February 11, 2005
Musical Notes
Time to answer the music questions that are making the rounds on the blogs and that were sent to me by Sara. However, before I do, a disclaimer. I like music as much as the next bloke but it’s 
not something I desperately need. Compare that to The Mysterious K who, if you were to cut her, would bleed musical notes. I mean, her iPod has so many songs crammed into it its sides fairly bulge out! She listens to her iPod in her office, in the workshop, in the garden, while she’s cleaning. If she’s not listening to her Ipod, her stereo is on. If she’s not listening to her Ipod or her stereo, she’s playing her guitar or singing (usually the same two lines over and over and over and over again. You should have heard her on Llamallamaduck Day. Oy.) Me, I listen to music in the car but mostly to drown out my tinnitus. How unimpassioned is that?
The Questions:
1. Total amount of music files on your computer?
None. Zero. Zip. Nada. Bupkus. In fact, if my speakers are on and I visit a site that happens to play music, I jump out of my seat in astonishment. In my defense, see the disclaimer.
2. The CD you last bought is?
The CD I last bought is a two-CD Billy Joel’s best-of compilation. The last CD I received was Josh Groban’s latest because TMK is a very giving gal, even though Josh's music fairly makes her want to upchuck.
3. What is the song you last listened to before reading this message?
Billy Joel’s “Uptown Girl.” In the car, commute, tinnitus, yadda, yadda, yadda.
4. Write down 5 songs you often listen to or that mean a lot to you.
Despite my disclaimer, I couldn’t possibly limit this list to five. I also notice that in reviewing this list I don’t have very sophisticated taste. I mean, the Four Seasons?! Puhleeze.
Vivaldi’s Four Seasons
The Trout Quintet
Water Music
Barber’s Adagio for Strings
The Pachelbel Canon
Pretty much anything from the Baroque era
Pretty much anything played by Itzhak Perlman
Any version of Ave Maria (I’m not Catholic but I heart that song)
Many Josh Groban songs
Many Elton John songs
Many Garth Brooks songs
Pretty much anything sung by Anthony Kearns of the Irish Tenors
Beyond the Blue Horizon, a silly, inane song that I just adore
We Are the Champions (the one song I turn up really loud in the car. No, really loud.)
Riverdance
Les Miz
Cirque de Soleil’s “Saltimbanco” soundtrack
Oh, so many others...
5. Who are you going to pass this stick to? (3 persons) and why?
No one, I'm afraid. It was fun being tagged (thank you, Sara!) but I’m not big on the passing-it-on, chain-letter-ish paradigm. I know, I know, I'm a poophead. But I'm in good company. Stephanie is a poophead, too.
Althooooouuugh, I did just have an interesting idea. Shall I see if TMK wants to answer these questions, Dear Readers?
Brigade count: 76!! Yesterday and today, I added Nancy and her five- and ten-year-old daughters (how cute is that?!), Lolly, Robbyn, Rebecca, Annie, Melissa, Amy, Tanya, Daisy, AnnMarie, Maggi, and Jim. Welcome all! I am especially excited to have Jim join the project since he comes to us as a direct result of hearing Cuzzin Tom and F.I.R.E.’s interview on the radio.
The "500 Challenge!"
To make sure everyone is up to date on the latest Dulaan gossip, apparently Dave Edwards, one of the co-founders of F.I.R.E., has sorely underestimated the compassion, energy and productivity of the knitting and crafting community. "Doubting Dave" does not believe that F.I.R.E. will receive even 500 knitted items or fleece blankets. He made the mistake of voicing this doubt to Meredith, the Executive Director of F.I.R.E., who immediately double-dog-dared him back, and so the 500 Challenge was born: Knit or make 500 knitted items or fleece blankets and have them to F.I.R.E. on or before July 1, 2005. (Meredith will be keeping count for us and will let us know when we surpass 500, which is so going to happen. Which reminds me to remind you, Dear Readers: As it says on the flyer, when you are packing your items, make sure to write on a piece of paper your name and address and the number of and types of items in the box. Put the paper into an envelope and tape the envelope securely to the box you are shipping in. That way Meredith can send you a tax receipt and track how many items they have received without having to unpack the box.)
In the meantime, here is another pattern for a neck warmer that I think could go a long way toward protecting Mongolian skin from -40° weather.
Knitting Knews Other Than Dulaan
A picture of the finished socks for our friend's new adopted baby:
Why are baby socks and baby clothes so much cuter than anything WE get to wear??? Gorgeous socks. I'm just so jealous.
Posted by: joan on February 11, 2005 11:37 AMHi, I just wanted to say count me in for the Dulaan Project. I don't think we'll have any problem getting to 500.
Posted by: Susie on February 11, 2005 11:45 AMoh, include me too- i'm enjoying making 'wee woolies' for the project- after all, there isn't a great need for caps and mittens etc here in the swampy south, but they surely are fun to make-
another good and fast pattern i've found that some might enjoy is here:
http://margarethubertoriginals.com/newpage1.htm
stay happy-
Posted by: barb in texas on February 11, 2005 12:11 PMOh my...the music thing...I might have to ask again for you to submit to a DNA test to see if we're really related.
ANYway, I heard the NPR thing yesterday finally and it was really good (tho a bit spooky what they can do with computer editing). It began with the host saying "Who would have thought it'd be possible to save the world with just a pair of knitting needles?" Apparently, she is now convinced about all of your super-powers, as am I!
Posted by: Cuzzin Tom on February 11, 2005 12:11 PMOh, put my Noah on, too! He's ten, and came up with the fleece hat idea, and will love seeing his name on the list!
Posted by: Patti on February 11, 2005 12:16 PMThose socks are so adorable!
Ms. Ryan, should we write on said envelope or on the paper somewhere that our items are from the Mossy Cottage Brigade or the Dulaan Project so she can keep appropriate count? I would love to know what kind of impact your little blog has made.
CT - Wow. Powerful statement that. Saving the world with knitting needles. But then, if we could get world leaders knitting, crocheting or doing some other sort of craft, maybe we could teach them the joy of creating instead of destroying. After all, I'm a crocheting Republican from Texas commenting to a Buddhist Monk on a knitting site. And it's Not. Even. Painful. Behold the power of yarn.
Hope everyone has a great day!!
Posted by: Stalker Angie on February 11, 2005 12:19 PMPatti, I added Noah next to your name. Say thank you to him for us!
Susie, you're on! (BTW, Dear Readers, Susie has an interesting site since she is a knitter AND a park ranger. Go visit!)
Cuzzin, I'm afraid I was raised on Baroque music, African folk music, and the Beatles. And it stuck. Besides, I have my overused, fall-back excuse: I didn't grow up in this country (which, in this case, means my exposure to rock and all the rest of that heathen music was limited. ;-) )
Stalker Angie, when you are writing F.I.R.E's address on the box, at the top of the address you should write "The Dulaan Project." That should do the trick.
Posted by: Ryan on February 11, 2005 12:54 PMCan't believe I haven't already signed up for the Dulaan Project - of course count me in -
Like your music list -
Posted by: Childe on February 11, 2005 01:37 PMCuzzin Tom, Childe LIKES my music list. Neener, neener.
Posted by: Ryan on February 11, 2005 01:42 PMRyan -- Count me in! I keep meaning to join and now I have!
Posted by: Rebecca on February 11, 2005 02:02 PMThe Questions:
1. Total amount of music files on your computer?
Lots and lots and lots. And it's all legal. (4 gigabytes, to be exact!)
2. The CD you last bought is? Seal IV
3. What is the song you last listened to before reading this message?
Foghat "Slow Ride"
4. Write down 5 songs you often listen to or that mean a lot to you.
Okay, so most of these aren't songs, but I can't pick just one!
Barber's Adagio for Strings
Beyond the Blue Horizon (because Ryan always has to listen to it, not once, but twice!)
Elton John, anything from Elton John
Some Melissa Etheridge
Heart, esp. "Barracuda"
Bonetown (jazz trombone, awesome)
Stanley Clarke
Vivaldi's Gloria, because it's just so damn much fun to sing!
Ditto goes for "Carmina Burana" and it's also got some kickass French horn bits that are fun to play.
Gaelic Storm
5. Who are you going to pass this stick to? (3 persons) and why?
Probably no one. But, technically, Ryan's off the hook now!
Love the baby socks!
My two youngest daughters (14 and 16) are knitting scarves for the projest. I am trying to encourage them to GO BEYOND the garter stitch, but no luck so far.
The mate for the Dublin Bay sock is complete (except for the toe thing) and as soon as my son, his digital camera and the socks can get together I'll send a photo.
Posted by: Laura on February 11, 2005 04:21 PMYAY!!! This is so exciting! I'm so proud of how this project is taking off, Ryan.
Posted by: Nathania on February 11, 2005 05:51 PMYAY!!! Thank you to both Ryan and TMK for answering the meme ... Very interesting to learn.
I am so excited about the Project. I am spreading the word like wildfire ... in every yarn store I know (okay, so that isn't any, but all the stores that sell yarn have one ...).
Oh, and I LOVE Carmina Burana ...
Posted by: Sara* on February 11, 2005 06:17 PMI may be a poophead, but I'm a poophead that knits a lot. Count me in, and 500? Tell him to get back to us with a real dare.
I love dares.
Posted by: Stephanie on February 12, 2005 07:55 AMPlease add my name to the brigade list.
Those are the cutest socks! Where the @#! *!! did you find the dozen socks for kids book/pamphlet? I've been looking and not finding.
My hands are suffering from too much sock knitting on small needles right now, so will probably start a hat project for Mulaan.
Miss seeing you at Ferals.
Posted by: Beth Manger on February 12, 2005 11:50 AM500!? Has this man never encountered the power of knitters before? Dear me. Anyway, this is me delurking to say count me in for the Dulaan Project. Will spread the word on my blog later and have a ferret around in my stash to see what I can come up with. Have been itching to knit that hat with the huge cable around the edge from knitty for ages but unfortunately could not think of a suitable recipient. This could be just the excuse I need.
Posted by: Atropos on February 14, 2005 05:21 AMAnother Dulaan knitter here. I'm in stash reduction mode, so I'm raring to go! [Does anybody say raring any more? Did I spell it right??]
I have a small knitting group that I'll try to recruit too.
Thanks Ryan, Cuzzin Tom and everyone else!
Posted by: Margot on February 14, 2005 05:45 AMCarmina Burana rocks. Carl Orff is a genius. Hubby hates it cuz I play it way too loud and sing to it at the top of my lungs. Fun for the whole family. He just needs to learn to let lose and sing with me. Great baritone parts in there!
Posted by: Stalker Angie on February 14, 2005 07:12 AM