...but definitely not kickin'. 

Here's the view from laying flat on my back in bed this evening. 

Yes, I have the smallest TV ever made.

I totally rocked out this weekend and had the time of my life, but even though the Napoleon Dynamite dance nearly killed me, it can't kill my knitter's spirit.  At least with my injured back I get to take a week off from tennis and bike riding.  Woo hoo!  I've actually been enjoying laying in bed and watching obscene quantities of trashy tv from home like last season's finale of The Apprentice, The Amazing Race, The OC, and the "new" (to me) Bachelorette and Apprentice.  Don't tell me what happens, I think I'm still in January's episodes.  (Uh, this sounds like the life of Riley but I still have to go to school and teach classes and stand around all day.  Maybe this is why things aren't getting better?).

Ok, I only got up to eat dinner and let the knitblog world know that I'm still working on my Lucky.  A girl has to have priorities, right?

Oh, and this is gross but actually kind of interesting.  I must be toughening up.  I got a bug in my eye on the way home from school the other day and when I got home it was actually walking around in there.  How does that happen!?  Proceed at your own risk.  You might not actually want to click to see the closeup of my eye.

Posted by Molly at 08:59 PM | Permalink | Comments (9)

I'm dancing tomorrow!  Please send good vibes.  I'll be back in the swing of knitting things again soon (I hope)!!

Posted by Molly at 12:58 AM | Permalink | Comments (4)

I read on Chelsea's blog that it's flower week out there in knitblog land.  I was waiting to get the perfect shot of my flowers which have been getting fuller and fuller by the day, so here's what we have.  It's a pretty bad picture because right as I got outside I noticed about 10 bees hovering around.  Instead of bolting, I just snapped a quick shot and THEN bolted.  The small red flowers in the corner are just about to explode, there are so many new petals starting to peek out.  But not yet.  Maybe by Monday.

I only planted these flowers about a month ago, but they have grown totally out of control!  I might have to get a few small pots and separate them a bit, although I like the fullness of this planter as it is.  I'm proud of myself because my typically lazy morning attitude has become oh-so-slightly improved so that I can water my flowers in the morning before going to work.  I'm trying to end my bad sleep-all-day habits once and for all, but I have to start small. 

Posted by Molly at 09:39 AM | Permalink | Comments (4)

Lucky me!  My wrap pieces are finished blocking!  They are still pinned to this mat, just kind of waiting around for the back to be finished so that I can go ahead and block it too.  I'm afraid that if I take them off of there, they were get thrown in a pile (it happens) and just have to be blocked again.  I'm ssssssslowly working my way up the back, and if I let myself watch more of The Office tonight, I'll probably be able to start the raglan shaping.  Woohoo!

Speaking of The Office, I have been watching it much faster that I'd planned.  But who knew there were only 6 episodes per season?  I am really desperate for things to watch or listen to for my knitting time.  Japanese TV is kind of frustrating because there isn't usually anything on TV that I want to watch, and if there is, I really have to concentrate really hard and don't get far in my knitting. 

It's a good thing for the internet!  I think NPR is my most visited website.  I'm listening to it right now!  I like to listen to All Things Considered, Fresh Air, This American Life, and my favorite (only once a week!) Wait, Wait.. Don't Tell Me!  So much great listening, but it's just not enough.  Sometimes I just get sick of listening to news.  If only E! had online broadcasts of trashy Saturday afternoon TV marathons.  I like to listen to knitcast... but otherwise I don't have much to go on.  Suggestions? 

Posted by Molly at 07:59 PM | Permalink | Comments (13)

Thanks to Blackbird, I finally re-discovered Googlisms!  Just what I needed to do at 2:30 am.  Nothing wrong with a little late-night blogging!  I love this page, and it changed so much since the late nights, procrastinating at my computer in college. 

First there's the weird ones:
molly is making the coffee
molly is gother than you
molly is at her breaking point
molly is on yahoo today
molly is here
molly is very poud to display this card on her page
molly is just like any other girl her age
molly is in isolation now so we have to wear gowns and gloves whenever we are in the room with her
molly is passion
molly is starved for excitement
molly is currently not working in the labor market
molly is a metaphor
molly is a red
molly is intrigued
molly is quite the case
molly is still a winner
molly is looking for fern j  **this is kinda freaky because I have a friend named Fern!**
molly is determined to become a private eye in new york city and tries to apprentice herself to a crusty old cockney pi she is just beginning to win him over
*molly is bad enough to warrant a strong "please stay away" warning*

If I had a nickel for every time people met me and said, oh my dog's name is Molly... 
The disturbing number of dog-related ones:
molly is this week's echo magazine featured pet
molly is a sweet little female who arrived at the kennel from ireland
molly is our youngest daschund
molly is a miniature shar
molly is in a whole different category
molly is a 3 yr old yellow lab
molly is a solid white maine coon
molly is that she was really hard to train to a litter box
molly is a cute blonde spayed female golden
molly is a wonderful companion
molly is a hybrid variation of poecilia latipinna
molly is a very lovable and friendly dog

The ones that are eerily true!!:
molly is hot
molly is pretty cute too
molly is extremely smart
molly is a fox
molly is one of those rare women that is naturally beautiful and she doesn't need any help to present her sexy appearance
molly is an exceptionally beautiful young lady and shines
molly is a breath of fresh air
molly is a bundle of energy
molly is also a very mysterious person
molly is a wonderful companion
molly is brimming with team spirit (THIS IS TOTALLY TRUE!)
molly is a natural when it comes to letting students and adults know she cares
molly is the town's heart
molly is doing great

And the end all:
molly is perfect

Don't blame me, but:
molly is getting out of control

Alright, that's all.  Probably the stupidest post of all time.  I'd better go to bed. 

Posted by Molly at 02:41 AM | Permalink | Comments (5)

This week, I received some excellent swap packages!  Talk about making me feel guilty... yours are coming soon!!

First, this came from Kelly!

There's a hint in this picture about something else that's been going on around here lately. 
Yarn!  So that I can make those legwarmers I've been wanting from Last-Minute Knitted Gifts.  Woohoo!  NUTTER BUTTERS!?!  Delicious, and they make a great breakfast.  Dark chocolate m&ms!  It's kind of ironic that the headline on the magazine is "Healthy eating made easy."  Maybe stopping people from sending me tons of unhealthy American snacks?

I also got a swap pack from Hilary that was unpacked and scattered around my apartment before I could even find the camera.  In an effort not to put off blog content "just until tomorrow" for the next few weeks, I'll show you what I've got now. 

Look at this great wristlet she made me!  I am totally enamored with zippered wristlets these days.  It's so cute, thank you!  I also got some Lamb's Pride for felting, the summer IK and some Skippy snack bars in there.  Thank you, Hilary! 

Lesson learned?  If you live abroad and mope even just a little bit about missing peanut butter-flavored foods (or whatever it is that you can't live without) there are bloggers out there who will [over]indulge you!  Then you can get up one Saturday morning, and have nothing but peanut butter-flavored foods (dark chocolate peanut m&ms included) until after lunchtime!  Dangerous.  Very dangerous.

THE REVEAL

I've been meaning to do this for a while (something I have to say WAY too often in day-to-day life) and I really can't let it go any longer.  It's time to reveal my wonderful secret pal!  Remember?   Weeks ago?  When I got wonderful surprises?  Marie was the MOST GRACIOUS pal ever, and I really enjoyed finally getting to read her blog.  In case you missed the fact that I spoiled the surprise, I was "secret" pal to Cecile. 

It was great to have two francophone pals!  I have a confession to make.  I read a LOT of francophone knit blogs, and I almost never comment.  I understand French, I speak French (or at least I used to) and I can easily write in French, but I just can't always work up the nerve to comment.  Am I worried that they are going to go to French-speaking SnB and talk about that girl Molly who confused the gender of a word in a comment last week?  AS IF!  Knitbloggers are the nicest, so from now, I am going to make it a point to get out there and brush up on my French. 

Actually, I've been in a bit of a commenting slump lately.  I'm still here!  Usually I read knit blogs either 1) when I wake up and am already running late for work but just have to see what's new, or 2) when I'm at work, and don't want to actually open knitting links that will be forever saved on the common computer at work.  If you're super high-energy and happen to update late at night or ridiculously early in the morning (east coast time), or during my afternoons here, you might get a comment or two.  I'm going to work on improving that.

PHEW!  Now that I got all that off my chest, I can go back to neglecting housework and work on my Lucky Clover.  One more public service announcement in case any of you knitters are coming to Japan.

Be careful not to impale anyone with your current WIP!

My granny bike is my main mode of transportation so sometimes I forget that the trains and train stations are packed around 6 on a Friday.  Whoops!  Whatever you do, make sure you bring a bag big enough for your knitting needles!

Posted by Molly at 12:47 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)

It's another caffeinated late night here at knitty knitty bang bang, so I've decided to mix things up a bit.  Everyone likes a little variety right?

I have been quite conflicted lately.  Before I came to Japan a little less than a year ago, I started this knit blog.  Then I started a Japan blog.  Why bore my family and friends with my knitting or bombard knitters with relatively mundane details of my daily life, I thought.  Now it's pretty obvious to me that there is a WHOLE lot of overlap, and with my BROTHER'S comment on the KNIT BLOG (!!!) today, my mind has been thrown into overdrive!  Well, the caffeine from tea class might have something to do with it, too. 

What is a girl to do!?  Do I combine them and sacrifice Morry's identity for the sake of my poor readers who are trying to keep up with two blogs?  Or do I keep up the split-personality?

Sometimes I hesitate about where to post some ramblings that are neither knitting or Japan specific.  The knit blog doesn't have to be ALL knitting, ALL the time!* The following post is sort of Japan specific, but it is just too riveting to keep from all those knitbloggers out there.  So here is a peek at into Morry's head...

This blogger has a little anti-meme thing going on and it's called show and tell Friday.  This week I got to pick the theme!  What's on your TV?  Will you show me?  If not, that's OK, but I thought you might want to see what's on mine.  (WARNING: The suspense might be too much for the weak-hearted).  Get ready for...

THE [approximately] $100,000 ONIGIRI CHALLENGE!

The contenders. 

(Onigiri are small, round or triangular rice balls that make a great snack, or a few make a tasty meal.  There are many varieties, and they often have tasty surprises buried in the middle.  Pickled plums, raw fish, tuna salad... you name it, they'll stuff it in these babies!).

 
The esteemed judge.

In one corner...

...and in the other.

Check out this close-up.  I can almost TASTE it, can't you?

It's going to be a close one, ladies and gentlemen!!

Oh, what? You thought it would be resolved that quickly?  No way, this is Japanese TV.  The results must be overly dramatic, dragged out, and of course after a commercial break. 

AND THE WINNER IS!

This lovely old woman.  She'll advance to another round, or something.  This has been going on for at least a month or so, and I'd be lying if I said I really understood much about the details.

Well, that's all from here.  Now will you show me what's on your TV?  Hi Mum, hi Dad!  I think you're the only ones that actually read to the end.  Later!

*Speaking of knitting, I, uh, realize that I have some explaining to do when it comes to Secret Pals, current knitting, swaps and more.  I'll get around to it someday, I swear.

Posted by Molly at 12:59 AM | Permalink | Comments (16)

Who has time to knit when the regional talent show is less than THREE WEEKS AWAY and she has, in the biggest lapse of judgment in her life, agreed to do THIS DANCE?*

Obviously not me.  From this point on, I'll be spending all my evening knitting time sweating up a storm with my friend (luckily I'm not doing it alone) so that I can get this dance down and make a huge fool of myself two weeks from Saturday.  At least we'll be having the most fun!  There is no hope for a finished Lucky Clover in time for the big show...  don't hold your breath.

*In this clip, the music is totally different, but the hot moves? they are the same.

Posted by Molly at 11:04 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)

Check out this exciting progress on my sock!  I know it's thrilling, but really, do try to control yourself.  This is how my sock looked the night before I went traveling through the Kumano Kodo in the south of Mie and Wakayama prefectures.  It was a really fun trip, but I didn't make the sock progress that I was expecting.  On the way there, I found out the hard way that knitting on mountain roads makes me carsick.  Who knew?  Luckily I got to drive almost the whole way home, so I didn't have much time to get bitter about wasted knitting time.  I had a great time, and added some scenic photos to my Japan photo album.  Next time I travel in Japan, I might have to try something like this:  a knitting trip around Japan!

Here is my plug for Wendy's sock pattern.  It is SO EASY!  When I first made socks, I was surprised that they aren't as impossible as I'd anticipated, but I still had some unpleasant moments trying to pick up stitches while turning the heel, and toiled over seaming the toe.  This pattern makes it so easy, everyone should go out, buy some bright sock yarn (here maybe?) and get started today! 

When I tried on my sock, I decided that I want to make some short socks like this next.  Since I set out planning to make full socks, I resisted the urge to change plans and bind off early.  I often do things like that and regret it later.  When I finish this lovely pair of full length socks, I'm definitely going to move onto some golf socks next. 

Right now, everyone stateside is probably resting up for a big day at MSWF tomorrow.  Even my mom is going!  It's not the first time I've felt out of the loop living on the other side of the world, but I guess I can cope.  Hope everyone has a great time--I'll be watching my new DVDs and knitting up the back of my Lucky Clover ALL WEEKEND!!

Posted by Molly at 01:55 PM | Permalink | Comments (5)

Today I got two packages in the mail (both that I was expecting).  The Office DVDs that I ordered finally arrived, and just as I was starting them, I got a delivery from my mom.  The next installment of 24!  But to my surprise, she also sent the Sideways DVD!  Thanks, Mum!  I'm excited because I love watching movies, and especially now that I live in Japan, I am pretty out of the loop.  I've heard of Sideways, only because it was an Oscar nominee, but I've never even seen a preview--I can't wait to watch it!

Anyway, I popped in 24 and worked on my Lucky Clover.  Unfortunately, whenever I watch that show, I end up spending half the time biting my fingernails, literally glued to the screen, so sometimes it's not great for knitting.  I still managed to tear myself away after just two episodes (oh, the self-control) to snap some progress pics before the sun went down. 

It looks like the size might actually be right on, compared to this classic Gap t-shirt that I always wear.  Would it be a bad move to block these before I get all the pieces finished?  I think I might start them soon, since I have limited blocking space and I want to wear it ASAP! 

I was going to watch 24 until I finished the second side, but I really had to seize the opportunity to stop the video while I still could to take some pictures, pick up my apartment and get ready for my mini-vacation tomorrow!  What, did you think I would spend all my holidays watching DVDs and knitting?*  It is Golden Week, after all.  I'll bring my sock along for the ride, but my friend told me not to forget my international driver's license so she doesn't have to drive the whole way.  Yippee!!  I can watch DVDs and knit on the weekend. 

I don't know much about where we're going tomorrow, just that it's "down south" and has a famous hiking path in the mountains or something?  I'm sure there will be a bajillion tourists there, so we might just hang out at the hot springs and not do much hiking.  Fine with me!  The one thing I'm happy about is that I should be able to find some cedar blocks to protect all my winter knits from moths this summer. 

Here is my dilemma:  I don't actually have anything to put said knits and cedar blocks into.  I have a huge closet, but essentially no furniture like drawers or cabinets to hold clothes.  All you knit experts out there, what are your thoughts on putting my sweaters and cedar into a suitcase?  A plastic bin?  I'm leaning towards the suitcase idea because I have two huge ones just sitting in there taking up space, even though I'm not sure what the consequences will be of having a "cedar suitcase" from now until eternity.  Plus, my plastic tubs have holes in the bottom.  Help!  Ideas?

*I will probably spend the rest of the night doing this.

Posted by Molly at 07:57 PM | Permalink | Comments (15)