You Don't Know Until You Get There

For awhile now I've been trying to make up my mind about something I was fairly sure about. I'm talking I was 99% sure I'd take a certain course of action, but when the time finally came to actually go ahead and do it my decision was completely different. Go figure!

I probably knew subconsciously that I wouldn't attend the hearing as I was planning on doing all this time, but I was so intent on it. When it was finally time to go yesterday I looked in the mirror and I just knew. I knew that everyone else was right - there was no reason for me to be there. Maybe it just took getting to that place in time; when push came to shove to realize that I no longer felt the need to do what I so strongly felt I needed to do all those months ago.

I guess you really don't know how you're really going to act until you get there.

Until later . . .

A Knitters Dozen Worth Of Thoughts

• Everyone was right and I was wrong - at least on this particular matter.

• The yarn g-ds seem to know just the right time for yarn to show up in my mailbox.

• Burrr...

• Who knew popcorn could cause a building evacuation.

• Three seems like such a small number, but these days it seems to make a big difference.

• Five months is a long time to go between hair cuts.

• Take a leap of faith.

• How could my gut go on vacation at a time like this? I still haven't made a decision.

• Figures now that I'm 100% back to my natural hair color I want to change it again.

• The pot boils at the least expected moments.

• Dare to dream AND do something about it!

• "Seriously!? You want me to pay you back with yarn for the take 'n' bake pizza you picked up for me?"

• I didn't know I was lost until I found myself.

• Imitation is the sincerest form for flattery.

Until later . . .

Short and Sweet

This post is gonna be a short one. . .

This past week I discovered I was about 20 square off on my final count for the Sock Yarn Blankie. So instead of 716 squares I really need 736 squares to make it as long and wide as Shelly Kang's original blanket. However, I want to large enough to fit my bed which means I'm going to have to make mine bigger than hers which is, per her blog post - 53" X 72.5", or 134 X 184 cm (diamond point to diamond point.) I want mine to be 76" x 80". YIKES! This is why I refuse to measure it right now. I don't want to think about how much more I really have to go. Otherwise it won't be fun anymore. And yes, I now know what my retirement money will be spent on - scrap sock yarn!

With all that in mind, here is my Sock Blankie update . . .


The Official Sock Yarn Blankie Square Count for July 14, 2009:

Squares Needed: 736

Squares Knit and Stitched Together: 36 (8 more square than last week.)

Squares Ready to be Added: 0

Remaining Squares Needed: LOTS! In real numbers 700

I started the sock affectionately now known as the "Sweet Sixteen Socks" Sunday and am 3/4 done with the first one. I guess it helps that they are anklets. I'm really excited to see them turning out so well. It will just be a matter of time before they are completely finished.

Ok, so maybe this post isn't as "short and sweet" as I thought it would. However, that's all I have for now.

Until later . . .

What Were They Thinking?

Today I picked up a friend to Chicago's Midway Airport. It was only my second time at this particular airport as when I fly I usually depart from Chicago's O'Hare Airport. Both times I've been to Midway as I approached the airport I have thought to myself, "What were they thinking putting an airport in the middle of a neighborhood?" If you've been there before you know what I'm talking about. If not, literally you're driving along and it looks like a regular neighborhood - you've got homes up and down the side streets, chain fast food restaurants and the local transit system running its regular routes. Then all the sudden out of nowhere - BANG - there are blue informational signs directing you to economy extended parking, the terminal and the terminal parking garage and the departure and arrival unloading/loading zones. It honestly looks like someone looked around the hood and decided it needed an airport so they just dropped one in for kicks.

Up until a few hours ago, I wasn't aware of Midway's history. Apparently it started its operations in 1923 under the name of Chicago Municipal Airport and was officially dedicated in 1927 by then Mayor William H. Thompson. Hmmm. . . my theory that the Daley clan had something to do with its existence was wrong. However, as I read on, it was the City of Chicago's current Mayor Richard M. Daley who did ok the expansion project or "Midway Airport Terminal Development Program" in 1996. (Phew! And here I thought the Daleys would not have some sort of accountability in this absurdity.)

Getting back to its history . . . Like anything else, over time the airport began to grow and in 1941 it joined the World War II efforts because it could offer lengthy runways. In 1949, the airport was officially renamed "Chicago Midway" in honor of the WW II Battle of Midway - not after Midway Airlines which would later take up residence there.

After reading all about its history, I have to guess it was the neighborhood that grew up around Midway and not the other way around. That doesn't make the experience of going to Midway any less entertaining. Even though I know the true history behind this airport it won't make it any less funny in my eyes and I will always get a chuckle or two out of it as well.

Until later . . .

Purple Suede Elephant

I have this annoying habit of being that person who calls attention to the "purple suede elephant" in the middle of a room that no one wants to acknowledge. Personally, I don't find this annoying as I'd prefer better understand the things that don't make sense to me rather than just accept the status quo. Also, when I asked about the PSE I do so in a respectful manner - I don't want to cause any additional friction then there may already be. However, as I just mentioned, these questions can potentially lead to friction and backlash.

It is actually my current boss who has taught me to be direct with people when it comes to the questions I want to ask of others. Instead of trying to get an answer in a round-about manner it makes most sense to just be up front. Funny how that "open communication" approach thing works - isn't it. To this same accord, it's also had an effect on how I answer questions. Rather than avoid an uncomfortable question I face them head on.

That's all I really have to say on this topic. If there is any point to this entry it's just don't be afraid to ask about the things that don't make sense to you - chances are someone else has the same questions but is too afraid to ask themselves.

Until later . . .