Behind the Bite

The recent video of the Cute-a-killer was shot over the summer, mostly during MJ's days off work. Along with operating the camera, MJ puppeteered the Cute-a-killer using marionette sticks (aka "fishing rods")...

MJ as Puppeteer

This behind-the-scenes video shows bloopers and outakes from the Cute-a-killer shoot:

I still feel anxious when I see the Cute-a-killer from its perch above my fireplace.  MJ was also shaken by the ordeal, and she drew this animation during her art therapy session:

Created using Inchworm Animation on MJ's Nintendo 3DS

Thank you for your multiple talents, MJ! And thank you all for the shared experience of encountering the Cute-a-killer!

Cute-a-killer *UPDATED*

Do you remember the Cute-a-pillar? It was made from five faces that portrayed the Fundamentals of Cuteness. I photographed the Cute-a-pillar when it scuttled across my lawn, not to be seen again.

Cute-a-pillar

Until yesterday.

I'll post new photos next week, after my recovery. For now, here's a video of my encounter with the Cute-a-killer:

UPDATE - Oct 3, 2011:

I've recovered in time to post this photo of the elusive cute-a-killer: 

Cute-a-killer

MJ photographed my pursuit of the predator:

This encounter with the Cute-a-killer taught me a new fundamental truth about Cuteness: it can act as a disguise. Cuteness can hide horrors, even within something as harmless as a caterpillar.

UPDATE - Oct 3, 2011:

Behind-the-scenes video & photos of the Cute-a-killer can be seen here.

Last Drop

On August 3rd, 2011, I received this email:

Renato attached these photos of his mom's beautiful crochet work:

I gratefully replied, and Renato sent me another email:

I accepted his kind invitation, and suggested we meet at the garden where the Raining Cats and Dogs were installed 1.5 years ago. One raindrop remained:

Susan the Bull Terrier

Renato's girlfriend, Weiping, took photos while MJ recorded this video of our meet:

August 17, 2011

And here are the intricately-crocheted gifts that Renato's mom, Anita, made in Brazil...

An angel:

A pouch with rosary beads:

Thank you, Renato, for arranging our first meeting, which also became a fitting farewell for the last raindrop. And thank you, Anita, for reaching out and sharing your divine yarn creations!

Photos by Weiping, taken at Davie Village Community Garden 
in Vancouver on August 17, 2011

And so—on this sunny summer day—a raindrop fell and the distance between two continents (& two crocheters) was bridged by a few feet of yarn!


UPDATE - Sept 12, 2011:

Renato just sent me this email, after viewing the latest blog entry:

Here are photos of Anita with her fun family, two raindrops (Shorty & Susan), and some WooWork trinkets (including an early ice cream cone):

And here are new photos of Anita's creations, including the vinyl record she crocheted for her musical son, Nedu:

All my gratitude and good wishes to Anita's kind-hearted and creative family!

MJ-Power Bracelet

For MJ's birthday, I made her this band:

With a familiar face on the front and a velcro strip on the side, it can be worn like an I.D. wristband.

Since MJ is a videogamer, I wrapped the band around this Nintendo 3DS that my mom and I got for her:

Here's a video of MJ opening her birthday gifts:

MJ didn't limit the band to her wrist:

Also, she named it the "MJ-Power Bracelet".  She jokingly explains: "I don't get powers from the bracelet; it gets its power from ME!"

Here's a 3D photo that was captured with the 3DS, with more pix on MJ's 3D photo page:

Happy Birthday, MJ! Only you can transform a humble I.D. wristband into your Power Bracelet!

Caption Needed: Rocket Girl and UFO Boy

What caption would you write beneath this playground scene?

Bird is the Word

My mom and MJ's mom are both songbirds...

My mom plays classical music on the piano and harp, and sings when she strums folk music on the guitar.  My girlfriend's mom listens and sings to a wide range of music, from 1940s jazz standards to 1970s disco to 1980s rock ballads. Her ringtone is a recent hip-hop song.

For Mother's Day, I made two songbirds for two songbirds:

Here's a video of both moms doing some bird-spotting:

In the same week, my hairstylist (since 1993) celebrated her birthday. Jeannie and I play a Scrabble-like word game called "Words With Friends" on our gadgets. For her birthday gift, I crocheted a word tile of the most valuable letter in Jeannie's name:

*Chirp-Chirp* to our moms, and *Triple-word Scores* to our friends, all year long!

Stalled by Shyness

Do you get tongue-tied around strangers? Do you feel self-conscious in public? Maybe you're shy...

I felt especially shy when I was 18. That year, I ordered from a drive-thru window for the first time. I became so self-conscious, I paid for my order and sped away without my food:

That same year, I entered university. Without friends or familiar settings, I became too embarrassed to eat alone on campus. A public bench would've felt like a public stage:

One day, my grumbling stomach led me to a private setting:

I closed the door to my washroom stall and brought out my lunch:

When I bit into my sandwich, I realized how severely my shyness had stalled me, literally:

Since then, I've resisted my shy impulses. Though not every anxious battle is won, I can now eat alone on a public bench (reluctantly). Yes, my girlfriend still orders for me at drive-thru windows. But I have never again dined in a lavatory.

The best shyness-management tip I've followed: Act as if you're outgoing, and most people won't notice that you're shy. After awhile—ideally—neither will you.

Was there a memorable moment when shyness stalled you? Please share! And please dine sanitarily.

Bon appétit!

The Adventures of Old Man Woo

Jumping from 2001 through 2011

I first met MJ on February 8th, 2001. We had spoken online and on the phone for weeks before deciding to meet over coffee. Later that day, her friend snapped this photo of us at a nearby park:

Feb 8th, 2001 - MJ and I, jumping/landing on the first day we met.

We impulsively became BF-GF ten days later, broke up three months later, grew as friends for two years, and reunited as a couple on February 18th, 2003.

This Valentine's Day, MJ and I visited the park where our first photo was taken, and took a new photo:

Feb 14th, 2011 - MJ and I, jumping on our 10th year since meeting.

Then I surprised MJ with this portrait that I crocheted:

Video - "Surprise Jump"

There are both too many words and not enough words to express how I feel about MJ. But MJ said it best when I asked how she felt about meeting each other ten years ago. "It feels just like yesterday," she replied.

It looks that way too!

Happy 10th Year of Knowing You, MJ! xo

C.A.R.R.O.T. Jetpack DECLASSIFIED

After my top-secret mission with the C.A.R.R.O.T. Jetpack, I attempted more test flights. (They all ended painfully.)

But since enrolling in flight school, I'm slowly learning the ABCs of jetpack aviation.

I'm also learning how the classified jetpack was constructed, and gained security clearance to show this video of the C.A.R.R.O.T. Jetpack...DECLASSIFIED!

Thanks for flying!

C.A.R.R.O.T. Jetpack

Woomi and I were fighting over the extra-buttery popcorn when the doorbell rang.

On my doorstep, a familiar briefcase:

Inside, baby carrots:

Like most people who crochet, I double as an international spy.

And this top secret letter surely held a special assignment for Woo... Agent Woo.

The following is a transcript of this letter, for your eyes only:

ATTN: AGENT WOO

I'm OOW (Agent Double-O Double-U), and your mission is to test the energy-potential of beta-carotene for above-ground transportation.

Agent Woo, please follow these step-by-step instructions:

Step One: Extract the contents from the briefcase.

Step Two: Equip yourself with the Agency's latest prototype in renewable-energy stealth-wear: The C.A.R.R.O.T. Jetpack.

The Crocheted Aerodynamic Renewable Resource Offsite Transport Jetpack is powered by beta-carotene. A handful of carrots can provide up to one hour of air travel.

(Optional sources of beta-carotene include yams, spinach, turnip greens, winter squash, cantaloupe, and romaine lettuce.)

Step Three: Take a running leap from this launch site. Repeat until lift-off.

Step Four: Steering the C.A.R.R.O.T. Jetpack can be initially challenging. Try visualizing yourself flying above the clouds.

Step Five: In the unlikely chance the Jetpack malfunctions, follow the contingency plans in Step Six.

Step Six: Hand out baby carrots to passersby at this rendezvous point.

This act will signal to the Agency that the Jetpack requires additional testing. It is imperative that you wear the included head-mounted antennae.

Video - "Complimentary Carrots"

As a secondary signal, post an on-site photo of yourself to WooWork.com.

The Agency appreciates your loyal service, Agent Woo. You mission with the C.A.R.R.O.T. Jetpack will be challenging, but it is an assignment you deserve to complete.

Until then,

I'M OOW