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The Dinahthay Chronicles-Children of Earth Part 2
Title: The Dinahthay Chronicles-Children of Earth
Rating: 12-15, probably
Author: Phoenvix
Spoilers: Torchwood series 3
Genre: Horrifically AU
Pairings/Characters: Jack/Ianto, Dalek Caan, Johnson, OC,
Disclaimer: Torchwood or Caan aren't mine sadly. BBC, give me Caan please, I would hug him and snug him and feed him well! Dinahthay Jasseca Caan is mine however.
Summary: Jack calls in help...
Notes: Hopefully this time I don't mess up the formatting. Part 1 is here: http://tastc-queen.livejournal.com/102935.html

( I'm a superhero )

Carrie

Current Mood: awake
Current Music: Vanilla Ninja - Battlefield | Powered by Last.fm

Worldcon Travel Planning
Should you be going to Melbourne for WorldCon next year, be thee aware: New Zealand's national science fiction convention is taking place in Wellington the week before!

If you were planning on coming to the Southern Hemisphere next year anyway, why not maximise for convention attendance?

Done yesterday (20090711)
( raw notes )

Yesterday was mostly spent puttering around the house; pocketnaomi and I carried on a very sporadic IM conversation egging one another on. Not as good as being there to help, but good.

The main thing was working on the SE corner of the bedroom. The goal is to replace the old shelf standards and brackets with Elfa, and add a couple of shelves to the South wall. I got the South wall done, and three shelves cleared on the East wall (leaving two more) A lot of sorting and recycling happened at the same time.

I went out for a walk (including some grocery shopping). The major insight was noticing how liberating it was to know that a lot of things simply are not going to get done. The more essential stuff still has to happen, but...

I bought some Celestial Seasonings Sleepytime Extra tea along with the other things; it turned out to be useful when I had trouble getting back to sleep at 3am.

I ended the day with some singing (at Colleen's request): I sang "Gentle Arms of Eden" and "Where the Heart Is" for Marty, then Naomi asked me to call her and sing something, and Colleen suggested "The Mary Ellen Carter". Fun!

Current Mood: productive

Hey folks! I'm doing a round-robin goodies swap in a community I'm in, and I want to include some kind of delicious baked good. I don't really know the person I was assigned to very well (o hay, I just realized that she is in this comm, lol :)), so I'd like something that is generally universally loved by everyone, but that AREN'T your generic brownies or chocolate chip cookies, lol. Also they'll need to ship well.

So my questions to you are: What would you suggest I make for her?! And any tips for shipping so that everything is still delicious and in tact a couple days after shipping?

I appreciate any input you can give me :) Thanks in advance.

(xposted to

bakebakebake

Ideas For Fresh Turkey Legs?
I have a package of lovely fresh turkey legs, three of them to be exact. Usually I roast turkey legs with a little melted butter, salt and pepper, but that's so boring! I googled around for a different recipe but found nothing. Does anyone have any recipes or ideas on how I could dress these legs up?

Thanks in advance for any assistance!

Current Mood: hopeful

has anyone ever cooked whole artichokes in a crock pot? I normally prepare mine by boiling them for an hour, but thought maybe I could do them this way.

TIA

Nutritionist Recommendation
I'm looking for a nutritionist to guide me through an elimination diet to identify any food allergies or (more likely) food sensitivities that lead to asthma, psoriasis, and some other similar autoimmune issues.

I'm aware a number of nutritionists work through phone consultation. My ideal would be a nutritionist who could see me once or twice as well as provide consultation by phone. Even more ideal would be that the nutritionist would be on the peninsula, somewhere between San Mateo and Sunnyvale. However, the North Bay into Sonoma and Napa would be fine for a couple of appointments with the right practitioner.

I'd love to hear success stories, even null result stories if you consider it a success (you and the nutritionist determined your concerns were not primarily food related). If you're comfortable sharing cost and duration of treatments, and any medical insurance coverage stories, that would help me plan. (I'm assuming i'll be off-insurance but can use my medical flex dollars). If you have frustration stories, i'm happy to read those, too.

Thanks for your help! If you want to email me via my profile address or message via the LJ message system, that is fine.

Happy Birthday, Bill Cosby
On this date in 1937.

What are your favorite Cosby routines? I will always have immense love for "Tonsils" and "Chicken Heart", but I also love the story about Sheldon Leonard's honeymoon. And "Go-Karts". Na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na-NAAAAAAAA....

And, if you can't understand what someone just said, one of the handiest lines in existence is, "Yes, I've gone fishing there many times myself."

Sunday, July 13

Got wood?

We now own almost everything we need to build an incredible skate board ramp... four foot quarter pipe.
There will, of course, be pictures. :D
"Almost" is because we don't have a strip of metal to use as the actual "transition" from pavement to the wood of the ramps 1/4" leading edge.
But I'll find something. :D

My parents are all moved into their new place...
Everyone in my family just totally stepped up and dedicated hours and hours of solid labour to getting them moved.
They hired six guys who came with a big ass truck but still... they just were not prepared for what a massive undertaking it was.
In the end... there was much last-minute-packing and a great deal of "just get it done" work...
But all is well.
They've moved into a big place... but it's less-big than their old place and hopefully (HOPEFULLY) the overall impact of this move will be to reduce the complexity of their universe.
But getting settled in a new place is going to be a lot of work.
They are both artists and in their retirement... they (of course) become even busier than in pre-retirement. :D
So they both have to recreate their studios etc.
sigh... lots and lots of work.

Oh, and I got up on Saturday morning and went to the gym with Zee...
So that's four times this week. I think I can work with four times. :)

wearing
~ shorts... cuz it's nice out.
planning
~ home depot... cost-co, loblaws, home, pull weeds, cut grass, and then work on RAMP. :D
wishing
~ only one wish today... and that is for my long time and dear friend

teasdale. She is coming to the end of things. The cancer will win soon.
Dear Nancy... thank you for sharing your story and sharing such a wonderful friendship.
I will keep a piece of you alive for as long as my heart keeps beating.
May there be peace in your world.
Love.

Birthday moments...
Happy birthday little

moxielass... I hope you are finding the mommy zone to be a place of wonderful fun. May the year unfold for you with care and happiness for you and your little family. :)

///
So there's this story in the news about a doctor on a flight to Paris that responds to the airline attendants request "Is there a doctor on board".
[ :: here's the story :: ]
... and here's the thing:
Doctor Giant Dick? Somebody slap that guy for being a retched piece of sh...
The guy is demanding "on moral grounds" that the airline respect his "bill for services rendered" ... he's been to court and sure... there's all kinds of details.
Important ones are:
The airline, not the sick passengers who were given medical attention, is being asked to pay up, because they (flight attendant) asked Dr. Dick if he would please second guess the other doctor who offered to help, and this was considered by the courts to be an act that effectively engages the doctor in the service of the airline.
Blah blah blah... details. Dude!! It's not like he operated on anyone... a few folks were ill and he looked in with his professional opinion.
He wins his case... the airline is s'posed to pay him a grand.
Why do I think he's a piece of smelly poo?
Because he's acting like an elitist pig with an inflated sense of entitlement.
You're a doctor?
So the fuck what?
The difference between you and anyone else?
Money... lots of money and going to school.
You're not anointed by god or flow to earth on the fluffy wings of angels.
You're just some guy who got to become a doctor.
In a tight spot, if you can help, ... you help.
I'm thinking an airplane over the ocean qualifies as a tight spot.
People - in general - bring to the table what they have and do what they can.
Life is complicated and full... but when you're in a tight spot... the rules change and people are supposed to step up.
"Excuse me... is there a geek on board? A passenger needs some help with her laptop..."
"Oh you need to re-install... you should just rest and see your technical specialist when you get to France."
"And here's my bill...."

//
We got the lights... :D :D
The Eiko amusement machine light bulbs that are the proper voltage for the pinball machine.
I had to bust two of the dead lights out... break and then destroy ... as they were fused into the sockets.
I replaced 12 on the playfield, and I have yet to do the ones on the "back glass" (score area).

/
~ I have such a long day ahead... and I slept till 10:00!!!!! gah.
Gotta go. :D :D

See you.

Heavy Metal Sunday thinks "Smilodon" would be a good band name too.
Mastodon is a Grammy Award-nominated heavy metal band from Atlanta, Georgia. It is one of the most notable bands in the New Wave of American Heavy Metal. They were formed in 1999 by Brann Dailor, Bill Kelliher, Troy Sanders, Brent Hinds and original vocalist Eric Saner. They have released four full-length albums and have toured worldwide, achieving increased album sales and an ever expanding fan base with each new release.

Today, mosh your brains out to Blood and Thunder off their 2004 release, Leviathan. Warning! This video contains clowns. Scary clowns.

Current Mood: banging!
Current Music: Mastodon - Blood and Thunder

Here I am again
Here I am again, NewWho fan watching old Who stuff, and my thoughts. I saw "The Sontaran Experiment" and "City of Death."

( Cut for spoilers for those who haven't seen them yet (like me, till recently) )

Later I'll be watching the first ever Doctor Who serial!

There Will Be RP
Want to come play?
All the details at

gallifrey_rpg .

Fremont leaders react to ominous NUMMI statement

http://www.topix.net/city/fremont-ca/2009/07/fremont-leaders-react-to-ominous-nummi-statement?fromrss=1

Toyota's statement Friday that it is considering shutting down the NUMMI auto plant has left autoworkers and city officials struggling to gauge just how much of the plant and its 4,700 jobs are at risk.

Spoiler For Season 5
According to a friend of mine who's just texted me from the Bad Wolf convention in Birmingham ( Read more... )

Goodbye, Love
Title: Goodbye, Love (1/1)
Author:

mistakenelegant
Summary: Mickey dies in the parallel world, leaving Jake and Rose behind. Set pre-Series 4.
Characters/Pairings: Mickey Smith, Rose Tyler, Jake Simmonds; mentions the Doctor, Jackie Tyler, & Pete Tyler. Implied Mickey/Jake
Rating/Warnings: PG for character death.
Word Count: 293
Disclaimer: Doctor Who belongs to the BBC. Blah blah blah.
Author's Note: Prompt 030: Death on my prompt table. Unbeta'ed.

Read More

A little sidetracked :)
I doubt I'll finish the streamers tomorrow. Why? I made a necklace and earrings tonight! It's always important to make accessories before finishing the dress, I think :)

I used beads that pretty much match the dress. It seems to be a trend in my 20s things! However, like the orange dress, this one is a weird enough color that no other color goes, and I think it looks really pretty, so it works.

The only thing left to do is buy some glue and put it on the knots before I cut them. I copied (mostly) a necklace on eBay (seen here--if it weren't red, I would've bought it!) and you can see the knots at the ends there, so I'm happy leaving them. I also only did two tassel things at the bottom instead of three, since that better fits in with my skills :)

( A few pictures )

Both the necklace and earrings have been wet and are drying now. The silk cord needed to be straightened a little :)

Current Mood: pleased

Black Bottom Cupcakes

chocolate cupcakes with a cheesecake middle. more at my food blog HERE
x-posted

Cheddar Chive and Bacon "Cupcakes" with Avocado Frosting
I've been wanting to make a savory cupcake (maybe this counts as a "cupfake" too!) for awhile now, and it struck me the other day that a cheddar bacon biscuit would be delectable with some creamy avocado on top. So I pondered and googled for a week to work out the details, and voila! These came out so, so yummy. You should DEFINITELY make these!!

Cheddar Chive Bacon Cupcakes with Avocado Frosting

( recipe and more photos )

More info and pictures (including process photos) can be found at my baking blog, Willow Bird Baking!

x posted to bakebakebake and curiouscupcakes

Hot German Potato Salad: v.Hallomi
I'm sure there are die-hard German Potato Salad purists out there, as well as bacon fans, who will throw their hands up in horror at the idea of replacing bacon with halloumi cheese - but I have no regrets!

I've never been a fan of bacon - well, no, I can see the appeal of the smell of bacon on a lazy weekend morning but whenever I've eaten it I've always been left a little disapppointed. Possibly my family just bought cheap bacon but I love my veggies, so I haven't ever really missed eating bacon. Cheese, on the other hand, I cannot do without. So, when I saw

wolfsilveroak 's post on Hot German Potato Salad I spotted an opportunity to use up the masses of potatoes my mum has given me from her allotment and have an excuse to buy some halloumi. Everyone wins!

Recipe is pretty much exactly how it is in the original post, but replacing the bacon with halloumi. I also had to add a little more oil when cooking the onions and celery as halloumi likes to keep its grease to itself. Also, I let my mind wander and over cooked the potatoes, and instead of one medium onion I used a small white and small red onion (again, courtesy of my mum's allotment).

It's not exactly beautiful to look at but, the taste... YUM. It's been horrible, drizzly, February-like weather today, so this was perfect comfort food. I can't wait to have some tomorrow when the flavours have had time to blend together. Although I can't tell you this is better than a traditional bacon version, the halloumi definitely added (in my opinion) the salty/crispy/chewy bacon factor that just makes the potato salad so delicious.

The only thing I would change next time is to add more cheese! I used about 3/4 of a 250g slab this time around because in the pan it looked like a huge amount of gooey cheese. I may even fry up the remainder of the packet tomorrow to add to the salad... So, I guess I would recommend about 250g of halloumi for this. It may seem a lot but, well, I think it's worth it.

Peanut butter and jelly ice cream
I've never made a rippled ice cream before, and I should probably have used more jelly. The jelly is Smucker's grape jelly.

Recipe for ice cream here

Moon Day Is Coming Up
To celebrate the fortieth anniversary NASA has come up with an interactive version of the Apollo 11 moon landing site.

This way to Tranquility Base.

Current Mood: enthralled