Archives—March 2008

March 4—ARSE

I've changed the stories section again. Everything is still there; I've merely renamed the folder "kp" so as to differentiate it from the new stories sections—yes, new sections of stories! As I said in my last update, some people new to my site have been saying they'd like to see more about me here. I thought there was plenty—I mean, what is there to me, anyway? I'm a dinky little socialist stagehand from Houston who knits, cooks, writes, and has a cat—but apparently the "about me" section was not enough. So I've decided to start a few sections of nonfiction stories. There will be a section of general stories, and separately, sections dealing with my various infamous klutzy incidents and numerous failures with the opposite sex. A tiny portion of it is now available for your reading pleasure. Ladies, gentlemen, and others, please welcome Awkward Romantic/Sexual Encounters, ARSE for short.

Another new section I'm especially looking forward to is one in which I parodically chronicle my new life in Houston. I hope the new roommates realize it's a gag when they find it.

Also, I updated the recipes section a little more. Nothing much—I will probably continue to make minor changes in the next few days. Mostly, though, I look forward to updating ARSE.

March 9—Updated ARSE

I've added a couple of new stories to ARSE; The Early Years section is now complete. I'm starting the junior high school section now, and after that the really hilarious stuff can begin.

I had an idea for the nonfiction stories section: I thought I might create a section within it about some of my college experiences, including some just about my favorite classes. I noticed that I don't talk about my time at UT much on this site, and it was really enjoyable.

Also, I will be completing my Irish cardigan within a couple of weeks (I hope); I will post the picture in the knitting section then for all to mock. The colors are particularly hideous. Related to knitting, I've posted a couple of new patterns, including one for a Doctor Who scarf. I began one myself long ago, but the work in progress is in storage at my grandfather's.

My move to Houston has been postponed another week; Kirston's been having trouble getting the day off. Meanwhile, not much has been happening with my dad's proposed new job. As I was under the impression that something should have happened by now, I don't think this bodes well. All the more reason for me to look forward to moving, I suppose.

March 14—Pi Day

First things first. I have started my section of nonfiction stories. Within it I created a section just for college stories, and within that, I created a section for memories of my favorite classes. There's only one story there so far, about my History of Russia since 1917 class (which will undoubtedly be heavily edited later on), but I wanted to get something posted in that section.

And now. Happy Pi Day, everyone. Yes yes—March 14th is 3.14, thusly the term Pi Day. Surprisingly, of the friends I talked to online last night, I was the only one who had not heard of it. This would indicate that I am the least nerdy of my friends, which should fill me with a sense of relief, but instead I just feel out of the loop. Oh well, that's not unusual.

Speaking of pi reminded me of the famous (in knitting circles) pi shawl, created by knitting guru Elizabeth Zimmermann. Knitting, for those of you unfamiliar with the craft, is heavily mathematical in nature, based on geometry and repetition. Even the most complex patterns are variations on a small set of rules. Thusly it stands to reason that many patterns take advantage of the math in knitting, especially lace patterns. The pi shawl is one such example, using basic repetitions on a circular shawl to create an elaborate, delicate fabric. After creating the Moebius scarf and Klein bottle hat, with plans for a projective plane hat in the works (it may never come to pass—the pattern scares the shit out of me), it seemed only logical to continue my mathematical knitting with a pi shawl. After failing to locate a free pattern on the web, my friend Marshall kindly purchased the book with the pattern in it for me. So, thanks, Marshall; I will eventually purchase the yarn and make it.

March 29—Post Move Update: First, a Rant

I'll update properly later, but before I say anything else, I would like to note that nothing sends me into a towering rage like the baseless tormenting of someone unable to defend himself. Bullies and hypocrites of every kind are the true dregs of humanity. A very few of you reading this may remember an incident from elementary school when I beat up a kid for making anti-Semitic remarks, or the time in high school I yelled at a girl until she cried for making fun of a friend of mine.

Times haven't changed much. There are relatively few people I truly regard with much respect, and I will defend those few to the death. A coworker of Kirston's very nearly found this out the hard way the other night, but I controlled my temper. I'm rather sorry I did. This person offered a great deal of unsolicited advice, none of it good, for talking to Kirston. She said many terrible things about him that weren't even true, acting as though she knew exactly what was going on, despite not knowing shit, as if it's anyone's business but Kirston's and mine anyway. She made him out to be some kind of sociopath (which I know better than to believe), while she herself has many mental problems. She didn't realize the extent of her troubles or how offensive the other remarks she made that evening (racist in nature) were. Needless to say, someone like that will never earn my respect or get listened to.

Kirston has never been anything but kind to me. My sole complaint is that he hasn't talked to me as much as I would like. I confronted him about that, and he promised to make a more concerted effort to get to know me. That complaint aside, there are very few people who have been so kind to me. No one else at all has offered me a place to stay asking nothing in exchange, despite my repeated offers. No one else has helped me find work and driven me around without complaint. No one else has taken seriously my wishes regarding the way I am treated. He has. He could easily hold much of this against me or make my life very difficult. He hasn't.

With that said, I do not ever want to hear such negative remarks made about the only person who has done anything truly kind for me lately. You may politely criticize, but keep it professional. Personal attacks will not be tolerated. I promise you, if I hear one slanderous remark against him, I WILL FUCK YOU UP.

If anyone tries to be cute and violate these rules right away in a pseudo-sarcastic jab at my wishes, I will NOT speak to you again. EVER. This is not a joke. Try me.