It’s been two and a half weeks since I graduated with an English degree from Rollins College. While I felt an overwhelming sense of relief and elation, I also felt like a huge portion of my daily routine suddenly went missing. But now I realize what it is: stress. I’m lacking a huge amount of procrastination-induced, essay writing, brain frying, tears-of-blood boredom stress.

Now that I’m able to reclaim my evening hours, I’m slowly blowing the dust off all the things that I used to work on: the half finished knitted sock, the last 20 pages of Amy Tan’s new novel, the stack of penpal letters and the infuriating last scenes of Grandia III (seriously, how many pseudo-bosses does that game have?).

I have big plans to attend graduate school in the fall but I feel nauseous just thinking about it so I think I’ll do myself a huge favor by waiting until the spring semester. That’ll give me approximately 8 months to enjoy life as God had intended: in bed.

I received an elegant note card set as a graduation gift from a friend who remembered my penchant for stationary. It has inspired me to send out notes to friends and family. Would you like a note from me? Fill out the form at the bottom of the page and leave me your snail mail address for a special message in your mailbox.

The price of stamps was raised another 2 cents recently. Again, I’m stuck with a book of 39 cent comic book stamps. How dare the US Postal Service cheapen the legacies of Hawkman and Plastic Man?

I have two very boring term papers due in about two weeks and haven’t even begun proper research on either topic. I know I should probably take my final semester seriously but I’d really rather take an actual dump on these assignments than have to crap them out.

So, instead of getting a head start on what will probably be a busy week, I spun yarn:

This is my first attempt so, clearly, I don’t know what I’m doing. I’m pretty sure it will unwind if I so much as breathe on it so I’ll go ahead and just leave it on the stick. I’m also knitting socks but I haven’t learned to turn the heal yet so perhaps it will end up being an inappropriate cozy for something long and phallic.

Do you like the new layout? I do.

After several unsuccessful attempts to knit something other than a scarf, I decided to backtrack and practice on some of the stitches in Instant Expert Knitting. (On a side note, I’d like to propose that Instant Expert expand their topics in the series: Instant Expert Bullshitting, Instant Expert Asskicking, Instant Expert Relationships. I really don’t think they’re taking their pioneering in expertness seriously.) I’m going to knit several swatches using different purling and knitting patterns to create a stitch library (I know, the phrase produces a mental picture of dusty, mahogony bookshelves overflowing with knitted swatches). I may be able to identify problems in my knitting as well as how the patterns work with different yarns.

Right now, I’m working on a swatch with a basic stockinette stitch. I’m eager to start cabling but I easily get annoyed when 2/3 of the way through I suddenly realize I’ve dropped a stitch and now have a gaping hole in my work. I’m too impatient to unravel to the problem row and in frustration, rip the whole thing apart and begin again. I’ll probably head to Sip and Knit, Maitland’s premiere knittery, this weekend and let the elders school me in the art of knitting in the round.

I joined the newly created Swap Bot in the hopes of recieving something other than Ann Taylor bills in my mailbox (God damn you and your tasteful clothes!). The site is easy to navigate, well developed and offers ratings for swappers. Promising swaps to consider: Winter Scarf Knit Kit Swap and the International Book Swap.

Valentine’s is fast approaching and I used to despise the superficiality of the holiday along with all the mushiness involved with doing something romantic for a loved one. Of course, this was all before I had a boyfriend. Now that we’ve been together for nearly 5 years (in June), I’ve developed quite a romantic and creative soft spot for February 14th. Every year I try to create or plan something “new” and “imaginative” only to face the challenge of having to outdo myself. Ah, god, I would love to date me.

I found a few great handmade Valentine’s gift ideas: over at One Hour Craft, a tutorial shows how to make a sexy string panty which is a fantastic for couples and singles (imagine a “Love Stinks, But Not My Lovebox!” embroidery). Mighty Goods suggests The Moleskine Small Info Book for Travel, a small and discreet journal that lets travelers record every detail of their trip. My mystery Valentine’s project is currently under way, once completed I’ll post the results but I can tell you right now, he’s going to like it.