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Spill Guts Here. It's gotta go somewhere, know what I mean? Can you stand it?
purls before swine
Geek Knitting
West Indian Parade
West Indian Parade
Dog/Cat Wrestling
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1.30.2005
Had a delicious crepe dinner with my close friends Ande' and Dany tonight. They're going to Japan in a few months for vacation, and I may join them for a week, if I can swing it. My life is complicated.
Found out from them that an old boyfriend of mine, Jimmy Joe Uliana, had died a few years ago. We lived together for a while in the East Village during the early 80's. Jimmy Joe was one of my real loves, the amount of which I can count on one hand. I had an inexplicable passion for that guy, and it broke my heart when we split up. I still have a handwritten notebook of his nihilist poetry packed away. He left "Les Chants de Maldoror" by Lautréamont at my house {I actually read it, and still have it}. He made me love avocado. Saw him at a party or heard something every few years, we knew the same crowd and remained friendly. Feel sad about it tonight. R.I.P., Jimmy Joe.  Found another.  Me-21 or 22-yes, I made the dress, and still have it. 
Edith to her friends, Miss Head to you.
 1.29.2005
The last of the shop renovation pictures are posted! Still many small things to do, but it's finally a shop. Looking forward to an interesting weekend.
1.28.2005
I have alot of frustrating days in my life, to be sure, but then there are days that are golden, today was one of those. Working on pictures of the sign, it was installed this am!! That was the icing on my cake! Pictures later.. In the meantime, I think this is the best picture I've ever taken, or one of them. It's really clear, and you can see so many layers, it was just one shot. I got lucky, generally not a good photographer.
 That sweater was in the window for one day! It went to someone for her birthday present today. Black merino wool tape yarn, fine gauge, crocheted edges and trim. There is a very modified {reduced} kimono sleeve. This was the prototype for this pattern. I'm making more, it's a series. In mostly all different yarns though, just for variety.
Christo and Jeanne-Claudes' "The Gates" going up in Central Park. I have to see this. I'm in desperate need of looking at beautiful things, my mental sponge is dry.
1.27.2005
Issue #3 of SweetAction just came in. WIll be posting it in the now-sleeping webshop in the next few days or so. GREAT issue.
A clandestine picture of the shop's new sign, still in it's workshop. Scroll down. I think it's beautiful! Getting installed Friday morning! Then I will take a picture of the facade. Then I'll be done.
Architect Philip Johnson has died at 98. Creator of the Lipstick Building here in NYC, he was one of my favs. RIP. 1.25.2005
A clip of the new film "What Is It?" from the deeply weird Crispin Glover. I love him for {attempting to} standardize the parts of society that're way too bizarre for normal public scrutiny. What a freak. Met him at a signing years ago, for his book "Oak-Mot".
Attention Brooklyn Knitters, Crocheters and the Otherwise Thread or Mathematical Visualization or A Combination Thereof Obsessed:
Cabinet Magazine invites you to join us for a very special panel with Cornell's "crocheting mathematicians" Time: Saturday, February 5th, 5 pm Venue: The Kitchen, 512 West 19th St., New York (admission: $5, tickets can be purchased in advance by calling the Kitchen box office at 212-255-5793 ext 11) In conjunction with Margaret Wertheim's contribution to the "Sea" issue, Cabinet has teamed with The Institute for Figuring (Los Angeles) and the Kitchen to co-organize a panel featuring Cornell mathematicians David Henderson and Daina Taimina . Henderson and Taimina will discuss their discovery of crocheted models of hyperbolic space, a geometric form that is found in the crenellation of lettuce leaves, the anatomy of sea slugs, and the shape of the physical cosmos. Build your own paper models of the 'hyperbolic soccer ball' and learn how to crochet your way out of the parallel postulate as math, physics, and feminine handicraft intersect in this one-of-a-kind event. Wertheim, Director of the Institute for Figuring, will moderate. Not to be missed, especially by artists, architects, crochet enthusiasts, or mathematicians! Wertheim's interview is available at http://www.cabinetmagazine.org/events/crocheting.php The creators of the crocheted Lorenz Manifold, {linked to recently on my blog. dec 18th and 19th, 04}! Want to go together, loosely? No extra charge. Email me and I'll organize where to meet. You are responsible for getting your own tickets. staceyatredlipstickdotnet This is an event not to be missed, if you're into this combination of subjects! I'm very excited to go! The shop is also carrying this issue of Cabinet, entitled "Sea".
Installment #2 of awesome Brooklyn Serviceman Tom Ficarra's adventures in Afghanistan:
 Here he is {with infamous BKLYN sticker} with some guys from his motor pool, and some trainee Afghan soldiers. I guess there's not much there to stick it to! Damn. BTW, he mentioned in his email to me that his truck broke down, and he has to walk everywhere. Hey US Gov'mint: FIX THE TRUCK! NOW! I can only imagine how hard it is to function there without one, I mean look at the landscape. It's a desert. Shouldn't the Gov. make sure these guys have *everything* they need to do their job efficiently, right down to basic transportation? Come on! This infuriates me. 1.24.2005
Exploring the wonders of QuickBooks Pro this am, and my head is now ready to explode and forcefully pop out my heavily glazed eyeballs. It's not *all* fun and games, kids! I get to machine knit when this is somewhat under control. That's my idea of discipline. {envision H.E.L.P. M.E. written in chapstick on the monitor, right next to the eyeball splats.This truly is mind-numbing bookkeeping hell}
1.23.2005
Had my barrel of coffee, now headed out to shovel out the shop and studio building. I LOVE THIS. Not sure how much snow we got, but it's alot, and the whole city has come to a beautiful, white standstill. Grabbing some groceries on the way back in later, then going to to do some ACTUAL FUCKING KNITTING. If I remember how!
Pictures of Clean & Frozen Brooklyn later, if anything interesting comes out. 1.22.2005
Three more pictures from 560 Vanderbilt.
1.21.2005
My cable connection at home, where I do most on my online stuff, is on the fritz for an indefinite time, apparently. Logged on using my ancient G3 on a dial-up at the shop. Not liking it!
Finally got phone service at the shop. The secret? Public Service Commission. Have a complaint or problem? Call them. You'll get relief from your telephone woes ASAP. I'm busy pricing things, meeting new neighbors and decompressing by knitting helmets. It's supposed to snow 10 inches tommorrow, my "official" opening day. :-< So hopefully, we'll get a few exquisite Hoyt cookies eaten and some red wine drunk before the shoveling commences, and I close up early. Damn! 1.20.2005
More pictures of the new shop. Scroll down. Many thanks for the good wishes, everyone!
Re-opened yesterday, Finally! There are still many things to be done, but the bulk of it is in the past. I totally love the space, the street, my neighbors, my desk, everything. Started documenting it, just a little, more pics every day for a while as things get done. 560 Vanderbilt before and after pix.
1.16.2005
A new Prospect Heights Blog.
1.15.2005
Slept like a log. I gave myself 4 whole days to focus on aesthetics as opposed to concrete matters. Fucking thrilled! That was one hell of a ride.
Brooklyn Stitch & Bitch Alert: Knit along with the Struck Band at Freddy's Sunday, January 16, 2005 Knitting starts at 8:00, 1 hour before the band plays, and ends at midnight. FREDDY'S BAR 485 Dean Street Brooklyn (Dean + 6 Avenue) (718) 622-7035 For directions and more go to: http://www.freddysbackroom.com There's a small chance I'll make this one, I'm going to try. 1.14.2005
The re-opening of my shop is officially postponed until Wednesday, January 19th. There's just too much still left to do, and I'm extremely tired of feeling too rushed. FINALLY got all the workmen OUT of there tonight, now it's unpacking, pricing, decorating, etc, and I want to take my damned time about it.
I'm utterly losing it today, too much shit to go into.
1.13.2005
Brooklyn is encased in an ultra-thick layer of fog. You can only see about 1/2 a block in front of you before things begin to disappear. It's super moist, but not raining and not too cold. I'm putting on sneakers and walking my errands today, I love this type of weather more than any other kind. I'm spending as much time surrounded by it as I can.
Got alot done last night, thank you Anastacia! Dan and Kalene and making excellent progress on the cutout sign. Thinking about knitting, at least. I'm out of here in 5 minutes. 1.12.2005
Moving the last bits out of the old shop tonight with my generous friend Anastacia and her little car. Today blew. Really badly. AT&T can kiss my big plump behind. Got someone else to install the buzzer Friday am as the contractor thinks it's "no big deal" and is in no rush to fix his Grande' Stupido error of burying the wires in the wall. I'll just stand by the door for 7 hours, you asshat. Who needs a buzzer? Most likely opening with no telephone either, hence no credit cards can be accepted, nice going, AT&T! How about some more bullshit lies? Talking to them is like a nightmare trip into the dark ages insane asylum where the inmates run the show.
I will not ever, ever, ever gut renovate and move in 2 weeks again. My new landlord is helping me, have to say he's come through for me more than once since I got the place. I just had to ask. Learning how to do that, it doesn't come naturally. If I had the time, I'd just wire the fucking thing myself, it's not brain surgery, but electricity scares me, and I need to learn more before I inadvertantly shock myself. Working on the place again tonight to get it into some semblance of a shop before Saturday. Exhausted beyond belief. Knitting you say? Yeah, right. Vaguely remember what that is. Not in a good mood. Also found out yesterday doing touchups that the contractor only used one miserly coat of paint over the primer, like I wouldn't notice. Jerkoff. I don't have time to paint another coat, especially now that everthing has been moved in. *HUGE FUCKING SIGH* and *ANOTHER*. I"M SO DAMNED SICK OF THIS! YES, I MEAN TO YELL! If I could get away with it, I'd punch someone in the face tonight, preferably any AT&T employee. 1.11.2005
Feel really good now, just had the first shower I've had time for since Sunday am. Nice. Took delivery of a silver storage wardrobe early this am, spent time after that packing up the last of it with Sam, then the 2 guys and a giant van moved most everything in 2 hours. The ticket we got for parking {while unloading: total:9 minutes} in the bus stop right in front of the new shop actually cost $5. more than the movers entire total. Cocksucker!
I would like to publicly give enormous, gargantuan thanks to Samantha, AKA the tiny gauge sock knittin' Pastry Elf, who cracks the very gentlest of "Get Packing" whips I've ever felt. No marks! I could not have seen it through without you Sam! Your organizational skills are beyond compare, {and she can whip out the best baked goods as well}! Jumbo Kisses headed your way...Me owe you big-time. {Hope she's not moving anytime soon :->...} First unexpected crisis: Contractor forgot to re-install the buzzer button in the back part of the shop to let people in, so tommorrow he's got to come back and re-open a hole in the new wall, install it, fix the wall, respackle the new mess, then re-paint it. Otherwise, I have no way of letting people in unless I go to the door every time. Whoopsie! {grrrr} Nap for an hour, then back to the new shop to start organizing tonight. This is a hellacious week. Next on the wishlist is a Mac Mini for the new shop. So cute and space efficient! Maybe in a month or two. My old Lombard laptop is still a solid machine, but it's definitely time for an speed upgrade. 1.09.2005
If you're looking for me today, I'm at 5 trade shows in Manhattan. WIll be around again Tuesday, also out of town all day Monday.
1.07.2005
I feel seriously relieved and also happy and excited again. Jose' has finished his work. The shop is...beautiful. The last coat of polyU is drying on the floor tonight. I have one day of dust cleaning, paint touchups, possibly a little silver stenciling, curtain making, etc. but it's all fun from here on out, even the inevitable minor crisis{es}. Vanderbilt is a busy, happening street, I was there all day again, helping/learning about electricity, which was fun, and I met some more local characters. My chandelier is a humongous grey 10 tentacled octopus, {ummm decopus?} it's nothing like the picture. Far more unruly and weird. Stupidly bright. Love it. I didn't see it in person, just a picture, before I bought it, but it's large and bright enough for a ballroom, I shit you not.
I love this neighborhood.
Hopefully, Jose' will finish today, he HAS to. I now have less than a week to move in and set-up, build a dressing room, hang shelving, etc. I am so fucking tired of can-o-worms style renovation stress {you start to repair one thing, and find out you need to repair something else first, then before you can fix the second thing, something else related to it needs changing first, but before you can do that...}. It takes the fun out of it. I'm sick of literally hemorrhaging money money money money money.
ENOUGH! Shit! Let's get this motherfucking show on the god damned road! 1.06.2005
Rough, long and cold day, but much progress made on the reno. I spent all day there working with 4 different sets of workmen{man}. I can start to see the light at the end of the tunnel. It's getting really nice in there: new glass, new gates, paint complete. I could go on for pages, but I'll spare you. Tired. The Truth: renovation costs at least twice as much as the estimate, and always takes longer. There is no deviation from this immutable rule. I half wish I'd photo-documented the process, but I want to block it from my memory as soon as it's done.
1.03.2005
New graphic design direction for the new shop:
 Shop colors have always been pale grey, red, black and white, this is just a cleaner permutation, with the addition of mulberry. Getting giant stickers made at the excellent Sticker Robot for my shiny red bags. Paying double rent now, until Jose' finishes, and I can move the hell out of the old space. The oak floor has been laid down, SIDEWAYS, I love it! Was talked out of a very pale pink stain by Jose', we don't have the time, and he might be correct in assuming I would get tired of it. After a day of pouting, I have to agree. Now, another coat of Iced Cube Silver for the walls, a coat of clear polyurathane on the floor, hang lighting, change locks, install potty and sink, and I can almost move in. Chandelier will have to be installed later in the month, it's taken the scenic route from the California warehouse. I still think it will arrive before the 15th, though. Having a fantastic cutout letter sign in my fav Asswipe font {that's ass-wip-e' to you!} gloss red and matte black being built for the front by designers who live in a loft immediately across the street from the new place. I will attempt to backlight it at night through the top glass. We'll see how this works out, although I'm sure the sign is going to be beautiful in the daytime. It's great to be able to support other very local designers as well. 1.01.2005
Happy New Year 2005! I got an awesome surprise this am when I went to get my mail. Tom Ficarra, the serviceman I met in my shop a few weeks ago visiting home {Brooklyn} from training troops in Afghanistan, sent me an email, with a picture of him and one of the BKLYN stickers he got at the shop! How incredibly cool is this?
 It's the 31st, and he just landed back there to continue his training work, so they can protect their own country. He mentioned in the note that he's cruising around Kabul today, sticking more of them up. Tom, YOU REALLY FUCKING ROCK! |
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