Discounderworld & Why I love the internets

Posted on | August 4, 2009 | 9 Comments

Disco Screenshot! Photo by Bianca Gonzalez

Because somehow I’m doing creative things that I simply wouldn’t be doing if I hadn’t discovered the online knitting community, and if Tad hadn’t encouraged me to start a blog of my own. Because of the amazing friends in different states and countries that I’ve made and never would have met otherwise. Because strange and wonderful opportunities with really interesting people seem to pop up, just by being here and participating. And because I’m so thrilled to be featured in disco underworld – an awesome online ‘zine that I’ve been so enjoying and admiring over the last few months!

Disco is the creation of Stacey Childs, who focuses on different people all over the world, and their passions and creative pursuits. If you haven’t already discovered this gem, you should take a few hours and pore over a few (or ALL) of the 10 issues out there (I think #6 with Elsa Mora may be my personal favorite. Or # 7 with Corrine Lee-Cooke and Stacey’s piece on what we might attempt creatively if we knew we had limited time. Ok, all of them are really my favorite). It is such a great thing. And so inspiring. And I feel rather sheepish really, to be in there with some amazing people, doing what they do. If you are into creativity in a broader sense than knitting and the fiber arts (I know so many of you are!), if you are into photography or travel or making some kind of positive impact on our world and each other, you will love this magazine. Stacey’s also putting together a print issue featuring one article from each issue at the end of this year (you can vote for me to be included, if you like my profile the best!), and working to garner attention from tourism folks to try to give a away a trip to visit her home of New Zealand!! All very cool things. (btw, if you are into music, Stacey is starting up a purely music ‘zine too, so check out the links in issue #10 and stay tuned! If Disco is any indication, it will be great.)

I hope to write more about some of the things that are alluded to in the interview here – Tad and I have so many things on the table and in our heads right now, and we have such a good life here. But we’ve come to the conclusion that though this life (suburban/house dwelling/desk jobs) is wonderful in many ways and works for a lot of people, it’s not what we thought it would be, for us. So the next two or three years are focused on paying off debt & student loans, doing a little traveling & selling the house, while building skills for our future – the food, design (knit for me, web for Tad), diy, and traveling all play into that.

I haven’t talked in too much detail about all of this here, because, well, we have some business to take care of and it’s still a ways off. And the name of this page doesn’t begin with “pipe dreams” for nothing. I’m infamous for it. Have been told that some of these things sound very nice even, but “mel does love to dream”, and I can’t really blame anyone for that view. I do [love to dream]. I’ve also had staunch advocates all along the way, for all those dreams that have gone by the wayside and our current ones, and I will always be so grateful! But I do have a rebellious streak. Reverse psychology works wonders on me. So look out!! ;) In addition to that, there’s the little bit about keeping our day jobs, which would be nice for the time being to help move us down this path, wherever it may lead. But I would like to open up a bit about some of our ideas (Tad is intrinsic to all of this, of course), and where we think this might go. You’ve had some pretty good clues from Stacey’s interview. We discovered disco at a great time and it’s been an awesome affirmation that there are people out there, making their own way, pursuing what they love and what’s important to them, no matter their varied living and employment situations. Her magazine has been a great reflection of some of the things that we do value, creativity, doing something positive, and wanting to travel. So thanks Stacey, for a great ‘zine, and for interviewing me, I’m so thrilled to be a part of Disco.

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Now playing: The Low Anthem – Charlie Darwin

Tix for Local 506, August 13th! I love this album – it has kind of a split personality, but I love them both!

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PS, I almost forgot to mention! I’m sure you all recognize Kirsten’s Mystery Socks on page 26; and that’s one of Gryphon’s great Theseus & The Minotaur socks-in-progress on the last page of the article. The rest are designs I have done for The Sanguine Gryphon, including p. 24, which is a little sneak peek of all those recent snippets. Eeeep!

PPS, I have been wracking my brain lately, trying to figure out how I found Disco in the first place. And I finally remembered! Another reason I love the internets is because sometimes, the path of the links I click are intriguing and leave me inspired for entire days. On one particular day, I clicked through a link on Twitter from my friend Liz, which led me to Mal’s Granny Day post, and her blog Turning Turning, which led me to Disco. Neat, huh?

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