It's so nice to have an internet connection again. So what if there are wires in strange places around the house. I can check my messages without "right-click, properties, repair, right-click, properties, repair, lather, rinse, repeat". I have had a connection at work, but work has been very... worky.

I've been faithful to the Tour de Fleece each and every day so far, but have not had the gumption to take pictures. The spindle project is just white cashmere, and so not very interesting to look at. But I'm to the plying step on my wheel project, and should really be documenting that. Maybe after a nap.

We have three (count 'em) gigs coming up with the band. Hooray! One at Dawn of a New Day on August 15th, one at the Magic Bean on August 23rd (that one is part of the Tri-City Art Battle, and we were invited!), and then we're playing the Christmas concert at my church on December 6th. I plan to have more, too. And a CD of originals by the end of September. I've started referring to singing as "my real job".

I'm fairly sure I'm the only one still here in my department. It's tempting to leave a couple of minutes early (except for that pesky phone policy), but I actually like staying when it's quiet like this. I can get my work done without interruption. Except the interruptions I give myself. Hah. I can listen to my podcasts or music, chug along, or not chug along. It's peaceful, and I like it.

Still, I'll be leaving in two short minutes to go perform at another Jazz Vespers at a local church. This will be our third time playing there, and it's pretty laid back and fun. It's also a short gig, over by 7 PM, so I get to be home before the kids go to bed. I like that, too.

Happy First Day of Summer (not Spring, as I texted to Greg earlier. No wonder he didn't text back).

Happenings all over the place lately. April was the month of music, as I had several gigs with the band. They were really well received, too. At one job, for the first time, someone I don’t recognize told me they were a groupie, and one person had to leave, but when he heard I was singing another original, turned around and stayed for that song. The tip basket has started to fill up, I had an encore at one gig, and a shouted-out request and a standing ovation at another. Some of you may have seen the newspaper article too. So now I am working on original songs so that I can have CDs for sale at a future job. I’ve got more than half an album’s worth now.

Other than that, it’s mostly politics right now. I’m watching current developments with interest, although some detachment. If I get too caught up in the pundit barbs and “analysis” (yes, the quotation marks are used purposely), I get dejected and frustrated, so I watch from a few steps back, and just keep praying for the best outcome for all involved.

Oh, and war. Sock War III, that is (click the link for a description). This is my first time participating, and it’s been a little rough. I don’t know that I will be doing it again next year. Not just because of the glitches, but about halfway through the first sock, I start wanting to do my own projects again. I have some Noro sock yarn that is calling my name. And a Central Park Hoodie. And the Tangled Yoke Cardigan. Ahem.

Anyhow, here is a picture of pretty Sock War socks. Enjoy.