Power

So, I can't sleep. I suspect it has something to do with nerves and the holidays and going on vacation but not really going on vacation from work just leaving the brick and mortar of my office for the case of a laptop. For the record, it is 5am; I’ve been up since 4am, went to bed at 12:30 am. This is an accident waiting to happen.

While I have mentioned my serious need for a lot of sleep before, I am not sure you can truly appreciate how ugly it gets when sleep does not happen. I am a 9 hours of sleep a night kind of girl. Always been that way. Used to be more tolerant of restless nights, it was relatively easy for me to bounce back. Getting older, for me, has meant that I really cannot do without. How ugly can it be? You know the 2-year old in a line at the grocery? Tired and pissed off and throwing a Grade A Tantrum with the harried mom at his side? I'm the 2-year old. Having kids is going to be great for me; we'll all be in strict competition for the Whiner of the Year award.


Rob and I started our official Christmas Week (a little something like Birthday Week) last night with Elisa and Mike. Yay, the Christmas giving season has finally commenced! I love giving gifts when I am able to find "the perfect gift." It is such a joy. This time of the year can be difficult, finding That gift with a deadline and a crowded American Capitalist Machine is not easy and sometimes not fun. For these kids, it was fun.

We spent the better part of the evening at one of our favorite watering holes talking and laughing and talking. And, the best part, I was a recipient of, among other things (including some handmade stitch markers and um, Lorna's Lace sock yarn (Elisa clearly doesn't have a sock yarn buying problem, I swear)), a hand knit piece of clothing. And you know what? This is the first time I have ever received a piece of hand knit clothing. A one-skein wonder. I am in love. Who knew? I woke up this morning at ass crack and HAD to put it on. Wearing a hand knit is like taking all of the power in the world and funneling it through your body. You can do anything in a hand knit. Yarn has been manipulated into a structure that now envelops your body. Anything is possible.


This is exactly the attitude that I took last week when I was faced with a computer that was beeping at me. Incessantly. It then turned all goopy and blacked out on me.


For some background here: my father is an engineer and all things nerdy. He has built all of my computers from day one. Every so often we are surprised with another version of blah, blah because we just have to have blah, blah. A home built computer is sometimes a fickle thing. It has a personality and you learn that all beeps are not the end of the world and things happen and actions must be taken and since dad is hundreds of miles away the fate of the computer rest in your "I am the daughter of an Engineer" hands. Daughters of engineers will totally get what I am saying here. It's like some sick genetic blip in the system. No matter how un-engineer like you are, you are still capable (whether you're willing to admit it to yourself or not) to at least pretend to think like one.

Faced with a dead computer and all the pieces to fix it (we knew it was dying, we were well armed) I had to step up to the plate, clear the kitchen table and perform serious computer operations that involved lots of grunts, oh shits!, and man, do I wish I was better at reading the directions that dad specifically wrote up from his MEMORY of what the inside of our computer looks like.

How did I ever get through this you ask? I went into my bedroom and put on every item in the house that I had hand knit. Socks, scarves, sweater, and hat (the gloves were a bit cumbersome and abandoned at the get go.) The no-sweat pants are still on the needles, which is really too bad. I am clearly going to be one happening girl when those are done.

I figure if I can make these things out of a string of fleece then I can surely repair a silly computer that beeps and turns black on me. And, you know what, through the power of the hand knit, and my trusty assistant (Robby) I was able to operate on my computer. The most amazing part - when we were through it worked. Not all the pieces fit back in the case (not my fault) but it does work!!!

I urge you to feel that power next time you need a bit of a boost. I think you'd be shocked on how much it gives you.



Things may be spottier than usual over here at Bookish Girl Central. We are traveling quite a bit over the holiday season. If you see me in airports, rest stops or strange southern counties say HI! Someday Robby and I will have to document one of our trips to Western Kentucky. Pure comedy.

I wish you and yours Happy Holidays! To me, this time of the year is about the Magic of it all, the time of giving, and the joy in the world. There are lights and love and warm evenings in front of fires where everyone slows down enough to feel the love around them. That is Magic. Enjoy it!

In closing...to answer the debate raised in the comments. I pick Morelli AND Ranger. Dang!

Google-fu yielded this photo slide show of a real tour of the fictional/based on real life setting of the Plum books. Hilarious. Truly.