A beautiful day in the neighborhood

Still working hard on the proposal, but coming up for air this morning to wave, answer a few quick questions, upload a few photos, and pass along a sweet little video.

I’m working my way through the ’06 podcasts. Just heard about the Knitting Olympics. Are there plans to do this again this year? If so, I want to knit for Team Wales!!!

The Knitting Olympics were created by the Yarn Harlot, and I haven’t yet heard if they’re on this year. Does anybody know? If they are, I will be only too happy to lead Team Wales to victory. I have already picked a challenging pattern, the more so because it is one in an XRX book. I don’t know what it is about XRX pattern nomenclature, but I find them difficult to decipher, so I haven’t knit many of their patterns. I think we all have a tendency to stick with what we know, so pushing myself into unfamiliar pattern territory will be part of the Olympic challenge for me.

Why do you call Basecamp the best tool ever? I’ve tried it, but was really disappointed to find out that they don’t have the important stuff like Gantt charts, due dates for tasks and other features.

I think I get on with Basecamp for the very reasons that some don’t like it. It’s simple. There are a few things missing from the free version that would really love to have (the ability to send files, for instance) but, all in all, it’s been just great for managing my very simple project. There is a nifty calender that allows you set milestones and due dates, a message board allows you to link to milestones, and a To-Do list for all the little bits and pieces that need fixing later.

That being said, there are only two of us working on book proposals, and we’re using Basecamp more as a scheduling tool, and a way for one of us to politely kick some ass if the other doesn’t deliver. (You listening, Basecamp Partner?) For more complicated projects, or managing many people, Basecamp would probably not be up to the job. For small projects, with few participants, it’s just the ticket, and it’s free.

Tonia and visited The Museum of Welsh Life at St Fagan’s yesterday, and spent some talking to the smithy. Although I had my Zoom, and had even stopped to pick up extra batteries, I broke the cardinal rule of podcasting and missed an opportunity to pick up some great audio.

St Fagan’s is where I recorded an interview with a weaver for Cast On, and it’s full of people who are passionate about the social history of Wales. Passionate people make for great audio, and it occurred to me on the way home that interviews, like this one with the smithy, as well as non-fiber related road trips, and other more general Welsh weirdnesses, would be a great addition to the podcasting world.

Yes, I’m actually considering starting another podcast. In my spare time. If I do decide to take this on, it probably won’t happen until the autumn, but I’m already casting about for names. Window on Wales? Postcards from Wales? The Museum of Welsh Curiosities? Creoso y Cymru (Welcome to Wales)? Suggestions in the comments, please.

Knowing of my deep and abiding love for Mister Rogers, several people have made me aware of Won’t You Wear a Sweater Day, on the 20th of March. Of course I’ll be wearing a sweater that day, although I will have to think hard to come up with a favorite. I love all my sweaters.