F.O.Bing Off

So other leaders take time off right? They take huge chunks of vacation, don't they? Yesterday was my vacation. Except not much of a vacation as we spent the day at Southpoint Mall in Durham. Seven hours, people, SEVEN HOURS there. Though, admittedly, we saw a movie, so take out two hours of that. Still, FIVE HOURS at the mall. The Hubba was nearly in hives by the time we left. Good news, though, all our shopping, a.k.a. me not knitting gifts, are done, except a few The Hubba wants to pick up. HA!

And knitting happened too. In the car, I knit all the way there and all the way back. That was nearly an hour and a half total of well spent knitting time.

I'm close, ya'll. Very close. In fact- deep breath- I only have two gifts to finish. Technically. Because I'll finish two other gifts tonight, so I'm considering those done. As of Monday, I'll only have two gifts to finish. And we don't leave for Knoxville until Friday. I've got nothing but time.

So, in light of that, a little F.O.B. catch-up. Brooke has mightily handled the last three and- because this is the way my brain works- I'm going to list eight first and nine second. It makes sense to me.

F.O.B #8
"I'm thinking that for #8, we could list 8 projects that we have either completed, are currently working on, or reeeeally want to make from Knitty's huge archive of patterns." Wrote Brooke. Which feeds my Nosey Knitter habits greatly- what are YOU wanting to make?

8. I've made the "Fetching" gloves and loved them. And... that's it. That is all I have done from Knitty. How is that possible? I love their patterns, but in the stark light of this F.O.B., I now see I've not challenged myself on any other project. Is that possible? Already starting my New's Year's Resolution list...

7. Kureyon Kozy

6. Crusoe Socks; in fact I've got some Brooke yarn I think would be brilliant.

5. French Market bag

4. Bad Penny

3. Bellle Epoque. A little because of the film, but mostly the sweater.

2. Branching Out

1. Norberta. Yes, I know it's a dragon and I have very little use for a dragon, but this little thing hooked me.

F.O.B. #9
"All you have to do is find 9 bits of info on the number 9 and share them with everyone on your blog." So sayeth Brooke and so I say, pulling from Wikepedia, here are nine facts that I found interesting:

9. "Before 2006 (when Pluto was officially designated as a non-planet), there were nine planets in the solar system." This bugs me. I did SUCH a meticulous job on my solar-systems chart in fifth grade. This was before you could buy a kit at Michael's.

8. "In Egyptian mythology, there are nine major gods and goddesses (see also Ennead). The ancient Egyptians believed that a person had to earn the right to enter the afterlife. Before an individual could pass into the next realm, nine great gods known collectively as the Ennead had to judge his worthiness." That is so cool. And a little terrifying, if true.

7. "In classical music the curse of the ninth refers to the superstition that a composer who writes a ninth symphony will die soon. Beethoven, who left his Tenth Symphony unfinished, is regarded by the superstition as the first victim of the curse."

6. "In the NATO phonetic alphabet, the digit 9 is called "niner"." For all you "Tommy Boy" fans, "Did I hear a 'niner' in there?"

5. "There are nine members of the Fellowship of the Ring in The Lord of the Rings saga, to balance and combat the nine Nazgûl, or Ringwraiths."

4. "In Greek mythology, nine goddesses called the Muses were responsible for inspiring the art of musicians, artists, and writers."

3. "In tarot, card No. 9 is "the Hermit"." I bet I would get this card A LOT.

2. "In Maya mythology, nine levels existed in the underworld. Metnal, the ninth level, was a place of eternal darkness, cold, and suffering." Also known as our time in Chicago.

1. The Hubba has seen DMB play nine times. Five more times than me. The *@%#^$&. Not a quote from Wikepeidia.

Thank you for all these great questions, Brooke! If anyone else wants in on the F.O.B question-making-action (Knitty Yoda, we know you want to...) let me know! Because, seriously, it's helpful! I've got a good one for number six, but, please, feel free to bring it on! And a huge hand for Brooke and all her help! If no one steps up, Smarty Girl, got any ideas for Numero 7? No pressure or anything...