So I’ve started using Linux

For the most part I’m enjoying it. Certain other items though not so much.

Why haven’t the geeks done a decent port of something iTunes like for Linux? I’m not even asking for iPod support. I just want to tell the program where the music is then make up playlists from that.

Why isn’t there a program close to Windows Live Writer? Blogilo is having issues with my hosted WP blog. I haven’t tried the other services yet.

My Thursday Evening

Thursday afternoon I glanced at my twitter feed, and saw a contest tweeted by Reading 107FM

( @Reading107 ) for tickets to that evening’s showing of The Audience at the local cinema. The question was general movie trivia, “Who played Queen Elizabeth II in the film The Queen?” Well I love trivia and knew the answer, so I answered. I figured I didn’t get it in time or what not as I’ve been trying for two weeks to get Costa Coffee goodies, and still haven’t won any. Well what do you know, this time I won, I kind of wonder if it wasn’t the fact I answered Dame Helen Mirren that tipped it in my favor.

So I had about two hours to try and round up three other people, sadly didn’t happen. Then eat dinner and get myself to the cinema. I managed it.

The cinema was almost empty, maybe a couple of dozen people. That was sad on many levels. One because The Audience is part of the National Theatre Live program which brings the theatre programs that some might not get to ever see to your cities and towns. I really think this should be supported by putting our butts in the seats. Two because this was a brilliant show! I challenge any reality show addicted couch potato to see this and not think favorably about it. It has Dame Helen Freaking Mirren in it! There really should be more publicity about this program especially after I saw some of the other showings. I’ve already told my husband that I have two more dates that I want to go on. I’m getting off track back to The Audience.

This play was just brilliant. Dame Helen just owned me, she had a level of snarky humor as The Queen I really wouldn’t be surprised actually existed. The costume changes fall under spoiler info just know we don’t go from young Queen to old Queen we jump and take that as you will.

I spent much of my time laughing at the snarky quips, self-deprecation, and commiseration between The Queen and her Prime Ministers. The play was also quite surprisingly up to date. References to Baroness Thatcher’s death, the Pope resigning, the abdication of Queen Beatrix, and the Coronation Anniversary church service were made. In fact one part had me wondering if it wasn’t specially added just because it had happened.

While I was able to actually see it live there will be various encores over the summer in different locations. I urge you to go to http://ntlive.nationaltheatre.org.uk/ and see either The Audience or any of the other offerings that strike your fancy.

The Art of Crochet - Square Twenty Eight

The Art of Crochet Throw Square 28

All crochet terms are expressed in UK terminology
 
Square title: Two-Color Diagonal Square Red Currant and Lavender

General Pattern: Trebles done with two colors in a diagonal on a square.

My thoughts and views on this square and/or the experience of crocheting it:

Less than two hours to do. It's a fast and easy square. It's a tv square, I mean a square that I can work on while watching tv.

The Art of Crochet - Square Twenty Seven

The Art of Crochet Throw Square 27

All crochet terms are expressed in UK terminology
 
Square title: Half Treble Square with 'S' Shapes

General Pattern: A square of half trebles with four S shapes

My thoughts and views on this square and/or the experience of crocheting it:

It's done. That it. Done. The square itself was fine. The S shapes since they were chain stitch was evil. I ended up doing just chains and sewing them on.

The Art of Crochet - Square Twenty Six

The Art of Crochet Throw Square 26

All crochet terms are expressed in UK terminology
 
Square title: Treble Square with Cross Stitch Block

General Pattern: pretty much the title is the pattern. It's a 22 stitch x 12 row square (at least by my tension) with three cross stitch x's on stitches in the center of rows 5-7.

My thoughts and views on this square and/or the experience of crocheting it:
Boring, boring, boring. I'm beginning to see that the treble stitch is the basic bread and butter stitch for crochet. I got it okay can we please have different patterns? As tedious as the granny squares are to do at least they are fast.

Next week I've got chain stitching on a square to look forward to!

Should have just done color work. for the cross stitching.

I'm going to double check my other treble squares to see if the row count is the same.

Oh well I've got three new block a month squares to do now. Yay!

The Art of Crochet - Square Twenty Five

The Art of Crochet Throw Square Twenty Five

All crochet terms are expressed in UK terminology
 
Square title: Double Treble Striped Square

General Pattern: One row double treble in one color and then two rows of double crochet each row in a different contrasting color. Advice, make sure to keep your starting chain loose.

My thoughts and views on this square and/or the experience of crocheting it:
First impressions, yay new stitch, though thanks to the 2010 Ravelry crochet block a month I've already had experience with this stitch. It does break up the monotony of doing just trebles for weeks on end. From reading the pattern we are even given control over what to make the contrasting colors of double crochet. I'm leaning towards doing it as suggested for now. I'm pretty sure we'll have to make another one eventually.

Okay so the square is finished and now I'm weaving in the ends. Very many ends. 9 per side. Though how can I complain with the Mahut/Isner match playing in the background.

The Art of Crochet - Square Twenty Four

The Art of Crochet Throw Square Twenty Four

All crochet terms are expressed in UK terminology
 
Square title:  Colored Eyelet Square

General Pattern: Trebles with three rows having a 2 chain space then after the square is done blanket stitch in the different colors around the holes left.

My thoughts and views on this square and/or the experience of crocheting it:

Doing the square itself was easy enough. I just am growing to dislike doing the stitching on my squares. It's getting tedious and boring. I think I would rather have more color work.