The Snook is a bit anal about rinsing all the cans and jars we intend to recycle. I’m lazy so I’m not. Turns out that it doesn’t really matter, so I win!
Author: Kris
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More Media Whoring!
The Kris Howard Media Onslaught Continues
We just got a call from Channel 7, and apparently they need someone to go on Sunrise tomorrow to teach the anchor Mel how to knit. Guess who got the job? I hope I’m skinny enough for the morning show! (If any other Sydneysiders are interested in joining me, they need more people knitting in the background. Of course, you’d have to get up at the butt-crack of dawn…) -
Biometric Passports
Huh. The US has begin issuing biometric passports with RFID chips. I wonder if this is why it’s taking so long for my family to get theirs. Looks like the Garbericks are at the forefront of the global war on terra!
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5555
This is officially Post #5555. Thank you.
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Marianne’s Cardy
Marianne’s cardigan is finished!
And it only took me two months longer than I expected. *sigh* Of course, that’s to be expected when you completely change patterns halfway through. After struggling through a fairisle cardy of my own design, I shelved that WIP in favor of something I could actually finish in time for Marianne to get some use out of it. This little hooded, cabled cardigan is my second project from Sirdar’s Denim Book of Aran Knits, and it’s knitted out of Denim Sport Aran (in “Purple Heather,” which has since been discontinued, I think). For once I didn’t bother with altering the pattern to knit it in the round, or make it longer, or switch anything around. Instead I just cast on and did exactly what the damn thing said. I was a little worried about the sad state of my mattress stitch, but luckily since I was mostly sewing moss stitch to moss stitch, you can’t even tell where it’s wonky. I made an excursion to All Buttons Great and Small yesterday for the buttons. Isn’t it cute? This was my first experience with both pockets and a hood, and I’m really proud of how well it turned out. I hope Marianne’s Mom and Dad like it! (Note: I deliberately knitted it two sizes too big. I figured she’d grown a bit since the last measurements I had – which were six months old by now – and this way she’ll hopefully get to wear it next year too.) -
Trail Note
Trail Note
The Dove is trying to get me to think about “cycles” in my workouts, such as cycling between easy days, medium days, and real tough grueling days. Then there are larger cycles, like easy weeks and hard weeks. I get the concept, but I’m having a little difficulty with the execution. Having an “easy” week feels too much like I’m slacking off. So I’ve settled for having “different” weeks. Last week was quite focussed on running, with two long runs to Centennial Park. This week I’m doing shorter runs but more kickboxing and strength work. I’m also working in more fartlek this week, doing sprints and generally just running faster when I can. It keeps me interested. I did my Pyrmont-to-Glebe run today in forty-five minutes, but since that includes the time I spent waiting at stoplights I figure I’ve definitely cut a few minutes off that route. I don’t feel like my pace is so glacial anymore. I think I’m finally seeing some real improvement!I still have my mental setbacks though. Last night I ran up through Newtown to the top of Enmore Road, and on my way back I passed one of the guys from my WW group. We shared a wave and I sort of sheepishly said, “I’m being good tonight!” And he was all laughing, like “I’m not!” And so afterwards for like ten minutes, I was trying to think of excuses I could give him at the next meeting for why I was working out, stuff like “I’m saving up Points for my birthday” or “I’m trying to meet a weight deadline” or something. But then I realized that’s bullshit. Why am I making excuses for doing stuff that’s good for me? It’s like I morphed back into my high school self, trying to shrug off my good grades and going to pains to explain to the other kids that I hadn’t, like, studied or anything. Because it’s obviously not cool to TRY for anything. But how else are you supposed to lose weight? It’s not like it’s some magical process where it just melts away if you wish hard enough. So I decided that I’m through making apologies for trying to improve myself. That’s just stupid.
Oh, but get this – I was talking to my Dad on the phone today and he asked me what my weight was in pounds, so I worked it out for him. Later I had this nagging feeling that I had missed something big… and then it hit me. For the first time in, like, ten years, I actually weigh LESS than the amount listed on my driver’s license. For real! That number used to be my *wink wink, nudge nudge* “Oh, sure you weigh 180, riiiight…” and now I’m actually below it! I am very proud of that.
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The Food Loop
For some reason I’m all about new products today. It’s Friday and I feel like shopping! Anyhoo, check out thefoodloop. I definitely think the Snook needs some of those for his next birthday. He’s a big fan of making elaborate stuffed roasts, and somehow I always end up holding massive pieces of meat together while he curses at useless kitchen twine. Plus we’re suckers for kitchen gadgets.
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The Slanket
Presenting The Slanket, the “Best Blanket Ever.” My first thought was that it was a brilliant idea, and it really is the best blanket ever. But the more I looked at the site, the more perplexed I got. What exactly is it? They never really show you a picture of just the Slanket so you can see how it’s constructed. I assume this is because A) fleece is really cheap and easy to sew and you could just make your own, and B) you’d notice that you could achieve the same result for nothing simply by wearing your dressing gown back-to-front. (Link courtesy of Pop Culture Junk Mail.)
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Hoth Olympics
Wait. You mean it’s actually still possible to launch a “humorous” petition and get featured in an internationally-syndicated news story? What is this, 1996?
