Sunday, December 03, 2006

Now, Where Was I?

There are trips after which you think, "My, that was pleasant, but it's nice to be home." And then there trips, rare trips, after which you think, "I'm not the same person who left four days ago."

This trip was one of the latter.

Where did I go? Here's a hint.

Corner of Wilshire and 4th

No, not Anchorage. Here's another hint.

Birdie

Who said Buffalo?

What do you need, a picture of a breast implant? I was in Los Angeles.

Here's how it happened.

Not long ago two knit bloggers struck up a long-distance friendship. This one lives in New York City. He was going out to Los Angeles for his second appearance on DIY Network's "Knitty Gritty."

He was talking about the TV appearance with the second blogger, who lives in Chicago. The second blogger made a joke about coming along to help out, and the first blogger said, only half-joking, that he'd already imagined that could be fun. And then they laughed, and then nobody was joking. And then suddenly there were plane tickets, and two bloggers who had never met in person sat in their respective cities thinking, "What the hell just happened?"

Which is how John Brinegar and I wound up walking at sunset on the beach in Santa Monica,

Aloe

which I must say for the record is rather nicer than walking down State Street in December by myself.

John seemed to enjoy it, as well.

Sunset

It turns out that he and I knit at the same gauge, which made it possible for me to help put the finishing touches on his step-outs for the show. (I won't explain step-outs, since you all read Yarn Harlot anyhow.) This photo is so that my Mom and Dad will know which bits to cheer for when the episode airs.

Samples

I just hope they spell my name properly in the credit roll.

Curiously, I have discovered that I have almost no photographs from a day-and-a-half at the studio. I was too blissed out to click the shutter, I guess. No, not blissed out. That suggests calm. I was giddy.

It can be tough sitting around on a set when you're not involved in the production, but the folks at "Knitty Gritty" were so jolly and accomodating I didn't feel de trop at any point. Instead, I got to watch Something Being Made. I've always enjoyed that. I'd rather be behind the scenes than in the audience, any time, and this was my first visit to a television studio.

And aside from the people who make the show, there were the other guests who kept popping in and out as their episodes were put together, including Amy Singer, Iris Schreier, Jennifer Hansen (aka Stitch Diva), and Stephen of HizKnits fame. Stephen taped just before John, and then much to my delight decided to stick around which meant we got to sit together and dish and bond and bitch and kvetch and giggle–you know, the things all men do when in good company.

And Amy let me try on this hemp slip-stitch sweater from her new book (the one with no sheep in it) which fit me as though it had been made to measure. (Amy honey, you have my address. Parcel post will work just fine–winter won't be over for ages.)

One moment so I can sweep up all the dropped names.

The day after the taping was free and clear, so we met up with the formidably cool Wendy of Knit and Tonic at Wildfibers, which I didn't realize until we got there is owned by Mel Clark, who collaborated with Tracey Ullman on Knit Two Together. I didn't buy much, but what I bought...well, I'm saving that until last.

Wendy led John and I out to Malibu, where we sat at a restaurant by the ocean and watched dolphins and pelicans and aggressive seagulls, and ate peanuts, and dished and bitched and kvetched and giggled and bonded–you know, the things all knitters do when in good company.

Afterwards, we went down to the beach and used Wendy's clapotis to pretend we were doing a location shoot for Rebecca magazine.

Zut Alors

"Ja! Ach du lieber! I em dee krazee skinnee German knitter! I em zo filled vit gemütlichkeit my head vill explode et enny zecond!"

And then home, and then another sunset, and then a knitting lesson, and then the goodbyes, and the airport, and home again. Typing this, looking out to the frigid lake over the snow in Lincoln Park, through the frost that is covering half the windowpanes.

I don't know why, but a different person left for LAX on Wednesday than is sitting here right now. Maybe it's because Southern California has always scared and intimidated me–it's the only city I've ever been too that has done so. This time it didn't. Instead I felt magnified, more confident, as though I were being carefully lit and retouched everywhere I went. Hell, I even got a compliment from a stranger in a restaurant.

This all feels weird for a guy who spent the first 33 or 34 years of his life (I'm 35) trying miserably to be what other people expected him to be. Never worked. That phase is finally ending, I guess, although I don't usually notice it except in brief moments of clarity. I had one in, of all places, Wildfibers.

I was looking around in the sock yarns for something masculine and shoved aside a skein of Wildfoote in lime green to pick up a little bundle of quiet rust-and-brown that was behind it. And then I picked up the lime green. And I imagined myself wearing socks made of it, and I thought how bright it is, and how silly that would look, and how respectable men never, ever wear bright lime green socks.

And then in a flash I realized three things:
  1. I love strong colors.

  2. I really want a pair of lime green socks.

  3. I just don't give a fuck any more if people think I'm respectable–particularly people who are going to judge me according to the color of my damned socks.
For 35 years I have allowed (among many others) the Pope; my nasty fourth grade teacher, Mrs Hess; various administrators, faculty, and alumni of Harvard University; the citizens of Back Bay and Beacon Hill; assorted ex-boyfriends; and my employers past and present to live in my head and decide what I like, what I wear, what I listen to, how I view the world and above all, how I view myself. Today's eviction day, folks. Get out.

Green

Wherever you are reading this, whoever you are, I hope you feel at some point today...or any day...as good as I do right now.

161 comments:

Anonymous said...

welcome back!

cheese louise, I spent 4 years in therapy to realize what you found out in a short trip to LA.

isn't it an empowering feeling to just BE and not CONFORM? now go out and kick some ass!

wanna see your tootsies in those lime green socks when completed!

Anonymous said...

I just don't give a fuck any more if people think I'm respectable–particularly people who are going to judge me according to the color of my damned socks.

Amen.

Anonymous said...

Lucky you to realize all this at 35. I'm almost 50 and am still learning and relearning. Maybe I need to give out stronger eviction notices because the people in my head keep coming back! Good for you. Love the socks.

Flossie in Stitches said...

Damn. If that's the power of green yarn, get me to my LYS. Now.

Glad you had such an amazing time.

anno said...

congratulations, franklin. many more happy days and kermit socks, I hope. (the magic word today is oyubay.. wonder how you say that..)

Redford Phyl said...

Bless you, Franklin. Better to learn this now than in 30 more years. I should have been so lucky.

Anonymous said...

How can it have taken you 35 years to realize just exactly how COOL you are, when it took me one read of your blog?
I am so happy for you Mr. Habit. I'm glad you're so happy. You deserve every single minute.
Not coincidentally, Lime Green is my favorite color. Can't wait to see you in those socks!!

Wet, Elaine, whatever...

Anonymous said...

I needed to read something like this today. Thank you.

CatBookMom said...

Franlin, you were in LA and you didn't call??? Glad you had so much fun, just remember to LMK the next time you're coming. Let us know what Dolores was up to while you were gone. And why not lime green socks? Seems like a perfect souvenir of LA.

Anonymous said...

Welcome to the party, we all already knew you were terrific.

I think that I need a pair of lime green socks, to remind me that I'm dancing to my own piper.

the fiddlin' fool said...

Glad your trip worked out so well, and that you are a different person from it.

And three cheers for colorful socks! They are a wonderful accent to my otherwise rather predictable man clothes.

And we simply must get together for dinner soon.

Anonymous said...

ooh, go you! be happy in your socks, in your skin and in your life because you deserve to be.

your words and your spirit, and of course the wisdom of dolores, bring just that little bit of lime green into all our lives whenever you blog.

Anonymous said...

Congratulations on growing out of acting "grown-up!"

My favourite pair of socks are a blinding handpainted combination of yellow and orange, and they are positively fluorescent. I pull them out on days when I need something to cheer me up. I hope yours do the same for you!

Anonymous said...

Now there's a holiday that MEANS something. Happy Eviction Day!

Trope said...

Whoa, I'm with flossie. Now I wanna knit me some lime green socks, too.

I'm so glad to hear that your trip away was exciting and educational. :) I'm going to re-read this every next couple days as a reminder.

Anonymous said...

I had a similar kind of trip + moments of clarity this summer.

Lime green socks seem like the perfect way to celebrate your transformation.

Anonymous said...

You know what's interesting? When you start listening to who you really are, really good things start happening. And all of those bad people/thoughts/inner critics start disappearing. Good luck, Franklin...if you keep remembering this (and you probably will forget for little periods), your life will unfold in ways that you've only dreamed.

Anonymous said...

They are charming socks. They will look very dapper and fabulous. I think that just a hint of the lime green under a cream trouser will be very elegant.

Also, if the biggest criticism that can be leveled at you is "He wears green socks", I think you're doing pretty well.

I do think that there is something in the water, however. I'm knitting socks for my fellow, who was very heartened by your previous post on sock yarn. He's agreed that he'll wear a sock with red stripes. I rather thought that would be far too jazzy.

HPNY KNITS said...

and it gets even better once you hit 40!
you go lime green!

QuietdanMN said...

Gorgeous color!

Sounds like a fantastic trip.

Also, thanks for the inspiration you share through this post!

Anonymous said...

Hurray for you. Welcome to your new more satisfyingly coloured life. Its too short to wear brown socks, I say.

Anonymous said...

Congratulations to you. I love wearing my brightly colored handknit socks. It's even more empowering than red underwear.

Elizabeth said...

Well, no wonder I was green with envy when Wendy wrote about hanging out with you guys. What other color could it have been?

35 is a good age for an epiphany. The big question is, what happens next?

Anonymous said...

here's to you, franklin. *raises a glass*

Anonymous said...

Franklin, I was also 35 when I came to the same realization. Then, I quit my job and spent 4 months looking for the right one. My favourite quote from that time was, and still is "If you risk nothing, you risk losing even more" - by, of all people, Erica Jong.
Congratulations and treasure those lime green socks.
Leslie - the knitting therapist

Scoutj said...

Well that just rocks. So cool that you were able to make that all happen. Too bad I'm going to be there a week later and missed out on all of the fun! I can't wait to meet Sonya and everyone.

Now I need to go out in the 36' weather and finish dyeing my step-out yarn.

Anonymous said...

Actually, I always find that if I see someone in a "respectable outfit" with a flash of something fun - like your socks - it always tells me that they have a good sense of humour and have a way bigger picture. I don't know if you are saying you don't give a f*** anymore, but rather saying that you would like to play with the cool kids now? But then I am British, maybe things run differently here. But the guys in the lime green socks tend to be the ones people gravitate towards at parties!
Glad you had a good trip, always so refreshing.

Dropstitchknitter said...

Yah! Freedom! Congratulations and I know the feeling - it SO rocks!

Anonymous said...

Yay! Isn't it wonderful when you realize, I am REALLY understand, that it doesn't matter what other people think. I'm a little sad that it's taken me 40 years to really get it, but hey, 40 is the new 30, so I'm actually right on track. Congratulations on the lime green socks and all they represent.

Anonymous said...

Oh, Boston. Don't listen to the imaginary Bostonites! (Or any of the other ghosts.) Lime green is the awesome. *approves*

Anonymous said...

Those socks are gonna kick ass! Wear them in good health, with confidence, and much pride! And again, thank you for your words of wisdom.

Anonymous said...

Are those sassy socks being knit on two circular needles? Howdja learn that? Buh-bye, DPNs.

Anonymous said...

Very cool!

Anonymous said...

Complete. You felt giddily complete in the media knitting environment. A new piece of your puzzle has just fit and brings its cohorts.

Anonymous said...

Congratulations on your moment of clarity - and that it came in LA...I think that's an unusual spot.

BTW, I often judge men by their socks. Dark, plain, normal socks usually mean that he's not interested in challenging life. I think lime green is an excellent choice.

Anonymous said...

Isn't it amazing the people you find living in your head? If I could just get that obnoxious girl from the 3rd grade out of there!

I used to wear a bright acid green sock and a bright red sock, only to have people tell me, "I didn't say anything, because I just thought maybe you were colorblind."

*sigh*

Flemisa said...

Way to go!
Love the sock color and even more I love the fact that you are making them because you want them. Wear them with pride.
(Maybe it is rebellion against prison garb.)
The voices are only good as guides as to what you yourself want and don't want. I hope your meditaion and studies are helping you become more of who you want to be.

jodi said...

Yes!

Anonymous said...

I've always thought the point of wearing handknit socks was so I could wear the sort of outrageous colors that I wouldn't dare wear anywhere else on my body. Hot pink would look ridiculous anywhere near my face, but on my feet it looks pretty cool. Chances are nobody will notice them anyhow, and if they do, they'll just view it as eccentric behaviour.

You're going to love wearing the Wildfoote, BTW. It's kind of a pain to knit with due to being overspun (like many Brown Sheep yarns), but it wears like iron and it's very comfortable.

Annie said...

I'll bet the Pope dreams of wearing lime green socks under all those stodgy vestments...

Can't wait to see them finished!

Anonymous said...

Peter O'Toole, one of my favorite actors, always wears green socks. I'm about to try some day-glo pink argyles. Because damn it I WANT to!

LaurieM said...

Hey! Awesome! So glad you got the lime green. Those judgmental voices will be back, you can never get rid of them entirely, but being able to tell what's you and what is the judge is a huge step. It makes such a difference.

Anonymous said...

Be yourself. The good people will be pleased and the others don't matter. Who you are is a gift to the universe. You are glorious.

Anonymous said...

Congratulations on your epiphany, Franklin, and welcome to the world of happy colors! This is freedom.

Dave said...

Good on ya! I knew I'd felt a fundamental shift in the universe this week, but I wasn't sure just where. Now I know. :-)

Anonymous said...

Yay you! You have my inspiring blog post of the year award!

Terri said...

Short-time lurker, first time commenter. I love the tone of your blog, and the color for your socks is great! If you have found out who you truly are before your are too old to do anything about it, you are ahead of the game.

Anonymous said...

Those green socks are rockin! Sounds like a really wonderful trip in sorts of ways!


Glad Dolores didn't know you were going.

Pearls Mother said...

Congrats on such a wonderful weekend!
Life is too short to be bogged down by 'issues'
sadly,
it takes a long time and lots of 'issues' before we realise/accept this!
Love the lime green socks,
wearing them will make you smile.
lindy

Anonymous said...

Yahoo, Franklin! It only took me to age 48 to learn freedom. Whereupon I began getting tatoos and piercing my ears another 10 times. If you want wild sock yarn, check out Colinette's new Jitterbug. And visit us in Seattle at The Weaving Works, where we love you dearly!

Jennifer said...

Awesome socks, and the Rebecca photo shoot is so funny!

Pink said...

Yay for the newly liberated you!

I'm as green, (as in envious, not innocent!) as those socks on many levels...you got to meet such great people, you had a fantastic time but mainly 'cause you got to be in LA for a whole weekend...I miss it so much!!

Ginny said...

AMEN!

And here I was spending this weekend bummed b/c I don't think I did well on the LSAT on Saturday.

But you know...maybe I wouldn't rather go to law school to support the family. That little yarn store dream is looking mighty good right now.

Thanks, Franklin. I needed that. My watermelon socks are cheering on your lime green socks.

Anonymous said...

Lurker here, you go guy! My spirits are lifted just reading how good you feel.

Anonymous said...

You're back! And you've grown! If you feel lighter, it's because you left all those old recordings on the sunny beaches of SoCal. Where the sea gulls can peck at them, as they get washed into the sea.

Wear those lime green socks. You are going to be knocked down amazed at how many compliments you're going to receive.

Anonymous said...

35 seems to be that sort of year . . . I, too, had an epiphany at 35, made many changes, and today am the gloriously tired but happy parent to a most wondrous five year old. Sometimes what you really need is right under your nose, but you are looking far and wide, for you it may be the other way around? Congratulations on the self awareness.

rosesmama

Anonymous said...

OMG that lime green is gorgeous. I decided some time ago that lime green was my signature color. My what?! you ask...Well, I love lime green, so I faced the truth. I use it a lot and I wear it a lot. It makes me smile. How can you be in a funk when you are with your favorite color? Keep going. Now I want hand knitted lime green socks, too. Good thing I can knit myself some.I think I'll start tomorrow with a trip to the knitting store.

Anonymous said...

Woohoo, Franklin! Congrats! Realization plus age just keeps getting better. Just you wait. ;) 52 is great; I'm looking forward to 53!

Love the 'Rebecca' shoot. Ausgezeichnet!

Rabbitch said...

Applause.

Anonymous said...

Franklin,
I was reading the part about evicting all those folks who judge you to DH, and we BOTH cheered!!!

DH also says HUZZAH!!!!

still cheering for you down here in FRIGID Central Ohio--

Phyllis

Anonymous said...

Nice socks, babe.

Vicki said...

Such a powerful message. Hopefully we'll all get to that place at some point. Welcome back.

littleangelkisses said...

Welcome back! I bet you didn't miss the cold much did you? It's NASTY cold here, but it does help with the Christmas spirit.

Franklin, slowly I am evicting those voices. Good for you!

Anonymous said...

Franklin, you made limeade out of limes. I can't wait to see what you do next. Cheering you on from down here in Kentucky!

Anonymous said...

This sounds so deeply stupid, but...yay for you! Seriously. Congratulations.

That is a seriously big moment, and if those socks ever wear out, they should be framed and displayed as art.

Bonne Marie said...

Your pictures left me breathless and very homesick for the Left Coast! So beautiful...

More beautiful? Lime Green. On your feet (or anywhere). Break on through to the other side, my brother.

Anonymous said...

Last week was just about the most horrid week I've ever had at work. I am going to take what you wrote and try and work that same magic on myself. I love the color of those socks. Wear them proudly!

Anonymous said...

35 is a good year.

Kathleen said...

I am way late in the list of comments... but I am glad to see your glee!

I had a supervisor once who almost always wore RED socks, especially on days where he'd be meeting with Congress people or State Dept officials or other high(er) ranking dignitaries. For "Jobs Well Done" he bestowed a pair of red socks on the deserving employees. Purple socks went to those that fought the good fight to get something done in the public interest that was not necessarily a pet project of the dignitaries - sort of his Purple Heart award.

May you where your Lime Socks with pride and glee! ;) I'll be looking for your step-outs (note to self: Get the darned DVR!!!)

Angela said...

You wear those lime green socks--and any other color tht strikes your fancy! I was in Philadelphia for about 12 minutes this weekend. I stopped in at Rosie's Yarn Cellar and when they found our I came in from Chicago, the next question was, "Do you know Franklin?" It turns out that the woman who dyes Black Bunny works there. She was very excited to hear that I'd been to your Dulaan event where her yarn was given as a door prize.

Anonymous said...

Fabuloso! Look how many people love your little lime green self. It may not be easy being green, but you're the man to do it. If anyone dares to look sideways at those socks, just feel us all standing beside you.

PS: Mine are hot pink.

Anonymous said...

Franklin
I've finally found you. You have been missing since the wedding entry Nov 28.
For some reason unbeknown to me I have not been able to access your blog - finally located you through another blog clicked on your name and there you are - you have been there all along and I have been clicking on you in my favourites in vain every week. I now have over a month to catch up on.

Emy said...

Those socks are going to be EXCELLENT!

Anonymous said...

And let's be blunt: no one, and I mean NO ONE, will assume you've been in prison if you are wearing lime green socks....

VickeryKnits said...

I dig your socks Franklin!

SolSionnach said...

Yay!!!
Go lime greeen socks!!!
Ya made my evening tonight, Franklin. I loves it!

(I'm almost 50, and just now figuring this stuff out...)

Nikki said...

I am so happy for you! Sweet Freedom from "what others will think". Good for you! I love your socks, and I think you are amazing. I'm glad the trip was so grand!

Jeanne said...

I wonder why we couldn't have felt like this in high school, and not worried so much about:
a) what other people thought of us and
b) what we thought of other people

I was very flamboyant in the 80s (big hair, colorful clothes—I dressed like Prince meets Poison). When I see photos from that era, I feel sad because the girl in the photos is giddy and extremely comfortable with herself, but the one I saw in the mirror this morning isn't even living on the same planet. Where did I go? I have faded as surely as lime green socks bleached and run through a brown dye bath. Or a molted peacock. How do I get back to the me I was before?

Lime's not my color, but red and purple together are... like Mountain Colors Bearfoot in Wildflower. Sorry to the person for whom that yarn was intended—I simply must make MYSELF some socks!

Anonymous said...

We all need to find our own lime green socks. Congrats on finding yours.

mary said...

I didn't see LA or So Cal on your where next wheel of fortune, but was so excited to see a picture of you on Wendy's blog. If you moved out here, you'd really love it. You might miss knitting heavy wool sweaters, because you wouldn't need to wear them here. Come back again soon!

rho said...

I love the green - those will be fantastic socks - I have been working on that lesson for 50 years (I'm 53 *ack,cough,ack* - how the heck did that happen I swear yesterday I was 20) Some days it is still a struggle - but it is getting to be more and more days of "screw them if they don't like it". So I am really proud of you that you discovered this important truth much earlier than.

Mel said...

Well, if those socks don't catch Stephen Fry's eyes, nothing will.

Anonymous said...

Good on ya, boy. Just don't let Dolores snag those socks away from you. Just sayin'.

Anonymous said...

Ooooh. Green socks...mmmmm.

For me? Why, you shouldn't have.

YarnThing said...

Wow! What a post, I tell you what; sounds like you had a hell of a time in LA! So completly jelous that you go to meet all those wonderful people. Too bad you couldn't stay a few extra days to meet le harlot.

Wonderful Socks...good for you, who cares what others think. If I were you, I would wear them with see through goloshes that show your handy work :-P

MarlyKnits

Lyssa said...

Wow. So many cool people are stopping through town for knitty gritty. Rock on with your lime green socks, and be happy.

KiwiJames said...

You knitster boy you! Learning life's lessons from yarn. Totally appropriate. Soon you'll be like me and start talking to the yarn as you fondle it.

Too much time and energy is wasted trying to be what other people want you to be. Your blog has always shown us who the true Franklin is... and that is someone truly unique and special.

Anonymous said...

I thought I said, "Next stop *Mongolia.*" Weren't you listening? Thumbs up to ya' for all your recent great happenings.

Anonymous said...

Whoooooo Franklin!

I never comment and we've never met despite mutual friends (the Two Sock Knitters), but I'm just so happy for you I could burst.

Behold the power of lime green yarn!

Kucki68 said...

I love putting on bright socks when I am feeling low, they make me smile and usually I am the only one who sees them. So why would you not have and wear lime green socks? I love doing the black all over with bright colored (yellow or orange are great) thing. Freaks people out when they notice. I love that. Which reminds me, I better get on with my yellow socks.

Anonymous said...

Hey Franklin,

Could you please email me? I have a question that I don't want to put in the comments.
Thanks!

Ruth said...

That's some powerful green yarn. Good for you.

Anonymous said...

Good for you for evicting those nasty nay-sayers in your head. Life's too short NOT to wear bright socks. (Or anything else.) I mean, honey, JUST DO IT!

Anonymous said...

Beautifully said, Frankly. Sing on, my friend, sing on.

Kate

Anonymous said...

LA is great if you're involved in The INdustry, as you have discovered (rather like being in the IN crowd in high school). Being out of work in LA - not so much.

Now NY, hell being out of work in NY is where the fun is at. Not one of us belongs where we came from. So we came here. Lime green socks? C'mon over.

junior_goddess said...

If you have boots on, it doesn't matter what damned color your socks are. You are allowed to have fun little secrets, and I think socks are great.

I am incredibly jealous of your beach photo shoot, fun at Knitty Gritty, yarn sleuthing, name-dropping-all that. And I am extremely happy you got to meet knitterly folks, because it's great to have an interest where the "rock stars" are so accessible . REALLY REALLY happy that you heard a loud popping sound when you figured out you have to please yourself.

Did Dolores burn the house down?

Marcy said...

Well, WAHOO, and congratulations! My, the adventures you will have. :D

Anonymous said...

Behold the power of yarn!

Stacy said...

This is the third time I've started this comment; I keep getting verbose and sappy. I'll leave it here:

I'm happy for you, Franklin. May you have many more days like this one.

Anonymous said...

I hit that point last week, when I quit my job in private equity to become a freelance writer.

Forget what people say about respectiable career path, burning bridges, whatever. I can now get multiple piercings and wear odd color combos. I am purging Ann Taylor from my wardrobe.

So, yeah, I totally understand how you feel. I am so done with doing what I'm 'supposed' to be doing.

Anonymous said...

I love you in that awesome way you love someone you've never met. Only I think if I met you in person I'd love you even more.

Anonymous said...

LA?
Too disappointed to comment further.
Goodbye.
Also, kiss your brain goodbye.
Signed.
East Coast Snob (and proud of it, of course)
P.S. You will be sorry if you move to LA. The only saving grace will be that you won't know it.

Anonymous said...

You have experienced one of those life-changing episodes, and fortunately, you're intelligent and perceptive enough to see it and embrace it for what it was. They don't happen all too often. Enjoy it, roll around in it and let it take you where it will. It took me till I was 50 to understand the significance of them. Good for you. Mary

Sandra said...

As I read this, I was listening to P!ink sing "I'm not here for your entertainment". Rather fitting, and I'm so happy for you. I love the socks, and think you will rock them, wherever you end up. (I'm still hoping for Canada).

Anne said...

Lime Green must be the color of independence. When I divorced, I painted a wall in the livingroom of my new house lime green. It gives me happiness everyday I see it.
Congratulations on your Lime Green enlightenment!

Anonymous said...

If that's the kind of enlightenment I can expect, I'm definitely going to have to do more shopping for sock yarn. Because that's the head-place where I want to be.

Excellent colour.

Anonymous said...

As I sit here wearing my bright orange and blue (New World Order, dontch'a know) sort of fair isle socks I fear a bitch slap from Dolores. I can't believe that Franklin Habit would actually write "...lead Jon and I..." which I will attribute to the enthusiasm of being freed from dull sockdom since I know you know better.

At any rate it's heartening to know you're free at last and it didn't take you anywhere near as long as it took me. Congrats!

Anonymous said...

So happy for your epiphany. Life gets so much better once you can do the things that you know are right for you, and know it doesn't matter if anyone else understands or not. My socks are shocking pink - I was a "good" girl for my first 35 years, and didn't seem to benefit all that much from behaving myself. It's good to be shocking every now and again.

Liz said...

Epiphany isn't for a few weeks, but it looked like it visited you early. How wonderful!

Sounds like your trip was fabulous and I can't wait to see your finished socks. I personally have been mulling a sweater in a similar color.

Roggey said...

Good for you. It only took me 36 years to tell the people in my head to go get fucked and burn the list of expectations on their way out.

As you're finding out, it works! I'm so much happier now, three years and counting later...

Anonymous said...

I'm walking the same path and put on bright Koigu colored socks each night.

But I didn't realize it with the clarity your post gives me. Your ability to express what's happening inside of you? Amazing!

Can't wait to see the lime-green socks! And to read what happens for you next!

Anonymous said...

Good for you! I think the lime green socks will be awesome!

FiberQat said...

I've always imagined you as dressed impeccably with just a flash of lime green sock. I'm so happy the inner Dolores is coming out.

Eileen said...

Liberation through lime green! That's a movement I'd be proud to join!

Anonymous said...

If people care more about the color of the socks than about your heart, then they are not worth spending time with.
I love the color you chose, it gives you personality--brown and gray socks are everywhere, they are bland--keep it safe type socks.

brewerburns said...

Congratulations, Franklin. It sounds like you have found yourself (a process that I'm sure will take the rest of your life, but still.)

Sharon Rose said...

It ain't easy being green, but it's sure worth it. Go Franklin!

Anonymous said...

"Be the change you seek" is a slight variation on a Ghandi quote. Sounds like you're becoming what you have been seeking. And you can take that anywhere.
Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts.

Anonymous said...

This is one of the benefits of getting older and wiser. You simply know more fully who you are. It feels so good. Bravo!

Anonymous said...

I know the feeling, on the inside I am a Pirate Queen, but she doesn't get out much. That said my husband is buying me skull and crossbone earings for Christmas (with dangly hearts ... of course!), and I will think of your socks while I'm wearing them ;)

Bev in TN said...

Thanks, I needed that! Knit and tonic indeed!

Sarah said...

What a kind hope to share with us all. Thank you.

K said...

I don't usually comment on blogs--somebody usually already has said what I want to and does it better--but your last comment really got to me. Because today, for the first time in nearly three years, I woke up happy and at peace with myself.....and it's absolutely wonderful to know others are feeling the same way!

Debi said...

I think this is my first time commenting but your post just made me...what a lovely, moving, heartfelt missive. What an amazing journey for you...to LA and to peace and comfort with who you are.
One thing tho, do the lime green and whatever other color moves your spirit but Wildfoote SUCKS, set yourself free with some sock yarn you'll really enjoy! I'll even send you a couple of skeins if you'd like :)

Anonymous said...

Congrats on the trip of discovery. I was 33 when I decided to follow my heart and listen to my own inner voice. It can be scary sometimes, but once you've tasted the freedom of being you, you never want to go back to being what others want you to be.

I love the green yarn, it's really a fun color. I can't wait to see the socks on your feet.

Anonymous said...

Yay for you! Someday, someday I'll feel that strong. My BF actually buys just lady's socks because he loves all of the patterns and the style of socks. He gets looks and comments, but he likes them. And the plus is I can borrow all of his socks. Enjoy your limeys.

Anonymous said...

Viva la lime!

Anonymous said...

I have three thoughts (yes, only 3 in my head at moment - how tunnel visiony of me):

1) Huzzah and furthermore amen
2) Having recently visited Chicago (from my native NYC) and found it very - er - monochromatic, I am not surprised that a male person might catch some heat for wearing hot colors
3) I recently had a similar moment related to deciding that it was ok for me to dance in the street if I wanted to (iPod revelation #23)

marie in florida said...

yes, yes i do and i'm glad you do too.
most days of my life i feel very much good about myself.
welcome to somemore of Peaceville.

marie in florida said...

quasi quote from one of my favorite films

"i'll have a twist of lime"

hehehe, thanks for the smile

Anonymous said...

LA is a great place- we San Franciscans aren't supposed to think that, but I do. I'm headed there tomorrow.

I always wonder if I could live there & be so laid back & yet so superficially judgmental at the same time... but to those who think of LA as a brainless place, as the avowed East Coast snob did above, please keep in mind that most Angelenos are New Yorkers.

Mandy said...

Congratulations on Eviction Day. I'm very, very happy for you. :)

Will Pillage For Yarn said...

Not that it isn't usually lovely, but the last few days were particularly nice - so you picked a good time to be out here! And Wildfiber is the BEST store. Yay fun! Yay beach! Yay Knitty Gritty!

Vive le lime green - I can't wait to see what you make of it.

Warrior Knitter said...

I visited Wendy's blog on Sunday & saw what I thought was a familiar face (familiar in the sense that I've seen the the photos of you that you & a few other bloggers have posted). I clicked to confirm & then read the accompanying text. I was thrilled that you were there & appearing to be enjoying yourself.

YEA! for you! You want lime green socks! Go for it! Why does it take us so long to figure it out & then takes even longer to get the courage to go for what we want.

And it feels good & warm inside when a "friend" feels good like that & shares that feeling. Thanks!

meg said...

Dolores would be proud. Go on with your green-socked self.

dragon knitter said...

you go, franklin. do what you want to do. be what you want to be. knit what you want to knit. i like to knit socks, but i rarely wear them (unless there's a foot of fresh snow on the ground, i'm in my birkies, regardless of how cold it is), and i knit whatever trips my trigger. including lime green.

Anonymous said...

For some reason, I am much more fashion-daring when I've made it myself. you would think that when I am going to put hours into something and spend ridiculous amounts on yarn, I'd want it to be something I am damned sure I'll get a lot of wear out. But no, instead it seems to be that if I'm going to do all the above, I refuse to be bored. I can BUY boring stuff. What I make must be cool. Even if it's only cool in my head...

Christine said...

game on, Franklin. Bravo.

mehitabel said...

congrats on finding your inner lime-green-sock-man! I've been known as the lady with the weird socks for quite some time now. Funny though, it still hasn't evicted those nasty voices. Maybe it's because I actually LIVE in LA. And I don't wanna.

Dana S. Whitney said...

BRAVO! I am crossing my fingers that the Rose Parade will (soon) have a knitting theme... and that you can be Queen of your very own float. California is the perfect place to start wearing lime green socks. You are amazing.

Sara M said...

finally some lime green man-socks!

Anonymous said...

"John Brinegar and I wound up walking at sunset on the beach"

How romantic! I hear there are lots of fantastic yarn stores kin NYC...

Tallguy said...

Friend of mine wrote a book several years ago: "Orange Socks" (http://www.amazon.ca/Orange-socks-yuppie-goes-yogi/dp/0968143806/sr=1-23/qid=1165314108/ref=sr_1_23/701-8618491-1837924?ie=UTF8&s=books) She started with Orange Socks... but the concept is the same.

And only at 35?!!

Archiblog said...

Come to London or Edinburgh, wear your fab green socks with sandles and people will only notice the colour of your eyes!

Just choose not to have a 'little life' - go for it.

Marianne

Juno said...

Respectability is way overrated as a guiding principle. Bon voyage....

Christa Giles said...

I met a couple men yesterday who could have used some lime green socks, and the wonderful attitude that embraces them! I was on a bus, carrying a couple adult-sized hula hoops (I'm a professional hooper, among other things).. and got in a conversation with one guy where he told me he'd never hooped, because people would make fun of him as a child if he did such a girly thing... and then some other guy joined in, with pretty much more of the same, but we wound up getting into whether or not it was cool that Canadians let men marry other men (I'm strongly FOR this..).. and eventually started bringing up religion, and it all went straight to hell from there (though they thought that's where I was already headed).

Anyway.. maybe to my annual wish for World Peace (rhinestone tiara securely in palce).. I'll add a wish for people to cease needing to measure up to others' standards, and do more of what makes themselves deeply happy.

Thanks for sharing the story :) Sounds like you had a fabulous time!

Liz said...

It's definitely an age thing, to not care anymore & be who you want to be. Next up, you will no longer be willing to go to events or spend time with people who don't make you happy! You will say, life is too short & I am doing anything that is not going to make me happy.

Anonymous said...

Egad! I just got back from the yarn shop close to work, only to discover I had spent a good 22 minutes trying to decide "Should I get the lime green Wildfoote or the rust?" I got the rust, for my respectable spouse, and will go back for the lime, which I will knit on smaller than recommended as I am a loose knitter (disrespectable.) Welcome to the dark side!

Vanessa/NessieNoodle said...

This is an awesome post... and WEAR THOSE DAMN AWESOME GREEN SOCKS! I love it. wear them all over the place...

just stumbled over here, and glad I did. gave me a big ol' grin for the day.

Nat said...

Rock on, Franklin! I was just blogging about not giving into fashion anymore, and being happy with my own style, in my own skin. You will look fabulous in your lime green socks. Want to know why? because they will make you happy, and nothing looks better than happy.

Sorka said...

Oh good lord I am older than you?
Yikes.... Gotta run knit something purple and red.. ugh.. I so feel like I am missing out.. EVERYONE is going to Knitty Gritty.. they called me they asked me then they turned me down.. so I must live vicariously .. ah well glad you enjoyed yourself the socks will rock!

Anonymous said...

Those socks are actually the best color I've ever seen. Score!

tea cozy said...

hey franklin! I love your blog, but I've never commented before...

it just strikes me that you'd get along well with the Din and Tonics, an a capella group that performs in tails, white bow ties, and of course, lime green socks. :) (www.dins.org)

go out and be fabulously warm-toed!

much outstanding knitting love
annemarie (in boston)

Anonymous said...

Thanks! I do feel good after reading that post.

I love lime green and I don't care who knows it.

Anonymous said...

See it's people like you who make me want to pick up a pair of knitting needles and give it a whirl. And now I think I have an obligation to my five-year-old son since he, out of the blue, asked when he can learn to knit. Quick double-take! What? Sure!

Oh I truly like your blog and can't wait to come back for more!

Anonymous said...

Woohoo!

I LOVE that you're making yourself lime green socks!
Now I feel almost bad for dragging you over to tame gray bamboo sock yarn...
almost... its' still lovely yarn.

Sarah said...

Love the photos. Looks like a great time!

I am envious.

onur said...

Very good and interesting site with very good look and perfect information I like it

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