Story of an ear

Last Chapter (Hopefully)

We are back from the vet's... and... Her Hignesses otitis is history and she even let the vet remove stitches without sedation. In other words Old Lady is healthy (and within 33 hours she will be free from antibiotics)!

By the way... we had a partial HD last night

(I know it's blurry, can't help it. I promise there will be better picture in July 1st. *grin*)

It lacks finishing still... I think I said something about big, hairy head of a deadline here..? (Though, only 1½ items to finish.)

Unconscious Mutterings

Week 227

I say ... and you think ... ?

1. Acoustic :: Guitar
2. Sanity :: Insanity
3. Mambo :: The Mambo Kings
4. Session :: The Invisible Session
5. Hound :: Hound Dog
6. Cat :: =^..^=
7. Coward :: Noel Coward
8. Trunk :: Car
9. Hold me :: ...close
10. Psychological :: Thriller

I'm not around much because I see one big, ugly deadline raising its hairy head... deadlines and not being in the mood for stitching are a lousy combination.
Though, I got some good news today - which I can't unfortunately tell you... yet - so it gives a good boost for my finishing spree.

Should I check their pulses?

(As you see, Neko has gained some of his old weigh back - he has a tummy - but as it seems to me that Neko is happiest on a bit heavier side I let him be.)

Now it's official, I have lost my mind!

Some of you may have noticed that I am rather fond of black... and black has been the dominating colour in my wardrobe last decade or so.
Now, what makes me state that I have lost my mind is that among the clothes I have bought wthin last three days there has been fuchsia coloured pullover (you all know how much I, erm, "love" anything related to pink - which makes me an obvious nut case (add two pairs of pink bras to this...)), red top, graphite grey trousers, olive green jacket and, shock and awe, regular blue jeans. (No fear, I have bought some black clothes too. *grin*)

1. I don't like pinkish shades, as I have mentioned few thousand times.
2. I don't like blue, even less in clothes.
3. I haven't actually owned jeans in last two decades, because "they are not my style".
4. I don't like grey clothes.
5. I don't like olive green in clothing (otherwise it's one of those few shades of green I like - maybe because I love olives).

I bought 1. and 5. with black dye bath in mind, but I am not sure about the 1., because, you know, it's kind of energetic colour - and because the shirt has rather giving neckline and it is soft it's rather complimenting for certain parts of my body and the colour just enhances the effect... (Shallow, me? Never...)

Where all this colour is coming from?!

...begin to think of it... I have spent only about 130 € (altogether) on clothes during my last two shopping sprees and got loads of stuff... I think I love sales.

But, back to watch Blade (DVDs bought in last three days: ten, money spent on them (altogether):~40 € = I do love sales) and then to bed in hopes of having nightmares of the interview tomorrow as that has always been the sign that I get the job. *grin*

Life goes on

I have another job interview in Friday. That place would be located wonderfully regarding commuting and actually everything... in Helsinki downtown. Right in middle of things and close to Helsinki Central Railway Station, which means that it's close where my bus stops.
This gives me a great excuse to visit hairdresser and get my hair cut to decent summer length (*short*) and maybe do some clothes shopping...

Speaking of shopping I (finally) purchased cooling pad (it was cheap) for my laptop and, gosh, I just love it! I can actually keep my hands on the laptop when I type without getting burn marks on my skin (not to mention how quiet this is now).

New to-do

Owls symbolize wisdom, but it's not my reason add this to my to-do list (though I like the thought): Monochrome owl (*.pdf version in here).
It's just perfect if you ask from me.

Oddity

It is always as annoying and entertaining to hear from someone you have noticed you can't stand that you are odd.
Heck yes I am odd, tell me something I don't know!

What makes it sad is that my oddity is all about the fact that I think differently and appreciate different things than majority. But, these incidents also make me believe that I really have made the right decision with that break from the dating game.

Humans, can't live with 'em, get into prison if you kill 'em can't kill 'em...

SBQ: Challenging yourself

Today's

Sticthing Bloggers' Question

was suggested by Ish and is:

What has been your most challenging project and why?

As I still consider myself somewhat novice in this area (yeah, I only design and somesuch... if you don't know how to do it, teach it) I really have to think as most of my projects have really been ready-set-stitch.
Anyhow, I think it has been that little hardanger learning kit (Level Five - Kloster Blocks) by The Victoria Sampler Rósa (now... where is she lurking? Come out, come out, where ever you are ) sent me in one exchange because she knew I was curious to try hardanger.

It is a bit modified because I misread the chart, but it just makes it personal.

I am still wanting to learn more hardanger (all the cutting and weaving etc.) and I have been thinking to just take the plunge, choose the project and get needed materials for it - I can only blew it up, nothing worse. (Actually I think that I need to give this a loving home some day.)

Yes, I think this was more challenging than, for example, our friend Sally (I have better picture of it somewhere - that is pre-Photosmart time), offspring of Teresa Wentzler.

We'll see what I say when I have finished Egyptian Sampler.

Foto Pherrets

Week 75

Our word for the week is: Drink

My "morning" coffee. ^^

Monsoon Wedding and other things

Now that LJ works I have to voice that amazement I experienced few days back when I went to local generic-brands-el-cheapo-store's website, checked their sale DVDs and found Monsoon Wedding from their selection!

1. Bollywood movies aren't big in Finland.
2. generic-brands-el-cheapo-store is not known to have DVDs outside the generic selection (they do have some excellent sale CDs sometimes though).

Of course I had to buy it, for two reasons: 1. I love Bollywood flicks and 2. it brings some sweet memories from days gone by.
And, just to justify the postage, I had bought few other DVDs and pile of clothes (in hopes that they all will actually fit). (I have noticed that watching DVDs while stitching is excellent stitching speed booster.)

Those other things

It seems to me that even I used to be burns easily, does not tan as a kid, then grew to be doesn't burn easily, but doesn't tan either I will be my mother within few years... I am catching tan even I don't sun bathe nor spend too much time outside (pollen, you know) and I am catching it fast! (You should see how brown my arms got yesterday... but then, if this is hereditary and my mother's skin is on the darker side of café au lait that is completely normal. (Example: my mother goes to $HOT_SUNNY_COUNTRY and she uses generic moisturiser as her sun lotion... because she does not burn, just catches tan))

Freaky stuff.

I love the smell of burning money in the afternoon, it smells like...

... new furniture.

First of all, I am wasted. I have extremely good reason to be wasted: imagine yourself walking four kilometres in 25 C° (spiced up with nice sunshine) with 20 kilos of futon frame following you on a tiny carriage (you know those things old ladies drag behind them, something like that)... My biceps hurt. A lot.

Anyway, I stayed in budget and got more stuff than I thought I will get (though my mother will pick one or two things tomorrow from Ikea for me (we just couldn't manage to carry everything we wanted). Go me!

In the end I ended up with Grankulla Massum, Grankulla storage stool (I need something to store my pillows, blanket etc. during the day - and that is nice to sit on too), new coffee mug (they say it's a tea mug, but what do they know? *g*) - I may have mentioned that I am addicted to coffee mugs, Tripp (I love tin storage cans, I am innocent!), magazine racks, storage boxes, couple of new handtowels...
And of course, black paint-of-a-kind for my futon's frame and the stool. My intention is to make crimson covers for both.

Which reminds me that once upon a time there was a beautiful princess our textile designing teacher gave us a project to design bedroom interior (the textiles mostly, but we had to add some interior designing there - even we never had any lessons on that!)... guess what colours I used?
Exactly: black and crimson/ burgundy. The product I actualized from all the interior textiles from my sketch was huge woven velvet bedspread, consisting from three parts: two black ones and crimson one (its "thing" was the weave I designed and used, it made the product).

By the way, I enabled my mother and she will be buying futon sofa for herself too (99€ is a bargain and it is really nice to sit/lay on). Oops.

And there was much rejoicing!

Welcome back eLJay, I missed you!

The "Grown Up" Survey

Snatched from Tracy.

What bill do you hate paying the most?
Electricity.

Where was the last place you had a romantic dinner?
Ah, even it may not completely fill the requirements (because we had company)... German Brevery at Yannawa, Bangkok. (Yup, last summer. And I don't think that those dinners at N.'s count as romantic, more like... word which begins with L and ends with L comes to mind. *evil grin*)

Name of your first grade teacher?
S. Leivo. (I have traumas about her... fundamentalist Christian meets non-religious kid who knows her rights. )

What do you really want to be doing right now?
Eating, I am hungry.

What did you want to be when you were growing up?
I wanted to be anything from a social worker to a truck driver, from a vet to a nurse... I have never been able to decide what I really want to be.

How many colleges did you attend?
We don't have actual colleges here... therefore none.

If you could move anywhere:
Somewhere else, preferably with subtropic climate.

First thought when the alarm went off this morning?
It didn't.

Last thought before going to sleep last night?
Can't recall.

Favorite style of underwear?
Black, burgundy or gold, preferably no lace (at least not in the bra cups!), supportive (with my bra size it has to be), good material... if it fills all these requirements it has to be my style.

What errand/chore do you despise?
Hoovering, hence I don't own a hoover.

If you didn't have to work, would you volunteer?
It depends.

Get up early or sleep in?
I'd prefer to be able to wake up early so get up early it is.

What is your favorite cartoon character?
Peep.

Have you found real love yet?
Define "real love". All love is real, at least for the time being.

When did you first start feeling old?
I had this short period when I was 26, nowadays I don't feel old.

Favorite 80's movie?
Space Balls (Dark Helmet: I knew it. I'm surrounded by assholes!)

Your favorite lunch meat?
Chicken.

Do you think marriage is an outdated ritual?
No. It's a legal contract - and great sign of devotion.

Where does most of your money go?
Rent.

Do you want a career move?
Partially yes.

Best thing going in your life at this moment?
Life. Warm summer days. (Some call them hot...)

Favorite hobby?
Stitching, designing, reading, listening music... my kitties.

Biggest pet peeve?
Don't get me started...

When was your last lowest of low?
Ermm... I can't remember so it probably has been 1999 or so.

When was your last highest of high?
Today, I did something which I hope to turn out fine.

Favorite guilty pleasure?
I don't have any as I don't feel quilt because of pleasure.

What's your drink?
Drink as alcohol or in general? Expensive white wines and coffee.

Who from high school would you like to run into?
I don't know...

What radio station is your car radio tuned to right now?
What car? I don't have one.

Norm or Cliff?
Who?

The Cosby Show or The Simpsons?
Hmm... I had crush on Theo when I was kid so maybe I have to choose Cosby.

Last book you read:
Juutalaisviha Suomessa 1918-1946.

Just how OLD are you?
27, for couple of weeks.

Read this far? You are tagged!

Unconscious Mutterings

Week 226

I say ... and you think ... ?

1. Savage :: Dan Savage
2. Warrior :: Amazon
3. Daisy :: Onslow
4. Schedule :: Timetable
5. Rock, paper, scissors :: Monty Python's Flying Circus: Episode 25, sketch 7
6. Medical :: Help
7. Jade :: Jade Warrior
8. Elevator :: The Towering Inferno
9. Drain :: Pipe
10. Goldfish :: A Fish Called Wanda (I know it was an angelfish)

The problem with LJ...

...can be found from here.

And I am one of those poor sods who are affected by it. (Fear not, I have set a support ticket.)

She-Hulk crashes

She-Hulk is very, very annoyed. LJ has server problems, again - and I can't post my regularly scheduled meme. *snifs*

Please, my dear eLJay, don't become another Blogger. Our relationship has been so good so far...

It's time for breakfast

Feast One Hundred & Forty Six

Appetizer: Name something you think is “the best.”
If I must... White chocolate & Apricot ice cream. Oh, those lovely chunks of white chocolate...

Soup: On a scale of 1 to 10 (with 10 highest), how stressed are you today?
5. I am almost always slightly stressed because I am a worrywart.

Salad: What kind of cleanser do you use to wash your face?
In general I don't. Sometimes I scrub my face, but that's about all. Works for me (look at the user picture (or click this) and judge yourself).

Main Course: Tonight is a blue moon! What is something that you believe only happens “once in a blue moon.”
Human beings think.

Dessert: When was the last time it rained where you live?
I am quite sure it rained last time last night. We have had wonderfully tropical weather up here North lately and I am loving it: rain, humidity, heat... I seem to have became a tropical being.

You may be a procrastinator if...

...It takes three years to remove your ex-spouse's surname from your apartment's name tag.

Actually I thought that I don't own a suitable screw driver, but I was wrong - I realised some time ago (when I had to do some plumbing) that I have one with interchangeable ends and that one of the ends was small enough.
So, it took three years to plan - and one minute to screw the tag off, edit the names and screw the tag back to its place... But well planned is half done, right?

It has been time of development lately, in emotional, personal, spiritual and, by the looks of it, even in professional level.
It seems to me that good things are beginning to happen in certain areas of my life, and, some parts of me don't think it's a coincidence as good things began to happen after I made the decision (maybe I should begin to refer to it as The Decision...) to take a break and concentrate on important things.

Goal check

As it is last day of May it's time for a goal check.
To clarify my markings strike and green equal a success. Orange is for "put some work to said piece, but not enough for a success", and red goes, as you guess, for a failure.

Goals for May were:

1. Finish Monochromatic Exchange and send it to $PERSON. Done
2. Stitch one model. Done - with 'honours': three stitched, two finished.
3. Stitch Angi's gift. Yup!
4. Send 4th part of Birthday Thread Exchange. Done
5. Participate Stitch-A-Thon 18th - 20h of May. Goal: 3/4 of Loy's page four. Done, stitched only ~50% though.
6. Make an illustrated tutorial about my needleroll finishing method on Periphaeria's site. (This will probably move to be June's goal, but anyway...)
7. Play around with chanda_m's PIF piece.

Goals for June are...

1. Stitch Summer Dragon on Leslie's RR. (Send-out is July 1st.)
2. Participate Stitch-A-Thon, stitch rest of Loy's page four.
3. Make one surprise gift.
4. Finish the models for July launch and make them ready for print.
5. Finish and mail Angi's gift.
6. See about that needleroll tutorial.

I keep the list short for now as I prefer to overdo my goals...

This day seems to be filled with entries, eh?

As Her Highness has got a bad habit to sleep on my laptop (it's warm and feels nice against her tummy, I presume) I had to reorganize my life a bit: Periphaeria is in my bedroom and my personal stash is more or less in the living room.

I have been playing around with the thought of buying a convertible sofa to my bedroom for a while and now, when my working space moved here, I really see the need. I could arrange the furniture in completely another manner if there were no need to note that I need to have room for a 120 cm x 200 cm matress (I despise sleeping in smaller matresses even when I sleep alone - admittedly it has felt a bit cramped since I slept a month in Wolfie's huge bed *grin*).
Even more so as my bedroom is small and its "layout" not very well designed (two whole walls, on opposite sides. The other two have either window or closets on them).

After some window shopping at Ikea's site I have three (el cheapo) candidates:

1. Solsta (Oh, I love the colour! That would go well with my bedroom curtains... (pair 1. black with colourful leaves, pair 2. burgundy) )
2. Grankulla Massum (This is nice to sit on, I know (or maybe it was N. who was nice to sit on on this..).)
3. - ' ' - Munkarp (a bit expensive though, and I am not sure do I really need matress that thick - and I could always buy that thicker matress later if I buy Massum now...)

My luck is that my back loves hard matresses (that is why I need to replace my old one, its springs have got old and don't support me very well) and that it's not very picky in general on what it sleeps on (as long as it is not all soft and thick enough to provide some padding between hard place and my pelvis).

In addition to this plan I have been thinking of buying two curtain rails/ rods, removing the door from between vestibule and hall (Firstly, I don't see the point of having both vestibule and hall in two room apartment, I'd rather had tad bigger bedroom or living room), sew a curtain to cover the sight from door's window inside the apartment (directly to my living room!) and buy one of those beaded curtains on the other side so I can choose between two visibility options (as I rather enjoy the fact that my apartment has very few doors and lots of natural light I prefer not to close the doorway completely).
And then, finally, after only *grin* seven years (crikey, I have lived here 25% of my whole life!), get a mirror in the vestibule (there's only one whole wall in the hall and I have my router base on that wall) and small coat rack.

Hmm... We were talking about a trip to Ikea #1 with my mother some time ago (because she lives close to it (ok, I live close to Ikea #2, but it's not very accessible for a person who relies on public transport)... I think I have an excuse here...

SBQ: Needles

Today's

Stitching Bloggers' Question

was suggested Kathryn and is:

How many needles do you use during a project? Have you ever loaded up a needle for every color? Do you use a new needle for every project or recycle your favorite needle?

I use only one needle per project unless I lose it or it becomes too tarnished to flow smoothly through the fabric (and at that point the needle usually becomes an allergy trigger (even I am not officially allergic to it) as when the coating is off the nickel comes out to play).
As I see it, parking sounds like a good idea in theory, but at this moment I don't see myself doing it as I am way too short-tempered for that. I would just lose my nerves and become to hate the whole project. But I am not saying I couldn't try it, in far distant future.
I don't have favourite needle, and as I see needles just as tools I don't attach any sentimental value to them. When the needle becomes tarnished (and that happens with every brand (excluding platinum needles), even with Piecemakers) I throw it away and take new one. Though, when it comes to platinum needles I usually just lose them somewhere because I have never met a platinum needle which have become tarnished, even in my acidy hands.