When Katr and I were packing up to move this summer, I came across my old wool scarf in a pile of winter garments. I've had this scarf for awhile; I think I got it on sale and it was okay. But it was quite worn and also smelled and so, because I knit now, I decided that I would knit myself a new scarf when the time came and I discarded Stinko McWoolly and gave it no further thought. Until this week.
Man. Monday I was out and about in my sandals with no socks on and 3 days later the icy wind was whipping my hair about so violently that I nearly lost an eye. The zipper on my wintery jacket is all fuckered up and so I have only my raincoat for protection. I knew myself to be desperately in need of scarfage. But all my current yarn is mystery knitting yarn and I have none to spare.
I outlined my predicament to my love over the phone last night. As she was fresh off a professional triumph and also delirious from lack of food, she warmly encouraged me to drop some coin at the yarn store. Oh, and I did. Jealous?
Of course, in my lust for yarn, I honestly, if conveniently, forgot that I DO have a scarf. My friend Jecr of Creampuff Gets Her Wings fame knit it for me in high school. It's a very fine scarf and it's been held hostage for its size and coziness by my mother in Edmonton these 8 years. But when I was home this summer doing the Fringe, I liberated it. And today - today, with my new camera, I finally took photos.
Jecr Scarf Photo Essay
As you can see, the scarf is very bright, which is important for scarves in Edmonton. In winter, you leave for and get home from school in the dark and the bright colours are essential to survival. Not only do they keep your spirits up, but they help you not get hit by Swervin' Mervin, the driver of the 54 Kaskitayo bus.
Panel 1: "Random" Words and Phrases
This panel sports the following words and/or phrases:
- Mole
- The same old story (some kind of U2 reference? Jecr?)
- A vacuum
- Inlet
I'm pretty sure that mole, a vacuum and inlet are all a) words we enjoyed and/or b) punchlines of Blackadder jokes.
Panel 2 & 3: Jecr's Favourite Actor
I think Jecr's obsession with Stephen Rea began when she saw him in The Crying Game. Between U2 and Stephen Rea, it's no wonder she ended up living in Ireland. Since she found the love of her life, has her passion for Stephen waned? He was pretty great in V for Vendetta. History will decide.
Panel 3, 4, 5 & 6: Roro's Favourite Actor
Yeah, I had a big thing for Kenneth Branagh after I saw his film Henry V when I was 14. A BIG thing. A thing so big it's embarassing to think too much about it. I had a scrapbook of magazine articles. I bought movie soundtracks I didn't like because his picture was on the cover. I learned huge parts of Henry V off by heart and murmured them fervently to myself in those times that try the soul. I read his autobiography Beginnings, which he wrote at the age of 28, reverently. I wrote him adulatory letters that I never sent. Once, when I was 16, his name and my name appeared, for completely unrelated reasons, in the same theatre column in the Edmonton Journal and I nearly passed out. I didn't mind that he had no lips and held him in the highest esteem. I know, I know - I am a dorkwad.
Panel 3 & 4: Before He Was "House" . . .
. . . Hugh Laurie was on my scarf. Jealous?
Panel 3, 4, 5 & 6: Roro's REAL Favourite Actor
It occurs to me know that for all my obsessive letter-writing and shrine-having, I wasn't actually in love with Kenneth Branagh.
I just wanted to play him on TV.
Because then I would get to shtupp Emma Thompson.
Panel 7: We Are Geeks
This last panel is entirely taken up with the following Blackadder quote: Never ask directions in Wales, Baldrick. I believe the follow-up is "You'll be cleaning spit out of your hair for a fortnight", but that's clearly too much to stitch onto a scarf.
I think we can all agree that Jecr's scarf is an heirloom. An heirloom that should be worn and probably be framed. Maybe when Katr and I find a more permanent home in Vancouver, we can finally get it under glass, where it belongs. Perhaps with some cunning lighting to bring out the duplicate stitch.
Now that I have bought that other yarn, however, I'll still be knitting myself a scarf, you know, for every day use. I don't want to, people. I HAVE to. Besides, I'll need a new scarf to go with my creampuff wedding dress:
Alert reader Kicl sent this gem to me this morning. She noted that with the creampuff dress,
"You can have your bride and eat her too. Er, I mean…never mind, you know what I mean."
Oh, Kicl - you're a doll. And I DO know what you mean. And your suggestion is delicious.
