P is for Procrastination

I'd originally written a post for tonight about the melamine poisoning of babies in China. I just can't do it. I'm sick to death of stories like these and nothing ever changes. I deleted it and instead, I'm going to write about my knitting. Or rather, my lack of knitting.

I haven't done too much knitting this week and it's starting to take a toll on me. I use this kind of work as a way to calm myself; sort of like xanax, but soft and wooly and without side effects. I hurt my neck somehow and can barely stand to flex it so looking down at my hands while I knit, hurts. A lot. I have a roving band of knots between my shoulder blades. The knots move from one side of my body to the other. You can see them and, you can feel them by just touching. It feels like the weight of the world is on my shoulders. I've been to the chiropractor for two treatments this week and I'm scheduled to have a one hour massage followed by chiropractic treatment tomorrow. A little ultrasound may help. I bought a water pillow that's pretty fabulous. My neck feels good when lying down with that pillow. It's being upright that hurts. Turning to look at something requires turning my body at the same time I turn my head. Ouch.

My psyche is suffering for lack of a creative outlet. I've started to do an inventory of my knitting projects that I want to finish. Actually, I'm a little appalled at the extent of my failure to finish some of my projects. I know I'm not alone with this affliction. So many knitters have trouble with this that it has its own acronym to explain what these neglected projects are: UFOs. Unfinished objects.

For instance, I need to knit the sleeves of my pink alpaca boucle sweater I started in March. It's so close to being finished but for some reason, I've been struck by inertia where this project is concerned. It's beautiful and so soft. I don't know why I can't just pick up the needles and yarn and cast on the sleeves to finish it. I'm perplexed. I could be wearing this sweater for the 3 Day. Pink is perfect for this event and the evenings are chilly enough to consider taking it with me.

Laurie's mittens are almost done. I have worked on those this weekend-a little at a time and neck pain permitting. This project is OK to do since it's really pretty simple and I don't need to look down at my hands except when on rows where I place the thrums. I'm 20 rows and one thumb away from completion. I'm hoping to finish them sometime tomorrow then ship to Minnesota before it snows. I'd better hurry.

Clapotis made the half way mark toward completion and sits neglected in a heap on my hearth. Why? I haven't a clue. I'm also half way through a pair of lace socks. One done, the other not yet a twinkle in my eye. I have been halfway through with this pair since July 4th weekend. Things aren't looking too good for the second sock and I'm willing to send the only one that's finished to an amputee. Email me if you know someone who could use one very pretty and warm sock. If someone takes me up on that, I promise to graft the toes and send it.

I've purchased the yarn for my daughter's sweater and look at the shopping bag that's next to my chair every day. It's mocking me. Last week, I tried to spark my knitting enthusiasm by stopping by a yarn store. I looked and looked and finally found a yarn that appealed to me. I didn't buy it because once I picked it up, I realized I already owned it and that particular project is sitting in a different bag begging for completion. It's a beautiful sweater that's 60 percent done. The lace repeats are a pain in the ass and I continually lose my spot for lack of paying attention.

This week hasn't been a complete loss though. I'm all caught up on my paperwork for my job. I found my sleeping bag and thermal mattress pad for camping next weekend. Although my sweetie has offered to pick me up at night during the 3 Day so I can sleep in a real bed, I find the event's camp experience so fulfilling, I'm willing to rough it. I haven't come across my headlamp but I hope it shows up soon. I've a few closets to check out so there is hope.

Well, it's late so maybe I'll check those closets tomorrow. While surfing tonight, I came across this great procrastination algorithm. Check it out. It's certain to completely waste at least 10 minutes of your time and take your mind off the problems in our world.