I’d really love to blog today…
…but I’m afraid of what all this sweat will do to the keyboard.
I don’t deal well with heat. Let’s just get that straight right off the bat. My DNA is from Russia and England. Yes, I may have spent every summer of my life right here, and yes, you may argue that I should then be used to it. Well…no. My father couldn’t tolerate the heat. My brother can’t tolerate the heat (how did he survive Iraq, then? I guess he was distracted from the heat by all the other things he had to survive while there). We’re just not built for it.
Logic would then demand that I would own a really superior AC to protect me from said oppressive heat, right? Yeah… not really. One rinky dink window unit in the office that doesn’t really hold up in heat waves like this, and one very disappointing hundred-pound “portable” unit that only manages to cool the five inches of air directly in front of it. Times like this, I almost miss my 275-square-foot East Village studio from way back when. A space that small cools down quite nicely with one rinky dink window unit. (I ALMOST miss it. I can’t imagine where I would stash the yarn stash if I still lived in that tiny box of an apartment.) It’s hard to cool off an entire house in the midst of a heat wave with two half-hearted ACs. Woe is me, right? Yeah. Okay, I’ll stop complaining now.
Isn’t all this fascinating? This was going to be my excuse for not blogging, but I appear to be blogging right now so nevermind.
The knitting? I haven’t touched Madli’s Shawl since the last time I posted about it, so nothing doing there. I haven’t had the time or concentration to work on her. Hopefully I can get back to her later this week. In the meantime it’s been socks, socks, socks. Churning out those handknit socks. Ah…stress knitting.
The book? It’s out in the world looking for an agent to love it. I packed it a little bag with a change of underwear and socks and some snacks, some money, and a calling card so it can call home. I keep waiting by the phone, but it hasn’t called yet. Sigh…so hard to let it go out into the world all alone like that, where I can’t always be there to defend it.
There’s been some activity on the getting-an-agent front, but I won’t be blogging about it for obvious reasons. I do promise to keep you all up to date in a general way, though.
Um…fishing around for something to say… something to say… Nope. I got nothing. Have a lovely, air-conditioned day.
Oh–and Billy says hi.
I’m right there with you on the “what to say, what to say” vibe. Must be the heat.
Did you remember to pack some Wellingtons and a good hat for your book? I know it’s hard to imagine inclement weather with it being the way it is up there right now, but you never know how far the little fella may range in its quest for someone to love it.
Good luck with it all.
Posted by: David
How exciting! Scary, yes. Anxiety ridden, check. But oh so exciting! Congratulations.
I HATE the heat as well. You’re more than welcome to trek out here. An air conditioner set to freeze in every room. And there are lots of rooms. Lots of TVs. Lots of bathrooms. And me, all by my lonesome!
Posted by: Cara
Good luck with the book! I sent mine out in the world a few years ago, and it ended up moving back home, living in the spare room, watching TV, playing on the computer, and talking about all the things it WILL do someday. It’s a good book, you see, but it apparently hasn’t got a lot of gumption!
Posted by: Chappy
Hey, listen: clean underwear, snacks, a calling card…..everything’s FINE. I think you should come up here and visit me. It’s been hot and humid here, too, but not even close to what NYC must be. And if it gets too much to handle (which isn’t often), there’s always the floor of the office to sleep on, where there is a respectably good air conditioner.
Posted by: Norma
You said “nothing” very well. It’s hot hot hot everywhere, I guess, but the city always seems hotter. Just remember the snow and the shoveling and the plowing and maybe you’ll feel better.
And the book? You let me know when it gets itself published and I’ll buy a copy for my library!
Posted by: Carole
I’m right there with you on the “what to say, what to say” vibe. Must be the heat.
Did you remember to pack some Wellingtons and a good hat for your book? I know it’s hard to imagine inclement weather with it being the way it is up there right now, but you never know how far the little fella may range in its quest for someone to love it.
Good luck with it all.
Posted by: David
How exciting! Scary, yes. Anxiety ridden, check. But oh so exciting! Congratulations.
I HATE the heat as well. You’re more than welcome to trek out here. An air conditioner set to freeze in every room. And there are lots of rooms. Lots of TVs. Lots of bathrooms. And me, all by my lonesome!
Posted by: Cara
Good luck with the book! I sent mine out in the world a few years ago, and it ended up moving back home, living in the spare room, watching TV, playing on the computer, and talking about all the things it WILL do someday. It’s a good book, you see, but it apparently hasn’t got a lot of gumption!
Posted by: Chappy
Hey, listen: clean underwear, snacks, a calling card…..everything’s FINE. I think you should come up here and visit me. It’s been hot and humid here, too, but not even close to what NYC must be. And if it gets too much to handle (which isn’t often), there’s always the floor of the office to sleep on, where there is a respectably good air conditioner.
Posted by: Norma
You said “nothing” very well. It’s hot hot hot everywhere, I guess, but the city always seems hotter. Just remember the snow and the shoveling and the plowing and maybe you’ll feel better.
And the book? You let me know when it gets itself published and I’ll buy a copy for my library!
Posted by: Carole
….not sure wtf “respectably good” means, but…I pressed “post” too soon, obviously. 🙂
Posted by: Norma
I don’t understand how hot people in heat manage to knit with wool. I get that the sock doesn’t take up lap room, but how do you make your hands okay with the lana?
Posted by: Lauren
The book WILL get snapped up by some great agent. As you well know from your experience in publishing, summer is the slowest time of year in that industry. Agents and editors seem to take much of the summer off. I know that my ex’s boss spends most of the summer away. Does the book have enough train fare to get to the Hamptons or Cape Cod?
In any event, I’m sure you’re stressed out waiting to hear, but just consider the time of year and try not to worry. September might be the magic month.
Posted by: regina
Hi Billy!
it’s chilly at my place, feel free to stop by… 🙂
Posted by: carolyn
Poor little book, out in the big bad world on its own. Sounds like you’re a good mom and prepared it well, so all will be fine. Success is just around the corner, really. Sorry about the heat, you’re welcome to come out to Wyoming where it’s been in the high 80s and no humidity – that’s hot for here!
Posted by: Stephanie
Yes, I’m been feeling that melting would be the best choice for me lately. Then I wouldn’t have to deal with the heat anymore. Plus, I could have super powers! I would be known at Melty Girl!
Posted by: Jenn
Good luck little manuscript! I’m waving my handkerchief at you from across the ocean! Bon voyage.
Posted by: marrije
….not sure wtf “respectably good” means, but…I pressed “post” too soon, obviously. 🙂
Posted by: Norma
I don’t understand how hot people in heat manage to knit with wool. I get that the sock doesn’t take up lap room, but how do you make your hands okay with the lana?
Posted by: Lauren
The book WILL get snapped up by some great agent. As you well know from your experience in publishing, summer is the slowest time of year in that industry. Agents and editors seem to take much of the summer off. I know that my ex’s boss spends most of the summer away. Does the book have enough train fare to get to the Hamptons or Cape Cod?
In any event, I’m sure you’re stressed out waiting to hear, but just consider the time of year and try not to worry. September might be the magic month.
Posted by: regina
Hi Billy!
it’s chilly at my place, feel free to stop by… 🙂
Posted by: carolyn
Poor little book, out in the big bad world on its own. Sounds like you’re a good mom and prepared it well, so all will be fine. Success is just around the corner, really. Sorry about the heat, you’re welcome to come out to Wyoming where it’s been in the high 80s and no humidity – that’s hot for here!
Posted by: Stephanie
Yes, I’m been feeling that melting would be the best choice for me lately. Then I wouldn’t have to deal with the heat anymore. Plus, I could have super powers! I would be known at Melty Girl!
Posted by: Jenn
Good luck little manuscript! I’m waving my handkerchief at you from across the ocean! Bon voyage.
Posted by: marrije
Now is the time when you come to Portland. I had to throw a light jacket on this morning…
Posted by: Laurie
Sending good agent karma. If I could send along some of this delicious central A/C, well I would.
Sorry, that last bit was unhelpful.
Posted by: claudia
Sounds like you have equipped the book to fare pretty well out there. I have every confidence in it. And you.
Have you tried a bowl of ice water in front of a fan?
Posted by: J Strizzy
Keep cool! I know it’s annoyingly steaming today. I need to get out of my apartment and hang out at the library…AC, Books, and Internet. What else does a girl need?
Posted by: Christie
It’s hard, but you have to let your art go out in the world and interact on its own, or it will never grow up. You can’t always be there to explain it, or to defend it. Which is why I believe that an artist’s intent is really not worth shit; once the work is out there in the world, it will have complex relationships with its viewers/readers/listeners, who won’t have a clue about your intent. If it’s a strong work, it will survive on its own.
I’m also not well equipped for heat, and don’t have air conditioning. I think that living and working in AC environments makes people even less able to handle the heat when they do go outside, so I try really hard to live without it in order to steel myself against the heat somewhat. Especially now that I’ll be moving to Georgia in three weeks; I’m trying to get through this heat wave by considering it good training. Feh.
Posted by: jodi
When we lived in Sacramento we’d get up several times a night to stand in our pjs under the shower, then go back to bed. I hate hotness. The dogs lay around like hairy panting slugs and there’s…just…no…energy…
Your book is going to rock the world. We all know it. With a first line so good it’s in your skin how can it not?
And I’m sorry I called Diego Sadie, I don’t know why I assumed he was black.
Posted by: spaazlicious
I was thinking yesterday, (not that I don’t think every day), that it’s not so much the heat as the smell. Why do I always forget how much NYC reeks in the summer? Do I block it out? The block my office building is on smells like rotting SOMETHING, and I can’t even mention the subway.
Yours in Eastern European DNA sympathy.
Posted by: Em
Now is the time when you come to Portland. I had to throw a light jacket on this morning…
Posted by: Laurie
Sending good agent karma. If I could send along some of this delicious central A/C, well I would.
Sorry, that last bit was unhelpful.
Posted by: claudia
Sounds like you have equipped the book to fare pretty well out there. I have every confidence in it. And you.
Have you tried a bowl of ice water in front of a fan?
Posted by: J Strizzy
Keep cool! I know it’s annoyingly steaming today. I need to get out of my apartment and hang out at the library…AC, Books, and Internet. What else does a girl need?
Posted by: Christie
It’s hard, but you have to let your art go out in the world and interact on its own, or it will never grow up. You can’t always be there to explain it, or to defend it. Which is why I believe that an artist’s intent is really not worth shit; once the work is out there in the world, it will have complex relationships with its viewers/readers/listeners, who won’t have a clue about your intent. If it’s a strong work, it will survive on its own.
I’m also not well equipped for heat, and don’t have air conditioning. I think that living and working in AC environments makes people even less able to handle the heat when they do go outside, so I try really hard to live without it in order to steel myself against the heat somewhat. Especially now that I’ll be moving to Georgia in three weeks; I’m trying to get through this heat wave by considering it good training. Feh.
Posted by: jodi
When we lived in Sacramento we’d get up several times a night to stand in our pjs under the shower, then go back to bed. I hate hotness. The dogs lay around like hairy panting slugs and there’s…just…no…energy…
Your book is going to rock the world. We all know it. With a first line so good it’s in your skin how can it not?
And I’m sorry I called Diego Sadie, I don’t know why I assumed he was black.
Posted by: spaazlicious
I was thinking yesterday, (not that I don’t think every day), that it’s not so much the heat as the smell. Why do I always forget how much NYC reeks in the summer? Do I block it out? The block my office building is on smells like rotting SOMETHING, and I can’t even mention the subway.
Yours in Eastern European DNA sympathy.
Posted by: Em
Ceiling fans? When it’s really hot, I want a fan, open windows (with screens), and a cold glass of tea. Or a cocktail.
Keep cool. Keep the faith–the book will be OK.
Posted by: Anita
Try out the cheap, homemade A/C here:
http://www.iq-home.com/HVAC/Homebrew%20Air%20Conditioning.htm
Posted by: Janet
As each hot and humid day goes by, I become more and more convinced that I may never see 60 degrees again. I honestly do not think I’m going to make it until fall (which, around here will last for about 1 week, sometime in mid-October).
You could put a bowl of ice in front of a fan and let the fan blow the evaporation around. (Is “evaporation” even a word? I think the heat has melted my brain…)
Posted by: Cindy
Here is a trick from my days of cooking/baking for a very cute coffeeshop with no AC – put a damp washcloth in the refridg. when you leave the house, and it will greet you with its coolness when you get home. Put that sucker on the nape of your neck and you will feel impervious to this nasty, thick-as-molasses air.
Posted by: sarah g.
Good luck on the agent front Cari. How exciting. I’m anxious for you to find one too…I can’t wait to read it!
Posted by: Shelley
Stop whatever you’re doing right now and put your pillowcases in the freezer. Hell, put the sheets in there too. I’m serious, when I was living on Canal Street and had NO a/c, this was the only thing that got me through the summers. That and midnight movies at the air-conditioned Angelika.
Posted by: mindy
I love your blog, I enjoy reading it today. So today, I got to laughing. See, I just rescued a shelter puppy who is a mix of whippet and jack russell terrier. She is a handful! So today? She STOLE YARN.
Once I got the ball of yarn back from her, I had to laugh, remembering the name of your blog.
They do! They do! Dogs DO steal yarn!
Posted by: Rainy
Ceiling fans? When it’s really hot, I want a fan, open windows (with screens), and a cold glass of tea. Or a cocktail.
Keep cool. Keep the faith–the book will be OK.
Posted by: Anita
Try out the cheap, homemade A/C here:
http://www.iq-home.com/HVAC/Homebrew%20Air%20Conditioning.htm
Posted by: Janet
As each hot and humid day goes by, I become more and more convinced that I may never see 60 degrees again. I honestly do not think I’m going to make it until fall (which, around here will last for about 1 week, sometime in mid-October).
You could put a bowl of ice in front of a fan and let the fan blow the evaporation around. (Is “evaporation” even a word? I think the heat has melted my brain…)
Posted by: Cindy
Here is a trick from my days of cooking/baking for a very cute coffeeshop with no AC – put a damp washcloth in the refridg. when you leave the house, and it will greet you with its coolness when you get home. Put that sucker on the nape of your neck and you will feel impervious to this nasty, thick-as-molasses air.
Posted by: sarah g.
Good luck on the agent front Cari. How exciting. I’m anxious for you to find one too…I can’t wait to read it!
Posted by: Shelley
Stop whatever you’re doing right now and put your pillowcases in the freezer. Hell, put the sheets in there too. I’m serious, when I was living on Canal Street and had NO a/c, this was the only thing that got me through the summers. That and midnight movies at the air-conditioned Angelika.
Posted by: mindy
I love your blog, I enjoy reading it today. So today, I got to laughing. See, I just rescued a shelter puppy who is a mix of whippet and jack russell terrier. She is a handful! So today? She STOLE YARN.
Once I got the ball of yarn back from her, I had to laugh, remembering the name of your blog.
They do! They do! Dogs DO steal yarn!
Posted by: Rainy
I would comment, but I’m too busy fanning myself… too hot. Too hot….
Posted by: Rachael
Supposed to be 107 here today. I hope Sadie has enough sense to go sleep in my bedroom while I’m gone.
Gawd, I can’t wait for winter!
PS My DNA’s from Russia and Austria. We weren’t meant to be in the heat! LOL
Posted by: Jon
Hi Cari-
I was gonna leave you a comment with the Madli’s shawl post but there is a bunch of Viagra spam there, LOL!
Anyway, here’s a secret to the nupps…instead of k1,yo,k1 ect 7 times as the pattern states, try k1, PURL 1, k1, P1, k1, p1, k1 VERY loosely! When I did Madli’s shawl, I found the purling gave the nupp some stability and the yo’s weren’t choking up on the needle so they were *easier* to do! (easier, NOT easy, lol!) If you switch to this nupp now, I dont think there will be a noticable difference! I hope this helps! Feel free to email me if I can help or explain better 🙂
PS – I also heard that you can k1,yo, k1 ect. as written and on the purl together you can slip 6, purl 1 and pass the six slipped stitches over BUT I found that this made a very tiny nupp and I didn’t care for it, your mileage may vary! D.
Posted by: Debi
You know what’s weird? I’ve never even met Billy (hi Billy!), but for some reason gaboinga-gaboingas popped into my head yesterday. Weird.
Posted by: Iris
You KNOW how I feel about that book, my dear, so I’m feelin’ your pain about sending it out there with not an ounce of protection. It’ll only be sad for a minute.
xoxo
j
Posted by: john
I would comment, but I’m too busy fanning myself… too hot. Too hot….
Posted by: Rachael
Supposed to be 107 here today. I hope Sadie has enough sense to go sleep in my bedroom while I’m gone.
Gawd, I can’t wait for winter!
PS My DNA’s from Russia and Austria. We weren’t meant to be in the heat! LOL
Posted by: Jon
Hi Cari-
I was gonna leave you a comment with the Madli’s shawl post but there is a bunch of Viagra spam there, LOL!
Anyway, here’s a secret to the nupps…instead of k1,yo,k1 ect 7 times as the pattern states, try k1, PURL 1, k1, P1, k1, p1, k1 VERY loosely! When I did Madli’s shawl, I found the purling gave the nupp some stability and the yo’s weren’t choking up on the needle so they were *easier* to do! (easier, NOT easy, lol!) If you switch to this nupp now, I dont think there will be a noticable difference! I hope this helps! Feel free to email me if I can help or explain better 🙂
PS – I also heard that you can k1,yo, k1 ect. as written and on the purl together you can slip 6, purl 1 and pass the six slipped stitches over BUT I found that this made a very tiny nupp and I didn’t care for it, your mileage may vary! D.
Posted by: Debi
You know what’s weird? I’ve never even met Billy (hi Billy!), but for some reason gaboinga-gaboingas popped into my head yesterday. Weird.
Posted by: Iris
You KNOW how I feel about that book, my dear, so I’m feelin’ your pain about sending it out there with not an ounce of protection. It’ll only be sad for a minute.
xoxo
j
Posted by: john