've developed a good friendship with is a real pleasure - and, I'd rather be a big fish in a small pond (right now) than be a small fish in a really big (and somewhat crowded) pond.... though, I am sharpening my elbows in preparation for MDSW (next weekend!), so I may be hitting a larger magazine near you sometime soon.
What else, what else - my episode of Knitty Gritty aired a few weeks ago. Considering the craziness of the experience (I know I wrote about this - but I think I may have stifled some of my more, uh, strong opinions about the experience, which I'll continue to hold in!), I feel like it looked really good on air. I was happy with the editing - and I was happy with the content. Despite the fact that it was rated a "Beginner" level on the Knit-o-meter, I feel like I explored enough advanced and intermediate techniques that if I had been watching it, I would have loved it - which, in hindsight, is really good. I noticed I kind of hogged the air time (sorry, Vicki!), but, well, it was definitely an opportunity in self-promotion! Go me! (For folks who don't have DIY, I'm certain the episode will be on HGTV soon - check your local listings, or seach "knitting with balls" on the HGTV site).
Currently, in preparation for Knitting Camp, I'm working on the Guernsey frome the latest issue of the Woolgathering. (Knitters - you are MISSING out, if you don't subscribe. A three year subscription (6 issues) is like 25 bucks. Each of the patterns is an adventure in something amazing). I'm about at the designs on the breast (just cast on for the steeks this morning) - and if I didn't have work to do after the entry (Yup, Work - on a Saturday night. Work work - not knit work, kids - though I have some of that too), I'd probably go work on it. Pictures to come in the next entry.
On posting to the blog, I realize I'm not the best blogger. I mean, 4 months in between postings is definitely not, well, recommended. In fact, I can tell I've been taken off more than a few 'Oft Read' lists (which I'm ok with - no hard feelings, brothers). I have high intentions for sure, but life often gets in the way (I hear life evens out at 30...) and this is the first thing to drop off the list (make some money or post to the blog - you tell me). For folks who are hear still reading - thanks for coming back.
P.S. The Mens Gathering is coming up in about a month - we'll be back at The Hermitage for another weekend over memorial day, and I am so very looking forward to it. If you're moved to spend Memorial Day with a bunch of fags in Pennsylvania - definitely do. We have a good time. Details on the MensGathering website (look for the "Real Men Gather" button on the right hand sidebar).
