FishEyes and Magpies

Ah, to be young...

You know you've gotten a good work out when your butt is still twitching a half hour later...

I took a walk today...around my neighborhood.  Jealous much?

This was my second walk around the 'hood.  It's a really pleasant place for a walk.  There are lots of trees for shade, hills for added workout, and there is a creek with a bridge over it.  The creek, of course, is my favorite part. 

There are teenagers, too.  I shuffle past them as they wait for the bus.  I feel old and frumpy.  And invisible.  They glance at me before returning to their oh-so-important teen talk.  Everything is significant when you are seventeen.

This morning I passed a boy with a mohawk.  I wanted to scream, "I used to be cool!  I used to have a hairdo similar to yours!  This is your future, kid--enjoy your individuality while you can because when you are my age people frown on nose rings and liberty spikes."

Eh.  Everybody gets old. 

   

True story...

I was applying my make-up and noticed that, for some reason, my eyes looked a little younger.  They were even twinkling in the light.  I've been thinking a lot about God and spirituality, and thought "hey, maybe this is my internal light shining through!  I have been feeling at peace lately." 

Then I noticed a sort of tugging feeling, up around my forehead..

It was my turbin, friends.  My towel was ever so slightly pulling the skin of my forehead back, which was, in turn, giving my eyes a little "lift."  As soon as I took the towel off my head, my lids were heavy again.  Sigh...

(And I thought I had found my divine light.)

My First Knit Out (?!)

Grace posted about this event in my area and after seriously considering it...I've decided to go.

The Yarn Harlot (if you're a knitter, you know that name) is coming to Atlanta and Knitch (a yarn store) is having a huge knit out and book signing.  (September 19th, at 5:00pm.)

When I first saw this, I thought, "Cool!  I'm there!"  Then, as I went to the site for a free ticket (btw, click that link up there if you are in the area and want to go--it takes you to the application for reservations), I looked at the part that said one ticket per knitter.  (Yes, it was in bold.)  I thought two things when I saw this:  one, I'd have to sign someone else up if I wanted them to go with me, and two, "wait a minute, I don't know any knitters!"  Truthfully, I don't know anyone around here with except my friend who I don't really talk to (and who--I kid you not--was bewildered when I mentioned looking for a yarn store.  She seriously did not know they existed.  They actually have stores for yarn?) and my parents. 

My mom would go, but would be bored stiff.  Not only that, but I would probably use her as my excuse not to talk to anyone.  In other words, I'd hide behind her. 

I'm not very outgoing.  Not in the least.  I am in every sense of the word, a wall flower.  Back in my partying days, I literally would seek out the shadows--the darkest corner of the darkest room where I could just observe and not participate.  Either that, or I'd cling to my best friend, arms crossed and face fixed in a "please-don't-approach-me" frown.  (This is the same friend I mentioned above.  We used to have more in common when we were younger--as in, we both liked to drink and were both in the Air Force.)

Over the years, I haven't changed much.  I'm still very intimidated by large crowds, and have a HORRIBLE time meeting new people.  (And, making myself desirable enough that they want to actually stick around and get to know me.) 

Don't get me wrong, I'm not a total wet rag.  I'm fun when I'm comfortable.  It's only when presented with new faces that I clam up.

This is what was going through my mind as I looked at the application.  I backed out of the page and decided I would decide later. 

Well, I thought about it.  If I am ever going to get over this social anxiety (the term I use loosely, knowing full well there are people out there with true social anxiety) I'll have to step out of my comfort zone and stop hiding behind others.  I'm going to go.  I'm going to meet other knitters.  I'm going to have fun. I'm going to drive down into Atlanta and...

Wait...this is in Atlanta?  Scary big city Atlanta?  Where I'm going to have to find parking? 

Okay, okay--it might not be as bad as I think.  I've been in Atlanta before.  I got a bikini wax there.  I've been to two malls there.  I've just never gone by myself.  (Really, I'm not as big of a baby as I'm portraying myself right now.)

I'm just worried about finding parking...and being safe. 

I actually live in the same county as the city of Atlanta.  I'm only minutes outside it.  I avoid it mostly for traffic reasons--and because I really don't know my way around and am afraid I'll get lost.  Everything'll be alright as long as I have directions, though.

So, I'm excited!  And terrified.  But, still, excited!  I've never been to an event like this.  I'll definitely bring my camera.

Has anyone else ever been to a knit out?  What can I expect?  More importantly, will I be the only one going alone?  Do other people tend to go solo? 

Maybe I'll meet Grace there!