Breaking down stereotypes (aka ways to bide the time)

Ok everyone out there in the bloggosphere. We are going to do a brief exercise in breaking down stereotypes. Get out a pen and paper.

Step 1: Write the first 5 words that come to mind when I say "Quilter".
Step 2: Describe in 10 words or less the type of person who finds embroidery and hand-stitching to be a calming break in a busy day.
Step 3: Draw an amateur sketch of someone knitting.

Ok, now let's assess our results. Raise your cyber hand if your imagery, descriptions or amateur sketch resembles this picture in any way:













If so, be cool my children, and prepare to have your minds blown.




The Wall Street Journal recently published an article describing a new crafting trend among the trucking population. That's right, truckers who are bored of napping and reading between runs have turned to quilting and knitting instead. One trucker has even rearranged his sleeper cabin to fit a sewing machine for his quilting projects.

Thomas McConnaughy, a married grandfather from Hemet, Calif., hauls cereal, reads his Bible, plays Sudoku, and talks trout fishing at truck stops. He doesn't let on to other drivers that he keeps 15 coils of yarn in his cab and makes what he describes as "really cute slippers."

Personally, I think it's a brilliant and stimulating way to bide an otherwise monotonous day. You can read the whole article here.