2008 already?

I just stopped by my blog that was set up for 23 Things....how did it get to be 2008 already? I realized I hadn't blogged for many months. Reading some dedicated bloggers on Bloglines, I am amazed at how much output those folks have! Where do they find the time??? I can hardly keep up with the two dozen feeds I have subscribed to much less maintain an active blog. Oh, well. I have been busy knitting socks. Actually I ran out of new sock yarn for the next pair so I started making a sock from the leftovers...of the 30 or so pairs I've made in the last few years. Think I will make one sock of each combination which should mean I can knit socks for the next decade and not have a single matching pair! Wonder if anyone will ever notice? Probably my spinning guild friends who often wear hand-knit socks to spin...without shoes of course so all can admire! Had an interesting experience recently judging the Sheep-to-Shawl competition at the PA. Farm Show. The competition was stiff as there were four beautiful shawls. It's funny but the judges don't have a clue who wins until the announcements are made! The one I really liked came in second and the one that placed fifth I had fourth. The winning shawl I had placed third and the third place I had in second. Oh well, there are other factors involved and I understand the bonus points were what made the difference. Anyway, it was a great experience and I hope to do it again.

Actual donkey beads....

Here's picture of Dolly in her latest finery. My cousin brought these donkey beads especially for Dolly all the way from Hawaii! Doesn't she look grand?

Family Reunion

What a fantastic weekend I just had! We celebrated my aunt's 90th birthday with a big family party in Orange County, NY. Cousins I hadn't seen in 40 years came from Canada and Virginia. We came from as far away as Hawaii and Michigan to share memories, pictures, and food. I even got to see the group STARZ my late brother used to play with. They were doing a gig about 15 miles away so my cousin drove me down. It was quite moving (and loud!!!). The only people missing were my brother from Seattle and my mother from Tampa who just began chemotherapy. Please keep her in your thoughts and prayers.

Week 9 1/2 Thing 23

Wow, I can't believe I made it to the end. This has been an interesting adventure. There have been times when I was SO frustrated I was ready to kill my computer. Creating innumberable log-ins and passwords got me in such a tizzy, then I calmed down and resorted to paper and pen to keep track...

I enjoyed del.icio.us immensely and use it at home and work. Zoho Writer offers lots of possibilities and I've used it several times already. Flickr toys were great fun and Library Thing offers incredible RA opportunities as well as potential for organizing my TBR pile! I have already shared some Things with customers and family. Not sure if they were all dutifully impressed with all my new found knowledge!

I was amazed at the amount of time it took to 'play' online but this adventure has given me the confidence to just go with it! Sharing what works and doesn't with other Thing Adventurers was helpful, especially when I just didn't "get it." I have always felt personally responsibility for my own lifelong learning...and now it's been enhanced by technology! Some of the Things we looked at didn't make much sense to me or I didn't see their value but I plan to revisit some of them to learn more about them.

How to do it better? I would like to have had a tip about Thing 2 and the permalink thing before getting to Thing 4 where it's explained.

I would definitely participate in another discovery program like this...as a matter of fact, I've looked at the next group of Things.....

This has been a challenging, frustrating, exciting, illuminating adventure, one I'm so very glad I took! Thank you, MD23Things and CCPL, for a great ride!

Week 9 Thing 22 Audiobooks

I remember trying Overdrive when it first came out but was frustrated because we only had a dial-up Internet connection at home. Things, if I could get connected, took f o r e v e r. I took the Overdrive tour and saw that there were lots of new things...including videos (although the videos were not!!) I will try again at home because we have gone to a high-speed (relatively) connection. I did download the first three chapters of an audio version of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. The voice was British and easy to understand. I could control the volume....however I couldn't go back the reread the last page when my mind wandered!! I also forgot my knitting. Seems I can't just sit and listen without my hands being busy. In school, I was taking notes; now I need to knit...or spin. I am looking forward to receiving my reward for completing 23 Things...maybe then I'll download some music or audiobooks to listen to while I keep my hands busy (but not eating!!!!!!)

Week 9 Thing 21 Podcasts....

I used the suggested podcasts directories but found Yahoo easiest to use. I think I subscribed to LibVibe...only time will tell. I was intrigued by possibly being able to listen to old radio programs. Personally, I don't enjoy listening to talk radio while driving. I have a hard time with audio books as well. I prefer listening to music and not just any music. I don't want lyrics! That intrudes on my own thoughts and musings since I use driving time to plan projects. I can see how downloading instrumental music on my soon-to-be-had MP3 player will be fun and maybe a few podcasts to listen to while I'm mowing the fields or spinning on the back porch or weaving a simple pattern or knitting a pair of socks or doing some other mindless activity.

Week 9 YouTube

Thought some of you might like to view the video of my brother who was the bass player as well as the writer of this song for the 70s hard rock band, STARZ. Gotta love that logo!