Knitter's Frolic & the TTC Debacle

So after I posted yesterday I started getting ready to go to the Knitter's Frolic. A huge knitting, crocheting and spinning convention. Waited for Shaggy to get home, got all dressed up and go downstairs to buy a day pass only to find the TTC is on strike. The Frolic was being held at the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre (where we used to take Japanese Lessons) Which is very very far away from my apartment.

Now had the TTC given 48 hours notice like they promised or even 24 hours so it could have made that papers, Shaggy and I could have figured out a way there and back. (We don't watch the news. Shaggy gets the paper at work and I get it if I go out that day.) But they gave a 1/2 hour notice. They walked out at midnight, stranding hundreds of people. Let's just say I'm the only one who's not pleased. I actually sort of felt bad for some of the workers (some are just plain rude) I really don't feel so bad for them now. That wasn't a very nice way to do things. They claimed they didn't give 48 hours notice because the last time they did people were angry with them. I think the "better way" is going to be the "cranky and irate" way tomorrow. I usually go to Riverdale Farm to sit and spin with some of the ladies from the guild (and a few non guild members) I might not go if people are really bad.

Anyway, I still wanted to go to the Frolic. It's only once a year and there were a lot of vendors coming from out of town. I don't mind mail order, but it's easier when you can get an idea of what they sell. It can be pretty hit and miss on the net. I have gotten some lovely roving, but I always like to feel it first.

And you all know how stubborn I am ...

So Shaggy and I hopped on our bikes and biked/walked (especially with the hills around here) to the Frolic. We were on our bikes all day. We left at 11 am and got back at 9:30 pm! It was a 45 km round trip!

We biked most of the way there, only walking up steep hills, from Etobicoke to the JCCC. It took about 4 hours with a stop for lunch at the Caldense Bakery (Very good deserts. They have very yummy cake!) We took a bike path on Eglinton Ave most of the way.

I was tired, bit it was worth it. We got there an hour before they closed. I wish I could have spent more time looking at everything and talking with people. There were a lot of vendors with a lot of very nice things. Shaggy looked at the wheels (he still wants to build one) and I focused on spinning supplies (though there was quite a bit of wonderful looking yarn.) I was kinda in a daze for the first 15 minutes. My legs were not at all happy with the bike ride.

I did do quite a bit of shopping in that short time.

Blue Faced Leicester Dyed Pink and Undyed Soy Silk from The Black Lamb

Citrus Soak (and bonus care label) from the Soak Stand

A 1 1/2 oz Folklore Fiberarts Spindle from the Purple Purl

A set of Ashford wool handcarders from Gemini Fibers (unassembled. Need to get wood glue.)

And all the freebies from the Purple Purl and Black Lamb

We got an extra freebie from the Black Lamb when Shaggy didn't agree with the colour I picked. (I got the light blue, he picked out the purple) so the lady gave him one too. Taking Shaggy to a fiber event/store is kinda like taking a child along. He gets bored easy and the shop keepers spoil him sometimes. ;)

He's a little too spoiled it seems. He deemed the little calendar from Gemini and the free care label from Soak unsuitable freebies. Though the free tote and bits of roving from the Purple Purl seemed acceptable to him. He says he's going to spin up the purple, but we'll see if that happens. I'm probably going to keep those bits for needle felting. I might save the baggies from the Black Lamb to spin some lace weight someday.

I had a good time and hope to be back next year. If I can find transportation that is.

The ride back was more grueling. We stopped early on of dinner (and a daiquiri) at Swiss Chalet. There were more people walking about in the evening at a slower pace on the sidewalk and I didn't feel confident enough to bike on the street so we walked our bikes most of the way out of downtown. The we biked a fair bit (downhill) after Blackcreek Road and I biked almost all of the last leg down East Mall.

Of course I have been very very sore since then. Beyond just tired. My legs don't want to bend much and my butt hurts so I can only sit on soft things. Hopefully another nights rest helps.

Of course by now the TTC is back and running after being legislated back to work (on a Sunday no less) I'm still miffed though. Makes me want to go out and get a mo-ped or something.

We've been cat sitting Shaggy's parent's cats since January. They went home today. :( They were the sweetest polydactyl father son pair. The son was blind, but sweet as pie. The place will be quieter without them around, though Shampoo and Ukyou didn't like them too much so they will be happy. On the upside, I now have a bread maker. I traded it for my crock pot as my MIL's crockpot kinda died after they left it on our balcony. Shaggy promised me a new bigger one as I only really use it to dye yarn and it would be easier with a bigger one.

Happy Valentine's Day

I hope everyone had a Happy Valentine's Day. Shaggy loved his dragon & Toberlone gift (I call it the Hobo Dragon, what with his cardboard sign.) Shaggy gave me the most beautiful pink, purple and white bouquet of flowers. :)

We did a bit of shopping today. Shaggy doesn't usually get Saturday off, but it's Family Day Weekend so I get him to myself for 3 whole days!

We stopped at Romni and bought some wool and some yarn I need to make a gift (not telling who it's for. :p) Shaggy spotted some beautiful knitting needles in the size I needed for my project (and only .80 cents more expensive then then the other not quite so spiffy ones) I picked up a pound of Welsh White wool to spin, but it's really scratchy! It's hard to tell when it's in a plastic bag. I think next time I'll pay the extra $2 a pound for the Coopworth like I did last week (in bit's right now being dyed as I type) Oh well, it spins well at least. I'm gonna see if it gets softer with some wool wash or something.

The mohair/merino/nylon yarn is drying too. It's plied, set and ready to dye. I only got 50 yards out of it though 0.o I'm waiting for some more roving to arrive in the mail. I'm gonna ply that with the Coopworth and use both yarns to make a stripy scarf.

We then went on to the Eaton Centre and found some beautiful tins for $1 each! I would have bought the whole lot of them, but I don't think Shaggy wants 10 plaid tins about the apartment (He hates plaid >.<) so I only got two. I'm going to use them to store crafty things or even just to store the small strips of roving I spin from.

I finally found a copy of Katamari Damacy. Shaggy thought it was interesting. He's actually better at it them I am, but I'm sure I'll get better with practice.

Belly Dance Mondays

Looks like Monday has officially become Belly Dance Class day. I loved my class. The teacher was super friendly and gave me lots of feedback, which I really need. One of the reasons I never went back to yoga class was the utter lack of any feed back. The studio was small, but nice. Clean and well decorated with a cute little change room. (it's too cold here to walk about in work out clothes)

She said she was confident that with time belly dance would help me lose what I call "The Buddha Belly". I really want to tone up my core, which is the last thing left of my post accident pudge. She also said it would help my posture (which is terrible!) and help me feel more graceful.

So now I'm on the "New Hobby Shopping Spree" And what shopping it is with all the pretty music and clothes. :) I bought a CD off of iTunes ($8 and change is a steal for a CD. I pay $7 - 8 for used CDs) and I ordered a pretty hip belt off of eBay. Shaggy thought it was really pretty too.

I'd like to get a full length mirror and a book soon, but I want to see if I can find dance move descriptions online. I really just need a refresher between classes and I'd really like to practice at home.

'Cause we all know, in anything, practice makes perfect. :)