The Circus McGurkus

Posted on | January 29, 2007 | 3 Comments

I did not get a lot accomplished this weekend.  Unaware that there even was such a thing, Saturday I conducted a dress rehearsal for Super International Pajama Day.  I did shower, but then put on a fresh pair of pajamas.  You’d think with the laziness and not leaving the house and all, that I’d have gotten TONS accomplished, but no.  After the initial burst of energy that comes with the sheer panic realization that someone’s coming over (gotta do the dishes, sweep the floor, hide the boxes of stray Christmas decorations that missed the first undecorating, straighten-straighten-straighten), I was pretty much a bum the rest of the day. 

She Who Is Known As Blogless Ginny came over for show and tell.  She showed me her holiday yarn goodies and related her exciting and titillating adventures in the life of a single girl.  I showed her the roving I was dyeing and the incredible mess in our bedroom “annex” which is fast becoming ”Elizabeth’s Fiber Room.”  I love to spend time with Ginny and catch up on what everyone is doing and what’s going on in the Unmarried World (did you know that Birmingham has a dueling piano bar?  that The Bottletree had an 80s night?  that SB and I are currently part of a photographer friend’s exhibit at the Southside Starbucks?  Yeah, me neither).  Not saying I don’t LOVE being married, but it does tend to put you out of the loop.  The best part of Ginny’s visit (for me) was that she learned to spin on my Louet spindle!!!  She played some with my wheel but when she mentioned practicing on a spindle, I jumped up and ran to get it!  I don’t think my pusher attitude scared her too badly; she left with the spindle and a bag of roving to play with.  She was doing very well, too, especially for it being the first time she’s ever spindled.  A natural, I’d say.  I told her I’d send her some links to how-to videos and helpful sites and when I gather that info together, I’ll post it here in a page in my sidebar for anyone who may be interested.

While she was spindling, I started spinning the Fine African Wool Top I dyed awhile back. 

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This is really soft wool and I’m spinning it without a lot of twist because I don’t want to ruin the softness of the wool.  I’m about halfway done and can’t wait to see what it looks like plied.

Yesterday, SB and I took Drew to the circus.  This little outing confirmed that I am not a fan of the circus.  Now – everyone has their opinion and if you love the circus, hey, that’s great, but for me – “never again” would be an understatement.  The cost is astronomical and the entertainment…eh.  I know it’s geared towards young children so I didn’t really expect much which is good because if I had, I would have been sorely disappointed.  Besides the cost and the sheer boredom factor, I have a problem with wild animals being used for entertainment purposes.  It pains me to see tigers rolling over like trained dogs and elephants balancing on stools.  As I used to say, “bears weren’t made to ride bicycles.”  There weren’t any bears, but the point is the same.  I’m sure the animals are taken care of, but I just think it’s WRONG.  Trapeze artists and clowns and acrobats – they all have a choice in the matter.  Beautiful Bengal tigers – they weren’t given a choice.  Makes me sad.  Oh – and the obnoxious people didn’t do much for me either.  Dad who sat behind us – why the hell didn’t you keep your son from kicking my son’s seat, my arm, SB’s arm, and occasionally my HEAD with his heavy duty loafers???  Lady who sat beside me – how could you sit and watch your two year old put his lighted whirlygig toy into that lady’s hair over and over again AND NOT SAY A FREAKIN WORD???  What is WRONG with these people?  So inconsiderate.  Bello-bration my arse.

So, I didn’t get much accomplished this weekend.  Tonight I’m knitting myself some gloves because fingerless mitts may be cute and all, but my fingers are COLD!!! And a knitter with cold fingers – we can’t have that!  It’s inconceivable!

P.S.  Sorry for the Case of the Mondays post.  I promise to be upbeat again soon!  Or at least pretend.

Category: Dyeing, spinning

Comments

3 Responses to “The Circus McGurkus”

  1. Emily
    January 29th, 2007 @ 4:58 pm

    Super International Pajama Day? That is the most awesomest awesome thing I’ve ever heard.

    I will now go back and read the rest of your post.

  2. Tania A
    January 29th, 2007 @ 5:36 pm

    Ugh .. I’m sorry you didn’t enjoy the circus .. I enjoy it mostly for the acrobatics and such, though I do enjoy watching the animals. I realize this was not the life they would ordinarily have, but for the most part they are well cared for, and in some cases, they would find themselves endangered otherwise.

    But I will agree that your ordinary crowd of circus-goers is obnoxious at best, and anywhere with that many ill-behaved children (both those under the age of consent and those above it) is not somewhere I go very often.

  3. abigale
    January 29th, 2007 @ 6:27 pm

    Wow – the singles are beautiful!! Can’t wait to see what they come out as when they’re plied up – are you just going to ply them back on themselves? Navajo ply? Throw something else entirely into the mix? Oh, the anticipation ;-)

    I don’t think I’ve ever been to the circus, doesn’t sound like something I’d enjoy either… And reall? What is up with parents not getting their children to mind their manners – though I should talk, my 16 yo needs some serious training!