Somehow, 2009 has been a bit less productive when it came to blogging.

At the close end of 2009, I discovered Face Book! And so, the beginning of a bad addiction started.

Let me assure you, with a built-in guilt from years of being Catholic, I’d never stray too far from a project such as my blog, or my knitting, or anything that is dear to my heart. I’m still productive, but a bit spread-out-thin at the moment.

So to compensate, let me give you a treat for the eyes. Just click here. Trust me, it has something close and related to yarn, providers of yarn at least.

He is a ’star’ in his own rights. Famous I tell ya! 

The ’star’ is actually a bit literal. He’s into quantum electrodynamics, theoretical physics, and nuclear engineering to name a few. 

What? You thought I saw a Hollywood star? I’m a NERD pig and always has been. I’d be more attracted to people who can tell me about science, the universe, multidimensional worlds, human mind, etc. Even religion. 

Anyhoo, he’s name is Freeman Dyson. 

I went to a free lecture the University of Oregon Physics department organized, with Dyson talking about IMAGINED WORLDS. 

Thinking, who would come to such lecture? So I took my time and got to the auditorium 5 minutes before the lecture. Panic and regret ensued. As I entered the building, there were people already waiting to get into the auditorium. I knew the guy was BIG in the field of science, but I underestimated how many people really are into quantum theory, mathematics, etc. 

I persevered and went inside anyway. Now, this is where the ’small’ person comes in handy. I squeezed myself in and got a very good spot; only it’s going to be standing for the whole duration. From where I stood, people were everywhere sitting in the aisle, just so they can hear Freeman Dyson talk. 

On to the lecture itself….Mr. Dyson (or should it be Dr. Dyson?) presented himself well. He was humorous without trying. He was asked about the Orion Project that he, along with S. Ulum (it was his idea) and T. Taylor started; and realized it wasn’t going to go through so he got out of the project. The project itself is ongoing. 

The talk about string theory and heretics stuck out for me. As well as religion, atheists and scientists. His joke on string theory is that it’s a science without equipment ~ rather cheap. And one doesn’t have to be a scientist to understand string theory, which comes to no surprise that there are as many string theorists around than needed. What I like about his stance on heretics. Heretics are needed to get different ideas out, it gets questions sought out and solutions to be found. You can also tell that he’s soft on religion (my opinion, of course). In other words, religion and science go hand in hand. Never isolated from each other. It’s the opposite I’m leaning on. 

When he was asked questions about religion, he (again, my observation) stumbled for words. Or maybe, he was finding words that would not incite negative reaction from the crowd. But then, he is known to NOT be afraid to state his opinion contrary to popular persuasion. 

The intrigue was on the topic of populating comets. He had this concept of planting a bioengineered plant that could grow in bubbles/clusters that would initiate its own greenhouse atmosphere. Comets, as it is, have less gravitational pull than earth or other planets. With less gravity, the plants/trees can grow with no bound. In turn, these comets would sustain human colonies. Comets are quite smaller than planets; can be sustained faster, easier than planets. This is just a concept. He did realize that it would take years for man, in this current state of space conquest technology, to be able to travel millions upon millions of light years to be able to reach these comets. 

He was asked what country in the future would have the stronghold or the power that the U.S. has in this current time. CHINA. He went on to say that Spain, during its drive to conquer the world, took 150 years before it went down, just like Rome. Then it was England. At the current time and most recent, is the U.S.A. So, the United States still has quite a ways to go. After the U.S. global dominance, China would come next; that is, if it doesn’t do itself in first, in blunders. Everyone laughed. 

I know this blog entry seems boring. But as a lay person, with tremendous yearning for physics, quantum theories, etc. I’m now realizing WHAT I want to be when I grow up. Unfortunately, I’m beyond half a century. So now, I can only enjoy these lectures and keep reading about these things and envy those whose minds blow me away. And so, I will try to talk about such subjects. Subjects that give rise to questions, lots of them and in the process the hunger for answers will follow. 

My only disappointment: the men in the audience and in the panel outnumbered women. But glad to see a couple of middle school-aged children who stuck around till the end of the lecture.

Enjoy every bit of the feast, of friends & loved ones, near & far.

As for me, there’ll be NO turkey  :(

For they all……..

…got away from me.

Knit In Progress #8
Malabrigo Azul Profundo #150, 100% Merino Wool 
Cable Beanie, design by Marianne Garrison (LYS)
Needle Size to gauge: Size 8 One Size Only
Start Date: Mid-November
Target Finish Date: Ongoing, until I get bored with it
Special Note: Hat is tight-fitting. The cable design is very simple to follow. Malabrigo Yarns are incredibly soft.

There’s this cache of these brimmed beanies and Button Hats for Christmas gifts and winter knitting that I’m building. Also included would be fingerless and closed mittens. Scarves included.

Oh boy! I totally forgot about sending the next write-up on the Hood River Scenic Drive. So here’s Part 2.

The surprise stop in the fruit loop was the alpaca farm called Foothills Yarn & Fiber. A stop there meant yarns had to be bought, of course.

But the alpacas were deliciously cute and cuddly. In residence were a cat and a dog. And here they are:

Yes, this gentle giant, I found out, was quite heavy. He stepped on me when the cat crossed his path where my foot was. And he was the mystery nose I blogged earlier.

Back in the town of Hood River are quaint little stores that can all be visited by foot. Great restaurants and great views, I tell ‘ya. But what my hubby and I discovered was the trip up 2nd Street and Montello Avenue on a stairway beside the Big Horse Brew Pub. As you go up those steps is Winans Park on the right side. Keep going as the end of the steep stairway stops at Montello. On Montello, look down towards how beautiful the town of Hood River and Columbia River are, and you will be amazed that you have climbed up over 250 feet of over a steep 45° angle in no time. That was the best workout we had while there! Mind you, even with marathon training, I had to stop a few times to take my breath, while the hubby kept going.

We had a great time and will take My Precious next summer or fall. He was not too happy we left him out.

Mindless Knitting!

Knit In Progress #7
Crystal Palace Yarns Taos 100% Wool 
Button Hat, inspired from Flower Hat by Miriam Pike (LYS)
Needle Size to gauge: Size 6 (S) or Size 7 (M)
Start Date: Late October
Target Finish Date: Ongoing, until I get bored with it
Special Note: Hat is loose-fitting with rolled edges. Taos Yarn colorways are just fantastic for this type of project. Yarn is so soft and light.

This purplish hat has been promised to YS (Youngest Sis). 2YN (2nd Youngest Niece) gets one too. Hers still needs to have the buttons sewn. OS (Oldest Sis) and Lola (Grandma/Mom) will get theirs next, soon.

Morse Code to YS: I need KIKIAM! That’s why you’re getting all these knit stuffs. Do you hear me?

Remember this?

Well, here’s what it is:

I’m ready to punk out tonight.

The Mohawk Hat came from this book. 

It has inspired me to make this hat for my son in 2007. But he has no use for it other than Halloween, which he now declares is only for young kids. The hat has been sitting around collecting dust. So I fixed it a bit since the hat was a bit large for my head. I replaced the yellow yarn with pink variegated yarn.

The DomiKNITrix book is so easy to follow. The visual step-by-step instructions are what I like about it. It’s a bit of my ‘knit bible’ book. And Jennifer Stafford is not your standard knit designer and I like that too.

This was taken during a trip to Sahalie Falls area last year.

From  Sahalie Falls, hiking down to Koosah and Tomalitch Falls, one would not notice this freak of nature.

Coming back to Sahalie, though, the discovery is quite exciting, stunning and scary at the same time. So, is this a freak of nature? Or, petrified naturally? Or, is this a warning of the presence of woods monsters?

Could have been…

Should have been…

Sweet Sixteen! Today!

Alas, all we have are memories. Great memories!

Jake misses you ~ because Jake misses the time he steals your share of the food bowl. haha!

I miss you because you were such a part of our family. Adaptable, malleable, and just one awesome ’people’ cat. Everyone who knew you, loved you. Except maybe the one that made you go away. I still think I know who made you go away. I have suspicion but not proof.

Oh Tom, you are totally missed!

And there is yet to be a blog page to honor you, oh sweet ol’ Tom!

In any case, Happy Birthday!

HINT: It has something to do with Halloween! Pix is a bit blurry, but it will come out clearer once I tell you what it is.