I came across a speed-typing test link here and had to try it out. I guess that typing course in high school and the piano training came in handy (for more than playing piano) after all! Mind you, this score was for my second attempt, and I have a feeling the algorithm is more generous than what they used in high school (which was to exclude any characters/words typed after your third incorrect word).
107 words
Do people still learn to type first on typewriters, or do they start on computers right away?
Thursday, March 6, 2008
Monday, March 3, 2008
In which knitting is seen
Somehow, through a complete fluke, I managed to get myself, the camera, and some knitting projects together and take photos. I even uploaded them, so unless the tabby reboots the computer in the next few minutes I'll be able to show what I've been knitting instead of just yapping about it.
1) The Pacific Northwest Shawl
Yarn: 2 skeins (I think) of Misti Alpaca laceweight
I probably should have used larger needles for the I-cord edging, because the top of the shawl is really tight. The nitpicky side of me wants to go back and fix this, but the rest of me just wants to knit something else, so it will probably stay unchanged. I should probably block this and do something about the ends at some point.
2) Embossed Leaves socks
Yarn: Claudia Hand Painted in the Moss colourway.
So. Freaking. Fun. To knit. Everyone should make a pair.
3) Anastasia socks
Yarn: Claudia Hand Painted in Ingrid's Blues
The pattern is cute, easy to remember (in theory) and, as the designer says, visible even with variegated yarn. The execution, on the other hand...well, I never thought that [(yo,ssk) twice] could kick me around me so thoroughly. But the knitting is done and all I have to do now is weave in the ends.
4) German Stocking(s)
A close-up of the cables
Yarn: Trekking XXL
Again, the pattern is fun, but I hope the cuff doesn't end up being too big. I knitted it with 2.5 mm needles but realized my gauge was too loose in the leg so I switched to 2.25 mm needles and kept the original cuff, thinking that it looked all right. I guess if it is too loose I could thread some elastic through the top or something.
Knitting this on the bus, etc., has felt a bit weirder than usual. The pattern required a lot of leg measurements, so in a way my lower legs and their statistics are getting more public exposure (and in salmon hues!) than I normally like. If I ever decide to knit something thigh-high, it will probably never leave home until it's finished.
1) The Pacific Northwest Shawl
Yarn: 2 skeins (I think) of Misti Alpaca laceweight
I probably should have used larger needles for the I-cord edging, because the top of the shawl is really tight. The nitpicky side of me wants to go back and fix this, but the rest of me just wants to knit something else, so it will probably stay unchanged. I should probably block this and do something about the ends at some point.
2) Embossed Leaves socks
Yarn: Claudia Hand Painted in the Moss colourway.
So. Freaking. Fun. To knit. Everyone should make a pair.
3) Anastasia socks
Yarn: Claudia Hand Painted in Ingrid's Blues
The pattern is cute, easy to remember (in theory) and, as the designer says, visible even with variegated yarn. The execution, on the other hand...well, I never thought that [(yo,ssk) twice] could kick me around me so thoroughly. But the knitting is done and all I have to do now is weave in the ends.
4) German Stocking(s)
A close-up of the cables
Yarn: Trekking XXL
Again, the pattern is fun, but I hope the cuff doesn't end up being too big. I knitted it with 2.5 mm needles but realized my gauge was too loose in the leg so I switched to 2.25 mm needles and kept the original cuff, thinking that it looked all right. I guess if it is too loose I could thread some elastic through the top or something.
Knitting this on the bus, etc., has felt a bit weirder than usual. The pattern required a lot of leg measurements, so in a way my lower legs and their statistics are getting more public exposure (and in salmon hues!) than I normally like. If I ever decide to knit something thigh-high, it will probably never leave home until it's finished.
Saturday, March 1, 2008
Sunshine and snow
We went snowshoeing on Mt. Rainier on Thursday. Ever since we arrived in Seattle we haven't been able to overcome our awe at the...thing...looming south of the city and dominating the skyline on a clear day. We were lucky to have sun all day long, even though we got a bit burned because we forgot to bring sunscreen.
We walked around the Nisqually Vista trail in the morning and tried hiking up to Alta Vista (I'm not sure of the altitude but it's probably around 6000' - 6200') after lunch. I think we made it about 3/4 of the way but had to come back down at the point because we ran out of time.
Neighbouring mountains seen from the road up to Paradise.
Me on Nisqually Vista (around 5,500 feet high) with the peak (14,000 feet!) in the background. There was a glacier visible under the snow but I don't think it's clear in the photo.
Going up to Alta Vista. We saw people hiking in boots! I know it's possible, but given the trouble I had on flat snow in my own hiking boots I was glad to have the snowshoes.
Another view of neighbouring mountains, seen from near Alta Vista.
Top of Mt Rainier from near Alta Vista. I think the little cloud at the tip spent several hours rolling gently over the peak. You could see the back end compress and the front end hug the ground.
We walked around the Nisqually Vista trail in the morning and tried hiking up to Alta Vista (I'm not sure of the altitude but it's probably around 6000' - 6200') after lunch. I think we made it about 3/4 of the way but had to come back down at the point because we ran out of time.
Neighbouring mountains seen from the road up to Paradise.
Me on Nisqually Vista (around 5,500 feet high) with the peak (14,000 feet!) in the background. There was a glacier visible under the snow but I don't think it's clear in the photo.
Going up to Alta Vista. We saw people hiking in boots! I know it's possible, but given the trouble I had on flat snow in my own hiking boots I was glad to have the snowshoes.
Another view of neighbouring mountains, seen from near Alta Vista.
Top of Mt Rainier from near Alta Vista. I think the little cloud at the tip spent several hours rolling gently over the peak. You could see the back end compress and the front end hug the ground.
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