Yes, indeed, I was in Philadelphia. It was a nice trip to a city much lovelier than I remembered. I was staying at a hotel near the convention center and found so much within easy walking distance. Except for those few pictures I took from the hotel, I didn't crack out my camera. But I loved walking through the neighborhood areas around Loop and Rosie's Yarn Cellar and near Jim's where we went to get the required Philly Cheesesteak sandwich -- that last area reminded me of Wicker Park here in Chicago. I think if I suddenly had to live in Philly, I could. The only thing that seemed to be missing was the independent coffee shops. I hope I get to go back sometime and explore some more.
The knitting was non-existent, even though I brought a couple of sock projects with me. I just couldn't get myself to sit still for that long. No matter, those projects will come with me on my 4 day weekend to Ann Arbor -- along with Lotus' second sleeve and the Dragon shawl (I just finished up the 26th row -- for anyone keeping score).
Since I'm midway between unpacking and packing again for the weekend, I'm a little short on pictures.... but I hope these few random bits will entertain:
1) I have come to the conclusion that the bra is one of the most important garments in any ensemble. A bad bra makes everything else I am wearing look bad (especially after the changes induced by having a baby). A recent refitting found that my band size was too big and my cup size was too small (this surprised me more than anything... a real shame the expansion came with no extra structure). I am now properly equipped with new undergarments and it's made a world of difference. So I am going to encourage everyone to make sure they are properly fit!
2) I am an itchy mess these days... not sure whether it is some skin sensitivity (I'm latex sensitive and sensitive to many things in laundry detergents) or something else. But I am fighting myself to keep myself from tearing more holes in my skin by scratching. Just when I thought I might be done with doctors for a while, it looks like i need to find a dermatologist...sigh.
3) I'm having fun helping out a scientific cause at The Galaxy Zoo. Long ago, before I wanted to be some kind of biologist, I wanted to be an astronomer. You don't have to know anything about astronomy to help out, you just have to want to look at pictures of galaxies. Kind of fun, and something you could easily do with a child!
4) I read about FoldIt in Wired magazine and now I want to play myself -- it's a game meant to help simulate protein folding. Once again, you don't have to be a biochemist, you just have to like puzzles!
5) My peony plant is now approaching 4+ foot high and has huge clusters of buds. Those buds are getting bigger and I am holding that it will hold off blooming until after Memorial Day so that I can see it open up. I am inordinately proud of this plant, even though I have had little to do with its success beyond buying it and planting it (and in our yard, that is often not a guarantee of anything more than being abused by squirrels and not getting enough sunlight).
6) Ms. Z is now 22 months old! And her latest victory includes figuring out how to open gate latches and other such barriers to exploration. Watch out world!
To all of you in the U.S., I wish you a most relaxing Memorial Day weekend (and hope you, like me, are getting a little extra time off), and to everyone else, a good weekend, as well!
The knitting was non-existent, even though I brought a couple of sock projects with me. I just couldn't get myself to sit still for that long. No matter, those projects will come with me on my 4 day weekend to Ann Arbor -- along with Lotus' second sleeve and the Dragon shawl (I just finished up the 26th row -- for anyone keeping score).
Since I'm midway between unpacking and packing again for the weekend, I'm a little short on pictures.... but I hope these few random bits will entertain:
1) I have come to the conclusion that the bra is one of the most important garments in any ensemble. A bad bra makes everything else I am wearing look bad (especially after the changes induced by having a baby). A recent refitting found that my band size was too big and my cup size was too small (this surprised me more than anything... a real shame the expansion came with no extra structure). I am now properly equipped with new undergarments and it's made a world of difference. So I am going to encourage everyone to make sure they are properly fit!
2) I am an itchy mess these days... not sure whether it is some skin sensitivity (I'm latex sensitive and sensitive to many things in laundry detergents) or something else. But I am fighting myself to keep myself from tearing more holes in my skin by scratching. Just when I thought I might be done with doctors for a while, it looks like i need to find a dermatologist...sigh.
3) I'm having fun helping out a scientific cause at The Galaxy Zoo. Long ago, before I wanted to be some kind of biologist, I wanted to be an astronomer. You don't have to know anything about astronomy to help out, you just have to want to look at pictures of galaxies. Kind of fun, and something you could easily do with a child!
4) I read about FoldIt in Wired magazine and now I want to play myself -- it's a game meant to help simulate protein folding. Once again, you don't have to be a biochemist, you just have to like puzzles!
5) My peony plant is now approaching 4+ foot high and has huge clusters of buds. Those buds are getting bigger and I am holding that it will hold off blooming until after Memorial Day so that I can see it open up. I am inordinately proud of this plant, even though I have had little to do with its success beyond buying it and planting it (and in our yard, that is often not a guarantee of anything more than being abused by squirrels and not getting enough sunlight).
6) Ms. Z is now 22 months old! And her latest victory includes figuring out how to open gate latches and other such barriers to exploration. Watch out world!
To all of you in the U.S., I wish you a most relaxing Memorial Day weekend (and hope you, like me, are getting a little extra time off), and to everyone else, a good weekend, as well!
I couldn't agree with you more about the bras (I typed bars first, but I suppose that could work too!)
I've downloaded Foldit and I'll have a play later - I've a feeling it will be a time-suck!
I love peonies. I hope your plant flourishes.
There are lots and lots of independent coffee shops scattered throughout Philadelphia. La Colombe and Tuscany Cafe are just off Rittenhouse Square, not far from Rosie's.
I'm returning to Chicago for a wedding in the summer, and I look forward to exploring there as well.
Have a great weekend!
I just got around to playing with foldit this week as well. It looks like a neat program and an excellent teaching tool.
I feel the same way about Philly--perhaps because I grew up in the area. I would live in Chestnut Hill (sort of the Andersonville equivalent) if I could.
We have great success with The Body Shop's "Nut" body butter for itchy skin. It beats anything else we've ever tried.
I now have lots of bras that don't fit me due to my cup size getting smaller. The only fat loss I don't really love.
Glad you liked Philly. I have lived here all my life and never plan to leave.
It's really tough to find an independent coffee shop right by the convention center in Philly because everything close to there is chains-- it's not representative of the rest of Center City at all. There are good independent coffee places in Washington West, Society Hill, Rittenhouse, and the Graduate Hospital area. The folks at Loop would have been able to direct you to a few within a few blocks of the shop. I like Starbucks but I drink coffee from independent places as often as once a day. I live in Society Hill and work in Center City.
About bras, that's the most common size issue-- too large band size, too small cup size. Oprah has done a few shows about it. I went to a specialty place to get measured but they told me I'm wearing the right size but not the right style. It's worth it to to get a professional opinion. I agree that lousy foundation makes even a great outfit look crummy.
i recently got a few new bras and was forced to change styles because they no longer made the old one. What a lucky break that was. I feel like the new ones have taken years off my saggy old body. Yay!
I know just how you feel about the itchiness too. I just made a dermatologist apt for myself. Alergies suck!
I recently got a few new bras and was forced to change styles because they no longer made the old one. What a lucky break that was. I feel like the new ones have taken years off my saggy old body. Yay!
I know just how you feel about the itchiness too. I just made a dermatologist apt for myself. Alergies suck!
Yes, 80% or so of women are wearing the wrong bra, and it's almost always that the band is too large and the cups too small. I think though that cups are being made smaller these days, LOL. Most I find don't have enough coverage on the sides, even if they do technically fit. And what's with padded D cups? LOL.