Youth group tonight

9/4/04

We had youth group tonight. I admit I was tired, lazy, and didn't want to go, but after I got together with the high schoolers for small group time, I was glad to be there. I enjoy asking them questions, pushing their limits, making them think. Many of them have gone to church all their lives and give pat answers, and I enjoy making them dig deeper, think harder, reflect on what they truly believe. Sometimes I go off on tangents--like I did tonight--but I do hope I helped them understand the bigger picture of what being a Christian is about.

I'm working on chapter one. A part of me is frustrated, because I feel like I'm trying too hard to be witty, original, entertaining. But shouldn't the first chapter sparkle? Except that it doesn't. What's lacking? I'm reading GETTING INTO CHARACTER by Brandilyn Collins and it helped me visualize the minor character much better, add cohesion to his actions. But the scene still falls flat. Compared to Trish's Chinese wedding banquet, this just doesn't have that vavoom.

Any words on paper are better than no words at all, but this is terribly disappointing. I better lift this to God in prayer. Maybe He's trying to tell me something. The only way to salvage this is with His help.

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What are you reading today?

What are you reading today? I’m reading the latest volume in the Japanese light novel series (translated into English), Infinite Dendrogram by Sakon Kaidou . It’s a LitRPG or Gamelit series, and if you enjoyed Sword Art Online, you might like this series. The story is about a college student in a full-dive virtual reality role-playing game, and there’s nothing deadly about the game itself, but it soon becomes obvious that the game world is not what it seems. The hero is just an overall nice guy, which makes me root for him. What are you reading?

No Cold Bums toilet seat cover

Captain's Log, Stardate 08.22.2008 I actually wrote out my pattern! I was getting a lot of hits on my infamous toilet seat cover , and I wanted to make a new one with “improvements,” so I paid attention and wrote things down as I made the new one. This was originally based off the Potty Mouth toilet cover , but I altered it to fit over the seat instead of the lid. Yarn: any worsted weight yarn, about 120 yards (this is a really tight number, I used exactly 118 yards. My suggestion is to make sure you have about 130 yards.) I suggest using acrylic yarn because you’re going to be washing this often. Needle: I used US 8, but you can use whatever needle size is recommended by the yarn you’re using. Gauge: Not that important. Mine was 4 sts/1 inch in garter stitch. 6 buttons (I used some leftover shell buttons I had in my stash) tapestry needle Crochet hook (optional) Cover: Using a provisional cast on, cast on 12 stitches. Work in garter st until liner measures

One-Skein Pyrenees Scarf knitting pattern

I got into using antique patterns when I was making the scarf my hero wears in my Regency romance, The Spinster’s Christmas . I wanted to do another pattern which I think was in use in the Regency period, the Pyrenees Knit Scarf on pages 36-38 of The Lady's Assistant for Executing Useful and Fancy Designs in Knitting, Netting, and Crochet Work, volume 1, by Jane Gaugain, published in 1840. She is thought to be the first person to use knitting abbreviations, at least in a published book, although they are not the same abbreviations used today (our modern abbreviations were standardized by Weldon’s Practical Needlework in 1906). Since the book is out of copyright, you can download a free PDF copy of the book at Archive.org. I found this to be a fascinating look at knitting around the time of Jane Austen’s later years. Although the book was published in 1840, many of the patterns were in use and passed down by word of mouth many years before that, so it’s possible these are

What are you crafting today?

What are you crafting today? I’m working on yet another pair of socks, even though I have tons. I find myself making socks often because I like to read on my propped-up iPad while also knitting something easy enough that I don't need to look at it very often (such as stockinette stitch). Have you made anything fun today? Post pictures!

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ひとり寿司第３１章パート４

「ひとり寿司」をブログに連載します！ひとり寿司寿司シリーズの第一作キャミー・タング西島美幸訳スポーツ狂のレックス・坂井 —— いとこのマリコが数ヶ月後に結婚することにより、「いとこの中で一番年上の独身女性」という内輪の肩書を「勝ち取る」ことについては、あまり気にしていない。コントロールフリークの祖母を無視するのは容易だ —— しかし、祖母は最終通告を出した —— マリコの結婚式までにデート相手を見つけなければ、無慈悲な祖母は、レックスがコーチをしている女子バレーボールチームへの資金供給を切ると言う。ダグアウトにいる選手全員とデートに出かけるほど絶望的なわけではない。レックスは、バイブルスタディで読んだ「エペソの手紙」をもとに「最高の男性」の条件の厳しいリストを作った。バレーボールではいつも勝つ —— ゲームを有利に進めれば、必ず成功するはずだ。そのとき兄は、クリスチャンではなく、アスリートでもなく、一見何の魅力もないエイデンを彼女に引き合わせる。エイデンは、クリスチャンではないという理由で離れていったトリッシュという女の子から受けた痛手から立ち直ろうとしている。そして、レックスが（１）彼に全く興味がないこと、（２）クリスチャンであること、（３）トリッシュのいとこであることを知る。あの狂った家族とまた付き合うのはごめんだ。まして、偽善的なクリスチャンの女の子など、お断り。彼はマゾヒストじゃない。レックスは時間がなくなってきた。いくら頑張っても、いい人は現れない。それに、どこへ行ってもエイデンに遭遇する。あのリストはどんどん長くなっていくばかり —— 過去に掲載済みのストーリーのリンクはこちらです。 *** ＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊全て、彼女の背中のせいだった。レックスは痛みを感じるたびに、いつも以上に怒鳴った。女子らが出ていった後、バッグを持ってジムから出ようと歩いているレックスを、ヴィンスが脇に引っ張った。「今日もまた厳しかったね」分かっていたが、認めたくなかった。彼の手を振り払った。一体いつになったら、このヒントを理解して、さわるのをやめてくれるのだろうか？「プレイオフまで、あと数週間だからよ」「いや、違うね。プレイオフじゃない。何か君に問題があるみたいだ」「一体何な

Phoebe’s Muffatees knitting pattern

In Lady Wynwood’s Spies, volume 4: Betrayer , Phoebe wears a pair of lace muffatees, or gauntlets/arm-warmers that hide a rather deadly surprise. :) I actually got the idea of having her wear muffatees because I saw a lace manchette pattern in Miss Watts’ Ladies’ Knitting and Netting Book , published in 1840, page 20. However, after doing some research, I found that they were called muffatees in the Regency era, and the term manchette did not arise until a few years later. They were essentially arm-warmers worn under those long sleeves on day dresses, which were usually made of muslin too thin to be very warm. I decided to knit Phoebe’s muffatees using a Leaf Pattern originally suggested for a purse in Mrs. Gaugain’s book, The Lady’s Assistant, volume 1, 5th edition published in 1842, pages 234-237. I think there was an error and row 36 in the original pattern was duplicated erroneously, so I have adjusted the pattern. The original manchette pattern called for “fine” needles a

The Robe by Wes King

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Tabi socks, part deux

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Camy's Blog Tour!

Thanks so much to everyone who participated in my blog tour for Sushi for One ! The full schedule (with links) is at the bottom of this post. Here are some highlights from a few interviews: From Julie Carobini's blog : Hey Camy, You often speak fondly of Captain Caffeine and his imported espresso maker. What's your favorite caffeinated beverage order? Honestly, tea. Strong English Breakfast or Irish Breakfast tea. I'll take Earl Grey if I'm feeling zesty, or Ginger Peach (Republic of Tea) if I'm feeling fruity. In the summer, it's iced. In the winter, it's scalding hot, sometimes with a little soymilk and honey. However, I won't turn my nose up at a latte, especially if it's from Captain Caffeine or our favorite coffeeshop, Barefoot Coffee in Santa Clara. From Sally Bradley's blog : SB: In the story, Lex mentions a girl named Camy who gets brained by volleyballs all the time. I have to ask — is that you making a cameo in your own bo

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