I'd really like to not have to pay for the whole thing myself. :)
I have one bed and some floor available. The floor space will be about 1/2 of what the bed space costs, but we can work out all the details later.
Let me know if you're interested, or if you know someone I don't who might be.
Comments screened, so be sure I know how to contact you if you comment here...
I need to find this recipe... help?
Sep. 7th, 2015 08:52 pm--- from a comment on http://www.wsj.com/articles/why-you-should-order-the-egg-cream-1441313172
I need to find a recipe for this syrup.
A bad relationship with time.
Jul. 8th, 2015 07:08 pm>
> Not sure what the deal is with this, but something in me is strangely appalled by the idea of
> transitioning from what I’m currently doing to doing something else. When I’m at home working, I
> hate when there’s something on my schedule that I have to stop everything for to go outside and
> do. It’s not that I hate the activity—once I’m there I’m often pleased to be there—it’s an
> irrational resistance to the transition. The positive side of this is it usually means I’m highly
> present when I finally do haul my ass somewhere, and I’m often among the last to leave.
Wow. This happens to me WAY more often than I want to think about, including to the level of "Nah, I just won't go."
(From: http://waitbutwhy.com/2015/07/why-im-always-late.html which describes other of my time-based failings, too, but with much less of a "This!" reaction.)
Baitcon XXVI: Date Change!
Feb. 24th, 2015 01:40 pmBaitcon 26 will be held on August 28th-31st, 2015
at the Mountain Campground of the Abode of the Message.
Why Change the Date?
The severe snow and ice this winter has impacted everything in the Northeast – roads, public transportation, roofs, buildings of all sorts (both inside and out), school schedules, etc. Last week, the Abode staff shared some concerns about the potential impact to our site due to the weight of the snow on various buildings and structures and also the possible ground conditions in June. As we are always the first event of the Mountain Campground season, many assessments and repairs are often in-progress during our event. This year, it seems more than likely that many spaces may be unusable even in late June.
Why August?
This was the only available Abode’s only other available weekend this summer. Our new date, much like our traditional date, is sandwiched between many wonderful things. This year, Baitcon 26 will be right after Worldcon and right before Burning Man and Labor Day weekend. This unique date offers us all a chance to experience the Mountain Campground at a different time in the summer, celebrate before kids go back to school.
Registration will open in late May this year. The same go/no-go condition we always have for Baitcon will still apply despite the date change: we need at least 120 paid adult registrations to meet our minimum attendance guarantee and go forward with the event.
We know that many of you many have already planned around our traditional late-June date. We’re sorry about that and we hope you can still join us this year. If you have questions, please email us via this address: exec AT baitcon DOT org
Watching the Oscars
Feb. 22nd, 2015 10:22 pmBut I wouldn't be posting if it was just that.
What I mainly came here to say was:
Holy SHIT, Glen Campbell's "I'm Not Gonna Miss You" - written after his alzheimers diagnosis - is a total gut punch of a song.
www.youtube.com/watch
If you have lost anyone to dementia/alzheimers/degenerative brain disorders... I strongly suggest sitting down 1st.
Wow.
Thinking of Velma...
Feb. 15th, 2015 01:03 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
{sigh}
Humanistic Kaddishes?
Feb. 2nd, 2015 11:09 pm(The very short form is that the Jewish prayer for the dead says nothing at all about the dead and instead spends all its time praising God. I didn't really /get/ this until years after it was seared in to me as the Thing You Say when remembering the deceased and anything else _feels_ wrong. I've looked at various Humanistic versions of the Kaddish and none of them feel like What You Say... but
Exalted and hallowed be God's great name in the world which God created, according to plan. May God's majesty be revealed in the days of our lifetime and the life of all Israel -- speedily, imminently, to which we say Amen. Blessed be God's great name to all eternity. Blessed, praised, honored, exalted, extolled, glorified, adored, and lauded be the name of the Holy Blessed One, beyond all earthly words and songs of blessing, praise, and comfort. To which we say Amen.
- to quote 90% of it - is not what I'm looking for, similarly to how Ecclesiastes 3 (To every thing (Turn, turn, turn)...) isn't, either.
West Coast Travel, late Jan.
Jan. 3rd, 2015 04:16 pmOn Wednesday, I'll be flying EAT->SEA->SFO and driving down to Sunnyvale, where I'll be staying Wed and Thu. night.
I'll have a car, and be at loose ends, from Friday after work until Sunday, 6:30pm, when I fly SFO->SEA->BOS.
The only square dancing I've found during those times is:
Interlocked Squares, Cupertino, on Thursday (I'm not sure I'll be able to make it, there might be work obligations, or not...)
... and I THOUGHT there was something on Friday, but I can't find it now.
I have no idea where I'm staying for that weekend.
Who wants to do things? What things should I be doing?
Books, 2014
Jan. 1st, 2015 03:44 amYeah. That, and many other things, dropped my total through the floor.
Also, my record keeping got worse. I don't believe this is complete, but I don't know what's missing... mostly comics, most likely.
Martin, George R.R. George R. R. Martin's A Game of Thrones 5-Book Boxed Set. Bantam, 2012.
Wrong, Less. Harry Potter and the Methods of Rationality.
Herriot, James. All Creatures Great And Small.
Herriot, James. All Things Bright And Beautiful.
Vaughn, Brian K. Saga, Volume 4. Image Comics, 2014.
Layman, John. Chew Volume 7: Bad Apples. Image Comics, 2013.
Layman, John. Chew Volume 8: Family Recipes. Image Comics, 2014.
Carey, Mike. The Unwritten Vol. 5: On to Genesis. Vertigo, 2012.
Carey, Mike. The Unwritten Vol. 6: Tommy Taylor and the War of Words. Vertigo, 2012.
Carey, Mike. The Unwritten Vol. 7: The Wound. Vertigo, 2013.
Carey, Mike. The Unwritten Vol. 8: Orpheus in the Underworld. Vertigo, 2014.
Azzarello, Brian, and Cliff Chiang. Doctor 13: Architecture and Mortality. DC Comics, 2007.
Foglio, Phil, and Kaja Foglio. Girl Genius Volume 13: Agatha Heterodyne and the Sleeping City. Studio Foglio, 2014.
Sakai, Stan. Red Scorpion. Dark Horse Books, 2014.
Wegener, Scott. Atomic Robo Volume 7: Flying She-Devils of the Pacific. Red 5 Comics, 2013.
Clevinger, Brian. Atomic Robo: Real Science Adventures Volume 1. Red 5 Comics, 2012.
Willingham, Bill. Fables Vol. 20: Camelot. Vertigo, 2014.
Carey, Mike. The Unwritten Vol. 9: The Unwritten Fables. Vertigo, 2014.
Carey, Mike. The Unwritten Vol. 10: War Stories. Vertigo, 2014.
Fforde, Jasper. The Eye of Zoltar. New York: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2014.
Tayler, Howard. Schlock Mercenary: The Body Politic. Hypernode Press, 2013.
Maupin, Armisted. The Days Of Anna Madrigal. Harper, 2014.
Somerville, MA
Boston, MA
New Lebanon, NY
Troy, NH
Fairlee, VT
Foxboro, MA
Lake Buena Vista, FL
Danbury, CT
I'm kind of dissatisfied with the rut, but the 1st 6 are going to happen again this year, the 7th won't (probably), the 8th might vary back to Brewster NY, or someplace nearby, but be effectively the same. The work trip in late Jan will add at least 3 and probably 4 cities...
I don't feel like I have significant wanderlust, except that it seems I do... {sigh}
I need strong-backed laborers for Sunday
Nov. 26th, 2014 04:29 pmWe hope to start around noon, and I don't expect that this will take more than 3 hours?
Most of this is already packed, there are flatbeds (and elevator where needed) on either end.
I feel like 3 more people is a maximum we'll need to have this go fairly smoothly.
I don't know what the right amount to pay for this is, but this is a paid thing and we'll provide some food, too.
We'll be starting in Medford/Somerville and ending in Stoneham.
Comment here, or mail me (jailbait, gmail) if you're interested.
Frankenstein tomorrow - Fenway!
Oct. 28th, 2014 06:15 pmI hope to see some of you there!
http://ntlive.nationaltheatre.org.uk/productions/16546-frankenstein
Wednesday night Frankenstein - where?
Oct. 27th, 2014 02:51 pmAssuming it's not all sold out, which would be better: Fenway, Revere, or Burlington?
I'm leaning towards Fenway, but I'd listen to other opinions. :)
No, I haven't figured out who's playing the Monster that night.
Livescribe to loan?
Oct. 19th, 2014 12:13 pmThanks...
(Thinking anything about pens the day after
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
FUCK CANCER
Oct. 18th, 2014 11:11 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
...
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
The palliative doctor told us he can't recommend her going home she's too weak everyday weaker and weaker unfortunately I kind of agree. Still not eating now she's not drinking either. Maybe few days or few weeks.(Yes, I was elliptical yesterday, before I got the most recent email, which included a request to "please spread the word.)
This is awful.
GOD DAMN IT.
Seeking haulage, Lon, NYC -> Bos
Oct. 3rd, 2014 12:15 amBetter, would you be willing to purchase and haul about, say, a kilo of (Legal! No, REALLY) stuff for me?
I have an important taste test I'm trying to set up.
Hint: I think I have the Montréal part of this set up already.
Comfort Food Recipe: Chicken and Rice
Sep. 26th, 2014 12:21 am(As well, I suspect it would take a fair amount of work to convert it to make the other 2/3s of the ingredients 'real', and I appreciate that. ;)
Ingredients:
Chicken parts - bone-in, skin on.
Campbells condensed chicken broth. Uncondensed doesn't work. Full fat is preferable, but low fat (if it exists) will be ok.
Long grain white rice. I feel pretty sure brown rice won't work, either. :)
In a large (I like glass, but other materials seem to work fine) baking dish, lay down rice and chicken broth in a 1:2 ratio. I usually end up with 2 cans of rice and 4 of broth in a large oval dish, and 1 and 2 in an 11x7.
On top of that, fill the dish with hunks of chicken.
Optionally, herbs/spices of your choice can be added.
The short form of cooking it is: Bake until the rice is cooked and the broth is all absorbed.
Recently, my best results for this are obtained with: 350deg for 30m, then cover with foil and go another 30m.
I'll eat the rice by itself happily.
If you use uncondensed broth, the flavor will be weak and uninspired.
Baitcon XXV: The invite is live!
Apr. 28th, 2014 01:03 amWe've gotten the website poked and prodded and we have the registration system up and waiting for all you lovely people. Take a look at wp.baitcon.org or all the details, including how to register.
It's not very different, but take a look over the whole thing and see how much of it you actually remember. :)
If you haven't been before, read it over and follow the instructions. :)
We hope to see you there!
(If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us via email at info dash {this-year} at baitcon dot org.)
passover '14, day -2,-1
Apr. 14th, 2014 02:15 amA quad batch of matzoh balls is in the fridge. The haroset hasn't been started. The brisket has been procured, but I'm still unsure what recipe I'm going to use – yes this is kind of a late decision… That means I'll probably fall back to my traditional one, but maybe with some tomatoes in it this year.
And the soup… I'm trying an experiment this year which I'll discuss in more detail later. I think it's going to work out well but we'll see.
I had a big plate of shrimp for dinner because you know... And I failed to actually have any of the borscht that I bought today. Maybe that's lunch while I'm cooking.
(Oh, and as I just told G+: I expected it enough to search for it but I didn't expect to actually find it… http://www.seriouseats.com/2013/11/fun-with-matzo-balls-stuffed-matzo-balls-deep-fried-matzo-balls.html )
passover '14, day -3
Apr. 11th, 2014 11:22 pmI realize I never posted about my pork and Dairy and matzot from two years ago. I got the idea to do bacon cheddar matzoh balls and you know, they really work.
I preferred the bacon, and I mixed in some shredded cheddar into some leftover matzo Ball mix boiled them up and really, Yum!
For the hell of it I also had the idea of steaming a couple of them and I've never seen the 'thing becomes giant when you steam it' thing happened before but this did it. Someplace around I have video of them "breathing" when I pull the lid off of the steamer. It's funky.
Are your immunizations up to date?
Feb. 24th, 2014 10:39 pmsuburbs west of Boston, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health
said Monday, and Framingham health officials later issued a public
health alert warning residents that they may have been exposed to the
disease if they shopped at the Trader Joe’s on Route 9 in Framingham
on Feb. 15 or 16.
http://www.boston.com/lifestyle/health/blogs/daily-dose/2014/02/24/measles/9NaVotetXAqPgWihtNsd8H/blog.html
Remember that your immunizations help protect those who can't/can't yet be immunized.
Books I Read, 2013
Jan. 1st, 2014 03:45 amThis year seems to be 47, INCLUDING all the graphic novels. I don't know what changed. My T commute is still the same 40-60m a day it was. Weird. So, since I've been tracking this now, you can have all of it.
(I received a Kindle for the holidays, as I bought the $10 Song Of Ice And Fire special that Amazon had a month or 2 ago. That might either really speed me up or slow me down… Ok, it'll certainly lower my velocity in terms of completed books for a while... but compared to last year? Will I even notice?)
Sorted by date of completion in Bookpedia ("Copy as bibliography"), other than one or 2 I borrowed, and an ebook I got via Starbucks' free stuff cards
Turner, Amber McCree. Sway, (Starbucks)/Disney•Hyperion Books, 2012.
Sturrock, Donald. Storyteller: The Authorized Biography of Roald Dahl. Simon & Schuster, 2010.
Rowling, J. K. The Casual Vacancy. Little, Brown and Company, 2012.
Fforde, Jasper. The Last Dragonslayer. Boston: Harcourt, 2012.
Howarth, Matt. My Name Is Lesion: A Collection of Unhealthy Tales. Merry Blacksmith Press, 2012.
Howarth, Matt. Western Promises: and Other Tales of Interstellar Cynicism. Merry Blacksmith Press, 2013.
Clevinger, Brian. Atomic Robo Volume 1: Atomic Robo & the Fightin' Scientists of Tesladyne. Ed. Paul Ens,. Red 5 Comics, 2009.
Hearne, Kevin. Trapped (the Iron Druid Chronicles, Book Five). Del Rey, 2012.
Steele, Allen. Hex. Ace, 2012.
Standage, Tom. The Victorian Internet: The Remarkable Story of the Telegraph and the Nineteenth Century's On-line Pioneers. Walker & Company, 2007.
Foglio, Phil And Kaja, and Phil Foglio. Girl Genius Volume 11: Agatha Heterodyne and the Hammerless Bell. Studio Foglio, 2012.
Tayler, Howard. Schlock Mercenary: The Sharp End of the Stick. Ed. Sandra Tayler,. Hypernode Press, 2012.
Foster, Alan Dean, George Alec Effinger, Frederik Pohl, Fritz Leiber, Mildred Downey Broxon, Pamela Sargent, Alan Brennert, John Brunner, and Ursula K. Le Guin. Fellowship of the Stars: Nine Science Fiction Stories. Ed. Terry Carr,. Simon & Schuster, 1974.
Armstrong, Kelley. Haunted. Spectra, 2005.
Banks, Iain, Consider Phlebas
Holt, Tom. Faust Among Equals. Orbit / Little Brown & Co, 1995.
Armstrong, Kelley. Bitten. Plume,
Armstrong, Kelley. Stolen. Plume, 2004.
Clevenger, Brian. Atomic Robo Volume 2: Atomic Robo and the Dogs of War TP. Red 5 Comics, 2009.
Armstrong, Kelley. Dime Store Magic. Spectra, 2004.
Sakai, Stan. Traitors of the Earth. Dark Horse, 2012.
Armstrong, Kelley. Industrial Magic. Spectra, 2004.
Ruff, Matt. Sewer, Gas and Electric: The Public Works Trilogy. Aspect, 1998.
Clevinger, Brian. Atomic Robo Volume 3: Atomic Robo and the Shadow from Beyond Time TP. Red 5 Comics, 2010.
Clevinger, Brian. Atomic Robo Volume 4: Other Strangeness. Red 5 Comics, 2010.
Layman, John. Chew Volume 7: Bad Apples TP. Image Comics, 2013.
Willingham, Bill. Fables: Werewolves of the Heartland. Vertigo, 2012.
Ruff, Matt. The Mirage: A Novel. Harper Perennial, 2013.
Hughes, Matthew. The Damned Busters: To Hell and Back, Book 1. Angry Robot, 2011.
Clevenger, Brian. Atomic Robo Volume 5: Deadly Art of Science TP. Ed. Lee Black,. Red 5 Comics, 2011.
Clevinger, Brian. Atomic Robo Volume 6: Ghost of Station X TP. Red 5 Comics, 2012.
Jillette, Penn. God, No!: Signs You May Already Be an Atheist and Other Magical Tales. Simon & Schuster, 2011.
Holt, Tom. Overtime. Orbit, 1993.
Fforde, Jasper. The Song of the Quarkbeast. HMH Books for Young Readers, 2013.
Vernon, Ursula. Digger: The Complete Omnibus Edition. Sofawolf Press, Inc., 2013.
Williams, Walter Jon. Frankensteins and Foreign Devils. Ed. Timothy Szczesuil,. NESFA Press, 1998.
Simone, Gail. Leaving Megalopolis. Painfully Normal Productions, 2013.
Baldwin, Christopher. Spacetrawler Book 1: The Human Seat. PNW: Good Port, 2011.
Kupperberg, Paul. Archie: The Married Life Book 2. Archie Comics, 2012.
Kupperberg, Paul. Archie: The Married Life Book 3. Archie Comics, 2013.
Holt, Tom. Djinn Rummy. Orbit, 1995.
Kupperberg, Paul. Archie: The Married Life Book 4. Archie Comics, 2013.
Baldwin, Christopher. Spacetrawler Book 2: Brograhm's Teeth.
Foglio, Kaja, and Phil Foglio. Agatha H. and the Clockwork Princess. Night Shade Books, 2012.
Baldwin, Christopher. Spacetrawler Book 3: Fallen To Madness. New England: Good Port, 2013.
Foglio, Phil, and Kaja Foglio. Girl Genius Volume 12: Agatha Heterodyne and the Siege of Mechanicsburg. Studio Foglio, 2013.
Willingham, Bill. Fables Vol. 19: Snow White. Vertigo, 2013.
Beds, 2013
Jan. 1st, 2014 03:31 amSomerville, MA
Boston, MA
New Lebanon, NY
Troy, NH
Fairlee, VT
Foxboro, MA
Quebec, QC
San Francisco, CA
New Brunswick, NJ
Falls Church, VA
Timonium, MD
Brewster, NY
Wow. This is a short list. It goes much farther afield than last year, but not that often. I mean sure, that's 11 trips out of town, 3 of which were more than a weekend, which really shouldn't be much to sneeze at, but it seems like not nearly enough. There should be more travel.
This is subject to updating as I am corrected and reminded about things.
Tim Hunkin is still making things...
Jul. 29th, 2013 03:16 pm"The exploratorium has a giant clock by Tim Hunkin! #fanboy #squee"
If you don't know who Tim Hunkin is, I'd suggest checking out his web page at (shockingly) http://www.timhunkin.com/ and absorbing all his work. :)
If the name is tickling at the back of your head, I'll just say "The Secret Life Of Machines"
San Francisco food notes
Jul. 13th, 2013 11:28 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
I started this sitting in OAK about to board a flight back home after being in SF since the very start of July 4th.
I spent the 1st few days of that square dancing with about 1100 others (including about 18-20 others from Tech Squares) at Weave Your Heart In San Francisco and then the rest of the time touristing with 2 of the Tech Squares folks. (1 has an LJ she almost never uses and I can't remember, and the other, I don't know/doubt if he has one at all.)
I really hope to write more later, but for now, 2 things:
A) Ice Cream
I didn't make it to Humphrey Slocombe. Their hours were always too early for me to get there.
I DID make it to BiRite Creamery twice, and Ici (in Berkeley) once, as well has having Gelatto in the SF equiv. of Little Italy once.
A1) why is ice cream cheaper there than here? We both have cows... and almost all the rest of the food in the region is more expensive than here.
A2) BiRite: Strawberry Balsamic, Orange Cardamom, Roasted Banana, Basil. All were excellent. the OC was amazing. I bought the cookbook.
A3) Ici: Nectarine, Burnt Caramel, Vanilla. All were very good. Nectarine was excellent. BiRite won this contest. The Pink Peppercon/Sour Cherry was too peppery (and a bit too gritty) for me, but the concept was solid.
B) Incanto. As both of my regular traveling companions are vegetarians, I went here with Twitter user=@sunshinemug. It was excellent. Chris was in the restaurant for a while, but I didn't quite feel up to intruding - though he was working the floor for part of it. The men's room stall came equipped with an Encyclopedia Brittanica for your reading pleasure.
Beginnings: Smoked pork tongue, stone fruits, mustard & watercress; Boccalone salumi platter (piglet (small))
Supper: Beef heart, sweetbreads, radish, pea tendrils & bone marrow vinaigrette; Pork belly, salsiccia, plum agrodolce & mizuna.
Ending: Bushberry crostata, Douglas fir & pinenut brittle ice cream
Everything was excellent except the bread & butter (so called) pickles on the salumi plate and some of the greens on one of the plates, which were too bitter for me. (I DID try them 2-3x to be sure.)
The pork belly was the best hunk of same that either of us had ever had. The fat was sort of the ideal essence of fat, not at all greasy or chewy, and not even really unctuous. Just ideally fatty, and the lean was tender and beautifully bathed in said fat.
It was almost a shame that the sausage was on the same plate, as it was a VERY good sausage, but next to that pork belly...
I had a bunch of other good food that I hope to burble about later. In the mean time, I should've been asleep 90m ago at least.
I should've flagged the post...
Jul. 7th, 2013 01:17 amSadly, that leaves me with absolutely no idea who it was.
Ah well. :(
ETA: There it is...
Porchfest 2013
May. 18th, 2013 06:28 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
This year's music that we saw:
Somerville Symphony Orkestar - http://www.ssoband.com/ - VERY STRONG recommendation. If you like Balkan and/or Honk-y and/or BiL, I totally advise seeking out these guys.
Grand Fatilla - http://www.reverbnation.com/grandfatilla - Repeat the above, though they have no brass... and a strong Italian basis.
Atwoods Bluegrass Band (Sean Staples and His Bluegrass Rangers) - many different URLs. Stumbled on them between the 1st 2 above. Solid.
The Michael J. Epstein Memorial Library - http://michaeljepstein.com/ - I wanted more vocal strength. The über-hipster vibe I think is just inherent in MJE's work.
The Pennies - http://www.thepenniesmusic.com/ - Enjoyable, lightly quirky on the originals we heard, solid on the covers. I'd see 'em again.
Jon Bernhardt - http://www.wobblymusic.com/spaceman/ - A man and his theramin. Woo!
The Ways and Means Committee - http://www.boston.com/yourtown/news/somerville/2012/05/porchfest_the_sounds_of_somerv.html?p1=Upbox_links - Cool enough. Not what we were looking for at the time, probably would've been better had we been.
Educate the Antidote - http://www.muziclab.com/artist.php?id=136 - Their description of themselves as "The Antidote=Dave Matthews meets Black Eyed Peas" is pretty spot on.
The New Babushkas - http://www.voortrek.com/thenewbabushkas/ - 2 accordions, fiddle, and cello today. Lovely stuff.
Dust Clouds of Mars - https://www.facebook.com/DustCloudsofMars - Would be right at home opening for Man Or AstroMan? and that's a good thing, imho.
Truckdrivin' Neighbors Downstairs - http://www.truckdrivingneighborsdownstairs.com - Solid.
The Rhythm Sons - http://www.facebook.com/TheRhythmSons - they should avoid harmony vocals, but as solo singers they were a fine group.
And finally, sadly the Somerville Ukulele Club (SUC) - no web presence - were drowned off their porch by their much louder neighbors.
All in all, a good day and I eagerly await next year!