The Life of Riley: November 2008

So I've started in on a few new things that I'm successfully using to put off doing more essential other things, but geez....it's pouring rain here in the Northwest and who's got the energy to do much more than snuggle by the fire with your new favorite book or knitting, eh?

And yes, I did begin a new knitting project just to practice my hand at diagonal rib and here's a little preview :

It'll end up being a sweet little Holiday gift for someone I believe. I'm using the remainder of the Sierra yarn I used for the strap of my Mystery Blue Pixie Hat. I cast on 30 sts and work in alternating sets of P4 and K4 in ever changing counts per row. The counting is an annoyance, but the yarn is a real joy to work with, not to heavy or scratchy but still able to provide some warmth, I believe, once it is worn. I will be posting more photos as I progress, of course.

(Oh, and that's one of my couch pillows I draped it over. Ah well.)

The cats are driving me absolutely insane this morning and I'm feeling edgy from being woken up multiple times in the night to little feline hair pulling and maniacal meowing. Trotwood, boy terror, is attacking the paintings on the wall in the living room while Julep, girl wonder, pounces on my back and digs in her sharp little talons as I write this. I'm going mad. Where are the damn kitty nail clippers?

*wild searching*

I began a new book recently, one I've always intended to read but put off entirely too long: The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay by Michael Chabon. Fantastic writing and humour, I just love that it begins in both Prague and New York. It makes me miss Prague quite poignantly, in fact. I will have to upload some of my favorite pictures one of these days. I realize it's been nearly 2 years now since I left it.

Well, back to the never-ending diagonal ribbing....Ta-ta for now dahlings.

What an amazing week it has been! I'm not sure where to start with my ecstatic diatribe - I'm filled with joy and a sense of optimism I've rarely had the opportunity to share with so many. Obama has won the presidency and changed the way the world looks at America forever. Rarely have I been so inspired to become more involved with politics in my local community than I am now. The Bush years, especially the second term, effectively squashed the energy and commitment I had in earlier years believed to be so vital. I'm ready to try again - and I hope others are too.

I spent Election Night in Seattle where I was visiting my Mother. Just in time I finished the hat I had been working on - realizing with some chagrin that it was no longer the baby hat it was originally intended to be. Ever flexible (har har), I decided it would be just as lovely in another capacity. Thus, I bring you : the Election Day Pixie Hat! With embellishments of embroidered red stars and a lovely red strap, I think it's truly patriotic (and just a wee bit silly, no?).

In Seattle, we had plans that night to join friends for a "viewing" party at their home. My mother worked until the early evening and I took the opportunity to hop in the car and cross the lake over to Bellevue to meet up with my recently un-estranged father at the Hyatt. Having some reservations about walking into a possible Republican hotbed, I donned my loveliest Obama 2008 pin and sashayed into "Daniel's", at the top floor of the hotel, where I was met with much of what I had expected. Ah, I just love trying to cause trouble. My father, looking dapper, met me at the bar and we proceeded to down a couple of gin martinis and half-price appetizers while congratulating ourselves on Obama's growing number of electoral votes. To further my smugness I ordered us some Brut Rose Champagne and we chinked glasses while surveying our surroundings with sparkling smiles. Don't you just love the hyperbole?

I had the opportunity to see one of the most spectacular skylines that evening as I crossed the lake back into Seattle. It was as if the sky had been stretched in two or the gods were vying for control of something too large to understand. A huge bank of dark, foreboding clouds seemed to gallop across one half of my sight, while a bright and clear cerulean sky was illuminated by the rising crescent moon on the other side of my vision. I couldn't help but be mystified by such a beautiful scene that seemed to reflect the circumstances of our changing world. I can be such a ridiculous dreamer, I know, but I will never forget it.

* * * *

It suddenly feels like winter here in Portland, Oregon. There was such a quick shift that I don't quite feel caught up on the time of year (let alone the time change). I have rotting jack-o-lanterns on the porch that need to meet their maker soon - I hear people cackling as they walk by the house all the time and realize they are gleefully horrified by the sight of my sad little pumpkin men. It's quite an ugly sight and I can't say I blame them.

* * * *

I have a long weekend of working to look forward to - the restaurant is planning to be busy and I hope to make some decent money since it's been a little rough lately. I'm considering my next knitting project and starting to plan Christmas presents - less than two months away, I fear that I won't get them all done.

There's always something to worry about but still, I feel happy.