Hostel Girls Day: November 2011

LET IT OUT

BACK FROM THE ROAD. MANY THANKS TO ALL THOSE WHO CAME OUT TO THE SHOWS,
ALL THOSE WHO FED MAX AND I OR LET US SLEEP IN THEIR BEDS, ALL THOSE
WHO GOT US TO THE TRAIN ON TIME. PHOTOS FROM THE TRIP SOON.
UNTIL THEN, A NICE POLAROID MEMORY TAKEN BY THOMAS V. IN PARIS.

XO

Sex, Booze & Belly Putters: The Power of Paradoxical Intention

The Belly Putter Trend - Photo via PGA.com

Paradoxical Intent is wonderful technique that you've probably used before... whether you know it or not.

It's a form of mind control that seems counterintuitive at first glance because it relies on ... well... a kind of reverse psychology that you impose on yourself.

P.I. can be applied effectively in myriad situations where negative thoughts or persistent fears repeatedly surface... and result in lack of confidence and poor performance. Does that sound like golf to you? It does to me and, I sususpect, to many golfers... both amateur and professional... particularly where it really counts: on the putting green.

Negative thoughts, lack of confidence... both seem to play a part in the current belly putter boom on the PGA and European Tours.

When Adam Scott began transitioning to a belly putter it was about building confidence at a time when his his career seemed stymied by self-fulfilling putting insecurities. Sergio Garcia, famous for periodic putting struggles, once called his Monza Spider a "safety net"and carried it in his bag along with his more conventional Rossa Monaco.

If the aforementioned golfers had used paradoxical intent, they may have been able to conquer their performance anxieties without reaching for the "long stick".

In a recent article on IrishTimes.com, psychologist and author, Padraig O'Morain described P.I. as a technique where you "pretend to want the thing you fear":

"So if you have a fear of blushing you actually tell yourself before going to a party that you have every intention of blushing, so much so that you are actually going to light up the room on your own. When you do this, the fear is no longer crippling. It seems to me that this technique is based on not suppressing thoughts but allowing them and, instead, having a laugh at them."

Mr. O'Morain talks about the how technique might be applied to problematic behaviors in that can arise in various areas of our lives, including sex, substance abuse... and golf.

"I'm not going to miss!" Photo: Golf Girl Media

Research has shown that a conscious effort to avoid certain thoughts will almost inevitably lead to increased thinking about those thoughts and if the thought is about a behaviour, increased likelihood of engaging in that behaviour.

I've always found it strange that my putting... and my game in general... almost always seems to be substantially better when I'm sure it's going to be really bad. When I feel like I haven't been practicing enough, when I'm playing at a difficult course or simply when I'm feeling a little off... I almost always play well.

In retrospect that's not so strange because, in fact, I'm using paradoxical Intent. Having resigned myself to playing badly, I'm not obsessing about it... an early mistake doesn't devastate me, an OK shot thrills me and I'm just having fun with it. In a totally counterintuitive way my "cavalier attitude" quickly leads to increased confidence. That's the power of Paradoxical Intent and i's definitely something to think about... or not.

Denying your Desires Makes Them Stronger

The Travelers Championship: An Exemplary Gift of Golf

The Travelers Championship. Here in Connecticut it's our biggest sporting event, and something we look forward to all year.

A rich history, an impeccable organization and a relaxed, friendly vibe haved helped make it the second most attended PGA Tour event annually, behind only the Waste Management Phoenix Open.

If you live in CT you've probably already got it on your calendar, and if you're from elsewhere it's a great occasion... and an awesome time of year... to visit our lovely coastal state. I'm mentioning this because a couple of excellent ticket packages are available right now... and either one would make a stellar holiday gift... for just about any golfer or golf fan on your list. Including yourself naturally. See you in Connecticut.

Click here to order your package now !

Flaunt it - Episode 171 - The Knitmore Girls

Listen here:

This week's episode has been sponsored by:

Here at Abstract Fiber we've got some fabulous new colors including Summit, Lagoon, SOAR, The Gorge. The next best thing to being at SOAR is our SOAR colorway, the color of Autumn leaves. Available now at abstractfiber.com .

Meet Lo-Lo by Bar-Maids, "The Hottest Natural Moisturizers in the Fiber World". Bar-Maids handcrafts head-to-toe moisturizers for people who wish to proactively protect, defend, and restore their skin to baby bottom soft. Bar-Maids uses only the finest local ingredients available creating non-greasy, non-sticky, non-flaky combinations that penetrate multiple layers of the skin working to soften and nourish. Once applied, the moisturizer remains where you put it and is not washed down the drain. With over 38 scents (that smell wonderful), and 8 lip balm flavors that taste yummy, it's hard to choose just one. Find out how you can keep your hands moisturized and beautiful while knitting up a storm at www.bar-maids.com Fair shipping practices, cruelty free, and fast turn around times are just icing on the cake.

Have you picked up your copy of Lisa Souza and Vicki Stiefel's book, "10 Secrets of the LaidBack Knitters"? It is a great read with stories, profiles of interesting fiber folk that you may or may not already know as well as 28 great patterns of all shapes and sizes for both knitting and crochet. If you're a seasoned spinner or a newbie, there is a chapter on this fiber art that includes patterns to show off your own handspun yarn. The book is available at all of the usual sources but if you purchase one through Lisa Souza's website, she will sign and personalize it just for you OR for the people on your holiday gift list. Find it a www.lisaknit.com.

Purlescence Yarns is the Bay Area's destination yarn shop. From the best in spinning and weaving equipment to luxurious yarns and fibers, we have what you need to make your fibery dreams a reality. We're always happy to provide mail order service for Knitmore Girls listeners. Call us today, it'll be on its way!

On the Needles: (00:37)

Jasmin is now working on the sleeves of the Andrew Sweater from Knits Men Want. She has now buttons for the Garter Stitch Baby Kimono. She has also just cast on the Breezy Cardigan by Hannah Fettig that she is knitting out of her hand spun.

Gigi is also working on sleeves, these belonging to the Rocky Coast Cardigan. She is also knitting on the Sothia shawl.

We celebrated Thanksgiving at The Plumed Horse in Saratoga. We went to the Pajama Jammie Jam at Purlescence on Black Friday. Congratulations to Gregory, who just got married! Jasmin mentions Juanita, who sang some amazing jazz.

Events:(12:01)

02/23-26/2012: Stitches West 2012.
     -No official Meet-and-Greet, but do come and say hi!
    -We will have Preemie hat collection points (to be announced)
    -Still looking for a signal for shy listeners

Contest:(13:31)

Do some good. Get your entries in by December 25th.

We have launched our annual Do Some Good Contest, and we picked some amazing prizes:
- a set of three Lolo Bars: CC clove, Little Pumpkin, and Figgy
- a signed copy of Coastal Knits
- one year subscription to Knitter's Magazine
- a set of Knitter's Blocks
- as of this week: one copy of How to Knit a Heart Back Home, and Wishes and Stitches, and How to Knit a Love Song by Rachael Herron.

Mother Knows Best:(16:18)

We answered a question about storing and organizing yarn, fiber and WIPs.
We mention Dry Cleaner Bags, canvas bags from ecobags, rice baskets from Lantern Moon and baskets from Cost Plus Imports.

When Knitting Attacks:(23:15)

Gigi is having issues with her Katriel. Jasmin bought yarn, but doesn't know for which Hannah Fettig patterns.

Review:(26:10)

We review Knit Noro: Accessories: 30 Colorful Little Knits.

Straw Into Gold:(29:51)

Jasmin dug in her fiber closet and found some oatmeal CVM, that she bought from Patti Sexton. She is enjoying the fiber tremendously and is spinning it on the miniSpinner. Gigi picked up some bobbins for her Julia , but didn't do any spinning.

And Sew On:(32:20)

Gigi sewed two nightgowns for herself, and from the fabric that was left over, she sewed a large baby sack gown and a onesie for SharkBean, and a sack gown in a preemie size.

Cyber Monday Golf, US World Cup Win & Rory's Spirited Ladies

With the holiday season in full swing, golf deals are everywhere

It's official: as of this morning, the requisite overindulgence of Thanksgiving has been replaced by an inevitable pre-Christmas consumerism blitz. Early estimates indicate a record 226 million shoppers hit stores and cyber shops during the four-day holiday weekend, and today... might I remind you... is "Cyber Monday".

A quick Google search for Cyber Monday Golf... or something to that effect... will yield tons of deals, not only on equipment, accessories and apparel, but also on golf travel, greens fees gift certificates and yearly golf passes. So... it's clearly time to do some shopping for ~~yourself~~ the golfers in your life.

While many of us here in the US were enjoying copious amounts of Turkey and the starchy side dishes that accompany it, Matt Kuchar and Gary Woodland were on the other side of the world, hard at work on the fairways of Mission Hills' Blackstone Course in Southern China. Huge congratulations to these two quintessential American golf guys for on their awesome and inspiring victory.

The one time I managed to tune in to a bit event's coverage over the ultra-busy weekend, Team Ireland was a two-stroke lead midway through the final round. In the end however, Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell finished T4. "We didn't have it out there" McDowell said later, "We had no mojo - we didn't make anything. We're disappointed but this is a high-quality tournament."

Exhibitionists Caroline Wozniacki and Henri Leconte

And speaking of young Rory, could he have been just a wee bit distracted by the recent... activities... of his current and former lady friends?

Mr. McIlroy's gregarious girlfriend Caroline Wozniacki was in Bratislava, Slovakia for an an exhibition match that turned out to be quite...um.... exhibitionistic. Our good friend Bangkok Bobby has the story... and the photos/videos... of what's got to have been the most exuberantly entertaining tennis exhibition ever. Ms. Wozniacki, the world's number one woman tennis player, is clearly a force to be reckoned with off the course as well. Meanwhile, former McIlroy flame Holly Sweeny is set to appear on Irish reality/cooking show Come Dine With Me where amateur chefs and sort-of celebrities compete to see who can host the most fabulous dinner party. Here's the thing though, Holly's dinner has a rather caustic theme: "Golf Pros and Tennis Hoes".

Not surprisingly Rors is reported to be somewhat disturbed by Holly's choice of this particular theme/title, but he's undoubtedly attempting to put it behind him as he heads to the Hong Kong Open and the final full-field event of the European Tour season. He's still got a shot at the Race to Dubai money prize but basically needs a win to surpass Luke Donald.

Hopefully Rory's spirited ladies will just behave for the next couple of weeks.

from the BRG archives: marathon painting

I am a week short of a deadline and painting like a maniac. Recently a 9 to 5er pointed out that as freelancers we don't HAVE to do everything at the last minute... painting into the wee hours, and ignoring any and all other commitments to make a deadline. Its true and a really good point I think that many times there is an option, that a carefully planned out schedule could prevent the last minute crunch that often happens. Now granted there are times when a publisher will rush you, spend a long time with revisions and then expect that you can magically cut your work time in half to make the deadline. But that is not always the case.

Often times I think we illustrators (and writers perhaps too?) let this situation happen on purpose. There is something about the momentum of focusing ALL your time, energy and attention on one thing that is really gratifying. Its like a little break from your ordinary life where everything becomes really simple and your paintings become the only thing that is important. Even when you are doing other things... eating a meal, talking with a friend, making the occasional venture outside the house, your creative mind is still engaged. Sometimes in the middle of a conversation about, I don't know, the weather or something, I will bust out with "WAIT, thats what I need to do, a little more green!" Usually the comment is met with silence. Or if the person knows me, they'll just say "Go."

This kind of feast or famine intensity is something I've struggled with over the years. There is something satisfying about it, and yet as I get older, sometimes I don't want such an extreme lifestyle. Sometimes I want to be able to disengage and go to the movies, without obsessing about the project at hand. But its a tough balance to strike. Sometimes I just think this is the nature of the beast.

Originally published October 10th, 2006

the cake we made

For Thanksgiving, my mother asked me if we could bring the dessert. The Sasquatch and I had thought about making pie but I saw a recipe in Martha Stewart's magazine for a gingerbread cake. It looked yummy, so we made that:

We decorated it with gingerbread cookies (that is the Sasquatch's specialty. He makes amazing gingerbread cookies).

And we added a surprise....

Surprise!

Hope you had a happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

Happy Thanksgiving !

thanks!

As we all rush off to turkey dinners (or in my case, most likely, some sort of sushi or Chinese fried fish), I wanted to take a quick moment to thank all of you for being our readers! I know I haven't been good about blogging lately, but I DO appreciate your interest and support--as I know all the BRGs do. Happy Thanksgiving!

A birthday

Clearly we've all got a lot going ton right now, as is evident by the lack of posting, it's such a busy time of year with the holidays looming and lots to wrap up by the end of the year. Today, at my house, we take a step back to do some celebrating; it is little Tilda's first birthday! Over the weekend we had a few friends over for cake and singing. Today we'll go to lunch and open presents. What a wonderful year it's been.

Here are a few pictures from the weekend. Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Cold for California- Episode 170 - The Knitmore Girls

Listen here:

This week's episode has been sponsored by:

On the Needles:(00:37)

Jasmin's Mondo Cable Cardi and Ribbi Cardi are getting a lot of wear, now that it is getting cooler. Jasmin is making great progress on the Andrew Sweater. She has gotten to the heel flaps of the socks from Little Red Bicycle. She is also knitting on socks for Andrew out of Sanguine Gryphon's Skinny Bugga in Owl Moth.

Gigi is finding the rhythm of her Rocky Coast Cardigan. The Pieman neckwarmer is at the point of bind off. The Purple Poppies Cardigan will need a refresher on technique, so we will watch Lucy Neatby's Intarsia Untangled 1. Which will also come in handy for knitting the Porcupine Blanket.

Events:(19:50)

11/25/2011: Pajama Jammie Jam at Purlesence on Black Friday.
02/23-26/2012: Stitches West 2012.
     -No official Meet-and-Greet, but do come and say hi!
    -We will have Preemie hat collection points (to be announced)
    -Still looking for a signal for shy listeners

Contest:(22:38)

Do some good. Get your entries in by December 25th.

We have launched our annual Do Some Good Contest, and we picked some amazing prizes:
- a set of three Lolo Bars: CC clove, Little Pumpkin, and Figgy
- a signed copy of Coastal Knits
- one year subscription to Knitter's Magazine
- a set of Knitter's Blocks
- as of this week: one copy of How to Knit a Heart Back Home, and Wishes and Stitches, and How to Knit a Love Song by Rachael Herron.

Mother Knows Best:(27:02)

We answered a question about lining hats. Cashmere, silk, possum yarn and Lion Brand Microspun were mentioned.

When Knitting Attacks:(35:05)

Gigi is working on the Katriel, and it attacked her. Again.

Review:(37:28)

This week we review Knitted Dinosaurs, by Tina Barret. Best use of Fun Fur. We also mentioned Rebecca Danger's book of Big Book of Knitted Monsters.

And Sew On:(44:07)

Gigi has blocked out time to sew, and sewn up a number of baby sack gowns. (Sorry, no link for the pattern, it is 30 years old). At the quilt store we were waylaid by some Dr Seuss fabric.

Global Golf - The Inaugural 2012 Iranian Amateur Open

A couple of days ago I received a message from Dylan Harris, an ultra-adventurous friend of mine who happens to run a travel company.

Based in the UK, Dylan is passionate about golf... and a number of the trips his company runs revolve around the game. But these aren't your typical golf trips... because Lupine Travel specializes in unique destinations, the kind of places some might find... intimidating.

Earlier this year Dylan took a group to North Korea where they played in the North Korean Open. A fun and fascinating time was had by all. Now, the success of the North Korea tournament has inspired, Mr. Harris to plan for a new destination and a new golf event for 2012: The Inaugural 2012 Iranian Amateur Open. Scheduled to take place at Tehran's Enghelab Golf Club over three days from the 14th to 16th of April, and the event is open to all amateur golfers with an up-to-date verified handicap.

Here's the thing; though there's currently only the one course in Iran, there's a well established Iranian Golf Federation and part of it's recently stated mission is "... to popularize and develop golf among every walk of life..." As such the game has seen a huge increase in popularity over the past several years, particularly among women, many of whom compete regularly on a local and regional level.

So, I've wanted to visit Iran for years. I fully understand that the relationship between US and Iranian governments is rocky... to say the least... but Lupine Travel is adept a managing travel in geopolitically sensitive areas, plus I've spoken to a number of Americans just back from Iran, and what I've heard from all has encouraged me to seriously consider taking this opportunity to be a part of the 2012 Iranian Amateur Open. My intrepid twin sister Cat, is also hoping to make the trip.

We'll keep you posted as our plans develop.

OOPS

I have/had two booksignings this weekend. One was today... only I thought it was tomorrow! I had posted on facebook that it was tomorrow. Thank goodness another illustrator (Lauren Castillo) came to the rescue and informed me that it was today! I was an hour and a half late but I made it (it was an event from 12 -4 so I made most of it). So 1) thank goodness we help each other out and 2) thank goodness for ... eek ... I can't believe I'm going to say it ... the entity that is Facebook.

My next signing is with Julia Sarcone Roach at 11 am on Sunday at Bookcourt if anyone wants to come on down.

Vote!

Remember the Bookie Woogie's video review of "Where the Mountain Meets the Moon?" School Library Journal has chosen it as a finalist for the 2nd annual Trailee Awards! The winners are selected by public vote. You can see all the finalists and vote for your favorites in 6 categories HERE!

Voting ends December 16th!

Movember Inspiration - Noted Golf Architect or 70's Porn Star

A couple of weeks ago I told you about Noshember... the creative November beard-growing challenge. No Shave November = Noshember.

In response to that post the awesome Aussie Golfer asked, "Is that a rip-off of Movember?" - Turns out Movember is a similar movement... but with a focus on... the mustache.

Anyone who's been watching the Presidents's Cup these last few days has seen some great golf played out on the treacherous fairways of Royal Melbourne. Stylistically speaking, the uniforms haven't received much attention ... but there's one particular style statement does have people talking: Australian golf Geoff Ogilvy's "Movember moment". The normally clean-shaven Aussie golfers is currently sporting a prodigious mustache. Some like it, some loath it but it's definitely getting attention.

Personally I'm just wondering if Mr. Ogilvy was inspired by the famous golf architect or the iconic porn star.