Pandora's Litter Box: The Cat Butt Is Still in the Picture

It's time for another camera hog portfolio. Yes, he's had a lot of new projects to crowd out of their pictures, so I thought I'd share a few more.

Ok, this was a candid, but isn't he just so gosh-darn cute on his blankie? And fat?

Other: Dear CNN.com

Dear CNN.com,

Could you please let me know when I'll be able to go to your site without fear of a dead celebrity's name appearing in one of the top stories? For some completely inexplicable reason, I simply wonder why, with the first coup in Central America in decades, the residual debris from the Iranian elections, the exodus of American troops from Iraq, the planned increase in numbers of American troops in Afghanistan, continued concern over the fate of the economy, what seems like a spate of recent airplane crashes, not to mention more localized concerns, like why the state of California is trying to resume costly criminal executions when it can't even afford to pay its own teachers the monkey spit they usually get, your website seems to find it more important to trace the life of a person whose death would really, if people were sane and had any sense of perspective, affect only his or her family and close friends. So, thanks so much for feeding the monster of celebrity obsession for people who don't seem to know that the exit of someone who didn't even live on the same planet as the rest of us really isn't going to change anyone's life unless they are so focused on something that has nothing to do with them that they miss what really does matter in their lives. And thanks so much for making it impossible for people who realize there's an actual planet out there which is still spinning in the exact same direction and at the same speed as it was before to find actual news that really speaks about the present and future of that planet.

Seriously, either step up to the plate and focus on some real, pertinent news, or just be honest with yourselves and change the name to "Celebrity News Network."

Sincerely,
Karen

P.S. It's not like most of you other news outlets are any better, so you can just shut up, too. Seriously, is there a Michael-Jackson-free news source where I can find out what's actually happening in the world right now?

Knittin' Crap: The Neverending Blanket Is Done!

After two years of working on I'm-not-going-to-count-how-many squares, having to buy more Tahki Cotton Classic, made more difficult because I didn't write the color numbers down and they only make the yarn in almost 130 colors, and getting all kinds of help from Spoon, it is finally done. The infamous Squares Blanket.

Finishing a long-overdue project is a little like coming home after a really long road trip. The last few miles seem the longest.

I went on a "finish-this-now-or-die" spree last week. I finally seemed to have enough squares to finish to the size I wanted and the blanket was about 75% assembled. I ended up having to make a few squares to fill in gaps, I almost got a blister from nearly-non-stop crocheting with a cheap metal hook because I couldn't find my more comfortable Clover E hook anywhere, and I started getting, well, a little crazy. Plus working on a blanket in 90+ degree heat, I had to get in some uncomfortable positions to work on the blanket without getting covered by it. Not to mention all the feline "help."

Knittin' Crap: First PIFO... Away!

My first Pay It Forward Object is heading out! Who will get it? What will be it? Wait and see!

P.S. I think Bradymom29 still needs some participants, so if you missed my sign-up but still want to play, head on over there!

Knittin' Crap: Sweet!

Yesterday on my day trip to Little Tokyo, I got a new amigurumi book and the latest issue of the knitting/crochet magazine Keito Dama. Kinokuniya had a new amigurumi book out called "Sweets." It really is sweet! All kinds of anthropomorphized pastries and snacks. Because, you know, if you sew a smiley face on anything, it becomes super-cute!



They also had these awesome manga-ized figurines of DC Comics superheroes. I loved the Wonder Woman, but at $50, it was more than I was willing to pay. It was awesome, though! Oh, here's the manufacturer's official announcement. Is that not totally awesome!?