returns department

Well that whole hiatus thing was different. In complete defiance of the common theories of physics, the writing energy I was no longer putting into LJ utterly vanished, sticking out its non-Leibnizoid tongue. Nada, nothing, gone. I was productive for about 15 seconds then found less useful, yes it's possible, ways to spend my time.

In minor news: I've bought books. Work has been crazy. The weather has been unseasonably warm. More about cooking, books, and life to come.

there be veggies

This weekend I've tried out some new veggie recipes. On Saturday, I made a veggie curry (my own invention) served with rice and garlic chutney. The rice was a bit of carb overkill, but it was a nice bland balance to the meal. On Sunday, I made a meal of sides with potatoes with red chillies, corn on the cob, dill carrots (my own invention), and rice. I'm very happy with how both new dishes turned out.

Oh, last weekend I tried out a glazed carrot recipe and fried mixed root veggies.

short version of reviews

Books I've finished recently:

62. Michael J. Tougias "There's a Porcupine in My Outhouse": Funny. The naturalist bits are fairly well interwoven so they don't come off too guidebook like. The self-discovery, self-enlightenment books are thankfully brief. Self-discovery is a wonderful thing, but best when it's kept to yourself.

63. Nicholson Baker "Vox": Exotic erotica for people who aren't very sexually creative. Wild for the mild. Got it for free, I think I paid the right price.

64. James W. Balano "The Log of the Skipper's Wife": This is way funny and gives wonderful insight on human relationships. I picked it up on a lark and I'm very glad I did.

65. Asimov's December 2007: Liked best: Connie Willis' "All Seated on the Ground" and Jack Skillingstead's "Strangers on a Bus". Liked least: "Galaxy Blues part two". Of the later, how can Mr. Steele create a rich universe and make it so poor. There is no shame in coming with great ideas and giving them to someone else to execute.

66. Randall Jarrell "The Bat-Poet": A good, talking about real nature kids book. It subtly brings in real animal characteristics while anthropomorphizing them enough to make a kids story. Nice mix I think. Wonderful illustrations by Maurice Sendak.

67. Beatrix Potter "The Tale of Peter Rabbit": Yes, I reread this classic. It had been so long I didn't remember it at all.