News Links & Viking Knit Photos.
In between getting ready for the floor people coming tomorrow and trying to get some rest so I can get better, I've read a few articles over the weekend I wanted to share with you all.
An interesting article about how the US poverty rate is on track to hit the highest level since the 1960's. I found it interesting that one of the reasons cited for the economic problems wasn't what I was expecting---lessening of unionisation. It makes sense---fewer unions/union rights means fewer workers' rights and fewer raises. I don't agree with everything our union does but do appreciate that there is someone to go to bat for me if I need it. It's why I have stayed in the union even though I was on a management contract (for my usual role). Better to have someone else who can pay for the lawyers or who can come along and make sure someone else has my back.
Along the economic lines: America's Best Free Attractions. I will take exception to the Golden Gate Bridge being listed. If you drive across one way it's free, if you drive the other there is a toll....but I think walking and cycling are free & as the article mentions, the Golden Gate National Rec Area is free.
Still keeping on the economic riff: trillions of dollars world-wide have disappeared from the mega-rich into off-shore tax havens. Ironic that the ultra-rich like to cut benefits because they think poor people should pay for their own way, but are quite happy to shift their money that should be going into taxes and paying for services like garbage, water, police and fire out to tax havens.
There's a nasty flu bug going around here in NZ. As bad as I feel, I'm fortunate I'm not this bad off. I stopped getting the flu jab when they started offering it at the end of March -- one of 2 of our busiest times of year. I went for the free voucher this year but didn't get it since we were out of the country for most of the time it was good (and I forgot about it, my bad this time!).
There's a short film going around the international film festivals about a NZer's brother whose boat strayed into Khmer Rouge territory in the late 1970's. His brother & a British man were captured by the Khmer Rouge, tortured and murdered. This film is the story of the brother trying to find information, talking to survivors and people who worked at the camp & trying to prepare a victim impact statement. The movie is called "Brother Number One", there's a short piece embeded in the article. This is a very touching and thought-provoking movie. I highly recommend seeing it if you get the chance. They showed it here last week and people at work were talking about it. The Cambodian Holocaust is one that is not talked about as often as the Jewish Holocaust. About 2 million people were murdered by the regime, but we don't hear about the victims of this Holocaust.
Lastly, not news but photos! I finished this piece off Saturday evening, I made it using the 1/2 inch tool I got recently.. I haven't had time to make the parchment for it & have only just gotten the photos together. I started it and named it/it named itself "Friendship" after some people I know at work. It's also got a possible buyer--someone else at work who saw me working on it and who is looking for a 21st bday gift for a friend. Love how these things come together. If I sell it to her I won't charge as much as I would at Craftworld. I won't need to charge for rent, commission or the GST they add on. I'm kind of nervous about setting the price. People at work know me as one person, they don't see the craftsperson and I hope she doesn't think I'm being greedy or stuck up by asking about $80 for it (I would probably put it up at CW for about $115 or so)
Oh, and I did sell one of my double-knit patina'd copper bracelets with jade on it earlier this week :) It isn't much but every little bit helps us pay the monthly rent on the booth.
Now onto the picts:
Close up of the focal piece. for the focal pieces I used a large glass 'pearl', 2 tiny freshwater pearls, some (generic, non-brand) metallic purple crystals, some glass bell flower pieces that are a light amythest colour with a bronzy sheen to them and some silver toned feathers.
2 more under the cut:
Here's a close up of the knit done with the new tool.
I've got some dragonfly bodies started (ie--green single knit) but haven't done much with the VK or anything since I've been pretty sick. I do need to look to some of the stuff that sold decently at the booth last year--the angels. I'll knock a few of them out maybe next weekend, then the weekend after work on the angel ornaments and earrings. I can do the knitting part of the VK on the train and put the angels together at home.
Apropos of nothing: I put on Sarah McLauchlan because Grimm had finished on tv & we're recording In Pursuit of Happiness to watch another time so I can't put anything in the dvd player while that's recording. It fits my mood tonight. "Angel" is on right now and definitely where I am.
Spend all your time waiting For that second chance For a break that would make it okay There's always some reason To feel not good enough And it's hard at the end of the day
I need some distraction Oh beautiful release Memories seep from my veins Let me be empty Oh and weightless and maybe I'll find some peace tonight
In the arms of the angel Fly away from here From this dark cold hotel room And the endlessness that you fear
You are pulled from the wreckage Of your silent reverie You're in the arms of the angel May you find some comfort here
So tired of the straight line And everywhere you turn There's vultures and thieves at your back The storm keeps on twisting Keep on building the lies That you make up for all that you lack
It don't make no difference Escaping one last time It's easier to believe In this sweet madness Oh this glorious sadness That brings me to my knees
In the arms of the angel Fly away from here From this dark cold hotel room And the endlessness that you fear
You are pulled from the wreckage Of your silent reverie You're in the arms of the angel May you find some comfort here
You're in the arms of the angel May you find some comfort here
Copied from MetroLyrics.com
More comment(s) at Red_trillium's Dreamwidth journal. Come join the conversation! You can comment there using OpenID or ask me for an invite to create your own account.
An interesting article about how the US poverty rate is on track to hit the highest level since the 1960's. I found it interesting that one of the reasons cited for the economic problems wasn't what I was expecting---lessening of unionisation. It makes sense---fewer unions/union rights means fewer workers' rights and fewer raises. I don't agree with everything our union does but do appreciate that there is someone to go to bat for me if I need it. It's why I have stayed in the union even though I was on a management contract (for my usual role). Better to have someone else who can pay for the lawyers or who can come along and make sure someone else has my back.
Along the economic lines: America's Best Free Attractions. I will take exception to the Golden Gate Bridge being listed. If you drive across one way it's free, if you drive the other there is a toll....but I think walking and cycling are free & as the article mentions, the Golden Gate National Rec Area is free.
Still keeping on the economic riff: trillions of dollars world-wide have disappeared from the mega-rich into off-shore tax havens. Ironic that the ultra-rich like to cut benefits because they think poor people should pay for their own way, but are quite happy to shift their money that should be going into taxes and paying for services like garbage, water, police and fire out to tax havens.
There's a nasty flu bug going around here in NZ. As bad as I feel, I'm fortunate I'm not this bad off. I stopped getting the flu jab when they started offering it at the end of March -- one of 2 of our busiest times of year. I went for the free voucher this year but didn't get it since we were out of the country for most of the time it was good (and I forgot about it, my bad this time!).
There's a short film going around the international film festivals about a NZer's brother whose boat strayed into Khmer Rouge territory in the late 1970's. His brother & a British man were captured by the Khmer Rouge, tortured and murdered. This film is the story of the brother trying to find information, talking to survivors and people who worked at the camp & trying to prepare a victim impact statement. The movie is called "Brother Number One", there's a short piece embeded in the article. This is a very touching and thought-provoking movie. I highly recommend seeing it if you get the chance. They showed it here last week and people at work were talking about it. The Cambodian Holocaust is one that is not talked about as often as the Jewish Holocaust. About 2 million people were murdered by the regime, but we don't hear about the victims of this Holocaust.
Lastly, not news but photos! I finished this piece off Saturday evening, I made it using the 1/2 inch tool I got recently.. I haven't had time to make the parchment for it & have only just gotten the photos together. I started it and named it/it named itself "Friendship" after some people I know at work. It's also got a possible buyer--someone else at work who saw me working on it and who is looking for a 21st bday gift for a friend. Love how these things come together. If I sell it to her I won't charge as much as I would at Craftworld. I won't need to charge for rent, commission or the GST they add on. I'm kind of nervous about setting the price. People at work know me as one person, they don't see the craftsperson and I hope she doesn't think I'm being greedy or stuck up by asking about $80 for it (I would probably put it up at CW for about $115 or so)
Oh, and I did sell one of my double-knit patina'd copper bracelets with jade on it earlier this week :) It isn't much but every little bit helps us pay the monthly rent on the booth.
Now onto the picts:
Close up of the focal piece. for the focal pieces I used a large glass 'pearl', 2 tiny freshwater pearls, some (generic, non-brand) metallic purple crystals, some glass bell flower pieces that are a light amythest colour with a bronzy sheen to them and some silver toned feathers.
2 more under the cut:
Here's a close up of the knit done with the new tool.
I've got some dragonfly bodies started (ie--green single knit) but haven't done much with the VK or anything since I've been pretty sick. I do need to look to some of the stuff that sold decently at the booth last year--the angels. I'll knock a few of them out maybe next weekend, then the weekend after work on the angel ornaments and earrings. I can do the knitting part of the VK on the train and put the angels together at home.
Apropos of nothing: I put on Sarah McLauchlan because Grimm had finished on tv & we're recording In Pursuit of Happiness to watch another time so I can't put anything in the dvd player while that's recording. It fits my mood tonight. "Angel" is on right now and definitely where I am.
Spend all your time waiting For that second chance For a break that would make it okay There's always some reason To feel not good enough And it's hard at the end of the day
I need some distraction Oh beautiful release Memories seep from my veins Let me be empty Oh and weightless and maybe I'll find some peace tonight
In the arms of the angel Fly away from here From this dark cold hotel room And the endlessness that you fear
You are pulled from the wreckage Of your silent reverie You're in the arms of the angel May you find some comfort here
So tired of the straight line And everywhere you turn There's vultures and thieves at your back The storm keeps on twisting Keep on building the lies That you make up for all that you lack
It don't make no difference Escaping one last time It's easier to believe In this sweet madness Oh this glorious sadness That brings me to my knees
In the arms of the angel Fly away from here From this dark cold hotel room And the endlessness that you fear
You are pulled from the wreckage Of your silent reverie You're in the arms of the angel May you find some comfort here
You're in the arms of the angel May you find some comfort here
Copied from MetroLyrics.com
More comment(s) at Red_trillium's Dreamwidth journal. Come join the conversation! You can comment there using OpenID or ask me for an invite to create your own account.