A Pollyanna Retrospective On A Season That Sucked: Day 1
May 12, 2008 by Pookie
We love these playoffs, we really do. Honest. Cross our hearts and hope to become Rangers fans die. We’ll be happy when any one of the four teams still playing wins the Cup, even the Vegas Tranny Bride Flyers (if you can call what they’ve been doing the last two games “still playing”). That said… there’s just nothing to say. The playoffs as they stand right now are perfectly cromulent and we’re perfectly content with them. However, contentment doesn’t put blog posts on the table. Happiness does, though, and so we’re setting our Playoff Goggles to “Time Machine” mode and are turning our sights to the season past. It took us an entire hour-long pizza lunch to find five things we really truly enjoyed about this season but find five things we did. Today we present Day 1 of our five day mini-series, “NHL 07-08 Regular Season: Through a Lens Playoff Goggle-ly”.
Day 1: Paulie Martin
When you openly commit to being a part of [Player X]Nation before Player X has established himself as not being wretchedly awful, you set yourself up for disaster. When that player is a RFA when you’re making that proclamation, it’s even worse. And when you go the extra mile by buying his sweater before he signs his contract and/or has a chance to prove he’s not a train wreck all the time, you’re really riding for a fall. But in Paulie Martin’s case, we couldn’t help ourselves. Just the way we were part of PandoNation long before Pando had made himself a regular in the lineup, so too did we pin our wagons to the star of a guy we had frequently referred to as “Putrid Paulie”.
We tried to tell ourselves he wasn’t putrid all the time, and that we didn’t just like him best because we thought he was cute. Seriously — it’s not like he’s Zach. We’re Pando fans! We’re not shallow! He was just not as bad as a lot of the other guys, and we felt a little sorry for him for having such high expectations placed on him; it’s not like he was going to become Scott Neidermayer overnight! And so we entered the 07-08 season wishing the best for our little Paulie Martin, fairly confident that he would not be as bad as Oduya was at the end of last season, but he would also probably not be as good as Neider on Neider’s worse day. Pardon us, days. Many, many days. But we digress. Whatever the reason, he was our emperor/god and we were his Nation, and the only thing to do about it was sit back and pray he didn’t make us look like idiots.
Well, Gentle Reader, as you well know, things went very well for PaulieMartinNation this year. In a season of maddening underachievement for just about everyone wearing the Engma, Paulie was a beacon of awesomeness, smooth-skatingness, leader-of-young-gopherness, and hope. Okay, not hope, but we’re Devils fans — we wouldn’t know what to do with hope if we had it. We’d probably berate it with withering sarcasm until it flew away on its little Dickensian wings. But again, we digress. The fact is, in a season filled to the brim with boredom, malaise, and a fairly steady undercurrent of woe, Paulie Martin and his ascension to emperor/god was a huge bright spot for us.
Yay! PaulieNation rejoices! I am inspired by this Pollyanna post! I was thinking tonight about how I miss the Sabres and I don’t want to write about the playoffs. I might have to steal your idea! :P
Please do steal our idea! We’ve finally decided just to fuck it. The Devils are out, so that means it’s summer. Time for summer blog material. :D
And it needs to be mentioned — *Happy sigh* Paulie’s so dreeeeaaaaammmmmy. :P
Sounds like Paulie’s so proud to be the #1 positive I’m taking out of this entire season that he’s taking the world by storm! Woo-hoo! (And please do borrow this idea, Katebits!)
Awww! This post is so adorable. I don’t want to write about the playoffs anymore either! All this Penguins offence is just making me grouchy :p I miss my low scoring, sucky ass team. I might have to steal your idea too. Heh.
Happy Pollyanna posts are a great way to start the day!
Speaking of borrowing post ideas, may I borrow last summer’s “Things I Love About Hockey” concept? It would complement my “Things I Hate About Hockey” idea.
I miss my low scoring, sucky ass team.
Hee hee! Me too! I just don’t trust this Malkin fellow. As far as I’m concerned, players aren’t supposed to be able to score at will!
may I borrow last summer’s “Things I Love About Hockey” concept?
Amy, of course you can take that concept and run with it! When we started it, we’d hoped other people would do the same! It was a really fun way to pass the off-season, too. I can’t wait to read what you come up with!
I am so excited, by the way, because today I get to go to a training session in the afternoon that’s only ten minutes or so from my house! For one day I’ll get a super-short commute! Woo-hoo!
I love this post! I’m still feeling pretty wheaty, but not so bad now.
The Penguins are seducing me. I can’t help it. :p
Oh -ookies what a good attitude you have. Always remember “a noble spirit embiggens the smallest man”.
That being said, my waiter at the pub last night saw my Brodeur T-shirt and said “shouldn’t that say Luongo”. I did not behave in the most noble of manners. Also why have I not seen Paulie or Zachie (or any goalies) wandering the streets of my town. If I saw them I would definitely have to have a chat with them. Maybe I would tell Zach to sprinkle his pixie dust on the rest of the Devils forwards.
Good morning, everyone! I’m glad a little shot in the arm of Pollyanna is making people happy this morning! (I can temper the Pollyanna by telling you all that Pookie and I sat there for an hour at lunch yesterday going, “Okay. Paulie was good. Now, what else was good this regular season? Anything? Anything? Um… Nah. I got nuthin’.” Heh.)
Amy, I can’t wait to see what you write about why you love hockey!
And Caitlin, sometimes in the playoffs you just have to accept that you’re going to be seduced by some other team. You just keep your fingers crossed that they won’t disappoint you as much as your own team did, and that they won’t turn out to be a tranny. So to speak. :P
Always remember “a noble spirit embiggens the smallest man”.
HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!! Nicely done, Q-girl! :D
And way to defend Marty’s honor in the face of that fatuous Canadian obsession with Luongo (sorry, alix @@@)! I’m very disappointed in Paulie and Zach that they haven’t been seeking you out while visiting your hometown. I mean, it’s hardly like they have hundreds of other Devils fans to be hanging out with up there. :P
And Caitlin, sometimes in the playoffs you just have to accept that you’re going to be seduced by some other team.
Yeah, even our beat writers are writing things like, “I wish we could just let the guys slink off to the golf course and not have to endure the trauma of playing the Red Wings one more time,” so I’m slowly succumbing to the Pens. I’ve liked them all season but the love is growing, I tell you!
And Pookie, I’m glad you only have a ten minute commute! Woo!
Yeah, even our beat writers are writing things like, “I wish we could just let the guys slink off to the golf course and not have to endure the trauma of playing the Red Wings one more time,”
It really is as sucky as it gets, isn’t it? When you’re watching your team just play out the string against a team you hate with every fiber of your being? I’m so sorry!
When you’re watching your team just play out the string against a team you hate with every fiber of your being? I’m so sorry!
I know you guys have been there (Exhibit A: Rangers) but seriously. I’m so ready for this to be over. If the Stars win this one? I might cry.
That being said, I’m really excited for the Pens! Woo, go Malkin! I’m looking for the silver lining in all this. Basically, even if the Flyers won, I’d be rooting for an EC team. The Red Wings cannot win the Stanley Cup.
I hate to be the one to tell you this, Caitlin, but the Wings look like a SIGNIFICANTLY better team than either EC finalist…
The Red Wings cannot win the Stanley Cup.
That? Is kind of how I feel about the Flyers.
I hate to be the one to tell you this, Caitlin, but the Wings look like a SIGNIFICANTLY better team than either EC finalist…
No, I know. I know they’re better than anyone else in the League. But I cannot cheer for them, and I hope desperately they lose. Otherwise, this year will be “The Year There Was No Stanley Cup Winner”.
I know I’ll probably end up broken-hearted, but…ah, oh well.
Always remember “a noble spirit embiggens the smallest man”.
:^::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
That? Is kind of how I feel about the Flyers.
Meg, I don’t think you need to worry about the Tranny Brides much longer. :P
Meg, I don’t think you need to worry about the Tranny Brides much longer. :P
Yeah, I don’t think so either. :D
I actually feel a little bad for the Trannies…but not much. :p
-Ookies, the Circling Sampler thingy it is, then! You guys were my tiebreaker. :D
Caitlin, excellent choice!
I hate to be the one to tell you this, Caitlin, but the Wings look like a SIGNIFICANTLY better team than either EC finalist…
I had a nightmare about that. A real, honest to god, wake up screaming nightmare. It was bad.
I love the Polyanna post, Ookies! I read it this morning before I left for class and it cheered me right up :) (and then during lab I figured I’d write one too, but then when I sat down to do it I couldn’t get the feeling onto paper. O well)
Caitlin, I am SO excited for the circling alphabets sampler. In fact, I’m planning to get the chart, too!
Caitlin, I am SO excited for the circling alphabets sampler. In fact, I’m planning to get the chart, too!
Ooh, I’m so pommerdoodly over this now, more than I was before! So, I have a question - if I order the kit with the cotton floss, will it come with floss & fabric, or just the floss only?
I thought the circling one in particular was very clean, very classic and would look remarkably nice in a frame.
Caitlin, I am SO excited for the circling alphabets sampler. In fact, I’m planning to get the chart, too!
Y’all should do a stitch-a-long :)
I don’t know if Pookie’s going to answer this too, but if she does you’ll just have to hear it in stereo surround. Heh. The thing with the Scarlet Letter kits is that they come with linen for stitching the project, and their linen is really terrible. I was about to recommend ordering just the chart, and then we could help you figure out where to get all the supplies (although really, the chart would have all the DMC numbers in it, wouldn’t it, Pookie? The materials could all just come from Michael’s/JoAnn, couldn’t they?), but maybe it would be most expedient and even cost-saving to order the kit, which would come with the floss, and then get a piece of Aida for stitching it from Michael’s/JoAnn. That way you wouldn’t have to pull full skeins of all the flosses. Hm. Tough call! Pookie, what do you think?
And I think the circling alphabets thing has a great, clean traditionalism to it, but also has a funky kind of edge. I’ve never seen anything like it! (For anyone who’s curious, we’re talking about this chart: LINK)
The Red Wings cannot win the Stanley Cup.
That? Is kind of how I feel about the Flyers.
Same here. I couldn’t handle it.
Schnookie, I would probably be inclined to say… Hm… this is a tough call. I would think it would be cheaper to by the chart and then get the floss and Aida from the local crafts store (or rather, about the same as the cost of the kit). There aren’t many colors, so pulling the skeins wouldn’t take long. The only concern would be that they might not have the colors you’re looking for (probably highly unlikely). To answer Schnookie’s question the chart should definitely have the DMC or Anchor color numbers on it.
How exciting!
That? Is kind of how I feel about the Flyers.
Same here. I couldn’t handle it.
The Flyers are like, “Really, don’t worry about it. We’ve got this allll under control.”
It’s actually very moderately priced, the kit with the floss. I’d go for the kit, Caitlin. And when it comes you can see what the linen looks like, and decide if you want to jump right in and work on that, or if you’d rather work on Aida. (Aida is a bit easier to work with, but linen is more “authentic” and I personally prefer how pieces look when they’re done on it.)
It’s actually very moderately priced, the kit with the floss.
Good point. Floss, it turns out, it more expensive than I was thinking. I say go with the kit, too, because then you’ll know you have the right colors and the right amount of thread (don’t worry, they give you a bit of extra). And then even though you might not use the linen for this project, you’d have a piece to try out and play around with.
Oh, also, before I forget. This may sound too Mother Hen-ish, but I noticed the chart says it’s for “25-count linen”. Aida doesn’t come in 25-count. The closest you’d get to that in Aida would be (and Schnookie, correct my math for me, please) would be 12-count. I’m assuming Aida sells it, but if they don’t, you’d be fine with 14, which I’m almost certain they do make. (Right? 24/2, right?)
25-count linen? What the phonk? That’s so weird! 14-count Aida would be a perfectly acceptable substitute — the difference would just be that the finished piece would be a bit smaller than the original. Hell, it could be done on 40-count over one and end up a miniature! I’m planning to do it on 10-count with wool and make it huge! The count on the material you stitch it is just going to dictate the size of the stitches, and won’t have any kind of adverse effect on the way the piece comes together.
Okay, guys! I will order the kit then. I’m looking for stitching shops here in Dallas where I can go pick up Aida stuff if I need to - but we’ll see.
I’ll sit down and order this tonight! Woo, I’m excited!
I’m planning to do it on 10-count with wool and make it huge!
That would be so cook, Schnookie!
I have to stop by Michael’s tonight to pick up some supplies, because I discovered all my basic needlepointing stuff (threads box, needles, sewing scissors) have vanished. Ah, oh well. :D
Way to go, Caitlin! Order that kit! What a fun off-season project!
Hell, it could be done on 40-count over one and end up a miniature!
I was thinking the same thing… Hm… Methinks it might even be pretty darn cool on silk guaze as a super-duper miniature… A Gionta-sized project as it were.
The buying the accouterments is almost more fun than the stitching! Getting your stitching infrastructure back in place sounds like fun! I especially love buying sewing scissors…
I’m so excited for your kit! WOO HOOO!!! (And really, if you want to be adventurous, you can just forget about the Aida altogether and go ahead and stitch this bad boy up on the linen they provide. If you can’t find the Aida at a nearby store, there are a zillion places online you can order from. If you need any help with that, Boomer knows just about every stitching-supply place online. :D)
Getting your stitching infrastructure back in place sounds like fun! I especially love buying sewing scissors…
I’m such an addict, I swear. I see all that pretty embroidery floss and I’m like, “GIVE IT TO ME NOW!”
I’m excited mainly because I’m going to buy a rocking chair and sit out on the back porch (we really have no front porch to be specific) and embroider. My idea of fun is being at home, so there you go. :p
Has Boomer ever quilted? I only ask because my family seem to be big quilters/knitters, oddly enough.
A Gionta-sized project as it were.
:^::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Gionta’s working away and other folks have to bust out a microscope to check his work.
And I’ve decided slowly but surely to slog it out through the other needlepoint project. I figure at the very least I can learn how to apply standard tension so my stitches don’t look all cattywampus. :p
Cattywampus is such great word that just doesn’t get used often enough anymore.
My idea of fun is being at home, so there you go. :p
Amen to that! :D
Boomer does enjoy quilting but she tends to flit from project to project. She’s been piecing a quilt for me for ages. She and Schnookie and Kate the Great and I pieced a quilt for Schnookie but then we were lazy and had someone else finish it for us. We’ll be sure to write about it on IPB Living this summer because it’s pretty freakin’ awesome. (Your quilting family members will look at it and be like, “Really? Her?”)
Getting your stitching infrastructure back in place sounds like fun! I especially love buying sewing scissors…
This is what I have with knitting needles and stitch markers. I have about 5 billion pairs of sock needles and an interchangeable needle set, so theoretically I don’t need to buy any more needles, but I always find a reason. And stitch markers comes with pretty beads and stuff.
A Gionta-sized project as it were.
Gionta’s working away and other folks have to bust out a microscope to check his work.
It’s like microscopic crochet! I have a friend who does that, and she wears the coolest glasses so she can even see the hook. I wonder what Gio would look like with those specs :D
Oh my goodness, but sitting out on a rocking chair and embroidering sounds HEAVENLY! (And I totally don’t understand ideas of fun that don’t involve being at home, so I totally hear you on that. :D)
Boomer has done a little quilting, but she’s almost impossibly slow at it. We did a group project of a really simple quilt in 2000; all three of us cut a zillion little 3″x3″ squares from those reproduction ’30s prints fabrics, and then just pieced a giant quilt from them. We’d stitch together five-square strips, and then eventually had enough to put the whole thing together. Then we were confronted with the issue of actually quilting it, and we outsourced that. The quilt was for me, and Boomer took it to a local quilting store to have them do the finishing by hand (I guess a lot of quilting stores offer this service, because it turns out plenty of people like either doing the piecing or the quilting, but not often both…); the store promptly went through some ownership changes, and there was grave concern that our quilt was lost forever. But two years later, Boomer and Pookie totally surprised me for my birthday with the finished product. I love it so much! Anyway, now Boomer’s working on a much more ambitious design for a quilt for Pookie that is not a group project. It, um, is going very slowly.
Mags, I was so depressed when I got an interchangable needle set, because I was like, “Does this mean I can’t buy needles all the time now?” Hells no! OF COURSE it doesn’t! Heh heh. And all those beaded stitch markers WORK DIFFERENTLY THAN EACH OTHER. I mean, if they LOOK different, they WORK differently, right? They are all ESSENTIAL tools! (This is how we justify having five or six pairs of embroidery scissors each.)
Pookie, I doubt that! My mother hasn’t quilted in years but quilting amazes me, quite frankly. My aunt used to do needlepoint, but hasn’t done it in years. One of the reasons I want to get my needlepoint up to speed is so I can do her a Christmas stocking! :)
My great-aunt was a big knitter and clothes maker and made almost all my clothes from ages 1 to 5, while my great-uncle and grandmother were the big cooks in the family. I still miss my Granny’s big Southern lunches - artery clogging on a plate for sure.
(I guess a lot of quilting stores offer this service, because it turns out plenty of people like either doing the piecing or the quilting, but not often both…)
My mother (also not a speedy quilter) never does her own quilting. Piecing is all she’s interested in. When she makes baby quilts or lap quilts it’s not a problem because she just ties them, but for full sized quilts she always has to send it to the store.
“Does this mean I can’t buy needles all the time now?” Hells no!
Duh no. 2 weeks after I got it I started knitting this intricate lace thing out of cobweb silk and discovered the tips weren’t sharp enough for my liking. So off to buy more needles!
And all those beaded stitch markers WORK DIFFERENTLY THAN EACH OTHER. I mean, if they LOOK different, they WORK differently, right?
Oh TOTALLY. Some of them are teensy for lace and socks, some of them are big for cables etc. Yeah, I’m good at justifying my purchases.
Meg, I’m SO relieved to hear that your mother does the same thing we did. I mean, even knowing that a lot of people do, I still kind of think, “Yeah, but are all those people losers?” Clearly, if your mother does it, we are NOT losers. :D
Clearly, if your mother does it, we are NOT losers. :D
It’s true. My mother may be an amateur quilter who takes a year and a half to finish a quilt, but she’s not a loser. :)
My mother may be an amateur quilter who takes a year and a half to finish a quilt, but she’s not a loser. :)
:^::::::::::::::::::
I was actually so sure Schnookie was going to be furious that we’d outsourced the quilt without telling her that I gave it to her before her birthday so that if she got upset it wouldn’t ruin her birthday. Heh.
It should be pointed out that I was so happy and overwhelmed with delight about the quilt that I cried when it was given to me. I thought we were just going to pitch the pieced top since we weren’t ever going to quilt it ourselves! :D
Ooh! Time to leave to go to my training! Did I mention it’s ten minutes from my house? WOO-HOO! Have a great afternoon, everyone!
Have fun at your training, Pookie!
One of the TU Delft’s buildings just collapsed. Scary stuff.
One of the TU Delft’s buildings just collapsed. Scary stuff.
Where is this? In Holland? That’s no good.
And have fun at your training, Pookie!
Where is this? In Holland? That’s no good.
Yar. Technical University Delft. They win a lot of awards in engineering and physics subjects and stuff.
Technical University Delft. They win a lot of awards in engineering and physics subjects and stuff.
Does this scream irony to anyone else?
Also, Mags, I hope everyone is okay. Was everyone out of the building when it collapsed?
Does this scream irony to anyone else?
I was just thinking the same thing.
Of course, all levity aside, I hope no one was hurt.
Does this scream irony to anyone else?
It totally does, especially because it was Architecture’s building.
I hope everyone is okay. Was everyone out of the building when it collapsed?
Yup. They had a fire early this morning so everyone was evacuated. The really sad part is that all the maquettes and the miniatures the students build for their thesis research are all destroyed. I hope they get extensions.
Hee hee! Me too! I just don’t trust this Malkin fellow. As far as I’m concerned, players aren’t supposed to be able to score at will
Psssh. I know, right? Since when are forwards supposed to do that? :P
And way to defend Marty’s honor in the face of that fatuous Canadian obsession with Luongo (sorry, alix @@@)!
Hee!
When I went to buy mini goalie sticks at McDonalds when they were here, I said, “Can I have a Lui please?” Sold out. So I asked for Marty. Sold out. So I was like ummmm Fleury? Sold out. Then the guy behind the counter was all, “We still have EMERY!”, all extremely excited. I think he was hurt I laughed right in his face.
The really sad part is that all the maquettes and the miniatures the students build for their thesis research are all destroyed. I hope they get extensions.
That’s horrible. A very good thing nobody was hurt, but still rough that all that work is gone.
Then the guy behind the counter was all, “We still have EMERY!”, all extremely excited.
McDonalds should give that poor boy a raise. Ha! Emery.
Then the guy behind the counter was all, “We still have EMERY!”
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!! It really is amazing how quickly he went from being considered worthy of a McDonald’s mini-stick to being a complete pile of puke. (Granted, some of us knew he was a pile of puke to start out with, but still…)
Hee! I know. That’s going above the call of duty.
Then the guy behind the counter was all, “We still have EMERY!”, all extremely excited. I think he was hurt I laughed right in his face.
Poor guy, being all conscientious and trying to do his job. (That being said, if someone offered me a Ray Emery mini-stick, I’d laugh too!)
And I feel really badly for those Architecture students now!
WOAH, woah, woah! How did I not hear about this? Not that anyone cares, but Leno’s stepping down as Tonight Show host and Conan O’Brien is taking over?
YES!
And that’s my moment, IPB. Sorry. :D
WOAH, woah, woah! How did I not hear about this?
Dude, *I* knew that.
Nice moment, btw :D
Dude, *I* knew that.
Nice moment, btw :D
Heh! I never, ever watch TV unless it’s to watch hockey or the late night shows, but Leno is so insufferable to me that I watch Letterman on occasion, but I can never stay up enough to catch O’Brien.
WOW! He’s stepping down this season? I luff Conan. That’s awesome.
I knew that Conan was taking over but I thought it was still a year or so away (it was announced last year I think). Is Leno stepping down early? Awesome!
I knew that Conan was taking over but I thought it was still a year or so away (it was announced last year I think). Is Leno stepping down early? Awesome!
Oh, it’s still about a year away but how I found out today about all this was that they’ve named Conan’s successor: Jimmy Fallon.
Say it with me now: Ewwwwwww.
Yeah, that’s why I had thought too, Meg.
Awww yay! Apparently there’s three different teams courting Nonis. I’m starting to like Gillis the asshole, but I’d love to see Nonis get another job.
Hi everybody!
Oh, it’s still about a year away but how I found out today about all this was that they’ve named Conan’s successor: Jimmy Fallon.
My friend really really likes Jimmy Fallon for some reason and he does have his funny moments so I guess I’ll reserve judgment for then.
I still think Conan was at the height of his funny when he was still writing Simpsons episodes though.
Apparently there’s three different teams courting Nonis.
One of those teams (Toronto) is also interested in Colin Campbell for a higher-up in the front office position.
Ewww, seriously, Toronto? Are you that desperate!? (I’m talking about Campbell, not Nonis. :p)
Okay, I’m just back from lunch so I’m weighing in a bit late here… Even I knew about Leno, Conan and Jimmy Fallon. Caitlin, you officially live under a rock. :P
Caitlin, you officially live under a rock. :P
I KNOW! I am such an old person. If it’s not on the Discovery Channel or the History Channel, I have no knowledge of it. :p
YAY! My Matty sponsorship finally came through!
So I am totally having one of those afternoons where I can’t shake the feeling that I’m forgetting to do something really important.
Just wanted to share.
alix, I’m so happy for you! And now Matty will know where to turn to for half of his taxicab-backseat companionship!
Ugh. That’s the worst, Schnookie! Did you…have to put aleo vera on your tomatos? Heh. Buy candy corn?
Hee! Thanks, Schnookie!
Right! Sunblock on the tomatoes and an abuse-worthy bag of candy corn! Check and check! :P
Schnookie, does it have anything to do with spreadsheets? Heh.
And yay, alix, on the Matty sponsorship!
Schnookie, does it have anything to do with spreadsheets? Heh.
It might. I don’t know! Whatever it is, I’VE FORGOTTEN IT! :P (Actually, I think my anxiety stems from the fact that I’ve had to organize a HUGE day-long event for my boss, set for next Friday, and midway through lunch with Pookie I convinced myself that I’d forgotten to reserve the big conference room for it. I raced back to my desk, discovered I had, in fact, reserved the room, but the residual anxiety just won’t go away. My life is so hard!)
So, apparently Doc blogs. How awesome is that?
http://mikeemrick.com/hp_wordpress/
I would call fake, except all of this sounds so much like him.
Schnookie, I’m sorry! I’ve totally, totally done that before (and on a Saturday, too. I’m so control freaky, as we all know.)
Here’s some good news: Mom and I (my mom doesn’t get a cool nickname like Boomer, unless you count, “Momma!”) are going to start piecing together a quilt!
So basically, when I develop a Vitamin D deficiency from never having seen sunlight, ever, you know what’s to blame - my crafts addiction.
Ooooh! That’s so exciting about the quilt! And if you work it near a window, you’ll solve the Vitamin D problem. :P (I’m looking forward to showing off our artless quilt on IPB Living, because the cutest touch of all was put on it by the person who finished it for us — she sewed a patch on the back of it that has our names on it and says we stitched it together in 2000. You and your mom should make sure to put something like that on yours when it’s done!)
I tend spazz about stuff on weekends and vacations, too. I would never DREAM to worry about work while I’m actually here. No, I only worry when I’m home. And have no reason to be thinking about it. Heh.
And Doc’s blog kind of saddened me — it’s rife with comma error! Patty, don’t read it; it’ll make you dislike him even more than you already do! (It’s SOOOOO Doc, though. Lots of trips down memory lane.)
Okay, I’m not all OCD like you, Caitlin, but I am a worrier. I have to sit with my bags on the drive to the airport whenever we go anywhere so I can keep opening them up to double-, triple-, quadruple-, and quintuple-check that I’ve remembered my driver’s license, or passport, or toothbrush, or iPod, or whatever I’ve decided in that instant is essential and likely sitting at home wondering why I didn’t pack it. So now I’m going to check every ten minutes between today and next Friday to make sure I still have that big conference room reserved for my boss’s big event.
*Runs to check again*
Yup. Still reserved.
You and your mom should make sure to put something like that on yours when it’s done!
We should! That’s a fantastic idea!
I know we’re starting out simple - plus, my mom refuses to do anything with rings/curves, apparently - and Mom says it would deprive me of the full journey if we didn’t quilt it all the way, which means no paying someone else to put it all together. :D
Oh, and Schnookie, do y’all ever do out and out embroidery? (Feel free to tell me “no more” on the questions at any time.)
Okay, I’m not all OCD like you, Caitlin, but I am a worrier
Ooh, I’m the same way! I’m relatively un-OCD about the rest of my life except when it comes to paperwork. I have to be able to manage the paperwork - and that comes from having a boss who reduced me to tears over stuff like that, which is why I became so control freaky :D.
But I do the same thing with packing, and on a regular basis with my purse. I’m such a dork.
Well Schnookie, maybe that’s why he sticks to talking instead of writing ;)
Or his editor/secretary sucks.
and Mom says it would deprive me of the full journey if we didn’t quilt it all the way, which means no paying someone else to put it all together. :D
Isn’t your Mom quite the hard-ass! :P (Just kidding. We had high hopes of finishing ours… it just didn’t work out that way. Um, and we’re lazy.) While I enjoyed piecing our quilt, I found the cutting and measuring a bit tiresome (my attention span just isn’t long enough for that), and we were just doing squares. I can’t even IMAGINE how hard it must be to cut rounded edges. I think that’s a good choice by your Mom. :D
As for out and out embroidery, we all occasionally flirt with it. Boomer’s had her tangles with it several decades ago, Pookie tried it a few years ago, and I went to the trouble of enrolling in a correspondence class with the Embroiderers Guild of America a couple summers ago to learn Jacobean crewel, but I never bothered even starting any of the projects. It’s just far enough outside all of our comfort zones that it would require a lot of work to become proficient at it. We’re not really in the stitching thing for the challenge, so it’s hard to go from being highly competent at stuff to being a stark beginner, you know? I hope to get the motivation and focus to try to learn it someday, but my recent big stab at it was totally aborted. Have you ever done any?
Schnookie, my mother learned from my grandmother, who I think was kind of the queen of “You do it this way, always! No shortcuts!” Heh. My grandma was kind of like that about cooking, too. She made almost everything by hand that I can remember.
Plus, I think my mom wants me to learn all the steps. (If I do a quilt on my own, I will totally go the lazy route. Shh.)
I’ve done a little embroidery, but not much. The main reason I took up needlework was because my grandmother and my aunt both did it, and as a kid I wanted to learn. I think my second cousin does embroidery hardcore.
A friend of mine passed along Sublime Stitching transfers (http://www.sublimestitching.com) as a good place to start for beginning embroidery, but I have my doubts. :p
And how cook that you took a class on Jacobean crewel from the Embroiderer’s Guild of America! See, you guys do the cookest things… I’ve never tried crewel. Is it difficult?
And how cook that you took a class on Jacobean crewel from the Embroiderer’s Guild of America! See, you guys do the cookest things… I’ve never tried crewel. Is it difficult?
Ah, see… funny story. I have also never tried crewel. I signed up, I paid for the correspondence class, I got the coursebook, I got the materials… and then I lost interest/chickened out. Because I do the cookest things! :P Pookie tried doing crewelwork in a self-taught setting, and she found it hard enough that I didn’t want to try without outside instruction. I suspect it’s a lot like all these handicrafts, that it’s not hard at all if you’re the right kind of person for the craft, you know? It seems everyone has a temperament or a way of thinking/working/seeing that fits some crafts better than others, and in Pookie’s case, she was not a good crewelworker. And now I’m too lazy to find out whether I am.
I have to check out this Sublime Stitching thing! That’s so cool that you know so many hardcore embroiderers. It’s such a mysterious and awesome art, as far as I’m concerned! :D
Patty, don’t read it; it’ll make you dislike him even more than you already do!
What the hell? I love Doc! I said one thing about the Versus broadcast that everybody has said. That doesn’t mean I don’t like Doc!
I was watching Devils games and appreciating Doc-and-Chico’s calls before I even “met” y’all!
I have to check out this Sublime Stitching thing! That’s so cool that you know so many hardcore embroiderers. It’s such a mysterious and awesome art, as far as I’m concerned!
Sublime Stitching does “modern” and “hip” embroidery transfers, so you can get stuff like traditional tattoo designs and more updated styles of letters to embroider on. They sell complete kits as well and the towels and things you need to embroider on.
I got willed a whole bunch of needlework books, so I need to dig out my Reader’s Digest Complete Guide To Needlework. It even teaches you how to make macrame, no lie.
That doesn’t mean I don’t like Doc!
Poor Patty, people are pawning everything off on you! First the Razor-love, now the Doc-hate. :D
I’m sorry, Patty! I didn’t mean to clump you in with all the Doc haters here! @@@@@@@
I actually do love Razor, though, Caitlin. :D
I actually do love Razor, though, Caitlin. :D
Well, erm, I think that was in context of “Who wants to marry Razor?” which usually means it’s a party of one over here.
But yes, he is much adored by the Dallas fans, I will say that. At the watching party on Saturday, they were selling “Turcolicious” shirts. :D
Ooooh, I have a bunch of the Sublime Stitching patterns. I’m not sure where I left them though. Probably in my mom’s craft room, along with all my other embroidery stuff. It sort of fell by the wayside when I got into knitting hardcore.
Hey! Who let it get to be after 5:00 without telling me? I’m off to the store, y’all! See you later!
See you later, Schnookie!
Bye, Schnookie!
I have a bunch of the Sublime Stitching patterns. I’m not sure where I left them though.
How rad! I had to stop ogling them after a while for fear I would buy them and spend more money. :D
I had to stop ogling them after a while for fear I would buy them and spend more money. :D
Yeah, I kinda failed to do that. Tattoos and a bunch of teatowels on my way right now *shakes head*
You’re right, Caitlin. I certainly don’t want to marry Razor. :P
Tattoos and a bunch of teatowels on my way right now *shakes head*
Ooh, let me know how those turn out!
I certainly don’t want to marry Razor.
I have to admit, not many women would, I don’t think. He’s so annoying some times. :/
Ooh, let me know how those turn out!
Will do. If they ever get beyond my horrible startitis.
He’s so annoying some times. :/
He’s a man, is he not? I hear tell that annoyingness comes with the territory.
Sooo, I’m hitting a wall. I guess planning to watch hockey, but not napping after practice is a no-go. See y’all tomorrow, and enjoy the game!
So being home has not alleviated my “I’ve forgotten something important” anxiety. I guess I’ll just have to drink it away. Heh.
Nothing was on fire when you got home, Schnookie?
It’s Travis’ birthday today!! :)
YAY Acorns!!
Happy birthday, Acorns! I hope he’s off doing something fun today!
Oh, and guess what? I got home ten minutes later today than I would have if I’d just gone to work like normal — the stupid training ran way late. But it was still nice to only spend ten minutes in the car this afternoon. And that’s my story.
Oh and before I forget, I’m so excited you and your mom are making a quilt, Caitlin! That’s so cool! I agree with Schnookie that I liked the piecing, but the measuring and cutting wasn’t for me.
Happy birthday Acorns!!!! In celebration, I think we should have the last bit of Boomer’s Boomer Day cake! :D
And no, Patty, nothing was on fire. That really puts my anxiety into perspective, though. Nothing on fire at home means I can relax, because who gives a rat’s ass if I set something on fire at work?
What the phonk is with the officiating? Every game I think, “Surely they’ll have learned their lesson” and every game I’m disappointed.
Dude. That crowd is scary!
I know! I want the Pens to win because I want the crowd to be unhappy (sorry Kristin and Nadine) but I want the series to keep going! This is so hard!
This crowd is nuts!
I can’t believe how menacing the crowd seems. Maybe it’s all the lore about Philly crowds, but I swear I can feel the angry tension of that crowd though the tv!
HOLY SHIT! That was hot!
Wow. This is going to be a plong off season at this rate.
That red-haired guy they just showed did not look full of angry tension. He looked sad.
alix, this is going to be the plearliest offseason I’ve ever seen. At this rate the SCF will be over before June 1.
Wow. This is going to be a plong off season at this rate.
:^::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
You know what’s wild? I’m eating a smoked bleu cheese right now and because it’s smoked, it tastes like bacon. Cheese that tastes like bacon? Is the greatest thing on Earth.
Aw, I did not see the sad red haired guy. I’m sorry your Trannie Brides are losing, guys.
Really, at this point, I just don’t want this to be a sweep so the off-season isn’t as plong. I suspect you don’t believe me, but I’m seriously 50/50 on this. I’m just as happy to see the Pens win! (I’m happier if Sid is involved in the scoring, so get on that, Sid.)
alix, your Matty quote is so cute! I’m sure he’s in love with you already!
Katebits, you don’t have to be sorry. They might be my Tranny Bride, but I’m not broken up to see them go out.
And you guys, Pookie’s right — this smoked bleu cheese is OUT OF THIS WORLD.
I do believe you that you’re 50/50! You just seemed sad. I should have said, I’m sorry this isn’t going to be a long series!
I’m sorry I seemed sad! I’m happy! I’m happy, dammit! :PPPP
I’m not sure that I’ve ever had smoked bleu cheese. I’ll have to check that out.
I’m sorry that we seemed sad! I’m distracted a bit right now finishing up my cheese platter and framboise beer. Seriously, cheese that tastes like bacon is A BILLION TIMES better than a Pens/Flyers game. I’ve got to FOCUS! :D (Or rather, F.O.C.U.S.)
Pookie just called Ryan Malone a sociopath. I’m wondering if she’s sadder than she’s letting on. :P
F.O.C.U.S. in this case stands for Fucking Outrageous Cheese Umbrella Sousaphone.
The key tonight is the Umbrella Sousaphone.
Hey, come on! I think we can all agree that Malone is a sociopath! Am I right, or am I right?
*cue Ryan Malone leaving a comment saying, “Helloooo!”*
The context for Pookie calling him a sociopath was, “Take THAT! You’re not as hot as you think you are, you fucking sociopath.” She has not even remotely lost her sense of perspective.
And no, Patty, nothing was on fire.
I was just trying to narrow down what it might have been that you forgot. We can now rule out leaving the stove on.
(The power went out at my office so not only did I lose what I was working on, and also not get to reply sooner, I also had to walk down the stairs from the 8th floor of the building and then back up the stairs to the 3rd floor of the parking garage, then when I drove across the highway to drop off my dead laptop at Best Buy, their power was also out, so I couldn’t leave it there.)
Do you like how frequently and how idiotically Pookie and I comment when we’ve been drinking?
Come onnnnnn Flyers.
*sigh*
F.O.C.U.S. in this case stands for Fucking Outrageous Cheese Umbrella Sousaphone.
:^:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
What other kind of Cheese Umbrella Sousaphone is there?
Dude, Sid is being hot again.
Patty, your day sounds AWFUL! I’m so sorry!
And I appreciate your narrowing down of my potential forgotten things. I bet it was something pretty important at work. What I discovered yesterday is that people just really like that I do anything in my job — someone asked me to order something important six weeks ago and I just clean didn’t do it. So she emails me yesterday all, “Hey, what’s the status on this?” and I responded, “I, uh, forgot to order it. But I just ordered it now!” and she said back all effusively, “Oh THANK YOU! You’re so fantastic!” I don’t need to be ENCOURAGED to never do anything.
What the heck is wrong with all the power in Dallas?!
Patty, what an awful day! I’m so sorry!
Dude, Sid is being hot again.
I know! And that doesn’t make me sad!
F.O.C.U.S. in this case stands for Fucking Outrageous Cheese Umbrella Sousaphone.
:^:::::::
Mmmmm cheese.
alix, this is going to be the plearliest offseason I’ve ever seen.
Hee!
alix, your Matty quote is so cute! I’m sure he’s in love with you already!
Thanks, Katebits!
Yes, this hasn’t been a great day. I can’t believe my laptop went belly up last night. I was not in the mood. Now I’m sitting in the back room at my desktop. I can’t even HEAR the TV from here.
Awww boo urns, Patty! That day sounded like it sucked!