I have been kind of lazy, as per usual. about blogging and crafting. I again have so many unfinished projects, it is starting to drive me mad. But I have been diligently working on an elephant which has been so wonderful! I am hoping to finish the knitting this weekend and perhaps even cut out and sew a pattern for a muslin insert. I bought the yarn at a local yarn shop, and the owner of the shop was also making one. I got washable yarn (who wants a baby toy that will felt when you wash it? No one.) and she is the one who suggested creating an elephant form to put inside the knitted outer layer, so the fluff doesn’t seep between the stitches when it is washed. I think she is just brilliant! I want to go to the yarn store more often (they have knitting groups on Thursday and Sunday) but I get sucked into spending money. And not just like one skein of yarn money. I am talking 3-4 skeins at $20 a pop. :S I might need to get a third job to support my habit. Or take to acrylic. But I prefer natural fibers, so alas, I must spend money.
Okay, now onto the real purpose of this post. I have been compiling a list of observations about STL and my time here so far and all that jazz. Yesterday, at my public library job, I chatted with some of the ladies about STL and how I like it and that inspired me to share some thoughts here.
We will get the negative out of the way first, so that we can focus on the positive at the end of the post.
-STL drivers suck. Not that they are particularly bad drivers, but they are not kind drivers. People cut you off and won’t let you change lanes even if you have been signaling for five blocks. It is just difficult to get used to the aggressive driving style. Add to that the number of jaywalkers (and I am not talking walk across the road when no one is there, I mean walk in front of traffic to the middle of the road, then stand there for a bit, talking on your cell phone, waiting for the next lane of traffic to clear) and I am pretty terrified to drive here.
-The heat and humidity SUCKS. People swear that it is usually not this bad but I can’t go anywhere without sweating and feeling like I will die of heatstroke. And I constantly have heat rash which sucks even worse. But the Library Ladies and Tim, assure me that by the end of September, beginning of October it will really cool down. And they say there is a really nice, beautiful fall to which I am looking forward.
Now for the positive!
-People are so friendly. This is coming from a girl who is well versed in ‘nice’ (Minnesota Nice anyone?). But everyone, from the checkers at the grocery store to the help desk at the library to the bus driver, is happy to answer your questions, chat with you about STL or just ask how your day has been. It is really quite refreshing. Plus, St. Louisians are very proud of their city and are always happy to let you know what the best things are to do here.
-People are so active. Though this makes me feel like a lump most of the time, I am sure when it is cooler it will be inspiring. The first time I drove by Forest Park on the way to work Saturday morning, I thought maybe there was a 5 or 10k going on for a good cause. No. People just run walk and bike in this ungodly heat and humidity for fun or to stay fit or something. I was floored by that.
-The city (out side of the actual city) is just a bunch of small towns pretending to be a city. St. Louis city itself does have a kind of city feel to it. But all of St. Louis area incorporates all kinds of individual cities, like Krikwood, Brentwood, Maplewood, University City, Clayton, etc. Even though you could literally cross the street to get from STL city to one of these cities, there is a different feel to them. They feel just like a small town. It is so great to have that atmosphere and the activities and opportunities of a big city all lumped into one.
I think those are all of my observations for now. I will update with a finished elephant soon!
