Devastating News on Sock Wars IV

I did receive the SIPs and the Death Socks pretty much together...One day apart ! I was devasted, I wanted to get at least one more kill in but it was not to be. All I can say on the matter is that there will always be another warrior ready to take my place !

Looking forward to next year ...

Jumping the Gun ....

... Maybe its my 'SIP's', (Socks In Progress) and not the 'Death Socks' afterall !

Bring it on... Thursday I'm ready and waiting !

There's Something in the Air ...

... or there will be on Wednesday !

I believe my 'death socks' are waiting for me...in London ! I have received a phone call today from an anonymous caller to say that there is a 'suspicious package' and it is being held at MOD HQ... oh my... the reason ? Cos it has the terrifying words of 'CANDY' written on it !

I think I'll take my 'death socks day' as the date on the package as it seems to have been sitting at HQ for a while and it doesn't seem fair to say I've been alive all this time.

Obviously that's another item (and description) not to add to parcels coming out to Saudi Arabia...NO Chocolate, NO Candy, in fact NO FOOD ITEMS ! But 'Death Socks' ! ... they're ok... infact don't even mention 'death' on the package or they might destroy them in a controlled explosion !

I should officially receive my 'death socks' on Thursday evening when a secret operation/assault to liberate them has been conducted safely and they are brought back with a double agent on another covert operation.

However, if they are not what I expect... this posting will self destruct !

Freedom...and Things

SOCK WARS IV

I wish I could get another kill in lol, but I think things are so slow out here that I'll only get one in and then get my death socks before the sip's ! Still its a great way to go out.

CULTURE SHOCK
Holiday time is almost here... UK first then onto South Africa ...
Yep its a real culture shock when I go back to the UK... I generally disappear for hours on end just because I can. Hubby just lets me get on with it and doesn't moan about it. I just love being able to go out on my own, wherever I want, wearing what I want, doing what I want, riding my bike !

I can even talk to strange men if I feel like it...that is real weird cos you can't talk to a man out here, its just not the done thing. I forgot about this once at the beginning of my arrival and out shopping one day a saudi guy paid with a 100sr note instead of a 50sr and I said I'd have it if he didn't want it...he looked at me along with the others in the queue as if I was a real 'hussy'. I could almost hear the muttering of 'haram' on all their lips. I havn't forgotten that one in a hurry and don't speak or even look a man in the eyes out here now.

Actually I quite like the feeling of security you get out here where men are concerned. No man is allowed to talk to you or touch you and it really is quite a great sense of security not felt in the UK,(or elsewhere) where men can lear, shout or even grope at you without a lot of interception. If you shout at them people will usually look at you as if you're causing a scene, but here someone would definitely step in. I do think that a lot can be said of the Saudi customs which take into account a womans safety above all else.

I really pushed the limit yesterday tho, my hubby is in Milan at the moment and I took my driver with me and the kids to Pizza Hut (I was really pushing it as women aren't really allowed out with a man who is not either her son, husband, or has written permission from her husband to be with the man she's with !) Oh living life dangerously. To boot, my driver is Indian so even more 'shame on the old hussy' that I am.

Its a fantastic place though and I really love it here but just also love the freedom of being back in the 'so called' free world. But then there's the 'street crime', violence, fights, drunkeness, unfriendly shop assistants, oh I could go on but its having to make the best of whatever you have at the time I suppose.

FAVOURITE WORD OF THE MOMENT
Alhamdulillah! Meaning: "Praise to God"
It just rolls off the tongue and sounds wonderful.

Update...Sock Wars IV

D+21: SBL is still going strong...maybe its the post, or maybe the terrain...its pretty hard to find SBL out here...there's so much sand in the desert !

SBL's Statistics:
1 Kill ~ Padiham Knitter
Waiting for SIP's

SBL's Assassin has been killed by SockDingbat...
...So Who Was 'Thorsgirl' ?

Warriors Statistics:
Alive = 122
Dead = 155
Withdrawn - 5

Sock Wars IV Update

Wednesday 3rd June
I'm still here ! Not sure for how much longer but my nemesis that was 'Thorsgirl' is no more...Yayyyyy

I've a new assassin so I'm keeping a good lookout for any suspicious mail. Its now the weekend so I know I'm safe for a couple more days so can relax and watch the destruction going on around me. At the last count I think there were only 143 left alive so maybe I'll make it thru to the end.

I have one kill so am very pleased with myself. My target 'Padiham Knitter' was a worthy target and I took no pleasure in her destruction, but it had to be done.

I'm keeping a stealthy eye open for some SIP's (socks in progress) from Padiham's target, so lets see what arrives first. If its the SIP's then I need to be swift and get them onto their target immediately and hope for the best that the socks with my name on them don't get me too soon, so that I can have another kill to my name.

SOCK WARS IV Update 23-5-09

SOCK WARS:

To my assassin: Thorsgirl
So I live another day... and another I guess cos I don't think you're gonna get me yet !

To my target: Padinham Knitter
I hope you're death wasn't too painful, truely I take no pleasure in your kill just know that it just had to be done.
How was the saudanese chewing gum ... lol ...honestly its not harmful and it really is chewing gum. As I said I can get bucket loads, they seem to love it out here for some reason !

SNAIL MAIL:

The postie has just knocked and I tentatively took my post and happily didn't notice any suspect packages so feel pretty elated to know I've survived yet another day.

I was however, pretty shocked and very pleased to see my 'Simply Knitting' magazine arrive. The magazine only hit the shops on Thursday and its Saturday. Not going to spend too much time nattering as going off for a mooch at my mag., before going off to the dentist for my son's very first filling... a root canal ! Fizzy drinks are to go on hold as since we've been out here they've been spoilt rotten with the fizzy stuff cos its just so cheap. Not so keen on their teeth being spoilt rotten so somethings gonna change and plain water will be the staple much to the kids disgust.

Hopefully will be able to update again soon but the internet has been so intermittent the last few days that I don't know when it will stay up long enough to do very much. Here's hoping !

Sock Wars IV News Update 20th May 2009

Its been 6 days since the start of the Sock Wars IV and I'm still alive. I didn't think it would be any other way. I have trained hard and am totally committed to my fate. I know one day the 'death socks' will come for me but until that day I am strong and fearless as I have a strong faith and belief system... that I will reign supreme.

Thorsgirl is playing a game of stealth but she does not instill any fear in me... I who have had several weeks of 2.5 hour treatments for root canal, live and have trained in hardend and extreme conditions in the desert, am a worthy opponent for the toughest and 'you' Thorsgirl are no threat to me. I have no fear and laugh in the face (or toes) of your 'death socks', and am confident in the success of your imminent death (before mine). I have faith that Sockdingbat will get to you before you do me. So pray for all the good it will do you and I will relish in your 'death sock' throws.

Right off to get those kids some lunch, its all go for us moms who have a secret life !

SocksBinLaden's RPG Missile Launched ... Latest NewsFlash

SOCK WARS & LADIES LUNCH OUT

Now I've been a little busy of late preparing my weapon for launching this week and so have had to concentrate on getting everything right. I am a trained assoxinator so I give it 100% attention and committment. Thus leaving very little time for chatting or any other events taking place.
That's except for the 'Ladies Lunch Out' this month which was at a Lebanese Restaurant which opened recently in Saad Hospital. We went for lunch yesterday and had a lovely time. I must admit though, that I have had better food, but for the price and surrounding, and ambiance, it really was a lovely get together for us. Next time I will choose something other than the usual homus, tabula, and shwarma for my meal and maybe I'll be a little less biased in my opinion. The best place so far for shwarma's is The Golden Juice in Khobar with a fabtastic freshly squeased juice.
This was my first Sock Wars Event and I have thoroughly enjoyed it so far… waiting to see if I’ve a direct hit or miss.
Instructions for assembling the SocksBinLaden missile: RPG (Barcelona) socks, one hand painted Saudi cushion cover, a small amount of Saudanese chewing gum (yum yum), 'SBL' calling card and 'taunting note', all of which is wrapped up in camel patterned paper.

The RPG Socks (aka Barcelona Socks) have been launched and they are winging they're way as I speak onboard an BA flight, on route to London this evening (Tuesday 19th May), with a trusted accomplice assassin. The missile will be posted upon arrival and impact imminent upon its final destination around Thursday or Friday.

Onto my alleged assassin, Thorsgirl... well s/he's keeping a very low profile and I know nothing about her/him. I believe s/he is living in fear of the very name of SocksBinLaden and keeping quiet as s/he doesn't want to appear fullish in his/her hour of death. If however, you are reading this 'Thorsgirl' and want to have a go... bring it on ! Or maybe I should just say 'squeak squeak' to you !

Loved this weapon and will certainly make it again.

Message from SocksBinLaden

Be afraid, be very afraid !

Sock Wars... Miss Fire Already

Ok, after waiting by the computer for my ammunition for what seems an age today, I'm finally giving up and going for a well earned 'head down'. Its 0100 hours and I've just had to frog the whole thing as the weapon being used was a dud, (pattern had an error).

I am off to bed to try to catch up on some sleep before the battle commences again at dawn... well 3.30am to be exact as that's when the first call to prayer starts and I WILL BE AWAKE as it always wakes me up when I'm late to bed. Still have to be up at 6am for the kids to get ready for school as Saturday is the equivalent of Monday in the UK.

Battle commences at 0600 hours.

Red Delicious by Sara Peterson

http://www.knotions.com/issues/summer_2009/patterns/red_delicious/directions.aspx
Ok... I know... Sock Wars IV is imminent (spelling...not a strong point when in a hurry) but I was too early for the download as didn't take into account it was CET and not GMT so was waiting at 2pm (Saudi time) for 12noon (GMT) and its 3pm so will go back in a mo ! In the meantime found these just fabtastic socks ... I wanna make ! Will wait till Sock Wars has ended though as don't want to be too distracted.

Right must go... my weapon awaits !

Bahrain...Knitting...SockWars

BAHRAIN
Right back onto the knitting...but first... got back from a great 2 day break in Bahrain. First to a cocktail do at The Raddisson Diplomat and stayover. Then took the kids to Seef Mall to the cinema to see '...Witch Mountain' by Disney... oh boy were we glad when that was over. The main point being is I suppose that the kids really enjoyed the film so job done. First cinema they've been to since being out here. No cinema's in Saudi so it was a real treat for them, next time it will be a great treat for 'us'.

SOCK WARS
Got back and found out that the internet was down... oh blippin heck... I knew it would do that just when I was expecting to find out who my target is in the Sock Wars... Hubby helped out by getting me a 'dongle' to borrow for tonight so I could get some info and update the blog.

A message to my target:
Well, I know who you are and I'm going to get ya !

MITTENSWhile I'm waiting for the ammo to use on my target, which I should have on 15th May, I have started a pair of fingerless mittens for my daughter who is very excited about them. I received this beautiful yarn about a week ago from a lady on ebay (http://stores.ebay.co.uk/NORDIC-KNITWEAR-AND-YARNS) and just decided what to do with it. The pattern is one I've used before from Alpaca Select 'Fabiola' but using the new yarn which is a hand dyed baby alpaca. Really beautifully soft with just the most ice-creamy & sherbit shades.

Sock Wars

Update: 1st May... I'm in... Now just need to wait for 9th May for my secret dossier and intended target to assasinate !

30th April...Yep I'm a real iPod freak now and just spend ages looking for either knitting or crochet related podcasts or videos, and audio books to download.

Today I found the 'Sock Wars' pod/video by CAT at 'Let's Knit2gether' and watched it during the afternoon prayer time at the Mall. I couldn't wait to get back and get onto the website to get involved in the latest sock war. I'm a little bit late as the deadline for registering is 1st May and I'm in the process (now) of sorting out how to make the $4 subscription payment. I may not be able to join in this time but will be keeping a good eye on the progress on the website and Ravelry forum.

Fingers crossed I'll get in on this one and be able to report my personal progress here.

Here's a little bit more information (source OregonLive.com):
"Billed as "the largest, bloodiest extreme knitting tournament in the world," Sock Wars is (are?) not for the faint of heart or the slow of needle. You sign up, you get a target's address in the mail, and you get to assassinate them. Via sock. Basically, you gotta outknit the competition. To win, you must complete a pair of socks (the Sock Wars folk supply the pattern) before your foe does. You mail them to him/her, and you score a kill. Your victim mails you his/her unfinished sock(s), plus the name of his/her target, and you continue knitting, and, presumably, killing. It's primal, it's brutal, it's kill or be killed, and if you're the last knitter standing? You score a sweet knitting gift certificate. (It's currently at $154, but it goes up as more troops enlist.) This year they're also taking team entries, so you don't have to be a mercenary acting alone -- you can be part of a squad of commandos taking out the enemy. Or something."

Here's the link to the Sock Wars Website if anyone else is interested in just a little bit of fun: http://www.sockwars.org/press.html