I'm a slacker!

I haven't been getting things done. No blogging, not finishing up knitting projects-all the things that I would like to do. Life has a way of getting in the way of things one really wants to do.

Here is the progress I have made since the last time I made a post.

I finally finished the July 2002 socks-Yankee Doodle socks. I had to reknit the second sock because the gauge was all wrong. I was in denial and I paid for it. Although it doesn't show in this picture, the two socks are different colors. I don't know if this is because I knit one twice or is just a factor of different balls of yarn.

I have also been working on the May socks from http://www.theknitter.com/

I really wanted to get these done before the next month's socks arrived, but I failed. Last night, I spent several hours trying to figure out if I made a mistake in turning the cables that run up the side of these socks. I haven't looked at them yet today-I'm being chicken or prudent depending on your point of view. Actually I am almost done with the leg-I just haven't gotten any newer pictures taken. My camera has been taking summer adventure pictures for my daughter.

Minnesota Wild-

Last night I found out that the Wild traded the negotiating rights for Brian Rolston to the Tampa Bay Lightening. Not too sad, as he isn't one of my favorites, but I'm beginning to get a bit nervous at wondering what the future holds for next season.

Spring has finally arrived!

Such a long winter this year. My daughter came home for the summer on May 5th, and it snowed the day before. This weather seems to have taken a harsh toll on my gardens. The lavendar and the roses seem to have bit it for sure. Some of the other perennials are not looking too healthy either. But as usual, the crop of dandelions is something to behold. Soon I will be taking up my valuable knitting time for working in the garden. On the other hand, if I have the energy, I will be able to sit and knit or read in my gazebo.

The startitis bug is hitting hard. I can't seem to stay with one project for very long. I also had these socks almost finished for 3+ days before finally weaving in the ends. That's sad. These are the April selection from the Sock of the Month club from http://theknitter.com/

The pattern is May Basket Socks and was a very easy knit. Usually I have a lot of trouble remembering a pattern and have to look at it constantly. This pattern I actually was able to memorize and that really made things move along faster. Here is a close up of the stitch pattern.

Minnesota Wild-

Off season bits of info-Niklas Backstrom and Mikko Koivu participated in the IIHF World Championships for Team Finland. Backstrom got a shutout in the Bronze Medal game yesterday. Brent Burns was named the most valuable defensive player of the tournament. He played for Team Canada which won the Silver Medal.

Current projects:

Chocolate Raspberry Truffle Shadow Socks

Luxury Socks Club from http://TheKnitter.com

May 2007

Yankee Doodle Socks-SoTM June 2002 also from http://TheKnitter.com

April Update

I have decided that tax month really sucks the fun out of life. I have been so busy between that and the hockey playoffs that it seems that I have no hobby time left. I have gotten some knitting done regardless.

I finished these socks (March SoTM from TheKnitter.com)a few days back and finally got a picture taken today. This was my first venture into knitting two socks on one circular needle. It worked out okay with a few minor setbacks. I really like this yarn (Trekking XXL)



I have cast on my next set of socks again on the one long circular. Pictures to come when they get a bit longer than an inch.


Wild-

Obviously a disappointing end to the season. I was really proud of the way the team played and I feel that they deserved better. Mikko Koivu and Brian Rolston were in my opinion the two best players for our team. It was awesome to be there for the 3 home playoff games. Will get 'em again next season.

It will be interesting to see what the team looks like next fall. We have quite a few players that are going to be free agents and I imagine the face of the team will be quite different.

Sunday

Current SIP-

I finished knitting both the legs of the Ariel socks last night. This is a picture of the leg on my arm so the lace shows up better.



Progress for today-I have one of the heel flaps about done.

Wild-

It was a rather slow moving game last night. But we finally got a win in regulation, so I'll take it. Players of the game were the members of the checking line-Branko Radivojevic and Stephane Veilleux, most particularly. And yes, I had to look up how to spell Radivojevic.

Gaborik has a shaved head. He claims it is because he got a bad haircut. Why do I have trouble believing this? After all, I imagine he pays a fair chunk of change for a cut. I'm sure he doesn't take his chances with a budget barber. He looks pretty weird. (He got his 200th career goal though.)

Next game is against the Avs on Monday night. We had to sell the tickets for this one. Number one spot in the Northwest division is on the line. Could be some wintery weather coming in town that night so I am a bit relieved not to have to drive.

My progress and a hockey favorite

The latest progress on my pair of socks. The other socks is only six rounds behind this one. This is through 2 repeats of the pattern. The leg is finished after doing the first 18 rounds of the pattern again. Maybe by Sunday I will be on to the heels.


Wild-



J.P. Parise did "Let's Play Hockey" at the game last night. I favorite of mine from my younger days, I always enjoy it when they have North Stars players. And, yes, I am still bitter about the North Stars moving to Texas even though I love the Wild.

The Wild played well in the first period. At random times during the rest of the game it seemed as if they were taken over by the "Orb of Confusion" which I realize is a random reference to SpongeBob. It is really disturbing how much they sit back when they get the lead in a game. It just seems to happen again and again. They seem to try to be too cute with the puck and make all kinds of stupid mistakes. And I won't even get into how badly they are doing in the shootout.

Next game: LA tomorrow evening at 7. Please bring your A game for a win in regulation!

Current Sock Progress et al

Ariel Socks
Originally uploaded by magknits218

This picture is a bit out of focus or my eyes are blurry. Either could be the problem.

They are coming along pretty quickly. I ripped them back and restarted them using a size 2 so they don't have to stretch quite so much. One of the balls of yarn has had two knots in it so far. I hope that will be the last of it.

Wild-

The Canadiens are taking it to the Devils tonight. I hope that this results in massive demoralization so they play poorly on Thurday night.

There was an article in the paper this morning about Wild prospect Benoit Pouliot. Sounded to me like he is lobbying for a job. If he wants to play with the big boys he better show some consistancy and put some points on the board. I wonder what it will take for him to understand that.

Sounds like Belanger will be out for awhile. This is extremely unfortunate because he had been playing well as of late. That part that really, really sucks is that he was hurt blocking a shot and we didn't even win the game.

Finished socks and an open letter

A Little Twisted Socks the October 2007 SotM from TheKnitter.com, Designed by Debbie O'Neill

My first pair done for March. I am being positive and hoping that I get at least one more pair done this month.

Open Letter to the Minnesota Wild-

As a member of the Team of 18,000, I would like to ask a question.

What is the matter with you? Is it too much to ask that you can win a simple game against a non playoff team? The worry has been coming on for awhile, but now I wonder if we will be using the playoff tickets that we are getting set to pay for. It makes me very sad. All this potential...

I can see the frustration on the coaches faces. A few guys are stepping up but for the most part, it is only one or two in any given game. You need to work hard and quit looking for someone else to carry the load. I challenge any one of you to look yourself in the mirror and be able to say that you are giving 100% effort. A few years back, this team made the playoffs for the first time. It was a team of for the most part little known players who were playing their hearts out for the other members of the team. Well, you are better known now for your skill, but don't have the heart of that team. Remember what it means to be a teammate. Play with some heart, some pride. Stop letting us and yourselves down. NO MORE MESSING AROUND. Be men and do your jobs.

That is all.

Signed,

A sad and frustrated fan