Warmth
Hellooooo!! from Minnesota.
Yes, Minnesota.
As some of you know, I spend about 4 months of the year living and working in Minneapolis. Which would be perfect (Minneapolis is a bitchin city and a terrific place to live) if that time didn’t include the three MOST MISERABLE MONTHS OF THE YEAR.
After a week of windchills in the -40 range (yes, that’s 40 degrees below zero), we had two days of 40-degree temperatures. Fabulous, right? Except those two days were like some kind of Zamboni Storm. The top layer of snow melted and, when the thermometer inevitably plummeted back down below zero, refroze. So my world is not only So Cold That My Skin Never Stops Hurting. It is now also covered with a superslick layer of grim death waiting to happen.
And what died last week was my camera. I fell on the ice, and crushed it mercilessly beneath my ass.
Fortunately, I was already saving up for a new one, and it arrived this week.
(Big fat thanks to Adrian, Ashley, Maryse, Minty, Scout and Vera, who all gave fantastic advice and suggestions for how to start taming this beast.)
Moving between cities this way, leaving loved ones behind in both of my homes, it was especially timely to get a reminder that friendship is a thing beyond the limits of cities or states or highways. The reminder? That “you make my day” award that’s been floating around the knitternets.
Alli, Ashley, Elin, Elizabeth, Em, Jennie, Jillian, Kirsten, Minty, Rangsiwan, Specs, Tiennie, and Veronique generously added me to their lists of bloggers who “make their days.”
Thank you so, so much. Seriously, you all did make my day. I mean it. You have no idea. (Ashley’s was especially touching, as she couched it in a Gossip Girl reference. Love.)
Anyway, I’m supposed to “Give the award to 10 people whose blogs bring you happiness and inspiration and make you feel happy about blogland.” But, honestly, as much as I want to pass on this warm fuzzy feeling I’ve got, I don’t know how to choose. If you want to know which other bloggers make my day, check out my blogroll on the sidebar. Love ‘em all.**
Coming soon? many, many unblogged FOs.
** Does this seem like a cop-out? It’s not meant to be a cop-out!
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February 1st, 2008 at 7:36 pm
Welcome back! Sorry about the camera. But Yay! for the new camera!
February 1st, 2008 at 8:16 pm
Former Minnesotan here…you’ve got all my sympathy on the crazy weather. The melting/refreezing thing totally sucks. As does your old camera dying because of the resulting ice. But hey, you’ve got a totally awesome new camera, so, yay!
February 1st, 2008 at 8:43 pm
I just can’t even imagine -40 degrees. It’s making my head spin to try and think about it.
Your camera is preeeetty.
February 1st, 2008 at 8:55 pm
Oh, man, the freeze-thaw-freeze is such a bitch. Inevitable bruises. I’m sorry about your camera, and I hope your ass is okay.
Can’t wait to see what you do with that nifty new gadget!
February 1st, 2008 at 9:00 pm
that sounds so cold there! but i love your picture with your new camera!! i want to get one DSLR this year. just not sure how much i’d like to spend… can’t wait to see more of your lovely photos!
February 1st, 2008 at 9:16 pm
Oh Soo Eternal Minnesotan here: Welcome back! Why in the Hell are you forced to live here now? Even those of us stuck here want to run away!!! It’s sad to look forward to a daily high of 25.
February 1st, 2008 at 9:24 pm
Gosh, and your ass is really quite petite
Glad you weren’t otherwise harmed in the fall (I assume)! My sis took a stumble on the ice and may need knee surgery. That weather is really dangerous! I forgot you were hanging in those parts this time of year. Brrrrr.
I don’t think that’s a cop-out. I nearly did that myself, but I had already used it for a previous award meme. It is so very hard to choose.
February 1st, 2008 at 9:28 pm
welcome back to blogging, fine lady. It’s good to see you here (as on flickr). Fancy new camera makes me ever so jealous. some day i too will have a digital slr.
February 1st, 2008 at 9:29 pm
A “superslick layer of grim death”–such a perfect description! My brother who now lives in L.A. is visiting my parents this week and is a major world of pain as well!
February 1st, 2008 at 10:36 pm
Keep warm! My family’s in Minneapolis, and I’m jealous of all the opportunities for snowshoeing and x-country skiing. And all the awesome yarn shops!
February 1st, 2008 at 10:44 pm
Welcome back, Pam! Remember, -40 wind chills is nature’s way of telling you to knit! Heh. That’s what I’d tell myself if I were you, at least!
February 1st, 2008 at 11:31 pm
We had the same thing with the melting and the freezing. But not with the -40. Jesus. But don’t they have, like, rabbit warrens or a giant Habitrail or something so you never have to go outside? Or did I just make that up in my head to add an extra layer of awesome to Minneapolis?
February 1st, 2008 at 11:41 pm
TOTAL cop-out. C’mon, it would have just been too embarrassing to list me 10 times over, and you didn’t want to hurt everyone’s feelings.
February 1st, 2008 at 11:47 pm
I just checked to see what -40 means in Celsius, and…it’s -40. Too funny and yes, really, really cold. +40 is 4. More incentive to stay inside and knit!
February 2nd, 2008 at 12:06 am
I am glad you got your new camera, Pam! It’s hard to imagine your pictures being any awesomer…seriously.
February 2nd, 2008 at 2:01 am
I feel your pain. I used to live in Saskatchewan and I’ve heard they’ve been experiencing frigid -50 degree temps! Stay warm and have fun with your new camera!
February 2nd, 2008 at 2:03 am
Hey! You’re in MN! We need to get together and knit sometime when it isn’t bitterly cold.
SPIFFY camera.
February 2nd, 2008 at 3:33 am
Sounds like your camera made the ultimate sacrifice for you.
My mind is incapable of coming to grips with the concept of -40 degrees.
The coldest I’ve ever experienced was zero, and at the time that was unbelievable!
I’ve just noticed how your flickr widget border matches your feature wall
February 2nd, 2008 at 5:41 am
I hear you on the cold weather-ness. Looking forward to the FO’s!
February 2nd, 2008 at 6:31 pm
I went to college at Macalester in St. Paul, so I totally feel you on the -40 windchills. New York winters are balmy by comparison!
February 2nd, 2008 at 9:34 pm
You’re so right–Minnesota is wonderful. Except in the winter. That’s how I feel about Chicago, too.
I’m glad you got a fancy new camera, and I’m glad to see you back around both flickr and your blog!
February 2nd, 2008 at 10:27 pm
Good grief! I read your post with a mixture of trepidation and excitement…I’m going up there to interview with a university in St. Paul next week! I’m thrilled, but also a bit distressed at how cold it’s going to be. It’s in the 70s here now, in Austin! Talk about a shock to the system.
February 3rd, 2008 at 6:13 am
No, definitely not a cop-out! I’m glad you’re blogging again.
February 3rd, 2008 at 9:08 am
Hopefully you brought A LOT of knitted warmth with you in order to survive the next 4 months in Minne.
February 3rd, 2008 at 11:55 am
Howdy!
I originally found your blog when I was googling for new tat ideas. Now I have finished reading every entry ( it took a little time, a few days in fact. )
You got some fabulous stuff in here!
I hope you don´t mind if I add you up on the list of blogs I read regurlary..? ( gonna do it anyways… )
Oh, and I say absolutely NO to pom- pom´s!
February 4th, 2008 at 2:52 am
An excuse to buy a new gadget is always good!
February 4th, 2008 at 4:20 am
Have fun with the new toy! I can’t wait to see all of the fantastic photos you produce with it - including those promised FO’s!
February 4th, 2008 at 1:42 pm
can’t wait to see the pics of the FO’s with your new camera!!! yay!!!
February 4th, 2008 at 3:21 pm
Totally not a cop out! I wanted to do that too, and probably should have! Oh well. Hope you’re enjoying your fab new toy!!
February 4th, 2008 at 7:08 pm
While I’m sure the fall hurt - atleast you got something good out of it - I love that camera! =)
February 4th, 2008 at 7:19 pm
I feel ya on MN. I was born & raised about 15 minutes west of the cities and honestly I loved it, even the cold weather. Somehow I’ve found myself in CA for the last couple of years, but I’m hoping that my husband will be transfered to the US bank head quarters in Minneapolis.
Falling on my rebel is my greatest fear. Thankfully you were prepared with something new & better. Nice camera choice!
February 4th, 2008 at 8:51 pm
yah! welcome to the XTi club! it’s a fabu camera
lovely to see you, pam, and i hope you are feeling better!
February 4th, 2008 at 10:43 pm
Cool camera! Can’t wait to see your pics!
February 5th, 2008 at 12:28 pm
I’m…very fashionably late awarding you!
http://skrillaknits.wordpress.com/2008/02/05/blush-2/
February 5th, 2008 at 6:48 pm
Brrr! Hope you are staying as warm as possible up there! I freely admit that two years of Wisconsin winter whupped my ass and I gladly retreated back to Texas.
The new camera looks terrific! I know we’ll see some beautiful new photos from you soon!
February 8th, 2008 at 12:08 am
Stay warm! Such weather is an excellent excuse for more handknits. Wonderful camera. Enjoy!
February 8th, 2008 at 12:05 pm
Like your new toy!
And I SO copped out in giving out that award! LOL ;op
But I keep getting it so I won’t be able to avoid it for too long!
Glad all is well with you in MN! Work & Knit hard!!
Can’t wait to see your fabulous FOs!