Friday, August 31, 2012

The Enigma of Choice

Or, the Phenomenology of Cheese, Coffee,Honey and yohoho a bottle of Rum


No, no, no….no news yet. I have called the oncology department and asked for my results that should really have been there and been called in to me already, but “due to privacy issues they could not tell me anything “ about ME, MYSELF and MY results.

This is not the first time that something like this has happened. So I stop beating myself up about it. The whole privacy things is totally blown out of proportions. I can totally understand people wanting to protect themselves from invasive telephone calls, media coverage, using their behavioural buying sprees as marketing tools and the list goes on and on. I do believe that it is a plot though. Big Bunny (read Big Brother and I do not mean the tv show!) is watching us wherever we are, whatever we do.

If you have a smart phone it has a gps signal and when you have not changed the settings it will automatically tell everybody of your facebook friends AND marketing companies all over the world probably that at 10:15 you have stepped through the doors of your local hardware store, grocery chain store, Target or even a restaurant if they have chosen to be part of the human tracking system. And I know it has far reaching consequences to everyones life, but you do have a choice not to participate:

1. move to remote areas without mobile coverage (but , would techno internet savvy fans cope?);
2. give up all your credit cards, loyalty cards, bank account(s), loans, memberships to this that and everything (but,would you want to or could you?)
3. don’t get a job, get paid, get medicare, phone, bills , etc (is it possible? Probably yes, but again, would you want to?)

I am not saying I have an answer , but I do choose to  take part in surveys and yes, even have loyalty cards. We can choose to use the system just as much as the system uses us. The sooner we recognise that it’s best to not have secrets, and there is no privacy in the strictest sense of the word, then the happier we will be and the better we can manipulate/use or get the benefits of it.
Choice is the key word here, because you can choose how far you want to cooperate or not. The more secrets there are in society as a whole or in government for that matter, the sooner the whole system will grind to a halt because nobody really knows how what can be said to whom. Secrets are bad. They wear everything down. So, ye stupid privacy secret act, give it up and give me my results. Grumbles and stomps foot while bashing head against the wall…..

Again, whenever in doubt, pain (after grumbling and bashing head against wall) , do fun stuff !

I don’t know about you but when I am mad at myself, my husband, the system, the dog, anything really, I have this urge to clean, do housework or this week, do some highly physical work: tackling the steps to the bunny run and the chook house and yes, you are hearing this right: the veggie raised bed garden!!!
I knew I had three days to tackle these outside activities due to an abnormal lack of rain, precipitation or even isolated showers (which in 100% of the cases wind up where we live). By the way, Can anybody tell me what on earth the difference is between rain and showers? You can obviously count showers because the Melbourne weather forecast website said for today “early rain and then a shower or two”. Does that mean: wet, with an intermittent 2 chances of being even more wet? And, more importantly, is anybody counting the showers???
Talking about choices: last night Paul was flicking through the tv channels and we watched a bit of Jamie Olivers 30 minute meals…which would take me about 2 hours to make ..lol…anyway…he mentioned to try cheese, fresh grounded coffee and a dash of honey…try it! Th idea of mixing good cheese with honey was okay but then th eidea of dipping it in coffee grind was a bit yuck.. being in an adventurous mood and taking the challenge I made the choice to try it. All I can say is :HEAVEN!!!! Try it , please do ! it is awesome! YUM!
Which brings me to another milestone this week: Paul and I have finally opened our first home made parmesan cheese which we patiently left alone to age since may last year….it was amazing ! Photos of the Parmesan cheese to virtually enjoy are to be seen on my flick photostream in the IxCHeL fibre farm set ! I have a feeling that there will be some more cheesemaking in the near future ! Hey, even some cheese workshops for all of you out there who would love to know more and enjoy your own home made cheeses……

Anyway, I digress. So, I did the steps !
Yes see photos here:
three of the steps, there are 5 in total going down the slope..
It means I do not slip every single day in fear of landing face down in the mud and the blood and the poo. It’s a huge relief!

Then, I cleared the veggie garden area, well, soon to be veggie garden and relax area. First of all I tackled the relax area..yes, it’s very important to have a little spot to sit, read or spin or knit, while you watch your veggies grow.
With only a bamboo border a bamboo screen and some nice euca mulch, combined with a lot of inventing and smiles, this area came up a treat. I even installed nice solar lights so it kind of looks like somewhere in the tropics (in comes the Tikki torches at twilight song by David Lindley) where you can have a fun party doing limbo dancing….

Then the hedges went up : a combination of fruit bushes, bay leaf trees you can sculpt and box hedges. And again the euca mulch gives a nice finishing touch. Hoorah!

Safe to say I am now ready to put the raised garden beds in, but have to wait for Paul to give me hand cutting up some of the big boards in half .
I would have tackled it, but yesterday I had this dream I was using the circular saw and cut half my leg off, so I wisely decided to not cut anything….. I will just have to wait to get planting for a little bit more…besides every muscle is hurting after all the digging and plowing and pulling and planting. 
 
To top this whole rather successful week off I received a wonderful most amazing gift from Lindy Winnell in the mail!!!
I could not believe my eyes at the wonder and beauty of it: it is a JOLLY ROGER SHAWL designed by Aino Haikala and knitted by Lindy from IxCHeL blue faced Leicester bunny yarn in Rainbow and the border filled with jolly rogers is knitted in the IxCHeL cashmerino laceweight ! It is amazingly beautiful !!! Thank you thank you thank you Lindy ! You have brightened up the whole week, you very talented lady you ! I will wear and display it with honour and love !
Jolly Roger Shawl gifted to me by Lindy. It is absolutely GORGEOUS!!! I’m so ready for National Pirate Day now on September 19th ! Yohoho and a bottle of Rum! More info on the International Talk like a Pirate day which has its 10th anniversary this year right….er… here: http://www.talklikeapirate.com/piratehome.html
 
Thank you so So much for the Jolly Roger booty Lindy!!
Close up of Jolly Roger edging
 
Plans for the next week? Ofcourse finishing off the veggie plot, weather willing ! and, yes here it comes hold on to your hats!….trying to get the IxCHeL shop website up and running ! Okay…got back on your chair yet? After laughing so hard it hurt? Yeah yeah rub it in, will you !…lol I have been procrastinating over that thing now for 4 or 5 years and it is about time I get it going ! I have to admit it is mainly the fault of a very dear friend of mine, who shall at this time remain nameless because I do not want to burst her bubble!, but she is eager to start her fabulous business, opened an account with the same web hosting company I am with and I tell you, it would be an utter sign of terrible defeat for me if she gets her website up sooner than I do mine…lol. And if that is not all, if I get it all done, at least Paul will stop nagging me.. for instance, after seeing all the work I had done outside it wasn't “Oh honey, you have done a great job!”      NO!,no !   You know what he said?... “So, have you started your website yet?” Bless him !
How To Order from this blog until the website www.ixchel.com.au is up and running –which will be sooooon!-:You can email me on ixchel at rabbit dot com dot au or message me on facebook or ravelry where I am Ixchelbunny. I will email you right back with all your order details and payment methods. Any questions? Please don’t hesitate to ask! Always happy to enable.
Thank you so much for your help and support !
(((HUGS)))
Charly

WensleydaleTops

Beautiful shiny, crimpy, very long stapled gorgeous fibre
100+ grams       AU$21  
Every order this week will be sent with an extra special Tea especially for you !!

Beautiful to spin, crochet, knit and wear. The yarn will have a gorgeous shine, is strong but still silky smooth. One of my favourite sheep breeds to spin!
Barbie Zone-2 left-

Velvet -3left-


Zen-sold-


Dusk-sold-


Bear goes swimming-sold-


Tequila Sunrise-1left-


Soothing-sold-
 


Forest Elf-sold-

Cashmerino Lace weight yarn

Organic Australian Cashmere and Merino Lace yarn with an amazing yardage of 1250meters per 100grams. On offer are 100gram+ skeins of hand dyed cashmerino which will make a gorgeous lace shawl or help you in making the border of your Jolly Roger shawl !

100+ grams       AU$32

Every order this week will be sent with an extra special Tea especially for you !!

 
Beautiful to eave with, to crochet, knit and wear. The yarn will felt, is strong and very soft. One of my favourite yarns to weave or knit with!

Natural white skeins available as well and if you are interested in the white yarn on cones I can send tat to you as well ! Just email me.

By the way, your handspun yarn will have lots and lots more meterage if you py it with this gorgeous cashmerino yarn!
Orchid
Plum Rose
 
Dream
 
Eucalypt
 

Indigo
Tangerine
Rose Walnut
Leaf
Fuchsia

 

IxCHeL Club Sign up time again !!!!

The new clubs start in October and sign ups are open now til the end of September 2012!

IxCHeL FIBRE CLUB October, November and December 2012

The subscription is for a period of three months and you will receive one special hand dyed top/roving per month to the value of AU$20 , and as all of you past members know you get tops that are usually around $24 ! so it is a great deal! All the tops will be hand dyed and will be especially made for the members of Ixchel Fibre Club !

Price to join the Ixchel Fibre Club #15 and receive your special hand dyed top :)) for three months is AU$60 + postage (parcel post or airmail). AND double and triple serves are available !!!
So in short:
For Australia : single serve $60+$21 postage (parcel post), double serve $120+$24
For USA + Canada: single serve AU$60+AU$35 (Airmail) double serve AU$120+AU$60
For UK,Europe, rest of the world: Single serve AU$60+AU$38 (airmail) Double serve AU$120+AU$58
For Asia: Single serve AU$60+AU$28 (airmail) Double serve AU$120+AU$39
If you want to receive a fibre surprise every month then join the IXCHEL FIBRE CLUB #15 now. Numbers are strictly limited ! Deadline for signing up for fibre club #15 is end of September ! And the first instalment is going to be shipped out end of October :) Payment via direct deposit or credit card. Just PM or email me your details :)

IxCHeL Yarn Club October, November and December 2012

Every month for three months (October, November and December 2012) you will receive: enough hand dyed luscious yummy yarn to make a pair of socks or a lush shawl or scarf ofcourse! (the hand dyed yarn will be exclusive for the Ixchelbunny SOCK-IT-TO-ME Yarn CLUB and will range from a sockweight yarn or a 3ply or a 4 ply); Every month a new sock pattern, tips and instructions ! Now is that GOOD or is that GOOD ??! :) I will even offer a double serve for those of you who like their socks extra long :)
Here is the nitty gritty:
For Australia : single serve $78+$21 postage (parcel post) double serve $130 (= one skein FREE!!!) +$24
For USA + Canada: single serve AU$78+AU$35 (Airmail) double serve $130 (= one skein FREE!!!) +AU$49
For UK,Europe, rest of the world: Single serve AU$78+AU$38 (airmail) Double serve $130 (= one skein FREE!!!) +AU$57
For Asia: Single serve AU$78+AU$28 (airmail) Double serve $130 (= one skein FREE!!!) +AU$42 Numbers are strictly limited ! Deadline for signing up for the Ixchelbunny SOCK-IT-TO-ME Yarn CLUB! is end of September. Payment via direct deposit or credit card. Just PM or email me your details :)) By the way: you don’t HAVE to knit socks if you don’t want to.. the hand dyed yarn is amazingly nice for scarves, cowls, beanies and even tops ! Anything goes :)

IxCHeL Funky Bunny Batt Club October, November and December 2012

Here are all the details and just pm me when you have any questions or want to be part of the funky bunny batt club Movement ;-) Welcome to the blingy dark side ;-D
The subscription is for a period of three months and you will receive one special hand dyed funky bunny batt per month to the value of AU$32 or more .
The batts will range in weight from 100grams to 150grams with luxury fibres like baby camel , angora, cashmere, silk, yak, llama even Yak! All the batts will be hand dyed and will be especially made for the members of Ixchel funky bunny Club ! Every month you will receive a HUGE luxury funky bunny batt ! Sign up now and you will receive an Ixchel Hand dyed , super luxurious funky bunny batt for October, November and December 2012 !
Price to join the Ixchel Funky bunny #15 :)) for three months is :
For Australia : $96+$21 postage (parcel post)
For USA + Canada: AU$96+AU$35 (Airmail)
For UK,Europe, rest of the world: AU$96+AU$38 (airmail)
For Asia: AU$96+AU$28 (airmail)
If you want to receive a fibre surprise every month then join the IXCHEL FUNKY BUNNY Batt CLUB#15 now. Numbers are strictly limited ! Deadline for signing up for the funky bunny batt club #15 is end of September and the first instalment is going to be shipped out end of October 2012 :) Payment via direct deposit or credit card. Just PM or email me

IxCHeL Mini skein Club October, November and December 2012

Every month I will be offering a monthly exclusive IxCHeL mini skein selection for Club members. In that monthly selection there are 14 hand dyed miniskeins that are hand dyed and or even hand spun and awesome to add to your mini skein projects.
Here are all the details for the sign ups for the IxCHeL Mini Skein Club:
For Australia : single serve $69+$21 postage (parcel post) double serve $130 (=even a better deal!) +$24
For USA + Canada: single serve AU$69+AU$35 (Airmail) double serve $130 (even a better deal!) +AU$49
For UK,Europe, rest of the world: Single serve AU$69+AU$38 (airmail) Double serve $130 (even a better deal!)+AU$57
For Asia: Single serve AU$69+AU$28 (airmail) Double serve $130 (even a better deal!)+AU$42 Numbers are strictly limited ! Deadline for signing up for the IxCHeL Mini Skein Club is end of September. The first Club mini skeins will be sent out end of October. Payment via direct deposit or credit card. Just PM or email me your details :))


Dates to Remember:

Bunny Spin in at the Ixchel Fibre Farm (11am-4pm)
Every Third Saturday and every fourth Thursday of the month!
Saturday September 15th, 11am-4pm and 
Thursday September 27th,)   11am – 4pm

Bring a plate to share your wheel or spindle, knitting or crochet, yourself and a smile and have a fun day out amongst bunnies and friends ! Please contact me to secure a spot ! Bunny food like cabbage, bok choi or broccoli is always welcome as well ! : the bunnies will cuddle you more for it ;D

Monday , October 15th

Doncaster and Templestowe Spinners and Weavers

“Bunny Spin Day”

10am-2pm

The Upper Hall at Templestowe Uniting Church, Woods street, Templestowe.
I will be doing a bunny talk and a very nice way to get information on angora bunnies, their care and their fibre . Also a demo on spinning funky bunny yarn.
You will also be able to get close and personal with an English angora rabbit that will get a haircut AND last but not least: there willl be heaps of fibres and yarns, batts and woosh’s for sale as well ! Don’t miss out and contact the Doncaster + Templestowe spinners and weavers , who now also have a fab group on Ravelry ! Yeah!

 
Any questions or special requests?
Contact me on Ravelry where I am Ixchelbunny,
message me on facebook
or email me on Ixchelbunny@yahoo.com.au or ixchel@rabbit.com.au
RABBIT ON !
((hugs))
Charly
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