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Lest you think I’ve been slacking, I should probably report that the Storm at Sea Quilt is still on schedule. There were some minor mishaps though. First, while ironing the completed quilt top I forgot the third rule of Quilt Club: “Don’t try to iron while watching James Bond and drinking Diet Coke.” (The first and second, of course, are “You do not talk about Quilt Club.” But I’ve broken that one too.) Anyway, yeah, I spilled it everywhere. Luckily a quick wash fixed it right up. Then when I finally went to put the damn thing together, I found, like, a gaping hole in one of the rows. Some emergency slip-stitching was performed and the patient recovered well. Eventually I got it all basted together and was finally able to start quilting. On my mother’s advice, I’m using a dark blue thread that matches the backing fabric. I did this so my inevitable mistakes won’t show so much. I’ve got about a square foot done now, and it’s going okay. I was pretty stressed at first, thinking that it needed to be perfect since it’s going to be a wedding present. But seriously, if they wanted a store-bought blanket they could just buy one, right? I’ve spent months on this thing, and I know our friends will appreciate that. So now I’m happily stitching away. I figure the sooner I get this thing done, the better. Summer’s coming and sitting under a quilt in hundred-degree heat will not be fun.

That said, I think I’m going to take a break from the quilting after I finish this one and learn to knit. Then again, maybe I could actually find a hobby suited to the climate I live in, huh?

Friday Five:

1. What are your favorite ways to relax and unwind?
Here lately I’m all about the baths. I just crank the hot water in a our big ol’ tub and chuck in a bath bomb or some bubble bar. Then I settle in with a book and soak til I’m wrinkly. Ahhhh… I also like working in our back courtyard. I water the plants and rake up the dead leaves and hang clothes on the line. I love being out in the sun.

2. What do you do the moment you get home from work/school/errands?
Hmm. *blink* You mean, like, leaving the house? Working from home means you don’t do that much. I suppose when I do leave, the first thing I do when I get back is check my e-mail. Seriously. (I know how lame that sounds.) If I’m coming back from the gym, it’s straight into the shower.

3. What are your favorite aromatherapeutic smells?
“Aromatherapeutic”? What a girly question. I don’t really know. I like the stuff that’s in my bubble bar – patchouli and tea tree oil. That’s pretty good.

4. Do you feel more relaxed with a group of friends or hanging out by yourself?
Definitely by myself or with just the Snook. I tend to get too self-conscious when I’m out with others. Not that I don’t have fun; it’s just that it’s not exactly relaxing.

5. What is something that you feel is relaxing but most people don’t?
Working on my websites. I’m sure most people (whether part of the industry or not) don’t think of writing PHP as a relaxing activity. I like the busywork though. I can turn my brain off and still feel productive.

I saw the headline for this article and got all excited about Apple-inspired haute couture. Then I found out they meant raincoats. Whatever. Yeah, I’m a nerd.

The Australian bush fire season has started a month early. Thanks to the drought we’ve been having, there are now more than seventy blazes burning in New South Wales. Sheesh. That kinda makes me feel a little guilty for enjoying the blue skies so much. I hope this Christmas doesn’t turn out like last year’s. The firemen deserve a holiday.

Mega update over at the Dahl site. I stumbled across the Locus Index to Science Fiction which had a treasure trove of information about Dahl. I couldn’t stop til I assimilated it all. I think I have carpel tunnel syndrome now.

Sometimes you just get tired of being taken for granted, you know?
Update: Feeling much better, thanks. No more Martyr Kris. Back to the fun! 🙂

Oh no. Don’t mention their names. They’re here.

There’s a Metafilter discussion about skydiving that I’m participating in. I did a tandem jump back in May 1999 to celebrate graduating college. (It was a present from Dad.) I’m feeling a little freaked, though, reading about the many recent fatalities at Skydive Chicago, where we jumped.

Recent Search Requests at this Site:

– coriolus effect northern southern hemisphere drains
Ah, the classic science experiment. My friend Pat and I tried it back in February. It really does go the opposite way here.

– james marsters workout
I imagine it involves kicking, punching, and faking a British accent all while wearing a leather trench coat. It’s tough, but it’ll give you great cheek bones.

– movie office space bill lumbergh license plate
Umm, yeahhh, I’m gonna need you to come in on the weekend, okay?

– Nigella Lawson pictures nude
I haven’t seen any of these, but if they exist I bet she’s lasciviously eating phallic-shaped food in them. She’s always doing that.

– “andy roddick” nude
Again, no nude pictures here, but he does look incredibly like my brother. And no, I won’t give you nude pictures of Antny.

– “goldfish euthanasia”
Waaaaah! Rest in peace, Admiral Ackbar.

– photos of jesse bradford and his boyfriends
Is Jesse Bradford gay? Does it matter? Hummina hummina. Yes please.

– vintage buddy icons
How vintage can they be? IM’s been around for, what, less than 10 years? Ding dong.

– rice krispie chocolate balls
I’ve never tried ’em, but I bet they’re salty.

I’m thinking of making a peasant blouse. Yes, I know they’re a fad, but I still kinda like the way this one looks. It seems simple enough. I’m just wondering at the lack of shoulder material though. Specifically, can one wear a bra with a shirt like this? (And not have it show? I’m not one of those girls.)