Month: March 2013

The BodyguardThe Bodyguard (10 02 13) – Kevin Costner is good looking in this though I was not of fan of those high waisted trousers. Oh, the 90’s. It is a sad movie to watch because of Whitney Houston. She looked wonderful in this movie and I was reminded by her beautiful voice. The plot was melodramatic. I actually found myself a tad bored of it, but kept at it because of the actors and to see the ending. Rachel was very annoying. This is an utter cheese fest. I read that this was panned, but Roger Ebert, like me, believed there was some chemistry between the actors. Costner’s character and in a lot of roles I see him, is very restrained, but that does not mean he is cold.

Game of Thrones: The First Season (11-12 02 13) – Review here.

Notably Rewatched

InceptionInception (04 02 2013) – I primarily rewatched for the suit porn of JGL and Tom Hardy. Then I followed it up with a “BBC Horizon” documentary on dreams. Good themed viewing. I don’t list documentaries as much anymore because in general I forget. I don’t watch that many docs. Anyway, Inception is great even if you just watch for the visuals. It may be my favourite Nolan film.

Sunday Salon

Hello, everyone!

This week, I posted my review of Bringing Up Bébé by Pamela Druckerman, detailed what I read for BTT, featured a newly made pair of socks, and discussed why I love Jane Austen for the Classics Club Meme.

It was a busy week as I started five books this week at five different different places:
Hark a Vagrant by Kate Beaton is my work break read.
Walden by Henry David Thoreau was started one night before bed.
The Driver’s Seat by Muriel Spark was started on Friday while I was waiting to get my passport renewed. I finished it yesterday while at the second job, and I started Let’s Talk About Love by Carl Wilson which I may read a bit more today with some Walden.

When you have a book, you’re never bored that’s for sure.

Today, I’ll run some errands, read, and maybe play the fiddle for the first time in weeks. I usually don’t like St. Patrick’s Day, but its approach this year seems to make me guilty for the fact that I haven’t been practicing Irish fiddle music.

Knitting the Buttercup top is very slow going because of the garter sideways hem. I also did Bikram yoga this week, and it’s been years since I did hot yoga, but it felt very good to really sweat it out as the winter doesn’t really allow for that.

Off to really start my precious Sunday as this is the only day off now.

Have a good week!

Do you love Jane Austen or want to “dig her up and beat her over the skull with her own shin-bone”? (Phrase borrowed from Mark Twain).

Why? (for either answer)?
Favorite and/or least favorite Austen novel? – Classics Club March Meme

I love Jane Austen. Here are a few reasons:

  1. Characters and character development. Most of her lead characters well rounded, flawed, and engaging. Furthermore, they learn things and grow with the progression of the novel.
  2. Her subtle social commentary especially in regards to gender and societal norms as it applies to Regency England. Even now, I can relate to some of the things she wrote two hundred years ago. Austen understands women and writes about women in an intelligent manner.
  3. Following up on that, her proto-feminist and strong female protagonists. Elizabeth Bennet rejects two marriage proposals, Elinor Dashwood has sense and is realistic about money, and while Anne Elliot falls prey to other people’s influence at first, she develops her own sense of worth by the end of the novel. Quora has an answer on Austen’s heroines with feminist ideals.
  4. As a result of her strong female leads, the romances in her books are believable, touching and intelligent. All the couples have realistic conflicts such as timing and misunderstanding, but they overcome them in the end and are better people for it. Emma and Anne both knew their partners when the novel began, but neither would have would have become entangled if they didn’t learn a thing or two in the process.
  5. Austen’s writing style is witty, humorous, and perceptive. She is immensely rereadable and clever without being heavy. She was a one of the first to use first indirect discourse which is discussed on another Quora answer about what makes her a great author (love Quora).

As for favourites, I’ve enjoyed all of her novels, but Pride and Prejudice and Persuasion are the ones I read first and have reread most, followed by Sense and Sensibility, Emma, and Northanger Abbey. I wouldn’t be against rereading Mansfield Park, but I’m not itching for it; I just read it last year. I do think her characters in that lacked the character development that I liked so much in the other novels.

I understand Austen is not everyone’s cup of tea for many a reason, but the above summarizes why I like her. I definitely don’t force her on anyone, but reading her books have been rewarding for me.

Happy March, everyone!

Vertizags Socks

These were my first pair of socks in 14 months. I have a lot of handknit socks. I can churn a pair of my own socks in 2-3 weeks while working since I knit them two at time. I have over two dozen pairs of handknit socks so I stopped making them for awhile. Of course, I started up again because I have to knit more for my two scrap sock yarn blankets. Also, I do enjoy sock knitting. These were for two Ravelry groups: Sock Knitters Anonymous Sockdown February 2013: Underappreciated Patterns & Solid Socks Feb 2013: Mountain/Forest.

Vertizags, started February 1st 2013, finished February 21st 2013.Ravelry Project Page
Pattern: Vertizags by Megan S. Wright Ravelry Pattern Page
Size: My size: US 6.5/UK 4/EUR 37 with 4″ leg.
Yarn: Cascade Yarns Heritage Solids & Quatro Colors – Moss 5612 – 100g/ 437yds – Have heard some good things about this yarn and knits up well for a sock yarn. Yarn bled green yellow water, but not too bad. It’s affordable so I hope it wears and washes well since I just bought more to make a cardigan.
Needles: 2.25mm/US#1 – 100cm/40″ long HH circs
Modifications & Notes:

  • Two at a time on ML
  • Toe increases made with La-Link and La-Rink from Cat Bordhi’s: k1, La-Link, knit to last stitch, La-Rink, K1. Repeat on second needle.
  • Note to self: Start gusset when feel at 6.5″ next time as 6.75″ is too long in a stretchy sock pattern. It’s been awhile since I’ve knit socks so I forgot about when to stop for my foot length.
  • Used Cat Bordhi’s W&T technique where you lift the wrap over the stitch and ktbl.
  • Bind off with JSSBO

Lessons Learned: It was my first time doing heel flap socks from the toe-up: Heel flap was alright, but the short rows didn’t work out as cleanly based on how it is written. Also, I wouldn’t use KFB on gusset next time as it leaves a small hole. Will stick to gusset style heels for toe-up socks from now on.
Cost of Project: $8 for yarn.
Would I knit it again? No, but it’s a cute pattern and a good way to learn a new toe-up heel.
Helpful Links: See Notes.

Have a good weekend! For more FOs, go to Tami’s Amis.