i did it!

I'm going to be doing the thing I came to this city to do. Theatre. It's really happening! Let me begin at the beginning.

The weekend my roommate left for her new cruise gig, my new gal pal (Brie) invited me out for her friends birthday party. A much more exciting plan than my original plan...sitting at home by myself. I had met a couple of her friend already so I knew it would be a good time. While at dinner, Brie happened to mention that I had a degree in theatre which prompted the birthday fella himself to ask me what I do. I told him I'm a stage manager and without skipping a beat he said "I need one of those". Amidst the party fodder we decided to talk more about it later on. The rest of the evening was spent with many laughs and really great food. (for real though....such great food)

After a couple week of getting each others contact information, Easter, and setting up a time to meet, we were finally able to sit and talk. As I rode the train to our meeting I had trouble ignoring a little voice inside my head. It kept saying things like:

"but you just started enjoying your 2 days off"

"there's no way it will fit into your schedule anyway"

"how will you break it to him that you won't be able to do it"

"do your really want to drive yourself into the ground again?"

"the subway costs money"

Needless to say, it was a pretty negative voice. It was as if I had made up my mind going into it. I'm not even sure why. 

So we met. And we talked. And talked. After about an hour or so of talking and sharing stories and giving each other an idea of what we're about, it became clear. Not only did I want to do it...I needed to do it. Everything about the way this company works seems like a perfect fit for me. I'll be the Stage Manager but I'll also have the platform to have a voice in what's going on...not just a paperwork machine. It's a company that values everyone's opinions and artistic backgrounds and finds a way to make the work a product of everyone involved. Beyond that the work that they're producing is new and fresh and not typical. It's interactive and in your face. It's out of my own comfort zone and I'm thrilled about it.

I'm doing it guys! I'm going to be a Stage Manager in New York City. I'm fulfilling the dream I've had since I chose this career. How many people can say that?? I feel so blessed and grateful to the people around me that helped make this happen. Does it get any better than this?! I don't see how it could. Life isn't good....it's amazing.

If you'd like to check out the company:

The Circle Theatre of New York

fighting in italian

There's something about this commercial. Every time I see it I don't get the feeling that I really need gelato (more than the usual feeling that is).

All I can think about is how I'd love to be the woman in the commercial. Preparing dinner in my summer dress one minute and spouting off a tangent of beautiful Italian words the next. 

There's just something so so romantic about Italian....even when it's angry. 

I love it. 

And every time I see this commercial I make a little wish that someday I'll be able to know any Italian at all. Even if it's for fighting.

stuff

Last weekend my family was kind enough to help me out by driving me and some of my belongings from home back to NYC. Now that I have my own room I could decide what stuff I wanted  to have in it. Stuff like my queen sized bed, my sewing machine, my record player, and my dress form. Stuff that to some, sounds trivial or unnecessary or not worth dragging across the state of New York. But drag we did and over the last week it's been a daily task of mine to get things organized and in their proper place. Sometimes I think things should look one way and the next day I've changed my mind entirely. Naturally.

Looking around my room as I type this now I see all my stuff. The stuff that made the cut. And I realize, it's not just stuff. It's who I am. Right now. It's the things I've specifically chosen to speak on my behalf. It's crafty and quirky and a little vintage. It's everything I could want my room to be for the gal I am right now and the joy that brings me is slightly indescribable. Ya know, you don't realize how important having your own little space is until you sleep in a lofted bed above your best friend for a period of time. It's a real eye opener.

So, after a year and a half of living in this city, the last piece to the puzzle is in place. MY stuff. Some of the things that make me feel my most me. I can officially stake my claim on a little chunk of this town and really feel like it's my own.

And it feels fabulous.

auntie

The biggest thing that has happened these past couple weeks didn't even really happen in these past couple weeks. It was merely announced to the public. I'm officially going to be Auntie Sarah. That's right folks, my sister and brother are expecting their first child. It's funny that as I type this my eyes are welling up...something that hasn't happened since the day they told me. I'm just so happy for them and for my sister especially. If you should know anything about Cassie (Trostle) Jindra it's that she was put on this earth to be a mother. Having children is not a marital duty for her, it's a personal necessity....something to make her truly complete. So knowing that it's happening for her, really happening, fills me with so much joy that it seems to squeak out of my eyes at times. Then add to that the fact that this will officially make me someones Aunt...happiness overflow.

The one thing that saddens me about this glorious event is that I live as far away as I do. I never had to give much thought to the idea of my niece or nephew growing up and not really knowing who I was. It always seemed like a distant idea. But now it's here. I know technology is great for staying in touch and skype is a wonderful tool for that, but it's just not the same as being there in person to see the cute facial expressions and hear the baby noises first hand.  And what about cousins?? I'm not having children anytime soon so who knows how much older this child will be by the time I get around to making my own. The thought of mine and my sisters kids not being able to get along because of their age difference is sad. Cousins are an awesome thing to have and they can even act as extended siblings. Will mine and Cassie's kids have that kind of relationship? On April 13, 2014 I'd have to say probably not. And that makes me sad. More so for our kids than for me. Maybe these are things I shouldn't worry about too much but when you're one and only sister gets pregnant for the first time, it happens.

Of course this also means that I will have LOTS of baby knitting to do! Chickpea (as we're affectionately calling him/her) will need a good amount of handmade things from Auntie Sarah and so far I've already picked our patterns and yarn for an adorable baby blanket as well as the cutest hedgehog sweater in all the land(my sister has a pet hedgehog...my first nephew Huckleberry). Chickpea will be the cutest thing in the world! I'm actually really excited to get into making baby things. They're just so cute!

All of our lives are about to change come September and it's going to be absolutely thrilling. I can't wait to meet this little Chickpea and be a part of his/her life. And until I meet a wonderful man I may or may not use Chickpea for a little advertisement. Can you blame me??

as of late

The last 2 months have been an absolute whirlwind. I'm only now starting to feel like the dust has settled enough for me to look around and see the results. First the big move at the yarn store. To call it an undertaking is a vast understatement. It was an overtaking. An overtaking of my time, my body, my life. I worked everyday for 2 weeks straight and while it was exhausting, it was really, really rewarding. Now that I'm full time at the store, being able to be totally hands on and involved in how it all came out made me feel like a little part of it was mine too. Gives me the sense of being a big girl, at my big girl job. I work full time! At 1 job! And it's awesome.

Once the store re-opened it was on to the next big move. Finding a new apartment. Since one event occurred right after the other, I somehow managed to get out of being the one who stressed about finding a new place. Unfortunately my roommate did not. We looked at a few places, all of which were less than stellar. Then with 2 weeks to spare we found it. THE apartment. Our now home. And in the most ironic twist of fate, our new apartment is 2 blocks down from the store. Same side of the street and everything. Meant to be.

So for the second time in 2 months I packed, moved, and unpacked. While it wasn't at quite the same scale as the store, it was still an exhausting couple of weeks. And while we're officially in the new place, the work isn't done quite yet. Next weekend I get to go home for Easter and my Dad, Poppop and Sister will be driving back to NYC with me and the rest of my things from home. Such things as my QUEEN sized bed and best of all, my sewing machine. It's like having a limb returned to me. I just can't wait to have it here. I already know where I want it to be in my room and have even commissioned my dad and poppop to make me a swell pegboard for the wall. I'm pretty sure it's going to be awesome!

Amidst all the moving, I managed to turn a year older, meet a swell new gal pal and my roommate accepted a great new job on a cruise ship! While I'm so so happy for Karlin and her new job, it's definitely going to be an adjustment being by myself for 6 weeks at a time. That's a lot of Sarah time. But I think it will be good. A time to grow. And not wear pants!

So yeah, I'm not dead and I haven't forgotten about this space. I'm slowing getting back to center and it feels really great. I've been knitting up a storm, managing to have a little fun, and today I even went for a jog. Life isn't good....it's great. And I can't help but feel like it's just going to keep getting better.

knitted mood blanket 2014| joining squares

When I decided on using mitered squares for my mood blanket I didn't really think about how to connect them and beyond that how to connect the rows together. I just knew I liked the way they looked and that people had been connecting them somehow. So mitered squaring I was. Connecting the first row of squares as I made them was easy. When it came time to start row 2...then the trouble came. I knew I wanted my diagonals to go in the same direction as row 1 so I figured out how to make the first square and quickly realized that square 2 and the rest of the row wouldn't prove to be as easy. I didn't want to bother with seaming 2 long rows together so I scoured the interwebs for some kind of solution. I quickly realized that the easiest way to connect mitered squares just happens to be in a diagonal fashion <palm to forehead>. I certainly wasn't about to un-knit 21 days of progress so I knew I had to find another answer and find another answer I did! So I figured it was only the nice thing to do to share my answer with anyone else who cares to know. So I took some pictures and I'll explain my steps. If something doesn't seem right or you have any questions, just ask!

Note: I'm making my squares with 20 stitches on each side so if you attempt this with a different sized square, adjust your numbers accordingly.

I'll be referring to 3 different squares to work with:
-The Previous Square-the square in the same row as your new square: Pink
-The New Square-the square you're knitting: Yellow
-The Top Row Square-the square in the row above your new square: Blue

Let's go!

Step 1:

(RS)

With a spare needle (I used a smaller one than my squares are made with-a US5), pick up 20 stitches from the right side of the Previous Square(pink), starting at the bottom of the square

Step 2:

With the proper needle-US7, cast on 20 stitches with the yarn your New Square(yellow) will be made in

 

Step 3:

 

I found it easiest to achieve this step by placing the Top Row Square(blue) right side down, so the bottom edge is on top. 

(WS)

 With the needle you just cast stitches onto, pick up a stitch from the right side corner of the bottom edge of the Top Row Square. Having the New Square yarn in front, wrap it on top of your needle(back to front)

(WS)

 Using your free needle-US7, slip your Top Row Square stitch over your New Square yarn, from the back

(WS)

 Repeat this step, picking up 20 stitches altogether. You should now have 40 stitches on your needle with your New Square yarn

Step 4:

To begin this step, turn your work over so the Previous Square is to the right of your cast on stitches.

 

(RS)

 Slip the first stitch from the New Square onto the needle holding the Previous Square stitches

(RS)

With the New Square yarn in front, slip the Previous Square stitch over the New Square stitch from behind and slip your New Square stitch back onto its needle. 

Knit the next row, then continue making your miter square making sure to repeat Step 4 every time you finish the row ending next to the Previous Square.

(RS)

As your miter square decreases to the corner the number of stitches from the Previous Square should lessen evenly until you finish the corner.

(RS)

It should end up looking like this!! It's not quite as smooth as the top row but I have every faith that it will block out nicely....and that I won't mind it too badly even if it doesn't! 

Now that that's settled I'm also glad to announce that I'm officially caught up on my mood days! It's such a relief and I'm really happy with the way it's coming out. Needless to say, 2014 will certainly be colorful!

on repeat

I've started watching Late Night with Jimmy Fallon(hilarious bee tee dubs) and I'm loving the musical guests that he has on! I mean come on....this guy chose THE ROOTS for his house band. So you know he's got taste.

Now I've never been big on the electronica scene. As a lady who loves to sing I enjoy being able to sing along to my favorite songs so electronica music just doesn't keep my interest for very long. Great for dancing, not so much for singing. So the other day while I was watching my guy Jimmy he introduced a group called Disclosure. 

Let me tell you. It was as if the heavens parted and my ears finally found their electronica soul mate. They performed the song Latch and I've been hooked every since. Their album, Settle, is so dang catchy but Latch in particular has been on repeat for me lately. I just can't get enough. Enjoy!! 

To My Someday Hair Critic

There will be days when I spend a portion of my morning doing my hair in a particular way. And when you see this particular way I'm sure you'll agree that it looks like I've put my finger into a light socket. And you'll probably wonder if that's how I meant for my hair to look.

The answer will be, yes.

I don't know if I'll be able to explain why I like the way it looks but just know that I do and that it won't happen entirely often. So kindly let me know that I look like a crazy lady and by the next day the do will be gone, not to return for a while. Hopefully.

Love always,

Your Someday Crazy Haired Lady

knitted mood blanket 2014

Guys.....for real....I've found the most wonderful project of all time! My friend Holly over at Crafty Holly Louise posted about this particular project she found on instagram(there's a blog now!) that has taken the crochet world by storm!! It's called the Crochet Mood Blanket 2014. The idea is that you designate a number of colors of yarn (as many as you wish) to moods that you feel. Then you pick a pattern to crochet and each day make 1 block with the color of your mood that day. Awesome right?! Except for that minor detail of the fact that I don't know how to crochet!! Obviously I wasn't going to let that stop me so I decided on knitting my instead. duh. 

Most people are making it in a DK weight so I chose Tosh DK by madelinetosh....because their yarns are my all time fave. A girl that comes into the yarn shop where I work is currently working on a blanket with miter squares and I love the way it looks so I decided that would be my pattern. With those decisions made I went about choosing my moods and colors. Since madelinetosh comes up with such great names for their colors I wanted to base my moods off the color names as much as I could. This is what I came up with and I couldn't be happier!

Last night I went about figuring out my moods for the days in January I missed so I can catch up and today I decided that I needed a yarn for good ol' happiness so I chose Courbet's Green. My squares come out to be about 3 1/4 inches and I want the finished shape to be square as well so I decided 20 rows x 20 rows (with a few extra squares to fill the last row) will do and make a nice humongous blanket! I can't wait to sit down and catch up!! I see a lot of edison bulb and courbet's green happening in the month of January.

It's especially awesome to see the way this blanket idea has taken off. There's a Facebook group for people making it with over 3,000 people in it. Everyone shares their progress, asks for suggestions and really encourages each other. It's really amazing to be a part of. And if you feel inspired and want to join in the fun DO IT! It's not too late and who says you can't start your year today! There really are no rules! I can't wait to share my progress with you all here and see this blanket take shape. It's my first, so it's even more special.

missed stitch

So I stumbled upon this illustration this morning and instantly fell in love with it. Upon further investigation I learned that it's from a series of wonderful illustrations by Sophie Blackall that gives those Missed Connections posts on craiglist some life. They're amazing and for purchase on Sophie's Etsy page here (for someone whose birthday could be coming up in March{cough, cough}). As I was looking through her website I also realized that I've been looking at her work for over a year now and didn't even realize it. Her work was chosen for the Art in the Subway paintings that you can find inside the subway cars here in the city.

you never know.