Tootsie - Sandy apologises

"I don't want to make trouble.

I shouldn't have people over. They never show up."

Soundart update

My Blodeuwedd soundart is now exhibiting in RNIB Cymru's Cardiff office foyer, and its twinkling, chirruping loveliness makes people smile as they come into the office. I'm very happy that I found a place to exhibit it this year, being Louis Braille's bicentenary and all.

RNIB Cymru have also asked me to write another piece of soundart based on their new strapline, as they have now joined forces with CIB (Cardiff Institute for the Blind) - a fantastic local society that helps blind and partially sighted people in Cardiff and the Vale. It will be exhibited during a VIP launch to promote the joining together of two brilliant organisations.

RNIB Cymru and CIB working together to support blind and partially sighted people.
RNIB Cymru a CIB yn gweithio gyda'n gilydd i gefnogi pobl ddall ac â golwg rhannol.

I've made a start on it, and it's come out totally different from Blodeuwedd. I sampled a Perkins Brailler, and transcribed the notes as I did for Blodeuwedd - but it's ended up as this minimalist techno thing. Quite reminiscent of Matmos - which I'm rather happy with.

Already making plans for my next piece, but not sure where/how I can get it exhibited. Answers on a postcard please.

Birthday angst

In five days I'll be 32 years old. How on Earth did this happen? I remember being 21; partying, being creative, writing ALL the time, as if it was yesterday. Now I have a real job that I love and want to continue working my way up in, and things do seem to be going right... but everything is in a state of flux. My job is not secure, I don't have enough time to be creative - whether that's knitting, making my film, writing (don't get me started on how little time I have for that), finishing off all the projects I start. I'm trying very hard to shape my life, but every time I think I've figured something out something happens to throw it all off balance again. I dunno.

I'm happy. But I am also confused. Every year I get a year older and think I should have understood more by now. Does that even make sense? I remember thinking that when I was in my thirties I'd have a lot more sorted: living in a house with a mortgage for one, having a book published by now, possibly being married by now. I have none of those things, not that I'm worse off for not having them, don't get me wrong - but my plans are not going exactly as I planned!

By the time I'm 40 maybe...

Cam

Mae’r statws yn dweud ‘segur’,
dwi di bod yn checio
am hanner awr.
Mae ei glebran wedi sychu lan,
di diflannu fel y gwin gwyn
yn fy ngwydryn;
a nawr mae’r lleuad yn sibrwd ei
diffyg amynedd, eisiau mynd i’r gwely.
Ar fin y nos, dyma fi
dal yn aros i’r neges, aros
i’r bîp neu’r bing.
Yn oer heb fy ngŵn llofft,
yn ymwybyddu galwadau fy nghorff.
Mae o wedi dianc.
Mae’r haul yn synnu, roedd o wedi
rhoi sioe anghrediniol.

Podcast 5.0

I've been making more soundart experiments, using tree and woodland noises.

Download A Tree is a Poem Too.

This player might not work with all browsers. Sorry.

My knitting obsession - update

1. Are you a yarn snob (do you prefer higher quality and/or natural fibres)? Do you avoid Red Heart and Lion Brand? Or is it all the same to you?
Recently, I've started knitting with a higher % of wool mix, but I will knit anything.

2. Do you spin? Crochet?
I'd like to, but can't.

3. Do you have any allergies? (Smoke, pets, fibres, perfume, etc.)
Only hayfever.

4. How long have you been knitting?
Since about 2006

5. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
Yes of course.

6. What’s your favourite scent? (for candles, bath products etc.)
Vanilla, ylang ylang, dragon’s blood, lemon, cinnamon, clove. In that order.

7. Do you have a sweet tooth?
Yes I do, unfortunately.

8. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do?
I love making anything: writing, music, sewing, painting, drawing, cooking...

9. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s?
I love all music, but I'm an indie kid at heart.

10. What’s your favourite colour? Or–do you have a colour family/season/palette you prefer? Any colours you just can’t stand?
Lately, purple.

11. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
Houseshare, no pets.

12. What are your life dreams? (really stretching it here, I know)
Goodness me! To get a book published, to carry on working in my current job, to get more of my art exhibited, to get married (someday).

13. What is/are your favourite yarn/s to knit with?
Wendy fusion, and Sirdar escape; I also love anything chunky/bulky.

14. What fibres do you absolutely *not* like?
Eyelash sucks.

15. What is/are your current knitting obsession/s?
Blankets.

16. What is/are your favourite item/s to knit?
Toys on dpns. Love it.

17. What are you knitting right now?
Blankets for a den under my computer table. I'm such a kid.

18. What do you think about ponchos?
They're a bit last Tuesday.

19. Do you prefer straight or circular needles?
Circular or dpns for me.

20. Bamboo, aluminium, plastic?
Metal is my fave, but I've just bought my first set of bamboos but not had a chance to try them out yet.

21. Are you a sock knitter?
Life is too short to knit socks!

22. How did you learn to knit?
Inherited the knitting gene from my Mam, and taught myself (with help from my Mam).

23. How old is your oldest UFO?
Months and months old!

24. What is your favourite animated character?
Spongebob Squarepants.

25. What is your favourite holiday?
Samhain.

26. Is there anything that you collect?
Too many things!

27. What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?
Knitty.com, and I browse Ravelry daily.

28. Any books out there you are dying to get your hands on?
None at the moment.

29. Any patterns you have been coveting, but haven’t bought for one reason or another?
I get all mine from off of the internets. I am cheap.

30. What are your foot measurements, and what kind of socks do you like? Size 8. Cabled socks please.

Test post

This is a test, to see if I can post to my blog from my google homepage.