Menage a trois

I'll confess: while sometimes a one-project-at-a-time girl, I currently have 3 knits on the needles.
Wendy often wonders at those of us who have more than one project going at a time. For me, the answer is simple: I knit everywhere. At work (when the studio's empty). In the car (only while others are driving). During movies and TV shows, phone calls and coffee talk. Even while reading. While there are a number of tricky patterns I'm dyeing to try or design (I feel a growing addiction to lace), my friends and family often request simple items.
The way I look at it, I have 100% Focus that I can allot to one activity or split between a few (boys don't seem to be capapble of this, maybe why so few knit). If I'm watching a TV show that requires 30% Focus (My Name is Earl, perhaps) than I can do something with that other 70%. So there's the issue of matching activity (and required Focus) with difficulty of a pattern. Not to mention the practical issue of size (I am NOT carrying a nearly finished sweater to Barnes & Noble) and well, the fact that my non-knitting needs (eating, sleeping, kissing) often get in the way of my knitting time. I solve theses issues by having projects requiring varying levels of Focus.
Let me interject here why I so love simple sweaters: interesting (and big) body for home and portable sleeves for on the go. I feel about sweaters how some feel about socks.
So here I am:
Hot Lava: started as the on-the-go; now that the shrug is finished it's quite large (and the bust shaping looks tricky) and it's perfect for Gilmore Girls or The Daily Show. I'm dying to have it done before the cold really kicks in... Which might be tonite, our first frost warning! aprox 40% Focus required.
Nameless armwarmers: super easy garter stitch with a few short rows. Infinately portable. Can only work on it during the most engaging activities...I actually fell asleep while knitting it...in the movie theater (the Sudafed might be a culprit). Work and Alias and mom drama are it's high points. 10% Focus required.
Josephine: Sweet Josephine. Carissa requested her months ago and the yarn (that she ordered) came in almost 2 weeks ago-the day the Clapotis Countdown began. She's been overlooked for long enough and despite spending hours of swatching and researching how to read cable charts, she's just 2 rows in. I hereby commit to her all of my non-engaging home free time. Since I'm still a bit sick, this might be more than usual, but at only 60% Focus (Sudafed again). 99% Focus required.

*Wondering why I capitalize Focus? well, if you know me, you probably didn't wonder, because you already know that Focus tends to alude me, no matter what I'm doing. I tend to drift, tangent, and generally twirl around every topic. It's all a lie, this 100% Focus bit, I really only ever run on about 70% Focus, the other 30% is wandering around...thinking about chocolate, yarn, coffee or..I don't know...blue.