Traits that I want to foster in myself, in a sense, the person I want to be
Generous
Honest
Have a strong sense of self
Constructive and creative
Loving and open
Emotionally available
Cooperative in conversation
Accept imperfection
Assertive
Authentic, honest
Genuine
Secure, satisfied with self
Balance between sensitive and rational
Growing up isn't easy. We are constantly becoming. I'm trying every day. Some days I fail, and some days I succeed. But I have to keep trying.
Knit. Purl. Revolt.
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Monday, June 27, 2011
This Society is Having an Existential Crisis
I want to share a passage that I encountered in the book I am reading "Gaining: The Truth About Life After Eating Disorders by Aimee Liu.
I really relate to this passage, and I'm sure many others do as well. It functions as a constant reminder, to be, rather than to have.
Knit. Purl. Revolt.
I really relate to this passage, and I'm sure many others do as well. It functions as a constant reminder, to be, rather than to have.
As psychoanalyst Erich Fromm wrote in "To Have or To Be?: "We internalize the authoritarian structure of our society," and most of us, depending on our class and social position, learn early that we are expected to get a particular kind of education, get married at a particular time of life, get a particular kind of job, and ultimately get as rich and as famous as our circumstances will allow. If we are female, we are also trained to hunger for a better face and body. But all this getting rarely gains us a sense of our own identity. "Most people," according to Fromm, "believe theyy are following their own will and are unaware that their will itself is conditioned and manipulated." In other words, they operate under an illusion of decisiveness without actually being self-directed. For those who do sense and recoil from this manipulation, the need to feel real may demand physical as well as emotional relocation, to a different kind of community or culture.
The true existential choice, Fromm wrote, is not between wanting this or that-miniskirts or boyfriends, money or love-but between wanting to claim possession of things, roles, and even relationships (Let me have) and wanting to freely exist, express oneself, give and experience (Let me be).
Knit. Purl. Revolt.
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Queer Love Party Party!
NYC Pride Parade Today!!!
And just a couple of days ago, New York State legalized gay marriage!
I don't need the state to legalize me. NO HUMAN IS ILLEGAL!
But civil rights are always a good thing, so I consider gay marriage a win!
Today I shall wear my sparkly pink dress with pride and march in that parade like the queer-as-hell punk that I am. It's about the community. Getting together in a place where we aren't marginalized. Where we can celebrate who we are and what we love. And we do it in style.
And I will love every minute of it.
Knit. Purl. Revolt.
Friday, June 24, 2011
Grades Destroy Imagination and Creativity
"Grades are a problem. On the most general level, they're an explicit acknowledgment that what you're doing is insufficiently interesting or rewarding for you to do it on your own. Nobody ever gave you a grade for learning how to play, how to ride a bicycle, or how to kiss. One of the best ways to destroy love for any of these activities would be through the use of grades, and the coercion and judgment they represent. Grades are a cudgel to bludgeon the unwilling into doing what they don't want to do, an important instrument in inculcating children into a lifelong subservience to whatever authority happens to be thrust over them."-Derrick Jensen
Knit. Purl. Revolt.
Thursday, June 23, 2011
For The Love Of A Sweater: My 50th Post!
Working on a patch-work sweater of my own design.
Currently working with a cotton blend orange/cream colored yarn on a size 9 needle.
I've never made a sweater before, or even looked at a sweater pattern, so this is completely from scratch and from my chaotic brain.
From chaos comes cozy warm order I suppose.
Also this is my blogs 50TH POST!
*Hooray*
Knit. Purl. Revolt.
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
If you're sad, write it
On the morning when I woke up without you for the first time
I felt free and I felt lonely and I felt scared
And I began to talk to myself almost immediately
Not being used to being the only person there
And the first time I made coffee for just myself
I made to much of it
But I drank it all just because you hate it
When I let things go to waste
And I wandered through the house like a little boy lost at the mall
And an astronaut could have seen the hunger in my eyes from space
And I sang
Oh, what do I do? What do I do? What do I do?
What do I do without you?
On the morning when I woke up without you for the first time
I was cold so I put on a sweater and I turned on the heat
And the walls began to close in and I felt so sad and frightened
That I practically ran from the living room out onto the street
And the wind began to blow and the trees began to pant
And the world in its cold way started coming alive
And I stood there like a business man waiting for a train
And I got ready for the future to arrive
And I sang
Oh what do I do? What do I do?
What to I do without you?
~Woke Up New by The Mountain Goats
I felt free and I felt lonely and I felt scared
And I began to talk to myself almost immediately
Not being used to being the only person there
And the first time I made coffee for just myself
I made to much of it
But I drank it all just because you hate it
When I let things go to waste
And I wandered through the house like a little boy lost at the mall
And an astronaut could have seen the hunger in my eyes from space
And I sang
Oh, what do I do? What do I do? What do I do?
What do I do without you?
On the morning when I woke up without you for the first time
I was cold so I put on a sweater and I turned on the heat
And the walls began to close in and I felt so sad and frightened
That I practically ran from the living room out onto the street
And the wind began to blow and the trees began to pant
And the world in its cold way started coming alive
And I stood there like a business man waiting for a train
And I got ready for the future to arrive
And I sang
Oh what do I do? What do I do?
What to I do without you?
~Woke Up New by The Mountain Goats
Protest at the Trenton State House!
I'm reposting the information about this rally from the Facebook group.
Governor Christie of New Jersey thinks he can take away NJ workers right o collective bargaining? Who does he think he is, the governor of Wisconsin?? Well, workers put up one hell of a fight in Wisconsin, and we're not going down without a fight in New Jersey! Be there and show your support for workers across NJ and the country! Solidarity forever!
THIS IS ROUND 3! ON THIS DATE, THE ASSEMBLY WILL HOLD A HEARING AND WILL CALL A VOTE! Legislators will spend some time caucusing with their caucus in private; state-wide media will be present. YOU MUST BE HERE TO STOP THIS FAST-TRACKED LEGISLATION!
STAND UP FOR WHAT'S RIGHT! COME OUT WITH YOUR FRIENDS, FAMILY MEMBERS, AND CO-WORKERS IN ORDER TO CONVINCE THE LEGISLATURE THAT WE MATTER!
...Parking details are being finalized. Shuttle busses will depart from the Rear Lot (Outfield) of the Trenton Thunder Stadium (1 Thunder Road; Trenton, NJ 08611).
Beginning at 10:00 AM, join the demonstrations, picketing, speeches, and street activity outside of State House.
* Union leaders from around the country will join the demonstration.
* Bring noisemakers to let the legislators know that you are there.
12:30 - ?: Events of the day will dictate how long we’ll continue our demonstrations outside the State House. NOTE: THIS RALLY IS PREDICTED TO BE LONGER THAN THE 6/17 RALLY! Remember, the proposed pension and health benefit legislation will have a devastating effect on every current, retired, and future public employee in New Jersey. A FEW HOURS OF YOUR TIME IS WELL WORTH GIVING TO SAVE YOUR FUTURE!
* Bring a chair, some water, and prepare to spend the day with your union brothers and sisters.
Knit. Purl. Revolt.
Governor Christie of New Jersey thinks he can take away NJ workers right o collective bargaining? Who does he think he is, the governor of Wisconsin?? Well, workers put up one hell of a fight in Wisconsin, and we're not going down without a fight in New Jersey! Be there and show your support for workers across NJ and the country! Solidarity forever!
THIS IS ROUND 3! ON THIS DATE, THE ASSEMBLY WILL HOLD A HEARING AND WILL CALL A VOTE! Legislators will spend some time caucusing with their caucus in private; state-wide media will be present. YOU MUST BE HERE TO STOP THIS FAST-TRACKED LEGISLATION!
STAND UP FOR WHAT'S RIGHT! COME OUT WITH YOUR FRIENDS, FAMILY MEMBERS, AND CO-WORKERS IN ORDER TO CONVINCE THE LEGISLATURE THAT WE MATTER!
...Parking details are being finalized. Shuttle busses will depart from the Rear Lot (Outfield) of the Trenton Thunder Stadium (1 Thunder Road; Trenton, NJ 08611).
Beginning at 10:00 AM, join the demonstrations, picketing, speeches, and street activity outside of State House.
* Union leaders from around the country will join the demonstration.
* Bring noisemakers to let the legislators know that you are there.
12:30 - ?: Events of the day will dictate how long we’ll continue our demonstrations outside the State House. NOTE: THIS RALLY IS PREDICTED TO BE LONGER THAN THE 6/17 RALLY! Remember, the proposed pension and health benefit legislation will have a devastating effect on every current, retired, and future public employee in New Jersey. A FEW HOURS OF YOUR TIME IS WELL WORTH GIVING TO SAVE YOUR FUTURE!
* Bring a chair, some water, and prepare to spend the day with your union brothers and sisters.
Knit. Purl. Revolt.
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Knitting in the Summer?
Summer knitting is an interesting paradox.
It is far too hot to wear anything you knit.
Even holding the yarn in your hands feels a bit insane, like the strands themselves are infused with heat.
Yet, if you want to have knitwear to sell/donate/wear in the fall, summer is the best time to get your knitting done!
So right now I am working on a knitted neckerchief in preparation for the autumn...when I'll be in Ireland!!
Knit. Purl. Revolt.
It is far too hot to wear anything you knit.
Even holding the yarn in your hands feels a bit insane, like the strands themselves are infused with heat.
Yet, if you want to have knitwear to sell/donate/wear in the fall, summer is the best time to get your knitting done!
So right now I am working on a knitted neckerchief in preparation for the autumn...when I'll be in Ireland!!
Knit. Purl. Revolt.
Monday, June 6, 2011
Hiatus Over!
I am officially ending my hiatus from the blogosphere!
*CONFETTI RAINS FROM THE SKY*
My first post will come shortly, but I just wanted to say hi, and hope that some people still read this blog!
Knit. Purl. Revolt.
*CONFETTI RAINS FROM THE SKY*
My first post will come shortly, but I just wanted to say hi, and hope that some people still read this blog!
Knit. Purl. Revolt.
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