Although I may be a tad under the weather, I’m starting the New Year off with so much freakin’ optimism. My travel mug of herbal Throat Coat tea is half-full, friends. I’ve got a clear set of aspirations, or goals, or, shall we say, resolutions? It’s really putting the year in perspective and not a way to beat myself up. I know what I’m striving for, and I know what it’s going to take to get there.

Without detailing them all right here, let’s just say they involve what I’m knitting (WIPs to finish, completed designs to submit, designs to complete, and realistic number of OPD – other people’s designs to choose from), how I’m taking care of myself (let’s see if I can run more than six times this year!), new circus freak skills (rope and unicycle, but not together), and leading a more adventurous, fun-seeking life.

There isn’t any far-flung international travel on the horizon (but if anyone wants to fund some, I’ll accept!), but there are a few jaunts here and there (Austin, Seattle-ish, Philadelphia, Albany-esque (2x), Portland and the familial beyond-Buffalo and Eugene). If we don’t meet in person, another one of them revolves around doing a better job of updating this here site, getting more photos off the camera (including October’s Italy and Rhinebeck!), and doing a better job of staying in touch.

I’m ready for 2009 to be the best 2009 ever! Are you?

What is missing from the photo is a dill creme fraiche sauce and a bottle of Sancerre.

Happy 2009, everyone!

Janie Sparkles wishes everyone plenty of long naps, lots of belly rubs, and a few extra chicken strips for the holidays.

(photo: Christopher Hall)

Was it all a dream? My seven-week sabbatical has come to a close.

IOU blog posts and photo uploads recounting travels, emails and thank you’s for writing, and knitting and design updates.

It’s been nice to withdraw from my computer and professional life. I’m reminded of how many truly wonderful people I have in my life. I hope to cherish the perspective gained during my time off for many years to come. Or at least the next six until my next sabbatical.

(Photo by Christopher, my gay married husband.)

My sabbatical started today. After seven years, you’re entitled to six paid weeks off to which you’re allowed to add two more weeks of vacation. I’ve been there since 2000, so I’m over a year late.

It was a whirlwind of rushing around to get everything done before I leave for Italy. Cleaned out my office desk, printed out plane tickets and Rome itineraries, and grabbed anything I thought I’d couldn’t live without for the next seven weeks (will I really use that yoga mat?). I’m not allowed to step foot into the office until November 17th.

I had a great day of bonding with Janie, loading up the iPod, and making a list of stuff to bring. Now, everything is packed, except my toiletries (toothbrush, paste, floss, razor, shaving cream and moisterizer). Not sure how much online time I’ll get between now and 10/9, but I’ll do my darnedest! Expect more when I return…

The alarm is going off in seven hours, so I should get to bed. Ciao for now.

Did y’all wish PuNk rAwK pUrL a happy birthday yet?

Well, what are you waiting for… go on, even if it’s “late.” She’s a swell gal that I’m proud to call a friend.

Sure, she hasn’t written in her blog since my birthday in April… so go look at her pretty pictures?

We’re headed to Alameda tonight for German food and celebration because what’s better than cabbage to celebrate another milestone? Chance of ice cream afterwards at Tucker’s: extremely high.

I warned you I wouldn’t be writing here that much. In lieu of me, here’s my little angel (on my pillow) to entertain you.

Last weekend, all three days of it, felt like a major turn-around. I was well rested. I picked up my knitting again (finished Earl Grey and starting Ribbed Coreolis, both sock #2). Bread was baked. Pesto was made. Dinner with friends was shared. Olympic trials were watched (swimming, that is). What more could you ask for?

Well, if you want more, on Monday we released YKNIT episode 10: Public Displays of Creation. Put that in your podcatcher.

It’s 9:00am. Time to get ready for swim practice and work out some soreness from last night’s circus training.

Getting ready for the trip, we enjoyed a German breakfast of bread and cheese this morning. I’ve been drinking lots of coffee, too.

Only three days at the office this week then off to travel for two weeks.

I’m still accepting Berlin recommendations. Y’all were so good for Paris… any thoughts on Deutschland?

As you know, I’ve been away for a week at sock knitting camp. We arrived home yesterday, after a LONG day driving Mom to the airport at 5:30am, waiting for a greasy spoon to open to get breakfast, almost missing our plane, awaiting the return of Janie Sparkles. Needless to say, I’m exhausted.

It was go-go-go all week long, between classes and antics and knitting and eating (and eating and eating). Leaving the island on Saturday was also a jam-packed with waiting for the ferry, driving back to Seattle, visiting Bad Woman Yarn, getting Chicken Knittle and Megpie to the airport… then, we had to meet up with Mr. Man who had been in Seattle since Friday. Later that evening, we had a drink with my dear friend from college, her adorable daughter and husband, then dinner before crashing.

All this is to say, I haven’t had time to edit my photos or compose a camp recap post. And in my rush to get home and transition back to reality, I forgot that I had also requested today off! Just for this very reason, to ease back into life and decompress from the knitting overload.

So I didn’t need to spend the day at work. Alas, I had already driven to Berkeley, I decided to stay.