Saturday, October 4, 2008

yawn

Honestly, I am at a loss of words this week. I just came back from New York yesterday where I was attending a financial oil and gas conference at a very large brokerage house that is now part of a very large bank. I am getting used to speaking with investors who are now no longer panicking and desperate but rather 'just desperate' - a huge improvement in sentiment ( I am being very sarcastic here).

Walking through the streets of New York in wonderful little shopping districts like SoHo, NoLiTa and the Meat Packing District I pondered life. I went inside all these wonderful little boutiques that sold socks for $90 and little t-shirts for $295. I could not bring myself to buy anything. There just seemed to be something obscene about paying $90 for socks when people are losing their life savings and their homes, and their jobs. Besides, I can knit my own socks :)

So I have decided that instead of trying to write something profound when the world has been turned a little upside down, I will play a game. I have been tagged by Tilly to name seven random things about myself - here goes
  1. I am training for a marathon - I am injured right now (very bad shin splints) but I will push ahead
  2. I am left handed
  3. I despise pudding, creamed corn, tapioca, rice pudding, creme brulee, anything with that icky, creamy texture
  4. I am allergic to bullsh*t
  5. I love writing down lists of goals, dreams, objectives, tasks, you name it I will list it
  6. My very favorite book of all times is 'Jitterbug Perfume' by Tom Robbins (the theme of the book is striving for immortality and perfume is featured heavily)
  7. I am terrified of birds - especially seagulls

I am supposed to tag seven other people but I can't bring myself to do it today. It's nice to not have to actually make any decisions - and today is my 'I am not making any decisions day' - so definitely not a day I would go to Starbucks.

40 comments:

leaca said...

I am with you on not paying $90 for socks. I can't knit my own but I can certainly learn.

I wish there was some miracle to save our country from the pain it may face in the years to come, or even months. I am afraid there is no miracle.

I love your list. I am a list lover myself. I make three little notebooks in my purse alone for this very reason.

limonana said...

i totally understand what you mean about spending on meaningless items...great list by the way! i have the same thing about seagulls. i was at a wedding a few weeks ago & a seagull decided to ruin my day (& my dress) just before i had to get up to speak in front of the audience!!

Fifi Flowers said...

Love the flowers in the first photo! Kitty is lovely too.
ENJOY the rest of the weekend relaxing!

sarbear said...

socks that cost the same amount of money i spend on groceries in a week makes me sick to my stomach. i just don't get it...

if you don't like slimy, creamy textures - NEVER - try tres leches cake. i don't mind puddings and this was way too much for me. *ick*

Bubblesknits said...

Seagulls? Hmm...they can be demanding little critters. Especially when you've got food in your hand. ;-)

I don't understand how in the world people can pay that much for clothes. And I'm allergic to that, too. lol

zukzuk said...

Hmmmm... Autumny.

Look! Now I'm at a loss for words, it must be contagious.

I had to laugh when I read your comment about birds because I was just lamenting the fact that it seemed that everyone was so "in" to birds art-wise at the moment and here you are saying they are so yucky. They really are so loved in the Etsy art world but maybe this is the start of something new... You heard it here, the anti bird movement began at Raining Sheep!

For my part, I have to say that despite their being a done to death motif, I like birdies!

Wishing you a seagull-free Sunday...

kosenrufu mama said...

i agree with you about soks and dresses sold a such expensive price, there is no limit!!! you are lucky to knit you own soks;) i love them!!! and thank you to share things about you, wow, are you traiing for a marathon... good luck!!!

Kitty said...

Welcome home. I couldn't pay that sort of money for socks or a t-shirt either.

I share No.s 2 and 3 in your random fact list. Tilly has tagged me too - I need to whittle the zillion 'random things' there are about me, down to just 6!

x

Tilly said...

Love your 7 things. I'm so impressed with the marathon training. We were made to do cross-country running at school. It was always in the winter and usually raining. It put me off running forever. Now, a salsa marathon would be another matter!
I so agree about not paying such ridiculous prices. Who on earth buys these items?!

Sarah said...

Have to check that book out, have never heard of it oh and I'll have any of those puddings you don't want :o)

amy said...

new york can be simply ridiculous sometimes. i enjoy window shopping the most!

artycho said...

You defenetly spot on the right word obscene about paying a fortune for socks these days! Also it is great to get to know you better, I am very much into lists myself too but keep losing them... Have a lovely beginig of week!

Helen said...

I'm right with you on the creme brulee! I detest all things with that kind of texture.

I'm sure all things handmade will get a bit of a renaissance in this current uncertain financial climate. I for one will be knitting posh socks as gifts instead of buying them.

I hope things improve in your work soon.

Gill - That British Woman said...

who in their right mind pays $90 for a pair of socks??????

I would love to hear about your hotel room where it cost $600 a night. I hope they turned down the sheets at night, and put a mint on your pillow, if not I would be ticked!!!!

Gill

Debra said...

$90 for a pair of socks.....WOW! I too, wouldn't be able to bring myself to pay that.
Is that you Cat in the photo....it's a beautiful cat.

Thanks for visiting my blog.

suchthings.ca said...

All of my answers are the same as yours except #6 and 7. New York?! How wonderful. That is a lovely city. Mark and I went there on a trip years ago.
Maryxo

karina said...

I hope you are feeling better.
I agree with you about the prices of the socks and how stupid it seems at this moment to spend money in that kind of things.
Beautiful pics!

Alison Boon said...

I agree with you on the socks. $90 is way too much for something you can make yourself. I am also left handed and training to run a marathon.

Esti said...

paying that much for socks is somehow obscene...
On the other hand, can i join you in this not-making-decissions day?
:)

Tracy said...

A very wise and thoughtful post, Raina :o) In this day, it is crazy the prices of things...espeically these socks and t-shirts you mention. I think we're really come to a time of being conscious of our spending habits and pulling in our horn, and perhaps reviving the spirit of your ancestors to "make do and mend"...Things may be a struggle for some time yet *SIGH* Fun to read your random thing and learn more about you! :o) I'm with you on the pudding and tapioca--GAG!! I can't abide lumpy, squashy, or soggy things...eeekkk...I'm a list-maker too. I have notebooks of all sorts for writing things down in. Knitted socks I'm still working on ;o) ((HUGS))

Jill said...

fun to know more about you fom your list! i agree...things are priced out of control in the big cities. who actually buys this stuff??? give me the flea market anyday :)

Mary-Laure said...

That cat looks like he's up to no good... jumping into the leaves maybe?

Love your list.

please sir said...

I know what you mean - seems like no time for rest. That sounds great about the marathon!

maitai said...

1) are things better now that the bailout was passed?
2) socks for $90?!!!?!? ridiculous.
3) how are your shins? i hope you're still able to run. it's hard to get back into it when you take a few days off.
4) i also love making lists.
5) i'm not terrified of birds, but i do think they're really disgusting!

The Blonde Duck said...

I loved your photo of the flowers with the title. It looked like they were yawning and waking up. :)

I love lists. I have like nine going at all times.

Bonbon Oiseau said...

you are my idol...

Mrs.French said...

I love your "random things" ...my husband is terrified of birds too....oh and remind me if you ever come over for dinner not to serve pudding for dessert.

littlebird said...

thanks for sharing, i am very impressed about the marathon thingie, training that is not the splints!
and just for the record i'm pretty sure $90 for socks is obscene at the best of times !!? : )

said...

it's so funny you mentioned starbucks... it just opened in portugal... must go there to see what its about:)

Kate said...

$90!! Unbelievable. Good luck with the marathon training - hope you can get back to it soon.

Rachel said...

I'm thinking there is something obscene about that much money for clothes no matter what the economic state we are in!

Thanks for sharing your random facts...I'm impressed you are training for a marathon--good luck with that (when is it?) and I hope your shin splints give you a break soon!

YES on #'s 4, 5, 6(!! first I read of his). And laughing on #7 (although remember that I was terrified of swallows as a kid so I can understand!).

carolyn said...

$90 for socks, no way!

Dyan said...

$90 for socks - that is steep. I could do a lot with $90. I'm so with you on the pudding, creme brulee and anything with that custardy type texture,really not among my favourites.
Dy

méri said...

Lovely photos as usual!
Have a lovely weekend! Relax :))

Marianne said...

LOVE Jitterbug Perfume!!! (actually I love all his books :^)

Prairie Girl said...

I happened across your blog a while back and have enjoyed popping in from time to time. I too am training for a marathon and I'm pretty sure we live in the same city; hopefully you are able to enjoy some runs in the next few days before we have to kiss this weather goodbye.

Brittany Noel said...

Gorgeous photos! Thank you so much for your comment on my little blog :) I have mixed feelings about NY. Seems like a cool place, but also kind of scary in a few different ways...

I have three note/sketchbooks going right now, so I know what you mean about listing and such.

kim said...

I love visiting NY, but I have the same feeling. Everything is so overpriced. I have a few haunts where I splurge, but I would feel as though someone was making a fool out of me if I bought $90 socks! I am a big list maker too. It keeps me sane and calm.

Lynne said...

such crazy times we live in!
such beautiful images on your blog:)

please sir said...

Sorry to hear of the tiredness, but at least these lovely images can cheer you up - great colors.