David Shaw Designs

I know I know!!!

2010-12-26T20:39:00.001-05:00

It has been way too long for a post from me.

What can I say? I am sorry, but I have been very very busy.

I just wanted to let you know that I am still here and still designing etc but will be launching a new business very very soon and am gearing up for that.

More of that to come with the launch.

-D

Life Changes...

2010-06-12T11:53:00.002-04:00

Well, as eluded to in the last blog entry I will be undergoing some life changes in the next little while and do have to say that they will be for the better.

The first is at work.

I know, again? No. The only thing changing at work is which department I will be in charge of which will be in the long run better for the store and for myself.

The second?

I am moving. Not out of town or anything just to another apartment in town here. The move will start in the next week or so and will be ongoing for the next few weeks after that. For a little more money I will be getting a secure entrance, more space, better views, and less annoying neighbours.

So in a few weeks I you do not see me online for a little while you will know that it is because I am getting settled into the new apartment and getting services hooked up.

-D

A returned thought...

2010-05-31T21:17:00.002-04:00

I would like to start off with a hello and sorry I haven't blogged in a while but I have been a bit busy focusing on a few life changes that are coming to fruition and will let you all know about that in a few weeks.

A few years ago I had a thought.

Gasp I know, but I do think on occasion.

This thought then, had to deal with yarn and dyeing. Yes I was wanting to dye yarn. Well, lately this thought has returned and a bit stronger.

The other week while touring one of the local city gardens and gazing at the multitude of tulips in full flower this thought returned. I was thinking about dyeing yarn again. The more I looked around the more I thought on it.

What would it be like to have a skein of yarn dyed based on the inspiration from these wonderful tulips. Well, after thinking about it some more I have come to a decision. I will be doing some test dyeing over the fall and winter to see what the results come to be for what I have planned and potentially creating a spot limited spring yarn club.

What do you all think?

-D

A secret revealed...

2010-03-31T10:23:00.002-04:00

I have a secret. A secret addiction.

I (sniffle while holding back tears), am addicted [yet another sniffle] to constantly checking my friends updates on Ravelry.

I know what you are going to say but I am truly addicted to it. I find every time I am on the laptop checking email/plurk/facebook or whatever else I am doing I am opening up my Ravelry account and checking to see what all my friends on Ravelry have faved/queued/cast on/finished and stashed.

I especially, for some unknown reason (whether it is because the yarns are not available here just yet or some other reason), am drawn to checking out what my foreign friends are doing.

The yarns, patterns, ideas... oy.

So they say that the first step is admittance... I wonder what the next eleven steps are going to be.

-D

Month in review...

2010-02-28T10:54:00.002-05:00

First off being a short month, this is going to be a short entry in the blogosphere.

Our yarn shop has finally opened and is now the proud owner of much of my money, like we all didn't know that that would happen anyways right? I did manage to get some lovely skeins of Fleece Artist and a new ball winder so that works out perfectly for me.

I unofficially challenged myself to do start and complete this cowl during the olympics, and let's just say that it has just about kicked my butt and I will probably not have the thing finished for tonight's closing ceremonies. Sigh.

Now I do need to say that I am liking how the pattern works and looks and might make another later this year but do have a wardrobe of cowls/neck warmers picked out for the coming winter already.

Other than that have had some family stuff go on which is why I have a bit silent on the whole communication front in email, plurk, and everything else. Not to worry though as things are getting better now and should be more like my communicative self at some very near point in time.

I just want to close with a warm wish to you all who are competing in the knitting olympics that you are able to complete your projects.

Will chat to you very soon all.

A bit of news...

2010-02-04T13:54:00.002-05:00

As time ticks slowly away there is some news in the yarny world, and right here in Stratford. This weekend there will be, finally, a yarn shop opening up.

In years past Stratford has had different craft stores open and close which offered those of us that are fiber fiends a little bit of an outlet for our financial savings. Well folks, after many a year in town with Zellers being the only real source of yarn, yes acrylic does count as yarn, in town this weekend will bring upon a new era of fiber crafts with the opening of Close Knit. I for one am both happy and sad. Happy for the fact that I do not have to cry over bad yarn and sad that my bank account might potentially be at a constant zero balance. Unfortunately it is my weekend to work and I will not be able to attend opening weekend but the following, Valentine's Day/Olympic opening weekend (payday as well), is my weekend off and am planning on spending some time at the shop getting to know what will hopefully become familiar ground.

The commute to it will be very quick for me as it is basically right below me.

The other bit of good fiber related news is that a wonderful online purveyor of great quality yarns, Reb Bird Knits, is moving to town from the big city. She has a wonderful variety of sock and lace weight yarns available on the online shop and has some great deals in preparation for the move. Hopefully her goal is attainable of having no books, yarn, etc to pack and move with her. P.S.: If you do have any leftovers, I will gladly compensate you ;)

And before you ask, yes I will be welcoming her to town with a warm cup of Balzacs coffee/chai and possibly even something delish right out of the oven.

As for other news... the experiment. Sigh.

Surprisingly it is going well. I enlarged my 1/4 scale basic bodice sloper a bit so that it is easier to use as my pattern peice. I have cast on using some worsted weight yarn and am following the dart lines for my increasesand periodically measuring against the sloper to see if it still fits and to this point in time it is working out. I will have to see if this will truly work with a more elaborate pattern but it more than likely will (knock on wood).

Speaking of which, I should get back to knitting.

Welcome to town Close Knit and Red Bird Knits!

Until further blogging notice...

-D

Belated Happy New Year!

2010-01-24T10:45:00.002-05:00

I know, I know. It has after all been a few weeks now since the beginning of a new year and this is the first blog entry from me for it but can you really blame me?

Okay maybe you can.

As you remember from last year, I had suffered a loss of mojo. Said mojo has come back, not in full force mind you but still has returned. What this means is that I have been slowly getting back into the process of being a poly-knitter despite my mind wanting me to be a monoga-knitter for this year. Isn't our culture fun?

During the festive holiday season I cast on two projects, Colonnade by Stephen West (in some cheap and cheerful bright royal blue acrylic), and Ruba'iyat Mittens by Heather Desserud (in the ever so dreamy colour ways of Samhain and Brewhouse Ale by KnittingDragon [I can not wait until he is at the point in his life where he is able to start dyeing again]). Where am I in these projects? About as far as where I left off, as in not even 50% on the Colonnade and not even 20% on the Ruba'iyat Mittens. I am enjoying them though and they will keep me busy, even though I have a multitude of sock UFO's on the needles. "Sigh".

For the last week I have been contemplating my design ability in knitwear. Those who know me well may come to the realization that my severe lack of ability in math might be the issue. This brings me to a point that might seem contrary to that statement. I can completely and totally flat draft a garment pattern in virtually no time at all, and trust me when it comes to garment pattern drafting there is much math involved and I can somehow manage to do it accurately. Yet, when it comes to knitwear drafting, not so much is accomplished.

Why am I bringing up my issues with math and knitting? Well I am still working on the Hodr/Skadi/Rynka designs.

Yep. Still working on them.

This brings me into my next thought.

Many years ago I purchased through a book club a reprint of a stitch dictionary from the 1970's, name of which escapes me and I am not at my studio space so please forgive me. Trust me when I say that there are not many stitch patterns in this dictionary, but are many vintage patterns for the absolute beginner. But there was some useful information on increases, decreases, shaping and many other things.

One of the other things was knitting from flat drafted patterns. In the "chapter" (at the top of my head only a few paragraphs long) the author describes how to take the measurement guide image [sketch of the finished pattern pieces/garment with the measurement usually with the knitting pattern for sweaters etc] and enlarging it and using that as your gauge guide. You simply cast on the number of stitches needed to fill the space between the edges of the pattern and knit accordingly, with increases and decreases until you finish knitting the pattern piece.

Where does this come into my realization about my lack of math ability?

I had a thought the other day that the same principal can be applied to flat drafted garment patterns for woven material. For those of you who know about the grading up/down process in fashion design and are used to using sewing patterns know that multiple sizes are included with a sewing pattern, and therefore a wide range of sizes could be knit from a flat pattern.

As a fashion designer I am used to the grading process and began to think that this might be rather interesting to test out. Yes there would be some potential difficulties like dart shaping but that is the joy of trying out a new process. The other issue that keeps popping up in my mind is yarn requirement/type to which I think that only the yardage would be the real issue as one would in essence be able to use any yarn he/she selects and can knit to their own natural gauge.

Most commercial patterns come with a list of suitable material that the garment could be made with, I say this only because I have had the misfortune to have had bought commercial patterns with no list of fabrics given, therefore could be potentially be knit with any size yarn/needle/etc.

I know I am crazy aren't I?

Now, excuse me while I begin the draft something out and cast it on.

-D

Lost: design and knitting mojo.

2009-12-05T13:13:00.002-05:00

Yep.

Lost.

Don't know how or why but they have either been kidnapped, murdered or left on a wonderful warm vacation with their fortune that I did not realize they had. For the last two weeks I have been wondering why it is hard for me to pick up the sticks right now and even just knit a single stitch. A. Single. Stitch.

I imagine the poster advertising their lack of hereness to state the following:

Lost

Design and knitting mojo, last seen in October and slowly faded. Last seen wearing something warm, comfortable and stylish.

Sigh.

On the flipside, before they went missing I did manage to get a bit more done on the "Gay Paris for me" socks which are now about 55% finished. I also picked out a few patterns to possibly do up as holiday stockings for a friend of mine which I have scrapped, before the mojo went missing mind you due to the fact that I don't have the patience to do a full stocking in cables.

Now I know most of you have been asking about how the new job has been going and I am loving it. It can be long weeks but I do have to say I love the hours a heck of a lot better and the fact that I am appreciated makes the world of difference. Mind you it has been crazy this week due to the fact that it is the start of the holiday shopping season and OY! Three more weeks people, three more weeks.

If any of you have seen my missing mojo could you please keep an eye on it and send it back home? It is greatly missed.

-D

Yes am still alive...

2009-09-23T11:00:00.002-04:00

So I know it has been a very long time since I have last made an entry on the blog here but as some of you know I have been very, very busy.

To get you caught up with everything please continue to read, though I am warning you that it is a brief overview of what all has gone on.

I quit my job. After working no less than a 70 hour work week, as basically a personal assistant and not as the position I was brought in as and fulfilling the term I accepted the job under I quit.

I then got hired at a major Canadian retailer.

I have also been trying to get into freelance work as a makeup artist and wardrobe stylist and designer.

I have also kept on crocheting and knitting, though not as much as I have wanted to do.

There. A brief catch up for you all.

I promise that I will try to be more frequent but don't come down hard on me when I lag behind.

-D

Sigh...

2009-06-09T08:59:00.003-04:00

Where to begin?

Really, where to begin?

***

I apologize for the absence lately as I haven't really felt like myself in the last 2 months, that and the added fun of having my top of the line Sony Vaio die a horrible and quick death whilst filing my taxes was not fun.

Have no fear though for I am back up and online now at home with a lovely laptop that is less than a week old for the interim until I can fully afford the oh so desired 17" 8GB MacBook Pro. (insert Homer Simpson drool here)

As you may know I was in Toronto again the first weekend of May visiting the mans (more to come in this post). It was a lovely weekend away and we had some pretty intense conversations about us and made some conclusions. We do love each other but the distance is the hardest thing for us. We both are wanting the same thing and with me locked in here in Stratford until February I can not be there for him as often as I am truly wanting to be which sucks. We had discussed while I was there that maybe we should just be very good friends and see where things go when my job starts to slow down a bit in the fall and we can get together more regularly on weekends etc.

Now that being said we have always stated to each other that if someone else comes along that is closer and more available that a connection is created with that we would support each other no matter what in that endeavor. We still are holing each other to that.

After that weekend in Toronto he had confessed to me that he had a date with someone and that there was a bit of a connection. For the following two weeks things went well for him and we made the final conclusion to just stay good friends so he can really see where this potential budding relationship/friendship will go.

We had planned on getting together this past weekend anyways when we were still together and we kept on that. Last Thursday though I was given a real shock to my system. Yes hearing him tell me that things are going well and so quickly was shocking me too but having him tell me that they are now fully monogamously dating was a real blow to me.

Was it a strained weekend? To a degree. I wanted to hear more about this guy and did find out some more but J.J. held back thankfully on telling me everything until I am completely comfortable with it.

He never wanted to hurt me intentionally and hasn't. I thank him for that. I wish him and the new guy luck.

He also knows that he still has a special place in my heart and and is always welcome to come and visit and get away for the weekend. I know I have a place still in his heart as well and am welcome when it is possible to visit him it will just be more difficult for me to visit him due to the fact the new guy in his life is basically around the corner in his neighbourhood. We will work it out though as I am wanting to go do some more shopping in September in Toronto and by then he will be done is crazy summer events and I will be less crazy with work as well and will have had more time absorbing things.

And yes who knows what will happen. The new relationship might not last, and it might. Only time will tell.

So once again I am single, still over worked, relatively underpaid, and behind in design work and knitting projects ( I have 5 pairs of socks on the needles that haven't been touched in ages, and the hemlock hasn't been touched in almost a month now).

Again I apologize for the absence but need some real me time, and unfortunately there is very little of that for me to grab right now.

I will see you all soon enough, until then be well my lovelies.

-D

Pictures

2009-04-13T19:06:00.010-04:00

So needed a bit of fresh inspiration for design work and was the perfect day to do it. Here are the better pics taken this afternoon.

-D

Le Sigh...

2009-04-09T18:02:00.002-04:00

Where to begin?

Well it has been a wonderful (read the sarcasm level as strongly as you want to) last few weeks.

At work I have been dealing with trying to get the hotel, and my staff, ready for the upcoming crazy busy that is Festival Seasaon. That, and dealing with the lovely problem employee. More on that in a minute as I need to think before I type anything on that.

I have also been busy trying to finish up a few back logged designs, yes the blog contest winners, fitting in family time, time with the sweetheart of a man I am involved with, time on new projects including design work, and the most important of me time which is as I am feeling lacking a bit.

back to the work thing for a bit. I love the job, I really do. It is basically what I have been doing for the last six to seven years but now with the appropriate title thankfully. I know what I am doing for the most part and am learning other things as I go, to which there is still newness trust me! I like my other managers, and the staff inclusive of my staff though few there are right now only due to the fact that we are still too slow to have any more people working for us as an entirety. Do you sense a but coming? Well there is one, and here it is. I feel comfortable, but what I am having trouble with is the fact that I am here basically every single day.

I know, I know, it is my own doing to a degree. Yes to a degree only. I, as all of the big boss man's managers, are under constant scrutiny in regards to their departments labour. Trust me to keep him happy I am having to fill in for shifts in my department, which means keeping it understaffed, something I am not completely liking but must abide by for the time being until I can hire. This means that as a manager, filling in for a shift means my own job gets put on hold to a degree. Somedays it is easier to do both my job and the shift duties than others, same as it is with whichever shift I am filling in on.

If I was able to pass things off without having to basically train my staff, most of which are great and easily taught, I would. But there is the problem employee. I, as with the other managers, see the potential that she has. She however is an individual who is young and strives to live her life as last minute as possible and wants to get things her way as often as possible.

She and I had a final sit down last week to clear the air. She has a problem with change. I know change is hard to accept by most people but with her it is more of an allergy. Since I started here she has done nothing but through up a brick wall at me and what I am trying to do here as her boss. I am not going to go into too much detail about things she has wanted to go her way and have not, especially when very last minute. Needless to say the air is clear now between us but I still get tension from her which I am hoping will subside. She is the only one that this is occurring with and I don't want to have it weigh on me.

Yes I know I can not have everyone in the world like me but I have told everyone here that I am not here to work against them, that I am here to work with them and for them as much as they are here to work with and for me.

Then there is the whole other list that seems to be eating away at time, or I should not allowing enough time for me to do things that I truly want to do.

I do spend time with the folks, usually on my day off and an evening or two after work for dinner, which suits me fine.

I do however want to be able to spend more time exploring what there is between the individual I have started seeing and I. Unfortunately I ended up having to work for most of this last Saturday while he was here visiting me for the weekend. We enjoyed our time together don't get me wrong, but we are trying to figure out exactly what we have, and with my working, it cut into that time a bit. We both care so very much for eachother, and feel that there is something there between us, but with the distance (he lives in Toronto and I here in Stratford) is hard when you want to talk in person and just snuggle up on the couch and vent about the day you know? We chat online, and truly do enjoy our time together in person, but it is going to get a fair bit limited over the next couple of months. Why? Well we are just staring to get busy here at work and therefore I will not be able to make it to Toronto that much if at all. I also have family obligations for a few dates during the summer. He has volunteer obligations and a few other things as well. Needless to say that there is not enough time!

Typically we talk every day online while at work on and off and in the evening, but we both agreed to step away from doing that this week and over the weekend while he is at his family's in Montreal, in order to take some time to figure out what we have going and where we want it to go. I can not tell you how hard it has been to not just email him everyday and tell him what has been going on.

I also would love more time to finish design projects from the past, and present. I am so very close to finishing several things but need a large portion of time to sit down and check things over and sign off on completion, but that time is not coming closer.

What, may you ask, prompted this realization that I am just comfortable with my job and that my job is causing me to not have enough extra time to do things that I need, want, and should do?

That my dearies, was brought on by the fact an old design client of mine emailed me the other day asking me to do some work for her for her redecorating job on her guest bedroom. She was vague with what she wanted me to do for it, though did tell me she wanted new everything. I called her on Monday evening to ask her what she meant by new everything and to see what she truly wanted my assistance and expertise with. She was not certain. All that she knew was that she was wanting me to make new bed linens for her but was uncertain of what direction she truly wanted to go in for the new look.

I told her to think about it a little more and to give me a call Tuesday evening and we will meet for coffee and discuss what she wanted to do and where she wanted to go style wise. I thought about it pretty heavily through the night Monday and at work Tuesday morning, and it dawned on me. Why am I wasting time thinking about helping someone, yes for money, who hasn't put in any time to think about what she wants? I can do the work yes but I can not sit around wasting what little time I can afford to work on things for her while she makes up her mind.

Coming to that realization made me aware of the insane timing of my life in totality. My work hours are crazy, though less than what they were. Any spare time for everything else is crazy as well and not plentiful enough.

My mini vacation to Toronto a few weeks back helped me realize that I need to do that more often, as well as get away for a time longer than two days. That however is going to have to wait and my mini vacations will have to change to spoiling myself on my time off work, which is minimal right now. Spring is a time of renewal yes, and I need to refresh and recharge myself, and mind, and I know the only way of doing that is for me to lay down the law, yet again with the powers that be and say I need my ME time. Once May rolls around I will hopefully be able to get away for a few days, if not just for a weekend.

On other news...

I cast on the Hemlock Ring Blanket yesterday. I was making really good head way on it as well, that is until I reached the decreases for the petals and the stitch count was getting out of whack. I am going to have no choice but to rip it back, re cast on and start again. This time doing round by round with taking breaks between. Sigh.

Ah Friday...

2009-03-26T13:07:00.003-04:00

It was a blast... I mean an utterly great time.

Mind you the train was about 30 minutes late arriving into Toronto but that was all that was hiccupy about the weekend away.

Alynxia and I met up, wandered off and grabbed a quick cup of coffee to get that mutual need taken care of. While sipping on our coffee we exchanged gifts, of which hers to me were a wonderful handknit fairisle hat, a vintage sock pattern book, a copy of Kaffe Fasset's "Glorious Knits", and a multitude of cupcake scents that didn't work on her. Have I said how much I love this knittress? ;)

My gifts to her included a variety of handmade stitch markers, organic Alpaca laceweight in two different colours from a local breeder, organic preserves, and much more.

After coffee we started on the yarn crawl.

The first was Americo , where we both were drooling over some gorgeous handmade Walnut knitting needles, and tonnes of Alpaca in numerous blends. I think we both had a few yarngasms.

The second stop on the yarn crawl was Romni where we literally crawled through all the stacks of yarn in the shop having yarngasm after yarngasm. I got my Cascade Eco Wool and needles for my Hemlock, a skein of Noro in a gorgeous green colourway, and three skeins of Romni brand thick and thin wool for a new scarf in a gradient stormy purply-blue colour way.

We then went for a lunch of sushi, over which much laughter was had over online conversations. We talked about current and upcoming projects and the such and continued to have a grande ole time.

Our last stop on the yarn crawl was the fabulous Lettuce Knit. OMFG!! It may be a small store but was covered in yarngasm worthy yarn. I picked up my first skeins of Socks That Rock, one in Korppi and the other in Jabberwocky, which will become either a pair of socks with turndown cuff or pair of gloves... I can't decide. I also snagged a copy of "The Eclectic Sole". Too many sock patterns I want to cast on!!

Our time together was drawing to an end however as the friend, whom we have sort of been testing the waters of seeing eachother as more than friends, was on his way to pick me up. He and I headed out to do some shopping and dinner and then relax for the evening.

Saturday morning we went out for brunch and then for some shopping of which I bought too much clothing and was tempted to buy even more if I had the money. Damn you for taking me to Zara.

We then went back home and changed for an evening out, which consisted of a dinner at a cozy little French restaurant, and then a performance of "The Sound of Music". Our seats were to die for. Literally. They were the best seats apart from front row.

Sunday I had to unfortunately head home Sunday morning due to having to work that afternoon but still had a great time away.

Next time in Toronto, will go back to Zara and get an outfit or two there... hopefully not more.

Pics to come of all the yarny goodness as soon as I can find the transfer cable for the camera... now where did I put that thing?

-D

Thoughts...

2009-03-09T12:42:00.002-04:00

Ok, so I know it has been a while since I have done a more indepth entry about stuff in general so here you go.

***

Work has been going great despite having issues with one of my staff members who is a spoiled little brat, but anywhoskies that is neither here nor there. It is going well.

***

The one good thing about the new job and the schedule I get to keep for it is that I get to slowly catch up on knitting, crochet, sewing, and other things. (insert fanfare here)

I have in the last two weeks gotten nothing knitting or crochet related done but have gotten the following items finished from my sewing backlog:

2 duvet covers (one for myself and the other for a friend)
2 euro sham covers for myself
about 20 odd cushion covers for myself and family
3 sets of curtain panels for the folks
and a whole bunch of bag designs put onto paper

***

I will get knitting and other things caught up, I know I will. I HAVE THE POOOOOOWERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR! (sorry 80's cartoon flashback!)

***

I am also taking some time for me in just over a week and visting a good friend in Toronto for a few days, and whilst there will be living it up with Alynxia, that knowledgeable knitress from Plurk.

Is Toronto ready for this phenom? Tune in to find out!!!

***

One of the biggest thoughts other than the Gweninator bag I am still trying to work out, is a jacket design I am finding continues to swim in the mental pool of thought. I can chalk that up to a night of watching movies (Tomb of the Dragon Emperor, Ultra Violet, Ecks vs Sever, and Van Helsing {I know, odd combo}).

***

I have also had many thoughts of cooking and baking and bbq and drinkage and the like. Someone stop me cause this might mean I am wanting to do a dinner party again.

***

Well back to sketching out this jacket to work some kinks out of it and now that I have a scanner that works I will be able to get sketches of things up quicker and hopefully not have any tech issues like spontaneously combusting SD cards for the digital camera. (What is it with me?)

***

One last thought that I have had is with the new job, I will be able to afford to get that elusive new laptop called Mac. Specifically the 17" MacBook Pro. It will be in my possession at somepoint in time this summer. Squee!

-D

A week into newness....

2009-02-27T08:08:00.002-05:00

Well it has come to exactly a week since I have officially started the new job.

Things are going well right now with getting everything organized and settled and rewritten etc, which is always half the fun with changing positions.

Nothing much will be changed right about now but there are things that I am contemplating about changing before our busy time starts here.

A shorty post for now yes as I can't think of much else to put in this entry but I promise, over the next little while I will have more information to share.

-D

OY

2009-02-15T20:46:00.002-05:00

So... got home from work this morning and was packing my things up at the folks fondling the yarn I didn't get to molest with pointy sticks while listening the Top 40 on Galaxy and it was Britney Spears "Womanizer" at the time... to say the least I have had "woolmeise woolmeise woolwoolmeise oh it's woolmeise..." in my head all day. All. Day.

*thwap*

Maybe I need to flesh out that little knock off a bit more for us all?

***

I have decided what I am going to do for my cousin Kelly's wedding gift. A hemlock ring. Once I order my knitpicks that is. Thinking of doing it in Alpaca that I can get locally, or an Alpaca blend. That part of the gift I haven't thought much of yet.

***

Ten more hours. Ten. One zero. Dix. *Sigh* Ten more hours and many a long year here at the hotel will be over to finally start a much overdue, long awaited promotion. I can't wait.

***

That is all for now. Might add more later, stay tuned!

-D

Clarification...

2009-02-15T00:00:00.002-05:00

So as a few of you know I was supposed to have a visitor from down under for the month of March. I emphasis the "was" heavily here.

What you don't know is that this person and I do have a bit of a connection, that is all that you will get from me folks as I don't feel like burdening this entry with all that (if you want more info please ask me privately). This connection was supposed to be elaborated and fleshed out in person. When that discussion happened it was told to said person that I only felt comfortable with half of the time they were wanting to come for. I begrudgingly agreed to the full amount of time of four weeks due to the "get your money's worth" thing. Sad I know.

What most of you don't realize is that the amount of time this person would be alone while here is basically all the time. There is nothing to do here in Stratford in the winter. Nothing. Zilch. Nada. Zero. De rein. Need I go on? I will be at work, in a new job that is just about to start and will be working long days getting myself situated in said job. Add to that the fact that my place is very small (even for a one bedroom), family commitments, and other things, the only time that we would have together is when I am sleeping.

I don't see that fair to a guest, especially one that is wanting to pursue something further. I must admit that it was tempting. Deep down though I couldn't go on any longer pretending that things would get easier with it all and that there is nothing to worry about at all. I laid my feelings out to this person yet again earlier this week and said that I thought it best for him to cancel the trip as I do not see a future other than friendship with him.

Why am I writing this? Well I have been hit with harsh remarks from those that know him down under on Facebook and don't feel that they are justified. I do not like being called a user, a player, a manipulator, a jackass, a shithead and the lest goes on from there. Again I will say that if you have a problem with what I have done then message me privately and not post things publicly on my Facebook wall, be an adult.

Am I sorry for what I have done? Yes. He is a nice guy, and will make someone very happy soon however it just won't be me. We are in two different worlds and that would be one heck of a long distance relationship. I do love him yes, as a friend and friend only.

So for those that are pissed off about what I have done don't judge me and condemn me to derogatory names until you have thought long and hard yourself about it by putting yourself in my spot and coming to your own realization.

-D

The countdown and all involved with it...

2009-02-10T04:37:00.002-05:00

Well I have only two shifts left here at the current property and then I start, after a few days of shadowing, at the new one in the new position. A lot of work. A lot. A. Lot. Ohh boy is it going to be a lot of work getting my soon to be staff up to the standards in customer service that they should be. Also it will be a lot of work as I have to learn everything about the new property entirely. Thank the gods that I am a quick study.

As far as I know I will have an office area but I will not decorate it for the time being as I don't know anything about it just yet. Thank the gods again though that I have some Chlorophytum Capense (non variegated Spider Plant babies) rooting at home as I can't stand being in an environment in general without anything living nearby. As far as decorating goes I don't feel at this time that it is important. Yes I do have things on a shopping list that need to be purchased this week though in the next few days while I am off for the new job but as far as things go for the office, nothing yet. Other than stationary supplies of course.

So wahooooo, I've been promoted!!

***

My time housesitting for my grandparents is almost at its end. They return this coming Monday, at like four in the morning. Hopefully they are well rested.

I had lofty plans of getting some socks started, finished, off the needles and blocked but the twelve hour shifts that we have had have just worn me out. I have gotten exactly one and a half repeats done on the Plaited Point socks, and have been putting off gauging for the Leyburns. Oy.

I have started and almost completed the mini 200 scarf my grandmother asked me to make for her while she is away. Let me tell you , I love the Bernat Soy yarn she got (she wanted a thinner shorter scarf), NOT. She has sensitivity to fibres and this is the only yarn that she found she can stand near her skin. I however whilst working with it can not stand the hand of the finished fabric it makes. I have worked with this yarn in both knit and crochet now and neither feels good. I also do not like the very limited colour selection that Bernat offers this yarn in, and have been fighting urges to overdye it. I above all else, can not, I repeat can not stand the fact that there is virtually no twist to the individual plys and that the yarn strand in general is unravelling.

Another day or two and the scarf will be done, then I will lightly steam block it and wash my hands of it by groping all the lovely sock yarn I have in my possession from Cables & Lace.

***

Amongst all the fun of next week, I have a few small sewing projects I need to finish. Nothing major just a few pillows I am re-sewing.

Add to that I also have to re-arrange my multi purpose room (living/dining/kitchen/studio space), re-purpose a dresser I bought from works furniture sale into an entertainment centre, and clean my place top to bottom as a friend from out of town is going to be staying with me for a month starting on the twenty seventh.

Anyone want to come over and clean?

***

I have also got to try to get it throught to Rogers that the internet is still not working at my apartment thanks to their innept techs. Still no proper converter modem, just the original home phone modem they installed nearly two years ago now, and the recently installed wireless router.

***

On a final note, I have made up my mind about replacing my cell phone. It will be the I-Phone. I was going to upgrade my I-pod to the I-touch soon anyways and the more I thought about it why not go with the I-Phone? Afterall with the new job itself I will be technically on call for my staff at all times of the day that I am not on property, which is fine by me. They will learn that they can call me but I might not always be able to get to the hotel, especially for my cousins wedding/family reunion in August. It is a six hour drive away afterall.

The other deciding factor is that I am going to be making a little more money so I will be able to afford the plan for it. Otherwise I would be sticking with this crappy phone I currently still have.

***

In regards to the "gweninator" bag design... it still is in the works and I don't know if I will be able to get much work done on it during the month of March but I will at least be able to get pictures of the sketches online for you all to see what I am thinking of for it.

Be well my friends.

-D

Outcome....

2009-02-04T11:36:00.000-05:00

I GOT IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That is all.

-D

Potentially good news...

2009-01-30T17:14:00.002-05:00

Don't you all just love it when you are still in bed half asleep, slowly waking yourself up and getting that "why didn't I set the coffee maker to brew automatically?" feeling and you get a phone call from your boss and let it go to voicemail?

*dial into voicemail* (once coffee is brewed and have downed 3 cups)

"You have ONE new message"

*play message*

"Hi darling I know it's early and I was hoping to get to talk to you about this and you are probably asleep or in the shower..." (I always get phonecalls when I am in the shower from everyone!!!)"...but I really do need to talk to you about something. No don't worry it's nothing bad, fairly good I think, but could you give me a call when you get this on my direct line, (number)?"

*groggilly dial*

"Hi sweety, it's me, and no I was not in the shower or still asleep I was waking up and chugging the coffee. So you have something GOOD to talk to me about?"

"Figures it was the coffee. You work this afternoon right?"

"Yes"

"Call me when you are ready and I will pick you up and we can talk on the way back here"

"Sure thing"

So at this point in time my mind is racing a little bit with possibilities. Have we gotten full control of the design process? Have we all been deemed seriously underpaid and are getting a drastic pay increase?

*call her back and get in the SUV when she arrives*

"So what is this about?"

"Your brain ain't freaking is it? Cause it isn't a bad thing."

"Then spill it"

Long story made short the owner had asked my boss about who on the desk might be wanting/ready for a change into something more than what they do now.

As everyone here at the hotel knows I have been trying to get into a more manager position for years and everytime it basically comes around to happening it gets yanked away from me. She automatically thought of me for whatever the owner had in mind.

One of his other properties has been without a front office manager for a while now and as the busy season approaches it is going to need to be filled, and I mean soon. I was thought of for this.

What does this mean? Well I will basically be doing more day shifts, be getting recognition through a title for all that I do, have a staff, and do all the reports that I basically know how to do from my many years here. It is at a new property in town, a little less of a walk to work for me but that doesn't mean anything big there at all, and it will also be a bit more money hopefully.

It would also mean that I would be leaving the people around here that have become close to me over the years, but I would have their continued support in everything that I need.

What else? Well I would be bringing in some much needed customer service skills to that property through the front desk staff which is currently lacking any personability whatsoever.

There are pro's and cons to it yes and I do need to think it through a bit more but at this time I can honestly say that I am thinking of saying to my boss that yes I am interested in it.

Fun isn't it?

***

On another note...

OMFG!

Could Rogers cable be more retarded? I wrote a lovely formal, yet again, complaint to them last week about services I still do not have associated with my account. They did respond saying that techs will be on their way Jan 28, and apologized for the lack of customer service on their end etc.

The techs came however they were issued several wrong work orders for my place, of which I was the one who had to get it all straightened out with customer service. What is more is that while replacing my cable line, which was one of the actual things they needed to do, they broke my television by way of a swinging 5/8" wrench hanging off one of their tool belts. I have no t.v. now. Yeah. Great. They also hooked the wireless router for my internet, of which they did not replace the phone modem with the proper one.

So... I am now still without the internet at home, have the wireless router but no adapter modem , full digital cable services attached to a now defunct television which I can't afford to replace and that is not being acknowledged by Rogers as a problem.

All I can say is thank god I am housesitting for the folks over the next two weeks.

-D

Thoughts...

2009-01-27T05:20:00.002-05:00

To a designer thoughts can be both an asset as well as a detriment. The last two days they have been both to me.

Why?

I've been thinking more on the prospect of a future TFCD shoot and trying to come up with new designs. The problem that I am having is eveything I am thinking of and putting down on paper in sketches has been done in one way or another. Honestly, how many highwaisted Elizabethan inspired skirts with over sized quartz bead neck peices can be made? I know I can always do the construction with a different spin but honestly the overall outcome will be the same no matter how it is cut, sewn, tacked, worn, etc.

The other side of the problem is I am having an overall vision of how the shoot could be done, which is not completely up to me. Add on the fact that it isnt set in stone yet to be done and I am in a pickle.

Creative inspiration and direction is there as I have finally settled down somewhat in my design aesthetic for my work (a slight fusion of asian meets classic for my high fashion designs). Keeping my design aesthetic in mind I am not truly doing anything unique when I put thoughts down on paper. There is so much being done in the design world that is fused from different eras, countries and cultures at this time that an original vision is hard to come up with.

I also do want to try to go as green as possible in my designs as well which doesnt help things out in terms of materials for high end designs. Yes I can luck out and obtain fabulous vintage fabrics, notions, and supplies but let's face it the bulk of a peice would be new everything. That being said if I look back to my OAC final project for my visual art thesis I have done some pretty green peices already. How much more green can one get than reconstructing an Egyptian crown and neck peice from spices and glue? Or a living necklace of moss and ivy?

Ok so maybe the thoughts I am having are only a part of the real issue and maybe I have to delve into my artistic history a bit more.

Either way, the thoughts are coming which is good but not as forward as I am wanting them to be. Hopefully they will start to be what I am wanting.

A 26 hour day...

2009-01-24T17:09:00.008-05:00

Call me crazy, but I thoroughly enjoyed this past Thursday. Yes even with it being a 26 hour day for me. 26 hours??? Yes. Why?? I was getting back into the realm of fashion by helping a good friend of mine style a TFCD (trade for cd) photoshoot starting right after finishing a night shift at work. Crazy. Yep that is me.

I just can't get over how great it is to work with people that have compatible energies, which was the case on Thursday. The model, hair and makeup, and photographer all synched well with myself and my friend the lead stylist. (I was just there more for assistance as some of the clothing pieces were rather large and heavy, as well as helping out with my perspective on things as a designer)

I also love the fact that the photographer works with only available light. And knew what he was doing! Too many times have I had the honour of working with a photographer that said they knew what they were doing when it came to available light use and the resulting images were horrible. Erwin Loewen however knows what he is doing.

The model, Kylie, was a gem to work with. A beautiful fresh face with the Ford agency, and who has done some pretty major campaign work, was a real delight to work with. Even if the shoot did include working with horses and longhorn cattle, she kept her cool.

Both Kylie and Erwin are wanting to work on some shoots more high fashion which is right up my alley. I would love to help them with this and will if it works out schedule wise, I just need to get sewing again!

Eve of change...

2009-01-19T19:32:00.002-05:00

On this, the eve of great change in the world powers and American Politics I want to take a moment and congratulate all those that I know in the United States. You have done something that has been long overdue, not only in my eyes but in the eyes of many world wide. I myself am not one for politics but truly think that the changes occurring tomorrow are for the better and that other wold powers could learn a thing or more (not just a thing of two) from what you all have helped create.

I raise my hat, my glass, my design tools and dpn's to you all and to your president elect!

***

I will also be undergoing some change here at work as well.

In February we will be starting a cycle of twelve hour shifts so I am going back to the full time nights for the time being but it is just for the interim. This schedule change will permit me to be able to get caught up on a multitude of knitting and design items backlogged in my brain, as well as get caught up with friends.

It also allows me to get back to helping friends out with photoshoots in terms of styling. In fact I have to do just such a thing later this week.

Now... I know I promised some pictures and they are on the way, as well as sample pics of a few design ideas floating in my head. I am thinking of calling the first sample bag the "Gweninator" for my good friend and fellow Canuck Gwen, of Lime & Violet production fame. I have already begun the fundamental work for these bag designs but reworking clothing items into accessories other than pillows, etc., can be a bit of a logistical nightmare at time.

In regards to the just mentioned sample I am a bit stuck though on lining choice/colour, as well as coordinating fabric choice/colour. I guess Friday morning will be spent at Fabricland, a home away from home.

Until next time, happy everything and congratulations for the start of change.

-D

Does one still use the Urn of Osiris and doe blood for re-animating a cyber corpse?

2009-01-11T18:12:00.000-05:00

*beeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep*
*beep.... beep............ beep....beep*

Alright I know, I know! It has been ages my darlings of design and I profusely apologize for it.

**awaits to have the cyber wooping of a lifetime**

Are you done yet?

Ok. Let's see.

Well when we last left this blog I had announced the winner of my contest and the names of the Norse Gods that I would be designing items for. Chris I am so sorry that your package has had a rough time of getting to you and don't know if the last time I was able to track it was the last anyone saw it. I am hoping that it makes it to you this time.

The items are still in the works people please keep in mind that this is not my full time job right now but I am trying my hardest to make these items absolutely perfect for public consumption before informing you all that they are ready for download on Ravelry.

What else?

Well the hotel I do work at for my means of employment finally did get sold near the end of September to a past owner. Much money is being invested in updating and upgrading the facilities which is a very good thing and very much needed. The last few months have been rather chaotic around here because of everything changing at ever turn one can make. More are on the way as well which I am hoping don't affect me all that much but one can never truly tell at this stage of the game.

What knit/crochet projects did I get done in the time from my last blog entry until now? A few. Not as many as what I had hoped, most got sent to Kermit in the frog pond. In amongst this time my digital camera literally melted in my hands when I was taking pictures of things to update my ravelry page and therefore all those pics of items were lost. What didn't help matters was some of them were gifts so I am going to have to get pictures sent to me! What I did manage to finish were:

200 Scarf, Crochet, for moi
War Wyvernns for moi
the year long socks for moi
a few other pairs of stockinette socks, for me and friends
a multitude of baby items

What am I still working on from 2008? Well...:

MS4
Vinnland socks
Bellatrix
Fire Wyvernns
Water Wyvernns
Pointed Plait socks
FLS
Hemlock Ring blanket in babyweight
a few pairs of mittens/gloves

There were more projects that I did start, but lost interest in/was not happy with the look of the items so off they went to visit Kermit.

I made a wonderful New Years resolution though to myself this year that I am sticking too fairly well so far. I am going to finish any and all things on the needles from 2008 first before I start into anything for 2009, of which will be Christmas items first and then personal. I know, guttsy of me isnt it?

Ok. I know some of you are going to comment about how brief I am being with the updates of things here but honestly, do you think I can remember it all? It has been over four months afterall! *giggle*

Now for the real design stuff that makes me feel a bit more complete. My designs.

"What are you working on now Dave??" you might ask. Well... I am working on a few bag designs and several other things which are going to be fixture components of my personal and home section of my design repertoire. Duvet covers, blankets, pillows, some furniture (another love of design of mine) are all being worked on. And I know I am starting to sound like Miss Violet of Lime & Violet fame but I have been like this for some my entire life when it comes to projects.

I have also done a couple of commissioned garments over the last few months and am still working on getting my clothing line designed and worked on when time permitts, which right now is not that often.

Enough of the babble and get to the bags! I know, I know. For now I am only going to say that I have the thoughts in my head as to what I want them to be like and have not actually worked on them yet in reality. One of the thoughts for them though is reclaiming materials, especially knitwear, for them. Afterall all we knitters know that it is horrible and scandalous when one can't repair their favourite sweater/blanket/scarf/hat due to too much damage and are not wishing to part with it. That bag thought is a bit of a challenge as do I put forth a call for said things for custom orders or do I scavenge at the Goodwill etc? Logistics I tell you.

And yes thoughts of opening an Etsy store are running through my head so who knows folks. The aforementioned bag idea may be a good thing. *readies to cower under pressure of orders*

Thank you all for being patient and not turning me into a puddle of gunk for not updating the last few months but I promise that things will go more smoothly now that I have revived the blog of my design loins.

I promise that once I have some prototypes started of the bags I will get pics, new camera, and post them for you all to see what I am concocting in this shaven little head of mine up here in snowy Stratford.

Toodles poodles!

D

And the winner is.......

2008-08-25T23:25:00.000-04:00

Well not so much a winner but a tie, yes a tie people!!!!

With 11% each of the voting totals the winnners of the poll are :

Hodr/Skadi, the norse god/goddess of winter

&

Rynkar, the norse god of time

As for the winner of the surprise for their comments...

vtknitboy from plurk is the winner!!! I will be sending you a congratulatory email through the night to get your contact information in order to send off your goody package (no not a euphimism).

I want to take a moment to thank you all for voting over the last few weeks and for posting your comments to enter the contest.

When will the designs be finalized and patterns available? Well I am in the sampling stages right now for a few ideas for the inspiration winners and will let you know in the next week what the designs will be. As for the patterns themselves, well I am hoping that sometime before Halloween for sure to have them ready for you all on Ravlery.

Once again thank you all and will chat soon!

-D

The final stretch...

2008-08-21T21:32:00.000-04:00

Well it is almost time to end the contest poll, and I would like to take a moment to thank you all for your votes and entries into the contest.

It looks like it will be a close result as well and just want to let you all know to make that final push for your favourite!

I have started on some sampling this past weekend for the potential designs and I hope that they will work out well as final outcomes not just as samples.

Hopefully my first attempt at knitwear design turns out well, with friends like you all supporting this it needs to be!

-D

When your sausages explode...

2008-08-18T05:40:00.000-04:00

Euphimise if you want to but may I just say ouch.

This past Saturday, August the 16th, was our annual family party(reunion of sorts). We always have a blast when we all get together and we finally smartened up a few years ago and decided to make it potluck.

This year I decided to take care of the bbq since I was able to get a good deal on spicy Italian sausage through our meat supplier at work. oh they are good sausage. Even if some of them did explode while on the bbq. How did this happen? No freaking idea.

All I know is I had the bbq on low as this is how I always do them, and just let them go for as long as they need to. I put them all on and closed the lid, and not even a minute later, BOOM!!!!.

I put down my margharita and run the five steps to the bbq. I grab the tongs and lift the lid. BOOM!!!!!!! Another one explodes. Let me just tell you that I am glad I was wearing my glasses and nto my contacts as sausage meat flying at you at top speed can be dangerous. I have the welt on my neck to prove it. Yes I did say welt. It hurt!

Thankfully only three sausage in total exploded, and no one was seriously injured.

I can hear the news headings now... "Sausage explodes in mans face". OY!

IT BEGINS!!!

2008-08-10T23:36:00.000-04:00

Well a little late I understand but it was a chaotic weekend here at work so please no snide remarks.

My first contest is truly finally open! I am so freaking excited about it!

In honor of opening the conest I am going to tell you some of the choices I have made towards the patterns, a bit of a spoiler if you will but not much of one as I will not be telling you what the pattern is going to contain or to which God/goddess it is going to be linked to. Naughty of me I know! (insert devil horns here)

Here is what I have in mind.

- a cowl scarf
-weekend boot socks
-a few hats
-a bag/satchel
-lap blanket/baby afghan
-a belt

Feel free to be confuddled when thinking about which God/goddess could be linked to which potential design.

I am not going to go into details at all about color choices, yarn choices, or even stitch patterns as the patterns are still in the works and once the winner is named I will be doing my mock ups. Besides I like to think of patterns as I do with recipes, the ingredients are merely guidelines. I could say that I am going to use the most expensive yarns around but honestly, who wants to do that all the time? I like to use what I have and let you know that and let you see what you want to make the items in in the weights of yarn.

Now for the real fun bit. Your comments!

Now don't give me any of that attitude. This contest is for you all afterall. I want all your comments to include the following:

-preffered item from above
-which God/goddess you would like me to place said item above with
-and last but not least the color/s you would like to see it in

Keep voting and making your comments.

-D

The votes keep coming in & "contest" information.

2008-08-06T22:06:00.000-04:00

Thank you all for keeping the voting going. (see poll above)

The leader keeps changing daily so please continue to make sure that it is the one that you want to win, win at the end of the month.

I have numerous thoughs in mind for all the candidates and have been slowly working on stitch patterns and pattern mock ups. Let me tell you that it is fun. Seriously. I love it.

No this is not a sad attempt at sarcasm I seriously do love working on these potential patterns.

What types of things will the patterns be of? Like I would give you that information at this time! You have to keep voting and wait until I have declared the winner. At that time I will also announce on the blog who the winner of the goody package is.

Contest?

Please refer to a post or two ago ("upping the anti...") about the additional incentive I have put forth for you all.

Starting this weekend on Saturday, August 9, the contest will be open.

I know in the "upping the anti..." post I stated that in the last week of voting however I felt it would be more of a contest if it started sooner. Same rules apply as stated before. Just leave a comment on this Saturday's post and I will decide the winner of the goody package from all who comment.

What is in this package? Well good things of course! As it is still being put together I will give you some information now about it. It will consist of:

a box of Rheo Thompson mint smoothies ( a local chocolate factory known for their mint smoothies)

some handmade beaded stitch markers

a small project bag designed by yours truly

and more!

Till later!

-D

Pictures of the WIPs

2008-08-03T03:31:00.001-04:00

Upping the anti...

2008-08-02T05:47:00.000-04:00

Well the new cable for my digital camera works... I am just stuck on doing some minor editing of the pictures... hate indoor lighting ...

I want to take a moment to say thank you to all who have voted so far on the poll I have running.

To date with over 40% of votes it looks like Rynkar is in the lead. Looks like it might be the winner but with weeks left in the voting who knows which one will be the winner.

I want to up the anti though for you all. How will I up the anti?

"giggles"

This is how I plan on doing it.

I will put the pattern inspired by the winning God/goddess up on Ravelry for you all to knit/crochet. Remember I have not decided on the patterns as of yet but have several ideas per inspiration. Some are knit, some are crochet and some are combination.

I will also send a little goody package to one lucky person who places a comment on my blog in the last week of the voting process. No worries, as another blog entry with all details of the package will be written in a week or two.

Hopefully this gets you all voting even more!

-D

A little about me...

2008-07-29T04:05:00.000-04:00

I was born in the back of a travelling show....

Wait no, that was a Cher song... my apologies.

Well the basics are taken care of in my profile here but would love to take this entry to tell you a bit more about my personal health struggles the last few years.

Christmas 2002 saw much for me in the way of medical drama. Boxing day morning on my way home from work I slipped, just slightly ( not even an inch), outside my door on a patch of ice. Let me warn you now this entry might make you squeemish.

What medical drama could slipping less than an inch on some ice cause you might ask? Well a fair bit in the domino effect.

That slip caused a tortiated right testicle resulting in some lovely swelling of my groin and slight pain that was manageable with Tylenol.

The swelling, the only known thing to me other than the pain, caused me to push even greater on the search for a new doctor. I honestly thought it was just a pulled groin muscle, as did most of my family. You see I have several nurses in the family that have instilled some great knowledge in me about healthcare.

Two days later a new doctor was found and I had my appointment scheduled for first thing the morning of January 2nd, 2003. Guess Tylenol would have to continue being my friend for a few more days.

I get in and after taking my history, and doing a physical I get referred to the oncall doctor in emerge at our local hospital. Just so happens that this doctor is one of the best Urologists in this area. My new doctor says he will call ahead to have me waived through emerge, what a treat.

I get there and get settled right away into an exam room, and almost right away the doctor comes in. Another history and physical get taken as well as a more thorough groing examination. I was informed about the tortiated testicle and given a script for the swelling and pain, and went through to radiology for some ultrasounds and bloodwork just to make sure that nothing was torn etc.

A week later and I was in at my now urologists office for a follow up. The swelling went down in that week as had the pain lessened, but not entirely depleted. He was happy with the follow up but just wanted to have me get another ultrasound to see if there was going to be any lasting damage.

Back up to the hospital I go the next day and head into radiology. The ultrasound tech began and was a bit perplexed. Needless to say he was unsure of what was showing on screen.

I know, I know. How many scrotal ultrasounds get that reaction right? Well he was pretty sure that it was nothing but having three pin prick sized dots show up on the monitor did call for more bloodwork to be done and a consult with my urologist. Another follow up there would be!

At that follow up he informed me that the three pin prick sized dots on the monitor might be numerous things, yes cancer was among them. During my whole time after the slip all the possibilities were going through my head anyways as to what it might possibly be. And yes cancer was there at the front of my mind as there is a familial history with the disease.

Due to the fact that it was still so close to the swelling going down and the tortiating of the testicle he was wanting to wait another week and have me go for some x-rays and another ultrasound just to make sure that these dots were not bursted blood vessels.

Well I do the requested testing and then go for the results, surprisingly requested by the urologist as a rush. And that is when I was told that he felt it was testicular cancer. Not the thing that a 22 year old male wanted to hear from a medical professional but nonetheless it was good to hear that it was true.

My partner at the time and I had dinner plans that night and he was going to wake me up when he got into town here from work as my appointment was mid morning after my shift at work. I ended crying myself to sleep and crying more when he woke me up with coffee and asked me how things went. It was a less enjoyable evening for me than it should have been.

So then the real "fun" begins.

Two weeks later I was in the hospital being put under to have my right testicle removed for biopsy. You see, a biopsy can not just be done in that area of the body as normal biopsies anywhere else on the body as the skin is so thin that if the tumors were malignant and the nicked any of it while doing the biopsy than those cancer cells could travel so quickly through the body causing more health issues than anyone desires.

Well the operation went smoothly and I was discharged that same day and was back at the folks, not a far distance from me, recuperating and 12 days later back in to see the urologist for the results of the biopsy.

Leave it to a gay guy to have even his health issues use the motto "go big or go home". I had the rarest form of testicular cancer, which by the way is also the deadliest even in stage one. Now don't get me wrong testicular cancer is one of the most curable cancers there are even in stage 3 there is a hight cure rate. Not this one. If not caught by accident and the tumors continued to grow to stage one levels there would have been a 50% chance that I would not be here right now.

Down I go soon after to meet my Oncologist with the Canadian Cancer Society Cancer Clinic in London Ontario. He gave me my option of surveillance or chemotherapy being that I was healthy, and healed quickly from the surgery and the initial "accident". I went with the surveillance, done through my urologist.

Well eleven months of monthly blood work, x-rays, and catscans go by and nothing new is showing. It looks like I may have actually licked this.

Month twelve.

Blood work= nothing.

X-rays= slight lymph node size increase

Catscan= slight lymph node size increase

My GP, and urologist are optimistic that it is just my system dealing with the change in my slightly off hormone levels being "one nut short" as it were. My oncology team though felt it was necessary for me to start other means of treatment.

When prompted with the choice of radiation or chemo they were shocked when I choose chemo. I know my body and what it can/will be able to handle. The chemo plan I was presented with was not the exact one as it was not truly tailored to my form of testicular cancer but after reading through the chemicals and side effects of each grouping it was the choice I made.

When was this staring? One week away.

How long was this going to go on? Four, possibly five, intense hospitalized courses dependant on my cell counts and over all health.

I was off work for five and a half months, with the only side effects of joint pain for a few days in my knees and feet, and not being able to stand even the smell of food warmer than room temperature.

My thanks being to the time of year being spring and summer for my time off.

The oncology team that I was in the care of were shocked at how well I was tolerating the regime. Frankly I was a tad bit shocked as well.

Then came the real fun day. My "final" follow up day.

Well the x-rays and catscan I had for this showed no change real measurable change in the lymph nodes that were being questioned but one. A slight increase in size did this one show.

I was then introduced to my new urologist at the London Health Sciences Centre in London Ontario. He informed me of what the next step in my treatment was. An RPLND. Well a partial one for me since the lymph nodes in question were in my abdominal cavity. That is also the night that my partner broke up with me. Talk about a double header, an end to the relationship and major potentially fatal surgery.

What is an RPLND you ask? Well it stands for Retro Peritoneal Lymph Node Dissection.

Basically if it is a full one then the patient is "Y" sectioned like you see for autopsies, have the ribcage cracked and spread open, organs lifted out, and lymph nodes removed.

I was only a partial than god. My scar starts below the ribcage and goes to the base of my penis.

I like to call it my zipper and want to get a little zipper pull tattoo at the base of it.

I should mention here that I was also informed of a genetic quirk I have upon my first appointment with my oncology team. Bushke-Ollendorf syndrome is what that quirk is. Hence why I refer to my scar as my zipper as my scar tissue is very noticeable.

So after all this surgery, chemical pumping, etc, I am down to bi annual followups with my London based urologist to see how my health is.

A few more years of this and I can say I am truly cancer free.

I like to think of it as yet another reason I do not like my 20's.

I hope I didn't gross you all out to much but thought I would let you know a little more about me.

Take care.

-D

In the midst of a chaotic day ...

2008-07-26T19:37:00.000-04:00

Here I am sketching out ideas for small knitting bags.

How many pockets? What shape? What true size? What should the overall look be? What materials? ... main thought to the side....

"sigh"

I tell you this is something that usually doesn't happen while I am in the midst of a chaotic day, such as today.

Got called in extremely early for work due to two, yes two, staff members having to be sent to the hospital for reasons still unknown. Not the thing I was wanting to have happen on a day with two weddings and a severe thunderstorm advisory for the area.

I get into work and things are crazy!! Then it happened. The skies opened and roared. Then a gigantic boom and no power. This is the second time in a month that our property has been hit by lightening.

"sigh"

So here I am, sketching out design thoughts and sipping a coke while waiting for this fourteen hour day to end. Thankfully it will be at 11:00 this evening.

I think I will get home, have a beer or more, and finally start turning the heel on the year long socks. Yes a good plan indeed.

-D

It came!!

2008-07-24T17:37:00.000-04:00

The much awaited usb cable finally came in this morning!!!

Pictures will be redone and downloaded, then added to here, and my ravelry page.

Once again I do apologize for the lack of pictures but I had no cable!!!!!

Anyways... I am so thankful for all of your input on the poll. I have several thoughts in store for designs for each of the choices and will be narrowing the ideas down in the next several weeks, so please keep voting!!!

Until later,

D

Too many thoughts...

2008-07-18T19:21:00.001-04:00

So many a thought came to mind last night while winding down from work, sitting in bed, listening to some music. All of them were design oriented, knitwear to be more exact.

I am a fashion and accessory designer yes so this should not bother me, but I have never designed anything completely knitwear to date. I have designed with knit material before yes but not actually a knitting pattern.

Those who truly know me know that I have a fascination with ancient mythology, particularly Greek, Roman, Egytpion, and Norse. They also know that I try to incorporate that love into my designs in some fashion.

As I was drifting off to sleep I was still debating whether or not to go ahead and delve into this wondrous and exciting new world of design for me. My mind was made it up I awoke today. I was going to do it.

Out came the lists I have accumulated over the years of various gods and goddess and research began. Since winter is coming up I decided to look more into the Norse mythologies and see which ones struck my design interest more than others.

I then thought why not open it up to a poll. What better input would I have to help influence my design inspiration than those who may one day knit this pattern themselves.

For the poll see above.

-D

Delay...

2008-07-17T18:44:00.000-04:00

Well my sincere apologies but after the week I just had I was in no shape, let alone mindset, to even think about blogging.

I managed to get caught up on sleep, though feel more is needed, as well as get to the point of attempting turning the heel on the year long socks. Notice how I said got to that point.

Other than that nothin much else has been going on. A dear friend from Detroit decided last minute to come up to see a few plays and leaves tomorrow mornning. We hung out for a few hours last night after his evening performance.

The only new thing in my life right now is this, sad to a degree but oh well.

Just wanted to keep you all informed of where I am at.

I promise I will be more regimental in my blogging.

If not, someone slap me around with the tentacle of productivity!

A long road ahead...

2008-07-14T05:26:00.001-04:00

Well here in Stratford Ontario it is about 5:30am and I have to say I am almost 10 hours into a 36 hour shift.

Why so long? Well it is becuase I am not only covering vacation time but also have a handful of meeting throughout the day. So what better way to end my work week then with an even longer than normal shift?

As I am writing this I am hunkered down in the room that I snagged from our selling inventory ( I work at one of the hotels in town), for a breif rest before meeting number one.

I brought the year long socks with me to work on and attempt yet another heel. Here is hoping it works out this time.

Why am I calling these socks the year long socks? Well it is Because I started them about a year ago. I am not new to knitting but new to sock knitting as it has always been something that I have been intrigued with. What other knitting project can one take with them virtually everywhere and not be bogged down by multiple parts?

I am going to do an interjection here. I apologize for lack of pictures right now but they will be coming hopefully soon. I lost my USB transfer cable for my digital camera a few weeks ago (probably misplaced in a bout of cleaning) and am waiting for a replacement to be delivered from the manufacturer.

Back to the socks.

I purchases Austermann Step in the green colorway and the appropriate sized dpns and searched for an easy pattern to do. I love the thought of doing socks from the cuff down but being an extremely tight cast on knitting I find it difficult. I know I know. Go up a size or two. Still I am too tight for that. Toe up was the way I was going to go. I researched and practiced different cast on methods and fell in extreme like with the provisional cast on method. I then set about looking for that pattern. That one solitary pattern that is easy to follow and memorize.

(Insert trumpet flair here)

Knitty to the rescue!. The site that I have been perusing over the last few years, printing off the occassional pattern here and there, had shown me the light! Widdershins it would be.

You see I have very narrow feet. For a man it is somewhat hard to find sock patterns that don't require a large amount of cast on stitches. This pattern, this pattern though has become my basic sock pattern for me. A 54 stitch circumference fits my foot perfectly! It is not too tight nor too loose, just right. I know I went into a Goldilocks moment, my apologies.

Needless to say I have never been able to progress further in this last year than the heel.

With my first shipment of my first ever sock club membership on its way in the next few weeks I am more determined than ever to get the heel done on my first sock and then finish the second to complete my first ever pair of self knitted socks.

I promise you all that as soon as the cable comes for my camera I will get the pictures starting on here and get a better one of myself put up as well. (Hater of self pictures that I am I will at least treat you all to a better one)

-D

A new start.

2008-07-13T04:52:00.001-04:00

Hello and welcome to my blog!

I am relatively new (admittedly 2nd time around) at blogging, so please be patient.

This first post is entitled "a new start" for a few reasons. The first being this marks the 3rd anniversary of my being single yet again after a 5 year relationship. The second is that it is the 3rd anniversary of my being cancer free. More on that will come in time trust me. The last major one is that I have recently decided to make a major self start on launching my fashion and accessory line.

As the days and weeks go by I will be posting articles on what I am working on and major events happening in my life at the time or writing.

I have many things that I am looking forward to sharing with you all in the next little while as I am awaiting the first shipment of my first ever subscription to a knitted sock club. Admittedly I am also relatively new to sock knitting as the first pair I started are still not done. I do like it though and am looking forward to the experience.

So please, enjoy, feel free to be in touch with me and getting to know me.

-D