I Got Nothin’

According to the editorial calendar I made for myself, today was supposed to talk about the development of the CTW website and updated blog.  I’ll be revising that calendar shortly.  I messed up yesterday with a late day nap, then its resultant inability to sleep.  The bad news was I had to be up early to get some work done.  The good news was, I had some time to spend with Hulu last night while I struggled to fall asleep.  I didn’t know what I’d been missing.  Hulu usually gets short shrift because it’s not on the home screen on my iPad like Netflix is.  

You guys, I didn’t know what I’d been missing.  Hulu is the bomb.  It doesn’t have The Courtship of Eddie’s Father (which I think may have been a little racist?  Is it possible to be a little racist?  Anyway, looking back, something about the Mrs. Livingston situation makes me a little nervous.  I digress) , nor does it have A Family Affair.  (Man, there were NO black people on TV when I was in short pants!)  That’s okay, though, because there’s this show:

The Supersizers

These two will eat anything.  It’s atrocious, and also hypnotizing!  The schtick is they “travel” to different time periods and eat as the people did then for a whole week.  For the Regency period, I had to close my eyes for a good ten minutes.  Eyeballs are not food.  I don’t think it’s the sleepiness talking when I say that this is a REALLY interesting series, and though Giles has table manners that are kind of gross, you can get past that because Sue is pretty funny.  You should watch all the episodes this week so I have time to work on the CTW content and write a post here announcing its arrival.  Thanks!

Universe, Cut it Out!!!

Because look at this dog:

That’s not Russell! That’s Gus! Click thru for details!

That’s Russ.

Hard to tell the difference, hmm?  Gus is in St. Louis.  My cousin Whitney just sent me the link, noting the remarkable similarities between Gus and Russ.  Gus and Russ.  That has a ring to it.  Two eyes between them — one left, and one right.  And two sets of those big floppy feet!  I’m at a loss, friends.  Exactly what am I supposed to do now?  Maybe one of you awesome readers could give that swell pooch an equally swell home?  Please do it before I finish plotting out the journey to St. Louis on Mapquest.  Please.

Pay Attention to Your Target

But how do you know who your target is, really?  Lots of research, focus groups, strategy sessions, etc.  I say throw something out there and the people who hate it are not your target.  Like this:

If you click this and you like it, we’re friends forever, and I will loan you money. If you hate it, well, it’s been nice knowing you.

Happy Monday!

Dads’ Day Recap

Just in case you’re a Dad and feeling like it’s the day after Christmas, Hannukah, your birthday, or any other day that should be super happy… until it’s over.  Here’s a reminder of how great you are.  Happy Post-Father’s Day Monday.

The Downside of Dogs

Russell Jenkins heard (?) saw (?) something under the cabinet.  I’m afraid it’s a silverfish.  If it were a mouse, I’d be okay, but we don’t have mice.  Silverfish, on the other hand — well we’re not that far from the water, and we are in an old, plaster-walled building on the first floor, so I’ve seen some in my time.

He’s been like this:

What is under there?!!! I’m freaking out!

…for the last 10 minutes.  [ASIDE -- I don't boil water in my living room, that hot pot is there because of a failed attempt at bottle cutting craft this weekend.]

Anyway, I can’t even pay attention to what was supposed to be the best night ever on TV, the reboot of Inspector Lewis on PBS.  There are no commercials (damn you, publicly funded television!), so I can’t run to the corner store (a 1:30 trip if I’m fast) and get RAID.  And, the worst part about it is, even if the little bastard comes out from under the cabinet, if his performance in the fly-catching arena is any indication, RJ ain’t hardly gonna’ catch that thing.

I’d like to stop thinking about it, but RJ’s vigilance won’t let me.  It’s gonna’ be a long night…

Father’s Day

Here’s a dad taking a lesson from mine (at the same address, no less!), building a home for his kids that’ll be warm, loving, and–since my mom put up the note warning off the mailman for this next little bit–safe.  Happy Fathers’ Day!

Click to see the dad at work. My mother said the pair was in and out of the mailbox all day.

What is Going On

with this blog?  It’s too much hodge-podge, I think.  It started off as a chronicle of knitting and sewing stuff, then I added other craft stuff, then I started talking about Russell Jenkins and work and 70s songs that get stuck in my head.  I’ve started a new site for the craft stuff, Chicago TextileWorks, which makes sense, since there’s an actual entity called Chicago TextileWorks, and as it grows, it probably is a good idea to keep it separate from this site, as it’ll also have PayPal and Big Cartel links for shopping, and be basically about product, not stupid musings.

I’m going to work on that next week, and just keep this for the randomness. Like, right now, for instance, when I’m randomly sharing my new favorite music from Laura Mvula.    My neighbors are about to break down the door any second … either to make me turn down the stereo, or to join me in a good dance.  Check her out at the link above, and see the video below, the title song from her new EP:

Click thru. She’s good.

 

Wait, You’re Telling Me…

there’s a store that basically just sells terrariums?

Yes, I am.  I stopped in to Alapash today to get some props for some Chicago TextileWorks photos.  I did it on a lark because … I mean, come on, terrariums?  A whole store for them?  That’s just a leeetle too precious, right?

Well, yes, and it’s also awesome.  I got a very cute, and very hard-to-kill set of succulents planted in an old lunchbox:

See? Cute, right?

I also got a great big ball of moss (trust me, it’s going to be just the thing for the photos):

That’s my “Gina” picture in the background. She’s still bringing me joy!

And, I got this vintage insulator:

I know it looks a little phallic, but that’s how they’re made. Google it. I’m going back tomorrow to buy the rest of them.

If you’re in Ravenswood (or, as some folks call it, North Center), I suggest you stop through. There’s lots more than terrariums going on at Alapash, and the staff is extremely nice and helpful.

Today is the 15th Anniversary of the GIF

Just thought you’d like to know.  Oh boy!  Read more at Mashable.

Maybe I’m Okay

I have a LOT of weird knitting/craft books.  So many, in fact, that most of them are in boxes in the foyer closet waiting for me to sort through them during my annual “un-pack, hang my head in shame, re-pack” event.

I feel a little less bad about at least one of my weird–actually, let’s call them interesting –books today, as it was featured on BuzzFeed.  I paid a fortune for it on eBay.

Despite the title, women can do it, too! Click thru for pix.

I ain’t ashamed.  Happy Friday, friends!