For those who haven't yet seen it in action, Here is the Youtube video of Andy Paiko's Glass Spinning Wheel:
Have a great Father's Day Weekend!
Friday, June 13, 2008
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Scrap that thought.
You know when, in the last post, that I said things were better? Yeah, well. Scrap that train of thought. I resigned from the drama camp.
There comes a time when you have to know when to step away and this was it. The author refused to work with me, the staff person refused to do much of anything to defend me and I refuse to have children in an environment where the adults are all squabbling. It's not conducive to learning or fun.
I don't cry much, I'm just not that type. At least, that is, until I'm frustrated and angry. There have been quite a few tears spilled over this whole thing. I'm now feeling battered and exhausted. Physically and mentally exhausted. But at the same time, I feel vast relief that it's over.
As far as knitting goes, I'm working on my secret project now. I can tell you that it is an Alan Dart pattern cause the recipient won't know anything about that anyway. I'll show you the results as soon as I can!
There comes a time when you have to know when to step away and this was it. The author refused to work with me, the staff person refused to do much of anything to defend me and I refuse to have children in an environment where the adults are all squabbling. It's not conducive to learning or fun.
I don't cry much, I'm just not that type. At least, that is, until I'm frustrated and angry. There have been quite a few tears spilled over this whole thing. I'm now feeling battered and exhausted. Physically and mentally exhausted. But at the same time, I feel vast relief that it's over.
As far as knitting goes, I'm working on my secret project now. I can tell you that it is an Alan Dart pattern cause the recipient won't know anything about that anyway. I'll show you the results as soon as I can!
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Today
Today was a little better. Thanks to all those who listened/commented both on and offline on the whole drama camp issue. I worked a few things out with one lady. Unfortunately, during auditions today the author of the play showed up and proceeded to tell me who I should choose. She seriously needs to take a step back and let her baby go. It's up to me to interpret it now.
It's a lot like a knitting pattern. Once it's written, it's time to let the general public make it as they will and even change it. You can shorten or lengthen sleeves, add pockets, get rid of pockets, add stripes, etc.
Once a poet writes the poem and releases it, every reader reads it in context with their own lives and their own interpretations.
Now why doesn't she get that? I swear, if she stands over me the entirety of next week I will have a screaming hissy queen fit, I really will. A loud one. :)
More good news today, I got something for my reference library:
I was so upset and out of sorts yesterday that I didn't dare pick up anything yarny or fibery. Tension would have been right out the window. Hopefully I'll improve on that tonight. I have got to make my secret knitting project a priority. June 22nd is the deadline.
And, oh God, what about Father's Day? When will I ever be able to make the time to go shopping this week or next? AHHHHHH!
It's a lot like a knitting pattern. Once it's written, it's time to let the general public make it as they will and even change it. You can shorten or lengthen sleeves, add pockets, get rid of pockets, add stripes, etc.
Once a poet writes the poem and releases it, every reader reads it in context with their own lives and their own interpretations.
Now why doesn't she get that? I swear, if she stands over me the entirety of next week I will have a screaming hissy queen fit, I really will. A loud one. :)
More good news today, I got something for my reference library:
I was so upset and out of sorts yesterday that I didn't dare pick up anything yarny or fibery. Tension would have been right out the window. Hopefully I'll improve on that tonight. I have got to make my secret knitting project a priority. June 22nd is the deadline.
And, oh God, what about Father's Day? When will I ever be able to make the time to go shopping this week or next? AHHHHHH!
Monday, June 09, 2008
A vent, a FO and a WIP
I do have some knitting stuff and a spinning FO to show you, but bear with me a minute while I vent/agonize.
Summer drama camp season is upon us. It begins next week. Why am I agonizing?
First, the powers that be at our church are having power play issues. Two different departments, Music and Children, are arguing about whose turf this camp is on. Guess who gets stuck in the middle? Yep, me, the Director.
Second, I got pushed into doing a specific play. I had little say in the matter. The problem, is that the play sucks, it's absolutely awful. It was written by a local lady and the one that pushed me into it.
I've spent the past four years building this camp to be a full-on broadway style camp. I teach the kids everything, from set design, prop making, costume making, choreography, etc. This has become one of the most popular and most requested children's camp and I'm extremely proud of it. usually. Not so much this year.
It's difficult for me to get excited about having kids perform something that is sub-standard. The lady that wrote it is planning on sending this off to a publishing house. They're gonna rip it to shreds in it's current state.
Here's a couple of examples of what bothers me:
1. She makes jokingly makes references to prozac and bulimia. Not the subjects of choice for elementary children. I've already stated that I will not have those in this play. I really don't feel up to explaining in detail what those are to the kids. I find this especially inappropriate at a church camp. I'm not going to go all preachy here, I think you know what I mean.
2. No big production numbers. There isn't one time that the kids can get up and sing and dance together.
3. The level of vocabulary is way too advanced. This is not geared enough for the elementary crowd. It doesn't need dumbing down, just simplification.
There's a lot more where that came from, but I'll stop for now or I'll get all riled up again. If I could bow out of this play gracefully, I would. It's my reputation at stake here too you know.
The positives? Set design is cool as well as the props. I'm still working on the costumes.
Onward to the important stuff!
I know that I promised to show you a glimpse of this on Saturday, but when I promised, it was on a Friday, and I had no idea what day it was. I have lost all track of days now that school is out. And I was right too, it's completely balanced after blocking!
Anyway, here, as promised is the spinning FO.
Here is the state of the current knit, Elizabeth Zimmerman's February baby sweater:
Summer drama camp season is upon us. It begins next week. Why am I agonizing?
First, the powers that be at our church are having power play issues. Two different departments, Music and Children, are arguing about whose turf this camp is on. Guess who gets stuck in the middle? Yep, me, the Director.
Second, I got pushed into doing a specific play. I had little say in the matter. The problem, is that the play sucks, it's absolutely awful. It was written by a local lady and the one that pushed me into it.
I've spent the past four years building this camp to be a full-on broadway style camp. I teach the kids everything, from set design, prop making, costume making, choreography, etc. This has become one of the most popular and most requested children's camp and I'm extremely proud of it. usually. Not so much this year.
It's difficult for me to get excited about having kids perform something that is sub-standard. The lady that wrote it is planning on sending this off to a publishing house. They're gonna rip it to shreds in it's current state.
Here's a couple of examples of what bothers me:
1. She makes jokingly makes references to prozac and bulimia. Not the subjects of choice for elementary children. I've already stated that I will not have those in this play. I really don't feel up to explaining in detail what those are to the kids. I find this especially inappropriate at a church camp. I'm not going to go all preachy here, I think you know what I mean.
2. No big production numbers. There isn't one time that the kids can get up and sing and dance together.
3. The level of vocabulary is way too advanced. This is not geared enough for the elementary crowd. It doesn't need dumbing down, just simplification.
There's a lot more where that came from, but I'll stop for now or I'll get all riled up again. If I could bow out of this play gracefully, I would. It's my reputation at stake here too you know.
The positives? Set design is cool as well as the props. I'm still working on the costumes.
Onward to the important stuff!
I know that I promised to show you a glimpse of this on Saturday, but when I promised, it was on a Friday, and I had no idea what day it was. I have lost all track of days now that school is out. And I was right too, it's completely balanced after blocking!
Anyway, here, as promised is the spinning FO.
Turned out pretty huh? Click to enlarge
Here is the state of the current knit, Elizabeth Zimmerman's February baby sweater:
The Terracotta Cardigan
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