librarygrrrl.net

Still knitting away here. I’m about 7/8 of the way done with my second striped scarf from Last-Minute Knitted Gifts. For some reason, I knit 2×2 rib really slowly, so it’s taking me forever. Oh well, it’s cute, I like it, and it will be done soon.

The huge thing I did last weekend? I ripped out my entire Weekend Warrior sweater. I was just so unhappy with how it had turned out that I’d never finished piecing it together. And the yarn is so beautiful that I couldn’t just let in languish any longer. So rip-rip-rip it went.

From here:

To here:

To being in big hand-rolled balls.

What really prompted this was that I managed to score another hank of the right colorway, so I can make the right size sweater this time, without worrying about running out of yarn. Not sure what pattern I’ll use this time around - possibly a top-down raglan would be nice. That way, I can make sure the sleeves and body are both long enough for me. AND I won’t have to seam the darn thing! AND I won’t have to fret about how wonky my seams are! Win win situation, right?

So that’s where the knitting stands right now. Too bad I’ve got 4 books that I want to read Right Now on my bedside table, otherwise I’d really get cracking on all the knitting…

Jakob Nielsen over at useit.com has caused a lot of bloggers to navel-gaze the past few days, including yours truly. Of his top ten blog design mistakes, I suffer from a few, while I escape from a few others.

1. No Author Biographies

Nope, mine is there are the top of the page, a little blue tab called “About Me.”

2. No Author Photo

Mine’s on the “About Me” page. One of my favorite photos of myself - wherever you are, Steve Shear, thanks for taking it and sending it to me!

3. Nondescript Posting Titles

Guilty as charged. I have such goodies as, “Frog City“, “It’s Knitting Time Again“, and “Summer Vacation Parts 1-4“. A long time ago, on a blog far, far away from this one, I used to have the longest, most descriptive titles every. It might be time to resurrect that practice. Thanks, Jakob! I enjoyed those post titles, and look forward to the challenge.

4. Links Don’t Say Where They Go

Well, seeing as how I mostly blog for myself, as a public web-diary, I’m not very concerned about this. In short, I rarely link out, and when I do, it’s usually to businesses. But it’s a good thing to keep in mind.

5. Classic Hits are Buried

I don’t think I have any classic hits, except maybe for my Klaralund sweater post. I suspect personal blogs and more political blogs might be different somehow that way. That said, I’m willing to find a few top entries and keep ‘em linked in the sidebar.

6. The Calendar is the Only Navigation

Nope, I use categories, and try to use only one or two categories for each post. Go me!

7. Irregular Publishing Frequency

Again, guilty as charged. Must consider a way to change that.

8. Mixing Topics

But my LIFE is a mixed topic, and this blog is about my life. So I flaunt this one, I flaunt it knowingly and willingly, and that is that.

9. Forgetting That You Write for Your Future Boss

You know, I really do keep this one in mind. Yes, I talk politics (sometimes) on this here blog. But when I send out resumes, I definitely use the word “feminist” in them (hard to hide that grad work in women’s studies, you know?). And I AM a feminist, pro-choice woman. If my future boss doesn’t want people like that around, I don’t want to work for that person. Seriously, and truly.

I think a better rule on this one (for me) would be: Would your mother blush or be offended if she read it? And I suceed there too, I think. (Mom, care to chime in here?)

10. Having a Domain Name Owned by a Weblog Service

Nope, I have my own domain. Installed Wordpress all on my own. Broke things and fixed them and found a theme I liked and installed it and broke it and fixed it again. Backed things up, poked some more, restored things. I like having my own domain - I suppose it’s a socially acceptable way of being a quiet exhibitionist.

So like I said, I am good on some of the rules, bad on others, and choose to flaunt a couple because darn it, I want to.

How does your blog stack up? Find out from the expert, Jakob N.

So I’m here, just not blogging as much lately.

The state of my life lately? Very, very good. This is mostly what Amy and I have been dealing with:

Hmmm… Maggie has a toy. Otter MUST want it!

We’re struggling with jealousy issues.

Sometimes we fight only with our teeth.

And sometimes we play-fight using our entire bodies.

And sometimes we are so darn cute that words can’t adequately describe it.

Never a dull moment, I tell you! Never. A. Dull. Moment.

My best friend rolled into town Sunday night for a quick visit before she had to run off to the Valley Forge area for a conference. We spent Monday poking around the city, seeing some sights I’d not seen yet, and others that I go back to again and again. It’s always fun.

Sunday night we had dinner at one of my favorite restaurants in the city, Vietnam Restaurant (not to be confused with Vietnam Palace, just across the street.) As per usual, the food was excellent and we left stuffed to the gills.

Monday, after a morning of lazing around and walking the dogs, we headed in to take the walking self-guided Mural Arts Program tour. On the way, we got distracted by the Liberty Bell, the Tiffany/Maxfield Parrish collaboration “Dream Garden”, and a late lunch at Caribou Cafe.

Amy met up with us at Caribou, and we walked about half of the mural tour before stopping at Capogiro Gelato for a pick-me-up. Their gelato is heaven in a tiny plastic cup. The limoncello and nectarino were so incredibly tasty! Nan and Amy loved theirs too - dark chocolate, bourbon butterscotch, and wild honey….

Hockey called next, so Amy and I suited up and hit the ice for a couple of hours. She’s been playing with the Philadelphia Freeze for a few years now, and I just joined this season. I’m not tooooo Bambi-esque on the ice thus far, although I do appreciate all the padding. Still, bruises!

It was a fun weekend to be a tourist in my own city. I highly recommend doing it a few times a year. If you’re a Philly person, what are you favorite tourist places?