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a penguin of very little brain
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| my email has been disconnected |
[Jun. 16th, 2009|12:45 pm] |
Penguins ventured down South for a long weekend, with Gilli, Greg, Paul, Kandace and Rick. We hired out a private house in Eagle Bay, it cost us $1400 for the seven of us for four nights and it was totally worth it. It was warm, with excellent heating, and a fantastic kitchen fully-provisioned with implements, and it had a television and a dvd-player and was on the beach. It was very much like going to Terracon, except much more comfortable!
We were there Thursday night through to late Sunday afternoon (that is why we paid for the extra night, so we could spend all of Sunday there), and we only left the house on Friday, when we went for a walk down the beach and wandered into Dunsborough and over to Ngilgi caves.
We spent a lot of time eating, I have written a full, beautifully photographed write-up, you can read it at my food blog, but our menu ended up as follows:
Thursday evening, pizza. Gilli made the pizza base in Perth, and we left it to rise as we made the three hour drive to Eagle Bay. We ended up making four pizzas, two vegan and two not-vegan.
Friday breakfast of waffles, pancakes, and stewed some apples. We dined on the patio, and Kandace complained that there wasn’t enough ocean views.
Friday lunch D and I sat on the awesome wooden furniture at Samudra, a vegetarian café. I had a delicious lentil burger (it was amazing), and D nommed a raw wrap with lots of yumminess in it. Everyone else went for Dunsborough Bakehouse pies and other baked treats. Friday dinner was a roasted extravaganza.
Saturday morning breakfast was less of a morning thing and more of an afternoon thing. Greg and I started the day by baking treats, jam thumbprint cookies and lemon and poppy seed muffins, before even thinking about actual breakfast, it was a massive fry up of hash browns, sausages (vegan and not), toast, tomatoes, mushrooms, and sweet potato hash browns, which were awesome. Friday dinner was nachos and tacos.
Late Saturday night, whilst watching the Dune miniseries, I cooked a pumpkin saag and some dahl, specifically for breakfast noms on Saturday, at the more usual time of nine-thirty-ish. I served these with roti and rice. Before we left on Sunday afternoon, more baking was to be had, for the trip back to Perth, and I made a whole lot of sushi.
It was a fantastic weekend, penguins had a great time, and our friends are awesome A++. As they always are.
All Photos
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| Sheeba and Stephanie's BEACH EXCURSION. BRING NOMS. |
[Jan. 13th, 2009|09:10 pm] |
Sheeba and I are GOING TO THE BEACH, this Friday, 1800 until sundown. Requirements for you, the reader: to like at least one of us, and be at least amenable to the other one; noms; enthusiasm for warm evenings at the beach (Friday's forecast is 39C); to be in Perth on Friday; other beach things.
Currently we're at Cotts nearish Eric St/Marine Pde, but as that lacks: ice cream; proximity to the flags at the tearooms; grass, this may change as I guilt Sheeba into changing location. STAY ALERT BUT NOT ALARMED. My mobile is on at all times etc etc.
ETA LOCATION CHANGE: HEY GUESS WHAT PUBLIC GUILT WORKS. New location is on the right-hand side of the tearooms when you're facing the ocean, on the grass somewhere.
Zanchey says: DO IT
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| i loved you in this t-shirt of mine |
[Dec. 15th, 2008|09:54 pm] |
Things I did this weekend: got dunked down at Swanbourne.
I don't usually venture the whole three kilometres North to Swanbourne, content as I am to laze about on the grass at Cottesloe, in close proximity to gelato and hot chips, but D and I wandered down to hang with Sheeba, Zanchey and Zanchey's dog Jackie. First beach trip for the summer and it was beautiful, 37C in the day and by 1800 when we rocked down it was just under that, enough full sun to get thrown about by the water and I felt like I was ten again, picking up shells and getting dunked in the surf. I understand that some people are scared of waves but they were just shallow enough that there was no danger, though I did get a bit of sandburn. There's now sand in the fridge, too, it clung to the unopened stubbies.
I look forward to more of this, now the summer weather is here, picnics and sunsets on the beach and sand between my toes, coming home smelling of sunscreen and salt and with a damp hat.
If you click through on these photos, there are a couple more of yesterday's beachiness.
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| stuff this weekend |
[Nov. 14th, 2008|09:02 pm] |
the walk against warming is across australia tomorrow. at 1000 there's stuff down at cottesloe by the tearooms, with the premier and scott ludlum and louise pratt giving speeches and then walking. the walking is not long, and it's not arduous, it's a symbol and us saying that there's something wrong.
(there are many things wrong)
tomorrow there's also made on the left market, at the hyde park hotel. it's small but pretty cool.
sunday night there's wayjo at the bakery |
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| to never go that far |
[Oct. 23rd, 2008|06:24 pm] |
at the last upmarket
There are a number of fairs and festivals upcoming in the next little while, here are a few which I intend to attend:
October
Distracted Little Market Day, Sunday 26 October, 1000 – 1600, Aranmore Hall, Corner of Oxford and Marian St, Leederville
Subicao Rotary Fair, Sunday 26 October, 0900 – 1700, Oak Lawn, UWA (link)
WA Fest, Sunday 26 October, 1200 – 1700, Perth Esplanade (link)
November
Northbridge Festival, Saturday and Sunday 1-2 November, Northbridge (link)
Made On the Left, Saturday 15 November, 1000 -1600, Hyde Park Hotel (link)
North Perth Festival, Sunday 30 November, Angove St, North Perth (link)
December
Unwrapped: Subiaco, Thursday 4 December, 1700 - 2100, Rokeby Rd (between Roberts and Hay), Subiaco (link)
Perth Upmarket, Sunday 14 December, Perth Town Hall, Corner of Barrack and Hay, Perth (link) |
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| you're spinning away |
[Oct. 4th, 2008|10:08 pm] |
This evening I went to Telethon.
I KNOW. But Erin had some tickets and I've never been, so I thought I'd go. And it was fun!
Even the K-Rudd made an appearance, albeit by prerecorded interview. Did Howard ever make a Telethon appearance? I have no idea. But then the band was tuning during his interview! boooo. Also one of the other people with us thinks the prime minister's name is 'Judd' and a little part of me was absolutely horrified.
Damien Leith did a cover of Hallelujah, like every singer before him. Vanessa Amerosi is kind of cool, and there was a dancing/magic act where the woman changed entire costumes in about five seconds (it was kind of astonishing). CDB sang, I can't believe I recognised them and I can't believe they're still around, I haven't heard of them in years. I had a cool couple of hours. Which is funny, because 48 hours ago I didn't even know it was Telethon weekend.
 I know that this is a terrible photo but look really closely at the right hand side of the panel - OMG AGRO. AGRO. I was so excited. He retired! And yet there he was, talking about the elbow where his arse was supposed to be and how he didn't need a microphone because his voice came from under the table AAAAAAGGGGGGRRRRRROOOOOOO. A kid walked past carrying an Agro doll, and if they'd been selling them outside I would have bought one on the spot.
OMG. I had fun at Telethon. |
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| it's older than me |
[Aug. 2nd, 2008|12:33 pm] |
Last night was the 30th birthday party of UniSFA. I was going to talk about how awesome Gina's speech was (and how awesome Gina is in general), and how great it was to chat with some people, but my memories of specifics are hazy. I met so many of my friends through UniSFA, it's been such a pivotal part of my life and it looms less large, now, but for a few years there it was one of the most important things in my life.
Davyd and I took a number of photos, Davyd's been playing around with his portraiture technique, and though I love photo journalism I'm not so sure how I feel about it with portraiture.
All Photos |
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| bellyflop on a pizza |
[Jul. 6th, 2008|05:14 pm] |
When I was little, of course I saw the Peter Combe clips on the ABC and of course I knew all the words to 'Toffee Apple,' but I never had the opportunity to go to a show. It's funny, then, that in the last twelve months I've been to two of them, and they've both been awesome. Claire was a little skeptical when we first went, but by the end of it she remembered all the words and had to run off to by an album or two.
And now I am 26.
full set |
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| sculptures by the sea |
[Mar. 16th, 2008|01:58 pm] |
Davyd and I wandered down to Sculptures by the Sea and took over a hundred photos, which you can see here: Sculptures by the Sea. Every year it's always really stunning, wandering around Cott beach looking at the sculptures. |
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| the pleasure is mine |
[Feb. 27th, 2008|10:46 pm] |
Tonight I went to Beck's Music Box and saw a whole lot of shadow puppetry, and also Feist. On a work night, I know!
Feist is tiny and bouncy and kept referring to the fact that we live inside a volcano. She gives pretty good live concert, and it was really awesome. Seeing her was definitely worth skipping my German class. Also the layout of Beck's Music Box is pretty cool, though it's such a small space (Meg (works with Festival) says its maximum capacity is 1300, but I'd be surprised if it fit that many people). |
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| something that wasn't really there when i looked out the window |
[Jan. 4th, 2008|06:55 pm] |
This has not exactly been a good week, so I would like to make a list of this week's awesome things.
&spades hats
&spades the shape of these languages i speak
&spades the epiphany toilet
&spades the weekend
&spades the beach
&spades fairy bread
&spades lasagna
&spades nudie juices
&spades red things
&spades awesome stockings
&spades my zipper earrings
&spades scrubs
&spades getting the offer for my masters
&spades starcross
&spades 我的头发
&spades this version of cabaret by louis armstrong
&spades nampak/tengok
&spades taking the train down the new line
(&spades BONUS: the sausage dogs I met last week)
Please feel free to share your awesome things with me
&clubs&hearts&diams
AN ASIDE: Cameron's going away party is tomorrow at Animal House. Does anyone want to go to the beach beforehand? (about 17:00ish) |
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| a moment on the breeze |
[Dec. 28th, 2007|09:41 pm] |
This evening after work we ventured down to Cottesloe for a picnic and a bit of a swim. It was a beautiful evening, though a bit choppy (and I feared I would lose my top), and it was fun.
And yet, I must ask myself: would more people come to my outings if I announced them on facebook?
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| if i fall to taste the ground |
[Nov. 18th, 2007|10:23 am] |
 On Thursday, I made a chocolate jaffa slice for the baking competition at work. I did not realise how easy it is to create a slice, having never made one before. A number of people declined to enter, claiming that it would be difficult, but having now made one I don't understand where the slice reputation for difficulty came from. Cakes are far more difficult, and this was so easy and it was delicious and so many people will be getting baked treats for Christmas; you can find the recipe here.
Last Friday we went to Jewel of the Park, an Indian restaurant in Vic Park. The service was pretty good, though to be fair I don't know if that's because the service is good or because a member of our party knew the waitstaff. I had a really delicious eggplant curry, the cashew gobi and the dhal (not all on my own, obviously) and also two or three fantastic mango daiquiris. I totally recommend this restaurant! You can see the menu here.
 Last night's dinner was risotto, garlic bread and (my vice) potato gems. The risotto was the sun-dried tomato and mushroom recipe from page 186 of Vegan With a Vengeance, though to be honest the recipe was more of an inspiration than something I actually followed. We had some burger buns that needed using, so Davyd made a garlic butter mixture from Nuttlex, minced garlic, and a handful of dried herbs of an unspecified nature, and the bread was then baked for about ten minutes at about 180C, and it was really delicious! The potato gems are an obsession of mine, crunchy and potatoey and so terrible for you but so tasty.
I have recently started reading Tigers and Strawberries. It is a food blog, featuring a mixture of recipes, announcements and essays, and it's not a vego blog but it doesn't have to be to be interesting and thought-provoking. Some of her essays that I have enjoyed include What the Hell Does 'Sustainable' Mean Anyway? Weaning Kids from Junk Food: Start Before They're Born, and something that is a personal peeve of mine, Meat Comes from Animals: Deal with It or Eat Vegetables. I have had friends who would only eat the breast of a chicken, because a leg or something with a vein would freak them out; I know people who find the Chinese way of eating fish (whole, head and eyes and tails still attached) freaky; I know people who will eat crumbed fish and chicken nuggets but can't deal with anything that looks like it came from an animal. I feel that if you eat meat, not only should you be able to deal with the fact that you are eating an animal, but you should be able to prepare it, too. I don't suggest that everyone needs to go learn to butcher or whatever, and this is not a new view for me, I have felt this way for many years, including those years when I ate meat. The fact that people choose not to know where their food comes from, or what is in it, or how it is produced, absolutely continues to astound me. |
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| decisions are made by those who show up |
[Nov. 17th, 2007|09:35 pm] |
In other news, as we'll be away on election day, we ventured down to the local AEC office to vote today. The AEC office in Claremont is absolutely tiny, and there was a queue of people waiting to vote. And one lady standing out the front offering how to votes (for a party that needs no help in our electorate). In the queue was a gentleman in a boiler suit and a woman who lived overseas for four years and then when she got back forgot to reenroll. Guys, don't ever do this!
We're all reaching saturation point, I know, I suppose that's why the election period only lasts five or six weeks. This will probably be my last post on this topic before we hit the election, so don't fear or whatever. Anyway, I know we've been getting a lot of news about the election of late, but I was interested to read an article at Bloomberg.com, interesting because it's foreign coverage and I always like seeing the different ways coverage is offered. Australia's Howard Fights to Save Seat Amid Immigrants' Anger.
Apparently there are people who don't know how to vote, which, what? If you are unsure, you can practise voting here. This is SO HILARIOUS, there is a talk through and everything!
Davyd tells me (and I believe ![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif) ataxi mentioned it once) that even if you know your party won't win, you should still vote for them because if they get a certain percentage of the primary vote then they get more federal funding for electioneering. I cannot find any linkage, the AEC website is (as always) spectacularly unhelpful.
I am sad to be missing all the election day parties. |
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| it's where i'm heading for |
[Nov. 17th, 2007|06:15 pm] |
We saw Crowded House last night. The Supreme Court gardens was an awesome location just because it's always such a beautiful space, and we arrived late after work (and a quick dinner at Maoz) but just in time to hear Augie March play 'One Crowded Hour.' I'm a bit annoyed that in the end we didn't see Bob Evans (I had intended to).
The concert was so incredibly awesome. There were some songs that I really wanted them to sing, mostly 'Mean to Me,' 'Private Universe,' 'Silent House,' 'Better Be Home Soon' and 'Four Seasons in One Day,' all of which they played, so that made me especially happy. The only thing I do wish that they had done was their cover of one of my favourite songs in the world, the Hunters and Collectors song 'Throw Your Arms Around Me.'
Disappointing was the smell of pot drifting through the air; and the girls nearby who felt it was appropriate to start singing Gloria Gaynor's 'I Will Survive' during 'Silent House,' which was so fucking rude. Just because they don't like the new album is no reason to be completely lame.
I feel unreasonably resentful towards anyone who didn't enjoy the concert, which is so unreasonable of me but I just really, really enjoyed it, and I hate it when other peoples' dislike and rudeness impacts on my concert experience.
I am not very good at this sort of description: here are some words by Davyd; here are some words by auntpol; Davyd assured me my camera would not work in the darkness, so here are a whole lot of photos on flickr. |
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| i don't think i'll know til i find out |
[Nov. 11th, 2007|07:11 pm] |
We ventured down to Freo for the Walk Against Warming this afternoon, and it was quite a cheerful, street parade kind of atmosphere, walking down the middle of Market Street. I am not one for huge political statements, not really. I prefer personal statements. There are so many personal statements with climate change, from the simple such as carbon neutralisation or switching to green energy, to the more complex, such as buying and eating local. And there are so many in between, like reducing the distance you travel by car, purchasing from sustainable organisations, and reducing usage (over recycling or refuse). One of the easiest and most effective ways to reduce your impact on the planet, though, is my current personal statement:
The shirt is on an angle, and perhaps you cannot read it! It says "100% vegetarian."
Agricultural runoff has a huge environmental impact, contributing ridiculously to pollution in the air and in inland water sources. 18% of greenhouse emissions are from farm animals. Crops are considered to use far less water than livestock. Though numbers vary (mostly they go up), one report suggests that a pound of corn requires between 100 to 250 gallons of water, but one pound of beef requires between 2000 and 8500 gallons.
You don't have to go vegetarian, I would not force that decision on anyone, but reducing meat consumption is seriously one of the easiest but most effective things you can do, and if you want to make an environmental statement, it's one you should consider.
Four links: Logical Environmental Reasoning for a Vegetarian Lifestyle; Ethical Man's top ten tips for ethical living; The Debate Heats Up: Vegetarianism & Climate Change; Vegetarianism is the New Prius (previously linked).
Photos for the day are here; Davyd also did an actual summary of the event here.
My tshirt is from Kmart. I know, I was pretty shocked. |
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| put the horse before the cart |
[Oct. 28th, 2007|05:16 pm] |
Picnicked in King's Park again today, for Davyd's mum's birthday. It was a bit chilly but in the sun it was nice, and E complained of her legs burning (through her jeans). I made this potato salad and it has a very strong flavour but is quite delicious. I had not made a potato salad previously, mostly because I've never liked it, but this recipe contained none of the elements of potato salad I traditionally disliked, so that was good. I am loving this whole season of picnicking thing so much, it's so much fun.
Then we went for a walk, and C complained that their mum had decided to make us do exercise for her birthday. So he's making us swim to Rotto for his.
I love picnicking in Kings' Park, it's always really beautiful, even when it's cold and stormy, though fortunately today it was not.
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| brush your hair with a toothbrush |
[Oct. 28th, 2007|12:07 am] |
This evening, accompanied by Davyd and Dr Z, I found myself in a crowd of people wearing hats made out of newspaper and clinging to toffee apples, moshing to songs like 'Newspaper Mama,' 'Mr Clickety Clang' and 'Toffee Apple.' People clapped and cheered and sang for so long, and so loud, that by the end of it my ears were ringing.
And it was awesome.
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