What's Ahead?

Just a quick one this morning before I run off to work. I'm feeling completely exhausted, probably something to do with the fact that I have been staying up really late every night and having trouble sleeping because of the heat. Last night was better for sleeping, though, and as proof I am running late this morning. What can you do?

I have a plan for some intensive paper revisions after work, followed by a crummy (in a good way) movie and an early night. Oh, I should probably factor in some dinner, too. And knitting. Hmm, this is going to be more fun than I thought! Hehehe. By the way, I finished those socks (even though this is an unfinished picture. Imagine a toe on there)! Better pictures and details soon...
Remember that longer post I mentioned? Well, I'm coming up on post #150, so I think I'll use that milestone for a bit of gab. I'm also contemplating a mini contest in celebration, so get ready for games and prizes!

Peanut Butter, Jelly, HairDye

Monday night antics - Nicole and I dyed my hair (the whole thing this time, not just the crazy streak). Here are the blurry results: I'll take another in the sun tomorrow so you can see the actual dark, reddish color. I really like it!

I've also been knitting some more, with SP yarn that reminds me of Peanut Butter and Jelly. Another pair of armwarmers on the way, though I definitely won't be using them for quite some time. It's started warming up around here again.
I've been doing some thinking lately, and I'm hoping to write a longer post later this week to let you all in on the fun hahaha. In any case, happy knitting and I'll catch you tomorrow :)

Zoom!

Faster than a speeding bullet, it's Crochet Girl!
I truly am a Happy Hooker. Yesterday I received yet another simply wonderful package from my thoughtful and creative Secret Pal. She always seems to nail it perfectly :)
Here's the selection of yarn in pretty purples and greys she sent me (and it looks like more fun socks are in my future):

And two fabulous books of great crochet patterns. I've wanted the one of blocks for such a long time, and I think this winter will be the winter of afghan making.

Of course I had to start right away. No patience for me! I'd almost forgotten how quick crochet is.
First this...

Then this...

Now I just need to find the perfect fabric for a lining, and I'll have a lovely new clutch - hey presto!

Thank you so much, Secret Pal! Your secret snooping skills are simply superb.

A Little Bit of Color

Some teal...

For a long time I've wanted to have a halfway-secret streak of blue hair, and when we bleached my friend's hair the other day, I finally got my chance! I'm getting ready to overdye the whole thing pretty soon, though, so it won't last for long.

Some bright purple for Project Spectrum...

I turned the heel on the second sock at Knitting Group last night. There were some really lovely new people there, and I had a blast meeting them and catching up with some of the regulars. It was the perfect way to kick back after a long, hot Monday.

Though I usually hate to end on a sour note, here are some icky browns and swampy greys - the latest state of my backyard, a.k.a. the construction zone...

I'm so excited about moving, you have no idea :)

A thought

While a walk to the store for popsicles may SOUND like a pleasant evening outing, one really ought not exert oneself by taking the circa-2-hours round trip walk in the 80 degree heat compounded by 62% humidity, because the half-melted popsicles will not seem like nearly enough reward when one finally arrives home, disheveled and looking like a giant sweatball.
Observe:
Thank goodness I had the foresight to purchase an extra, longer-lasting treat. And to jump in the cold shower when I got back. Can you tell I feel better? Later this evening, you might find me lying in front of a fan, watching a movie, eating popsicles, and placing a cool cloth on my forehead.
How will you beat the heat?

Papers, Pictures, Purling

In that order:

One paper is just about ready for a completed draft! I'm hoping to churn that out over Friday night and all day Saturday, then do revisions for turning it in early next week. I have a working thesis, and I've been slowly working through my mountain of research books, pulling out quotations and relevant information, so I should be set to turn my 18-page outline thingy into a 20-25 page paper this weekend. Go me! By the way, this one is about the reconfiguration of the Helen/Trojan War story in Herodotus' Histories and how he transforms the story into a lesson about the dangers of overstepping natural boundaries. According to him, the gods REALLY don't like that kind of thing.

A few more pictures from my vacation.
This is the bf and I out in front of Pike Place Market in Seattle, when I attempted to take the picture myself, trying to keep both our faces in the frame and include the sign in the background. Didn't work out so well, but you get the idea. At least you can see that it was a really beautiful day!
This is two of my dorky siblings in Lake Tahoe. The other one was busy house-sitting in the Bay Area, so she didn't get to come with us :(
I'm still knitting and purling! Another dishcloth, khaki and white, is languishing next to my computer, calling my name while I read through books about women in the Greek world and Herodotus' take on Homer. I'll try to take a picture of it later this afternoon, but the last few days have been really grey and muggy around here. Bleh.

Knitty Goodness

By the way, oh my goodness! Can you believe that I've actually been knitting? Looking back over my last few entries, it certainly doesn't look like it... But here is the very latest, fresh off the needles, ready for your viewing pleasure:
A cotton washcloth! (Close-up of the texture because, well, otherwise it's just a square.) I know. Contain your excitement.
But! It is purple, the official color of Project Spectrum July.

In other news, I've been cleaning my apartment, writing a little bit (not much, I admit - I'm hoping for a good, productive weekend) on those papers I have to finish up, and enjoying my busy work schedule. There are a ton of new books and very few summer student workers, so it's like a non-stop flow of literary goodness across my desk every day. Even if most of it is in Russian. Bonus? I'm starting to learn how to transliterate the Cyrillic alphabet :)

How's things where you are?

Vacation Photos!

At long last, some lovely views from my trip through CA, OR, and WA:

I'm especially proud of this one; it was taken through a car window, while driving, but it is still pretty nice.

Don't worry! We aren't actually about to be hit head-on, even though I was worried for a minute. It's just being towed backwards by another truck.

And here are some Pike Place Market fish-flinging merchants.


And the lovely fountain in Seattle Center.

Knitting is still going very slowly, since my work schedule is 9 to 4:30 (oh no! it's like a full-time job! hahaha). I'm working on a dishcloth at the moment, and I'll show you pictures tomorrow. After work.

Back Again

Back in sunny Chicago, getting myself organized to start work again tomorrow! I accidentally left my camera at home, but as soon as it gets here, I will have some new knitting pictures. For now, here's one of the armwarmers I made for my friend (I know, I know, summer and armwarmers don't really seem to go together, but she asked me to make them!) :)
Catch up with you soon...