January 24, 2007
An Early Morning Matinee
Okay, Dulaaners, you asked for it. Get out two of your finest, monogrammed, Belgian lace hankies and stuff one smartly up each nostril because, thanks to Meredith of F.I.R.E. and YouTube, I can share with you some heartwarming and poignant video footage of the Mongolian kindergarteners receiving their Dulaan items in 2005. The quality’s not the finest, at least on my PC, but, trust me, it doesn’t matter. Keep an eye out for the dark brown hat with the off-white accents knit by my local knitting pal, MaryB. And the funny lookin’ dude in the robes? The Cuzz, of course. (I believe there’s sound but, being in the office, I’ve had to watch it with the speakers off. Nine Ten Eleven times, but who’s counting?)
(NOTE: If this link doesn't work, because they seem to expire rather rapidly, go to YouTube and search on "Dulaan.")
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ODiK3YdZ2o
If you recognize anything you knit, please chime up!
Meredith also sent a link to this more general, five-minute clip from “One Steppe at a Time.” Have at, if for nothing else than the music.
TMK and I have had great giggles over the "girl crushes" because, as TMK said, “Oh, if they only knew the real me.” Par example, over here, we have the Miraculously Materializing Pear Crisp. And over here, in Reality World, we have the Poached Pear Debacle, hinted at in the last entry’s comments, wherein TMK more or less blew up her oven.
TMK had successfully made poached pears once before and the oven had, as expected, stayed right where it was, had not launched itself moonward, so she was reasonably confident about making them again. But something went horribly wrong this go-round—something having to do with that combination of flammable liquids and heat that our parents and science teachers always warned us about—and the oven made a thundering “whump!” which almost raised the roof off the house, made TMK's heart leave her chest and go for a mad scamper around the living room, made her ears ring for twenty minutes and—no exaggeration—made a neighbor who lives half a block away ask her, in the course of a later conversation, what that strange noise was that had come from her house. The oven survived quite handily—was perhaps even a little cleaner for the experience, any food bits inside it having been charred to a crisp—but the experience took a full five years off of TMK’s life. Fortunately, I was not there or I would’ve executed my Most Excellent Princess Faint right on the spot. Needless to say, poached anything has been summarily removed from her experimental-cooking list. And added to her “makes for a good story to tell at parties” list. A fair trade, I think.
But, alas, I can see this unmasking of TMK is getting me nowhere because now her admirers want to coo over her and put cold compresses on her forehead and make sure the naughty-waughty oven isn’t nasty-wasty to their snookum-wookums again. Oy. Women.
Like most knitters, I get inspirations for design or color ideas from a lot of sources: other knitters’ work, pottery, paintings, tapestries, textiles, jewelry, wrapping paper, flowers, fall leaves, the landscape. For the first time, however, I’ve been inspired by a word. And, even more ridiculous, it’s not a real word, it’s one of those wonky, nonsensical “security” words you have to type on some blogs if you want to post a comment. Courtesy of Franklin's comment page, I present: “Abbdar.”
What a great word. It’s exotic, earthy, homey, friendly, manly with a feminine lilt, and rolls off the tongue. Which means that now I’m determined to design an item just so I can call it “The Abbdar…what?” What do you think, Dear Readers? Would an Abbdar be a sock, vest, hat, sweater, scarf? Vote:
[UPDATE: Some readers pointed out that I left off "vest" as an option on the poll, so if you think Abbdar is a vest, leave a comment. It'll count as a vote.]
This weekend, the Madrona Fiber Arts Winter Retreat!! TMK and will be lurching in the general direction of Tacoma Saturday morning, although, alas, sans red-headed daughter. We decided it was much better for all involved if she went to "grandma and grandpa's" for the night. We'll be at Madrona through Sunday and are looking forward to meeting the usual troublemakers and perhaps a few newbies (?) and having a rollicking old time. Martinis in our room at midnight! (Just kidding. Please, God, don't show up at our door at 12:01 a.m. with a bottle of vodka in one hand, a bottle of gin in the other, and your spinning wheel slung over one arm. Four words: Clothing. Optional. Sleeping. Attire. Don't blame us if you drop the vodka, the gin, the spinning wheel and clutch at your face, screaming "My eyes! My eyes!")
(Is it just me or does "What happens in Tacoma, Stays in Tacoma" not have quite the same suggestive ring as "What Happens in Vegas...?")
Dulaan - while I'm grateful for the video (I've got the 2005 DVD circulating to friends) - is this 2006 or 2005 - our friend The Cuzz talks about 2005 numbers....?
Even TMK and I were scratching our heads over the exact date. This is the FIRST load of items sent to Mongolia which, I believe, were collected in 2005 and mailed in...wait, now that I think about it...collected in 2005 and mailed in 2005. So, you're right. I'll change the date. Thank you!
Posted by: Ryan on January 24, 2007 11:22 AMExcellent -- thanks for the link.
Since you haven't heard it, you might not know that around 4500 items over 5 months was the number mentioned. Perhaps they didn't count them all?? Or only counted during a certain period?
Posted by: Kathleen on January 24, 2007 11:25 AMRyan, after I watched the video (with a couple of smartly-stuffed hankies, of course), I spent the rest of the post laughing my head off. Most Excellent Princess Faint, indeed. :)
The video is fantastic...it's so great to see Dulaan in action! I found out about it too late to participate in last year's knitting, but I've been knitting like a fiend for this year. Makes it extra-special to see those sweet little faces under hand-knit hats. (I read Cuzzin Tom's blog too - it's kind of cool to see him in action!)
Oh, and I voted for an Abbdar hat - though I could get behind Abbdar socks, too
I'll stop talking now. Cheers!
Posted by: Julie on January 24, 2007 11:27 AMI am SOOO going to find out what room you guys are in and demand a martini!!! (PJs or no PJs)
As for Abdar--you mentioned vest, which was my FIRST choice, but it's not on the ballot. Whaaaaaaa?
Ryan, so many chuckles in the blog today--soo funny. From TMK's cooking exploits to the Madrona Fiber images. Egads.
Thanks for the "movie" too -- so good to recognize my hat! And I recognized one from the pictures the other day--the little boy with Meredith is wearing one of "mine." So gratifying!
See you at Guild, MaryB
Posted by: MaryB on January 24, 2007 12:19 PMI'm with MaryB. Abbdar is a vest.
Posted by: Deb on January 24, 2007 12:29 PMKathleen, in 2005 we collected 4,517 items which corresponds with the "4,500" mentioned in the video. (And, to clarify, I have actually heard all the video voiceover as part of the whole movie, a copy of which I have at home. I just wasn't able to listen to the voiceovers this morning with the YouTube segment.)
MaryB, Deb: I've updated today's entry to say that, since I can't update the poll without losing all the votes we've had so far, if you want to vote for "vest," leave a comment. I hope that does the trick. Thank you for pointing this out!
Posted by: Ryan on January 24, 2007 12:55 PMThanks, Ryan. I actually saw that clarification, since we posted at about the same time, and tried to say 'nevermind'. But your spam spotter got me! It wanted me to post later. Unfortunately, this is as early as my "later" could be.
I have 6 hats ready for 2007... I stopped in favor of gift knitting (GK). GH will be complete by the end of this month, when I shall begin again the knitting for Dulaan. :)
Posted by: Kathleen on January 24, 2007 01:07 PMThe video was adorable. And, on the same page, there is a link to ANOTHER one of Meredith's called FIRE Faces, which is a 5-minute slideshow of photos of people whom FIRE helps- from infants to the elderly. It's WONDERFUL and includes some pics we've all seen. The link is:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vWE0mIbYk3E&mode=related&search=
Enjoy, everyone!
Posted by: Marcy Taitz on January 24, 2007 01:57 PM"make sure the naughty-waughty oven isn’t nasty-wasty to their snookum-wookums again"
Giggle, snort, titter, snicker...
TMK, just stick to poaching things on the stove and you'll be just fine.
Posted by: Kristen on January 24, 2007 02:03 PMOh my goodness! All that knitted clothing couldn't have possibly warmed those children's heads/hands/feet as much as their dear faces warmed my heart :) Coolness!
TMK - you're still way beyond me; I can't even poach an egg :)
Posted by: Robbyn on January 24, 2007 02:49 PMAn Abbdar is rather clearly (at least to my myopic vision) a ruana-like garment, however it also has small yo type button holes, allowing the wearer to belt said garment with an I cord. It would be in the hip length to knee length range.
Posted by: PICAdrienne on January 24, 2007 04:13 PMi agree with PIC Adrienne. it should be a ruana type thing. very nice. i would say knee length, though. most definitely.
and thanks for your help with AC4C. they're thrilled to death to help.
and you lucky duck, the Harlot will be at Madrona! oy! she'll never make it to the middle of nowhere!
Posted by: minnie on January 24, 2007 07:02 PMMore intrigue: the linked Dulaan video at YouTube "has been removed by the user"...
Posted by: S Fuss on January 24, 2007 07:44 PMAh yes! I thought it just might be my computer. But it says it's been removed. gaaah. Help?
Removed? Egads! I haven't had a chance to yank every friend and family member's elbow to watch it yet. Best movie of the year!
Posted by: marylee on January 25, 2007 03:05 AMSadly, missed the video too. But Abdar is definitely a vest. A button down Fair Isle vest in dark, sober colours yielding a richly brocade effect, worn by a brilliant but eccentric academic who may or may not be a British spy.
Posted by: Ruth on January 25, 2007 06:41 AMAbbdar has to be a vest. I can't get the YouTube video, but I did watch the DVD....and yes, I needed several hankies. Seeing those folks doing their best to survive, I can't make things fast enough...........
And blown up stove aside, I'm still in the TMK Idolization Line. Heck, I made baked chicken one night and the whole pan burst into flames. I kid you not. I even found out that night that pot holders will spontaneously combust too. So, pears aside, TMK is still a superheroine far as I'm concerned.
And btw, I'm having Frankie fits! How about a few pics of that adorable doggy?
Posted by: Nancy O. on January 25, 2007 06:47 AMSeeing as I set things on fire on top of the stove on purpose, I don't want to put a cold cloth on TMK's forehead...I want her recipe :-)
(Cause TMK, dude, brandy on anything is a STOVE-TOP venture. Takes only one year off your life each time you flame it. Also, the hood vent gets a little...uh...smudgy. But damn, dessert is good in this house...)
Posted by: Lee Ann on January 25, 2007 07:18 AMThe YouTube video is gone. You do these things to taunt me, don't you? Vile strumpet.
And if you want Tacoma stories, baby, I got 'em. I spent two years commuting there every weekend -- there had to be SOME sort of reason!
Posted by: Rabbitch on January 25, 2007 07:23 AMHi everyone. Just checked the link to the video. I think what happened is the link expired. If you type in "dulaan" in the YouTube search engine, the video pops up. TMK
Posted by: The Mysterious K on January 25, 2007 08:38 AMVery odd about the video. I'll email F.I.R.E. and see what I can find out.
Posted by: Ryan on January 25, 2007 08:39 AMI seem to be in the minority here, but I think the Abbdar is clearly a big honkin' sweater. Dark, earthy colors -- grays and browns -- maybe Lopi, or maybe double-stranded worsted. Pullover, crew neck. Warmth enough to keep you toasty during one of those infamous Seattle cold spells (ha!).
Posted by: kmkat on January 25, 2007 09:04 AMHow did I miss planning for the Madrona thing? I'm only 2-1/2 hours away? I totally could have gone? Man, I wish I could get a brighter bulb for the room at the top of the stairs.
(And if I had been able to show up, I wouldn't have knocked on your door at midnight. I would have just worshipped you from afar ; )
Posted by: Janice in Camas on January 25, 2007 09:05 AMJanice, the Madrona thingie is held every year. If you go to their site, you can get on an email list that will alert you to when the next one is scheduled.
No worshipping allowed. Again, if you knew the REAL us...
Posted by: Ryan on January 25, 2007 09:14 AMOkay, the YouTube link has been updated. As TMK figured out, for some reason the links seem to expire quickly. At any rate, you can always find the video by just doing a search on the word "Dulaan."
Posted by: Ryan on January 25, 2007 09:36 AMI voted for "scarf" but really think a shawl would be more appropriate: "It was a dark and stormy night and, as the desert air became colder, she pulled her Abbdar closer around her..."
Posted by: Beebs on January 25, 2007 09:58 AMI'll have to keep my eyes peeled for y'all. I'll be at Madrona and I'd love to say hello to y'all.
Posted by: Kris on January 25, 2007 10:07 AMI don't know about Sunday, Kris, but on Saturday fer sher I'll be wearing my Dulaan shirt for most of the day, although I might slip into something a little purdier for the banquet. Feel free to introduce yourself!
Posted by: Ryan on January 25, 2007 10:26 AMI didn't sign up for any classes (damn work schedule) but Saturday I'll be in the lobby knitting, and of course, shopping. Hope to see you there!
Posted by: Lorette on January 25, 2007 10:46 AMYay! The Knitting Doctor will be at Madrona! (That's Lorette, who left comment #30, for those not in the know. Although I'm not too sure she'll be willing to talk to me since the one time we met, at the first Yarn Harlot book signing here in Seattle, for some reason I was pointing very obviously and rudely at her from across the room. She was very gracious.)
Posted by: Ryan on January 25, 2007 10:56 AMI vote for ruana too but if that can't be then a vest -- LOVED the video thanks - I am trying to figure out how to save it and take it to my knitting circle tonight since we sent off a bunch of stuff this past year - thought it would make them feel that they would want to do more :D
Posted by: rho1640 on January 25, 2007 11:29 AMI've sent out the call for Vermouth! 12:01 it is!
Posted by: Rebecca on January 25, 2007 11:50 AMMy parents' elderly next door neighbor, whose dog was quite spoiled, once left a tin of dog food warming in the oven ... when she left the house for a few hours to run errands. My mom was in the kitchen, which faces the neighbors' kitchen, and she heard that stomach-churning "whump" sound and looked over to see the kitchen full of smoke. She went over and found a dog-food-splatter-radius that encompassed absolutely every item and surface in the kitchen, accompanied by the smell of burnt dog food. She was cleaning it up when the neighbor came home and promptly got on the phone to tell everyone she knew about her tragedy, leaving my mom to finish cleaning.
My mom hates pets. That didn't help. We still hear about it, years and years later.
Have a super awesome time at Madrona! I'd love to go, but Tacoma is a long way to drive to find vendors out of the yarn that I want, and I'm try to acquire less, rather than more. But have a fabulous time.
Posted by: Kim on January 25, 2007 12:16 PMWe left a few (the twins, Sandi and I)(but ONLY a few) skeins and oz of fiber to be bought upon your arrival on Saturday - so many droolables. We're not fools - we arrived when the market opened and spread our monies liberally around all vendors - twice! You two knew the opening day and time - take your chances! Hahahahahahaha....'
I vote for a vest as Abbdar should cover the abs, doncha think!
Linda "K"
Posted by: Linda "K" on January 25, 2007 05:05 PMI should think "Abbdar" is clearly a Bear Hug. Since that isn't a choice either, I'll vote for a vest. A vest that feels like a hug, so it will be soft and warm and go from the bottom of the ears to mid thigh, and cross over the tummy in a double wrap and tie at the waist on both sides.
Posted by: Chris W. on January 25, 2007 05:59 PMRyan -- Loretta and I are going to try to meet up in the lobby of the hotel on Saturday morning for some knitting time. Come and join us! That way we can mock people coming into the hotel, knit and be princesses together!
Posted by: Rebecca on January 26, 2007 08:48 AM