So, in an effort to acquire new fiction for my mind to devour, I checked out Perdido Street Station by China Miéville, as recommended by Drew on my LA visit.
The story world is a brilliant sort of non-Tolkien-derived fantasy, complete with science-magic, math-magic (Scott, you would like it), and a splash of steam punk for good measure. It is gripping, exciting, and in the end, rather rough. I just finished it tonight and feel shaken and slightly ill-at-ease, but in the good way that happens from immersive books.
My brain feels refreshed and newly hungry, after going quite awhile re-reading stories that I'd known already. Fortunately for me, there's more to the series.
I have to sit for awhile, though, and digest and ponder what I've read before I subject myself to another. Back to the library with it!
Friday, February 20, 2009
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Experimental Dinner
Sometimes I throw together complete experiments for dinner, and sometimes they turn out really well! This week I had some leftover ground pork from making nikuman, and so threw this recipe together for pork burgers. It turned out to be DELICIOUS.
Ingredients
- ground pork... half poundish?
- small onion, finely chopped
- clove of garlic, finely chopped
- dash of rice vinegar
- dash of soy sauce
- bread crumbs (like, super fine crumbs, as in "throw a hunk of stale bread in a blender and puree it into dust" fine)
- a kaiser roll to use as the bun
1) Mix everything together and make patties
2) Grill them
3) Serve on bun
NOMLICIOUS!
Ingredients
- ground pork... half poundish?
- small onion, finely chopped
- clove of garlic, finely chopped
- dash of rice vinegar
- dash of soy sauce
- bread crumbs (like, super fine crumbs, as in "throw a hunk of stale bread in a blender and puree it into dust" fine)
- a kaiser roll to use as the bun
1) Mix everything together and make patties
2) Grill them
3) Serve on bun
NOMLICIOUS!
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Penny Arcade visit
They Penny Arcade people visited the ETC and Schell Games this week. They were a delight to have around. Apparently, they really liked the ETC, and the Get In Line project especially! How fun!
More...
http://www.penny-arcade.com/2009/2/11/
More...
http://www.penny-arcade.com/2009/2/11/
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Font Fun
That's from tooling around on http://www.yourfonts.com. A fun idea, but probably not practical for chicken-scratchers like myself.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Her Morning Elegance
My favorite thing in the world is when people find things or make things that they say reminds them of me. It is so fascinating!
On that topic, Bryan Cash said, "I think that can tell a lot about what you unconsciously bring up in people."
He said this video reminded him of me. Perhaps for my unusual relationship with sleep? Who can say, but it might be indicative of how I live my life!
On that topic, Bryan Cash said, "I think that can tell a lot about what you unconsciously bring up in people."
He said this video reminded him of me. Perhaps for my unusual relationship with sleep? Who can say, but it might be indicative of how I live my life!
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Writer's Block: Left Behind
Today's Writer's Block question on LJ is: What do you want done with your body after you die?
I'll be donating my body to science! Let me explain my reasoning..
A few years ago I had the unfortunate luck of having to go through many, many funerals in a short span of time, and I remember making some noteworthy observations.
Funerals are expensive. Caskets are expensive. Burying people is *expensive.* The stressful responsibility of paying for and orchestrating these purchases falls on those who are grieving and probably the least deserving of the burden. It seems like an awful system, in a way. During this time, I thought, how could I make my funeral less of a painful ordeal to my family?
From living several years with Scott during the time when he was often working and teaching in the gross anatomy lab at UofL, I learned some things about the cadavers that I hadn't known. After being dissected and used in class, the bodies are gathered and cremated, and the school holds a nice little memorial service for all of them. The ashes are then returned to the family, if they want them.
What a nice system for the family! When I die, the university will take care of moving my body. My family won't have to purchase a casket, and look...FREE cremation! So much less stress!
Sure, they won't get the ashes right away, but that's partially a good thing. That way, if they DO want to get a fancy urn for me, they'll be doing it sometime after the initial grieving process, and probably while in a much better state to consider that decision.
And yes, someone will cut off my arms and legs and head with a bone saw so that I can fit in the cremation bag, but the family doesn't have to deal with those details.
Oh...yeah...and some students learn some stuff blah blah whatever.
In spite of this plan, I STILL have not completed the paperwork necessary to authorize the donation. Part of this is because I've been between primary doctors, but I think that the next time I go to see my Pittsburgh doctor, I'll bring it along. I also have to have a few other people sign it, but I forget exactly who...I'll have to look at it again.
ANYWAY! Looking for a way to make your death less of a pain in the ass for your family? Consider donating to science! Just sayin.
I'll be donating my body to science! Let me explain my reasoning..
A few years ago I had the unfortunate luck of having to go through many, many funerals in a short span of time, and I remember making some noteworthy observations.
Funerals are expensive. Caskets are expensive. Burying people is *expensive.* The stressful responsibility of paying for and orchestrating these purchases falls on those who are grieving and probably the least deserving of the burden. It seems like an awful system, in a way. During this time, I thought, how could I make my funeral less of a painful ordeal to my family?
From living several years with Scott during the time when he was often working and teaching in the gross anatomy lab at UofL, I learned some things about the cadavers that I hadn't known. After being dissected and used in class, the bodies are gathered and cremated, and the school holds a nice little memorial service for all of them. The ashes are then returned to the family, if they want them.
What a nice system for the family! When I die, the university will take care of moving my body. My family won't have to purchase a casket, and look...FREE cremation! So much less stress!
Sure, they won't get the ashes right away, but that's partially a good thing. That way, if they DO want to get a fancy urn for me, they'll be doing it sometime after the initial grieving process, and probably while in a much better state to consider that decision.
And yes, someone will cut off my arms and legs and head with a bone saw so that I can fit in the cremation bag, but the family doesn't have to deal with those details.
Oh...yeah...and some students learn some stuff blah blah whatever.
In spite of this plan, I STILL have not completed the paperwork necessary to authorize the donation. Part of this is because I've been between primary doctors, but I think that the next time I go to see my Pittsburgh doctor, I'll bring it along. I also have to have a few other people sign it, but I forget exactly who...I'll have to look at it again.
ANYWAY! Looking for a way to make your death less of a pain in the ass for your family? Consider donating to science! Just sayin.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
25 Random Things
I don't like to tag other people to do these memes, but when tagged I feel compelled to complete them...
1) I used to do synchronized swimming when I was young. It gave me super strength. We had to put knox gelatin in our hair and smile brightly during our routines, even though we were in terrible pain for most of it (or at least, I was).
2) When I drink soda, I have to swish it around in my mouth before swallowing.
3) My first crush was on Egon from the animated Ghostbusters. It was less of a "I want to marry you" crush and more of a "I want to be you" crush.
4) When I was little, I always wanted to play Little Red Riding Hood, and I was always the wolf
5) I kissed a boy for the first time in my life when I was 21 years old
6) I'm TERRIBLE at practical math. Horrible. Calculus? No problem. Subtraction? SO HARD.
7) When I was in the second grade I wanted to be a fighter jet pilot. I think I believed that they just got to fly the jets around all day for fun.
8) I'm pretty sure I'm the happiest when I'm in the water.
9) As a child, I tended to step on rusty nails by accident during summer vacation. I stepped on nails so frequently that I assumed that it was just part of life: that every year I'd step on a rusty nail, as sure as Christmas or my birthday.
10) I went through a phase when I was young where I was obsessed with symmetry. If I took a step and put so much pressure on one foot, I would HAVE to match the exact pressure on the other. If I accidentally touched my face, I'd have to touch the other side of my face in the same spot. I thought it was going to drive me mad before I grew out of it.
11) If I'm at the ATM and there's a line behind me and I have multiple transactions to make, I will make one and then get back in line for the other. Similarly, if I'm paying at the grocery and there's a line behind me, I get too stressed out from the prospect of getting out exact change, for fear I will slow down the people behind me.
12) I used to think that the Kentucky Derby was a holiday that *everyone* celebrated, like Christmas.
13) Pianos give me anxiety attacks (not hearing them, but sitting at one, or the thought of having to play it)
14) I am a tactile/kinesthetic learner and communicate with the world best via touch and movement.
15) I have a second degree black belt in Kempo
16) Sometimes I know the future, it's an AWFUL talent.
17) I hate The Vagina Monologues. I HATE THEM!
18) The music of a cello makes me cry, or feel like crying. It's like an on/off switch.
19) The first video game I ever beat by myself was Super Mario Bros. 2 on the NES
20) When you get dinner rolls from the store that have the vertical slice in them for easy cutting, I always ignore it and slice the roll horizontally (more surface area for butter)
21) I like vinegar and I like cucumbers, but I do not like pickles.
22) My favorite poem is "Out, Out" by Robert Frost
23) I tend to wave my arm in front of automatic doors, as if I am opening them with the Force. I do this mostly without thinking anymore.
24) I inherited my two favorite kinds of cake from my parents: yellow cake with chocolate icing from my mom, and spice cake with vanilla icing from my dad
25) I can't make the number three with my fingers. Like, putting your thumb on your pinky and holding the rest up? I can't do it, and forcing my hand into that position has always been painful. I dreaded the number 3 while learning to count because of this agony!
1) I used to do synchronized swimming when I was young. It gave me super strength. We had to put knox gelatin in our hair and smile brightly during our routines, even though we were in terrible pain for most of it (or at least, I was).
2) When I drink soda, I have to swish it around in my mouth before swallowing.
3) My first crush was on Egon from the animated Ghostbusters. It was less of a "I want to marry you" crush and more of a "I want to be you" crush.
4) When I was little, I always wanted to play Little Red Riding Hood, and I was always the wolf
5) I kissed a boy for the first time in my life when I was 21 years old
6) I'm TERRIBLE at practical math. Horrible. Calculus? No problem. Subtraction? SO HARD.
7) When I was in the second grade I wanted to be a fighter jet pilot. I think I believed that they just got to fly the jets around all day for fun.
8) I'm pretty sure I'm the happiest when I'm in the water.
9) As a child, I tended to step on rusty nails by accident during summer vacation. I stepped on nails so frequently that I assumed that it was just part of life: that every year I'd step on a rusty nail, as sure as Christmas or my birthday.
10) I went through a phase when I was young where I was obsessed with symmetry. If I took a step and put so much pressure on one foot, I would HAVE to match the exact pressure on the other. If I accidentally touched my face, I'd have to touch the other side of my face in the same spot. I thought it was going to drive me mad before I grew out of it.
11) If I'm at the ATM and there's a line behind me and I have multiple transactions to make, I will make one and then get back in line for the other. Similarly, if I'm paying at the grocery and there's a line behind me, I get too stressed out from the prospect of getting out exact change, for fear I will slow down the people behind me.
12) I used to think that the Kentucky Derby was a holiday that *everyone* celebrated, like Christmas.
13) Pianos give me anxiety attacks (not hearing them, but sitting at one, or the thought of having to play it)
14) I am a tactile/kinesthetic learner and communicate with the world best via touch and movement.
15) I have a second degree black belt in Kempo
16) Sometimes I know the future, it's an AWFUL talent.
17) I hate The Vagina Monologues. I HATE THEM!
18) The music of a cello makes me cry, or feel like crying. It's like an on/off switch.
19) The first video game I ever beat by myself was Super Mario Bros. 2 on the NES
20) When you get dinner rolls from the store that have the vertical slice in them for easy cutting, I always ignore it and slice the roll horizontally (more surface area for butter)
21) I like vinegar and I like cucumbers, but I do not like pickles.
22) My favorite poem is "Out, Out" by Robert Frost
23) I tend to wave my arm in front of automatic doors, as if I am opening them with the Force. I do this mostly without thinking anymore.
24) I inherited my two favorite kinds of cake from my parents: yellow cake with chocolate icing from my mom, and spice cake with vanilla icing from my dad
25) I can't make the number three with my fingers. Like, putting your thumb on your pinky and holding the rest up? I can't do it, and forcing my hand into that position has always been painful. I dreaded the number 3 while learning to count because of this agony!
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