Sunday, August 02, 2009

The One Without Pictures

Well, I've heard of these things happening, but was arrogant enough to think it would never happen to me.

A moment of silence if you will...for my computer. I pronounced it officially at 6:45pm on Friday night.

"So, how is it you're blogging, Brigitte?"

Well, thanks to my work laptop, I am able to do a few things, but not load pictures. Because ever since I moved? I can't find a thing. No clue where the install CD is for my camera.

*sigh* And I had things to show off. Finished things! And 2 newbies too!

Anyway - I came home on Friday afternoon to find an unresponsive computer. When it boots up to a blue screen of death - it's not a good thing. When you get a "unmountable boot volume" error message, it's an even worse thing. And, when you run every diagnostic and fix known to try and repair it, and you get an even more ominous "...the volume appears to contain one or more UNRECOVERABLE errors...", it's kaked.

And kaked she is. I even spoke to Dell's Tech Support (who were excellent, by the way), and they basically confirmed what I knew. So, hopefully with the help of Lorraine's tech whiz son Alexander, I may be able to recover a few things. Oh, and start shopping for a new computer... It has served me well for 6 years, so I suppose I really shouldn't complain.

I think I'm going to get a pink one. Seriously!

(Aw crap, I just went to open up my links page in Notepad, only to realise that it's not on this computer! Damn!!!!!!!)

Anyway. Until I can find the CD to load my camera software temporarily on this laptop, I won't be able to post pictures. You'll have to trust me when I say that I finished Windsor Waistcoat. And that it fits perfectly! I had no issues whatsoever - I tinkered here and there with the sizing, and made the neckline a bit shorter.

Feeling quite pleased with myself, I allowed a new project to be started. OK. Two. But! Because one is quite rough on the hands to do, I needed something...easier...to do in between.

Firstly, I picked out "Thistle Bag" that I won from Virtual Yarns, and decided to give it a go. I figured it would be a nice, simple and smallish project to work on during the summer.

Simple and smallish... Famous last words. God love the Starmores - and you all know I do - but is nothing ever simple?!! LOL. I guess it's the difference between a knitted handbag, and a superior-designed knitted handbag. The level detail is outstanding, and if I was thinking this would be a quick knit, I was mistaken. Ever try doing a 1 over 3 right cross cable using 2 strands of 3-ply yarn (and not just any 3-ply - Hebridean 3-ply wool)? No? Well. Let me tell you. You may just start throwing up a little bit in your mouth when you realize the front of the bag and the back are the same.

But, I am fascinated with the process, but because the tension needs to be quite tight, my arms do tend to be a bit sore by the end of the night.

So, on alternate nights, I decided to work on my "St. Aula". I'm knitting it using 3-ply Mara as the main colour, and 3-ply Machair as the background colour, both of which I had in my stash. I know some of you *cough*Chris*cough* may be wondering how doing a stranded project can be relaxing, but trust me - it is.

For one - 3-ply vs. 2-ply means far fewer stitches to work with in the round - 220-ish vs. well over 325 on average for 2-ply. There are only 2 colours to work with, so there are no yarn changes and weaving in to do. There is only one chart to work with, and once I've completed the first repeat, I've memorized the sequence and I can get a round done pretty quickly. And, it's going to be a toasty warm outdoor sweater when it's done. I'm knitting the "standard" version, and should I have enough, I plan on making the hood as well.

Easy peasy, lemon squeazy, as Lorraine would say.

AND - now that Windsor Waistcoat is done, I can concentrated on finishing up Delores (also a Starmore design)! It's a complex Fair Isle project, so I only work on it when I know I'll have a few uninterupted hours. I'm also still working on the "stealth project" for my sister and SIL when the weather allows.

Hey! When I went to Virtual Yarns, I noticed that there is a pattern coming out in the excellent British magazine "The Knitter" that will be using Hebridean yarns, and it is really lovely! I had a chance to thumb through a copy of The Knitter while at Chapters last week with Lorraine, and I am quite smitten! It has a lot of beautiful patterns with techniques that I love. It's pretty steep though - nearly $20 Canadian for an issue, but I think I will be saving my pennies and picking this one up.

So, that's pretty much it for now. The guys all say "Hi!" to all their cyber-buddies, and promise to help me look for the install CD for the camera.

Oh! And great news! The civic workers strike is now officially over here in Toronto! Which means garbage pickup for me on Tuesday! I never thought I'd ever be so happy about garbage day, but believe me - this one is one I'm looking forward to.

Here's to a technologically smooth week!

12 comments:

Lorraine said...

Bridge- I was wondering about the word- kaked- cacked, kakked- caca, kaka- it's all the same thing, isn't it?

Too bad you can't show the lovely projects- but hopefully you'll be up and running soon.

Kiss Atticus for me.

Chris said...

Wow, it's like you read my mind about the "relaxing" stranded project! ;)

RIP, Brigitte's old and obviously melodramatic computer.

Ok, so here's a weird me thing - I've never loaded the camera software on my computer, for any digital camera I've had. If I ever decide to take panoramic shots, I know I'll have to (to use the panoramic stitcher). I just plug in the camera and use Windows Explorer to move the pictures to the computer (just as if the camera were any other USB drive). I have Picasa set to read my Pictures folder and I work with the pictures through Picasa (and some other editing tools).

Actually, I guess I did load camera software once, then decided I wasn't going to put up with its resource-hogging ways. :)

life ldc said...

Don't you just loveit when your computer acts up -- I'm so sorry to hear that you are totally blue screened.......

But if this is the opportunity to get a new computer, well, I'd go for a pink one too !!

Seriously, I'm into blue these days.

Bridget said...

That sucks about your computer - I always wish they would give you some kind of warning, you know, like, "Ahem, I'm probably on my last legs." I mean they are supposed to take over the world someday, right????

I can't wait to see your projects! But you did a good job of building suspense ...

Anonymous said...

Did you check to see if the maker of your camera has a download section in their tech support? A lot of companies do and you might be able to download what you need.

Good luck!

Michelle Martino said...

Let me express my condolenses for the loss of our computer! Been there; done that ~ and it more than sucks a lemon, that's for sure. I LOVE the new VY pattern! Thats a winner! Any thoughts on which Dale you'll be picking up for January?!

Sonya said...

You have my sympathies for your dead Dell. But computer shopping is exciting! I'm dying to see your Windsor Waistcoat and all the other projects.

I have to get my hands on The Knitter too. I'd like to subscribe, but I have to draw the line at $140 magazine subscription.

miyamojo said...

Yay! WW is done! I want to see Thistle & St Aula too - love it.

Blue screen is no good, but pink computer would be cool!

Tell Gandalf to stop stalking the squirrel & find the uploading thingy... please. Atticus, yes you. Mae, you too please. :)

carolyninalaska said...

So sorry to hear about your computer... but it's kind of good to have an excuse to get a new one! I'm really excited to see all your new work! YAY... I bought St. Aula too... your colors sound like they're brilliant!

knitseashore said...

A pink computer?! I am so jealous. I want one of those too. To match my pink iPod, and pink phone.

Seriously, I'm sorry to hear about the blue screen of death and all. I think the cat hair has something to do with it all acting up, at least in our house. I hope you're able to recover some things and we get to see more kitty photos soon!

Carrie K said...

Hallelujah for garbage day!

That sucks about your computer, aggravating, yes? But WW is done!! Yay!! and Thistle started. Aren't all the Starmore's "simple"? lol.

How far along is Delores? Kitties all happy about the move yet?

mrspao said...

I'd buy you a copy of the Knitter and mail it to you if you like?