indieknits

Six things

Emmms of Erqsome tagged me for a meme so here we go...

Here are the rules:
Link to the person who tagged you.
Mention the rules.
Tell six quirky yet boring, unspectacular details about yourself.
Tag six other bloggers by linking to them.
Go to each person's blog and leave a comment that let's them know they've been tagged.

1) I say 'Steven!' at least once a day to my husband (usually on Twitter). If this doesn't make any sense to you, then you need to start listening to Adam and Joe on BBC 6 Music - it is quite possibly the best radio show in the world, ever.

2) A few years ago I was paid to throw custard at small children on a TV show. I can therefore confirm that if you get covered head to toe in custard, the smell of it will linger up your nose for days afterwards. You will find lumps of semi-dried custard on your belt,shoes and earrings. You'll also get funny looks on the train when strangers see you on your way home with a carrier bag full of custardy clothes.

3) I find it impossible to have just one glass of wine.

4) For some peculiar reason, every time I get my hair cut I get really dizzy and feel faint. I think it has something to do with having to sit still for a long(ish) time.

5) I can't walk in high heeled shoes. I only own one pair which I've worn once. It must be because of those teenage years in Doc Martens and army boots!

6) When I was a kid I used to get called 'posh' by all the roughnecks on my estate, just because I didn't speak with a full-on Norwich accent. Fukkun hull, boye!

I shan't tag but feel free to pinch this for your own blog!

Christmas Meme

There's a Christmas meme doing the rounds at the moment so I thought I'd join in. Feel free to swipe this for your own blog!

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Wrapping paper, though I realise this isn't the most eco-friendly way to do things.

2. Real tree or Artificial tree? Always real. It doesn't feel like Christmas to me unless I've got the smell of a tree in the flat. We get a potted one so that we can water it - that way it doesn't dry out and make a mess.

3. When do you put up the tree? As early as we can get away with! Any day after 1st December goes in our home.

4. When do you take the tree down? Sometime in the first week of January. We cut the branches off so that it's easy to carry down the road to the nearest recycling point.

5. Do you like eggnog? I've never actually tasted it! It's not a big thing here in the UK like it is in north America. Mulled wine is more popular and I *love* that.

6. Favorite gift(s) received as a child? One year I got an A La Carte Kitchen. It was AWESOME.

7. Hardest person to buy/make for? Always the dads. They say the don't mind what you get them but I think they secretly do.

8. Easiest person to buy/make for? My Mother-in-Law. She appreciates almost anything.

9. Do you have a nativity scene? No.

10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mostly mail, although I do always seem to have a couple of last minute email ones to send.

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? I'm going to have to think about this one as nothing springs to mind.

12. When do you start shopping/making gifts? I start shopping as soon as I get my October pay. It seems a little early, but spreading the cost is the only way we can manage! If I make gifts then I'll usually make a start in November.

13. Favorite Christmas Movie? Don't generally watch Christmas movies, although I did watch Elf last night and thought it was hilarious.

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Don't think so...!

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Mince pies, Christmas pudding, pigs in blankets, roast chestnuts and the chocolate that you put on your tree.

16. Favorite thing on the tree? See above :)

17. Favorite Christmas song? Fairytale of New York by The Pogues

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? We always stay at home. Perfect! We get to do as we please - this year it's French Toast and Bucks Fizz for breakfast :)

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer's? Not a chance.

20. Angel on the tree top or a star? A star, but only because that's what the shop had!

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Christmas morning! I am a bit of a big kid - always wake up ridiculously early on Christmas morning, and then make Ross get up too.

22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? The shops being too busy, annoying adverts on the TV, and having to go to work in that gap between Christmas and New Year.

23. Favorite ornament theme or color? No deliberate theme, but all our tree decorations seem to be red.

24. Favorite food for Christmas dinner? Free range turkey, homemade cranberry sauce, potatoes roasted in goose fat, and Christmas pudding for dessert.

25. What do you want for Christmas this year?  I just want to be happy and relaxed. And drunk by noon.

Hump Day

Bums. I left my iPod at home today, which means I can't drown out the sound of other people's conversations.

To occupy my mind, I've nicked this meme from Erqsome, who nicked it from Glenda, who nicked it from Glittrgirl, who nicked it from....

Things I've done are in bold.

1. Started my own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than I can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland/world
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sung a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched lightening at sea
14. Taught myself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown my own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitchhiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of my ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught myself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had my portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business (sort of!)
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had my picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Rode an elephant

Hmm, I haven't done many of these! It does seem to be US centric though.

Five things about me

I've seen this meme on a few blogs and thought I'd give it a whirl!

1. What was I doing 10 years ago? Well, I would have just turned 18. Perhaps recovering from that Ash gig at the Astoria? Plotting my escape from Norwich?

2. What are 5 things on my to-do list for today? Not much.

- Pay Electricity bill

- Knit

- Give my Rossy a big cuddle

- Make it until 5pm without going insane or dying of boredom

- Drink the cider in the fridge before it goes flat

3. Snacks I enjoy: I love snacks. My favourites are buffalo wings, olives, wasabi peas, houmous, vegetable samosas and of course crisps.

4. Things I would do if I were a billionare: Without question the first thing I would do is quit my job. I don't understand it when people say 'Ooh, but you'd soon get bored!' NO I wouldn't! I would fill my day with knitting, spinning, dyeing, and anything else I fancied trying. I would like to open a yarn shop too.

The next thing I would do is sort my family out - make sure none of them have to work again if they don't want to. Then I would buy a massive house in Notting Hill and have a party. You're all invited!

5. Places I have lived: Norwich and several areas of London - Olympia, Earls Court, Chiswick and Ealing.

I'm not going to tag but feel free to join in if you like!

Book meme

Erqsome tagged me for this meme and I've finally got round to doing it.

The rules:

1. Pick up the nearest book (of at least 123 pages).
2. Open the book to page 123.
3. Find the fifth sentence.
4. Post the next three sentences.
5. Tag five people & post a comment here once you post it to your blog, so I can come see.

I'm at work and the nearest book is the one in my bag. It was actually written by a friend and although it's not the sort of book I'd normally read, it is very good (although I do feel very nosy reading it because there's a lot of talk about her boyfriend!).

"Personally, after coming across one too many alphas in the past, I had no desire to date one again. I didn't want someone who selfishly thought he was always right and who made me feel nervous when I was around him.

Back at the beginning, when The Beau double-booked me at the party, I began to wonder if this lovely, polite man, who took time to listen and seemed extremely in tune with people, was in fact an alpha wolf in beta clothing."

Ooh err!

Feel free to consider yourself tagged if this meme takes your fancy.

Birthday Meme

I spotted this meme over at My Knitting and Me!

Go to Wikipedia and look up your birthday. Then post 3 events, 2 births, and a holiday.

26th May

Events

1864 - Montana is organised as a United States territory

1889 - Opening of the first Eiffel Tower elevator to the public

1969 - John Lennon and Yoko Ono begin their second Bed-In for Peace at the Queen Elizabeth Hotel in Montreal

Births

1478 - Pope Clement VII

1966 - Helena Bonham Carter

Holiday

Australia - National Sorry Day

I've been tagged!

The lovely Missmalice Knits has tagged me for this meme. Here are the rules:

"Each person tagged gives 7 random facts about themselves. Those tagged need to write in their blogs the 7 facts, as well as the rules of the game. You need to tag seven others and list their names on your blog. You have to leave those you plan on tagging a note in their comments so they know that they have been tagged and to read your blog."

My 7 things:

1. Ross and I met ten years ago this October. I was 17.
2. I have been working for a large telecoms company for 6 years even though I have no interest in the industry. It pays well though and I do plan on something a little more exciting once the evil loan of doom is paid off.
3. Indian food is my favourite EVER. To the point where I stuff myself silly until I phsyically cannot fit any more food in my belly.
4. I haven't had a proper holiday since my honeymoon 4 years ago. Seriously need to get those finances in control!! I'm not fussy - a week in Spain would suffice!
5. I find crochet impossible. One little hook instead of 2 needles? No way!
6. Recently I have turned into a complete cider geek. I'll turn my nose up at beer if I can get a pint of one of these!
7. Knitting is what helped me quit smoking. I am so glad that I gave up the cancer sticks and can spend my hard earned cash on something much more rewarding - yarn! They say that the ex-smokers are the most militant non-smokers; in my case this is definitely true. Roll on July 1st!

Okay, I tag the following people. I'm fairly new to this tagging thing, and won't be offended if any of you don't want to do this:

Sharon

Emma

Nic

Annarella

Another Hobby Blog

Dee

Heather

Knitting List meme

I love memes, especially when I can fill them in at work! This was found over at Nickerjac.

Edit the list, bold for stuff you’ve done, italics for stuff you plan to do one day, and normal for stuff you’re not planning on doing.

Afghan/Blanket
I-cord
Garter stitch
Knitting with metal wire
Shawl
Stockinette stitch
Socks: top-down
Socks: toe-up
Knitting with camel yarn
Mittens: Cuff-up
Mittens: Tip-down
Hat
Knitting with silk
Moebius band knitting
Participating in a KAL
Sweater
Drop stitch patterns
Knitting with recycled/secondhand yarn
Slip stitch patterns
Knitting with banana fiber yarn
Domino knitting (modular knitting)
Twisted stitch patterns
Knitting with bamboo yarn
Two end knitting
Charity knitting
Knitting with soy yarn
Cardigan
Toy/doll clothing
Knitting with circular needles
Knitting with your own handspun yarn
Slippers
Graffiti knitting (knitting items on, or to be left on the street)
Continental knitting
Designing knitted garments
Cable stitch patterns (incl. Aran)
Lace patterns
Publishing a knitting book
Scarf
Teaching a child to knit
American/English knitting (as opposed to continental)
Knitting to make money
Button holes
Knitting with alpaca
Fair Isle knitting
Norwegian knitting
Dying with plant colors
Knitting items for a wedding
Household items (dishcloths, washcloths, tea cozies…)
Knitting socks (or other small tubular items) on two circulars
Olympic knitting
Knitting with someone else’s handspun yarn
Knitting with DPNs
Holiday related knitting
Teaching a male how to knit
Bobbles
Knitting for a living
Knitting with cotton
Knitting smocking
Dying yarn
Steeks
Knitting art
Fulling/felting
Knitting with wool
Textured knitting
Kitchener BO
Purses/bags
Knitting with beads
Swatching
Long Tail CO
Entrelac
Knitting and purling backwards
Machine knitting
Knitting with self-patterning/self-striping/variegating yarn
Stuffed toys
Baby items
Knitting with cashmere
Darning
Jewelry
Knitting with synthetic yarn
Writing a pattern
Gloves
Intarsia
Knitting with linen
Knitting for preemies
Tubular CO
Freeform knitting
Short rows
Cuffs/fingerless mitts/arm warmers
Pillows
Knitting a pattern from an online knitting magazine
Rug
Knitting on a loom
Thrummed knitting
Knitting a gift
Knitting for pets
Shrug/bolero/poncho
Knitting with dog/cat hair
Knitting in public

Nic's right - it does make you think that you should try something new. There are a couple of things on there that I've never even heard of!

One Word Meme

There's nothing like a good meme to save you from the  boredom of sitting at work with no work to do. I found this over at Annarella's and Nickerjac's:

1. Yourself: bored
2. Your boyfriend/girlfriend (spouse): loved
3. Your hair: short
4. Your mother: amusing
5. Your father: far
6. Your favorite Item: yarn
7. Your dream last night: nonexistant
8. Your favorite drink: wine
9. Your dream car: none
10. The room you are in: office
11. Your ex: forgotten
12. Your fear: loneliness
13. What you want to be in 10 years? happy
14. Who you hung out with last night? Ross
15. What you're not: relaxed
16. Muffins: yes
17. One of your wish list items: book
18. Time: please
19. The last thing you did: spreadsheet
20. What you are wearing: cardigan
21. Your favorite weather: autumnal
22. Your favorite book: unsure
23. The last thing you ate: sandwich
24. Your life: simple
25. Your mood: Christmas-sy
26. Your best friend: Ross
27. What are you thinking about right now? home
28. Your car: none
29. What are you doing at this moment: skiving
30. Your summer: hot
31. Your relationship status: married
32. What is on your TV? nothing
33. What is the weather like? cloudy
34. When is the last time you laughed? yesterday
35. Who do you tag? anyone

I never thought that one worded answers would be so difficult!

Meme

I haven't done a meme for ages and spotted this over at Spitting Yarn:

1. Flip to page 18, paragraph 4 in the book closest to you right now, what does it say?

"Thread both needles through a bead tip and pull the knot into the bead tip cup. Now you may use both hands to tie knots between your beads without having to use tweezers."

(It's a book about string beading)

2. If you stretch out your left arm - as far as possible, what are you touching?

My colleague's docking station for his laptop.

3. What’s the last program you watched on tv?

24 - bought season 5 yesterday and watched about 4 hours of it last night.

4. Without looking, guess what time it is.

11:10am - spot on!

5. Except the computer, what can you hear right now?

People in the office talking on their phones, hold music and printers.

6. When was the last time you were outside and what did you do?

This morning - I was on the bus on the north circular, coming to work.

7. What are you wearing?

Grey trousers, black top and lemon yellow cardigan.

8. Did you dream last night? If you did, what about?

I dreamt about the Chinese government (see Q.3)

9. When was the last time you laughed?

Last night when I was with Ross

10. What’s on the walls, in the room you’re in right now?

Nothing. Oh, except posters about how we look after our customers.

11. Have you seen anything strange lately?

Hhmmm... I saw a guy on the bus yesterday with a really awful wig on. Does that count?

12. What do you think about this meme?

It is helping me through office boredom - I like it!

13. What’s the last film you saw?

Forrest Gump

14. If you became a multimillionaire, what would you do with the money?

Buy a big house, sort all my family and friends out, and have a big party.

15. Tell us something about yourself that most people don’t know.

I'm half Serbian

16. If you could change ONE THING in this world, without regarding politics or bad guilt - what would it be?

We should have a longer weekend - we are worked too hard. So I say, give everyone an extra day off.

17. Do you like dancing?

Only when I'm drunk.

18. George Bush?

****

19. What do you want your children’s names to be, girl/boy?

If it's a boy, Jack - the name of Ross's Grandad. Haven't decided on a girls name yet.

20. Would you ever consider living abroad?

Yes!

21. What do you want God to tell you, when you come to heaven?

I don't know if I'm going!

22. Who should do this meme?

Anyone that wants to.