Gentle and Angry
So, so much knitting. I have 12 projects going on at once. (Someone I know might think I'm knitting so much to keep my mind off other things, but I prefer to think that I am a GREAT multi-tasker.) I'm still working diligently on my Brown Bell Phildar sweater. Here's what it looks like in the Phildar mag:
Pretty sweater!
And here's what mine looks like so far:
Boring Brown Back.
(Click to see Boring Sleeves,which I'm knitting at the same time.)
Mine's going to be all brown, in case you were wondering. I really like the shape of this sweater, but I'm not so into the stripeyness, so I'm making a solid version. Methinks it will still be cute, argh!
In the why-did-I-volunteer-that category, we have a hat and scarf set that I hand-knitted for a work function last week. Since I work for a university, it's in school colors, and I used some chunky Wool Ease and big old needles for a fast and easy finish. Here's proof:
Don't I look excited about mandated fun at work? Woot!
The work event, which I assisted in planning, also included delicious food and karaoke. Yes, it was my karaoke machine. And yes, they made me sing. Twice. (Gloria, and Something to Talk About by Bonnie Raitt.) Why is it scary to get up in front of your co-workers and sing in the middle of the day? (I'm thinking lack of alcohol may have played a part. Call me crazy.)
In other crazy non-knitting news, here's what me and Alison were doing this morning at 7:30 am :
It's a peaceful demonstration.
(P.S. My sis Cathy made the sign on the left, and I made the one on the right. GO TEAM!)
There's a student at a sort of nearby high school who wants to start a Gay Straight Alliance (GSA) at her school (a group to promote tolerance and understanding for gay teens). The high school and the surrounding community, for the most part, aren't really okay with that. And, it turns out, a really hateful group (I won't link because the website name is so offensive, but it's Fred Phelps) came all the way from Kansas(!) to protest the GSA this morning. So, some of us from Athens and Gainesville went up to the school to peacefully provide an alternate view of the whole situation, and to show our support for the students.
It was really crazy - we didn't chant or yell, we just sang and stood there with our signs and ignored the crazy hateful protesters with their really, really hateful signs. There were actually more police officers and news cameras than protesters. It was fun and sad and nerve-wracking all at the same time. But I'm glad we went - the kids who are going through this need all the encouragement they can get!
So that's the end of my message of love and tolerance for today. Hope you don't mind the brief knitting interruption... :)
ooh! ooh! I also worked on a neckwarmer for a certain someone who lives up North (you know who you are) and I'm almost done! YAY!
Comments (40)
I am so proud to tell you that Carrie, Alison & Cathy ALL 3 helped get our signs ready for Monday's 'love demonstration'! AND Carrie is too humble to tell you that she actually led the 20-25 of us in singing the songs! Hollie Near's 'Gently Angry People' song rang out in the hills of White County for quite awhile thanks to Carrie's capable leadership!
AND--news flash--the White County High School--with the 'help of the ACLU' has finally given their permission to allow the GSA group to meet! So, 3 cheers for that!
AND, 3 cheers for Carrie's ability to knit, sing, blog, design AND make the world a kinder, gentler, more loving place!
Posted by Pastor Renee | March 22, 2005 3:29 PM
Nasty old Fred Phelps! Being at the University of Missouri, we see plenty of him around here. Good for you for standing up to him. Tell him to crawl back to whatever rock he lives under in Kansas and leave the rest of us alone!
Posted by Kelli | March 11, 2005 7:57 PM
i can't add anything that hasn't been said already, but big props to you standing up against hate.
Posted by Anna | March 11, 2005 2:25 AM
ugh, that awful, hateful group came to Lubbock too!!! Lubbock high was trying to start a GSA, and Lubbock being Lubbock (that is a uber-conservative hicktown)in a big courtcase almost didn't allow one to begin, saying "we can't allow an organization to form that glorifies sin"/...UGH!! So the hateful crew came from Westboro Baptist (same group i'm sure) and protested with the most hateful, hurtful signs. It was was so sad :.( good for you for taking a stand! :)
Posted by may | March 10, 2005 5:10 PM
Keep up the good work, Carrie. A friend in Stitch-n-Bitch sent your link of finished projects. You are amazing. Keep on standing up for what you believe in. I agree with your support for gay teenagers and gay marriage. If they can't marry each other and they want a family, sometimes they marry straight people. Not good for the unsuspecting straight people.... But I digress. How you have time to knit and put stuff on the web and everything else is mind-boggling.
Posted by Barbara | March 10, 2005 2:41 PM
The sweater is NOT boring, in fact its quite beautiful!
And you go girls for going out there and letting your opinions be voiced/seen! Fred Phelps is the scum of the earth. I love how these ppl preach family values HAR! Hate is not a family value...period.
Posted by Carla | March 10, 2005 12:50 PM
de-lurking for the first time to say I read your blog all the time
With love, from Kansas (State motto : We're so overflowing with intolerance - we export it!)
Posted by Aradi | March 9, 2005 10:49 PM
That's my girl!
Posted by Rachael | March 9, 2005 8:22 PM
Yay for you guys! Those people make me so angry. Here's hoping the students get their Big Gay Group!
Posted by alison | March 9, 2005 2:27 PM
Good for you for getting out there with those signs. Y'all rock.
Miss you girl! I'll be leaving Groningen on March 25. Sadness!
Posted by Valerie | March 9, 2005 10:35 AM
Lovin' the Phildar sweater, Carrie! Looks great! :)
Posted by Lolly | March 9, 2005 10:13 AM
I think it's great that you went out there and did that peaceful protest and encouraged those kids. Go you!
Posted by Elizabeth | March 9, 2005 9:52 AM
Just this eve was in tears reading about the situation with the students up there--I used to work in a psych hospital nearby that received the fallout from that exact town. You rock. Love your high spirited approach to knitting...and please say hello to A-town, my hometown!
Posted by Carol | March 8, 2005 8:41 PM
Why oh why can't I see your pictures? I have a Mac. Does that make a difference? I wish I could see all your cute faces because I love them so.
Posted by Rachel | March 8, 2005 7:48 PM
I am always, always amazed at the speed of your knitting! I am in awe! Super Carrie! You could be a superhero of knitting - protesting injustices and knitting like a madwoman!
Posted by BigLug | March 8, 2005 6:54 PM
It's sad that they feel the need to teach kids, hey, if you're going to different, we're gonna hate you! at such a young age. Like high school isn't bad enough, as if realizing you're going to be treated somewhat differently because of who you love isn't enough, you got some evil old farts coming out to ridicule you, too. Nice.
Love the hat and scarf! And while the back is probably boring to knit, it's totally looking like something that would be in my closet. I love plain neutral sweaters, but I can't wait to see what yours turns into!
Posted by Jenn | March 8, 2005 5:23 PM
Wait, um, they came all the way from Kansas to Georgia to pick on some high-school kids? Why don't they pick on someone their own size?
That story of the work party cracked me up. I have yet to have any fun at all at any work party ever invented.
Posted by Emily | March 8, 2005 3:20 PM
We love Carrioke for spreading the love!!
xoxoxo
oh and the knittin' is awesome too.
Posted by loody | March 8, 2005 1:28 PM
Carrie, the sweater looks like it will be sweeeet (I like the shape and the not-stripes too!), and kick butt with the hat/scarf (and I think your theory on lack of alcohol with co-workers mid-day is the right thought on why it's scarier!).
Go you for going to support and encourage those kids! That's wonderful and so giving and needed when facing the intolerant and hateful of the world. Oy!
Posted by Giao | March 8, 2005 1:12 PM
The sweater looks great, even if it is "boring brown". So proud of you for going to the protest! But do you have to go making us Kansans look even worse? J/K Good ole Fred Phelps, not!
Posted by Vicki | March 8, 2005 11:16 AM
Yay Carrie! Very cute hat and scarf - or maybe it's just your smile :)
Posted by jen | March 8, 2005 8:20 AM
YAAY Carrie! Great signs and so good of you two to take the time to make your voices (signs) heard! :)
Posted by amy | March 8, 2005 12:02 AM
It's so adirable that you got out there and showed your support for that student. Compassion isn't enough -- you have to make your voice heard. And at 7 a.m. no less!
Posted by carrie m | March 7, 2005 10:43 PM
way to show your support carrie. i am constantly stunned in this day and age that people cannot show compassion and tolerance for others. i'm sure you made a difference to those kids in more ways than you'll know
Posted by monica | March 7, 2005 10:40 PM
Good for you and your peaceful protest! I've done the AIDS walk a few times now and am always surprised at how many anti-gay signs there are. It really makes me mad. I want to yell at them, but I don't want to give them the satisfaction of knowing it works me up :/
The sweater looks great!
Posted by stacey | March 7, 2005 10:35 PM
First, I love the unstripey goodness of your sweater...lookin good! I am knitting my sleeves at the same time as well...it is going to be nice to be done with both at the same time, eh?
Second, I think that it's hard not to hate the haters, but you showed such grace and tolerance, exactly the point!...Bravo for love and understanding! Yay for Equality!
Yay for you too Carrie
Posted by heather | March 7, 2005 9:10 PM
God really does love everyone- you rock for taking the time to do something and let those kids know you care. The suicide rate among gay teens is staggering- I pray that the kids who are trying to take these important steps toward tolerance saw you and your signs and felt your good vibes and knew somehow that they are gonna be just fine!
The sweater is really pretty! I would love to get my hands on some Phildar mags- are they en francais?
Posted by Mary-Heather | March 7, 2005 9:05 PM
That sweater is beautiful! I can't wait to see those bell sleeves...
(yay for two sleeves at once- you naughty girl you.)
Um yeah.
The picture of you in the hat in scarf is the cutest~ I can't stand it.
I agree with everyone above- you guys are awesome for taking the time to support those kids. Why do some people have nothing better to do than be mean? And to travel all that way? Sheesh.
Posted by frecklegirl | March 7, 2005 8:25 PM
That is awesome. Very cool that you were a part of that very worthwhile peaceful protest! If I had been in Athens this morning at 7:30 AM I would've been there too!
Posted by Amber | March 7, 2005 6:41 PM
Carrie,
Have I told you lately how much ass you kick? Seriously. Doing karaoke at the EITS mixer was great, but protesting Fred Phelps and his hateful, inbred kin is just fabulous.
You rock.
~D~
Posted by eponymous | March 7, 2005 6:36 PM
I really like the Phildar sweater. Which magazine is it from?
Posted by chrystie | March 7, 2005 6:16 PM
good girl, carrie! love it when straight people help out gay rights/tolerance. from a much older straight knittingmaniac
Posted by bonnie | March 7, 2005 6:11 PM
The sweater is NOT boring, it's a lovely shade. It will go great with lots of things. ;-)
I can't seem to stop the madness of knitting too many things!
So glad you went to the protest. Way to go Carrie. Anything anyone can do to object to the crazies is important.
Posted by jenny | March 7, 2005 4:43 PM
Fred Phelps actually protested at my church a few years ago. I'm Episcopalian but this was before the whole gay bishop thing. I live in a military community and they were here protesting gays in the military. There were young children out there holding up signs with stick figures engaged in 'homosexual acts'. They never said anything and kinda looked bored. It was pretty sad. We just ignored them and they left. That man and his followers are just whacko!! Amen to your 'God Loves EVERYONE' sign!!
Posted by Mary Anne | March 7, 2005 4:37 PM
I think High Energy Jenny would be proud that you're knitting a million things at once...she invented it, so it's like she is your mentor. So, Grasshopper, I am loving your sweater!
And I love that you went to support the student this morning. I am usually so distracted by all the stories I hear about how much sex high school kids get...that I forget how brave and mature some can be. (I couldn't even admit to my paraents that I liked boys in high school) Let everyone know if there is anything we can do to help.
Posted by Anne Marie | March 7, 2005 4:10 PM
My sign! It's famous! I'm so bummed I couldn't be out there with y'all this morning, but you look good! GO TEAM!
Yay for Our Hope and all of the rockin' people there.
Posted by Cathy | March 7, 2005 3:56 PM
It's amazing how far people will travel just to put a message of intolerance and hatred out in the world.
Thank you for being a voice in your community and showing support for those teenagers who are brave enough to come out during a difficult time like adolecence. I know some adults who aren't brave enough to admit they are gay. Can you imagine being in high school?!?!
Thank you Carrie & Co.!!!
Posted by Christie | March 7, 2005 3:54 PM
How exactly does it affect a guy in Kansas if there's a GSA at a high school in Georgia? Sheesh! Kudos to you, Alison, and Cathy for your messages of love!
Posted by Rossana | March 7, 2005 3:41 PM
I actually grew up in Gainesville, and was surprised that you mentioned my hometown... This is why it's so important to take a stand for tolerance! Argh! I really hate that people can be so narrow-minded!
Posted by Arina | March 7, 2005 3:31 PM
I am loving the Bell Phildar sweater! Where do you get your Phildar patterns? Or do you read French? I love Phildar patterns, but have never knit one, due to the fact I can't read french. Sad.
Good for you being part of the peaceful protest!! It makes me sad when I hear about communities that aren't okay with having a GSA group at the high schools. As if being a teenager wasn't hard enough.
Posted by Ellie | March 7, 2005 3:14 PM