real life sucks

Okay, I mean, I knew that I was going to have this fantastic almost-weeklong saga of fiber and friends. I knew I was going to have a lot of fun and I knew I was coming home at the end of it all.

Here's your clue that I'm a little slow: I was surprised when I was disappointed that real life wasn't as fun as a vacation.

Good new on arrival home was that Alice was healthy (she managed to get sick the day I left), and that my lovely family had gotten it together to get tickets to see Revenge of the Sith on the Thursday evening, opening day. My dad let me miss school to see the original Star Wars movies on opening day. Just saying.

Bad news is that from the minute I got home, I've been involved in one of those passport ordeals that results in pulling out your hair. If you think the government has anything together, let me assure you that they really don't. Why PA can't figure out that a NY State non-driver's ID requires more proof of identity than their own driver's license is beyond me. Nothing is reciprocal, no one has anything figured out. That's all that I'm saying. It seems to be fixed, but I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

Ok, so back to real life. I finished the pair of Cherry Tree Hill socks I brought on the trip, but I have no pictures. Actually, they're long gone - I gave them away.  Instead I have a picture of the sock I started today. Also CTH supersock merino. I'm trying to plow through sock stash so I can get to the fun new stuff I've bought.

Here's the new sock, colorway Java, artistically (ha) photographed at sunset, outdoors. You really ought to be impressed, I rarely get any of my blog stuff together before 10pm the night before. You can click for a larger image, if you're so inclined.

I've been having trouble adjusting to life back home. I did finally manage, after two days, to put away the wonderous fibery stuff I bought in NH. But now I'm in a rut. I have horrible regrets. Shoulda bought wool combs (not realistic, I couldn't have gotten them on the plane), shoulda taken the leap and bought a fleece (I can blame Mamacate for that one). Should have bought another wheel (totally insane, I don't need another wheel, I can barely spin on the one I've got).

And, so what's my favorite thing from the trip (besides the chocolate and maple sugar candy, which are gone anyway)? In the spirit of regret, its the couple of locks that Laura gave me.

A few odd locks of fleece, ripe with the smell of sheepshit. C'mon, now. I don't really think that NH or VT ruined me. I must have been a goner long ago.

Comments

[Laurie]

Beautiful colorway on the new(er) sock. Constant vacation wouldn't feel half so good - you need something to contrast it to. (God please don't strike me dead for that grammar.)
Regrets = something to anticipate at Rhinebeck. And time to make sure it isn't all part of a feeding frenzy.

[john]

I so wanted to get a fleece at ms&w, but didn't think it wise, having only bought a spindle earlier in the day. i did get some nice rovings from riverside farm, though. it is a slippery slope. do i know what i'm going to do with all this handspun. no. does it matter? probably not. yesterday - spinning in the park with jennifer (lunch & lesson)

[Cara]

Star Wars opening night?!? I think I'm more jealous of that than your fantastic fiber adventure.

I always feel like I need a vacation after a vacation - everything's such an adjustment. Hope you're back to normal soon.

[Norma]

Oooooh, ahhhhhh, I love the colorway of that new sock. Never fear, there will be fiber and combs at the next festival. And we're doing NH again next year, without a DOUBT. That is a fine little festival, baby!

[Kim]

LOVE the new sock colors!! You and I must be drawn to the same colorways......that one is YUMMY!!!

Keep thinking ahead to Rhinebeck and all the good things that you will bring home then :-)))

[margene]

The need to second guess is in our blood. no? Are we ever happy with what IS? You did well at the fest and I think your sheep shit smelly locks would bring back the memories of such a wonderful weekend often.
I'm such a dweeb I didn't know what you were talking about until you said Star Wars. What is the Revenge of the Sith? I thought it was a new Broadway play.

[Janice in GA]

I have come to the conclusion that, unless you have something *very* specific in mind, life is too short to process your own wool. OTOH, it's a useful skill to know, I guess. But don't start with a whole fleece. Split one with someone, and see how you like the sorting, washing, drying, carding/combing routine.
Of course, if you've done it before and enjoyed it, ignore my comments. :-) I don't mind dealing with small quantities, but a whole fleece is more dirty wool than I really want to deal with anymore.
But that sheepy smell *is* kinda fun, isn't it??
Janice in GA, wool sniffer

[Laura J]

Actually, the splitting one with someone is a good idea. And Mary Pratt always has more... and Susan Mongold has more...

I am having trouble figuring out what to do now that I am not trying to get ready for NHS&W. I think I'll try to get ready for Rhinebeck.

In the interim, I am spinning some very lovely stuff from Copper Moth.

[mamacate]

I hear you. This month has been such a blast (sheep! wool! knitters! spinners! bloggers! more wool!), I'm getting a little bit spoiled. My job seems completely onerous, since it takes me away from spinning. Yet, it pays for spinning wheels, and this is rather important. There are lots of places to get a lovely fleece if you're really feeling bereft. Cummington, for instance... ;)

[claudia]

Mamacate is so right. Cummington is coming right up, and I know that I will be seeing Mary the crack/fleece dealer....

[Cordelia]

I know just what you mean about regret: I got home from the MD fest and wondered how I had only bought {x, y, z}. I'm trying to tell myself this gives me time to do something with the goodies I do have; it's not quite working yet.
By the way, congratulations on getting into opening day of "Revenge of the Sith"!

[julia fc]

Okay, uh, this is probably the wrong time to tell you this, but when it comes to buying a fleece, I have one word for you: processing. $30 for a five pound fleece, made into roving. And they send it to you when they're done with the magic. You should know this for the next time.

[Risa]

Oh there's always more fleece! Sheep are good that way. Much like my angora rabbit gives me 4 good clips a year that I can't keep up with. Spring and fall always brings more freshly shorn fleece for us to dig into. Did you find the FleeceforSale, FiberBuyandTrade, or Spin-Sales lists on yahoogroups yet? ;)

[valentina]

Hm. Plenty fleece support here. I'm worried about the "ploughing through sock yarn" part. How can we get it to be more enjoyable? Socks are fab! No, really.

[Jessica]

I love that sheepy smell - it even stays with you after many handwashings. A good stink. Also have to say I love the colorway for that sock - absolutely gorgeous. Looks like a sunset.

[Christine]

Cassie, as usual, your hand knit socks are gorgeous and you are inspiring me to be more adventureous with patterns. When I am done with my striping socks I think I will have to play with some goodies like yours!

[susan]

Nice crimp.