Last Sunday evening I decided that was going to be the day to embark on a new hobby -- knitting.  I did some research online and then headed out to Michael's arts and crafts store.  I was hoping to find a good book to use as a guide and reference but didn't find anything I liked.  I picked up 2 "things" of thick yarn (I later learned they are called skeins) and a pair of needles that matched the size recommended on the skein of yarn. 

I decided I wanted to start with a scarf so I went searching for tips and patterns.  I found a couple of tutorials about how to get started and the basic knitting stitch. 

Casting On:

Long-Tail Cast-On

http://www.videojug.com/film/how-to-cast-on-2

Knitting Stitch:

http://www.videojug.com/film/how-to-knit-the-knit-stitch

By bed-time Sunday night I had done a dozen or so rows.  Then by Tuesday night I ran out of the first skein and needed to learn how to add another one to continue on.  Even though this is actually quite simple (simpler than learning the casting and knitting stitch) I spent about 40 minutes Wednesday night trying to learn how to added the second ball of yarn and never got it right.  I was a little overtired and got really frustrated.

Adding new yarn of the same color:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cy__eVIDshE

http://www.wonderhowto.com/how-to/video/how-to-add-a-new-ball-of-yarn-when-knitting-270032/

Then late Saturday afternoon I decided to try again.  This time with a little help from my boyfriend (ha).  We found another tutorial for adding a new ball of yarn using the knit-in join method and within 10 or so minutes I was back in business knitting away again.  Now, one week later, my first scarf is almost complete.

I had wanted to learn how to knit for quite a while, but was always a little bit intimidated by it.  I am so glad I finally decided to go ahead and do it.  It's actually quite easy.  I am pretty happy that I now have a new hobby, I can now make some nice things by hand, and that I learned pretty much all on my own.  I also think it will be a really great, somewhat mindless, activity to do before before.  Should be a nice cure for those nights I have trouble falling asleep.

If you've ever thought about learning how to knit but haven't done it yet, I highly recommend it.

Do you believe in ghosts?  Demons?

I'm not sure that I do.  I'm not sure that I don't.

I do know I love watching those paranormal/ghost hunter type shows.  So when I heard about the movie Paranormal Activity I definitely wanted to see it.  My boyfriend didn't really want to see it (he isn't a fan of scary movies) but he acquiesced and we added it to our Netflix queue.  It came in the mailbox last Wednesday but I couldn't watch in until Friday night.  Once we told a friend of ours that it was in the queue he said he would be very upset with me if we watched the movie without him.

I really enjoyed the movie, although I can't say the same for the two men I watched it with.  I really enjoyed the progression and the suspense.  I loved wondering what was going to happen next.  I loved the premise of a couple making their own video of the strange things happening in their home.  I think that particular aspect of the movie made it that much more interesting than most other movies.

I am somewhat ashamed to admit that based on the way my boyfriend had described the movie to me, I thought the movie was actually 2 people making a video of actual things that were happening to them.  It seems a little silly now, but I thought that throughout a good portion of the movie.  Probably right about up until the point where that thing happened with the ouija board.

Lots to discuss...  Have you seen this movie?  What did you think?  Do you believe in the supernatural?  Do you have any personal ghost stories to share?

Yesterday I felt very guilty, and a bit disappointed in myself.  I still feel the same way today, but to a lesser extent.

During the week I normally eat lunch at my desk.  I have been very good about eating according to my diet.  Over the last 4 months I went out to lunch on September 28th (Olive Garden, for my birthday lunch), and then on December 3rd (Olive Garden again, taking a prospective employee out to lunch as part of the interview process).  And that's it.  Anyway, yesterday I went out to lunch again.  I wasn't really that bad, but I had my sub on white bread.  This will sound strange but I was "afraid" of the wheat bread that I normally eat.  I recall the last time I was at the sub place when I got my sub I was unpleasently surprised by tthe fact they had changed their bread.  At it was some sort of multi-grain with all kinds of seeds and nuts.  So I got the white, but figured that was ok since I have had next to know white bread since the beginning of November.  I "cheated", but only felt a slight twinge of guilt for going out and not eating my usual lunch that I make myself.

Then last night I was really bad.  We planned to go to Friday's for dinner.  We usually go out with some friends on Friday or Saturday night, and I've been able to find something at a few particular restaurants that actually sort of fit with my diet.  At Fridays that particular meal is the Key West Shrimp.  I think it is pretty much the only low carb thing on the menu.  When we got there though, they had a special deal going.  3 courses for $12.99.  And my shrimp dish was listed as one of the entrees available under the deal.  At the bottom of the special menu insert there was a beautiful picture of a chocolate peanut butter pie with a mini reeses on top.  Ugh.  Then I looked at the list of available appetizers and knew I was screwed.  Mozzarella sticks.  I absolutely love mozzarella sticks.  Now there was some major inner turmoil going on.  Do I just get that entree dish with a nice salad with low-fat balsamic dressing and be unhappy about what I am missing out on, or do I go ahead and get what I want but then feel terribly guilty about it?  Well, as you can tell from the title of the post I went ahead and ordered exactly what I wanted, and then felt terribly guilty about it.

I know it isn't really a bit deal, but I have to keep telling mysefl that in order to really convince myself.  I know I need to allow myself to occassionally have something bad if I enjoy it, I just can't have it too often.  I know I will get right back on track today. 

it looks awesome, doesn't it?

I was introduced to Ingrid Michaelson quite a while ago.  The first song I heard was called The Way I Am.  I liked the song quite a bit and downloaded it on iTunes.  I listened to some of her others songs and thought they were good but I only ended up downloading the one song. 

She released another album called Everybody last August but I never heard it until last December.  I checked it out after talking with a friend and really loved it.  About a month ago I went and bought the album.  I have been listening to it a ton at work ever since.  I find her music very happy and calming so it helps to destress me while I'm working on something. 

Favorite Song: Everybody  --  I had a very hard time choosing a favorite.  At the moment it happens to be this one.  The song is very upbeat and uplifting.  Very catchy chorus.  And I love the clapping.  Love, the clapping.

Sidenote: I originally thought that ingrid was maybe 20 years old.  Turns out she just turned thirty in December. 

What do you listen to when you need to calm down, relax, improve your mood, destress, etc.?

I really wish I knew how to knit.  Mostly so that I could make myself one of these:

photo credit: http://whatkarenknits.blogspot.com

I have a very small head, and almost every hat I try on in the store is far to large.  Being able to make my own would solve this problem.  There is also just something I really like about being able to make your own things.

Maybe one of these days I will finally learn.  Or maybe I will email my sister and see if she wants to make one for me  :)

Pattern: Amanda Hat by Gina House