Nearly a week since we flew back from Uluru and Kata Tjuta. Words cannot describe those two locations. It felt like I was on another planet. The Anangu people are not big on people taking photos of sacred spots, so I don't have any to share. Came down with the flu on my first day back at work. I've been watching the DNC from my couch instead. Books read: - Caledonian Road by Andrew O'Hagan. Excellent novel that captures London right now. - The Mercy of Gods by James S A Corey. Yes, the duo have a new sci fi trilogy. I loved it.
Yeah, sorry Foveaux. I hadn't realised just how much they don't welcome photographs until I arrived. Many of the locations are sites of cultural practice and a guide on one of the tours made it clear that it would not be respectful to take photographs. In the end it just became easier to leave the phone in my pocket. I felt like I got more of the experience by doing so, as well. Kata Tjuta in particular was transcendent.
Appreciate the recommendation. It struck me as "The Expanse meets The Tripods."- The Mercy of Gods by James S A Corey.
Ah, the Tripods Trilogy. Such sweet memories. Did you ever read The Death of Grass by the same author?
Oddly enough, never even heard of it, despite my love for Cornell Wilde. Here's what's funny. I read all the John Christopher I could find when I was a kid. Which meant The Tripods, Empty World and Fireball because the school library was run by a devout Mormon who hid all sci fi and fantasy as aggressively as she could. For some reason she disallowed me to do a report on Joan of Arc, despite the book being in her library, and forced me to do one on Brigham Young instead (this was not beneficial to my attitude towards the LDS Church in general or Mormons in particular). So I was this many years old when I not only found out about Death of Grass but that Fireball is the first in a trilogy. I wouldn't have even known about The Tripods if they hadn't been serialized in comic form in Boy's Life.
Man, I loved Empty World. Read it so many times. I grew up in the bush, with no neighbours, without electricity. Never travelling anywhere except the closest country towns. But every time I read Empty World it was as though I was travelling overseas. The way John Christopher described London I felt I knew it better than Melbourne. He also had a knack for writing protagonists who had a strong streak of bastardry in them. It was refreshing to read as a kid.
Today's picture is someone making a mojito with their homemade moonshine. It's fun finding a new bootleg pubski picture at work every week! Alright what's new? I've been doing some baking recently. Made soft pretzels last week and scallion pancakes this week. Both recipes are from the book Savory Baking by Erin McDowell. I can't sing the praises of the book enough it's got so many killer savory baking recipes. If you like baking its fabulous. The rough puff pastry is stellar I've made pies and pastries with it and there's a Broccoli Rabe and Ricotta Galette that uses that which still has to be one of the most dangerous and delicious things I've ever made. Work is still work. Still waiting on the federal government to release the work plans so I'm still in a holding pattern and applying to jobs slowly. Hope y'all are well!
Yo omg, Got this book on your recommendation and wow its really nice. Has guides for basic stuff too like how to fold and what stuff works for adding to doughs etc. Absolutely terrific, ty so much Got a mixer off Craigslist too, but its making a weird grinding noise. Hoping that regreasing it will help, first time messing around with gears and I'm hoping not to screw it up :p seems fairly simple though, lots of videos online
Hell yeah!! Let me know what you make I've explored maybe 10-20% of the book there's a ton more there and they're all just perfect recipes. I really want to try the croissants with homemade compound butters. She's got a pesto butter ham and cheese croissant and hot damn I haven't done the work on that yet but it just sounds so delectable
Fuck I love chopping wood. It's so cathartic just hammering at some logs. The smell, the gritty feel, the sweat of solid hard work and knowing I've got heating sorted for the remainder of the winter. Sometimes the log is a knotty bastard and I get to wail on it. Excellent workout, and super harsh on my core so I think it's highlighting an area I need to work on. I got out to mow the backyard for the first time since April. It's been so wet, and with our bathroom renovation taking place in the early stages of winter I wasn't keen to get out and cut grass without a proper way to clean up after. My poor mower. She did the job though, and I'm keeping the clippings to use in my next soil build up for planting season. Hoping I've got my veggies dialed in this year. 2x tomato plants, 2x cucumber, 2x chilis in the greenhouse, then potatoes, carrots and peas in the raised beds.