I had a colb

I've got a code -- a code --
   A bost udpleased code;
I caddod sig a sog of sprig,
   I caddod bake ad ode.
For inspirashud will nod cub:
   I'be feelig very blue;
Oh, would that I was -- 
   Ah --
      Ah --
         Ah -- h --
               Kish -- SHOO-O-O!!

(extract from K'shoo by C J Dennis (1876-1938)

**************
Hello, did you miss me?  I was out of Blogland for a while due to a combination of things -  a head cold (a classic "URTI" [upper respiratory tract infection]),and  the games convention "Conception".


This year's convention was pretty much like last year's but I forgot to re-read the list of things to bring along, so, yet again, no garlic crusher.  Must also remember tinfoil next time.

**************

Learned  the hard way that beer/alcohol and some cold medications don't mix.  In a vain attempt to stop my nose running/sneezing, I doped myself up on "cold and flu" tablets as well as using one of those nasal sprays.  I felt fine until after the second or third half of bitter when I returned from the bar to find DH occupying warming my seat.  He offered to stand and I said "No, it's fine.  I'll stand up for a while".  Two minutes later, my head was swimming and I felt like I was going to faint.

I didn't make it to the end of the quiz that night.  And I didn't touch another drop of alcohol until Friday evening, when I'd stopped taking the meds.

**************


Best quote of the convention:

Middle-aged gamer complaining to his friend:  “Why do I get the option of “adult entertainment” when all I want to watch is sport? Why can’t I have sport?”

*************

Best t-shirt slogan:-

 

sold by Pagan Angel.   Yes, I bought one.

****************

Convention Knitting:

As usual, I knitted my way though the convention.  I finished my first project before I played in my first game:

Pattern: Weekender Beret by Woolly Wormhead, from the latest issue of Yarn Forward magazine.
Yarn:  1 skein of Rowan Cocoon, in the Mountain colourway.  A lovely, silky soft yarn to knit with.
Sticks:  6mm circulars.
Next time:   I don't think I got gauge.  This is certainly less slouchy than the one in the magazine photos, but I may also have not made the main section deep enough (I was so eager to cast off and wear this).  Or maybe I made the wrong size, since my head measurement came half way between the medium and the large.

My second project is a pair of Sodera socks, designed by Vilma Vuori.  (The pattern is available as a free, Ravelry download, here).  I don't have any photos yet, although I have finally finished the first sock, nearly a week after the end of the convention. 

Main things to note are that, in my cold-cure addled brain, I couldn't visualise how the instructions for the "plain German heel" would work, so applied Knot Another Hat's  toe-up sock formula for the heel instead.   Now, of course, the instructions make perfect sense.

**************

DH passed another birthday while we were at Conception.  Here he is modelling his birthday present from me:

And a better shot of the hat:

 

Pattern:  Montreal Tuque by Veronik Avery.  From her Knitting Classic Style.

Yarn:  Wensleydale Longwool Sheepshop's DK.  Used less than 1 ball.

Needles:  3.5mm circular using magic loop.

****************

I think that's all for now.

- Pam