I have now read 113 books since February 26th this year.
This works out to be one book every two days - without even including all the dodgy fanfic...
...thus illustrating yet again that I truly have no social life...
...but I'm OK with that :)
Cake of Infinite Variety
For years I saw cookery as being a difficult thing in which one had to follow a recipe with pinpoint accuracy or else the dish would go up in smoke and taste like rubbish. However, I've been learning to cook recently (a side effect of moving out of home and into a share house in a foreign country) and have had my perceptions of the whole thing substantially altered. This means I have come up with a new Philosophy of Cooking. Cooking: a process in which you take a whole lot of raw ingredients that you like the taste of, mix them all together, and come up with something that tastes as good, or better. This was the principle by which I discovered the joys of Mustard Chicken Schnitzel.
Anyway, I've been cooking a lot recently, and have resorted to the internet to find easy recipes involving only the ingredients I have in my cupboard. The following was one of the better discoveries.
VARIABLE CAKE with EXTRA EXCITING INGREDIENT
Ingredients
½ cup butter (which is silly, because you can't measure butter in a cup - just approximate instead)
½ cup sugar (the original recipe calls for 1 cup, but even I found that excessively sweet)
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla essence
1¼ cup plain flour
1 tsp baking powder
Extra exciting ingredient(s)
Method
1) Preheat oven to 180°C
2) Grease and line 20cm cake tin
3) Cream butter and sugar
4) Mix in eggs and vanilla
5) Mix in flour and baking powder
6) Add extra exciting ingredient! Things I have tried include: diced melon, sultanas, diced canned peaches and combinations thereof. Make sure to add more flour if the extra ingredient is wet and makes the batter drippy. Apparently you can also try using 3 tbsp cocoa, but I haven't tried that one yet (cocoa not being in my cupboard, you see...)
6) Bake for approximately 40 min (the original recipe said 25 min, but my cake was still runny in the middle after that time - I suspect that had something to do with my butter and sugar not being properly creamed)
7) Remove from oven, cool and eat
Preparation time: 15 min
Cooking time: 40 min
Serves: makes one medium sized cake
[Source of original recipe: Cooks.com, 12/9/07]
Anyway, I've been cooking a lot recently, and have resorted to the internet to find easy recipes involving only the ingredients I have in my cupboard. The following was one of the better discoveries.
VARIABLE CAKE with EXTRA EXCITING INGREDIENT
Ingredients
½ cup butter (which is silly, because you can't measure butter in a cup - just approximate instead)
½ cup sugar (the original recipe calls for 1 cup, but even I found that excessively sweet)
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla essence
1¼ cup plain flour
1 tsp baking powder
Extra exciting ingredient(s)
Method
1) Preheat oven to 180°C
2) Grease and line 20cm cake tin
3) Cream butter and sugar
4) Mix in eggs and vanilla
5) Mix in flour and baking powder
6) Add extra exciting ingredient! Things I have tried include: diced melon, sultanas, diced canned peaches and combinations thereof. Make sure to add more flour if the extra ingredient is wet and makes the batter drippy. Apparently you can also try using 3 tbsp cocoa, but I haven't tried that one yet (cocoa not being in my cupboard, you see...)
6) Bake for approximately 40 min (the original recipe said 25 min, but my cake was still runny in the middle after that time - I suspect that had something to do with my butter and sugar not being properly creamed)
7) Remove from oven, cool and eat
Preparation time: 15 min
Cooking time: 40 min
Serves: makes one medium sized cake
[Source of original recipe: Cooks.com, 12/9/07]
Labels:
cooking
Image manipulation
I have been playing around with free image software (specifically GIMP) and have ended up with a photo of myself with a "Cubist" filter. But I thought it looked cool...
Labels:
photography
Other people's poetry:
Anthem for Doomed Youth
Wilfred Owen (1893-1918)
What passing-bells for these who die as cattle?
Only the monstrous anger of the guns.
Only the stuttering rifles' rapid rattle
Can patter out their hasty orisons.
No mockeries for them from prayers or bells,
Nor any voice of mourning save the choirs,—
The shrill, demented choirs of wailing shells;
And bugles calling for them from sad shires.
What candles may be held to speed them all?
Not in the hands of boys, but in their eyes
Shall shine the holy glimmers of good-byes.
The pallor of girls' brows shall be their pall;
Their flowers the tenderness of silent maids,
And each slow dusk a drawing-down of blinds.
Hope
Spike Milligan (1918–2002)
Just when I had made my today
Secure with safe yesterdays
I see tomorrow coming with its pale
glass star called hope.
It shatters on impact
And falls like splinters of cruel rain
And I see the red oil of life
running from my wrists
onto tomorrow's headlines.
Wilfred Owen (1893-1918)
What passing-bells for these who die as cattle?
Only the monstrous anger of the guns.
Only the stuttering rifles' rapid rattle
Can patter out their hasty orisons.
No mockeries for them from prayers or bells,
Nor any voice of mourning save the choirs,—
The shrill, demented choirs of wailing shells;
And bugles calling for them from sad shires.
What candles may be held to speed them all?
Not in the hands of boys, but in their eyes
Shall shine the holy glimmers of good-byes.
The pallor of girls' brows shall be their pall;
Their flowers the tenderness of silent maids,
And each slow dusk a drawing-down of blinds.
Hope
Spike Milligan (1918–2002)
Just when I had made my today
Secure with safe yesterdays
I see tomorrow coming with its pale
glass star called hope.
It shatters on impact
And falls like splinters of cruel rain
And I see the red oil of life
running from my wrists
onto tomorrow's headlines.
Labels:
quotation
First they came...
Als die Nazis die Kommunisten holten,
habe ich geschwiegen;
ich war ja kein Kommunist.
Als sie die Sozialdemokraten einsperrten,
habe ich geschwiegen;
ich war ja kein Sozialdemokrat.
Als sie die Gewerkschafter holten,
habe ich nicht protestiert;
ich war ja kein Gewerkschafter.
Als sie mich holten,
gab es keinen mehr, der protestieren konnte.
attrib. Pastor Martin Niemöller (1892–1984)
[When the Nazis came for the communists,
I remained silent;
I was not a communist.
When they locked up the social democrats,
I remained silent;
I was not a social democrat.
When they came for the trade unionists,
I did not speak out;
I was not a trade unionist.
When they came for me,
there was no one left to speak out.]
habe ich geschwiegen;
ich war ja kein Kommunist.
Als sie die Sozialdemokraten einsperrten,
habe ich geschwiegen;
ich war ja kein Sozialdemokrat.
Als sie die Gewerkschafter holten,
habe ich nicht protestiert;
ich war ja kein Gewerkschafter.
Als sie mich holten,
gab es keinen mehr, der protestieren konnte.
attrib. Pastor Martin Niemöller (1892–1984)
[When the Nazis came for the communists,
I remained silent;
I was not a communist.
When they locked up the social democrats,
I remained silent;
I was not a social democrat.
When they came for the trade unionists,
I did not speak out;
I was not a trade unionist.
When they came for me,
there was no one left to speak out.]
Labels:
quotation
Fanfic recs - list no. 1
Games of Skill And Chance
by Snowballjane
Author Summary: The war is over and Severus Snape has one more term left to work at Hogwarts. How does he end up running the school games club and how will it affect him?
Furious Wielder of Storms
by Pavonis
Author Summary: Colin and Luna go for a walk in the Forbidden Forest, and make a discovery that changes their lives. People who think Grawp is just a waste of space - think again. Also contains Ancient Runes, Cho Chang being disinterestedly kind and the advantages of a classical education.
The Hall of Heroes
by Pavonis
Author Summary: In which Severus Snape finally gets his just deserts - or does he? Contains mistaken identity, Giants, horned helmets, mead, the Ballad of Severus the Small and His Tiny, Tiny Stick and the final fate of all good Death Eaters.
Marks And Scars
by E. H. Smith
Author Summary: In which two of the most intriguing characters from the works of J.K. Rowling and Lois McMaster Bujold meet for tea and, eventually, sympathy. A meeting between these characters is certainly something their respective authors would never have anticipated, but their worlds turn out to be oddly congruent. Takes place during the spring of Harry's sixth year at Hogwarts (not that Harry figures in this story in any but the most peripheral way) and, from the Bujoldian point of view, during KOMARR.
Ordinary People
by Hayseed
Author Summary: How do ordinary people cope with their extraordinary circumstances? A SS/HG romance that strives for realism. For everyone that is tired of SuddenlyBeautiful!Hermione and SexGod!Severus...
Dastardly Schemes and Drastic Measures
by Hayseed
Author Summary: Hermione Granger and Severus Snape have been partners for years. When Draco Malfoy and Harry Potter decide that their friends are Made For Each Other, nothing good can come of it. Or can it? An unplanned trilogy certainly has. WARNING -- As fluffy as a one-eyed baby turkey.
Darkness and Light
by R.J. Anderson
Author Summary: A young blind woman comes to Hogwarts on a secret mission, only to find herself allied with the one man she has been warned not to trust -- Severus Snape.
A Deeper Season and What Passing Bells
by E.E. Beck and Sahiya
Author Summary: Take one Miles, a hapless cousin, Cetagandan social politics, a galactic conspiracy, a scientific discovery, a lot of firepower, and an unexpected declaration. Mix well and step back quickly. Canon note: This is an AU, if events had zigged rather than zagged. It begins directly post Memory, though for reasons of convenience and, well, the airy possibilities of fanfiction, Laisa never happened. The rest will unfold as it unfolds.
by Snowballjane
Author Summary: The war is over and Severus Snape has one more term left to work at Hogwarts. How does he end up running the school games club and how will it affect him?
Furious Wielder of Storms
by Pavonis
Author Summary: Colin and Luna go for a walk in the Forbidden Forest, and make a discovery that changes their lives. People who think Grawp is just a waste of space - think again. Also contains Ancient Runes, Cho Chang being disinterestedly kind and the advantages of a classical education.
The Hall of Heroes
by Pavonis
Author Summary: In which Severus Snape finally gets his just deserts - or does he? Contains mistaken identity, Giants, horned helmets, mead, the Ballad of Severus the Small and His Tiny, Tiny Stick and the final fate of all good Death Eaters.
Marks And Scars
by E. H. Smith
Author Summary: In which two of the most intriguing characters from the works of J.K. Rowling and Lois McMaster Bujold meet for tea and, eventually, sympathy. A meeting between these characters is certainly something their respective authors would never have anticipated, but their worlds turn out to be oddly congruent. Takes place during the spring of Harry's sixth year at Hogwarts (not that Harry figures in this story in any but the most peripheral way) and, from the Bujoldian point of view, during KOMARR.
Ordinary People
by Hayseed
Author Summary: How do ordinary people cope with their extraordinary circumstances? A SS/HG romance that strives for realism. For everyone that is tired of SuddenlyBeautiful!Hermione and SexGod!Severus...
Dastardly Schemes and Drastic Measures
by Hayseed
Author Summary: Hermione Granger and Severus Snape have been partners for years. When Draco Malfoy and Harry Potter decide that their friends are Made For Each Other, nothing good can come of it. Or can it? An unplanned trilogy certainly has. WARNING -- As fluffy as a one-eyed baby turkey.
Darkness and Light
by R.J. Anderson
Author Summary: A young blind woman comes to Hogwarts on a secret mission, only to find herself allied with the one man she has been warned not to trust -- Severus Snape.
A Deeper Season and What Passing Bells
by E.E. Beck and Sahiya
Author Summary: Take one Miles, a hapless cousin, Cetagandan social politics, a galactic conspiracy, a scientific discovery, a lot of firepower, and an unexpected declaration. Mix well and step back quickly. Canon note: This is an AU, if events had zigged rather than zagged. It begins directly post Memory, though for reasons of convenience and, well, the airy possibilities of fanfiction, Laisa never happened. The rest will unfold as it unfolds.
Labels:
Bujold,
fanfic,
Harry Potter
Bicycles (and why we love them)
From 30th April 2007. And not finished. But posted for everyone's edification :)
Understand that I know nothing about bicycles or cycling - until two months ago, I hadn't ridden a bike since I was 15 and hadn't owned one since I was about 10. So if I sound at all patronising, it's because I'm writing for my own level of understanding here...don't be offended...
1. If you are on a bike in Amsterdam, the only thing that outranks you on the road is a tram. Cars get in big trouble if they hit you, and pedestrians shouldn't be walking on the road anyway. This having been said, make sure you keep an eye out for cars, because it will hurt if they hit you.
2. Things to be careful of while riding:
4. Buying a bike: bikes are expensive - cheap ones seem to average around €150. Anything that's €50-€100 is probably stolen. Anything under €50 is definitely stolen. (And if you have €700, you can get a nifty one with a wagon in the front!)
5. Locking your bike: bike theft is rampant in Amsterdam. You will need two locks with your bike.
Understand that I know nothing about bicycles or cycling - until two months ago, I hadn't ridden a bike since I was 15 and hadn't owned one since I was about 10. So if I sound at all patronising, it's because I'm writing for my own level of understanding here...don't be offended...
1. If you are on a bike in Amsterdam, the only thing that outranks you on the road is a tram. Cars get in big trouble if they hit you, and pedestrians shouldn't be walking on the road anyway. This having been said, make sure you keep an eye out for cars, because it will hurt if they hit you.
2. Things to be careful of while riding:
- Tram tracks: make sure you don't ride along them, because your wheel may get stuck and you will fall off. Cross them perpendicularly and you'll be fine.
- Ice on the roads: be aware that if you swerve abruptly, you will skid and fall over. The same applies for any loose material (sand, gravel, leaves, melting snow, etc.)
- Tourists: if you are riding in Amsterdam, there will be tourists and they will be walking on the bike paths (especially along the Damrak) - this is why you have a bell. Or if you don't have a bell, a sharp yell will work. Mostly people will get out of your way - occasionally you will have to stop for them when they don't.
- Shoelaces, trousers and skirts: are likely to get caught in the bike chain (or in the case of shoelaces, twisted around the pedal - that happened to me and was *not* pleasant) You can get trouser clips, or you can just keep an eye out for it.
4. Buying a bike: bikes are expensive - cheap ones seem to average around €150. Anything that's €50-€100 is probably stolen. Anything under €50 is definitely stolen. (And if you have €700, you can get a nifty one with a wagon in the front!)
5. Locking your bike: bike theft is rampant in Amsterdam. You will need two locks with your bike.
- back lock: this is a nifty horseshoe shaped lock that puts a metal bar in between the spokes of your back wheel. The keys can't be removed unless it is locked (so don't unlock it first when you come back to your bike)
- massive chain lock: this is the lock you use to chain your bike's front wheel and frame to some immovable object (bike racks, lampposts, canal railings, etc.) Some of the chain locks have a trick to them... it was like a puzzle, I felt so good about myself when I worked it out!
- If you see a sign saying "Geen fietsen plaatsen" or "Fietsen worden verwijderd" or anything along those lines, don't park your bike there.
Labels:
holland
Entertainment
Since last writing I have spent large amounts of money on tickets to various European entertainment venues - the Munich Opera House (Billy Budd - Benjamin Britten); the Spanish Riding School in Vienna (pretty white horses); and the Musikverein (LSO with Colin Davis playing Dvorak 6 and Beethoven 2)
My ticket for the LSO is a 6 euro standing room ticket - I probably won't be able to see or hear anything. However, on the grounds that, having just arrived in Vienna after a 24 hour plane journey, I will probably fall asleep if I sit down for any long period of time, it seemed like a wiser investment than 41 euros for an actual seat...
Other than spending lots of money on concert tickets (I have also been tempted by the possibility of Ute Lemper in Amsterdam in April, Janacek's From the House of the Dead, Adam's Dr. Atomic, Bach's St. Matthew Passion and the North Sea Jazz Festival - unfortunately I missed the 2006 International Jew's Harp Festival) I have been looking to buy long sleeved shirts in the middle of a Sydney summer. Ergo, I have not been having much luck - I am severely tempted just to turn up in Europe with 4 shirts and buy some more when I get there.
Labels:
holland
Alban Berg!
I bought a ticket to go see the Alban Berg Quartet in Munich! (Apparently they're going to post me the tickets - all the way from Munich to Sydney...)
I'm still deciding whether to get a ticket to see the Lippizaners at the Spanish Riding School in Vienna.
The really annoying thing that happened when I was looking on the internet to see what was on in Munich and Vienna at an appropriate time was that the Munich Philharmonic are playing Zarathustra - the day before I get there!!! (I could have cried...)
I'm still deciding whether to get a ticket to see the Lippizaners at the Spanish Riding School in Vienna.
The really annoying thing that happened when I was looking on the internet to see what was on in Munich and Vienna at an appropriate time was that the Munich Philharmonic are playing Zarathustra - the day before I get there!!! (I could have cried...)
Labels:
holland
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