Sunday, June 24, 2007

Don't judge a book...

By a quick perusal. Admittedly when I first picked up this book at Alfred Knitting Studio The Best of Vogue Knitting Magazine I was wrapping up a cr-ppy week and heading into another week that also promised to be cr-ptastic. So it didn't speak to me. No patterns, no pretty eyecandy projects, weird coloured print and tiny font. However, when I went to the Library to pick up my last load of books before moving, there the book was in all it's pink glory. It is quite good. I don't know that I would buy it as a reference for techniques, given that most of the techniques I would refer to are found in smaller easier to carry volumes. Yet, it's a lovely read between packing.

Sadly the week lived up to it's promise but the tide is turning. I got a great haircut ala Rebecca DeMornay in her recent More magazine interview. Several compliments received on it. Which is unusual in that I don't travel with blowdryer or curling iron, I need that room for yarn. As result my hair usually is exceedingly unflattering. I called The Adored One and told him he owed me sock yarn since he was part of the stress. He said okay and I jumped on the Sneak Up for Loopy Ewe. It will have to wait until I have a new address though.

If the last paragraph made you think: Need that room for yarn? Let me make you smile.

Packing involves: Uniforms for work, a few civilian clothes for weekends, shoes, PJs, small clothes, change of season clothes - because what is supposed to be 13 weeks sometimes stretches to 6 or 8 months- bedding, pillow, reading pillow, floor lamp, clock, bed, mattress topper, limited accessories, go in your bathroom - pack everything but the blowdryer-, parttime licensed manicurist supplies, stereo, Ipod player,camera, iron, ironing board, table, chair, yoga mat, vcr, exercise videos, walkman, Laptop, trackball, software, 2 storage drives, air filter, humidifier, workout ball, weights, minitrampoline, stepstool, yarn, roving, dyeing, knitting needles,Kromski spinning wheel, books, magazines, potential knitting patterns, papers for work, reference books for work, electric tea kettle, GF grill, pans, plates, flatware (because hotels don't have, or furnished really isn't), cooking utensils, measuring cup, food, tea, supplements, water filter, calendar, beautiful coasters from TAO, place mat, favourite coffee mug, heating pad, Squirrel, money frog, rubbermaid containers, vinyl backed table cloths to block out the border patrol lights that always shine in the window, and sense of humour. Schlep it all down the stairs from a third floor walk up, place in car and toodle down the road. I wanted to get a jump on the loading of the car but the weather has been erratic and since everything only fits one way and I can't put stuff in a car that goes from 110f to 50f daily and expect it to be in good shape in a week I am in the dreaded holding pattern.

Why so much stuff? Think about all the stuff you use daily without realising it. Think of the stuff you use only weekly or monthly but have to have. I used to travel with alot less and then spend 3 months either having to run to the store alot or not having the comfortable feeling when I came back from work. If I schlep stuff around it's MY stuff and I settle down into a routine instead of feeling like a vistor at your Aunt's house. I have other traveling friends who live a very spartan lifestyle, but they have mostly out of house hobbies (hiking, hunting, drinking, tarting, going to the gym) and I am essentially a home person. I am on stage all day and when I get off work I Want To Be Alone. I don't even "turn the Tv on for company". I don't want Company. I also find as I age I am more particular. I want MAC X mascara, my favourite coffee, and certain kosher foods. I've started packing more "homey" touches. Little gifts from The Adored One that make me smile. And then there is the matter of Stash. I am fickle. I want to be able to put down a project and fish out a new one without having to chance that my new area has no Yarn Store. I have to be psychic...how much job stress will the new place have...what will I want to knit 2 months from now...what will I want to knit when this project goes horribly awry?

Of course I regret all this when it comes time to pack and carry : )

Fortunately my packing was interrupted by my Ravelry invitation arriving. Yay! Told you things were looking up.

4 comments:

Jennifer said...

Packing is the worst. It also seems like you will be gone long enough to have to pack up almost everything. I saw you on Ravelry though! It is a great site.

melanie said...

WOW! have you ever considered an RV?

And I thought I was the only one who packed stash...and heck, I only travel occasionally each year for work...

Anonymous said...

I do not consider all of that unresonable. You should see what I pack for only a weeks vacation or a weekend at my mothers for that matter. It is always better with your own stuff.

ChelleC said...

Explain to me exactly what Ravelery is, would you? I went to their website and it looks like it's still under construction. Will it be like Knitter's Review or what? I keep hearing everyone referring to it, but don't understand the concept yet.