To those of you who have access to product labels and/or commercials that are not in Chinese: Pert is a conditioning shampoo, isn’t it? [Pause. Here Dichroic remembers how much of the internet is in fact *not* in Chinese and checks for herself. It is in fact shampoo + conditioner.]
Not having any of that fancy wool wash stuff I usually use a few drops of shampoo in water to wash my finished knitting. I generally use Ted’s shampoo rather than mine, on the theory that it’s less likely to have additives, and I generally use the second bathroom sink rather than the master bath because it’s both closer to the living room where I knit and a bit less likely to contain any toothpaste residue. (I suppose minty fresh knitting might have its charms….) So I use the shampoo that Ted has for some reason left in the second bath. Since well-conditioned knitwear is not actually my goal, maybe I shouldn’t do that. On the other hand I suppose now these socks will be extra soft. On to my sweater now – it’s sleeveless and in a silk/bamboo yarn. perfect for wearing to work in summer so I hope to finish it quickly.
Yesterday I finished all but the toe-graft (did that this morning) and then celebrated the holiday by doing a section of a red-white-and-blue pillow I hadn’t worked on for a while. Then I went to bed. Then I fell asleep. Then my mother called. Then I tried to fall asleep again but heard some loud noises. Away to the window I flew like a flash, tore open the shutters and threw up the sash… when what to my wondering eyes should appear but some fireworks, set in the park by the river and going up high enough for me to see them over the buildings in the way. Fireworks are common here but they tend to be concentrated around Chinese New Years (they go on for weeks, afterward, though). Some American expats or local Americaphiles must have set them off, or maybe just some kids who like fireworks. Anyway, I got to see some for July 4, so yay!
Also, when talking about yesterday’s expedition, I neglected to mention that of course that morning I had done 15 km on the erg. So if it seems like I got tired out fast, that may also be a factor!