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the · feral · dance · of · infinity
the disappearing ink...
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Nothing beats finding information on the Abramelin Ritual available for download right next to that hot Elisha Cuthbert wallpaper. |
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I kind of wish I was one of those people who bought Halloween costumes for their pets. This is the first time in a very long time that I have been able to do the traditional passing out of candy. And Monkey Cat is on the porch, helping me greet the tricker treaters. |
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So I am editing my novel (still) from last year, and I have come to a place where I need a little bit of interaction between two characters who are just getting to know one another. The set up is this: Setting: teenage boy's bedroom
Other details: three male characters are present. the main character is good friends with one of them, but neither of them know the third person too well.
Action: the main character takes something out of a hidden place in his bedside drawer.
Quandry: what is it? Notes:
It CANNOT be: cigarettes, weed, or other drug paraphanalia, or something so personal he would not take it out while his friends are around (ie. a diary or personal letter).
It CAN be: something which has bragging rights attached So, what should it be? I am open to random suggestions here! |
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6. Pontiac Sunfire1995-2005 The Sunfire managed the rare feat of having a worse interior than its GM twin, the Chevy Cavalier. Cheap interior plastics run amok, a coarse four-cylinder engine and horrendous crash-test ratings sealed its fate. On the flip side, the Sunburn was probably responsible for untold thousands of rental-car upgrades: "Honey, remember Fort Lauderdale last summer? Trust me, we want the Grand Am." Yeah, I had this car, the 1998 edition. I can't say much about the interior (seemed fine to me) but I did spend as much on repairs as I did on the car (5 grand total for a 5 year old used car). |
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...today I dreamt that my cat was possessed and the Vatican sent out a team of experts to study him. They were trying to infiltrate the neighborhood, but it was kind of hard when they were wearing those hats and robes. There was also the part where Monkey spoke in tongues and, through all of this, I was not the least bit troubled. Or surprised. |
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I have always held to the belief that, even if you were not celebrating or otherwise partaking in appropriate culture or rituals, the meaning and message of a widely celebrated and cherished holiday or event was still capable of affecting your thoughts and actions for a period of time. This is especially true when you are at least concious of the thing and are willing to take those energies and direct them in fruitful ways. Today, as at least a good portion of my friendslist probably know, is Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. The overwhelming theme that characterizes the beautiful rituals, prayers, and wonderful food of this day is that all sins are cast away. This is, after all, a new year. And personally I find that fall, rather than the dead of winter, is a much better time to be making plans for the future and reflecting on the past. First off, I have been spending a good amount of time on my writing projects. I am really not where I want to be, but I should be ready by November to begin something new. This means being ready to circulate a novel to willing friends who won't disown me because it's terribly trashy, and actually getting feedback on my thesis so I can enter a final editing phase. We've moved and this is a good thing. It will save us both money in the long run. We love the new neighborhood and having a larger place has a great many benefits, as does living near a half dozen coffee shops. The other evening while I was out, I met a woman who teaches math and science at my old middle school in Elgin. Totally a coincidence. We talked quite a bit as I helped her partner get in touch with a local cat shelter that rents traps. Hope they managed to collect their missing kitty! Sidenote: Kopi is still my favorite place, but Coffee Studio has Intelligencia Coffee and wi-fi. We have a mum and some basil on the front porch, but I am definately hoping to add more green to my life over the next year. This will sadly start with herbs in the window, as the season permits, but I am already begining discussions with my sister about replacing greenery in the front. I am sure there will be Marigolds. My car is in almost top shape. The brakes that have been bad for awhile finally got so bad they needed fixing and at the same time the battery blew a cell and started pulling on the other systems of the car. All of these things have now been fixed. I also have a headlight in my car that needs installing. I will have to take the time to whip out instructions and do it myself. $10 vs the $35 it would cost in labor makes more sense to me. Tonight, R and I are going to see Dreamtime Tribe at Lifeforce. I am not sure if it will be terrible (it could be) or at least too New-agey for my tastes, but I do find it at the very least apropos activity. And yes, there will be apples and honey on the menu tonight. And probably some leftover South Indian lentil soup from the wine event I worked last night. |
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We moved to Andersonville, on the city's North side. It's nice to have a bigger place. There is an office for R., a nook for my desk, a bedroom that fits our bed, a place out of the way for the kitty box. I won't tell you the negatives, because I would rather complain about other things like: My car. As in, brakes almost gone. I also need a new battery before winter. All this is routine except when you don't have money to pay for the routine. Oh, and then I have a giant gash on my toe that should probably have stitches. No insurance+bleeding stopped=no medical attention for me. If I get gangrene, I think I will take photos and show them to every person who thinks socialized medicine is a completely crazy idea. I think I will limp off to do some more chores now... |
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I might just go out and buy cigarettes, just to collect them all: http://www.tobaccolabels.ca/labelimaI guess it's pretty common elsewhere to put these images on packs- but just check and see how much of the package will be required to be covered in the US. ...buh-bye Joe Camel. It was nice knowin' ya. Helllllllooooooooooooooo horror movie! |
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We have an apartment. In Andersonville. Barring any bizarre circumstances, we drop the signed lease and check off tomorrow in the AM and we will be moving into it on Saturday morning. This is a good thing, seeing as our lease is up at 10AM this coming Monday. In this regard, I bring you to this link which, while entertaining, does not quite reflect what we have seen. For those who have been looking at homes, apartments, or just need a good laugh: http://lovelylisting.com/
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In addition to hanging out with ![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif) shimmerngspirit , going swimming, and enjoying some coffee and yoga, I also whipped the rest of these up and served them as the dessert portion of our dinner yesterday evening. There was also garden-grown kale (tops spinich in my book), cooked by K herself, the cheap but excellent Vin Koru Sav Blanc from Trader Joe's - much recommended, and R's fablous main course of marinated pork. Yay! Fried Banana Wontons with Honey (and ice cream) 
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Cute little anime foxes running up a hill. Yeah, that works. |
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For anyone who is in the following areas, Binny's is hosting huge wine tastings at the following locations, from 5-8 on Friday. 25 wines from Bordeaux - reds, whites, and desserts. It's a great chance to explore one of the best wine regions of France! Algonquin 847-458-2470 Lakeview 773-935-9400 Plainfield 815-436-9300 Willowbrook 630-654-0988 |
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The douchebags working on the building roof across the street have left their stupid music on again tonight. It's like "saaaaaaaaaaaaaillllllllllllling...." but with more rap. Ass monkeys, all of them. |
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This past week, I taught a couple of classes on pairing Shiraz and BBQ at several Wine Styles locations in the Chicago area. Our own class in the city was cancelled, as only two people registered....again. It really appears we should have started with the Italian class - we have our minimum attendance already and the class is this Thursday. We tasted the following wines:
Cono Sur Syrah , Colchagua Valley, Chile
Pillar Box, Henrys Drive Vignerons, Southern Australia
Nine Stone, McClaren Vale Hilltops, Southeastern Australia
Red Right Hand, Vinecous Vineyard, McClaren Vale, Southeastern Australia
Domaine Terlato & Chapoutier Shiraz-Viognier, Western Central Victoria, Australia
Luchador Shiraz 2007, R Winery, Barossa Valley, Southern Australia
Plantagenet Hazard Hill 2006, Mt. Baker, Western Australia
Taz Goat Rock Syrah 2006, Goat Rock Vineyards, Santa Maria Valley, California
Kay Brothers Hillside 2004, McLaren Vale, SE Australia I have reviews, if anyone is curious. I met some interesting people and tried some great wines. Darren gifted me a bottle of the Kay Brothers, a big, spicy Shiraz. I also enjoyed the Luchador for it's uniquely minty - yes, minty - notes. I tried to give participants an idea of how wines change when pairing the with various flavors. We served chicken and pork with 5 various sauces, ranging from spicy to sweet. It was next to impossible to pair the Taz with anything but the basic BBQ sauce. This is a wine that REQUIRES a straightforward steak or a slice of chocolate flourless cake. If anyone wants to know which Shiraz goes with honey BBQ as opposed to sweet and spicy, I'm your girl. We talked a bit about decanting and how to cook with wine. Coming up this week: Italian Night: Italian food and wine. We will be tasting 4 different Italian wines and experimenting with sauces and other Italian fare. If you are in the Chicago area or Northern suburbs Thursday or Friday, July 30th or 31st, contact me for times, locations, and general information. Tickets vary in price from $15 to $35, depending on the location. If you are interested but can't make it this week, let me know. If we have five or more interested people, we can set up an alternated date and time for the same class.
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Now they are making Hello Kitty.... what?
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The first is champagne and gelato. Let me know if you might be interested! Perhaps the last time you enjoyed champagne with food was with a slice of wedding cake. Or maybe you have yet to try the lush, creamy flavor of Gelato, Italy's favorite frozen treat. Sample and savor both as you learn about how champagne is grown, made, and enjoyed all over the world in this 1.5 hour class. In addition to covering the basics of fine wine and champagne tasting, you will also learn what to look for when selecting a champagne and pairing this versatile libation with food. Match flavors with an array of Gelato while we discuss what makes this dessert so exciting. Our wine expert will answer your wine questions and provide recipes, suggestions, and ideas on how you can enjoy fine champagne anytime! Join Era of Elegance for the first in a series of workshops pairing uniquely elegant wines with exciting cuisine from around the block...and around the world! We welcome everyone, from the wine novice to the experienced connoisseur. Our classes are designed so that you can sign up for just one or follow the entire series. Individual classes are $55 per person or $45 for Era of Elegance Wine Club Members. Special Group Rates are also available. Call 773-574-5410 to reserve your seat today! All classes are hosted at Let Them Eat Chocolate, 5306 N. Damen, Chicago, in the Andersonville neighborhood. Visit www.eraofelegance.org or email us at info@eraofelegance.org for additional information. |
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