Frozen Feet

The other day I posted my 2013 goal list. Usually I post that sort of thing on January 1st, but this year I was a little busy. My whole family (sans Scooter) spent New Years Day helping me with a photoshoot for The Book. We drove an hour to go to a cold, windy beach where there were a surprisingly large amount of people. Turns out that if you haul a really large chest across a beach, people don't even try to pretend they aren't staring.

I stepped in mud that I later realized smelled a bit too similar to poo. You can see it in the photo below. And everyone's feet went numb in 15 minutes or less. My brother and I started having "I can't feel my feet from this point" (insert pointing to numb part of the foot) contests. I think I "won." But in this kind of contest, no one really is a winner. 

I'm pretty lucky to have a family that is willing to help me out. (And if they aren't willing, Mum has no problem "motivating" the unwilling party.)

Afterwards we cranked up the heater in the car to help thaw our feet. There is nothing like misery to promote family bonding.

Overall it was a really great way to spend New Years Day. And I'm just that much closer to being done with The Book.

The Annual Goal List: 2011-2012 Edition

2011 was a year of new life direction and foundation building. I think that 2012 will be the year of building on the foundation of all the work I did in 2011.
Yesterday I did my knitting recap, today will be the Life recap.

I left my job at the wool mill mid-January and spent 6 months working on pattern designs before starting a new job at my local yarn shop.

I made wine for the fourth year in a row.

I was in charge of crafts at two weeks of camp. I came up with the craft program and put together everything for 180 kids. That's 5 days of different projects plus a service project craft. It was a big job, but worth every minute. (even if I whined a bit while doing the actually grunt work)

Here is a recap of last years goals.
Goals for 2011:
1. Spin enough yarn for a large project. (Sweater or Blanket) Then complete said project.
Status: Incomplete. But my life goals shifted a bit, so I forgive myself. I spent my time designing instead. But I still have some yarn spun up for that big project.
2. In the same vein, knit a sweater. I've tried multiple times, but I've never actually completed a sweater.
Status: Complete. I've actually knit three sweaters this year and am working on a fourth. Sweater knitting has become much less intimidating.
3. Visit the Bonneville Salt Flats.
Status: Changed. I went to Yosemite instead. I'd still like to visit Bonneville sometime, though.
4. Make another music video.
Status: Semi-complete. I have done most of the story boarding for the video done and the concept is pretty solid. I think this would move along a bit if I had an assistant to help me test out the lighting portion of my idea.
5. Own only one carload of stuff.
Status: A work in progress. Although I'm far from having only a carload of things, I did some serious downsizing. Most of the things I have I use regularly. And I'm still getting rid of things as I realize I'm not using them.
6. Make a miniature garden or terrarium.
Status: Incomplete. I never got to it and don't think I will. I'm ok with that.

Normally I'd be a bit miffed at myself for seeing all those incomplete goals, but some of the things I did in their place more than made up for it. I went to Yosemite instead of the Bonneville Salt Flats and I spent time designing knits instead of spinning yarn for a blanket. So even though some of my goals shifted, I still plan on making a goal list for 2012. Plus it's fun to see what happens and what doesn't.

Goals for 2012:
1. Finish designing and knitting the rest of the knits for my book. Figure out the next step in putting everything together.
2. Road trip somewhere. I'd like it if it was the southwest road trip I've been wanting to do, but anything would be fine.
3. Be able to bike up Highway 9 to Santa Cruz. I've seen serious bikers in lycra clothes and carbon fiber bikes going up there. I want to take my t-shirt wearing, commuter-bike riding butt up that way.
4. Knit a pair of sock with my own hand spun yarn.
5. Finally put up my daily comic site.
6. And one rollover from last year's list: Make that music video. Seriously.

What kinds of goals are you guys making? If you have a blog post about your goals, feel free to link me to that as well. I find people's goals really inspiring.

Also, I'd like to thank everyone who reads my blog and those who comment. You have no idea how much it means to me. Your interest in my little corner of the internet validates me.

Goodbye 2010, Hello 2011

This past year was the year of change. A year of new adventures. I laughed plenty. I cried bunches. This year has knocked the wind out of me. I've been so busy that all I feel like doing is sleep. But I wouldn't trade this year for anything.

I graduated with a BA in Design and started a job at the Yolo Wool Mill.

I went to New Zealand with my Dad.

I knit my first lace item.

I made wine for a third year in a row.

I learned how to cook. Food. Real food. A level above ramen. (Which is impressive to anyone who has lived with me)

I chased several lambs that had gotten on the wrong side of the fence from their mums.

I made friends with a kitten, now cat. (I never thought that would happen)

My name is Baloo. I live here.

I thought I'd go over my goals I had for 2010.

1. Keep this blog updated.

Status: Done. I've been posting at least once a week.

2. Make a portfolio site for my work.

Status: Moot. I decided I don't want to do graphic design professionally at the moment. The portfolio would have been part of my resume.

3. Have a daily comic site up.

Status: In progress. I am still drawing my comic, but the site is in the works.

4. Publish and sell some knitting patterns.

Status: Semi-complete. I did publish my Mr. Tumnus pattern for free. I have several patterns in the works to publish for $.

5. Learn how to spin wool.

Status: Completed. I started out using a spindle and quickly progressed to a wheel. An extra big thank-you to my grandparents who bought me a wheel as a graduation gift.

6. Graduate. Find a job/ internship/ something to pay the bills

Status: Complete. I did graduate and worked two different jobs. I worked at an art gallery for two months part-time. I've been working at a wool mill.

Goals for 2011:

1. Spin enough yarn for a large project. (Sweater or Blanket) Then complete said project.

2. In the same vein, knit a sweater. I've tried multiple times, but I've never actually completed a sweater.

3. Visit the Bonneville Salt Flats.

4. Make another music video.

5. Own only one carload of stuff.

6. Make a miniature garden or terrarium.