Resolution Reinforcers

So here we are again on Ash Wednesday. Since I’m boring (and awfully sick this week- but mostly boring) I had no plans of partying it up last night. I am, however, continuing the tradition of “no pants lent” which really does need a better name. My friends Molly, Abby, and I did it last year and it was great! I got really lazy about style during the 6 months that we were building the tattoo shop and I’ve never really recovered. I rarely wear makeup, jewelry, or even spend the time to put together outfits I actually like any more. Not that I’m making a case for vanity here. I know that real beauty lies within. I’ve definitely gone too far in the opposite direction though and have been feeling pretty slobby lately- I know it's not a real word but it's really how I feel- slobby. It is true that when you look good you feel good.

SO! No pants lent was a great way to shake me out of my lethargy, for a little while at least, and get me feeling just a little bit better as I patiently (ha!) waited out the end of hell, I mean, winter. I’m looking forward to it again this year. Maybe it will stick a little longer this time before I go back to my slobby ways.

I’m also inspired today by Molly’s “Fat Tuesday Resolutions.” I’m doing well with my New Year’s Resolution which is to strengthen and deepen my meditation practice. I’ve been thinking of some practices I could devise to help support this main one, especially considering my real practice is life and the whole point is to bring meditation to the rest of my day. I went to Catholic school so the familiarity of Lent seems a nice framework for some mini projects.

First off- I know I desperately need to slooooooooooooowwwww dooooooooooowwwnnn! My boyfriend had a talk with me recently about how I, kind of, um, over-commit to stuff and then have a breakdown cause I'm too busy (it’s the Vata in me- but that’s for another post). The next thing I know I have the brochure from the yoga studio open and I’m picking out a bajillion classes that I want to take. My ever-patient, wonderful man gently reminded me about my over-packed schedule and “what we just talked about.” Uh-huh. So I’ll be working on reining in my commitments for this month and a half and hopefully beyond.

Secondly, I need to work on my asana practice, which really means better time management. I’ve been doing great with my meditation but my asana has suffered for it. This goes neatly with my first resolution because since I do my practice before bed I rarely have time for both asana and meditation. If I have fewer commitments that should free up some time and energy for more asana. It will require better weekly planning ahead of time too, and routine is good for me if I can just get it going.

If I can do these things my meditation practice will not only serve to keep me sane, I'll have room to keep it with me throughout my day and help me be more mindful.

So to recap- this Lent, although not fully keeping with the theme of abstention, my self-improvement, resolution reinforcing projects are:

1 No pants- ie. stop being so lazy and feel good
2 Fewer commitments, for my sanity and my boyfriend’s

3 More asana, better routine!

PS. There is an important exception to “no pants” and that is yoga class! Panty shots are NOT appropriate from either teacher or student... although some of the guys in my class may disagree ;)

Baby legs!

Baby legs!

My friend Amanda is pregnant and I overheard her say to someone that what she wanted more than anything was legwarmers for her baby. I knew what I had to do. I went to JoAnnes and found a nice neutral baby yarn (she’s not finding out the sex of her baby), and then signed on to Ravelry. If you’re a knitter/crocheter and haven’t checked this site out then you’re missing out. Their advanced pattern search changed my knitty life!

That being said, there were very few baby legwarmer patterns and none patterns that I felt were quite right for this project. I guess I’m a little ahead of trend on this one- at least that’s what I’d like to think! ;) 

So the day is finally here where I’m winging it: my first project where I’m making up the pattern myself. I’ve been wanting to venture out on my own, but it’s a gift for someone. And I only have a few weeks until the shower, and I have yoga 3 nights a week, and work, and taxes for the shop, and volunteering, and AAAAH!

Not really (thanks, Yoga!). I was wise enough to know how busy I'd be and I decided to keep it simple- and also purchase a gift in case I didn't finish in time! I did ribbed cuffs at top and bottom and a simple stockinette stitch for the main part. The yarn is variegated anyway so it still looks pretty.

One with my hand to show the scale.

Since I was also winging it when it came to the size a simple pattern at first seemed smart. If they fit then I can experiment with some of the new lace or aran stitches that I’ve learned. I have a lot of the yarn left so in a few months when the baby comes I’ll make another, more interesting pair. Or a hat to match instead. 

Why am I here?

It was really difficult to come up with a unifying concept for my blog. My interests are all over the map. How do all these things come together? Am I really that much of a weirdo? Then it hit me. Sama- equal/ balance in Sanskrit is actually tattooed on my arm. It’s a not so gentle reminder to stay even keeled, to stick to my practice and keep my eyes on the prize. Sutra- thread in Sanskrit, here, is the thread of my thoughts, the thread of my knitting, the thread of my practice. All are continuous yet mutable over time. SS are my initials too, and I have to admit- I liked the “Kama Sutra” pun!

My idea for this blog was to have a space to collect ideas of what’s inspiring me at the moment. It’s also a place to vent my struggles and triumphs. I find that the act of writing something down helps give me perspective. It forces me to organize and evaluate my thoughts. It forces me to really look at who I want to be and who I’m actually being. The written word has a finality to it, if only for that moment in time. That’s the place I was that particular day and how I felt at that time. Of course ideas change and mature, but it’s nice to be able to look back on the journey that got you to that new place.

I’m at the amazing point in my life where it’s really coming together and I finally am solidly on my path. My real journey is finally beginning. I don’t miss the unsure searching of my twenties. I think the 30’s are really where life begins- at least for me. It seems a worthy thing to document, if only so that I can really remember where I came from and see where I’ve gone. On my length of string stretching into the past, I can leave the parts of myself that I’ve outgrown along the way, update those things with new perspective, be inspired by the journey.

Life is pretty rad. :)