Thursday, October 27, 2016

Take Me Out To The Ballgame: Go, Cubs, Go!

In August we were at Wrigley Field in Chicago.  In the middle of the week, the stadium was packed with uproarious fans.  They won the game, and instead of everyone heading for the exits, every single person began to sing and sway:

Go Cubs Go

Baseball season's underway
Well you better get ready for a brand new day
Hey, Chicago, what do you say
The Cubs are gonna win today
They're singing
Go, Cubs, go
Go, Cubs, go
Hey, Chicago, what do you say
The Cubs are gonna win today
Go, Cubs, go
Go, Cubs, go
Hey, Chicago, what do you say
The Cubs are gonna win today
They got the power, they got the speed
To be the best in the National League
Well this is the year and the Cubs are real
So come on down to Wrigley Field
We're singing now
Go, Cubs, go
Go, Cubs, go
Hey, Chicago, what do you say
The Cubs are gonna win today
Go, Cubs, go
Go, Cubs, go
Hey, Chicago, what do you say
The Cubs are gonna win today.
Baseball time is here again
You can catch it all on WGN
So stamp your feet and clap your hands
Chicago Cubs got the greatest fans
Hear 'em singing now
Go, Cubs, go
Go, Cubs, go
Hey, Chicago, what do you say
The Cubs are gonna win today
Go, Cubs, go
Go, Cubs, go
Hey, Chicago, what do you say
The Cubs are gonna win today
Go, Cubs, go
Go, Cubs, go
Hey, Chicago, what do you say
The Cubs are gonna win today
Go, Cubs, go
Go, Cubs, go
Hey, Chicago, what do you say
The Cubs are gonna win today
Go, Cubs, go
Go, Cubs, go
Hey, Chicago, what do you say
The Cubs are gonna win today
Go, Cubs, go
Go, Cubs, go
Hey, Chicago, what do you say
The Cubs are gonna win today
Go, Cubs, go
Go, Cubs, go
Hey, Chicago
Songwriters: STEVE GOODMAN
© Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Wrigley Field was magical to me, a non- sports fan.  Open air, real grass, guys out leveling the dirt between innings.  Peanuts and popcorn and crackerjacks.  It had everything (except the Cracker Jacks, too bad).   Smack in the middle of the city, the place radiated summertime and happiness.  

























Win the World Series, Cubs!

Wednesday, October 26, 2016

WIP Wednesday

WIP is "Work in Progress", which for many crafters actually means progress in a project.   Ha ha, we laugh at the very idea, right?  We have our dreams set on someday and our fingers in every possible crafting pie. 

If we are not sticklers, we could post from our vast UFO (Unfinished Object) pile and call it a WIP because we worked on it sometime, somewhen.   Then we can all cringe together at how little progress there ever was, or more awfully, how very little it would take to finish it up if, if IF.

Lucky for you I can't maintain these memes for long.


Soooo....

I made this to use up some bits of my ever favorite pink yarn.  I used to work on it mostly when I visited mom in the hospital.  She rather imaginatively referred to it as her "shroud".  Not a nice thought for such cheery pink, right?   It could be a done thing, but it at least needs the ends woven in.  I am interested in learning to do edges, and saw that you can create a simple one with a row or two of single crochet along the edge.  So doable.  Then why isn't it done?

 

Petals To Picots Metric Conversion Guide for Knitting and Crochet

For all my lack of skills, I adore the tools of crafting.   Petals to Picots has a wonderful and brilliant conversion for hook and needle sizes, lengths, weights and recommended needle/hook sizes for projects in both metric and US gauges.

I am in love.  So many of the bloggers I follow are from Britain, and are using metric measures and hooks.  They almost always convert for you as they write, but how nice to have the information all in one chart.

http://www.petalstopicots.com/2014/09/free-metric-conversion-guide-knitting-crochet-2/



Saturday, October 22, 2016

Skulduggery Doily With DOA Pink Skellies

Tis the season to really snuggle in and work on crafts.  My garden is 99.99% put to bed so my creative impulses (and that's mostly all they are) must go somewhere else.

Red Heart Yarn, who makes the Aunt Lydia cotton crochet thread has this charming skellie pattern out:





http://www.redheart.com/free-patterns/skulduggery-doily


Most people would either do this coloring, because skulls are sort of ivory colored, and some might do it in Halloween Orange and Black or, in what looks like a variegated thread (I haven't seen the Lydia's in any variegated colors so where this clever person got this, I don't know, but very cool!)


I thought to use up some of my cotton thread stash from mom along with a bit of pink I'd gotten, though it was Aunt Lydia's 10.

I started with the pink, because what if I never got past the center bit, was I going to just work with boring white? Nooo.





Between the teeny crochet hook (I found a C hook that did not say it was size 2.75 but it seemed close) and the incredibly slippery cotton thread, I could barely chain five then make a circle, let alone start 15 double crochets in the circle.

Yow.  I really wanted to make this project so soon after Michael's opened this morning, I was in the door looking for some pink and white number 3 thread.   Michael's has a nice selection of Aunt Lydia's size 10 and size 3, it's the place to go.

I liked the softer pink of the size 10 thread, but the rose colored size 3 is pretty enough combined with some cream colored thread.  It is not all slippery, and I was able to immediately get a start.  I did also find a hook of the certain proper size for the pattern, a 2.75.   As mom would say, when in doubt, read the directions.





In case I never get far on this particular project (it happens) you have those nice inspirational pictures above and you may want to make your own adorable skellie doily, in colors not so Halloweenish, because skellie decorations are timeless and look appealing year round, do they not?



Update:  I have redone the tiny center bit five times, and it looks nothing like the picture!  Eek!  Then I boldly tried row 2 and again ended up pulling the entire thing apart.  Progress! Yanking from the second row :)

Round 2:
Ch 1, sc in same dc as join,
*sc in next dc, (sc, ch 3, sc) in next dc;
repeat from * to last dc, sc in last dc, sc
again in same dc as join; join with ch
1, hdc in first sc (join ch 1, hdc count as
ch-3 sp)—24 sc and 8 ch-3 spaces.


I am noting that the pattern rating is Intermediate.

10/23/16


Fuzzy, but I think I'm on Row 2!!!!


Ha!  It appears I need to yank out my tender pink center after all.  I want the skulls to be pink, and the route to that appears to be a white center, then all skull rows pink, with a white edge.  So what if it took me ten tries to get that weasly bit done?  I bet I can now do it in my sleep.

Here, from FB (note you can see Facebook public pages without having a FB account, you just search for the page
itself.   Here is a spectacular black and orange skulduggery doily, mine will (wink) look like this only in pink and white.  Tis to dream.   10/26/16


Monday, October 17, 2016

DOA On TV Skull Report






Gotham

The theme on Gotham is Mad City and how appropriate is that?  A sly, unfathomable Bruce look alike who escaped Indian Hills fancies Selena Kyle and poses as Bruce to steal a kiss.



The Mad Hatter character pursues his sister Alice for hideous reasons.  Her fate is almost a relief, as her character had a permanent deer in the headlights thing going.  Painful to watch.


Oswald Cobblepot is now Mayor of Gotham, having credited himself with cleaning up the "Monsters" from Indian Hills and making the city safe.






Madness!  Oswald's Main Man is The Riddler, freed from Arkham by Oswald.   Second banana Butch is now on the outs and could potentially ally once again with Fish Mooney.

James Gordon continues to growl his way through his scenes.  How he can possibly get a redemption arc is hard to imagine.  I'd almost like to see him get killed off.  Taking Barbara with him, agh.


Lucifer

This continues to explore Lucifer's mommy issues.  The emphasis on how "insanely hot" she is when she seems pretty middling to me is old already.  There is potential in her character and story line but it hasn't been touched, really.





Supergirl

The new season on the CW network is off to a good start.  I didn't think I'd like the actor portraying Superman, but he was actually a good, heroic, wise Superman.  It was funny to see how people were hero worshiping him, making Kara feel a bit like chopped liver.

You could see how nice it was for Kara to have someone like her by her side, a team, a little less lonely despite her excellent friends and family on the show.



Having Kara suddenly dump James before they even began was beyond annoying.  There was zero believable reason for it.   Very weak.

I loved seeing Cat Grant again though she seemed not herself, not the relaxed in her character woman we've seen all along.  Clearly she's going to go offstage on some venture that will explain why she is rarely if ever on the show again because of the move to Vancouver in real life.  Poorly handled.


The Flash

One of the things I've been worried about since the opening of portals to Alternate Earths was that the well honed Star Labs team, who can take on anything together, would be toyed with and we'd lose this version of these people.  The Alternate Earths story line didn't do that, but Flashpoint, this season's look at the perils of altering time seems to be doing just that.

We're getting, and seem to be stuck in, a Flash Verse that is just a bit different.   Problems between Iris and Joe. Cisco's dead brother coming between he and Barry, because Cisco wants Barry to time travel and undo his brother's death.  Kaitlin exhibiting early signs of becoming Killer Frost.  Because of course this sweet woman must become a villain. 

 





Marvel Agents Of Shield

I'm liking the new Director.  Oily when he needs to be, tough when he needs to be.  It's so much better that he be someone that is a good fit in the job so we don't just wish Coulson could have the job back.  Coulson is so much better in the field.





Survivor


The individuals on the Gen X and Millennial tribes continue to be painful to watch as they're all so unlikable.    I don't mind when anyone at all gets booted.  They all deserve it.   I like the challenges this time around, they're a good mix of physical and problem solving.



Arrow

I love Oliver, that's what keeps me watching.   I'm happy to see him building Oliver's Army to help combat the eternal stream of Bad that Star City attracts.  Maybe they'll get closer to triumphing with more bodies out there.



Frequency

Love the show.  Not happy with Raimy throwing her dad to the wolves all the time, and really disliked her not speaking when her mom was there to hear her on the radio.  Back your dad up and talk to your mom, you brat.  The dual mysteries of the Nightingale Killer and who set up Raimy's dad to be killed are playing out so well.  I've seen comments that they shouldn't have revealed so soon who the Nightingale killer is, but I think maybe Thomas Goff is either not really the Nightingale killer, or that he will shift around to various places and circumstances over time depending on progress made by Raimy and her dad.



Lethal Weapon

This has been given a full season order.  It remains action packed and so very funny.   Murtaugh and Riggs have a great love/hate relationship.   Riggs is obviously a sucker for children, but shouldn't be left to feed the baby.



Designated Survivor

The show is such a continued delight and surprise and also has a full season order.  Just when it seemed there was a dead end to the "Who Really Blew Up The Capitol" subplot, a Mysterious Phone Call comes in.   I love Sean Wright to death as the new Press Secretary.  The man has such calm and intellect and presence.  Just what beleaguered President Kirkman needs, more guys like this, less like Aaron and his faithful assistant Emily, who are a bit too busy making googly eyes at each other to be helpful.   I was supremely disappointed in Kirkman not honoring the agreement Emily brokered with Rogue Horror Boy Governor Royce of Michigan.  I would have preferred Kirkman use the astonishing diplomatic skills he possesses to change the governor's mind and actions.



Legends of Tomorrow

I have some trouble with this show, one of the main things being the unlikeable captain of the Waverider, Rip Hunter.   Luckily he was taken out of the show with a rather weak but satisfying enough plot point.  The new "leader" is Nate Heywood.  Hmmf.  I liked the actor in last season's Minority Report, but I'm not sure he is a strong addition to what is already a rather weak cast of characters.   Surprisingly I like Rory best, someone who seemed like a cheapo gangster knock off early last season, but who has surprising depth and wit.   I am so not happy to see Eobard Thawne and Damian Darhk, two villains who have had more than enough air time on Arrow and Flash and should never be seen again.




MacGyver

Popcorn city.   Still watching.




Van Helsing

Why why why can't I like Vanessa?   She got herself captured by Vampires and is all cocky with them, biting her old apartment neighbor in the neck with obvious relish to show how baddass she is.  Then she flees into an underground tunnel the vampires themselves are afraid to go in, newly re-humanized neighbor in tow.   While in the tunnel, she and the neighbor act like two breathless scary movie bits of death bait.  Where's the bravado?  On the plus side she learns her daughter got out of her apartment and was taken away by police, so she may be alive somehow.   Maybe the daughter has Vanessa's secret vampire turning skill and has her own little band of vamps and turned vamps somewhere.   There's a Resistance but it is weak.  Alex and company have been overtaken by some refugees they let into the hospital.  Said refugees plan to kill and or boot Alex et all from the hospital.  Maybe they will reunite with Vanessa (who somehow makes it out of the cellar cause it's her show) and join the Resistance and go Vampire Hunting.  Well, well look at this picture.  I am right on the money.   At least the doc is still safe :)



Once Upon A Time

Hmmm.  On the plus side Jekyll and Hyde are gone.  What a painful storyline that was.   Everyone should be happy that Evil Regina and Rumple and chewing the scenery in completely villainous ways.  Honestly, even I am all admiration for how much fun the Evil Queen is having being Evil.   Rumple, not so much.   Belle should accept him as he is.  His best parts respond to her and keep him from all out villainy.  I like the kinder Rumple.  Nice haircut.




Monday, October 3, 2016

DOA On TV Weekly Skull Report






Gotham

All caught up from the premiere and last week's Gotham.  I don't appreciate Gordon's continued descent into amoral bad guy.  I think his portrayal as Bounty Hunter Bad Ass who has left the police life behind is pretty gimped by the fact that he is constantly at the police station anyway.  Good cop, bad cop, not a cop at all? Get him out of there.

Although I liked the younger Poison Ivy, and think her transferal to grown up sexpot via an instant aging bad guy was weak, the new girl playing a teen? twenty something? Ivy had some depth to her new madness.  Maybe it will be ok.

Someone toss Barbara out a tall enough window to have her permanently go splat, please.

Bruce's new resolve to ignore the Court of Owls and the evil doings at Wayne Enterprises is hopefully doomed to failure.

Marvel's Agents of Shield

Another largely Daisy-centric episode.  Her Goth look and Bad Girl attitude don't make her any more appealing.  Ditch her story lines asap please.   I'm liking the Ghosts.

Survivor

Wow. I was rooting for Mari the uber gamer in real life because she was great.  It did seem that school playground politics and cliques won the day.  Icky background schemer Michelle is showing some repulsive manipulative ways.  Hannah, who is supposed to be smart, let Michelle browbeat her into voting for Mari, completely against her best interests, right in front of everyone at Tribal.   She deserves the next boot.

MacGyver

Off to Venezuela where MacGyver's partner Jack gets to moon over and save his ex-girlfriend Sarah, played by Amy Acker.  I've been repelled by Amy Acker as the spidery soccer mom in Grimm and as the torturer and psycho Root on Person of Interest.  This is the first time I've seen her play a relatively normal, mostly likeable person.  The show is pure fluff, but it's fine for a Friday night.

Van Helsing

I don't care about spoilers, peeps, so I have to say my favorite thing about the episode was the restoration of Doc from vampirism.  I love her so much!  It will be interesting to see how much she remembers from her time as a vampire, and I'm hoping she can help defeat them with her vampiry knowledge, though Axel locked her up before she got to bite anyone.  Vanessa herself still hasn't much personality.    Axel hasn't much either, but now Doc is awake, we've got someone to root for.


Once Upon A Time

Emma decides she should tell her friends and family about her visions, guided by Archie (the Exceedingly Smarmy Cricket), yet she doesn't actually tell them.   The Evil Queen half of Regina busts in and bowls everyone over and leeringly threatens.  Speaking of leering, those Evil Queen outfits of hers with the push up bra action get thrust into Rumpelstiltskin's face, then the face of the Gold persona.  That's an aspect we haven't seen before.   The Count of Monte Cristo makes an appearance as the Big Bad with an Untold Story this episode.

Fear the Walking Dead Season Finale 

They pulled out all the stops this episode for gore, gushing blood and deadly rage.  Everyone who was all whiny because Travis tried to retain his humanity in the apocalypse should have been pleased when he killed his son's murderers with his bare hands.  A zombie bit off a guy's nose.  Nick, who I don't find as likeable or attractive for that matter as everyone else does, put a zombie to rights by gouging his eyes out in a rather prolonged bit with blood gushing from the eyes after he finally removed his thumbs from the sockets.  Eeeww.   Alicia stood by her family by knifing a doctor to death with a quickie to the chest.  Killing a doctor in the apocalypse...tsk.   Nick leads the citizens of Colonia towards the border only to be met with gunfire and potential execution.  Oops for the little kids in the group.  Don't get cocky, Nick.  Madison, Travis and Alicia leave the hotel with a still wounded Strand staying behind, tracing the route to Colonia, temporarily overrun by Drug Lords, now home sweet home for an army of the dead.



Corrections

It appears Ash vs The Evil Dead is on Sunday nights this year instead of Saturday.  Too much on Sundays.  I have this and Elementary recorded to watch tonight.

Poldark agh, started season two in early September, so zzzzzzzz.   Oh well.