(Note to Dear Readers: The Powers That Be are waging a fierce battle against the spam that keeps flooding this and other nwkniterati blogs. For now, however, that means that comments are being moderated, which means I have to approve them before they show up in the Comments area. I'll be checking regularly and getting everyone's comments posted as quickly as possible. In the meantime, just comment away!)
For those of you, in particular Sara, who encouraged The Mysterious K to rebel—rebel, I say—against me and wear her Eye-Searingly Bright Socks in public, look what you’ve done. TMK was quite content to wear white, blue or black socks and dusty, clunky, unassuming black Rockports until Those Socks came along (for which, 'tis true, I am solely to blame), and until the Dear Readers reminded her that I was not the boss of her and that she had certain inalienable rights as a freewheelin', creative graphic designer, and until we stumbled across those red sneakers on Saturday. She mumbled something about how they were must-haves, reminded her of her childhood, blahblahblah, stuff I didn't understand since in my childhood I wandered around barefoot wearing nothing but a batik sarong, saying things like, "What is this thing you Americans call a 'shoe?'" Oh, well. I feel the need for...what? Perhaps some intensive, long-term therapy, or an intensive, long-term relationship with some chocolate. My only consolation is that today she had a business meeting with some potential clients and had to wear Proper Shoes, which I'm secretly hoping are pinching the crap out of her toes.
If you're wondering about the weird angle of the photo, think TMK flat on the floor on her back, feet propped up on the black recliner, position assumed specifically for the purpose of taking the photo. Yep, we're blog ho's; we'll do anything for the blog.
FYI, Dear Readers, the Mongolian knitting project is percolating right along. Warm up those needles; tape, for the umpteenth time, the rips in those favorite old patterns; bring those piles of neglected, dusty, half-used balls of yarn out into the light of day, and stay tuned!
So, bright socks, red sneakers and excellent eyebrows. Is TMK eyeing the Kool -Ade? I can envision her with pink and green streaks in her hair to complete the look.
Posted by: Debra on January 19, 2005 11:10 AMAck, Debra! Don't give her any ideas! ;-)
Posted by: Ryan on January 19, 2005 11:13 AMOh my! That pic was fantastic, Ryan. I commend TMK for her bravery.
Thank you too, for your wonderful email. It helped a great deal.
Posted by: Nathania on January 19, 2005 12:03 PMWow. I actually physically recoiled a little when I opened up that photo. Well, reduces the chances of nighttime pedestrian traffic deaths!
Oooh, I can't WAIT to send ya'll pix of toasty Mongolian kiddies! Here's another tease: www.fireprojects.org
Posted by: Cuzzin Tom on January 19, 2005 12:15 PMGo, TMK, go! Please ignore the Most Holy Saffron Robed Spoilsport. I do, however, have to admit that I love it mostly because because I would never be brave enough to wear such a combination in public. Don't worry, Ryan, at least she still recognizes that there are times when Proper Shoes are called for. If she starts wearing the red sneakers and eye-searing socks combo to business meetings, then it is time to be concerned!
Cuzzin Tom: The FIRE project looks like a very good thing! I'm glad you shared it with us!
Posted by: Kristen on January 19, 2005 12:25 PMNo no no. Not a spoilsport; just easily startled. I'm secretly jealous cuz I don't think I could get away with such socks. But the sneaks I could wear! And, in fact, I think I *did* have a pair of maroon Converse high-tops right when I first got ordained. But that was, like, nearly 12 years ago and my brain cells do not live that long, so I dunno if I'm just dreaming it.
Posted by: Cuzzin Tom on January 19, 2005 12:37 PMOh wow. I had two most-beloved pairs of red Converse hightops in college. The first pair I wore until the soles shredded. The other pair, in their later life, was sprayed with adhesive and coated with red glitter so that I could attend a costume party as Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz. I continued to wear them until they finally fell apart completely.
I commend TMK on her excellent footwear choice.
Not being easily startled, I admit to laughing out loud right here in the office with sheer joy upon seeing those socks combined with the red shoes! Go, TMK, GO!!! Love it, love it, love it. Was just at Acorn Street on Monday, and there are scads of colors of the Lorna's Laces yarns that would also look GREAT with red shoes, so I hope more WONDERFUL socks are in her future (hint, hint, Ryan!).
Have already started making a child's sweater for the Monogolian project--was intending it to be for the afghans for Afghans, but won't make their January 27th deadline. (If anyone wants info on this wonderful knitting charity, go to www.afghansfor afghans and check it out!)
Feeling so wonderful today because of those shoes and socks--thank you both for such a treat!
Mary B
Posted by: Mary B on January 19, 2005 02:09 PMOkay, MaryB, you are going to force me to admit it. TMK wore that sock-shoe combo for hours, and I had pretty much gotten used to it and wasn't paying it no nevermind. Then, late afternoon, we were in the living room; I was knitting, she was just watching the tube. I looked up, saw the shoes and socks, and just burst out laughing. I mean Burst Out. Big belly laugh. They really are very funny.
You are already knitting for Mongolia?! So, so, so cool! It's gonna happen; we just have some information we need to organize and finalize.
Posted by: Ryan on January 19, 2005 02:22 PMHmmm. The shoes look suspiciously like shoes I have seen on many other dyke-y women here. I would look like a moron in them, but they seem to suit a certain style of 'sporty-dyke' types.
I suspect TMK is just such a one.
Posted by: Lisa in Oregon on January 19, 2005 02:22 PMLisa, I think TMK would agree that she isn't what you'd call "sporty," but if your car is stuck in the ditch, she's the girl you want around! The girl's got some muscle on her!
Posted by: Ryan on January 19, 2005 02:38 PMYou need to knit her lots of sexy socks,thus reducing the significance of the red sneakers !
Posted by: Emma on January 19, 2005 02:41 PMYou're 'solely' responsible, Ryan? Was that an intended sock pun? The spousal unit says I'm to commend TMK on her refined and restrained taste in both socks and shoes, and no, I'm not being facetious.
First-- Go TMK!!! I am soooo proud and excited. The photo is fabulous, and the angle is perfect.
Second-- Very excited about the Mongolian knitting project. Absolutely can't wait.
Third-- I have my very own knitting guru, and I absolutely love her. I couldn't do much without her. She's been knitting for less time than I have, been she is definitely the Double-Pointed Needle Queen.
Fourth-- How is Moby Dick going?
Posted by: Sara* on January 19, 2005 06:38 PMAll I can say is, TMK is damned lucky that I don't live in Seattle--I'd be over in a shot, pulling socks and shoes off, hobbling off as quickly as I could while trying to put them on MY feetsies. Next week I'm off to a proper set of business meetings in Washington DC--don't have anything appropriate to wear at this point in my life. Anxiety! I might just show up in Kool-Aid socks, worn fleece jacket, and an attitude....
Posted by: Janine on January 19, 2005 08:32 PMHi Ryan,
I've got a pair of socks in that same yarn but little kid size that might look great on some small person in Mongolia. Are socks a part of the program? If so, you get them at the next Feral Knitters.
June on Camano
Posted by: June on January 20, 2005 02:23 AMLove the shoes, love the socks, love them together. And look how your spiraling colors MATCH. You go, girls.
Posted by: CarolineF on January 20, 2005 04:55 AMJanine: I have two words for you--Börn loafers. They look great, but they feel like tennis shoes.
TMK
Posted by: The Mysterious K on January 20, 2005 08:05 AMYAY!!! I'm so glad I can see the other comments now!
Okay, I don't own a pair of Borns ... so can my Teva sandals with socks do instead?
Posted by: Sara* on January 20, 2005 09:09 AMI LOVE her shoes and socks! If I saw those on someone out in public they would make me smile because that person has a sense of adventure and whimsey. Two things we need more of!
Posted by: Laurie on January 20, 2005 09:28 AMOK, Cuzzin Tom, I absolve you of the Spoilsport moniker--mostly because I still have my glow-in-the-dark, zebra-striped, hi-top converse. Not that I've worn them in, well, at least 12 years (and I can't now since some foot surgery that resulted in a size increase), but I can't bring myself to throw them away. Perhaps I ought to donate them to a worthy cause. What's your size, TMK? 'Course, then you wouldn't be able to see the socks as well. ;)
Posted by: Kristen on January 20, 2005 01:15 PMTesting to be sure I haven't broken things again around here...
Posted by: Powers That Be on January 20, 2005 05:17 PMAnd me again. Feel free to delete these tests, O Great Ryan.
Posted by: Powerlesses That Be on January 20, 2005 05:41 PM