Scrabble Cufflinks

I made these as a Christmas gift for Robin. I couldn't find a place that sold cufflink posts to work with on my own, so I bought a pair of hideously sparkly ones and super-glued the Scrabble tiles to the faces.


CUFFLINKS BEFORE

CUFFLINKS AFTER

Pidge Scarf

(This scarf is thicker than I'd like. Here is the pattern, but I am going to attempt to make another, casting on 22 stitches instead of 30.)

5mm US 8 needles
I'm using white and brownish-purplish (ha) medium weight acrylic yarn. I dislike acrylic yarn because it is so stiff, but it was all I had when I started.

Cast on 30 stitches.
Row 1: *K 2, P 2. Repeat from * to last 2 stitches. K 2.
Row 2: Knit

Repeat rows 1 and 2 until desired length is achieved.

Bind off.

Remember to add button holes! I am leaving this out, since the directions vary based on the buttons being used.

Red-Squared

I am making this scarf for Robin.

It's red.

It has squares.

(5mm US 8 needles.)

Cast on 35 stitches
Rows 1-10: St st(starting with K)
Row 11: *K 5, P 5. Repeat twice from *. K 5
Row 12: *P 5, K 5. Repeat twice from *. P 5
Row 13: *K 5, P 5. Repeat twice from *. K 5
Row 14: *P 5, K 5. Repeat twice from *. P 5
Row 15: *K 5, P 5. Repeat twice from *. K 5
Row 16: *P 5, K 5. Repeat twice from *. P 5

Repeat rows 1-16 until you reach your desired length.

Repeat rows 1-10 once more.

Bind off.

(I'll add a picture when I've finished.)

Artichoke Dip

This is an incredible easy recipe that is fun to experiment with, but I must admit that I prefer it as is.

2 cans (14 oz) of artichoke hearts (packed in water)
1 can (8 oz) of diced green chilis
1 cup mayonnaise
2 cups Parmesan cheese*

Mix everything together and bake in a bread pan at 350 for half an hour.

* You can really use any kind of cheese you like, though the softer cheeses don't seem to turn out as well. In my opinion, Parmesan works best for this dip.

A word of advice to save you from making the same mistake I once did - this dip consists of relatively subtle flavors. It is VERY easy to overpower it with even minimal spices (especially salt.)

(I'll take a picture the next time I make it!)

I really dislike the American health care system (well, lack thereof.)

That is all.

While I am unbelievably happy about Obama’s victory last night, I can’t help but be disappointed in some of the local propositions.

Proposition 7
Proposition 7 is an initiative statute regarding renewable energy.
Result: NO – My Vote: YES

I am really surprised that Propositions 7, 10 and H all failed to pass. In a place full of hybrid cars and recycling, all propositions promoting clean energy were rejected. I would blame it on the abundance of “blank check” commercials (with tiny disclaimers at the bottom stating that PG&E graciously paid for them), but that didn’t seem to change the outcome of Proposition 8.


Proposition 8
Proposition 8 is an initiative constitutional amendment that, if passed, would eliminate the right of same sex couples to marry.
Result: YES – My Vote: NO

There are two reasons I voted against this:

1) It’s none of my fucking business who you decide to marry.

2) I see love, in any form, as a beautiful thing. Even though marriage (in the traditional sense) is a bit silly and old-fashioned, I do appreciate any two people loving each other to the extent of feeling it necessary to proclaim said love to the world. That’s what marriage is about (to me), not a religious bond, not any sort of promise or a misguided feeling of ownership.

I am ecstatic that we have elected a black man to be our next president. That being said, I truly do not understand why selective discrimination is acceptable.


Proposition B
This measure requires the city to take about $30 million out of the budget each year and use the cash to build affordable housing over the next 15 years.
Result: NO – My Vote: YES

Of course! We have one of the worst homeless populations in the country, but I suppose fixing the problem won’t give voters anything to talk about over their chai lattes from Starbucks. (Note: While this proposition failed to pass, Proposition D was approved by a landslide. Hmm…help house the homeless? No. Decorate a pier? Sure!)

Book List - Part I - (Books I’m supposed to love, but don’t)

(in response to Robin's post)

“Moby Dick” by Herman Melville

This was the beginning of my read-all-the-classic-literature-I-can phase that came about in my teenage years. It only happened to be the first out of convenience. Why this book is considered a classic is beyond me!

“Story of O” by Pauline Réage (Anne Desclos)

I’ve heard some of the most absurd positive feedback regarding this book. It’s NOT innovative, and it’s NOT the first of its kind. Take away the severe objectification of women, and all you have left is smut. If that’s really all you’re looking for, the Marquis de Sade did a much better job of it (and preceded it by well over a century.)

“The Catcher in the Rye” by JD Salinger

It’s not that I disliked this book, I just don’t understand why this is the work Salinger is known for. “Franny and Zooey” is closer to what I’ve understood his true writing style to be, and is an all-around better story.

“The Trial” by Franz Kafka

Though I do love Kafka, I’m not very fond of Kafka novels/novellas. I think his best works are short and precise. I suggest reading “The Complete Stories of Franz Kafka” instead.

“Gravity’s Rainbow” by Thomas Pynchon

Horrible. Nothing else I can say!

“The Bible”

I’ve always known that it was not meant to be taken literally, but even figuratively, this is, at times, a detached and disgusting work.

“Walden” by Henry David Thoreau

I suppose I was initially interested in reading this book because of my own desire to build a cabin in some remote area and learn the art of self-sustenance. I just assumed it would be a recollection of little (or not-so-little) self-discoveries made during his stay. Even though there are some great parts (including one of my favorite quotes of all time), this is more of a logistical record of the goings on at Walden. I now know that he did also keep a personal journal during his stay, but have yet to find a copy.

“The Glass Bead Game” by Hermann Hesse

This was the first Hesse book I was able to get my hands on. It was a bit long-winded, but was, for the most part, a pleasant read. I have a not-so-secret hatred for writers who stretch things needlessly. Less than a year after reading it, I read Siddhartha, and realized I’d been cheated! Now, Hesse’s spiritual beliefs are evident in pretty much anything he’s written, and, to me, "The Glass Bead Game" and "Siddhartha" pretty much had the same message. The only difference? Glass Bead Game – 558 pages; Siddhartha – 152 pages

“Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone” and “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets” by J.K. Rowling

I am sure I will be stoned for adding these two books to the list, but I just had to do it. I honestly do not see what all the hubbub is about! Instead of putting these in a category with some of the best children’s authors (Lewis Carroll, Roald Dahl, C.S.Lewis) I would clump it with some of the unimpressive (R.L. Stine and Ann M. Martin.) I have been told that the series does eventually improve, but am in no rush to test this.

“Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance” by Robert M. Pirsig

Redundant. Redundant. Redundant. Redundant. Redundant. (You get the picture.)

Fun With a Green Screen

San Francisco - Update

This is what we've been doing since we've been back in San Francisco...

New York in a Day

Edinburgh