I knew you could cut up grocery bags and knit with them… but I’d never have guessed someone would make an entire 1950’s outfit. Wow.

Who’s that? Oh, it’s me and friggin’ Kim and Kelly Deal, that’s who!

So I was in the knitting shop, and this American-sounding chick came in looking for wool. So I helped her pick out some stuff, and she was soon joined by another chick… who looked just like her. “Are you guys–?” I asked. “Yep, twins,” they said. They were here for more than an hour – in fact, they’re still here – and I chatted to them off-and-on, completely oblivious. “Where are you guys from? Oh, Ohio? Yeah, I’m a Hoosier. I hope you’re not Ohio State fans.” “Go Buckeyes!” they said. After a while, I headed in to the office to call our warehouse guy. As I was on the phone with him, Lissa came in with a wild look in her eyes. She grabbed a pen and proceeded to write “KIM DEAL” in front of me. “NO F**KING WAY.” I can’t believe I missed it. I went back out and proceeded to be the lamest fangirl ever, and they kindly submitted to this ultra-crappy mobile phone picture for me. (Why I didn’t take the megapixel shop camera on my desk, I have no idea.) They’re making OSU signs, in case you’re wondering. So yeah, today I got to meet my 16-year-old alternateen heroes. What a day, huh?

For the clueless, the Deal sisters were in two of the seminal alternative rock bands of the late 80’s and early 90’s: the Pixies and the Breeders. The Pixies have reformed and are currently touring, and apparently they’re doing a show in Sydney tomorrow night. I was more of a Breeders fan, ever since I caught the video for “Cannonball” on an episode of 120 Minutes. “Last Splash” was on constant rotation in my car from the day I got it. I have a prized-but-ratty Breeders T-shirt at home that I bought at Tower Records when I was 16 and have worn ever since. How cool is that?

No Ribbon For Me
Hey, it looks like the Easter Show winners have been posted! And I didn’t win anything. Judging by my level of disappointment, apparently I secretly cared a lot more than I told everyone I did. 🙁

Update: Holy crap! Veronica got a first place! Way to go, Veronica! At least somebody I know won something.

It appears that our washing machine has been fixed. Phew! I was really dreading having to carry a backpack of dirty clothes home, like some lazyass college student.

So it looks like The Chaser scored a record rating for last night’s show, and in usual web-goddess fashion, I am prepared to take all the credit for it. Hey, I sat in that stupid booth for, like, three hours!

Citibank = Spammers
How annoying is this? I was just out in the knitting shop helping a customer, when this young guy and chick walk in. They’re wearing matching Citibank lanyards so I figure they’ve come over from a meeting or something.

Me: What can I help you with?
Guy: We’re just going around to all the businesses in the area let you know about our great low interest rates–
Me: I’m sorry, what?
Guy: We got a great new low interest rate going.
Me: *blank stare* For what, loans?
Guy: Yes.
Me: You’re in here… during the work day… offering me a loan?
Guy: We’re just going to everyone on this street–
Me: I’m sorry; we’re working in a knitting shop. We’re not interested in loans.
Guy: But–
Me: And I personally make it a policy not to respond to unsolicited commercial… SPAM.
Chick: What part of America are you from? *smarmy grin*
Me: Uh, Indiana.
Chick: Do they have a lot of marketing over there?
Me: I wouldn’t know. I’ve been here for five years.
Guy: When is the business owner available?
Me: He’s upstairs right now. SERVING CUSTOMERS.
Guy: We’ll come back later.
Me: You can try your luck, but I doubt it’ll work…

Spam. People spam. How is this different from cold calling? It’s even more confrontational since it’s IN MY FACE. (And of course, there’s no National “Do Not Pester Me in Person” Registry.) It’s annoying enough to get off the bus at Town Hall and have to run the gauntlet of chuggers and beggars; I don’t need marketroids following me into the workplace. And what’s up with asking where I come from? It’s like she was suggesting that only Americans would find their tactics objectionable. WHATEVER. I should send in a complaint.

DIY Peeps. *shudder*

The cover art for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows has been revealed! I have to say, the US cover is about ten times better than the British one. The latter looks like a freakin’ Pratchett book.I suppose the only real spoiler is that Harry is wearing Slytherin’s amulet, right? I like the close-up of it on the adult cover. Very nice. But what’s up with Ron and Hermione breaking into Gringott’s with him? And Ron‘s wielding Gryffindor’s sword??

For those that taped The Chaser tonight, the best shot of us came right after the “Qantas choir” bit. The camera pulls back across the audience and – if you look towards the top, about six rows behind the “Brian Burke associates” – you can see a very familiar mustache. And I’m the one in pink sitting beside it.

I’ll see if the Snook can get a screenshot later.

I read this article on password hacking, and now I’m setting proper (different!) passwords on all my sites. Which I should’ve done a long time ago. But I’m lazy.