Thursday, February 21, 2008

Christmas Knitting 2008



Christmas knitting for 2007 was a bust. I attempted too much and started too late. So now those scarves, many in progress, will be given as birthday gifts throughout the year. But...

I wanted to make my 2 nephews sweaters for Christmas. Never even got started on them. I decided in the past couple of days to start them now, and then those projects will be done by Christmas. It feels weird knitting gifts 10 months hence. And then my sisters (3) saw me working on Christmas stockings at Thanksgiving and they kept saying how cool they were. I guess a not so subtle hint isn't lost on me. So, in between sweaters, I'll do Christmas stockings. But I won't use worsted weight yarn. The pattern I have can be done in chunky yarn too, on size 10 needles. Those should knit up quick. Funny thing is that beyond a scarf for myself when I started knitting, I haven't done anything else for me. As you can see by the sidebar, I've got a couple things going for myself-and they have been languishing too long.

I'm not in a bad place, compared to other folks. Yesterday I did a Google search on people who have multiple knitting projects in progress. Some people have had sweaters on the needles for 21 years! How could they remember where they left off? Socks seem to be the worst offender-second sock syndrome. But I felt better knowing that I am far far away from having boxes under the bed of unfinished projects.

Wednesday, February 20, 2008

Stepford Wife



Last night I drove home from MN Opera rehearsal and heard that Obama and McCain had won in Wisconsin. Of course, being a news junky, I had to stay up and watch the blah blah blah analysis of why they won, etc. Amidst this blathering, clips of Cindy and John McCain flashed across the screen. My only thought about Ms McCain is she looked like a Stepford Wife. The smile is so fake. And those eyes! Please, no more pictures of Cindy McCain-she scares me!

Friday, February 15, 2008

Spam


Here is a letter I received in my spam email at work today:

Dear Friend,
I am MRS CELIA SANDRA BOTHA, a mother of three children and Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly: Democratic Alliance (Parliament), Cape Town; House Chairperson:
National Assembly, Free State, South Africa.

You can view my profile here:
http://www.whoswhosa.co.za/Pages/profilefull.aspx?IndID=5847

After discussing with my children, I decided to contact you for your assistance in assisting us in clearing a huge sum of money which my husband deposited with a finance and security company, we want you to stand as the beneficiary of this money because I can not do it due to my position in government.

My late husband Mr Andries Botha died while he was on a business trip to Trinidad and Tobago in 2007. After his death, I discovered that he had some funds in a dollar account which mounted to with this finance and security company.

This money emanated as a result of an over-invoiced contract which he executed with the Government of South Africa. Though I assisted him in getting this contract but I never knew that it was over-invoiced by him. I am afraid that the government of South Africa might start to investigate on contracts awarded from 2002 to date and if this is discovered, they will confiscate it and seize his assets here in South Africa and this will definitely affect my political career and position in government.

I want your assistance in clearing this money from the finance and security company and as soon as the money is cleared, you are expected to move it immediately into another personal bank account in your country. As soon as you have confirmed the fund into your account, I will send my eldest son with my Attorney to come to your country to discuss on business investments.

For your assistance, I will offer you a certain percentage of this amount as we will agree upon. However, you have to assure me and also be ready to go into agreement with me that you will not elope with the money upon transfer by you.

If you agree to my terms, kindly as a matter of urgency send me an email. Due to my sensitive position in the South African Government, I would not WANT you to call me on phone or send a fax to me. All correspondence must be by email to my private email or if I have your phone number I will endeavor to call you from time to time and when it is convenient to do so.

If you want to speak with my Attorney, that is fine and okay by me. His chambers will be representing my interest with you. All correspondence must be made either to my Attorney or send me an email. I will also like you to give me your contact address, telephone, fax and email to enable my Attorney call or reach you from time to time. I shall explain to you what to do and how much that is involved when I hear from you.

Please I do not need to remind you of the need for absolute Confidentiality if this transaction must succeed. YOU MUST NOT CALL ME!
Here is my private emails: mrs.celiabotha@sify.com

If you do not feel comfortable with this transaction, do not hesitate to discontinue.


Thanks for your anticipated co-operation and my regards to your family.

Yours faithfully,

MRS CELIA SANDRA BOTHA


This is just bizarre!

Thursday, February 14, 2008

With a little help from my friends


So I goofed when I posted minutes ago. I wanted a link to The Meema Files and my friend Scott at Going 40 in a 20 Zone told me what to do.
When I tried it the Meema Files didn't work. Let's see if the link to Going 40 works. If it does I will feel as if I have conquered the world.

Please Stand By


I was at St Paul's Episcopal church choir rehearsal last night, and several choristers asked when I was going to post again, (I didn't think anyone was reading this blog), including pictures from my 50th birthday party. And as Angie at themeemafiles.blogspot.com/ pointed out, I am no longer approaching 5o-I am 5o. So a 3 day weekend is approaching, and scheduled events include a Minnesota Opera rehearsal Saturday morning, and a church service on Sunday. I will catch up on blogging, and learn how to post pics. I also intend to read and knit. BTW-am reading a fantastic book called Suite Francaise-not much action, but quite descriptive of how the French felt as the occupation of France began. The first part is called Storm In June and tells the story of how people from different walks of life deal with fleeing Paris. The second part is called Dolce, and is about how a small village develops relationships with its occupiers. I just started this part, so I hope to finish the novel this weekend. If I finish I can delve into one of the books I got for my birthday!