Ghosts of Christmas Past

Even though it was a blessedly subdued affair this year, it's nice to know that some things never change.

Tristessa, Recuerda.

I'm listening to the Gipsy Kings' Allegria, an album I haven't heard for about ten years, but which was - along with Pink Floyd and The Doors - the soundtrack of my childhood. The transportative power of music has made me feel like an eight year old again, my dad with more hair, standing shirtless in the kitchen of the old house. I just realised that he was basically my age back then. A few years older, but not many.

I was fascinated by the noisy Spanish banter between songs and the roughness of the music, I guess compared with Pink Floyd's acoustic neatness.

I promised myself I would go running every day between now and the day I leave for Paris (about 16 days at this point). I lasted 9 days and on today, what would have been the tenth, I had to revise that plan. I feel like a dirty great cheat, but my (long-ago) injured knee is genuinely hurting and in my defense, it would be counterproductive to fuck my knee before I get on the snow.

Speaking of which, I cannot wait and all that. I'm overnighting in Seoul and apparently the hotel is in Seoul proper, not at the airport which is in Incheon (a good hour away from the city, I am told). This is good news, because I can actually see Seoul. Or rather, see the inside of the nearest Kimchi Bibimbab joint. Mmyes.

Non Sequitur! A photo of some bitch-ass seagulls in Victor Harbour, South Australia, taken July 09. As hinted by the demeanour of the one on the left, these things were goddamn vicious. Also unafraid.

Last Published, Jul 20 2009

So, where were we?

I'm still at university. Still. And probably will be for life.

But! I have a Real Job. With an Office Christmas Party that I'll be attending in roughly an hour and three quarters. I work in a Law Firm, and do things like photocopying, writing letters and answering telephones. I really can't lie, but the most thrilling part of having a Real Job is that there's a biscuit tin filled with those delicious Arnott's sandwich cookies.

I'm also learning the cello. Who knows why. My boyfriend is out of town ('til February 28th, 2010) so I have considerably more spare time, and I got drunk a few months ago and bought a cello on eBay. I am an exceptionally poor cellist, but I like the thrill of making my own music, even if it's a stuttered rendition of "The First Noel." I pretty much want my teacher to be my new best friend.

Next on the to-do list, is to learn the piano part from this song :



I have a soft spot for Kanye.

I'm going to France in 24 days. Let's run.

Do Not Want.

I don't want to leave this behind!

Sigh.

Those Mad Ad Men.

Madmen is rather a clever show, n'est pas? Stylistically, it's fabulous. I'm not sure where they got all those 1940s-era typewriters, but someone did a great job. The constant smoking is a little odd - It's like the director discovered that smoking was more prevalent back then, and now feels like it won't look authentic without wafting smoke in the background of every shot.

But it's good. It doesn't take its audience for fools. I love the furniture as well.

A Reason to Stay

Thursday Night Risotto

1.5 cups of Arborio rice.
Approximately two litres of chicken stock, not too concentrated.
A splash of red wine.
Approximately two cups of grated Parmesan cheese.
4 ripe tomatoes, washed and cut into sickles.
250g bacon, rindless and diced.

Place the tomatoes on a baking tray covered with baking paper in a preheated oven (160 degrees) just as you start making the risotto. By the time the risotto is done, you'll have delicious semi-dried tomatoes. Just be careful not to burn them, depending on how efficient your oven is.

Fry the bacon in a large non-stick heavy-based pan until crispy and delicious. Remove and place in a bowl, but try to keep the bacon-tasting oil in the bottom of the pan. Throw in the rice, and brown for a couple of minutes, stirring constantly. Pour in enough chicken stock to cover the rice, and stir 'til it thickens. Keep adding just enough stock to cover the rice until the rice tastes cooked - It'll probably take you about 1.5-2 litres of stock to get to this point.

Throw in a splash of red wine at some point as well. People usually use white wine for risotto, but I can't stand the smell of cooked white wine, and bacon is almost a red meat anyway so it tastes better with red.

Add the bacon and parmesan to the risotto, and stir. Leave to thicken for a few minutes, and serve with fresh cracked pepper and the semi-dried roasted tomatoes on top.
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I made that the other day.

I've been on HOLIDAYS. In the most unexotic sense of the word possible. It's midsemester break and I've been to uni and made Constitutional Law notes. I did spend two days on my Father's boat up in Pittwater, which was lovely and relaxing, though. I remembered how much I love camping, and lit a newly enthusiastic desire in me to go camping more often.

Yesterday was the Surry Hills Festival, which made for a most delightful Saturday. A bunch of people showed up, so we spent most of the day eating our way around the stalls, before jumping on the promotional 'V' jumping castle and drinking promotional cans of 'V.' It was a little embarrassing how difficult it was to spend ten minutes on a jumping castle. I guess I was fitter at the age of six than I will ever again be.

In the evening, Dan came over for aforementioned risotto, then we biked down to the local pub near my house ('The Harbord Hilton') to watch the rugby match. I care little for rugby, but I was happy to sit there quietly nursing a beer. Just the kind of evening I wanted.

Bicycles made it that much more of a novelty.

One night to be confused, one night to speed up truth.

We fired up Dan's brazier last night (the one he dragged me to the hardware store to buy a month ago) and made slow-cooked steaks on the hot coals, with tomato salad, roast potatoes and eggplant on the side. I was hungry when we started cooking, but by the time it was done I could have eaten off my own arm.