Cruising and Knitting

This weekend I went with a group of girls (former co-workers) on a five-hour gambling cruise. I had no idea what to expect, but since it took me 24 hours to blog about it, you can rest assured that I did not win any jackpots. While I've never been to Las Vegas (well, I switched planes in Vegas on my way to Japan, but enough about that), I have been to the casinos in Biloxi and Tampa.

This boat was pretty stinkin' old and every floor had slot machines. There was also one floor with blackjack, poker, craps, and roulette, but I had no desire to lose money on those games. I know I lost money at slots, but at least I had control over what I lost. It's so hard to do that with the multi-player games. My job is so miserable these days that I find it sickening to throw away that money on a gamble. I put up with craziness for forty hours a week, and if I want to throw away my money, it's going to be on something that makes me happy. And, sitting on a boat, in a room filled with smoke and listening to 200 computer slot machines, is not my idea of fun, free drinks notwithstanding.

The best part of the trip was going to the top deck and sitting in the sun and watching the ocean. Now, considering that the boat trip was only $8, I feel totally comfortable with my expenditure. I played slots in order to fit in with the other girls, but truthfully, I could have spent all five hours on the deck with a good book and my ipod.

I am working on a new pair of socks. I wanted something I would wear with my brown loafers, so I thought this cream-colored lightweight wool would work. I've knitted up one sock and it fits snuggly. However, the yarn is a bit too bulky. When I try to put the loafers on with the socks, I've got a really tight fit. Drat!

I'm going to finish the matching sock and go on the hunt for a more perfect sock for a newbie like me.

My Origins

Today is Father's Day. I spent a few hours yesterday with my dad and stepmom, having lunch with them and getting a look at their remodeled patio room. My dad looks good for a man turning 69 on June 29. He's the one person in my immediate family who has changed the least. And believe me, that's not necessarily a good thing. However, it is my father who coined the word "grumpbump" when I was a child. If I was in a bad mood, my dad would call me "grumpbump" or "grouchpouch". My father is also often credited with this exchange:

Me: "Go ahead"
Dad: "Who's a gourdhead?"

I finished my second pair of socks. They are too big for me but I let one of the girls at work try them on and they fit her. I'm having a bit of problem with the toes but the socks turned out quite well. I used proper self-striping sock yarn for this project.



I am actually planning a real vacation this year. In September, I'm going to Ocean City, Maryland and then probably onto D.C. I can't wait for it. I'm also considering taking a local weekend trip for the July 4th holiday too. I'll also have to plan to move shortly thereafter in October because my lease is finally up. I can't wait to be out of this blasted rental.

How Long Can I Milk This Sock Thing?

I loaned my camera to my co-worker. She's on a family vacation to Cooperstown, NY. You'll just have to put up with my camera phone pictures until then.

I'll start with my first pair of socks:


I'm working on a new pair of socks, with self-striping yarn I got on sale at Michaels.


I've got to go work on some beer cozies for my brother. He's using our family's patented guilt techniques, handed down over generations, to get me to deliver on my promises.