Moving right along...

This is currently my life...

When Spiderman packs your bike. #broughtthewrongbungeecords #butImadeitwork #diagonalsforthewin #bikeTO #movingallthebooks #obeyNewtons1stlawandputthecordsfromfronttoback

A post shared by Andrea M (@aem2_) on Jul 2, 2017 at 8:03am PDT

It's Pi Day, Pi Day, gotta get down on Pi Day

Things have been very, very quiet on the blog. I have many posts in draft which may or may not get published in the near future, but for now it's Pi Day. Several people linked me to this article in the Guardian (hint: the first one is a trick question), which led me on to this article about why we use π. I thought it was Euler, because it's always Euler, and he did popularize it, but turns out the first recorded use was in William Jones's 1706 Summary of Mathematical Achievements.

And now you know.

And, of course, Vi Hart's annual anti-pi rant. Which is a bit more subversive this time.

2016: Still waters running deep

Things have been a little... quiet... on the blog lately. As predicted, school has been kicking my butt time-wise, but I did do some things this past year. I'm going to make a concerted effort in the new year to follow my original goal of blogging on average once a week. Many posts are currently sitting in the drafts folder, but they will see the light of day. Maybe even this year.^*

On with the yearly wrap-up. It was a year. The consensus is that it sucked globally, but personally, it was pretty good. I had 8 months of vacation, followed by 4 months of making up for it in spades. The DC and I celebrated our first anniversary as married adorables and my cat Lucy celebrated her 17th birthday by finally realizing that she has massive arthritis in her hips and so therefore shouldn't be leaping from the sewing table to the ironing board and that she could, in fact, pee on this.

New year

My second leave year is up and I'm back at school. I only learned my schedule last week, and I have 4 (out of 6) preps this year; 1 of them is new, 2 of them are the pre-AP versions of courses I've taught before so they might as well be new, and while I've taught the fourth once before, we're making a few changes to how it's taught. So, yeah. Going to be a frantically busy year.^*

But you know how the kids seem to be getting younger every year?

Huh.

I've been doing some stuff that I will post timey-wimely (much like this post) to make it look like I've been keeping up with this blog thing at the same time as solidly crocheting and theatre-going and dining-in-white, among other things. But school is going to kick my butt for a while, so... yeah. Stay tuned. But don't hold your breath.

^*Especially since this year is the year I stay on top of my marking. No, really.

Stop laughing.

Heartwrenching: Errandonnées #10-12

Yesterday was the last day of the Errandonnée, and I still needed to complete two more errands and ride a bunch more kilometres. And so I did.



The recent rise in temperature has led us to believe we won't need our space heater again, so I strapped it to my Opus to take it to our storage locker. It's an odd shape, with an asymmetric bulge at the back, so I had to balance it at an angle and it was a bit awkward biking with the top right beside the seat. I was worried that the horrible state of road on Ossington would bounce it right off, but that net bungee held it solidly.

I'm sure this will come back to bite us in a month.

Drinking wine and solving crime

I have been watching a lot of Forensic Files on YouTube lately and felt the need to make a drinking game. Because obviously. Shots when they say/do the following:

1. "gruesome/grisly discovery"
   
2. use of lumniol
   
3. use of mitochondrial DNA
   
4. "cold-blooded"
   
5. commercial interruption mid-sentence (this is a fun YouTube phenomenon)
   
6. explanation of GPS/"Global Positioning System"
   
7. Some variant on "What they found surprised/shocked/amazed everybody."
   
8. "We couldn't have done this without the forensics."

Cheers!

Requiem for a wedding gown

Fifty-nine years ago today, my parents got married. In four weeks, it will be my turn. The wedding will be pretty low-key, but I've put a lot of thought into the dress. This is the beginning of its story.

As a young lass, when I imagined my wedding, I always pictured myself wearing Aged P's dress. It's a dream couture gown: heavy cream silk, very classic style, close-fitting bodice, long full skirt. Train. Portrait neckline. Custom-fit self-bustier. My great-uncle Arthur Banks was a British designer and would occasionally be brought to Canada by some of the department stores; on one of his trips to Toronto he told my mother that when she got married, he'd design her dress. She didn't really take him seriously, but sure enough when she announced her engagement, he told her to send him her measurements. A week before the wedding, it arrived, which just goes to show that getting things done at the last minute is a family trait.

When I announced my engagement, Aged P and I went to look at her dress. It's been in the box for nearly sixty years and I was a little worried it wouldn't be in good condition, but it looked fabulous. Seeing it up close for the first time, there were details I didn't know about. The waist is a thing of beauty, with this amazing seaming.

And they gave my mother something blue.

But as much as I love this dress, I can't wear it. For one thing, I don't even begin to fill out that bodice. For another, I am marrying the Dapper Cyclist and well, you just can't bike in this dress. For a third, my ideal wedding, and therefore my ideal wedding dress, has changed a lot since I was a girl. And frankly, it's a nightmare to get into or out of.

But I hated to let the dream die.

There's an awful lot of fabric in that skirt. I'm going to use it to make my dress. So I am going to wearing a part of my mother's dress after all.

Something old, something new.

I bring you tidings of great joy

The DC gave me a very special birthday gift today. He asked Lucy if he could be part of her forever home.



She said yes.

Still alive

The observant among you will have noticed that school and illness and various other things have kept me from blogging. But I have been doing some stuff that I will blog and post in a timey-wimey fashion once I'm on break in two weeks. In the meantime, I'll just leave you with this little momento of what I did last Thursday...

In which PhysicsGirl would like to thank the academy...

Holy cow. I won an award! Twice!

The lovely Nancy from Sewing in Surf City just (ahem, okay, about two months ago) nominated me for a Liebster award. This is an award that is given by bloggers to bloggers. The rules vary a little, depending on who gives you the award, but basically you thank the blogger, linking back to their blog, post the award button on your blog, answer their questions, and pass the award on. I've seen it awarded in various places, and I've always been somewhat hopeful yet terrified that someone would nominate me. Hopeful because it means that someone reads this blog and thinks I'm moderately amusing; terrified because it means that somebody reads this blog. And also because of the obligation to pass on the award. Anyway, I started writing up this post in June, then Things overtook me and I dallied so long that Andie from Sew Pretty in Pink also nominated me for the award. Which is great! Except not, because I was going to nominate her! And now I've got even more questions to answer.

Energy fail: Sew for a change #2

This month, I did not even come close to meeting the Sew for a Change energy challenge. I fell down pretty much where I expected to: most of the time I remember to unplug the microwave and flick the internet switch, but not always. And my TV and DVD player are usually unplugged, but we watched a lot of movies this month and I often forgot to unplug them afterwards. I was really hoping to get into the habit of unplugging daily, but I failed too often. However I will keep trying. Also, I will get around to vacuuming behind the fridge soon, although I'm kind of afraid to see what's back there.

I did not too badly on the rest of the challenge. Although I rent and don't control my utilities, I learned a bit about Bullfrog Power, which you pay to put clean energy into the system. The DC and I are still working out our cohabitation budget, but this is something I'd like to look into more. My fridge runs a degree too cold, but it's old and wonky and any adjustment makes it too warm. And I've always been good about not letting the water run when I'm not using it, whether washing dishes, hands, or teeth. I realized, though, that I have to be careful when I wash my lunch dishes at school to turn off the tap when I'm not rinsing.

So no extra 10 points for me. Which is not good, because I went a little crazy with #sewDollyClacket fabric and jewellery supplies this month. So I'm down to 40 points, and that worries me because I know I'm going to have to buy new stockings in the fall (one of my favourite pairs developed a huge hole in the shin -- which is a look, I guess). And stockings are expensive, point-wise.

So here is the score card of shame.

(I've modified the points for jewellery supplies: 1 pt if it's for a single-use item (in this case, one pair of chandlier earring findings) and 3 pts for multi-use items (this month, 2 packages of 20 shoe clips).

Fortunately, I have no plans to buy anything else this month, and I'm pretty sure I'll pass this month's paper challenge. My job is pretty paper-intensive by nature, but I already save one-sided paper to print on and try to avoid creating unnecessary photocopies. In one of my classes, the assignments for the rest of the year will be paperless, which will be a huge savings. We already use paper towels as little as possible, and make sure to get the select-a-size -- and even then I'll tear the small ones in half. The trick is to fold the paper, as I learned from this TED talk:

It really works.

Most of my monthly bills and statements are already online, so I just need to deal with one. I sort of want to keep the last one as a paper bill because it's a visual reminder to me to pay my bills, but I'll probably change it. I put up a 'no flyers' sign a few years ago, but it recently fell off due to weather and age and I haven't gotten around to redoing it -- the problem with living three floors up is that I often forget stuff by the time I've climbed all those stairs -- but I'm going to put one back up this weekend. With duct tape.

As for magazines, I already save them for Arts Junktion, and I'm cancelling the one magazine that I not only don't really read anymore, but they insist on mailing to me swathed in plastic. Every. single. time.

Now excuse me while I go and unplug the microwave.

In which PhysicsGirl declutters: Sew For a Change #1

The first month of Sew For a Change is over, and I've more than met the decluttering challenge. At first I thought I would have a hard time finding 28 more items to get rid of; I'd just gotten rid of a bunch of stuff which I could have counted toward the challenge, but I wanted to see if I had more. So I started to make a list, as I do...

Turns out, it's addictive. There is stuff on this list that I've been meaning to get rid of for years. It feels very good.

Here's the thing: if Goodwill or Value Village can't sell it, they throw it out. Sad, but true. Since the purpose of the challenge was to avoid things ending up in the landfill, I thought I'd list where I sent everything in case somebody wants to do the same.

Giveitaway giveitaway giveitaway now

The chorus is the only part of this song I can understand. Also: motion sickness warning.

So, I thought I had posted the winner of the pattern giveaway on my birthday, but clearly getting older is affecting my memory. That or the procrastination thing. Anyway, using a virtual 10-sided die (because mine are at school), the winner is...

9 ≡ 4(mod 5), and so the winner is Andi Unseamly! Huzzah! I've sent you a message on Google+.

Speaking of giving stuff away, I've been doing quite well with the Sew For a Change decluttering challenge. In fact, if I count the items that my downstairs neighbour graciously took away for her work donation thingy 2 days before the challenge started, I've already reached the required 28 items. I'm going to see if I can do it without counting them, though. Given away so far (or definite plans to do so)? Tap shoes, a historical atlas, my Aerogarden, rollerblades and wrist guards, 2 immersion blenders, a Porta-bar that we foolishly pick up off the street, the camera I took to Europe 4 years ago, the Palm Zire 71 I thought I could upgrade to after said trip, some metal puzzles, my green Mahalo ukulele and penny whistle, 2 boxes of CDs, some clothes, a bunch more books (including the giant tome Audubon's Quadrupeds of North America), these patterns and trim (which I'm counting as three items even though there are 13 of them), and two bags of magazines which are going to Arts Junktion, which provides art materials for TDSB schools. I'm currently trying to sell my 3M MPro 150 projector and some Folio books. I'm even thinking of selling my hard guitar case.

This could get serious.

In which PhysicsGirl gives patterns away for her birthday!

In 10 days it will be my birthday. It's a geekily important one, so I'm trying to think of ways to top the birthday nonad from two years ago. Here's one of them: I'm giving away a bunch of patterns and some trims.

I was going to do this anyway, but I'm pleased to be able to count it as part of the February decluttering challenge from Sew For a Change: get rid of, i.e. donate, sell, repurpose 28 items, one for each day of the month.

All of the patterns are uncut. I was given a bunch and they're gorgeous, but they're not my size and realistically I'll never size them down. Others are my size, but I think it's time to let them go on to someone who will make them into the lovely garments they deserve to be.

They are V8353, Butterick 4781, and Style 3853 (sizes 12-16), and V814, V8473, V8181, and V7521 (sizes 14-20).

The next bunch are the same vintage child's pattern (McCall's 7358) in sizes 2, 4, and 6. I think Aged P bought these for me, or at least for the girl she thought she was going to have when she was first pregnant.^*

The size 4 has a stained envelope and the instructions are missing, but the pattern seems fine and anyway the (uite yellowed) instructions are intact in the other two envelopes.

Lastly, I'm throwing in some trim that came in a FabricMart mystery bundle.

Aren't they fun? I'm sorry the pictures have turned out horribly; that pale one has light pink curlicue embroidery down the middle.

If you would like to receive a birthday present from me, leave a comment below by midnight EST February 9, saying either which pattern you love to make up, what you would do with that trim, or what item you own you could donate, sell, or repurpose this month. If there is enough interest, I might split the pattern into three bundles by size. Check back February 10 for the winner(s). And enjoy this adorable picture of Lucy.



^*I showed up eight years later. I was always a procrastinator. And tardy.

Frozen

It's been a wee bit nippy here. Starting with the ice storm shortly before Christmas and continuing on practically non-stop since then it's been... more like the winters I was used to than the ones we've been having lately.

The Rose of Tralee

My Great-Aunt Julie died a few weeks ago at the incredible age of 101. She was a remarkable woman: she grew up in a small town in Ireland before it was "Ireland," was a nurse during WWII, then met and married a Canadian and moved to Alberta. She had ridden a camel, a motorcycle, and been flown across the Arctic Circle, and was entitled to the full benefits and respects that are accorded to such a hearty adventurer.

She was still sharp as a tack at her 100th birthday in May 2012. We sang her favourite song, The Rose of Tralee, changing the name to Julie. That's her on the lower left.


At her funeral reception today, we sang it again.

The pale moon was rising above the green mountain,
The sun was declining beneath the blue sea;
As I strayed with my love to the pure crystal fountain,
That stands in the beautiful Vale of Tralee.
She was lovely and fair as the rose in the summer,
Yet 'twas not her beauty alone that won me;
Oh no, 'twas the truth in her eyes ever dawning,
That made me love Julie, the Rose of Tralee.

The cool shades of evening their mantle were spreading
And Julie all smiling sat listening to me;
The moon through the valley her pale light was shedding
As I won the heart of the Rose of Tralee.
She was lovely and fair as the rose of the summer,
Yet 'twas not her beauty alone that won me;
Oh no, 'twas the truth in her eyes ever dawning,
That made me love Julie, the Rose of Tralee.

Totally procrastinating

If you know me in person, you can probably skip the video. Or not. I'm not judging.^* This is part of the Blog Voices thingy, wherein we get to hear how other bloggers sound.^** And I'm sorry for that weird business at the end.



List of Words:
Aunt, Route, Wash, Oil, Theater, Iron, Salmon, Caramel, Fire, Water, Sure, Data, Ruin, Crayon, Toilet, New Orleans, Pecan, Both, Again, Probably, Spitting image, Alabama, Lawyer, Coupon, Mayonnaise, Syrup, Pajamas, Caught

List of Questions:
What is it called when you throw toilet paper on a house?
What is the bug that when you touch it, it curls into a ball?
What is the bubbly carbonated drink called?
What do you call gym shoes?
What do you say to address a group of people?
What do you call the kind of spider that has an oval-shaped body and extremely long legs?
What do you call your grandparents?
What do you call the wheeled contraption in which you carry groceries at the supermarket?
What do you call it when rain falls while the sun is shining?
What is the thing you change the TV channel with?

You can see a list of the other bloggers who have been doing this at the Three Dresses Project.


^*Actually, I'd like somebody who does know me to watch it and tell me if I sound like this. Because, aside from the usual "I don't sound like that" thing, I've never heard myself sound like this. I've listened to recordings of myself, and this is bizarre. The DC says it's a bit tinny and that my voice is more mellow in person.

^**I even created a YouTube channel for this. I might start putting up ukulele videos. We'll see. I'll do it if I can put Lucy in the videos, because I hear that's a thing.

In which PhysicsGirl goes antiquing and buys too many gloves

Today, the DC and I went to the Aberfoyle Antique Market near Guelph with a bunch of friends today. After the week's warmth, the temperature dropped down to oh-lord-but-it's-chilly temperatures - I think somebody could have done a brisk trade in wool gloves.

I hearby claim this blog...

on behalf of Bloglovin. And physics, math, adventures, and tea.

And so this isn't a total loss as a post, here is a random picture of Lucy.

Nerdigras, Macarons, and Easter Bonnets

Just under the wire, but happy Nerdigras, everyone! 10 days until Pi Day!^*

Two more fun dates are coming up in the next few weeks. First up is the Jour du Macaron on Wednesday, March 20. You may remember my tour du macaron last year. I might be planning a similar tour this year. Stay tuned.



After that is the second annual Vintage Easter Parade on Sunday, March 31. I may try to finish (read: line) the green dress I made for last year's parade, and I am thinking about what to do for a hat, because as L says in her blog post about the history of the parade, it's all about the hats.


But I will definitely wear a coat if I need to! Brr!

^*Or 114 until Tau Day, if you prefer.