Another week, Another attempt

Ok, so I'm a sucker for cat pictures.

So, on Orthodox Easter I made another attempt at documenting and measuring the ball. And, once again, had malfunction issues. This is getting a little tedious. But, hey, at least the cat wanted to help! My mom and I are now fairly assured we know how to get the whole process to work, and on Sunday will attempt again, equipped with extra cards and card readers and sunscreen and and and...

Birthday Record Breaking.

The text says "I'm thinking of retiring"

So, yesterday, on my 32nd birthday, I remeasured the fingerknitting. Unfortunately, though this time I had a cinematographer, I still didn't get the footage my little heart desires (or, for that matter, due to technical difficulties, even comprehensive footage...). So, still no challenge in the works. But, the good news is that I do, for certain, have more yardage than I need. The record is 4321 meters, and I have over 4550. Right now it's sitting in my basement in 12 small balls, awaiting the day I will have the energy to roll it back into one big ball and go for the cinematic marvel that I'm in hot (ok, tepid) pursuit of.

Don't let the photos confuse you- it's not warm in TCs up at the Enterprise Middle School (go wildcats) track (maybe highs of 45 yesterday). But moving that ball around is what I call "strenuous," as is re-winding it. Michael (the cinemagician) and my loving mother helped me remove the cords, and I was impressed at how much faster I can wind a ball than either of them. I guess I'm good at something besides making tuna sandwiches. All in all, with all the help, the whole process of measuring and then re-balling took almost 6 hours. Sigh...

So, I'm envisioning a whole family of various cameras, including a more happily functional gopro (mine has decided to stop holding it's charge...)- the track is so large as to be difficult to see the entire thing in one shot. Also, Michael has put me in mind of many screens...

I'm sore all over...

About Mike Nichols

Ok, so I'm distracted easily from my paper writing, I admit and I am also distracted from fingerknitting and (ee-gads) have been listening to the news and also reading Vanity Fair. And so, I've been hearing a lot about Mike Nichols (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Nichols). Someday, possibly for thesis, I will write about my love of somewhat obscure comedy. I love this sketch. It comforts me in times of need.

Also, they don't start moving till halfway through the video. However, it's a radio piece, so just listen.

Another Week, Another Party

Every year for quite awhile My mother and I have hosted a "Robert Burns Birthday" party. Mom makes her fantastic shortbread, we make scotch eggs, coll, potted salmon,bannies, drink good beer, have people bring us decent scotch, etc.

This year, as a talking point, I brought out the 2 halves of the big ball of finger-knitting. This happy couple are the McQuerys, she's an author, he's a goofball. People couldn't get over that the balls were solid, and that I had been working on this project nearly 10 years.

The image with 3 balls in it shows how much I got finished during residency- about 650 feet, about a 1/4 of what I had left to make. Got some tv time ahead...