Shoveling Ferret

4.07.2009

I like this scorpion better than the other one of my acquaintance...

scorpion in pink
Originally uploaded by Diana Prince

Versus

Pinchy

That thing was hanging out right by the TP in the latrine late one night. I found it. Never have I been so grateful for my headlamp. I was even happier when my husband informed me that one of the common names for this particular time is Deathstalker. Yeah, I definitely like the crocheted one better.

An Easter food musing

So, I'm lounging on the couch watching Good Eats on Food Network - I assume they're running Easter-associated food shows leading up to the weekend. Tonight's episodes have been ham (I missed most of that one) and lamb (on as I type this). Both very tasty things - lamb is really under-appreciated in the US in my opinion and pig is damn tasty. :)

Something that usually occurs to me and then speedily flees my brain after the Easter season is why ham and lamb tend to be the traditional foods for Easter lunch or dinner (at least in the US, as far as I know).

It seems strange to me that one option is something that Christ (not getting into historicity here, just going on basic "accepted" knowledge) wouldn't have eaten as a good Jew (pork) and the other is a creature associated with one of the many titles given to Christ ("Lamb of God"). I'm probably way over analyzing, but it just like either disrespecting the cultural origins of Christ or eating him (not going into Catholic theology here - I spent enough years being catechized in private school), which I would think would be creepy for at least some flavors of Christianity. :)

I can guess at reasons why for lamb - the association with Passover, spring being lambing season, etc.

Pork I can postulate as having been historically easier to raise than, say, cattle, and ham as a traditional preserved food, thus providing a source of meat even in the early spring, probably even before lambing.

Anyway, I just find it anthropologically interesting - not enough to devote a large amount of research, but enough to comment on and make random postulations based on whatever is floating around in my head after 10 years of higher education. :)

Any comments? Similar musings?

My new favorite Egyptology news source

Even better, I can enjoy it openly without fear of negative career repercussions! (No, I'm not kidding or exaggerating - people refer to Hawass in code while in Egypt "just in case.")

You have no idea how much I wish the t-shirts were actually for sale...

Egyptastic - peruse the archives, I'm pretty sure "ZH" doesn't have access to the visitor logs.

Guhhh

I think we may be lighter on content today than usual. My lack of sleep Sunday night, cluster of medical appointments Monday and Tuesday, and the stupid-ass cold weather are making me achier and stupider than usual. (Case in point: I tried to schedule a follow-up appointment for 11 PM and it took me a minute to figure out why the very nice lady helping me was looking at me so oddly. Though more flexible clinic hours would be cool...) Even just the short trips to the hospital tend to be draining for me, though the walk is good for me. No news, really.

Oreo is quite grumpy, however. He's gotten used to me being home all day and my coming and going has not only left him without his preferred back warmer, but has also disturbed his daytime naps when he hears me at the door (barking is a required greeting, sometimes he even stands up and gets off the couch).

Sock Pattern Generator

Elizabeth Bennett's Perl Sock Program

Puns plus socks!

Via Whip Up

4.06.2009

Shades of Sudan

[Edit]: As per usual with Cyanide and Happiness, I cannot get it to load within the post column without cutting off the final frame(s). Clicking on the comic will take you to a readable version. Not sure how to solve this problem, but I'll see what I can do. If anyone has suggestions for my mostly-html-illiterate self, they'll be appreciated if I can understand them. ;)

Cyanide & Happiness @ Explosm.net

I have this hypothesis that social pecking order among the men in the area where I was digging is partially indicated by sunglasses. The more blinged-out the glasses, the more significant the person. I wish I'd been able to get some good illustrative pictures. One guy had these fabulous Chanel (or meant to be) sunglasses with the gold interlocking C's. The thing is, he managed not to look ridiculous at all.

The thrill my crew that season for part of the dig - Abdullah and Ramalli, two local teenagers - got from borrowing my sunglasses when I took their pictures fits in nicely with my hypothesis. If only I'd had more pairs and hadn't desperately needed them, I'd have gifted them happily - those guys were awesome.

Ramalli

Abdullah

Girl in a Frog Suit and Her Pet Frog Crochet Pattern

Girl in a Frog Suit and Her Pet Frog Crochet Pattern
Originally uploaded by stripeyblue

I have a thing for costumes and the color green, so this makes me happy on two levels. Another one I might just purchase!

Today's (and possibly the week's) theme

see more Lolcats and funny pictures

Yeah. Don't know if it's the weather (there's a freakin' blizzard, never mind that it's April) or my body deciding to mess with me again/still/more. Either way, I've been in gradually increasing pain and stiffness most of the day, including parts that haven't hurt in months. And I haven't been particularly or unusually active, so that's not it. I think I'll be slathering myself in BenGay before bed. Oooh, the romance...

On the bright side, I found a nice re-fillable day-planner thing today to use instead of my increasingly ratty and not very durable 5x7 spiral notebooks.

I got some paint and sculpey to play with to make amigurumi accessories (I have yet to make said amigurumi, but we'll get to that).

And I ate an almost-pint of coffee ice-cream from the container.

I wonder if I can turn menthol-scented crocheted items into a niche market?

4.05.2009

Oreo vs. the Mouse

An epic (avoidance of) battle...

So, while we were gone a mouse took up residence behind one of our bookcases next to our corner entertainment center. We accidentally left Oreo's bowl out with some food in it and the mouse obviously realized he had hit the ultimate vermin jackpot.

Oreo's reaction has been to avoid his bowls despite thorough cleaning (which are by the bookcase because he won't eat unless someone is with him and standing in the kitchen while he eats isn't feasible) and eye the general area with mild concern.

Meanwhile, the mouse has been being a little punk ass. Tom put down a glue trap along a route the mouse almost has to take. Unfortunately, it's an old glue trap and isn't all that sticky. The mouse, apparently channeling Cirque du Soleil, does this awesome sort of handstand/cartwheel maneuver on the baseboard every time he needs to take that path. If he does get a little mousey paw stuck, it doesn't stick that much and he just jiggles a bit and gets free.

So, the mouse has been having a blast running around on the bookshelf. He fell off some books the other night and landed with an audible thunk on the floor. Did he panic? No. He laid there looking kind of dazed, shook his head a few times, and went on his merry vermin way. Meanwhile, our noble hunter, descendant of wolves, companion to royalty, one time member of the Sporting class continued to snooze next to me on the couch. Not even an ear twitch. At best, he cuddles closer to me if the mouse's chewing gets a bit loud.

Bear in mind, this is the same dog who launches himself with vicious barking, growling, slavering abandon at horses, cows, CTA busses, motorcycles, moose (on TV), German Shepherds, and pillows.

We decided it was time that Oreo have a heart to heart with his daddy...

Daddy (Oreo's that is) tries a pep talk:

(Oreo hates lectures)

The pep talk continues...

Oreo remains unconvinced...

Finally, Daddy gets to the point...

"Are you freakin' kidding me?!?!" Oreo expresses his disdain for having something as nasty as a mouse in his mouth. Ptththt.

So, the score is currently:

Mouse: 1

Humans: 0

Oreo: Not even in the game

4.04.2009

Think Geek MUST make this

I'm sure few Star Wars fans and those of a generally geeky nature missed Think Geek's awesome April Fool's joke

After vociferous protest from the blogosphere, best summed up in my opinion by Geek Central Station's post Think Geek has promised to try to see if they can get permission to produce it. Even if they can't, I think I might wind up making one myself - if not for myself then for a lucky niece and/or nephew or eventually offspring of my own (who will undoubtedly be Star Wars fans, unless they like the idea of boarding school).

Amigurumi cactus

Amigurumi cactus
Originally uploaded by L♥valizious

These are wonderful and I'm hoping their creator has a pattern available. I have an abiding fondness for nearly everything desert related (and dessert related, but that's another post). The addition of the felt flowers is fabulous and I like the shot-glass planters.

Does it really taste that much different when it isn't in the bowl?

see more Lolcats and funny pictures

Oreo does this - he adores the food on the floor. Occasionally he doesn't feel like eating but will eat if I feed him by hand (yes, I lost my self-respect years ago - grad school does that). I don't get it. Although...ice cream is better if eaten directly from the carton. Milk is more fun drunk from the jug. Maybe I do get it after all.

Lounging Chameleon

Lounging Chameleon
Originally uploaded by hansigurumi

I love this chameleon and along with many others am eagerly awaiting a pattern. The pose, the colors, the subject - they're all wonderful. I can't decide whether I like the eye or the tail the best.

Yay new craft book!

Photo 3
Originally uploaded by shoveling_ferret

Behold the glorious grainy photo of me with my latest acquisition - I even got out of pajamas today expressly to go to Borders and pick it up.
Now to go about acquiring a larger selection of felt colors.

What to make first???

Geek Central Station: Crochet R2D2 Pattern!

Geek Central Station Star Wars Amigurumi

I adore all of Geek Central Station's elaborately costumed and accessoried dudes, so of course I had to share the R2D2. It's not her pattern, that honor belongs to dorfmunder from whom you can purchase the pattern, but it was made to scale with Geek Central Station's dudes. So awesome!

I'm not sure if I can pull off cutting the felt so small myself with my hands being shaky as they usually are - at least if I want to keep fingers and what's left of my sanity - but I imagine if I ask super-sweetly by darling hubby will help. Or I may have a good day. Regardless, I suspect part of my birthday money (you are NEVER too old for birthday money) will be going to buy this sweet pattern.

4.03.2009

Muppet Hats!

Oscar The Grouch Hat on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Cookie Monster Hat

Both by Catrinau for her sons

If only I were young enough to get away with making and wearing these myself. I love the hair on Oscar (and have a special affinity for him) and I love Cookie Monster's googly eyes.

Is it sick that I find the blurred background view of the deceased mermaid hilarious?

[Edit]: Yes, I realize that the end is cut off, click on the picture!

Comics - Explosm.net

Cyanide & Happiness @ Explosm.net

Because I do...

Make Creative Placemat Handbags (Interview!) | Dollar Store Crafts

Making handbags is also high on my must-do list. I have some fat quarters to work with already. Placemats are also an appealing possibility. Staci's suggestions for Dollar Store finds as well as thrift store finds are awesome.

Craftzine.com blog : Alter Egos Exposed: The Art of Anthea Bush

I love this piece. Check out the Craft blog for Anthea Bush's awesome helmets, too as well as a link to her personal site.

Craft Leftovers � Sleepy Ferret Hammock :: Free Sewing Pattern!

Hurray for ferret related crafts! Alas, we no longer have a pet ferret, but my husband and I did in college. Her name was Bandit and we adopted her when she was about 2 from a trucker who simply didn't have time for her anymore. She was a handful and a joy. I don't know if I could keep up with the mischievous shenanigans of a ferret these days and I know our current apartment would be nearly impossible to ferret-proof. Not to mention how deeply offended Oreo would be by the introduction of another baby. He met Bandit when she lived with hubby before we were able to both be in Chicago and she tormented him terribly. Being clever, she realized that he couldn't possibly hurt her if she was in her cage, so she taunted him by doing what we called the "stripper-dance" - stretching up on her back legs with her front paws on the rails and then sinuously slinking down.

She was a darling, though. Maybe I'll manage at least volunteering at a ferret shelter even in we can't manage another one of our own.

Embroidery Designs at Urban Threads - Projects

I love this skirt. Already added to the to-do list. :)

Found via Whip Up

Amigurumi Van gogh

Amigurumi Van gogh
Originally uploaded by ♥ Cari ♥

Whee!

4.02.2009

Nitocris - Enchanted Doll by Marina Bychkova

This particular doll has an Egyptian theme, so of course I like it, but Ms. Bychkova's work is so breathtakingly beautiful and detailed that I encourage everyone to spend some time browsing her gallery.

Venus of Willendorf Sculpture Statuette Form Figure

Venus of Willendorf Sculpture Statuette Form Figure
Originally uploaded by melbangel

Archaeologically themed crafts are always popular with me.

Frog Mario

Frog Mario
Originally uploaded by Nintendoboy

Ahh, memories of misspent youth. The frog suit was the best way to make it across ice...

Alas, I don't think it's hand-crafted so much as a collectible.

More tiny cuteness

Tori and Amos on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Yet more photos for smiling.

vleermuis

vleermuis
Originally uploaded by Horriblesweet

I find this doll fascinating.... The snarky bit of me wants to say that it's a high-class version of Bat Boy from the Weekly World News. The rest of me just wants to stare at it...

Wow

Originally uploaded by lime in moloko

And more for the creepy factor. This is amazing, it actually gave me a bit of a chill (as Cthulu is supposed to do).

Mutter Museum Twins-White1

Mutter Museum Twins-White1
Originally uploaded by Strange Dolls

Nifty! I love the details, I love the creepy factor - it's beautiful!

alien in the dark on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Yet another in the creepy-cute category. Glow-in-the-dark usually appeal to the child in me.

frente on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

This dude made a grin split my face when he popped up in my feed...

Ballerina

Brisa image 1 on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Go and have a look at this delicate little amigurumi ballerina. The detail is beautiful, especially in her slippers.

Tutanchan on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Egyptological cuteness!! Hurray!!!!! Must make my own!!!!!

love begins...

love begins...
Originally uploaded by saplanet

I find this tableau so sweet and charming. Plus, it reminds me of when my husband was living in one state and I was living in another. I inevitably would call him when he was about to eat or was asleep. Poor boy.

Yet another reason Etsy is awesome

Etsy :: The Storque :: How-To :: How-Tuesday: Make a Donkey Softie

Free patterns! Make your own adorable donkey softie!

Octozombie on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Awesome. I know at least one friend who will like this.

Tada’s Revolution

I've posted from this blog before and have added it to my feed. The tableau and creations are always charming and worth a peek when you need a smile.

{ Yummy Yarn | A Periodic Table of Knitting }

This is pretty fun and I'll look forward to seeing it done.

Dragons!

dragon love on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Dragons, crochet, and adorableness, what more could I ask for?

star wars mice whip up

These are ridiculously adorable. From house of mouse etsy shop

Keka

Keka
Originally uploaded by -gobolino-

Very creepy-cute.

Craft Leftovers Craft Leftovers Challenge Charity!

I definitely need to get on board with this!

Make an Alien Abduction Lamp | Dollar Store Crafts

This is so cool. When I have a craft room, I will have to make one of my own.

Adopt an Alien!

I love these! See here for how to adopt or just to admire the various aliens there or in the Flickr stream.

Bobby on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Tibbin

TUTORIAL: Make a Lined Zippered Pouch - PURSES, BAGS, WALLETS

Hurray! Yet more help in making bags! I got some very sweet Asian-themed fat quarters and some remnants for lining at JoAnn's in Las Vegas for my birthday. Now I've got to start cracking on the bag making.

The Crew on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

I especially like the sort of dazed expression on the one on the right...

Robert the Rabbit on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

The sweater and the stitching on the ears and paws are what I really love.

Pulp Fiction's Vincent Vega & Jules Winnfeild - CROCHET

Discovered via Geek Crafts.

Little Euri

Little Euri
Originally uploaded by knittingdreams

So adorable! Check her profile for a link to her Etsy shop!

easter chicksss

easter chicksss
Originally uploaded by Harugurumi

Also adorable!

little chick wedding dolls

little chick wedding dolls
Originally uploaded by Harugurumi

These are absolutely adorable. Be sure to see more of her lovely work at :: Harugurumi ::: Easter is approching...

Catching up

The beloved husband, doggy, and I were all on vacation last week to visit my parents and celebrate my birthday. I returned to find over a thousand Google Reader posts waiting... I'll be slowly catching up over the next week or so - I'm still recovering from the trip. I really enjoyed myself, but I also tired myself out pretty thoroughly.

Hopefully there will be no further experiments in hosting, etc. to add to my confusion. :)

Anyway, I've got a lot of stuff in the pipeline to share - a lot of it stuff I enjoyed seeing from my Flickr pool feeds, some meditations/essays, and other random news.

Puzzle Square on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

I like the knotting, very nice - sort of Celtic feel

And what do you know...

In my brain-fogged state, I failed to realize the difference between WordPress free hosting and WordPress the blog client (for which you must obtain a host). WordPress free hosting does not do what I want it to do and is not nearly sufficiently flexible and I don't see the point in paying for web hosting as this blog has maybe 2 devoted readers at the moment. Sigh...

As much as Blogger annoys me, I prefer it to WordPress, primarily because of the integration with various Google services, especially Reader and because of the relative degree of flexibility even if you have no html-fu to speak of. However, I hate the Blogger web interface, especially when dealing with images. At the moment, I'm looking for a desktop blogging client for Mac OS X - preferably free, but as time goes on I may be willing to pay a bit. I've already tried Qumana and find it annoying and not particularly functional - I especially dislike the failure to recognize and download drafts for editing. Nor am I seeing the ease of "drag and drop" though that might be because I'm slower than usual today. I tried an extension for Open Office but it cannot seem to connect to Blogger, despite claiming that it could do so, so that did no good, especially as I haven't the patience to fiddle with the blasted thing.

I'm contemplating trying Flock, but I prefer using Safari as my primary browser, especially because Safari (and Safari alone) integrates so beautifully with Notebook. I'd rather not run multiple browsers...

So, I need a desktop blogging client that meets the following criteria:

Mac OS X (native, no running X11 or any of that happy crap...yes Gimp, I'm looking at you and flipping you the bird)
Integrates well with Blogger, including draft management regardless of where the draft was originally made (in other words, if I started it via web or if I started it in the client)
Easy to use (seriously, my brain has shiny spots...)
Better graphic management than the Blogger interface
Free or inexpensive (under $30)

My innate fickleness...

...has led me to migrate to WordPress in the hopes that it won't annoy me as much as blogger...

Bear with me as I make the shift, undoubtedly it will be painful for all concerned, especially as I seem to be especially brain-foggy this week...

Here is the new blog: link

University of Chicago Knitting Pattern

A lovely pattern by Sivia Harding to make your very own U of C scarf - vitally necessary in the winter, I might add...

Direct link to pattern pdf here

And Ravelry link (Requires membership)

(From the December 2005 issue of The University of Chicago Magazine)

4.01.2009

So Many Sackboys!

Custom Sackboys!

I haven't even played the game and I'm obsessed with this little dude, though not as obsessed as some I know.

Via Sprite Stitch

LEGO Mon Calamari Star Cruiser

Never underestimate the awesomeness possible with LEGO (r)

From here.

Via:

Geek Central Station: It's a Mon Cal Cruiser!

Nefertiti Bust Has Two Faces, Radiology Reveals : Discovery News

This is pretty interesting and adds to the more nuanced view of the purported "realism" of Amarna period art, if nothing else. The bust is one of my most adored pieces of Egyptian art - the sculptor, Thutmose (one of the few artist names to survive) was brilliant and the belief (I'll admit to not knowing if it's still current) that the bust was merely a trial piece or training piece makes the work all the more astonishing.

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