I've been digitizing some more Mergrins music.
Newest available
1994 Demo
Sherlla
Slurgey
Purple Daisies
Capricorn Days
Astray
1995 Demo
Mute, Shy
Purple Daisies
Favorite Son
Happy in Heaven
Over On You
Unfinished Wall
Other Recordings (digitized by Joel Machiela)
I'd already posted these on my blog, but here they are again so everything is in one place
Volcano
Venomous Veil
Spin the Spindle
Rio
Mythical World
My Second to Last Hour
My Autumn
Joyless
Goddess, Lost at Sea
Eden on the Front Porch
Death of a Star
Candles in the Cradle
Thursday, February 27, 2020
Underground Newspapers/Zines from Plainfield High School
Recently, I went to a digitization workshop at the Monroe County Public Library, which (in my humble opinion) may be the best public library in the world. In talking to the staff, I found out about the library's zine collection and mentioned that back in the 90s, I was involved with one at my high school. They are always looking to add to their collection, so I recently digitized them all and sent them the files. We're back in circulation, people!
These are some of my best memories from high school. People came together, contributed content, paid for the printing from their own pockets, and then circulated these around the school. I'm really happy I held on to my copies all these years. I also discovered that I have some of the originals from when we printed them - in all their rubber cemented glory. Those are some artifacts!
The Unknown
2 issues
1992-1993
This is the one that started it. I remember being so excited when I saw the first issue, and I knew this was something I wanted to be involved with. By the time the second issue rolled around, I was a contributor, along with several of my friends. Everyone used pen names, a tradition we continued for all 3 years. Some people used more than one pen name.
Issue 1
Issue 2
The Phoenix
4 issues
1993-1994
I think most of the people behind The Unknown had graduated, but we decided we needed to keep things going. We didn't feel right using the name The Unknown since that was someone else's project, so we went with the name The Phoenix (rising from the ashes of the previous year's zine).
We used so much rubber cement piecing these together. There were problems with the readability of some of the content in Issue 2, so we ended up reprinting everything that wasn't readable in Issue 3. This stuff was important and people needed to read it!
We ran into controversy! The school newspaper ran an editorial on us (where they apparently couldn't tell left from right).
Issue 1
Issue 2
Issue 3
Issue 4
Editorial article and cartoon
Equinox
5 issues
1994-1995
What the hell? We went ahead and named it again, using the theme of seasonality and renewal. I think the rationale had something to do with the fact it has already had two different names and it was a little different every year anyway. We even handed out advertisements! By this point, it had really evolved into more of a literary zine. We were mellowing in our old age! We had also computer publishing software, and the world was ours!
Announcement Flyer
Issue 1
Issue 2
Issue 3
Issue 4
Issue 5
Wednesday, May 1, 2019
The Mergrins
I went to Purdue my freshman year of college, with the intention of becoming an electrical engineer. That didn't exactly work out, but I did (much to the concern of my mother) join a band. That band was The Mergrins, a Greenfield, Indiana based band. I was introduced to them by my good friend Toni Dunn/Carr (aka Joan of Dark), and when they decided they needed a keyboardist, I was in.
After we all went to Purdue for a year, we made the decision to move to Bloomington for the better music scene. I transferred to IU and we all moved into the Mergrin house, which later (many years post-Mergrins) burned down. It's too bad, because that was a fun/weird house. It had a crazy storage unit attached to it with random crap in it, including an old red sports car. There was also a way to climb a tree and drink on the roof, which we definitely took advantage of. The Mergrins' time in time in Bloomington was rocky, and by the end of a year (and several lineups later), the band broke up. The members of The Mergrins moved on to do a lot of different things.
This post will archive some of the things I have related to the Mergrins, including some poor quality photographs. I also happen to have MP3s for many of the songs, and those can be found here:
Wednesday, October 31, 2018
Spooky Knitting for Halloween
Some years ago, I designed some knitting patterns for a proposed Halloween knitting book. That book ended up morphing into something else which ended up being lovely, but deep down I was so sad that the Halloween book never happened. Fortunately the new version of the book was able to still use all but one of my patterns, and that pattern is now up on Ravelry. But I still really want that Halloween knitting book.
Here are the gloves that didn't make it into the book. They are my "The Eyes Have It" Fingerless Gloves, and they are available on Ravelry.
Photo by the lovely Melissa Wagley
http://www.melissawagleyphotography.com/
Here are my spooky themed patterns that DID make it into some knitting books.
Dark Dream Socks
Cthulhu Fingerless Gloves
There's also an eyeball hat in the works... but I need to get on that. Maybe in time for next Halloween?
Enough about me. Even though that Halloween knitting book never happened, there are tons of really beautiful and spooky knitting patterns on Ravelry. I know, because sometimes I go on there and add a bunch more to my (already overflowing) queue. I think the world needs to know about these wonderful patterns, so I'm going to post photos and links for some of my very favorites.
Today, being Halloween, meant it was time for me finally cast on for the Just Batty Socks by Jennifer Vaughn. I've wanted to knit these for a very long time, and I finally purchased the pattern and some yarn (Knitpicks Stroll Sock Yarn in the colors Pumpkin and Black).
Another pattern that I know I need to knit soon, is Spider Socks by Terri Knight. It's a wonderful pattern knit in a single color, and takes advantage of texture to create the design.
A pattern I just discovered today is Fangtastic Socks by Wendy Gaal. Look at that design. Brilliant! I will be knitting these very soon.
I can't resist socks! Here's one more for you! Look at the beautiful Halloween Skull Socks
by Fir Tree Knitwear!
Obviously, socks are kind of my thing, but don't you worry! I've found spooky things to knit that aren't socks. I'm pretty sure I need to knit these Night Creatures Mittens by Adrian Bizilia.
These aren't the only mittens I need in my life. Check out these gorgeous Bat Mittens by Johanne Landin!
I'm a sucker for bats, and mittens, but I love fingerless gloves even more. Check out Belfry Bats Fingerless Mitts by Patricia Wake!
Another fantastic fingerless glove pattern (that I knit up almost immediately after finding) is Skull Mittens by Jennifer Thompson. I believe I bought the pattern from the KnitPicks site, but it looks like it is also available on Ravelry. You have the option of making a glove or a fingerless glove, so you really get your money's worth on this one.
Okay, we have to throw at least one scarf in the mix. I'm loving Dancing Skeletons Double Knit Scarf by Frivolite Handcrafts. I just need to practice double knitting, which might be the scariest part of this pattern.
Well, okay. Here's another one. Do you really REALLY like fair isle? If so, I have the Halloween knitting project for you! You need to knit the Halloween Fair Isle Scarf by Siouxsie Stitches ASAP.
Now let's add a spooky and fabulous cowl! It's the Hocus Pocus Cowl by Thea Eschliman.
The Phobia Cowl by Sharon Mooney is another one I'm going to need to knit, but with some really amazing solid color yarn. I'll be raiding my yarn stash soon!
Oh, shoot. I can't forget hats! Like Halloween Kitty Child/Adult Beanie by Sandra Jäger. In all fairness, I wouldn't knit this for a child. I'd definitely knit it for myself!
Have I mentioned that I love bats? Because of that, I can't help but love the Bats in the Night Sky Beanie by Joan Rowe. Look how interesting it is!
You want to knit something ridiculously cute... I mean scary? Check out the pattern Halloween Delights by Phoeny. There's actually a surprise in that first pumpkin...
Another super cute knit critter pattern, this one written by a favorite designer of mine is Boo the Bat
by Anna Hrachovec. I've knit this one several time, but I've never managed to keep one for myself!
That's all I have for now. Do you have any wonderful scary/spooky patterns you want to share? Post in the comments. I definitely (don't) need more knitting projects in my life!
Wednesday, May 23, 2018
Voodoo Lily (Dracunculus vulgaris)
I planted some Voodoo Lily bulbs I got a Menard's a few years ago. Nothing came up for a couple years, and then last year I noticed the appropriate leaf pattern on a plant in that area. Last year there were only leaves, but this year it came up again, and I came out the other day to see this - an unopened bloom!
This morning I came outside and saw this. There were flies swarming everywhere around it. I went in to take a photo, and the rotten meat smell was so overwhelming that I had to hold my breath.
A closeup of the flies. They love this thing.
Day 2:
Day 3:
Day 4:
Friday, May 11, 2018
Bullying in Roller Derby
I recently posted something about this on Facebook. I received a lot of responses, while at the same time I was disappointed at the lack of responses from people who knew what I went through. Here is basically what I posted with some edits and additions.
Bullying in roller derby... it's a serious issue that leagues and WFTDA seem completely uninterested/unwilling to address.
I went through some serious shit during my time playing roller derby for two different WFTDA leagues. There were actual threats to my safety (skaters who expressed their intention to hurt me at practice), skaters who worked to get me removed from a team or roster solely because they disliked me, doxxing by a WFTDA officer (which WFTDA did nothing about, despite the grievance I filed), lies spread about me without my teammates or coaches bothering to come to me for my side of things, and emotional abuse and gas-lighting by coaches and teammates - just to give you the highlights of what I personally experienced.
In all that time, only one person EVER apologized to me for their behavior. That's how normal and accepted bullying is in derby culture.
The sad reality is I actually saw/heard worse things happen to other skaters. While part of me wants to tell their stories, I know that's not my place. Some of those people still want to be involved, and calling out their problems with bullying could jeopardize that.
I've noticed that some of the biggest bullies are often among the most popular people in the league. Their position of power/authority/popularity means people rarely believe or want to acknowledge their less positive behavior.
I've also noticed the fact that not all people have the same experience in derby leads some to think that bullying isn't happening. I guarantee you that it is. Bullying culture is pervasive in roller derby. You can be a member of the Fluffy Kittens and Love League, and there will still be significant bullying. Until that fact is acknowledged and people who try to speak up are not punished for doing so, nothing will change.
I've also noticed that some people want to deny that bullying is happening, because they love roller derby and their league. They feel like somehow acknowledging anything negative will mean they are not being loyal. Or maybe they're afraid that if they speak up, they will be punished for doing so (and believe me, that absolutely happens).
The simple fact is that ignoring the problem will not make it go away. The issue needs to be brought to light, talked about, and dealt with. I don't have any easy solutions, because this is a complex, nuanced problem.
Bullying in roller derby... it's a serious issue that leagues and WFTDA seem completely uninterested/unwilling to address.
I went through some serious shit during my time playing roller derby for two different WFTDA leagues. There were actual threats to my safety (skaters who expressed their intention to hurt me at practice), skaters who worked to get me removed from a team or roster solely because they disliked me, doxxing by a WFTDA officer (which WFTDA did nothing about, despite the grievance I filed), lies spread about me without my teammates or coaches bothering to come to me for my side of things, and emotional abuse and gas-lighting by coaches and teammates - just to give you the highlights of what I personally experienced.
In all that time, only one person EVER apologized to me for their behavior. That's how normal and accepted bullying is in derby culture.
The sad reality is I actually saw/heard worse things happen to other skaters. While part of me wants to tell their stories, I know that's not my place. Some of those people still want to be involved, and calling out their problems with bullying could jeopardize that.
I've noticed that some of the biggest bullies are often among the most popular people in the league. Their position of power/authority/popularity means people rarely believe or want to acknowledge their less positive behavior.
I've also noticed the fact that not all people have the same experience in derby leads some to think that bullying isn't happening. I guarantee you that it is. Bullying culture is pervasive in roller derby. You can be a member of the Fluffy Kittens and Love League, and there will still be significant bullying. Until that fact is acknowledged and people who try to speak up are not punished for doing so, nothing will change.
I've also noticed that some people want to deny that bullying is happening, because they love roller derby and their league. They feel like somehow acknowledging anything negative will mean they are not being loyal. Or maybe they're afraid that if they speak up, they will be punished for doing so (and believe me, that absolutely happens).
The simple fact is that ignoring the problem will not make it go away. The issue needs to be brought to light, talked about, and dealt with. I don't have any easy solutions, because this is a complex, nuanced problem.
Friday, October 21, 2016
I Made an Animated Gif...
Just because...
I got these cute solar powered Halloween decorations at the Dollar Tree.
I got these cute solar powered Halloween decorations at the Dollar Tree.
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