You've Got Questions, Well I've Got Answers

Question of the Week #8
What is your favorite supper for a hot summer evening?

My Paster cooks the best BBQ Chicken Drumettes and warm potato salad. The meat is so tender it falls off the bone. She told me the recipe once, but she said it so fast I knew she didn't want me to remember it. No need to. It gives me a reason to call her and beg.

Question of the Week #7
What is(are) your favorite place(s) to knit? and
What supplies (besides yarn & needles) make the setting perfect for knitting?

In the corner of my sectional couch. I'ts nice and cozy there. I must have my tape measure, crochet hooks, and scissors close by as well as something cool (preferably water) to drink.

Question of the Week #6
What is your favorite type of project to take along on holiday/vacation?
If you’d like to share a story…Tell us about a time that you packed too much knitting or were stranded without knitting.

I like to pack whatever I'm currently working on. I really like to finish projects. I don't recall ever packing too much knitting although I sure do hate sitting through those boring work meetings without my knitting.

Question of the Week #5
1) Where is your favorite place to go for vacation/holiday?
2) Where is one place you’d like to go?

I just like getting on planes and landing in a different spot. A plane could take me 10 miles and I would probably pack for a week and be extra excited. With that said, I love New York.

I would really like to go to Turks & Caicos or tour Africa or Europe for a month.

There you have it! Current again.

Kamika Divulged

It Just Don't Make No Sense

It takes a whole lot of energy to over manage a project. I'm serious! Ridiculous amounts of energy! I have seen some people micro-manage. Seen them mis-manage. Hell, I know we've all had our fair share of total lack of management. At work. But damn! I never thought anyone could over manage a project. I mean over manage to the point of confusing themselves in the process of trying to remember how to explain to others the who, what, when, where, and why of a project that they only briefly looked at for less than 5 minutes while blindfolded, hanging upside down, with their right thumb in their mouth, and their left hand tied tightly behind their back with dental floss. One sock on and a Birkenstock or is that a Jimmy Choo? Over manage to the point that a simple mail merge becomes all out guerilla warfare dividing the north from the south, of a single department of 4 people (mind you!), Noriega style. The project is still seven months past due and we still didn't get it done today. It's a mail merge!!

Nope! I aint' ever seen it. I hope I never see it again. I betcha I betta not! Thank God, I'm not a betting woman. As my Daddy would say, "If betting was my ho card, I would have put my nightgown on!" I sit here fully dressed in the clothing of the day...

They angered me so today that I had to go out to my car and pray that God forgive me for my pride and my desire for a pistol. Chocolate pistol that is. Milk chocolate. I try not to be violent. I TRY! Lauryn said, "It could all be so simple, but you'd rather make it hard." Alas, workplace theatre. Public Access TV of course...

Well since I'm venting. I ordered these really great cookies from this spot. I think I placed the order on Wednesday. Why the folks just now getting around to mailing my stuff today? Must be that HAT time. Hawaiian Aloha Time cousin to Colored People's Time. Why did they call me on today and tell me they were missing a digit in my zipcode. Naw! Computer's can't be scarce in Hawaii. How else did they get my order? Mapquest anybody? Google maybe? HmmH?

So as not to drag you all down any further. I have been making great progress on the knitting front. I'm half way done with the back of my Ribbed Top by Vladimir Teriokhin from Vogue Knitting Spring/Summer 2008. I'm knitting it up in Malabrigo Silky Merino. Take a look.

I also got some really great Louet Kidlin for Stardust by Tourit Wilroy from Knitty Winter 2007 (?). I was at one of my favorite LYS, The Knitter's Studio, for their summer sale and couldn't stop admiring Litle Owl's sample they had displayed. It was in this great hue of green. She has an excellent post on collar alterations for it if you decide to do this project. The Kidlin is an excellent yarn choice for this project as it is very soft, silky, and as a mohair blended with linen it doesn't have as much loft as a pure mohair would which makes it less fuzzy. Plus the light really catches this yarn at every angle making it more dimensional.

I'm now off to pack up my SP12 gifts. I may post pics here as I seem to always get the partner that is not loquacious, or did I mean non-responsive, or distracted, or forgets to post pics of their swag on their blog. The luck of the draw I guess.

I know the title of this post is a double negative. It must be all that The Boondocks I've been watching. I got to take LB to a pool party tomorrow. I hope she has a ball and falls asleep on the way home. Now she's loquacious.

Kamika The War Torn

Playing Catch Up

I haven't been a really good Secret Pal Twelver. I haven't posted any of the weekly questions. I would blame it on my move but that would only be partially true. I just haven't been very responsive. So here's the catch up:

Question #1: What is your favorite summertime drink??

A: Water

Question #2: As a kid, what did you look forward to most about summer
vacation/break/holiday?

A: Not having to get up at the crack of dawn.

Question #3: What would you consider the perfect amount of stash?

A: This is rather arbitrary because I'm so averse to a stach. But no more than enough yarn to finish 3 projects at a time.

Question #4: 1) What yarn (that you don’t have/haven’t used) would make your stash “complete”? 2) What yarn do you never want to be without?

A: 1) Bamboo or cashmere. Any Malabrigo or Blue Skys Alpaca in worsted weights.


Kamika I now be caught upper (not to Heaven yet but that's coming)

Verizon's Got It Out For Me!

Hi All! I've been away due to my move and the fact that I still don't have Internet service at my new place yet. Damn! Damn! Damn!Verizon!! I'm going stir crazy. Because of the filters at work I can't blog there either. Be of good cheer though. I have been lurking on Ravelry and viewing blogs via caching on Google. Caching is an option on Google where you can see a sort of screen print of a site without all the pictures and hyperlinks. Unfortunately I can't comment. I'm posting tonight via DM's computer. It's so lacking in functionality.

I plan to be back in the swing of things by the middle of this week. I can't wait to be back in the land of the living (well I'm always living but you know). I am enjoying the peace, quiet, and solitude though. I feel all rested and stuff...

Miss you much,

Kamika the emancipated & proclaimated

A FO, A Bed, & Some Hope

In Reverse order.

The Hope:

I'm counting down! Five more days until I'm emancipated from my life of serfdom at The Motel. I can't wait! I've been itching to buy all kinds of stuff to get ready for this move. I've already scheduled a day off, ordered the utilities, and assembled the move crew. I even bought a brand new high tech shower head. DM is a little surly about it but she'll get over it. LB and ST have moved back in as well as The Guest, Jeeves, and The Nut so she'll have plenty of company.

The Bed:

Yesterday I went out and bought a brand new bed! It's so FIYAH. I got it from Z Gallerie le outlet instead of the retail store and I'm so happy I did. I got it for 70% off and it's still in their current catalogue. Can you believe it?

This is my bed, called the Leslie Bed in Chocolate Passion Micro-Suede. The entire bed cost me $325 with tax. On the website it's going for $1,083 with tax and NOT including the shipping of $135. In total I saved a whopping $893. I just can't help but to pat myself on the back.

and lastly...

The FO: Reverse Halter

Forgive the "Front" pic. I have a serious issue with letting my niece's cleavage and belly be exposed and she didn't have time to put on a tank top before work. I believe in modesty, plus my niece didn't wear the collar up. Better pictures to come. Since this is a gift for my cousin Stacey, I'll try to catch her wearing it.

Time: June 2008, About a 2 weeks due to figuring out mods

Yarn: Vanna's Choice Worsted Weight Yarn, 4 balls in rust

Needles/Hook: J

Modifications: Instead of using Paton's Pooch as pattern calls for I used small wooden rings (about 72) from the jewelry making section of Michael's. Knitaholictoo suggested wooden beads. Thanks for the inspiration girl!

Kamika on the move

Tagged Again!

I was tagged by the lovely Shanta at Life As I know. Stop by and check her out.

Now here I go...

"The rules of the game get posted at the beginning. Each player answers the questions about themself. At the end of the post, the player then tags 5 0r 6 people and posts their names, then goes to their blog and leaves a comment letting them know they've been tagged and asking them to read your blog. Let the person who tagged you know when you've posted your answer."Sounds easy enough. Enjoy the trip...

1. What was I doing 10 years ago?
I can hardly remember. So much was going on then. I had just been laid off for the second time in about 2 years but this time it wasn't as easy. I was worried about my income and having a place to live. I was starting my Graphics business and trying to be young, fabulous, and rich. I was hoping I would never have to go back to work for someone else ever again.

2. What are five things on my to do list for today?
a. Go and fill eyeglass prescription
b. Take shoes to the shop for repair
c. Get toes done.
d. Buy yarn at Compatto
e. Finish watching Heroes on Hulu.com

3. Snacks I enjoy...
Sugar! Just pure dee sugar.

4.Things I would do if I were a billionaire...
*Bring God 10% for tithes and a minimum of another 10% for offering.

*Pay off my Parent's bills.

*Pay off my Pastor's bills.

...oh yeah and my bills too!

*Setup a foundation for the homeless

*Setup an arts endowment for inner city kids. We need art back in the schools

*Open a yarn store.

*Travel

*Stop working and finish my degree

5. Places I have lived...
*Only in Southern Cali

6. What jobs have I had...
*Receptionist for WIC office

*Order Taker for Pizza Hut

*Telemarketer

*Site Director for non-profit

*Membership Director for non-profit

*Office Mgr for a health plan

*Training Coordinator for health plan

*Claims auditor for health plan

*Sr. Specialist for a health plan

*Consultant

*Entrepreneur

*Sr. Admin for large bank

*Admin for real estate firm

*Asst. Mgr for real estate firm

*Manager for real estate firm

*Temp

*Contract Negotiator for health plan.

7. Peeps I want to know more about...
If you're reading this, consider yourself tagged.

Kamika the it

Ah Hah! Say No To Head Buzz

Just recently I did a quick review of Miss Jessie's Baby Buttercream after shouting, "Wait a Minute Mr. Postman!" In that post I praised the results I got from the product and how much I liked it. At the end I did mention one Caveat - I kept feeling slightly light-headed.

Light-headed. Let's explore this sensation for a moment. Walk with me...

Light-headness - a common and often unpleasant sensation of dizziness and/or feeling that one may be about to faint...feeling as though his or her head is weightless. Wikipedia.

After applying the Baby Buttercreme this is how I felt but without the fainting spell. I constantly felt like I was withdrawing from caffeine. You know, that slightly buzzy feeling? Not a tingle ladies. A warm but bearable buzz. But that's just the tip of it. The skin on my forehead started to become inflamed. I also started noticing breakage and more shedding just from touching my locks. A small patch of my hair in the nape area is missing. Yep, just vanished! I know the trees were there because I have pictures and because there is STUBBLE!!! Stubble can only mean breakage. Breakage in an area that I touch a lot (at times I have recurring Hand-In-Fro disease. It's terminal). I haven't had breakage like this since I gave up the relaxer 3 years ago. Now mind you, my hair looked fabulous but at what cost? I had to research this. I also immediately stopped using the product.

The beginnings of my natural hair journey didn't start with the easing in of transitioning. No, I wanted the full trial by fire experience that only comes with the BC. Considering this, I had no problems chucking a product that kept my hair glossy and made my hair appear more acceptable to the masses. NO! But I digress.

After careful research I believe I found the problem. Acetylated Lanolin! Damn Damn Damn! WOOL!!! I'm allergic to pure wool!! **This is going to be a little exhaustive.**

Acetylated Lanolin, also called Sheep/Wool Alcohol or even Wool Oil, is a thick waxy sebum(oil) secreted by sheep to give there coats a glossy sheen and keep the skin underneath soft and supple. When the sheep are shorn the Lanolin is extracted from their coats, cleaned, and processed for use in all kinds of products. Like most other oils commonly used on hair, when applied after moisture, Lanolin will lock the moisture in making your hair feel softer and more moisturized. It's non-drying and the animal variety can be pretty anti-allergenic. You can find it in lotions, lipsticks, lip balms, shampoos and conditioners, and hair products et al.

So you say, "What gives? Lanolin is found in at least 1/3 of the beauty products out there." True, but it's usually found in smaller quantities closer to the end of the ingredients list and only used as filler or an emollient. Acetylated Lanolin is the second ingredient in this product which means there is a high concentration of it. Behind water it's mostly wool oil.

As stated earlier, Lanolin softens, soothes, and nourishes skin but coats and potentially suffocates hair because of it's thickness and binding properties. (The picture to the left is lanolin on a pole) It becomes wax and we all know what happens to wax after it has cooled. It becomes hard and non-porous which means no water escapes it but none gets in as well. Regular use of Lanolin rich products will ultimately cause build-up resulting in hair that drys in on itself because no moisture can enter in to replenish it. The wax attracts dirt and dust to each strand further clogging the hair follicles. Dryness, dirt, and dust are a proven recipe for tangling and hair breakage.


Another major problem. Acetylated Lanolin is slightly different than natural Lanolin in that to be acetylated certain natural molecular properties of the Lanolin are exchanged with Acetic Acid and LYE. Acetic Acid is a mild acid that is corrosive and prone to causing skin burns, eye damage, skin irritation, etc. It descales like Lime A-Way. Naturally found in vinegar it causes the pungent smell and sour taste we are all familiar with. In and of itself Acetic Acid is not really harmful when used in small doses but overtime regular use of it on your hair can be harmful. We all know what LYE is and what harm it can do.


Thirdly, Acetylated Lanolin is highly comedogenic. Meaning it clogs pores and has a tendency to produce or aggravate acne. When using products that contain this ingredient you must be careful to not allow the hair to hang in your face. Nuff said!


So I found my devil in the details. Wool in the form of Acetylated Lanolin. I can't wear pure wool without rashing so obviously the use of it in my hair is no different. My research explained the buzzing sensation and the hair loss I've been experiencing. Since I stopped using it 4 days ago the sensations have left. The remainder of the jar will be put in the "outbox" to be given away to those who are not allergic or trashed.

Baby Buttercream and it's sister Curly Buttercream are useful products, but I don't believe they are for me. I strongly suggest to anyone who may have wool sensitivities or allergies, avoid this product and any product for that matter that has Lanolin in it. If you are prone to acne or facial irritation, avoid using this near your face or placing your hands in your face after touching your hair. If you have found this to be one of your Holy Grail products, I highly recommend incorporating a regular clarifying treatment into your weekly hair regimen followed by a deep moisturizing treatment before reapplying this product. Oddly enough when I started using the product I was cowashing every day to every other day. Cowashing is not recommended with this product. You will only further add to the build-up on your tresses. You need to shampoo.


So there it is. Another Miss Jessie's product bites the dust for me. I'm truly not out to get them, I promise. I've just found that there product line doesn't work for me. I hope this review will be found helpful especially to the product junkies that are fiending to buy these cremes. I will try to find a comparable replacement and if I do I'll post it here. Currently I've gone back to using my Cantu Shea Butter Leave-In Conditioning Repair Creme. It has "Lanolin" in it but it's #14 on a list of about 22 ingredients. As soon as I'm done with this I think I may not purchase it again. Even though I like it a lot, there has got to be something out there that doesn't have Lanolin and a whole bunch of chemicals in it.



Kamika Inspector #32

Your Opinions Needed

Okay I need your opinion. I'm just about done with the Reverse Halter from Doublestitch that I'm making for my cousin and I've come to a crossroads. You see, my cousin wanted the sweater in orange. I figured burnt orange would be more flattering for her so I knit the bodice in Vanna's Choice yarn in Rust. Unfortunately the pattern calls for the use of Patons Pooch for the bottom area and I decided that since the Pooch didn't come in a comparable color to the Rust that I would use a nice neutral color like Fleece to give her that Bohemian look she tends to like.

Here's my problem. I don't like it! I think the color contrast is too stark. Originally when I was at the store buying the yarn I had resigned myself to just knit it in creme like the picture but I couldn't find any creme yarns that seemed to match. The Patons Pooch is a very yellowy-cream wherein the other yarns were really dull and flat.

So what should I do? Do I keep crocheting to the end with what I've got or should I scrap it all together? I'm leaning towards finishing it because I won't be the one wearing it and it's not hideous, just not MY style. Even though I'll know this I may still be slightly offended if it never sees the light of day.

Kamika in a quagmire

SP 12 Questionnaire

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like? I really like Merinos and ribbon yarns. I absolutely cannot work with pure wools. I have wool allergies.

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in? Needles: a vase or the case they came in. Hooks: a ziplock bag (shame shame) but I don't have a lot of space where I'm living now.

3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced? About 4 years, self taught through one of those "Teach Yourself To Knit" books at Michael's. I would Say Advanced Intermediate.

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list? No

5. What's your favorite scent? Gardenia

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy? Love sugar! Pecan Turtles, Heath or Skor bars.

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Crochet, make jewelry, and I used to sew. Do you spin? No

8. What kind of music do you like? Gospel, smooth jazz, Bossa Nova. Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD) Yes.

9. What's your favorite color(s)? Black Any colors you just can't stand? Anything neon or anything flat (I don't particularly like basic primary colors but subtle shades between them).

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets? Single, no pets.

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos? Hats and scarves.

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit? Cropped sweaters and lacy garments.

13. What are you knitting right now? A velvet coat and Buttony part 2

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts? Sure

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic? Circs and it depends on the yarn I'm working with. I have a full set of metals.

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift? No, but when I move I'd like to get one.

17. How old is your oldest UFO? Nearly a year.

18. What is your favorite holiday? Easter

19. Is there anything that you collect? Do shoes count?

20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? Any books on technique including Elizabeth Zimmerman or any of the Stitchionary books.

What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have? None as of yet.

21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn? Steeking well, double knitting, design

22. Are you a sock knitter? NO! J/K (only kidding about the expletive part. I don't knit socks)

What are your foot measurements? US womens 10-11

23. When is your birthday? March 19th

24. Are you on Ravelry? If so, what's your ID? Yep! KinkyCoils

Mean While, Back At the Ranch

Yippe Kayo, Yippe Kaya! I'm planning on checking out of The Motel this month. My long season of serfdom is almost over. I just can't take it no more! We have far less guests but way more drama of which I probably am the most guilty of. Jeeves has been getting on my nerves like no other. I just can't stand...Well whatever! I'm tired of rehashing the idiocy that is embodied in him. All I know is that there is no time like the present.

I started looking about 3 weeks ago and I think I'm really close to finding the apartment I want. I can't wait to move into peace and quiet. If I ever have roommates again (which I won't unless they come with names like husband and chir'ren) we all better live on the same or similar schedules. I'm a bit neurotic about my quiet time.

It's like relationships. A few differences bring zest and new experiences but too many differences and you got a hell-in-a-handbag bust hell wide open situation. My relations with The Motel has been of the latter. So let's cut to the chase. Who's to blame? ME of course! As if.

You just can't work a 9-5 be on a routine schedule and live with people who have no idea of what a schedule or routine is. It's not their fault. They don't have jobs and so they go to bed at 11pm after an evening of rauckus gossiping, snore like a locamotive all night, and then have the audacity to wake you up at 4:30am with their shuffling and nervous tendencies and singing of old negro spirituals, and more loud talking to only themselves. Going in and out of doors all night like a crack head, testing buttons a new cell phone and being in awe of the speaker phone feature like they just landed on earth all before the rooster has even gotten up. If I was a swearing women I'd say I swear I hear roosters cursing him every morning. If you haven't gotten the picture, let me sum it up for you. Have you ever had someone wake you up 30 minutes to an hour before you actually have to get up? Well there you go. EVERYDAY!

DM thinks it's cute. She ain't gonna think it's cute when I'm gone and he's sleeping in the room next to hers and The Geezers with only a thin wood paneled wall between them. She's gonna really be pissed when I don't give her my new address.

I'm not angry. I'm just counting down the days until I'm gone. I can see sweet freedom on the horizon.

I've been working on the Reverse Halter from Double Stitch. It's going so fast that there's no need to post progress pics. FO in next post.

Kamika the Free