And She Knits Too!

Necessity is the mother of invention

Problem: I want to ride my bike to work but must transport my huge poster home from the printers (poster is 90" by 46").

Consensus of everyone I ask: You're taking the subway today honey.

Lightbulb moment: Last  night on the subway on the way home from great night of knitting at Lettuce Knit (got to meet That Laurie who is a knitter/dyer/spinner extraordinare and all round nice woman)...I need some sort of carrying device for the tube.  Aha!  My yoga mat bag.

Aren't I clever?

And it actually worked!  Poster is at work.  I haven't looked at it yet, mostly because I'm afraid I won't be able to get it back in the tube when I'm done.  I'm going to borrow a snazzy telescopic poster case to get it to Banff.  Not as nifty as a knitted thing, but probably safer. 

My research partner offered to take it home in her car tonight so I won't have to worry about getting it home.  Too bad, I felt like an Academic Ninja with it on (I know, dorky, but I'm a geek, what can I say!)

Knitterly Week

It's been a busy re-entry into work/life here at And She Knits Too.  Monday's return to school and work and the routine went pretty well, probably because poor Craig was home sick but able to get dinner on the table early.  Everyone is a bit tired though and it seems like there is a billion things going on; Brownies and Beavers, curling bonspiels, work, housework, new exercise routines (those holiday pounds--yuck) and a bunch of Knitterly events.

Last night I hung out at the Purple Purl and it was packed.  There was even a crew from Space TV doing a bit on technology and knitting.  It gave me a chance to do a few inches on Roam. 

Tonight there are meet-ups at the Spotted Dick and Lettuce Knit which I will probably forgo in order to catch up on laundry and bake cupcakes for Emma's birthday party tomorrow night.  We decided to do the big party at a great (cheap) play place with 20 screaming and crazy children.  I must remember to buy some beer to drink once it's all over.  I swore I would never do this, but I have learned that all resolutions before children are void--we all say things that seem so smart before we're parents that seem so dumb when we're actually parenting.

Friday is Drunken Knitters and Saturday is the opening of In the Loop (formerly Alterknits).  I'll probably go Friday and want to go Saturday, but I should also do some work on Knitty and a conference abstract.  I'm feeling the grind starting again and it makes me a bit harried.  I'm not sure how it gets so busy; it just does.  Perhaps I just need to dwell on it less (or ignore the laundry and the state of my house).   And, realize that none of us can do it all and have everyone pare down a bit and just relax.

Holy Sh*t! There's Knitting!

It's been a good week.  The kids spent it at my Mother's so we got to play a bunch--a movie and beers, quiet dinners, unhurried mornings.  It was nice.  I had a paper accepted for publication and I got a new permanent job.  The job news is especially good.  I have been working at the University on a contract and now it's full time.  It's also not an academic job (though it does involve research) and I'm happy about that too.  And besides it's a new adventure.

I've even had time to knit this week:

Two more pieces of Honey are blocking.  I'm on the last sleeve and having the "get it finished" fever.  I still have to decide about the front button bands so it may take a while longer as I experiment to find the right ones.  I changed the bottom bands from garter stitch to fold-over hems and might do the same for the bands, but I think it might be too thick.  I-cord is another possibility, except the bands are fairly large and I need the extra width there (I'm actually only 50% sure this sweater will fit). 

I've also been dabbling with the Mystery Stole (3).  I'm really enjoying watching this one unfold.  Here it is in the middle of clue 2:

The two-colours of beads are working out really well too.  They're a bitch to photograph, so you'll have to just take my word for it.

They look more pretty than this.  Really. 

And to end my good week, I'm off to pick up my new bike!  I'm also checking out some accessories.  I really like what these people did to their Townies.  Especially the daisies.  I heart daisies.  I almost went for this bike, but it was too silly for what I need.  I think I'm having a mid-life crisis!

S-L-O-W

Nvivo 7 analysis software can bite my ass. It is so slow that I spend half my day surfing while it does stuff. Which means I do silly things like virtually shop (ie on the internet without buying. I fill the cart and then leave) or these quizzes.

You Are a Pinky

You are fiercely independent, and possibly downright weird. A great communicator, you can get along with almost anyone. You are kind and sympathetic. You support all your friends - and love them for who they are. You get along well with: The Ring Finger Stay away from: The Thumb

What Finger Are You?

Long time finishing

Today we finished stuff.  I finished marking my exams!  I could get all philosophical about how I learned something about my own teaching and what needs more work for the next course, but I won't because I don't even want to think about teaching because I'm done!  I just have a few bureaucratic things and then I'm done this contract (meaning I only have 3 jobs).  Woo-fucking-hoo!

I also finished the first RPM sock:

I really like it.  It's a big snug in the heel/instep area which is usually not a problem for me.  I think the pattern torques a bit so it makes it snugger. 

I have a case of second sock syndrome though.  I would rather start a different sock than finish the second one.  This has never happened to me before.  I'll be casting on the second sock right after this to take on the subway tomorrow and nip that thing in the bud.

Someone else in the house also finished some knitting:

May I present Emma's first ever knit, a garter stitch scarf for her Curious George. 

This 10 stitch scarf took about 3 years to finish.  Oddly, Emma never forgot how to knit.  She could leave it for months and just pick it up and start again, but she never really caught the bug and knit often. 

Now that she has the chance to knit something for herself (likely another scarf since I can't purl holding the yarn in my right hand like she does and because she would like a scarf) she's getting it.

I'm so PROUD!

Blame the box

It's exam time in the degree mill, which means that I'm pretty cranky.  My students wrote their exam on Monday and I have to get everything graded by the next Monday--3 days from today.  26 done.  51 to go.  sigh.

The box of exams is right beside the couch and it's not only a convenient holder of paper, it's a receptacle for my crankiness.

No blogging: blame the box.

Lack of sleep: blame the box.

OhmygodhowcananyonethinkIwillpassthemwiththiscrap: you get the idea.

I did try to balance my mood by casting on an Exam sock this weekend.  I'm using the Azurite STR that Amy bought me from The Fold.  I'm using the RPM pattern and it makes me happy.

   

It's also exam marking motivation.  I mark 5 exams and get to knit 5 rounds on the sock.  It ain't much, but I have to take what I can get.  You know what I blame.

Teetering

Like Cari, I'm in the midst of asking some big questions about what I want from my life, particularly my work and what the hell I'm going to do when my contracts run out this summer. 

For most of my Ph.D. and this post-doc I have been extremely ambivalent about pursuing an academic career.  I love research and thinking about ideas, I've discovered that for the most part I like teaching and I've been around universities my whole life (my dad was a Prof) and it feels like the right place to be. 

The freedoms for tenure-stream faculty are great--flexible hours, no dress code, the freedom to pursue your interests with minimal interference, working in a place filled with dialogue and ideas.  The pay if you're tenure-stream is quite good too.

But those freedoms come with the pressure to produce those ideas: getting grants, doing the research, writing and publishing articles and books--combined with creating courses, managing students, administrative duties etc.  The work can be hard.  It's about you and your ideas, your thoughts and passions.  They are judged by your peers and you advance based on your ability to produce.   Sometimes it feels like the work never ends.  I could always be writing more, reading more, publishing more.  My lectures could improve, I could be on more committees or attend more events that allow me to network and discuss ideas with others.  more. more. more.

For those reasons, I decided to not be "on the market" for academic work this year.  I didn't put in any applications, none.  I thought I made the decision to get out, work somewhere else, figure out my transferable skills and find work that would be fulfilling in the academic sphere (I HATE the term real world, so don't use it okay?).  All winter I've been trying to figure out what that work would be.  What skills do I have that I can transfer elsewhere?  How can I convey my abilities to research, write, work independently, manage projects, be analytical to those who don't know this world?  Is my Ph.D. an asset or a liability?  How can I explain being 36 and not having any employment experience for the last decade (and even that was full time work as VP in my student union in 1995--I *really* like universities). 

So, I haven't really been applying for work outside the university much either.  I'm starting to do some networking to see what there is out there.  Ph.D.'s don't all go into academic work and I've been combing resources to see what people do when they sell-out.  It's a tough transition to make.  It's like being trained to be a physician and then deciding not to practice medicine.  A sociology Ph.D. is trained to be a university professor, but that doesn't mean that's all she can do...but what else is there?

And, will I like what I find?  Articles like this one give me pause.

There are some possibilties bubbling that may be interesting to pursue and I have spoken with people like Jo, Em and Sara about this at length, they have made interesting journeys post-Ph.D. to interesting and fulfilling work.  The funny thing is that I'm suddenly re-evaluating my getting-out strategy.  Maybe I can't find this other work because I really do want to be a Prof. but I'm chicken.  I'm scared of the workload and the commitment and the probability of having to leave my city and uproot my family for a job.  I'm also scared of the rejection.  Much of academic work is about having a very thick skin.  And looking for work in a competitive market is probably the worst part--so much rejection.  It's easier to not want it than to be in it and fail to land a job.

The big question boils down to this: am I out or am I in?  Do I go through a round of applications this Fall or not?  Eventually you can't go back.  I need to keep on finding ways to publish and stay current or I won't have what it takes to get hired.  So do I take more contract adjunct work to pay the bills or cut the cord and venture forth...

Back to regular And She Knits Too! programming

Holy comments Batman!  What an interesting discussion.  I wanted to do a little content analysis to sum it all up (I'm currently in content analysis mode at work, so it seemed natural) but I just didn't have the time.  I assure you I read and considered every comment and while I didn't respond to all of you, I did pop over and visit a few new blogs and I gained a solid understanding of people's take on blogging and blog commenting. 

As I said before I love the interactivity blogging creates, and your thoughtful comments just went to prove my point.  Thanks!

My personal life has been a bit topsy turvey lately which means that I've been really busy with work.  I'm starting a 4th employment contract this Monday which just adds to the pile of stuff I need to do for pay.  My teaching is winding down by the end of April and the Post-Doc is in the final stages, but I need to take what I can find when I find it so right now blogging, knitting and socializing may be on the low side for a bit.  I did have a small triumph--my first, first-authored academic article was published on Wednesday.  I have some more in the peer-review tubes but this is the first and I'm really happy about it.

Now to knitting.  My parents have been visiting and my extra-super-Mom has been taking very good care of us.  Laundry is done, meals are cooked, house is clean--which leaves lots of time for knitting.

Uncle Ken's second sock is coming along nicely:

I fear I'll run out of yarn.  I even dug out my scale and it says I'll have just enough.  The heels on these socks may not match, but I can live with that in the interest of not having to rip back.  Next time I'm knitting toe-up socks (I usually do, so this is adding to the fear).

Pimlico is also cooking along.  It's a beautiful garment but rather boring.  A 32" rectangle is not exciting.  I'm at 13" so it's getting less fun by the minute.  It would be perfect for this time of year, so I need to get cracking.

Bohus, Collette and Colourwork Classic are marinating.  I haven't got the mental energy to knit these (and with a house full of people it just isn't wise) but I'm thinking fondly of them.

Instead of just getting to knitting business, I started something else using Noro Iro that my super fabulous virtual pal Ann sent me.  I love Iro and decided being wrapped in Sherbie--a nice knit jacket--would be the perfect thing.  This one would be perfect for cool Spring mornings and I might even finish it before the weather is warm.  The back is done:

It needs serious blocking to spread the ribs and get the 23.24" chest measurement.  I'm blocking this part first to see if I'm knitting the correct size.  I made myself do the XS because the small seemed a bit big, but I also don't want a body hugging chunky sweater. 

I'm also planning a few summer knits.  I don't do tanks because it's too hot to wear them in the height of summer and I never really wore the ones I've knit in the past.  But I could use some cardigans.  They're good for cooler mornings and a/c crazy offices and they can add a little something to a tee-shirt to make me look "professional" (as opposed to the schlumpy academic look that I tend to fall into).  Right now I have a few things catching my attention:

Dune from Rowan 33.  I've had the yarn stashed for this since it came out.  I think it's time to continue my plan to knit from the stash.

I'm really liking Rowan 41 too.  Particularly Maris and Spice (I know, not a cardigan, but it's Calmer in bold colours.

Right now the plan (ha!) is to finish something, anything that I have on the go now and then start Dune.  Let's see how much resolve I have.

Smokers Wanted

One of my colleagues, Fil, in the Department of Exercise Science at the University of Toronto is conducting some research on the effects of smoking and needs some volunteers for his study.  If you're a smoker between the ages of 18-35 in the Toronto area and could spare some time to contribute to science, please contact him.  Or if you know a smoker who might want to participate, pass along the information.  More details can be found HERE  (PDF).

Help me stay awake!

It's one of those days.  I just woke up with my reading on my lap--a little impromtu siesta.  I'm tired and all the work I have right now is the passive kind (reading and editing) and I can't stay awake to get it done.  I was really productive this morning with all kinds of researching and emailing and with scheduling interviews, so the day isn't a complete waste.

I napped too much yesterday afternoon and couldn't fall asleep last night.  If I sleep now it will just make for more of the same tonight and I don't want to be like this again tomorrow afternoon.  Thankfully it's Thursday and I can grab some sleep on the weekend to get caught up.

So since it's nice and I need to stay awake, I'll show you my progress on the baby sweater.  I'm just at the armhole shaping, so I'm making good progress.

The shower was a lot of fun and I managed to hint at the knitted-present-in-progress by enclosing a snip in a baby lamb card.  Though I have to admit I would have a liked a big round of "you knit that?!" amongst the ooooing and awwwing over the lovely baby swag.  It must be why I blog--I like the attention.

Well that woke me up.  Hopefully my little accidental nap will give me enough energy to make to the kids' bedtimes and I'll have enough sense to go to bed.