I wasn’t born a ramblin’ man…

[dichroic]

I realized the other day that I have been traveling more than I thought: I’ve been in another country every single month since May 2011, and it will continue until at least July. Like this:

June 2011: Budapest
July 2011: Japan
August 2011: Japan
Sept 2011: Oregon
Oct 2011: NY and PA
Nov 2011: Japan
Dec 2011: France, Spain
Jan 2012: Japan
Feb 2012: Japan
Mar 2012: Lisbon
Apr 2012: Oregon
May 2012: CT (also Belgium)
June 2012: PA
July 2012: Baltic cruise

I’m cheating only very slightly: I had one short trip to Japan that ran from January 29 through February 4. So I didn’t actually do round trips in those months, but I did go to sleep in a country other than the one I’d woken up in, in both months. I think we need to plan a long weekend in Vienna in August. Or Iceland. September will probably include a trip to Germany, since the FISA World Masters is there – it’s only an hour’s drive, so that may be a day trip. We plan to visit the US again in October-ish – were originally considering August for that, but it’s really too soon to buy our RV. Then we plan to go home in December, with possibly a short trip back here in January to close things out. Anyway, the travel plans through July are firm, but all later plans are still very much up in the air, including the date of our return to the US – it kind of depends on Ted’s management. It’s always weird not to know where you’ll be living when!

On the knitting front, I’ve put Mom’s blanket aside because it’s been too hot to knit something that big, though that may change this weekend. Meanwhile, I’m almost done another pair of socks. I am liking Cat Bordhi’s Sweet Tomato Heel; it’s pleasant to knit and seems to fit pretty well (I’m wearing the first pair I made with that heel right now) – in fact, here they are, because I’m not sure if I ever posted a photo here:

The bruise from the Implanon injection got darker and uglier, as bruises do, but it finally is starting to fade. Why can’t they invent something like this for men? I’ve been on the pill for 27 years, and now this. it’s his turn, dammit.

Another disturbing bruise photo:

Mirrored from Dichroic Reflections.

Comments

[apis_mellifera]

What an interesting looking heel--I assume it's a series of short row wedges? I keep meaning to pick up some of Cat Bordhi's books but she's a sock on two circs sort of person and I'm not.

Your bruise looks like the ones I had after my car accident, except one of mine lasted for six weeks (thank you, seat belt).

Let me know if you want to try to get together when you're in Philly next month--not a big deal if you don't have time.

[dichroic]

I'd love to get together, but they've just added some family party in Sout' Philly which means the only day I have free is Monday, June 18. I'm guessing that won't work for you, but please let me know if I'm wrong!

Yes, the Sweet Tomato Heel is a series of short-row wedges, with a few nifty tricks to close up holes (what Cat calls the Thanks Ma! method - I wouldn't be surprised if she'd got a Youtube video on it. She has a number of good videos on her various techniques. There's no reason it wouldn't work on DPNs, as far as I can tell (don't like them myself).

[apis_mellifera]

I could probably scoot out of work a little early if you wanted to do something in the afternoon (say around 1-ish). Let me know!

[dichroic]

That should definitely be doable. (Sleeping late is good, then I can go downtown on the El.) If you're up for a bit of walking and are interested, I note that Cake and the Beanstalk is at 11th and Locust (I used to babysit the owner, and I really want to go see the place) and Rosie's is down at 20th and Locust. Looks like an itinerary in the making.....

(No guarantees my mom won't want to come along, but she's a) extremely friendly and b) good for a fair bit of walking, as long as you don't expect her to move fast or navigate.)

[dichroic]

Or another idea, if you don't mind people, would be to put out a general invite for C and the B around lunch, see who shows, and then go to Rosie's or not, depending on what we feel like doing. After all, I don't actually NEED more yarn!

[apis_mellifera]

Either option is fine--I'm okay with walking as long as we don't try to set any land speed records. :)

If I leave work at noon, I should be able to get up to Center City by 1 no problem--and I know there are a lot of parking garages in that area so parking shouldn't be an issue, either.

[dichroic]

Cool. I'll put a general call out and see who's interested. (FB and LJ, I guess. Maybe Rav - can't remember if any of the Waffles are around there.)

[apis_mellifera]

Yay, a plan! It's only taken, what, a decade for our schedules to match up?