muppinstuff

crochet obsessed

My right hand pointing finger is developing a callus between the joints and I'm watching a lot more TV. Ever since the craft weekend, the one where I was going to sew a new wardrobe but forgot my sewing machine pedal, I've been on a crochet binge. It's even got to the point where I was wondering if it would be rude to bring it out at a family gathering. I think it is, sigh. So I didn't.

I'm on to my second project which is granny square based, but I wanted to share my first crochet for the season. A pram rug for Ruby-Lee. It's about pillow case size and is designed to go in the pram over the top of every thing else. I wanted one myself but by the time I got around to it, Grace was sitting up in the stroller and the moment had passed. I know Betty will be given lots of bigger blankies, mum's been knitting and crochetting up a storm and I can't compete with her either in speed or finish. Well, not yet. So here 'tis, all finished and washed, being dried on a towell in the sunroom. It's probably a sure thing that Betty won't have a chance to get on the internet before I give it to her (not that her computer or internet work at present), so I don't think the surprise will be ruined.

This is my first real attempt at ripple, and as I didn't have a pattern I had to make it up. I lost count of the stitches at several points so it has an irregular zig zag which I'm sure won't detract from it's purpose. The edging is fairly firm so I think it will all hold together and take machine washing in a bag. I know they're not baby type coluurs but Betty has a lime green stroller and they're our kind of colours anyway. And in a year or two it will be the perfect size for a doll's blanket.

I haven't been this crochet mad since the winter after Grace was born. I made several rag rugs that year and a garment which I refer to as my martha stewart poncho, as it was made while I was a guest of the state durning the crazy time. I remember that my mind didn't start coming back until about half way through, but that crochet was good. The poncho has been stuffed on the back of the cupboard but suddenly seems to have found favour as something I might actually wear.

Anyway, enough yacking. It's nearly time for my new favourite TV show, Wilfred (SBS 10.00pm thursdays). About a bastard of a dog played by a person in a dogsuit. He talks and smokes cones fashioned from fruit juice bottles and is hell bent on undermining the relationship between his lovely owner and her hapless boyfriend. She can't hear him talk like a person, but the boyfriend can. It's very clever and very funny. Perfect granny square viewing. Must run. Will fix typos and spelling errors tomorrow.

The television meme

Tonight's meme came from The View from Elsewhere and she made it up, which greatly impresses me. Telly is a subject close to my heart, so here goes

1. Earliest remembered television
Astro Boy, from when I was about four. It was at a neighbours house because we didn't have one at that point. The next telly that made an impact on me was watching the moon landing sitting on the floor looking up at the TV attached high on the wall of the preps classroom. I don't think I was all that impressed by it either.

2. TV series you would want on a desert island
I'm not sure I'd be watching telly on a desert island. Wouldn't I be fishing or looking for food or building a raft or something? But if there was a boredom factor and we had electricity etc, I would want something really long running and either a) convoluted like Twin Peaks with the young and delightful Kyle MacLachlan, oh still my beating heart or b) really inane like Neighbours (if G was there, Neighbours would be a good choice because then he wouldn't be moaning about missing it) or c) Star Trek, for solidarity, because being marooned would be like being adrift like they were in Voyager maybe?

3. TV that made you laugh
Recently, The Ronnie Johns Half Hour which G made me watch. I kind of hated it because it is just so wrong, but at the same time I had tears running down my face. And The Wedge, especially the pokie ladies, the teacher and the pyscho school girl. Once again just so wrong. Oh and Kath and Kim, of course because that's where I come from. Noice.

In times gone by, The Goodies, the Young Ones and Fawlty Towers,

4. TV that made you cry
The news. Sometimes frequently. Bad things that happen to babies or children, refugees, war and bushfires. All these things have been known to make me cry.

5. TV crap that you enjoy
I have to admit to really enjoying reality TV, which G hates, especially Big Brother because it clashes with the news and he reckons that none of the people on it are very likeable. Which is not the point. Survivor, not all series, some catch some don't but I became fanatical about the the Australian one set on the Eyre peninsula. Idol. We both enjoy a talent quest and I think it makes for perfect Sunday evening viewing, especially in the middle bit before all the interesting contestants have been voted off. I've also been watching Wife Swap USA on Saturday nights which is pizza night. I'm not sure about this one, I think it may be a short lived fascination.

6. TV that irritates you
I added this question in myself so I could mention Smallville which I find intensely irritating. G lurves this program, so it has become non-negotiable. There's something about the contant meaningfullness of the narrative which sets my teeth on edge. The characters are forever saying things like, "the truth is..." or having a meaningful moment after some great crisis, like every five minutes. I know it's based on a comic book but it's all so high school intense, with no lighter moments or changes of pace to create tension. Urgh.

7. TV that you'll never forget
I can't remember. Oh I know, Prisoner which was mandatory viewing when I was in boarding school. Can you sing along to these words? "On the inside the sun still shines, And the rain falls down, But the sun and rain are prisoners too, When the mornin' comes around..."

8. Favourite TV adaption
I love a good telly drama but for the life of me can't remember. I'll come back and add it in if I do.

I know that I'd love someone to do a really femmo version of Marion Zimmer Bradley's Darkover series. They could film the mountainous bits in New Zealand and the Drytown bits in Central Australia. It could be a cult hit.

9. Favourite nerdish program
The new Doctor Who. I want it back on telly now. Although maybe I should get it on DVD because I'm sure it would bear watching repeatly. Not just because it is beautiful to look at, but because I'm sure there are many plot twists and subtexts I missed the first time around.

10. One TV program that you're currently watching
Jamie Oliver's new series. All about cooking from his garden, complete with garden staff at his spread in the country somewhere. And he uses shabby chic mixing bowls with reall chips. Not very hygenic but total swoon material. The food looks pretty good too, eventhough G complains everytime he sees meat being prepared that it's a gore fest (I'm not vego, only G is) and he thinks Janie O is somewhat naff. This is my tradeoff for that Smallville rubbish.

11. One TV series that you been meaning to watch
There's nothing on the radar at the moment. Although I wouldn't mind getting the Sopranos or Six Feet Under on DVD because they kind of passed me by. On too late or some such.

12. Now tag five people
I'm not tagging anyone. If you'd like to do this meme, please do. I've even left the questions in a block below so it's easy to cut and paste them because that's the bit about meming that I don't like, transcribing the questions.

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Earliest remembered television
TV series you would want on a desert island
TV that made you laugh
TV that made you cry
TV crap that you enjoy
TV that irritates you
TV that you'll never forget
Favourite TV adaption
Favourite nerdish program
One TV program that you're currently watching
One TV serieds that you been meaning to watch
Now tag five people