Sunday, January 13, 2008

That's right I was supposed to Resolve something for 2008

Samuel Johnson, who repeatedly records in his diary his vow to “avoid idleness” and “rise early,” is a sometime patron saint of resolution-makers.
He notes in his diary: “I have now spent fifty-five years in resolving; having, from the earliest time almost that I can remember, been forming schemes of a better life. I have done nothing. The need of doing, therefore, is pressing, since the time of doing is short. O G-D, grant me to resolve aright, and to keep my resolutions"


1) Years ago I made a list of things that I could do when I’d had a bad day. They were all free and most did not involve consumption of food, although a few did consume calories. I think it’s time to pull that out, dust it off and refresh it with what fits in the current life plan/car.

2) Getting out of groups and forums that I don’t actively participate in. I can always stop by and browse but it can feel pressured to see a long list of Unread post and bloglines. This includes uninstalling computer programs that aren’t needed. Going through my organizational software and cleaning out contacts, duplicates, etc.

3) The flip side of this is being more actively involved in groups that do work toward my goals. Stash Knit Down, Mission Possible 2008, and Socks from Stash are friendly examples. And because they don’t have a crushing goal or deadline, I am more inclined to succeed. This also includes being more open to other people and reaching out for support and friendship more.

4) Organising projects by complexity and materials. A little Zen knitting, a little focused knitting, some lab coat pocket knitting. Packing a few extra patterns in case I change my plans.

5) Knit for charity

6) Finish uploading my Stash to Ravelry by the end of January 2008.

7) Keeping my focus on Enough. Really, how Much is enough? How much is variety? Can you fill variety without having to Own it?

8) Getting a real grip on my UFO's and frog what isn't working.
Somethings that are working are:
Elegant Ewe Thanksgiving Shawl - knitpicks Bare – Self Dyed with Jacquard dyes.

Lacey Hug me Tight – Knittery Cashmere Sock in Moonlight

Ene Scarf – Claudia HandPainted Silk 20/2 in Woodland Moss

SWS Clapotis – about 60% done, languishing in a bag

Vogue Cardigan – MMMMalabrigo – This was tucked away because it wasn’t portable and I’ve just overlooked it, as one does with frozen veggies in the icebox.

Feather and Fan Shawl – this is beautiful and lovely, yet right now feels like slogging through wet snow in a windstorm, perhaps I need to string it on a big cord so I can lay it out and instead of thinking it’s just an orange jellyfish I will once again see it as shining lace.

Felici Socks – I enjoy the pattern and the yarn, but it’s on certain sized needles that I only have in DPNs and the current assignment is not lab pocket friendly. (I actually fear that had I access to sharp pointy sticks I might leap on someone gouging fiercely.)

Because work has been so grinding I have recently found myself in a Cast on mood, looking for something glorious and new to distract me. So there have been several things that have been cast on, inches worked and then ripped.

Mission Possible 2008 includes pulling older yarn from stash and doing something Pro Active with it. If you don't you have to donate the yarn to a cause. I can live with that. I've also started posting WillTrade on Ravelry. I decided that from now on I am going to write the year I purchase the yarn on the label.

3 comments:

ChelleC said...

Great idea about writing the year you purchased yarn on the label! I love this whole posting. You are saying many things out loud that I've been thinking about myself too!! Including subscribing to less groups/forums and concentrating on the ones I really care about.

Jennifer said...

Writing a date on the yarn label is such a good idea! You've got a lot of great goals.

Unknown said...

Another thing to do when you have a bad day: come knit with Thi and listen to soothing music while being surrounded by good colors, good company, and good energy.