Lots of nice things happened today. Go to go on a field trip to a really cool studio during my Audio Mix class today and see all their gear. It also snowed today, didn't settle but was still lovely and SO freakin' cold. My ears thought they were going to fall off with the cold. I was also really excited to find the new issue on Knitty on the stands, hot off the press and some fab patterns in it that I can't wait to get my needles into. I have to include a picture of my latest FO, my first ever dishcloth/facecloth from my mystery dishcloth KAL. Can you see what it is??
It's a rocking horse, how sweet is that. Plan to make a lot more of them as gifts for people. And last but not least, I promised I'd put up a gauge of the yule yarn I got from Brooke's etsy shop, White Willow Market. Isn't it gorgeous the way the colours come out, I was so impressed as I was knitting it up. Great stuff, Brooke!
I must beg forgiveness to the Benevolent Leader of the FOB. I know I didn't blog yesterday , but I was kind of busy and to be honest I don't think I really could have made a list for that particular subject. My kitchen right now is actually, no lie, the size of a cupboard. There is no room for anything other than kitcheny things and even then some of that migrates to bedrooms more often than not. Mugs for instance have no staying power in the kitchen. I suppose I could have done a blog about the other crazy things we have in our shoebox of a flat (such as an orchestra full of instruments and a yellow exercise ball, left here by the last residents, that is used for sitting and bouncing - never exercise, 'cause that would be silly!). I feel able to tackle this next one however, though I feel a bit bad being so materialistic at this time of year, but no point lying to oneself. Hi, my name's Parisa, I have stuff and I like it! And so here is: 17 things I couldn't live without (unless I HAD to)...
*17...My flute. My beautiful, beautiful, silver flute bought for me by my Mother for my 18th birthday. I waited a long time for a flute of my very own, considering I'd been playing since I was 6 and I love it very much. I was separated from it for a whole 6 months when I went to India and I'm still recovering!!
*16...My copy of Joni Mitchell's album 'Blue'. Again a gift from my Mother, and truthfully a landmark album in my music career. It made me want to write and sing, so badly.
*15...Carole King's 'Tapestry'. Same as above. (I have been told that I sound like Carole King and a young Joni Mitchell at times *SMILE*)
*14...My teddy bear, 'Honey'. He was given to me when I was 3 by the gardener at the block of flats we lived in Belfast. He was such a sweet man and lived with his brother, next door to us...or so I thought. I recently found out the guy he lived with was actually his life partner. Two elderly gay gentlemen living together in Belfast in the mid-eighties...how cool is that! And 'Honey' is super cool too and makes DB very jealous by always getting to sleep beside me. He's good about sharing me though, when DB comes to visit ;)
*13...My knitted blanket that I bought at Glastonbury music festival to keep poor DB and I warm in our little tent. Best music festival EVER, saw REM, Radiohead, Moby, David Grey, Nitin Sawhney and a plethora of other incredible music acts. I was 17 and it was my first festival. Had wanted to go FOREVER and DB got us tickets as my birthday present. I did my last ever exam in school, walking out, jumped in Kol's car and sped off to the airport. Best memory!
(Honey, with knitted blanket in the background)
*12...Cheese! I love cheese! Not american cheese (sorry!) or pre-sliced rubbish that tastes like plastic but real cheese. Love a bit of cheddar. Wendsleydale with cranberries. Brie. Anything. I know it's not a thing but, yeah, I love it!
*11...My Aladdin shoes. They're bright red, leather shoes with lace up front and curly toes a la Aladdin or Ali Baba. A gift from DB our first Christmas together. Such an incredibly thoughtful gift, that are so 'me' and such an unusual item for a guy to think to buy as a gift.
*10...My voice. I'm not quite sure what I'd do if I ever lost my voice completely. Probably go quietly mad...and play a lot more flute, unless...
*9...I lost my fingers! When I'm really stressed I sometimes dream of my fingers getting trapped in things or getting cut off. Scary! And it would mean I could never knit again...double ECK!
*8...My Knatty hat. The newsboy cap from 'Stitch n Bitch Nation', which I adjusted to fit all my hair into. I look like a have a head of dreads when I wear it, true Reggae man! You can see me modeling it on my myspace page.
*7...My tinwhistle :) Great for a little impromptu session or busking and v. portable.
*6...My laptop. Is that sad? I've only owned it for 2 and a half years and I got given it at college, so it is technically for school work but I really love it now. Oh Lappy, my dear!
*5...My knitting stuff. I know I don't always have it with me, and most of it is back in Ireland right now, but just a set of needles and some yarn and I'm happy :)
*4...My BED!!! Best bed ever and I really don't spend enough time bonding with it. It is the only thing in my apartment, bar my instruments, that is worth any money but I really thought of it as an investment as I only get to have so much sleep anyway, with recording sessions, so I want to get quality sleep when I do get to sleep.
*3...Newest addition to my traveling menagerie of instruments is the left-handed guitar I got for my 21st birthday in June. Thank you DB and Mother again. Such supportive people (I know that from my last list I said my Ma laughed at me when I said I wanted to be a singer, but she is so supportive and always had been, I think she was just shocked and didn't know what to say that first time)
*2...My family and my friends, who are my family, not by blood but 'cause we are kindred spirits...
*1...and my DB!!
I know I cheated a little with those last 2, but the more I think about it the more I know in my heart of hearts I could survive fine with nothing more than those last 2 'items' and maybe my flute if I could have one possession. I think that is what I learned when I was in India. I brought so much crap with me that I then discarded or gave away and I was none the worse off for not having it. Not that I was a crazy materialistic person before I went to India, not that any of us are, but I think it's our society constantly telling us that this 'thing' will makes us happier/prettier/more fulfilled/better. It is such a crock! I find myself slipping back into my old ways often but I am so glad that I have the other perspective to fall back on and shake myself out of my commercial stupor. This was a hard list for me to write, even as I look round my room at all my lovely stuff and am glad I get to enjoy them all, but I'm also glad I could do without them too. And I've also noticed many things on my list were gifts or have memories attached and it's the memory I cherish more than anything! Thank you for such a great topic Em, I really needed a good life stock take...it has been awhile.
5 comments:
That is so sweet... I may have to steal that one and do it on my blog :)
you see honey your 14th, she doesnt really love you, move on my friend, hiny hint! so what your saying is you can live without all those lovely material things and it wouldnt matter, il remind you of that the next time i break lappy!
That was a truly awesome list, my friend! Thanks for doing the swatch too- I've been "dyeing" (haha!) to see what it looks like :)
I looooove those red shoes, too! Your DB has some shopping skills! keep him, for sure :) And for other obvious reasons- he seems to be a really great guy :)
"Blue" is one of my favorites as well. First heard it in a friend's car whne I was a camp counselor. Bought it asap and have loved it ever since. If I am singing to myself, it ofetn ends up being a song from that album.
Mmmmmm. Cheese. I must wholeheartedly agree with you on that one. Our fridge usually has quite a few varieties in it. Lately, I've been wanting aged gouda more than anything else.
My life would be sad without dairy.
My flute has needed repadding for quite awhile. I do miss playing it, but I do have a tin whistle, recorder, and guitar at this house that are here. One day a piano will be added. I can tell whne I have gone too long without playing anything. Just doesn't feel right.
HOney and the blanket are fabulous. I'm glad you added a picture of them!
WOW. Really- wow- cheese? Yes, please! No American, Velveeta, or anything else wrapped in plastic, but a hunk of cheddar- priceless.
What a great list. The way you feel about your fingers/voice- I know exactly what you mean. I've been known to have odd, brief episodes of wondering what life would be like if I couldn't see the written word on the page or use my fingers to write. Then I do a little Cher "Snap outta it!" and move on.
Love Honey. Glad I'm not the only one with a stuffed companion.
It really was difficult, wasn't it? Coming up with that many material items. Who would have expected it? Not me, with my house full of stuff. Was just commenting to Brooke, we could definitely do some house-cleaning/emptying around here.
Have a splendiferous weekend. I'll keep putting up questions, but don't lose any sleep over it- especially when you've got such a great bed!
Post a Comment