One of the wonderful things about being a professor is being able to schedule your own time. This means that I could work 12-17 hour days every day for several months straight back in February and March, and now I can relax a bit and catch my breath. The downsides of being a professor, however, include a) having to work those 12-17 hour days for several months in a row, b) not being able to skip class, and c) having all of your vacation timed with school breaks, when hotel rates and air fares are at their highest.
Anyhow, this is my first day in several weeks that I haven't had any fixed obligations. So I am taking a breather and working from home, hanging out with the cats, and enjoying some tea. And, of course, catching up on the blog. I had composed a rather long entry last night, but it was eaten by the Evil Blogosphere Monster. I think this was the same monster that has kept me from being able to see Jenifer's posts all week until today. I thought she was too busy to post, but it looks like the truth is quite the opposite.
So, I am back and blogging.
The Addi Turbo Haiku Challenge Update
I am very excited about the response to the Addi Turbo Haiku Challenge so far. For those of you who haven't been keeping up, I am giving away a pair of Addi Turbos to the author of the best Addi Turbo-related Haiku composed by the end of the month. For contest details, click here.
I am especially excited about a particular entry that I commissioned yesterday morning, which has yet to be submitted. It is a Haiku epic in Swedish about Addi Turbos in Ethiopia (!!!), to be composed by my friend Raymond (who is responsible for getting me into knitting in the first place). Be forewarned that if you click on his name, it will take you to his blog, but it is a blog for the other, non-fiber-oriented part of his life. He has pictures of his gorgeous knitting posted somewhere, but not there.
So, without further ado, let's review the current entries... (Please keep submitting more entries - I am just trying to present them here so you don't have to go hunting through my comments to find them all!)
Category 1: Entries that are sadly disqualified because they do not follow the prescribed 5-7-5 syllable guidelines, but which nonetheless demonstrate a remarkable love for the Addi Turbo
clickety clack is
what my addis say
no more ufo
submitted by Jenifer
Ode to Addi's #1
sleek polished
metal. Command : Speed
I will obey
Ode to Addi's #2
The vanity plate
reads addi trbo. My
car goes zoom!
both submitted by Leanne
This next one is a bit ambiguous - it all depends upon how you pronounce the word 'inspired': does it have two syllables or three? Nonetheless, without the appropriate diacritical marks or apostrophes to indicate the two syllable pronunication, this one regrettably must be disqualified.
#2
sitting and waiting
for the next inspired project
what will they create?
also submitted by Jenifer
I am especially sad about having to disqualify this next Haiku, since its author declared this challenge "best challenge evah!" Nonetheless, the central line with the clever rhyme is clearly only six syllables long.
Silver knitting dreams
which jump start my yarn art
most beloved tool
submitted by st. carrie
Category 2: Entries that connect the Addi Turbo to personal events
though now i can't see
i can still type a haiku
addi turbos rock
submitted by Stacie, who recently (and hopefully only temporarily) lost her sight
kitties love to love
their delicious plastic bags
leave me the needles
submitted by Jenifer, in reference to my recent adventures with Mr. Perry
Category 3: Entries that refer in a clever, ironic, winking way to the Haiku Challenge itself
I love this contest.
My boyfriend even loves it!
So do my addis.
submitted by Illanna
Category 4: Entries that attest to a deep love for the Addi Turbo
Love Addi turbos
No ridges, no snags, no grief
Speed knitting is true
submitted by KnittinDeb
they warm to my touch
flashing merrily along
look, the hat is done!
submitted by Kirsten
Speedy harefooted
Noiseless soundless silent calm
Knits effortlessly
submitted by Tess
two nickel-plated
brass bullets whiz by my hands
watch them do their work
submitted by Jenifer
Oh how fast you are
You put all the rest to shame
Speedy Addis Fly!
nickle plated speed
shimmer as they knit away
so smooth in my hands
both submitted by Stacie
smooth sleek and silver
my projects work up so fast
finishing -- finished!
yet another one submitted by Jenifer!
Christmas time is here
Will I finish all these scarves?
No, my addis will.
submitted by Illanna, curiously out of season
Rapid red-hot clicks
Savage acceleration
Just seven more rows
Self-directed steel
Needs little guidance from wrists
Let the needles drive
also submitted by Illanna
Category 5: Entries that hint mysteriously at the dark side of the Addi Turbo
Slippery Devils
My Stitches Fly Off Your Tips
Cursing Fills The Air
submitted by Stacie
(note how the capitalization of every word compounds the mystery of the Addi Turbo!)
What's that smell, darling?
Smoke! Coming from your needles!
"Addis Burn Small Town"
submitted by Illanna, attesting to a little-discussed tendency of Addi Turbos to engage in large-scale arson
Category 6: Entries that allude to the Addi Turbo's place in the history of knitting
My grandmother clicked
My mom clicked in the sixties
Now MY addis click
submitted by Illanna
Category 7: Entries that mourn the knitter's tragic lack of Addi Turbos
elusive addi's
always sold out when i look
won't you come find me
green eyed jealousy
everyone around has them
why oh why not me
both submitted by Leah
