When it's Sad to Say Goodbye (Put the phone down already)

I woke up this morning feeling lousy. HWWV says it's stress but I think it is because the weather changed drastically. It's windy and hot, nearly 90 degrees, and sometimes when the weather suddenly turns I get really achy and flu-like and can't manage to even walk up the stairs. So that is how it is today, or that is how it was today, until I got an email from a reader who told me about a woman who was in her step class at the gym and took a number of phone calls while huffing and puffing and waving the one hand to the music while holding the phone to her head with the other. You gotta love that sort of thing or you gotta hate that sort of thing because I honestly can't stand it when people use their cell phones during times they shouldn't. I mean, the other day, a friend and I ate lunch at a bar in a restaurant and a woman sat directly across from me, ordered their finest Chardonnay, and proceeded to talk on the phone for more than an hour, eyes glazed but fixed directly on me, never wavering.

Yeah, and in Los Angeles, June will mark the month when a new cell-phone law comes into effect that states you can't talk on the cell phone while driving the car unless it is hands free. And you know what that means, for the months of June, July and August, car accidents will rise due to people frantically searching for their little earphones or fumbling while trying to plug the suckers in, and worse, those dorky Blue Tooth devices will be worn more than ever in public and in restaurants, making all of us non-Blue Tooth lovers wonder if, as these things rise again in popularity, a similar rise in delegate attendance at Star Trek conventions all over L.A. will be documented.

So, tomorrow I'm off to Cleveland--I'll be missing Rocko, that's for sure. I decided I will bring two pair of socks to work on (am packing some lovely Crystal Palace bamboo double points along just in case those nasty agents steal my circs), some orange cotton, a crochet hook and a pattern for boxer shorts. Yeah, I know, it's nuts, but at least I'm not crocheting a bra. (Hey: have you ever used those GoKnit Pouches??? Fab for travel. I also got some of those Pattern Tamers. I can't wait to put them to good use!)

BTW: Good news. I have worked out a deal with a distributor to make my patterns available to yarn stores, so that means they will be available soon in a nice hard copy format. I'm starting off with three Spring type patterns, Sizzle, Flair and Fad-Classic. As these are reformatted, I will reformat the patterns available on my site at the same time to update their look, etc. See the right hand sidebar for more information and a link to the distributor, Deep South Fibers.

Comments

[bethini]

I'd miss Rocko too; he looks lovely. Have fun on your trip and congrats on the pattern deal!

[Liz]

I live up here in Sacramento and it's getting warm here, too. It's pushing 85 today and I'm already freaking out about summer. My knitting has kicked into hyper drive though. Yay for knitting with cotton and tanning!

I'm glad that cellphone law kicks in soon. Although, personally, I wish they would have outlawed talking on your cellphone in your car, period. It's not safe, and it actually increases your risk for accidents almost as much as driving under the influence. A person's attention span can only be stretched so far, and it's been proved that cellphones + driving = too far. I wrote the dullest research paper on it in college.

[Tammy]

Interesting... I've been so dizzy all day that I can barely function. I was wondering if it was allergies and you're right, the weather has changed. Eureka. Now I can rest easy that I'm not just losing it.

BTW - I love my Go Knit pouches, hate the blue tooths (too sci-fi for my liking). Now I'm off to check out the Pattern Tamers.

Enjoy Ohio!

[Liz]

Proved? PROVEN.

Also - CONGRATS ON THE PATTERNS!! I can't wait to see them in stores.

[jennifer]

At my husband's holiday party this year, I was treated to the sounds of a woman using her cellphone in the stall. While pooping*. Never caused her to pause. I can't imagine what could have been so important. *use of the word 'pooping" = evidence of a preschooler in the house.

[lisatg]

The good news is no one should steal your circs. I have been traveling since Oct 2001 with all manner of knitting devices including some pretty big metal stitch holders. Unless you are going overseas you should be fine! Have a great trip.

[Hilary]

I don't think Rocko could be any cuter! Have fun on your trip, you should be fine with your circs. I think I've taken every kind of needle on planes with no problem, even Addi lace needles.

[MonkeyGurrl]

Everyone in our house has been feeling out of sorts starting yesterday. Sore throats, achy, bleh. Yup, it's the allergies alright.

Have a safe trip. Hope your flights don't get cancelled/delayed/re-routed. . .

[Jessica]

A Pattern Tamer is exactly what I need!!!

Thank you so much for mentioning it because I knew there had to be something out there like this and on my commute home today vowed to find it. You saved me!

[Melissa A.]

Oh my god your dog is so cute!

On the 1st the hands free only law came into place. On Sunday I was in a cab and the driver was text messaging!!!! On the way back home I called a different company so I wouldn't get the same guy. People are dumb.

[Heather]

It stinks that you are coming to Cleveland this weekend. It has been wonderful weather-wise for a couple of days...today it was in the mid 70s. But tomorrow we are supposed to be in the 40s with strong storms all day long and then Sunday is supposed to possibly snow. ICK! Hope you get to visit some stuff while you are in the area, aside for the crazy weather it really is a wonderful place.

[Brandy]

I just wanted to post about the Cleveland weather, but I see someone already did. :) It's not going to be the best time to see the city, so I hope you find the best part to be worth it. (To me, the best part of Cleveland is the people)

[Wendy]

Yeah, I know. But look at it this way: At least I'll have some weather. I've packed four pair of hand-knit socks, a knit cap, five sweaters and a pair of mittens. Yay!

[NancyB]

Bah - we have that cell phone law in Connecticut already and it doesn't do much good. People still blabber on their phones while driving.

[Debbie]

Holy Crap with your title and the photo of Rocko, I thought something had happened to Chuck.

I frantically read your post and was quite relieved Chuck was ok. Then reread your post at normal speed. Have a good trip.

[flutter]

I would miss him too, what a little doll

[Katy]

I hate those bluetooth things! Every time I see them I can't help thinking 'Resistance is futile! Assimilate into the Borg!'

[chris]

I hope you're feeling better - I get the same symptoms from Fibromyalgia - and the weather is a big factor with that. Flu like symptoms are exactly what it feels like.

We have the same law in NJ - and people are driving and talking anyway. But the ticketing is up!

Congrats on the patterns and have a good trip!

[Marie]

so excited to pre-order your book...yay! its tax season, and I really haven't gotten out much, but this makes my day.

Also hate the cellphone abuse...my worst experience was browsing through ladies lingerie at Bloomingdales while some man waited for his wife and was having a LOUD conversation in an otherwise quiet area. Seriously, I hate it when men are in those departments or at Victoria's Secret. Its my secret, dammit, and I don't want someone else's SO to check out what I'm buying...especially if they're on a cell phone! whew, that felt good.

Congrats on the book and the patterns! Have a great time doing the show.

[milly]

That is wonderful about your patterns. Any advice for someone trying to learn how to design patterns. I have some ideas in my head that can't seem to get out! LOL!

[scoutj]

I'm sorry that you were feeling like crap. I'll be around today if you want to tawk. Did you have that martini? :)

And thanks for the shout-out. Perfect timing for your trip!
xo

[Lynae]

We have had that cell phone law for a few years now.....and the bluetooth devices alternate between making me really angry and just making me laugh. People look and act like such idiots with them on.

We will take some of that heat here in Chicago....my son's baseball game was cancelled today due to rain/snow...and 40 degree temps. As a parent that makes me happy not to sit for two hours in the rain, but the kids are sad.

[connie]

When I read your blog post title and saw the picture, I was afraid you were getting rid of Rocko. So glad that's it's just a temporary goodbye to the cutie.

Have fun in Ohio. I can't wait to see those episodes :)

[darlene]

wendy....congrats on the new pattern deal! can't wait until i can just pick up a copy at my lys. here in nj, the weather is just as it should, but now that i said that, it will probably spike up or down or just be weird.
the pics on your site are amazing! i really thought you would be saying good-bye to mr rocks. whew! its only temporary. have a safe trip!

d

[Hissyfit]

We have a "no cell phone when driving unless it's an earpiece" law here in Chicago. As far as I can tell it has no effect whatsoever. I don't understand this strange need to constantly be on a cell phone or (worse) Blackberry. I've been on "vacation" with someone who was checking hers every 15 mins. And to dinner with someone else who was also checking it constantly. It's so rude.

I'd be happy to have a little of the heat here in Chicago too! Have a safe trip to Cleveland!