I Love You More Than Rock 'n' Roll...

Last night was The Night - I still didn't truly believe that I was going to go to the meet and greet until I picked up the pass from the Box Office. I actually went with mixed feelings, as Harry James, the drummer, had kidney stones, and I'd had an email that he wasn't going to make the tour. Now Thunder are great, but our 'Arry - he's special. They say all drummers are a bit, erm, eccentric, but Harry is a character and a legend in his own lifetime. His performance of George Michael's Faith is fantastic (including the bum wiggles), and I still remember seeing him do his turn in Aylesbury Civic Hall in 1990, when he donned a blue nylon wig, and crooned "Blue Moon".

However, I didn't care as the AC/DC track played, and the chant of "Thunder... Thunder..." rang out. We'd got seats central to the stage, third row. The band opened with "Backstreet Symphony" and were on absolutely top form. The set favoured the earlier songs, with the first album contributing its classics. The main set finished with "I Love You More Than Rock 'n' Roll", and the encore was "Higher Ground" and "Dirty Love". Just fabulous, bluesy rock, with the singalongadanalongalaughalonga performance.

After the gig, we were allowed downstairs for a drink with the band. It was great. The guys just circulated, and spent time with everyone. I got my CD signed, and Jon took pictures of me with Ben:

Chris

Luke

Danny

And...
.
.
.
Harry James - Drummer and complete trouper.

Well - it wouldn't have been a Thunder gig without our 'Arry, now, would it?

And Luke kissed me as I was leaving... I'll let you know when I'm down off Cloud 9.

Oh yeah - knitting - that's what I'm meant to be doing here. In the last few days, I've finished Meret, the Mystery Beret from Woolly Wormhead in Posh Yarn Amelia, colour Pleasantry.

And my first stranded colourwork - Cat Mittens by Jorid Linvik - in natural brown Alpaca and Jacob. I love these.

And another hat - this one a present for Jon's mum. It's the Starcrossed Cabled Slouchy, and it has come out lovely and smooshy in Posh Yarn's Helena Aran in Cherry:

I'm going to finish off a pair of Waving Lace socks for Jon's sister, and then do another pair of the cat mittens, this time in red and black Jawoll sockwool for Jon's mum. Before Christmas. EEK!

Mixtures

It's been a mixed few days... First, the good - I'm off work! Loads of knitting and spinning time! I'm also going to sort out my stash, and possibly have a cleansing destash, or possibly not.
On Friday, I went to my friend Carrie Anne's house for a play evening, and had a lovely time. Four of us were there, and we knitted and spun and chatted, and petted Willow and Ash the cats, and ate pizza and nibbles. Carrie Anne had her wheel, and had set up her Heddle Loom. The wheel I was hopeless on. Great at "unspinning", but it was a bit too much like patting my head and rubbing my tummy! I think I'll stick with spindles! The loom was a different story - I found it very hypnotic and relaxing, and was really pleased with my contribution to the woven cloth. It was just a lovely evening, and Carrie Anne was a great hostess.
Then today, I visited Ros for a morning of knitting, spindling and chatter. Patti was also there, and it was just nice to relax over a cuppa tea. And Ros' daschunds are absoloutely gorgeous - Millie and Maisie. If only Jon wasn't allergic to dogs, and if Holly wasn't psychotic, I could be very tempted.
But as always, once I start to enjoy myself, the rain falls. I had a letter from the hospital today. And I quote:
"Your MRI cervical spine does show a small disc which probably accounts for your symptoms. It is likely that only conservative management is appropriate as usually in these circumstances things settle on their own, but perhaps I could review me myself in clinic to discuss things further."
After reading it a few times, Jon and I have translated it to mean "Yep - there's something out of line in there, but I'm not the one in pain, and if you ignore it, perhaps it may go away. I may have a little time to patronise you if you care to ring".
Oh boy. Is he in for a shock. I am in pain. I am not sleeping without prescription painkillers. This has been going on since April. I am paying him, via my NI every month, so he can firstly, stop talking down to me, and secondly, give me some constructive advice on how to sort it out so it doesn't feel like someone's going to rip my arm off. If he had cared to ask, in the 4 months since I have seen him, then I would have told him that the situation has deteriorated. And he thinks it will resolve itself? I am steeling myself for a frustrating conversation on the phone tomorrow. And then for a face off in his office. I shall be perfectly polite, however, he will have to do something. One card I have up my sleeve is that my company does private health care. So I can play that one, and also the one where I am persistent as heck, and have no fear of bureaucracy - yes - the NHS Complaints Procedure.
To Battle!

Posting Madness!

My goodness... I've never posted so much!
I have Arm News. Last night I took one tiny Codeine tablet and two paracetemol. When I lay down, there was no pain. When I rolled over, there was no pain. I slept. Soundly. Right through to the alarm. I was prepared to give it a few days, but it's helped already.
OK - so now my body has slept, it's thinking "oooh - I LIKE that idea", so I've felt really sleepy all day, but I'm off next week, so I'll spend all that time sleeping, knitting and spinning!

A Post! With Photos!!!

I’ve not been wasting my time… Finally there was 10 minutes of light yesterday, so I took some photographs. Here we have three handspun yarns. The top one is the End of September club yarn from The Yarn Yard (Bramble Crumble). The second one is also from The Yarn Yard, and came un-named – as I was spinning it, I realised it made me think of Refresher sweets with all the lovely sherberty colours – so I have named this BFL Superwash Refreshers. Finally, there is Lafant Glas – Falkland from Mam a Mi. You may notice that there are only 2 skeins – more on that later. I got 300 yards or so from each 100g, using my Golding Cherry Tsumani for the singles, and then my Louet spindle for Andean Plying.

I’ve also been a bit busy knitting. Firstly, the reason why I only had 2 skeins of Lafant Glas left to photograph - my Spiraluscious. I love this neckwarmer. I love the yarn, the pattern, just everything about it. It’s an Anne Hanson design, and wow – that woman can design good looking but straightforward lace, can’t she? (Yes - I cast on Friday, and grafted the edging together Saturday - have noted in the "omigoditschristmasnextweekandIhavenothingspecialfor..." file!)

Then, I snaffled some Helena Aran from Posh Yarn a couple of weeks ago, and turned it into a Darkside Cowl by Sarah Fama, and a Woolly Wormhead Spring Cap (wishful thinking!).

And, a pair of Aran Island Slippers from Interweave Knits Holiday 2008 for my MiL knitted in Rooster Almerino Aran.

Oh... and I got them off my hands long enough to take a photo! My Cranford Mitts - from The Yarn Yard Kit I bought at Woolfest.

Busy, busy, busy.

On the spindle at the moment is 2oz of Gotland that I got as part of a Spinners Set from Spindlefrog. The Spinners Set is a brilliant idea - 2oz each of 6 unusual fibres all dyed in the same colourway. I love it, as I get a chance to play, and can decide before I commit to a load of something which may be quite expensive, and which I'm not keen on. The Gotland is lovely. Very silky with a long staple.

On the needles are the Estonian Lace Christening Shawl, my Guess at Tess’ Shawl, a pair of Undulating Lace Socks in Wollmeise Suzanne for a Christmas Present, and a Booga bag (adapted slightly by using smaller needles and more stitches to accommodate finer yarn) in Kauni.

In Arm News, there is little news - still waiting for the MRI Results, however things have Deteriorated, and after having negligable sleep for nearly a week, I went to the GP this morning. So I'm on Codeine, which isn't the best, but it has to be better than lying there, tossing and turning, and trying to find somewhere to put my arm where it doesn't hurt!

Busy, busy, busy… But Fun, Fun, Fun!

Good News!!!

So... I've loved Thunder for years... Have seen them a dozen or so times, and am doing so again later in the month - I've just found I'm going to meet the band after the show in Newcastle!!!!! Excuse the happiness, but this has just made my day!!!!!!!!!

Go See Littleberry

October was Breast Cancer Awareness Month. But no cancer restricts itself to one month per year. Go and see Littleberry and pop a bid in. And let others know.
And check. You know you should.