Concateknit

Where in the World is Concateknit?

Or, thank God my admin makes me travel folders or I would never know where I was supposed to be, especially this month.

Evidence:

1/30 - 2/1: Clearwater Beach, FL

2/3 - 2/8: Chicago, IL

2/8 - 2/9: Las Vegas, NV

2/13 - 2/14: Costa Mesa, CA

2/21 - 2/24: Scottsdale, AZ

2/28 - 3/1: Washington, DC

(Please note, I'm only recapping the last two days of January, the month of February, and the first day of March. March is slightly less scary than February, but is still heavy with the FLYING AND OMG WHERE IS MY DRIVERS LICENSE AND ALSO MY AMEX?)

The one thing (okay, TWO things) I will say about this schedule are:

1) Clearwater Beach, FL is easily one of my most favorite places that I get to visit for work.

This is the view from the balcony of my room at the Marriott Suites - Sandkey, taken at 11am on my first full day in Florida.

This is the view from the deck of the restaurant where my co-worker and I had lunch on Tuesday. We ate here two years ago as well, and it was just as awesome. I even got a little sun on my shoulders (BECAUSE IT WAS WARM ENOUGH FOR ME TO WEAR A TOP WITH SPAGHETTI STRAPS - IN JANUARY).

This is the view from my balcony at sunrise yesterday morning, February 1. I was sitting at my desk working when I looked over my shoulder and realized the sun was rising, and gloriously so. These are the moments where I am keenly aware of how blessed I am to have the job I do, and the opportunities to witness these types of moments because of that job.

2) Although I've been home for less than 24 hours, and even though I'll be leaving for Chicago in about 13 hours, I am, at least, going to Chicago for some PTO. Of course, I have conference calls every day, but I'll be taking them in Chicago, so we're just going to call it a win.

GO PATRIOTS!

National Elisa Thinks Conference Travel is Not as Fun as You Think

Here are some truths about conference travel:

1. You are often teased with the locations for your conference travel. Last year I went to a conference that was advertised as being in Washington, DC, and I love Washington DC. Unfortunately, the conference was actually being held National Harbor, about 10 miles outside of Washington, DC, which means that I only ever got to wave at DC on my way to and from the airport.
2. When you aren't teased with the location for your conference, you often don't really get time to enjoy the city you're in. The first time I went to Las Vegas since I was in my early 20s, I was staying at the conference hotel - Caesar's Palace - and I didn't actually leave the hotel for over two days.
3. You may be in a great location, and you may actually get time to enjoy the city, but you have to remember you're travelling with people from work, so you will a) likely have to spend time with your work people and b) do things, like go to dueling piano bars, with these work people because NOT going to the dueling piano bars will get you accused of not being a team player and maybe when you said "But I don't want to go to a dueling piano bar" the response you received was "That was maybe the whiniest voice I've ever heard you use" and so then you had to go to the dueling piano bar in order to prove that you a) were a team player and b) were not whiny.
4. You may be in a great location, you may get time to enjoy that location, and maybe you really actually like the people you're traveling with and no one, not ever, not once suggests that you go to a dueling piano bar because they all know that you have Feelings about such things, and they would prefer that you be happy and not whiny. Unfortunately, you still have your real job to do, and you have to use a goodly amount of that "free" time to get it done. The emails keep coming, the phone keeps ringing, the fires keep burning, and everyone needs all the same stuff from you that they would need if you were in the office, except that now they REALLY need it yesterday and OMG, the sky is falling!
5. Should you find yourself with a great location, time to enjoy it, people you like, and a job well done, it is possible - LIKELY, even, that you will have too much fun and end up having to pay for it the next day when the sky starts falling again and all of a sudden you have too many things to do, have to talk to eleventy millilon strangers, and stand on your feet in uncomfortable shoes while trying not to think about the number of Irish Car Bombs you had last night that seemed like Such A Good Idea at 1am.

Here are some strategies I've developed for dealing with the truths of conference travel:

1. Research your location. If you're going to Schaumburg, IL (I will be going to Schaumburg, IL), resign yourself to the fact that you are NOT going to Chicago. You will likely not get into Chicago for the entire trip and you need to make peace with the fact before you get on the plane.
2. Look at the conference schedule. Are there breaks during the day or do you have to be on the tradeshow floor from open to close? Are there receptions or dinners that you need to attend? If there are, make peace with the fact that you are there for work, and work is not all about fun. Work is about work. And sometimes fun. But mostly work. And then more work. WITHOUT END.
3. Think about who you're traveling with. The people I'm traveling with absolutely influence the experience I will have. Sometimes I travel and get to go to the gym every day and get lots and lots of sleep. Sometimes, however, I end up staying out late (and having to take responsibility for being the creator of the terrible "travel pub crawl" where we pub crawl in every city, which isn't awful, except when we're in Las Vegas and I wake up with bruises that make me look like someone kicked my ass) and I wake up swearing I will never, ever pub crawl again. Until I do. The next time. Irish Car Bombs are so often a good idea that goes terribly, terribly wrong.
4. Remember that you are working and that you have a job to do first and foremost. Also, remember that you are a 37 year old growed-ass woman who rarely stays up later than 10pm when you're at home, and educate people that when you say that you're going to turn into a pumpkin at midnight, you probably mean it. (I mean it. There's no stopping the Elisa Pumpkin Train when it gets going.)
5. Be grateful that you have a job that allows you to travel, and see interesting places, even if you don't get to experience them, because you are working and are NOT on vacation. I complain about travel at times, but I am glad to be able to do it.

Speaking of conference travel, this post is brought to you courtesty of a wi-fi hotspot at LAX (HATE YOU LA). I'll be home for about 40 hours between this trip to San Diego and next week's trip to Phoenix, LA, and then RHINEBECK!

 

 

National Elisa Thinks There Are Worse Places to go Than San Diego

Or, hello, I will be travelling a lot this month.

Boy, oh boy, will I EVER be travelling a lot this month. It never fails that the Universe conspires to kick me in the ass every time I decide to commit to a NETSM. This year, though, rather than shake my tiny little fists at the Universe in rage, I will just try and go with it. I mean, we'll see how that works out for me, but that's my plan for now - going with it.

In the first installment of "Where in the world is Concateknit" I'll be travelling to San Diego for work. I'm going to be working a booth for my parent company, and although I've worked for my organization for four years now (how did that happen?) I am suddenly nervous that I do not know enough about my parent company. So I brought parent company type homework with me in an effort to alleviate my "I don't know enough about my parent company and I don't want to look like an idiot in front of Important Work Type People" nerves.

Because OH HAI, I am always the same worried and nervous person, even when I move across country and change industries completely (no, that shouldn't be surprising, but YES, it was surprising to me when I realized it). I have never claimed common sense as one of my charms.

For tonight, though, I'm packed appropriately for both the conference and the San Diego weather (it will be chilly because not every spot in California is 80 degrees and sunny every day), I've written my note (and check) for the dog sitter (we all LOVE Heather), I've got my knitting planned (three projects for two and a half days is reasonable, right?), I've got my books planned (Game of Thrones, anyone?) and I plan to shut down my computer after I post this and spend some quality time cuddling with my doggies, who may very well think that Heather is their new "That Lady" by the end of the month, considering how much I'll be gone.

Talk to you again soon from San Diego!

Welcome to National Elisa Thinks Stuff Month, Version 2.0

Oh hi!

Some years ago, I decided that since every organization, person, or idea seemed to get their own special day and/or month, I should have one too. I've dedicated my month to all the weird things I think, and to all the reasons that the world would run better if I was the boss of everything.

I used to do my public thinking of things in February, since that's the shortest month of the year, and therefore requires the fewest number of posts, however I was in absolutely no shape to share any of the things I was thinking with you this past February.  So here we are, tomorrow is my birthday, and October will be my new month of thinking things. Since I plan to totally kick 37's ass, I figured the timing is right for getting back to blogging and getting back in touch with myself (and you all).

This month, we'll think about the usual things - flogic, my weird dogs, and why I will never support black and brown being worn at the same time, but we'll also be thinking about new things, like how I've developed even more complicated feelings about bananas, and how I'm very concerned that my hair will get too long and I will start to look weird.

So, y'know, it'll be pretty much just like always, with some new crazy thrown in for Super Fun Times.

I hope you'll check back with me throughout the month, and I hope you'll share your own special brand of crazy with me. Should be fun.

Also? I'm in South Lake Tahoe for the weekend with Kim and my friend Amy and my three goofy dogs, and it is Good. We're going to dinner tonight, and later we have a date with some fancy cheese, some hot salami (minds out of the gutter, people) and some sexy gluten free crackers. If we get really adventurous, we may throw a little honey in the mix. Who knows? We're very dangerous.

Photo taken by Kim. Dezi and Zorro helping me blog from our sweet little cabin in the woods.

  

Winners and Little Dogs

This Saturday will mark four weeks since I had my orientation training at Animal Rescue of Fresno. On the day I did my orientation, I found out that Lady was back at the shelter from foster care, and I spent the next week unable to get her out of my mind. I know that it isn't the right time for us to bring in a third dog, but it doesn't stop my heart from breaking a little bit every time I think about Lady Dog.

Even though I couldn't bring Lady Dog home,I could do for her what knitters do - I could knit. On the way home from orientation, I stopped at Swatches, the LYS that is less than a mile from my house and I picked up two skeins of Cascade 220 Superwash plus the Fiber Trends "Dandy Dog Coat" pattern.

May I present to you, Lady's Mock Cable Sweater, modeled by none other than Lady Dog herself:

Please to note that my tiny old lady was very, very happy that the sun was out last Saturday.

This is actually the second sweater I knit for her. The first was too big. It was an extra small, but with her teeny tiny birdy legs, she was able to step out of the sweater.

I can't tell you how happy I am to be volunteering at ARF. Every Saturday morning I wake up, take the puppers for a walk and then go to ARF where I scoop dog poop, clean out kennels (while the puppers are frolicking in their yards), play with puppers, do dishes, do laundry, play fetch, give pets, and generally find another dog to fall madly in love with. I usually end up dirty, stinky, and happy beyond reason that I've just gotten a chance to hang out with such great dogs and great people. What a great way to start the new year!

And I am also very excited to announce the winners (I couldn't pick just one) of my little end of the year contest - Claudia and Brenda! I'll be emailing you both shortly for your snail mail addresses so that I can send your prizes!

Thank you to everyone who entered the contest - it was fitting to end one year and begin another by thinking about charity.

Thank You

Well, your jokes must have included some good wishes because it has been an exciting week here at Casa Concateknit.

The long weekend started pretty crappily, as you know, but quickly took an upturn. Saturday morning, we went to look at some houses with our friends Sue and Randy (whose opinions we value very highly, especially when it comes to big-time grown up decisions) and we fell in love with one particular house. Saturday evening we went to a great dinner at Five in Fresno with friends to pre-celebrate Mike's 40th birthday and our friend A's 38th.

On Monday, we submitted an offer on the house we loved.

Yesterday we received their counter offer, with very minor counters.

This morning we meet with our loan officer and sign off on the counter offer, and then this afternoon we are heading off to San Francisco for a week's vacation with the doggers to celebrate Mike's 40th birthday, which is this Saturday. We have friends coming into SF to spend the weekend with us at the flat we've rented, and the temperatures, which are supposed to be in the mid- to upper-60s will be a lovely relief from the 100+ degree temperatures we've had in Fresno this week. I might even get to knit and spin a bit.

And right now? Well, right now I am sitting on my couch with Allie asleep on my lap and Zorro asleep cuddled next to me. I'm enjoying a cup of coffee before I start packing and getting ready for the day, and my house is clean, and I'm looking forward to the first real vacation I've had since Mike and I were married in 2006.  Good times, people. Good times.

Camping is Just Playing for Grown-Ups

When I was a kid, playing equaled action: being outdoors, building forts, choreographing dance routines for myself and all the neighborhood kids, trying to make perfume from the flowers in the backyard, playing Chinese jump rope for hours upon hours, making and beating the neighborhood record for most consecutive jumps on a pogo stick without stepping off, digging holes to China. Playing meant doing something, anything, all day long, and being rewarded at the end of the day with a good night's sleep and a sense of accomplishment. I loved to play and by the end of each school day or school week I would be eager, yearning for the time when I would get outdoors and get to the serious business of playing.

 

That's how I feel about camping, too. From the moment I start to plan, to the moment I pick the best spot for my tent, I am playing. Granted, my playing often involves less action than it did when I was a child, but still - it's play. Cooking becomes play, cleaning becomes play, going to the bathroom even becomes play (hey - anytime I get to wear a headlamp = playing), all the things that are chores at home become play when I'm camping. And so really, who wouldn't want that?

 

This is all to say that the camping trip was fine, and the dogs added an element of fun to the trip that I really couldn't have imagined. They were excellent companions and terrific campers.

 

We ate well:

We explored the campgrounds and none of us could get enough walking. We walked, we explored, we talked to people (well, I talked to people. Ambassador Zorro just softened them up for me first, with his cute tail wagging and wiggle butting), we hung out, we napped, and then we walked some more. The dogs were truly excellent little travelers, and I'm so excited for the summer now that I know that we can go for trips, go camping, explore this ridiculously beautiful state together. I've already decided on our next two camping trips and a summer vacation that we'll take to celebrate a milestone birthday for Mike. I can't wait.

I feel like a kid again. All I want to do is play.

 

And We're Off!

The dog's stuff is all packed, the kitchen stuff is packed, my clothes are packed, and we'll be hitting the road in just about an hour. The weather looks to be just about perfect, and I am absolutely ready to get this vacation started!

I hope that you have a great weekend, and I'll talk to you soon!

Arrived

Thank you all *so* much for your well wishes. I was totally blown away when I checked my email and saw all of the wonderful comments and support you left me. From the bottom of my heart...thank you.

The meeting with my mom was brief and went well. I will say this for her -- she looks damn good for 52. She called me today while I was in Denver (having a beer for breakfast thankyouverymuch) to tell me how much she had enjoyed seeing me. So...there. I think I'm still processing the meeting and the conversation. At least she didn't tell me that I was fat (which to be honest, I was expecting her to say).

Now I'm in Iowa and let me tell you it is very cold. I do see the irony in the fact that we moved to California in order to get away from these kinds of temperatures. And the snow! The snow is EVERYWHERE and there is a LOT of it. Ah well, I will deal.

I'm staying at the Fort Des Moines Hotel, if you're interested in knowing, and well. It's a nice enough hotel, but the lobby is much, much nicer than the rooms themselves. However, I have a suite (!?!?!) with a little kitchenette, which always makes me happy because if I have leftovers, they don't have to go to waste.

Tonight I'll be having dinner at the Raccoon River Brewing Company, and I'm really looking forward to trying out a couple of local micro brews.  Their Maytag Blue Cheese  salad sounds pretty good to me, too.

I've already used the hotel gym, and now I'm going to take a wee nap before heading out to dinner in a little while. Tomorrow I'll work out, have a quick breakfast and then head out to Knoxville, IA, to see my dad. I've moved past the dread and am looking forward to seeing him. I may also get to see my favorite cousin on this side of the family, and the thought of getting to spend some quality time with him really lifts my spirits.

With love from Iowa,
Elisa

Keep Your Fingers Crossed For Me...

I'm seeing my mom (briefly) this evening and I fly out to Iowa tomorrow morning (at the asscrack of early, to boot).

Please keep your fingers crossed for me for:

• An easy, brief, and relatively pain free meeting with my mother tonight
• A not too complicated flight (Fresno - Denver; Denver - Des Moines)
• A clean hotel room
• A good hotel gym
• A non-creepy hotel restaurant/lounge

But most of all, please keep your fingers crossed that my dad is in better health and that my visit with him is healing for both of us.

Also, please keep your fingers crossed that I don't cry this weekend. I really don't want to cry, and I'm maintaining my sanity right now by about *thismuch*. Which is to say, not much at all.