Back To Blogger, and Bitchy New Yorkers

I have returned to blogger after a brief hiatus at Wordpress.com. I left that domain because I have recently learned how to create blog skins and such, and I wanted to flex my creative hand. Unfortunately, the lovely people at Wordpress.com find it necessary to charge for altering the look of your blog beyond the general themes that they provide. (They do offer the ability to change the css and see your handi-work, but if you want to save the changes and make it so that everyone else can view your pretty blog skin, you've got to pay!) Its not even that reasonable of a price. ($30!) Um, no thanks.

So, here I am, back at blogger. My new blog skin is in the works, and it will be unveiled soon - I hope.

Currently I am in NYC, studying educational technologies at Teachers College, Columbia University. I'm actually finishing this year, and hope to have my diploma by October 2009. Wouldn't that be fantastic? New York has been lovely so far; the weather has been IDEAL and I am getting more and more comfortable moving around the city. Today, though, I really missed Louisville.

People in NYC just have a different attitude towards everything, it seems. I find that people, on the whole, are more self serving and less willing to go out of their way for another. I am speaking in large generalizations here, because I have met some truly wonderful people to be sure; Its just that these souls are far more difficult to come by.

Example: Yesterday I was walking down Amsterdam and I happened upon a lovely little LYS. It had beautiful yarns, and the prices were ...reasonable (by New York standards, at any rate. I mean, I don't want to pay $13 for Malabrigo Worsted, but... I guess everything is more expensive up here.) The owner was pleasant, but also a bit harsh in her personality. She was very talkative and amiable, but there also seemed to be a condescending tone and a hint of arrogance in the way she spoke to me. Anyway, I purchased 2 skeins of sock yarn (Artyarns Supermerino, color 234 - scrumptious!) and a 40" Addi Circular needle, size 2.

I walked home quite pleased, and as soon as I set foot in my room I busted out my purchases and set to work on a new sock.... it was so difficult. The needle is blunt, the cable is unforgiving... all are things I could deal with. But, upon further inspection, I noticed that the needle was the wrong size. (The owner had handed me the needle from off the wall, I assumed it was the correct one.) Saddened, I packed the needle up and worked on something else.

This morning (less than 24 hours after my purchase) I walked back to the LYS and asked if I could exchange the needle, seeing as how it is the wrong one. The owner (same woman) looked at me as if I was a total moron for even asking. "There's not a shop in the city that would exchange your needle. All needle sales are final." And that was that. She walked away... I left the store, and although I know she probably couldn't care less, I am never going to shop there again. I'd rather order from the internet or walk miles out of my way than deal with her again. She was so ...unpleasant! It was like that little side of her that I saw yesterday just took over her whole being. Most displeasing. I mean, I can handle the fact that she didn't want to let me exchange my needle, but she did NOT have to be so damn rude to me. And.... why the heck can't you exchange a needle? I clearly didn't use it. (I am not so magical as to be able to knit a pair of socks in 12 hours. That would be awesome, though...) It was even her fault that I got the wrong size! All I can think is.... bitch.

Anyway, I miss KY very much (Knit Nook... I miss you!!!). I can't wait to come home to be with my family, and all my FRIENDLY yarn friends.