Among the things I love

Among the things I love is architecture. This could be because I am a MASSIVE art history nerd. Digression: a couple years ago, I was reading the Yarn Harlot and she said "Am I the only one that thought Art History would pay off?" I totally lost laughing it because, yes, I too thought it would pay off. While it has not paid off in a professional sense, it has enriched my appreciation for everything from walking down my own street to travel to museum going. I love all kinds of art, and architecture is no exception. I think there is something wonderful about beauty in such a functional object.

Buildings define so much of our lives, its truly amazing when they can embrace both functionality and beauty, bringing pleasure to mundane aspects of life. Being inside a spectacular building can be an almost overwhelmingly awesome experience-- Notre Dame comes to mind in this sense.

The following are no Notre Dame, but buildings or elements of buildings that struck me as interesting and aesthetically pleasing. To make something we HAVE to use on a daily basis pleasing and pretty I think is one of the greatest gifts of art. Everyone can use more beauty in their day to day lives!

An Italian restaurant in Vancouver, BC:


The steps of Parliament, Victoria, BC:


Frank Gehry's building for the Experience Music Project, Seattle, WA:


Public library, Seattle, WA:

Ladies and Gentlemen, We have a Sock!

Some cultural fun in the sun (ITS HOT IN SF!!!) yesterday... Sock Numero Dos and I hung out in the Civic Center Plaza before meeting up with a friend to check out the Ming Dynasty art exhibit at the Asian Art Museum.

I loved the exhibit-- it had tons of landscapes and portraits I studied in the college days that I had never had a chance to see in person. The brushstrokes and compositions of the landscapes are phenomenal! There were some intricate and beautiful textiles too-- batik type dyed fabric as well as detailed embroidery. I have actually never been to this museum at all, a travesty considering I have lived within an hour of it for all 24 years of my life. I will definitely be going back.

Now on to sockier business... here are some awkwardly snapped pics of my sock. I was wearing it while trying to photograph it from different angles, leading to some odd contortions and struggles with the pillow I was using as my back drop of sorts.

Here is my heel flap:






Gusset and foot:


After I was done grafting, I made a small knot before weaving in my end. Lo and behold, the knot drives me crazy, and I will have to take it out and figure a better way to secure my ends. Suggestions welcome....



And a quasi view of the whole thing:

Some GORGEOUS sunset pics snapped my mi padre, overlooking San Francisco. I have lens jealousy. I want a big lens for my slr!!! I was trying to snap some pics with my small camera, but they all came out grainy.




HAPPY FRIDAY!