Five Very Random Things

1--Fellini. I'm finally watching 8 1/2 on the 4 day plan (30 to 45 minutes a night). I've only seen two other Fellini films (La Dolce Vita and one of my all-time fave movies, Nights of Cabiria) but I'm always struck by his ability to find beauty in the smallest details. For example, there's a scene (in 8 1/2) where a group of boys escape their Catholic school. They run through the dusty streets to the seashore, where a prostitute plies her trade in some bunkers (left from WWII?). The boys scrape together their lire and give it to her so she will dance a rhumba for them. The woman is amazing...she's big and curvy, slathered with the crazy makeup that seems to be typical in these movies. The boys pile on the sand, gleefully hooting and clapping their hands. There's one shot that sticks in my head where Fellini focuses in tight on her round, undulating hip, the ocean waves in the distance. She's so full of life and beauty. Ugh! I can't explain the feeling that this scene gives me but it makes me feel good to be human.

2--Clothing. Right now, I am wearing and digging a grey cashmere cardigan that I thrifted this week. Lately, I've been augmenting my fairly small wardrobe (well, it's small when compared to the typical American wardrobe) and wheeee! It's fun! I SPLURGED and purchased this Supermaggie hoodie but it was so very worth it. They were very sweet to deal with; they wrapped everything so nicely and handwrote a lovely thank you card with a sketch of a chickadee on it. Now that's what I call service. Sure, I could have spent half the price at ye olde Big Box but I feel ok giving more money to cool kids who are trying to do something creative.

3--Muffaletta Mix. I made a bucketful of mix last night. I hope it's good as I kinda feel like I put in too much of the giardiniera. Well, that can be doctored with more olives. C'mon over y'all, I promise we'll have enough for you!

4--Camera. I wish I could figure it out. I just don't have enough time to work with it and I end up taking really cool photos that look fine on its big, beautiful LED but then I download it and they are all fuzzy. Sigh. That's the trouble with liking to take photos with natural light. Oh, and I definitely realize this photo is waaaaaaay dark. I really need to get a real monitor instead of trying to do this on ol' lappletop's little screen. I'll fix it later today (hopefully).

5--Knitting, knitting. There better be a bunch of it this weekend. I was working on the gloves this week and got to the lacy bit. Small problem: every time I hit row 5, I'm a stitch short. This has happened 3 times now. I drew it all out on paper because I thought, "hmmm, maybe the pattern is wrong?" Nope. It works when I draw little hashmarks on paper. Try, try, try again (and again and again). Bunny is sloooooowly progressing. I think I've figured out an ear pattern that I can live with. But then it will be on to the assembling and embroidering, which is always hard for me on knitted pieces (or any piece of material, for that matter!).

Fellini followed by clothes? Well, I did say this list was going to be random. I apologize for it not being one of my better posts. Perhaps I should have just made it a list of 'one' (Fellini). Anyhoo...

Our friend, Justin, will be in town this weekend. And a fun time will be had by all, I guarantee it. Hope you have a splendid weekend too, where ever you may be.