Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Back to BC
I hereby declare that 8 hours in Hong Kong International Terminal is too long, although the Transit Lounge is very good.
Got on the plane, got bored, got back to BC.
It's autumn now, or "fall". I like that a lot.
Arrive Sunday afternoon, back at work Monday. A plan with no drawbacks. Well ...
Got on the plane, got bored, got back to BC.
It's autumn now, or "fall". I like that a lot.
Arrive Sunday afternoon, back at work Monday. A plan with no drawbacks. Well ...
Friday, October 24, 2008
Where did you get that hat ...
Yeah baby.
Nardia and Lindsay went on vacation, and brought me this hat ... and a t-shirt ... and a tote bag ... and ...
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Kings Park
This one's for Anita -
We went to Kings Park today! It was good. Overcast, but still 30 degrees. Mum, Dad and I had a huge walk through the wildflower botanic gardens (wildflower season officially ended a few weeks back, so it is still rather spectacular), and walked over the new bridge walkway - very pleasant.
Mum had packed an outstanding picnic lunch - we feasted on rice paper rolls, home made apricot iced tea, and date slice.
It was up there with "really good days out"!
For the record, it has been over 30 degrees for 3 days in a row, and Sunday was 34 degrees - the highest temperature in October in Perth for 8 years or something.
I am a Sun God. I had forgotten this.
We went to Kings Park today! It was good. Overcast, but still 30 degrees. Mum, Dad and I had a huge walk through the wildflower botanic gardens (wildflower season officially ended a few weeks back, so it is still rather spectacular), and walked over the new bridge walkway - very pleasant.
Mum had packed an outstanding picnic lunch - we feasted on rice paper rolls, home made apricot iced tea, and date slice.
It was up there with "really good days out"!
For the record, it has been over 30 degrees for 3 days in a row, and Sunday was 34 degrees - the highest temperature in October in Perth for 8 years or something.
I am a Sun God. I had forgotten this.
A frog he would a wooing go
I go to sleep listening to this little guy courting.
He may be a girl, I have no knowledge on these things.
Monday, October 20, 2008
I must have a nice face
As may be generally agreed to (just don't ask Kevin), I have a pleasant demeanour. Sometimes this leads to random events.
Mum and I arranged to meet up at a cafe, I got there early, so I settled down with a book and my flat white.
A lady settled down with me.
I have never met her before, and she knew it too. She showed me her shopping (one bling blouse and three pairs of slacks from Big W), told me she was happily surprised by the amount of cash she had in the bank, and pulled out a lot of $50 notes to prove it to me. She offered me half her chocolate eclair that she pulled out of her purse. I declined.
I have never drunk a flat white so fast. I am not able to review it, as it tasted like burnt tongue.
While it is sad that I - a complete stranger - was her best option for companionship, I selfishly ask "why me?".
And don't you dare say "why not?".
Mum and I arranged to meet up at a cafe, I got there early, so I settled down with a book and my flat white.
A lady settled down with me.
I have never met her before, and she knew it too. She showed me her shopping (one bling blouse and three pairs of slacks from Big W), told me she was happily surprised by the amount of cash she had in the bank, and pulled out a lot of $50 notes to prove it to me. She offered me half her chocolate eclair that she pulled out of her purse. I declined.
I have never drunk a flat white so fast. I am not able to review it, as it tasted like burnt tongue.
While it is sad that I - a complete stranger - was her best option for companionship, I selfishly ask "why me?".
And don't you dare say "why not?".
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Sundays are for barbeques
Yes they are.
Blainie and Steve do good barbeques. E came, it was good to see her - I think she and I look more like girls now than we ever have in the past. Weird. Pete was there too, and it's always good to hang out with a Yuncken. Nicole proved elusive at first, but apparently EVERYONE had a huge night beforehand at American Jen's Halloween/birthday party. She made jack'o'lanterns out of watermelons, which was quite culturally relevant.
Anyway, good bbq, best bean salad ever. We sat in the back yard, for a while we were under the tree that pelts you with berries all day long. We decided first to get hit was the winner. Sadly, it only aimed for empty chairs.
Must bug B for that salad recipe ...
Blainie and Steve do good barbeques. E came, it was good to see her - I think she and I look more like girls now than we ever have in the past. Weird. Pete was there too, and it's always good to hang out with a Yuncken. Nicole proved elusive at first, but apparently EVERYONE had a huge night beforehand at American Jen's Halloween/birthday party. She made jack'o'lanterns out of watermelons, which was quite culturally relevant.
Anyway, good bbq, best bean salad ever. We sat in the back yard, for a while we were under the tree that pelts you with berries all day long. We decided first to get hit was the winner. Sadly, it only aimed for empty chairs.
Must bug B for that salad recipe ...
Flat White #5
I can even get a flat white in backyards here, man!
Blainie and Steve are good at their coffee. Really. It's always a bit strong for my personal tastes, but that is because I am a wimp.
Atmosphere as 10 out of 10, as it was a backyard, a barbeque and friends. No tree berries fell in, which I consider a bonus.
Sundays are for pancakes ... well, crepes
Ever since we were kids, my Dad has made the best pancakes ever. Well, the rest of the world calls them crepes.
My Dad makes the best crepes ever. He flips them. We smother them with golden syrup.
Nothing beats reliving childhood fun.
Man, they were good.
My Dad makes the best crepes ever. He flips them. We smother them with golden syrup.
Nothing beats reliving childhood fun.
Man, they were good.
Harsh!
I know I whinge about the harsh sunlight in Oz, how you don't really get it until you spend time in it etc etc - but really. I mean it.
While getting Malibu-bottles-that-didn't-stop-birdsong-before-dawn out of the swiming pool, we had to lay the pool cover down on the grass. This was simply so we could get to the pool water. The pool cover is designed to stop evaporation (apparently it does not stop bottles). It reminds me of bubble wrap - but big. Heavy plastic, but that's all it is.
We left it on the lawn for less than 90 minutes in the morning (least harsh sunlight of the day). It trapped some heat in there, I guess.
Check out the lawn damage:
Yeah baby. No wonder I burn so easily.
While getting Malibu-bottles-that-didn't-stop-birdsong-before-dawn out of the swiming pool, we had to lay the pool cover down on the grass. This was simply so we could get to the pool water. The pool cover is designed to stop evaporation (apparently it does not stop bottles). It reminds me of bubble wrap - but big. Heavy plastic, but that's all it is.
We left it on the lawn for less than 90 minutes in the morning (least harsh sunlight of the day). It trapped some heat in there, I guess.
Check out the lawn damage:
Yeah baby. No wonder I burn so easily.
Random event
Apparently not everybody likes the sound of wattle birds at 4:40 am.
I listened to one woman going off her nut at the one in the tree in our neighbour's yard, at 4:40 am, screaming at it to "f$%# off". Which is really going to work. So she threw bottles at it.
Yeah. They landed around Mum and Dad's pool. One went in the water while the others smashed on the pavement.
The bird kept singing. I liked it's style.
Not thrilled at waking up to the sound of glass breaking *very* close by, and people screaming. That's less good.
I listened to one woman going off her nut at the one in the tree in our neighbour's yard, at 4:40 am, screaming at it to "f$%# off". Which is really going to work. So she threw bottles at it.
Yeah. They landed around Mum and Dad's pool. One went in the water while the others smashed on the pavement.
The bird kept singing. I liked it's style.
Not thrilled at waking up to the sound of glass breaking *very* close by, and people screaming. That's less good.
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Saturday Big Day
Not much sleep as Mum and I got to bed at about 3 am, so I thought I'd have a quiet Saturday:
8-11: Archery with Dad and Uncle Harry (highlights: not crap, and I got to do clout; lowlight: sunburnt sternum from badly applied sunscreen)
11-2: Beach picnic with highschool friend Alana and her three kids (haven't seen Alana since year 11?)
3-6: Afternoon tea at Luigi and Fiona's to meet 4 week old Thomas (he was grumpy/gassy, but spewing a lot on me seemed to help)
6 - 11: Dinner at Grant and Mel's, who are still looking after Nardia and Lindsay's offdog Charlotte. Charlotte liked the mostly-rinsed-out-baby-vomit on my skirt. Dinner was good.
Some photos:
8-11: Archery with Dad and Uncle Harry (highlights: not crap, and I got to do clout; lowlight: sunburnt sternum from badly applied sunscreen)
11-2: Beach picnic with highschool friend Alana and her three kids (haven't seen Alana since year 11?)
3-6: Afternoon tea at Luigi and Fiona's to meet 4 week old Thomas (he was grumpy/gassy, but spewing a lot on me seemed to help)
6 - 11: Dinner at Grant and Mel's, who are still looking after Nardia and Lindsay's offdog Charlotte. Charlotte liked the mostly-rinsed-out-baby-vomit on my skirt. Dinner was good.
Some photos:
Friday, October 17, 2008
Flat White #4
Mends Street Cafe in South Perth ...
They didn't have florentines, so Mum and I shared a piece of chocolate mud cake. Cake verdict: stale, no good at all.
Flat white was rather good, it was made with freshly frothed milk, not too bitter. About a 6 out of 10.
Mum did buy it for me though, so that's a bonus!
Friday night three kids night
I'm backtracking now, as I had some busy days there and got out of habit of sitting at a computer. Well, sitting at a computer actively. Just didn't feel like typing stuff, really.
Anyway - Friday day time, Mum and I became 90 years old, and took the train into town, disembarking at the new Esplanade station (very similar to any other train station built in the last few years)and took the ferry over to South Perth.
Yeah - like that juxtaposition? Fake sawns - real swans. I'm VERY arty.
Mum grew up in South Perht - close enough to the zoo that you could hear the lions roaring at night. How cool is that? So we had a good wander around, marvelled at how some old buildings keep a bit of class while some don't:
Yeah baby. Some things never change.
Anyway, lovely wander in the sunshine, ferry back across the river, train back to Duincraig, then I went on to Mark and Angie's for dinner - a very pleasant evening at a three-kid household. Mark is looking into the microbrewing courses offered at ECU, which I think is outstanding, and Angie is expanding her nursing by specialising in diabetes. With three kids under 6. Some people don't know how to switch off, I think.
After that, Mum and I stayed up and watched Chicago on dvd, then solved the problems of the world until about 3 am. Woot! Late night ragers!
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Slave to fashion # 2
Mental note - I haven't really used the scarves I packed at all. They don't take up much space, but next time that space will be used for extra sweaters.
Flat White # 3
Man, had I been looking forward to this one: it's from The Merchant.
After all the angst of highschool, and simultaneous with the earnestness of university, I made friends with jugglers. That was fun. Some of us would meet a couple of times a week at the Merch and get mochas and talk crap for hours. HOURS. The Merch will always have a special place in my heart. Good times.
Even though the owners have definitely changed, and they seem to be hiring the ubiquitous beautiful 15 year olds instead of musos trying to make it big, they still make a damn fine flat white. Smooth, creamy - not a hint of bitterness. However, a bit too much fluff ended up on top for my liking, I suspect the 15 year old wasn't tall enough to see the top of the coffee cup and therefore didn't realise they'd let fluff in.
They don't sell florentines any more (at least - they had so many funky things to eat on display that maybe I just couldn't see them) so I got an ANZAC biscuit instead: basically an oatmeal cookie, but made with golden syrup - one of cane sugar's less refined forms. Part way between molasses and maple syrup. It adds a depth of flavour that is really most enjoyable. Mmm. Chewy.
Although I know I am getting old when I start to reminisce about when bisuits were normal sized, instead of these monstrosities that fill a plate.
Thursday night - No kids night
Thursday night was a no kids night (but back to three kids on Friday night).
The plan was to meet at Blainie and Steve's, with Pete and Nicole as well then we would all pile into one car and head to 2 Fat Indians, the new restaurant on Beaufort Street, Mt Lawley. Blainie and Steve are still mourning the closure of Little India, which was by far the best Indian restaurant in Perth ever - we worked out it must actually be about 5 years since it closed, so it really is time to move on. They're still looking for a good substitute. 2 Fat Indians may well be it! A bit more expensive ($15 ish for veggie dishes, $20 - $25 for omnis). Service was pretty good, venue funky, etc. well worth a look if you find yourself int he neighbourhood. Blainie got her camera out, but I haven't seen the pic/s yet - I'll ask her for some copies.
Then we walked up Beaufort a bit to get to the Flying Scotsman. Now, this is simply a pub on a street corner. You can drink and eat inside, you can drink and smoke outside. I don't believe you can eat and smoke outside though, I think that may be illegal.
Anyway - The Scotsman has the weirdest quirk that none of us can make sense of. You order and pay for things at the bar (reasonably standard in Perth) - but you aren't allowed to carry the drinks to an outside table. Really. Start heading towards the door with a beverage and staff swoop on you from all angles and grab it off you, put it on their tray and walk it to your table. Bearing in mind this is not a tipping culture, it seems to be some sort of legal requirement. It can be quite a fun game though - see how clsoe you can get to the door before you're stopped. Well, it's Perth, there's not much else to do ...
After a while, we decided to find our way to the upstairs room, as we could see people on the balcony. Man - was that swish! Very gothic, cocktail bar. Leather studded lounges, bookshelves covered with "old" books, Smooth DJ dude in the corner, gothic flock wallpaper ... We give it two weeks before it is completely overrun by tossers.
I love that guy in the background.
Back at Blainie and Steve's, I bonded with Yuki, their ragdoll cat. She is loved like a firstborn, that one. I plan to have many photos of her on Sunday, when I return to Mabel Street for a barbeque.
The plan was to meet at Blainie and Steve's, with Pete and Nicole as well then we would all pile into one car and head to 2 Fat Indians, the new restaurant on Beaufort Street, Mt Lawley. Blainie and Steve are still mourning the closure of Little India, which was by far the best Indian restaurant in Perth ever - we worked out it must actually be about 5 years since it closed, so it really is time to move on. They're still looking for a good substitute. 2 Fat Indians may well be it! A bit more expensive ($15 ish for veggie dishes, $20 - $25 for omnis). Service was pretty good, venue funky, etc. well worth a look if you find yourself int he neighbourhood. Blainie got her camera out, but I haven't seen the pic/s yet - I'll ask her for some copies.
Then we walked up Beaufort a bit to get to the Flying Scotsman. Now, this is simply a pub on a street corner. You can drink and eat inside, you can drink and smoke outside. I don't believe you can eat and smoke outside though, I think that may be illegal.
Anyway - The Scotsman has the weirdest quirk that none of us can make sense of. You order and pay for things at the bar (reasonably standard in Perth) - but you aren't allowed to carry the drinks to an outside table. Really. Start heading towards the door with a beverage and staff swoop on you from all angles and grab it off you, put it on their tray and walk it to your table. Bearing in mind this is not a tipping culture, it seems to be some sort of legal requirement. It can be quite a fun game though - see how clsoe you can get to the door before you're stopped. Well, it's Perth, there's not much else to do ...
After a while, we decided to find our way to the upstairs room, as we could see people on the balcony. Man - was that swish! Very gothic, cocktail bar. Leather studded lounges, bookshelves covered with "old" books, Smooth DJ dude in the corner, gothic flock wallpaper ... We give it two weeks before it is completely overrun by tossers.
I love that guy in the background.
Back at Blainie and Steve's, I bonded with Yuki, their ragdoll cat. She is loved like a firstborn, that one. I plan to have many photos of her on Sunday, when I return to Mabel Street for a barbeque.
Lunch with the bro and his girl
Grant has a girlfriend. This is not a new development, they have been together for over a year, but I hadn't mentioned it yet here. I got to meet them for lunch today, which was good. They both work downtown (opposite ends), so we met centrally and went to the Carillion Food Court. Busy at lunchtime, strangely enough.
I worked the salad bar pretty hard, eight dollars got me a mix of three salads with either meat or avocado on top - I went the avo, strangely enough. It was fresh and pleasant. And because I am me, I had brought my water bottle from home, so didn't even need to resort to store bought soft drinks. Mel had a Passiona. I didn't even know they still made that. The colour remains offputting: It really is passionfruit pulp colour. Mmm.
Anyway, it was nice to get to hang out with Grant and Mel on their own turf a bit (even though it was a food court) as we quickly fall into the trap of only having contact in a full family setting: either they come over to Mum and Dad's for dinner, or reply-all emails. It's not like we all just sat there and swore or anything, it's just a different vibe.
I walked with Grant back to his office, and he showed me his cubicle (I sense a recurring theme). Once again - very low walls, they feel about a metre high, but I guess they are 130cm or so. He doesn't have *any* guest chairs, but I think he thinks that's a good thing. He appears to be working on the "if I cover every surface with crud, nobody will bother me with more work" concept, I don't know if it's working or not.
Please note I always take it to the other extreme, on any given day it would be hard to tell if I was in the office. Very sparse, my workstation. Must remember to get some plants.
I worked the salad bar pretty hard, eight dollars got me a mix of three salads with either meat or avocado on top - I went the avo, strangely enough. It was fresh and pleasant. And because I am me, I had brought my water bottle from home, so didn't even need to resort to store bought soft drinks. Mel had a Passiona. I didn't even know they still made that. The colour remains offputting: It really is passionfruit pulp colour. Mmm.
Anyway, it was nice to get to hang out with Grant and Mel on their own turf a bit (even though it was a food court) as we quickly fall into the trap of only having contact in a full family setting: either they come over to Mum and Dad's for dinner, or reply-all emails. It's not like we all just sat there and swore or anything, it's just a different vibe.
I walked with Grant back to his office, and he showed me his cubicle (I sense a recurring theme). Once again - very low walls, they feel about a metre high, but I guess they are 130cm or so. He doesn't have *any* guest chairs, but I think he thinks that's a good thing. He appears to be working on the "if I cover every surface with crud, nobody will bother me with more work" concept, I don't know if it's working or not.
Please note I always take it to the other extreme, on any given day it would be hard to tell if I was in the office. Very sparse, my workstation. Must remember to get some plants.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Three kids
I have noticed that in this city, my friends fall into two categories: those with no kids, and those with three kids. Both are good, although three-kids units are faster at responding to "shall we catch up" requests.
As part of said Three-Kids Regime, I just had dinner with three kids (well, their parents were there too). One of the kids is very new. Like, three weeks old, maybe four. I held her and while she did cry, it wasn't constant, and seemed to be more the baffled "you're not mum or dad" rather than "get me away from this creature" - and she didn't throw up on me, not even once. Yeah, I'm good with kids.
Actually, the four year old kicks arse, and you can tell his Dad is an engineer. Out of all the random toys he could have showed me he was most excited to show me the "power cell". The power cell is a collection of toilet rolls, stickytaped together in threes then stuck end to end with other sets-of-three toilet rolls. That's a power cell, my friend. He also has a remarkable affinity with Annakin Skywalker: not kid Annakin, but not-yet-Darth Annakin. That's pretty cool.
His little sister who is two is a very good and loud singer. She was most pumped to show me the frog in a box they had made with Grandma that day, and it was very impressive. Green popsticks for legs, big drawn on goggly eyes, boxes covered in green paper - the frog was even sitting on drawn lily pads, and his box had flies drawn on the walls so he wouldn't get hungry.
Four year old explained that frogs are mostly nocturnal, so we had to close the box for frog to do stuff. Cool.
These are the cutest kids I have seen in a very long while - and it was a completely lovely evening to catch up with longstanding buddies. Rock on.
I got to drive home up the coast as well, with the windows down. It felt like it was still about 20 degrees.
Thursday is no kids day, Friday is three kids day. Saturday breaks the mould, and shall be discussed closer to the time.
As part of said Three-Kids Regime, I just had dinner with three kids (well, their parents were there too). One of the kids is very new. Like, three weeks old, maybe four. I held her and while she did cry, it wasn't constant, and seemed to be more the baffled "you're not mum or dad" rather than "get me away from this creature" - and she didn't throw up on me, not even once. Yeah, I'm good with kids.
Actually, the four year old kicks arse, and you can tell his Dad is an engineer. Out of all the random toys he could have showed me he was most excited to show me the "power cell". The power cell is a collection of toilet rolls, stickytaped together in threes then stuck end to end with other sets-of-three toilet rolls. That's a power cell, my friend. He also has a remarkable affinity with Annakin Skywalker: not kid Annakin, but not-yet-Darth Annakin. That's pretty cool.
His little sister who is two is a very good and loud singer. She was most pumped to show me the frog in a box they had made with Grandma that day, and it was very impressive. Green popsticks for legs, big drawn on goggly eyes, boxes covered in green paper - the frog was even sitting on drawn lily pads, and his box had flies drawn on the walls so he wouldn't get hungry.
Four year old explained that frogs are mostly nocturnal, so we had to close the box for frog to do stuff. Cool.
These are the cutest kids I have seen in a very long while - and it was a completely lovely evening to catch up with longstanding buddies. Rock on.
I got to drive home up the coast as well, with the windows down. It felt like it was still about 20 degrees.
Thursday is no kids day, Friday is three kids day. Saturday breaks the mould, and shall be discussed closer to the time.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Two deep fryers in one day
Yeah baby. I have reached the pinnacle of vacationary laziness.
Today rocked. It was 29.5 degrees, blue skies, I bought a bucket-hat and 30+ sunscreen, packed my water bottle and my ipod and met Dan for lunch in town. Mmm, vegetable tempura. And Sapporo beer at lunch. Yeah. It wasn't as good value as the Denman Street Akira tofu teriyaki bento box, but Dan was buying and he chose the venue.
We had arranged to meet under the red statue, so I filled in time by appearing to be a tourist:
I think every town should have paper thin statues of kangaroos with briefcases. And that they should always be set up at an intersection so that it is impossible to get a good angle photo without getting run over a second afterwards. Anyway, back to lunch with Dan:
We discussed the existential angst of cubicle life versus "living the dream" which seemed elusive but not completely off the radar. Bearing in mind Dan thinks professional poker is a good career move. Anyway, I got to tour his cubicle (mine's bigger, has higher walls, and I have three guest chairs while he only has one. However Dan has his own windows with blinds that work and a view of trees as well as piles of paper on the floor to stop people putting anything extra in his workspace).
Then tonight, I got to tick another verb off my list: fish and chips in Cottesloe. Mum, Dad and I drove to Cott nice and early (about 5 ish, I guess) and had a good wander around the beach. It was quite full for a Tuesday night: fishers on the groyne (yes, I've heard whatever joke you're thinking of), volleyball playes using the free nets on the sand, kayakers, surfers on the other side of the groyne (oh, ha ha), and lots of people eating takeaway on the grassed terrace bit. Now, when I say "fish and chips", I mean that conceptually. Out of all the food I have on the long list of "things I don't eat", anything oceanic has always been at the very top - since day one on this planet. But how's this for Perth gastronomy:
I get chips, a pineapple fritter and a banana fritter. What are they, I hear you ask. Well interenet - open a can of pineapple rings. Drain the juice off said rings. Batter rings and chuck into the deep fryer. Oh yeah. Imagine the banana version. Peel banana ...
I can't explain to you how good these are. Hotfattygreasysweetgood.
But man, do your teeth feel furry afterwards.
So that's it: two deep fried meals in one day. Tomorrow, not only will I try to go to the gym, I think I shall also eat a salad. I remember vegetables. They were in the tempura.
Today rocked. It was 29.5 degrees, blue skies, I bought a bucket-hat and 30+ sunscreen, packed my water bottle and my ipod and met Dan for lunch in town. Mmm, vegetable tempura. And Sapporo beer at lunch. Yeah. It wasn't as good value as the Denman Street Akira tofu teriyaki bento box, but Dan was buying and he chose the venue.
We had arranged to meet under the red statue, so I filled in time by appearing to be a tourist:
I think every town should have paper thin statues of kangaroos with briefcases. And that they should always be set up at an intersection so that it is impossible to get a good angle photo without getting run over a second afterwards. Anyway, back to lunch with Dan:
We discussed the existential angst of cubicle life versus "living the dream" which seemed elusive but not completely off the radar. Bearing in mind Dan thinks professional poker is a good career move. Anyway, I got to tour his cubicle (mine's bigger, has higher walls, and I have three guest chairs while he only has one. However Dan has his own windows with blinds that work and a view of trees as well as piles of paper on the floor to stop people putting anything extra in his workspace).
Then tonight, I got to tick another verb off my list: fish and chips in Cottesloe. Mum, Dad and I drove to Cott nice and early (about 5 ish, I guess) and had a good wander around the beach. It was quite full for a Tuesday night: fishers on the groyne (yes, I've heard whatever joke you're thinking of), volleyball playes using the free nets on the sand, kayakers, surfers on the other side of the groyne (oh, ha ha), and lots of people eating takeaway on the grassed terrace bit. Now, when I say "fish and chips", I mean that conceptually. Out of all the food I have on the long list of "things I don't eat", anything oceanic has always been at the very top - since day one on this planet. But how's this for Perth gastronomy:
I get chips, a pineapple fritter and a banana fritter. What are they, I hear you ask. Well interenet - open a can of pineapple rings. Drain the juice off said rings. Batter rings and chuck into the deep fryer. Oh yeah. Imagine the banana version. Peel banana ...
I can't explain to you how good these are. Hotfattygreasysweetgood.
But man, do your teeth feel furry afterwards.
So that's it: two deep fried meals in one day. Tomorrow, not only will I try to go to the gym, I think I shall also eat a salad. I remember vegetables. They were in the tempura.
Monday, October 13, 2008
Monday night dinner
There is something I forget about Perth when I live somewhere else. It's the sort of detail that just doesn't feel important enough to remember unless you are right there and it is relevant. Like which night is bin night.
Not *all* restaurants are open in Perth on Monday nights. That seems to be their day of rest, or their day of no customers, so they close to save expenses.
Monday was the day that Kerryn and I had decided to catch up - she has a very busy schedule, and you know, I don't right now, so she offered Monday and I concurred. I even got to meet Ross, who I completely approve of: a very good man indeed. And he seems to like being called "Rosco", so I don't know what could possibly be better than that!
Anyway, Kez is lovely so she picked me up from Mum and Dad's - although I could have walked to her place in about ten minutes, she's very close by. We were going to go to the Wild Fig. Lots of good reviews, they have a veggie night with a sitar player and everything. Yeah - closed. Okay, how about that place with Salt in the name? Yeah, closed.
Alright then, Portofino's at Hillarys Boat Harbour it is then.
It was great to catch up with Kerryn, who is working (managing?) the only LuluLemon in Perth. It was also great to get to know Rosco, who actually lives in Mandurah (about an hour drive South). We had an awesome Perth meal: huge troughs of pasta, a couple of bottles of fifth leg "red", a cheese platter to help us finish the second fifth leg (by my calculations that is definitely ten legs in) and then we got those cute fancy desserts that look like something but are actually icecream: you know, the one shaped like a peach which is peach gelati on the outside with chocolate icecream in the centre to mimic the stone, and a little garnish leaf of some other icy treat on top.
Ate a lot.
They kicked us out at ten pm, though - it was time to close.
Not *all* restaurants are open in Perth on Monday nights. That seems to be their day of rest, or their day of no customers, so they close to save expenses.
Monday was the day that Kerryn and I had decided to catch up - she has a very busy schedule, and you know, I don't right now, so she offered Monday and I concurred. I even got to meet Ross, who I completely approve of: a very good man indeed. And he seems to like being called "Rosco", so I don't know what could possibly be better than that!
Anyway, Kez is lovely so she picked me up from Mum and Dad's - although I could have walked to her place in about ten minutes, she's very close by. We were going to go to the Wild Fig. Lots of good reviews, they have a veggie night with a sitar player and everything. Yeah - closed. Okay, how about that place with Salt in the name? Yeah, closed.
Alright then, Portofino's at Hillarys Boat Harbour it is then.
It was great to catch up with Kerryn, who is working (managing?) the only LuluLemon in Perth. It was also great to get to know Rosco, who actually lives in Mandurah (about an hour drive South). We had an awesome Perth meal: huge troughs of pasta, a couple of bottles of fifth leg "red", a cheese platter to help us finish the second fifth leg (by my calculations that is definitely ten legs in) and then we got those cute fancy desserts that look like something but are actually icecream: you know, the one shaped like a peach which is peach gelati on the outside with chocolate icecream in the centre to mimic the stone, and a little garnish leaf of some other icy treat on top.
Ate a lot.
They kicked us out at ten pm, though - it was time to close.
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Gado Gado Salad
My Mum is a super amazing person. Really.
For many *many* years, I was simply a picky meat eater then I finally made the (not very big) plunge and became an official vegetarian. Admittedly, I am vegetarian by choice, I don't always thoroughly read ingredients lists on things (although I try to avoid gelatine as much as possible).
Mum and Dad are happily meat eaters, and I am not one to try and change the ways of others (well, unless it is subtly, by example...). So what does a metatarian cook when a vegetarian is under her roof?
Mum has been doing very well at coming up with some nice alternatives: things where I can just pile red kidney beans on the side (rosemary roasted veggies: onion, beetroot, potato, sweet potato, chunks of pumpkin - YUM) or something like that. Naturally the ubiquitous stirfry with cubed tofu has made an appearance - always a classic.
But last night, she made gado gado salad, which is apparently Indonesian. We had it with hard boiled eggs, but it would be easy to veganise (or meatatise - Mum and Dad has spicy chicken on the side).
GADO GADO SALAD:
For the dressing:
1/3 cup of crunchy peanut butter or tahini
2 Tbs light soy sauce
1 Tbs finely chopped spring onion / shallots
1/2 - 1 tsp freshly grated ginger, depending on your personal gingeriness
1 clove of garlic, crushed
1 red chilli, sliced
2 tsp caster sugar
1 Tbs white vinegar
1 Tbs water if the mixture is too thick.
Simply mix these ingredients, and leave for about an hour.
Then pour it over any combinations of the following:
Baby romaine leaves (or adult leaves but chopped up)
4 sliced hard boiled eggs
Stemaed asparagus
Steamed green beans
Slices of red or green peppers
Ribbons of carrot
Slices of cucumber
Bean sprouts or pea shoots
Sliced cold cooked potatoes
Fresh coriander, chopped (cilantro)
Yeah baby. Dry fry some crushed peanuts and serve them over the top for a nice extra crunch.
This was the optimal summer salad, because you essentially use the sauce to tie together whatever cold things are in the fridge. I like those meals, they're my favourites!
For many *many* years, I was simply a picky meat eater then I finally made the (not very big) plunge and became an official vegetarian. Admittedly, I am vegetarian by choice, I don't always thoroughly read ingredients lists on things (although I try to avoid gelatine as much as possible).
Mum and Dad are happily meat eaters, and I am not one to try and change the ways of others (well, unless it is subtly, by example...). So what does a metatarian cook when a vegetarian is under her roof?
Mum has been doing very well at coming up with some nice alternatives: things where I can just pile red kidney beans on the side (rosemary roasted veggies: onion, beetroot, potato, sweet potato, chunks of pumpkin - YUM) or something like that. Naturally the ubiquitous stirfry with cubed tofu has made an appearance - always a classic.
But last night, she made gado gado salad, which is apparently Indonesian. We had it with hard boiled eggs, but it would be easy to veganise (or meatatise - Mum and Dad has spicy chicken on the side).
GADO GADO SALAD:
For the dressing:
1/3 cup of crunchy peanut butter or tahini
2 Tbs light soy sauce
1 Tbs finely chopped spring onion / shallots
1/2 - 1 tsp freshly grated ginger, depending on your personal gingeriness
1 clove of garlic, crushed
1 red chilli, sliced
2 tsp caster sugar
1 Tbs white vinegar
1 Tbs water if the mixture is too thick.
Simply mix these ingredients, and leave for about an hour.
Then pour it over any combinations of the following:
Baby romaine leaves (or adult leaves but chopped up)
4 sliced hard boiled eggs
Stemaed asparagus
Steamed green beans
Slices of red or green peppers
Ribbons of carrot
Slices of cucumber
Bean sprouts or pea shoots
Sliced cold cooked potatoes
Fresh coriander, chopped (cilantro)
Yeah baby. Dry fry some crushed peanuts and serve them over the top for a nice extra crunch.
This was the optimal summer salad, because you essentially use the sauce to tie together whatever cold things are in the fridge. I like those meals, they're my favourites!
Hasselback potatoes ... or potato beetles!
The other night when I caught up with my uni friends for a completely ace veggie lasgane, Nic asked me if my Mum still made those excellent crunchy potatoes. Mmm. They are good.
I told a white lie to Nic and said we called them Beetles, now I realise I was completely wrong about that. Although Jennifer Schmoo does, and I very much like her recipes: (just scroll down to Wednesday, September 7, 2005).
My Mum actually calls them Hasselback potatoes. I googled hasselbacks, and yes - that does seem to be a common name for them.
But here is the recipe my Mum always uses:
10 medium potatoes
1/2 cup oil
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
Peelt he potatoes, trim to a smooth, rounded shape. Cut a thin slice from the base of each potato so they will sit flat (I think Schmoo just cuts them in half, which seems a bit easier to me). Using a sharp knife, carefully make cuts about 3 mm apart from the top nearly through to the smooth base. Place the flat side down in a baking dish, and brush them with the oil. Bake them in a moderate oven for 40 minutes, brushing occasioanlly with oil during cooking time. Sprinkle with parmesan cheese and bake them for another 20 minutes until the potatoes are crisp on the outside and tender on the inside.
They really are yum - even without the parmesan they are oh so crispy goodness. Mum (and I) were both a bit amazed that Nic remembered those potatoes, it would have been about ten years ago I guess ...
Some people have the most amazing memories!
I told a white lie to Nic and said we called them Beetles, now I realise I was completely wrong about that. Although Jennifer Schmoo does, and I very much like her recipes: (just scroll down to Wednesday, September 7, 2005).
My Mum actually calls them Hasselback potatoes. I googled hasselbacks, and yes - that does seem to be a common name for them.
But here is the recipe my Mum always uses:
10 medium potatoes
1/2 cup oil
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
Peelt he potatoes, trim to a smooth, rounded shape. Cut a thin slice from the base of each potato so they will sit flat (I think Schmoo just cuts them in half, which seems a bit easier to me). Using a sharp knife, carefully make cuts about 3 mm apart from the top nearly through to the smooth base. Place the flat side down in a baking dish, and brush them with the oil. Bake them in a moderate oven for 40 minutes, brushing occasioanlly with oil during cooking time. Sprinkle with parmesan cheese and bake them for another 20 minutes until the potatoes are crisp on the outside and tender on the inside.
They really are yum - even without the parmesan they are oh so crispy goodness. Mum (and I) were both a bit amazed that Nic remembered those potatoes, it would have been about ten years ago I guess ...
Some people have the most amazing memories!
Subiaco
I have clocked up a lot of time at Subiaco over the years. When Sox and I first got together his apartment was in Subiaco. I have gigged at Subiaco Oval on many occasions. I have done my shopping at the food markets there. I have sampled pretty much every single flat white along Rokeby Road over the years. I have even had one night at the Subiaco Hotel, which shall never be repeated (running into your ex's ex is never great at the best of times, but when she has just become an ex again it's even worse. Curse her and that Strongbow cider).
In other words, I wanted to see how Subiaco was travelling.
The Station Street Markets are half demolished, but the other half is thriving. Happily, this meant the Galette place was still doing a roaring trade! I very much enjoyed my cheese and tomato galette for $4.50. All crispy cheddar goodness. Mmm.
The techno music was slightly unfathomable in an outdoor market food court, but far be it for me to judge.
The Pavillion Markets (the first and only time I worked in retail) seem to be closed completely, I suspect they will be bulldozed flat and made into townhouses or some such. Subi likes its modern living.
Elizabeth's Second hand bookstore actually failed to deliver any surprise Enid Blyton Famous Five books for Simo (oops, there's THAT secret Chistmas present out) as it seems to be selling a lot more import and overflow books, which to me kinda isn't the "second hand" concept to fruition. But I like walking past there because I *always* end up singing the Missing Garden Gnomes song. ("What is she reading? Turning over pages. How is she feeling? She hasn't moved in ages ... ")
And Gelare! Yay! One scoop of choc chip cookie dough icecream please! Every bit as good as I remember.
Mental note: must go to gym again.
I also went on the hunt for a cd by a friend of ours, and failed miserably. Even 78's downtown didn't have it. Nice construction site by the way. Apparently everything in Perth is being rebuilt.
My camera battery died while hovering above my galette, so I bought a charger, and now have the fear about voltage. Is 240V ok? Must not blow up camera charger.
That's all. Big day. I took the train.
In other words, I wanted to see how Subiaco was travelling.
The Station Street Markets are half demolished, but the other half is thriving. Happily, this meant the Galette place was still doing a roaring trade! I very much enjoyed my cheese and tomato galette for $4.50. All crispy cheddar goodness. Mmm.
The techno music was slightly unfathomable in an outdoor market food court, but far be it for me to judge.
The Pavillion Markets (the first and only time I worked in retail) seem to be closed completely, I suspect they will be bulldozed flat and made into townhouses or some such. Subi likes its modern living.
Elizabeth's Second hand bookstore actually failed to deliver any surprise Enid Blyton Famous Five books for Simo (oops, there's THAT secret Chistmas present out) as it seems to be selling a lot more import and overflow books, which to me kinda isn't the "second hand" concept to fruition. But I like walking past there because I *always* end up singing the Missing Garden Gnomes song. ("What is she reading? Turning over pages. How is she feeling? She hasn't moved in ages ... ")
And Gelare! Yay! One scoop of choc chip cookie dough icecream please! Every bit as good as I remember.
Mental note: must go to gym again.
I also went on the hunt for a cd by a friend of ours, and failed miserably. Even 78's downtown didn't have it. Nice construction site by the way. Apparently everything in Perth is being rebuilt.
My camera battery died while hovering above my galette, so I bought a charger, and now have the fear about voltage. Is 240V ok? Must not blow up camera charger.
That's all. Big day. I took the train.
First Contact
So, one of the hardest parts about returning to somewhere you used to live is it helps you find out where you stand with people.
I have emailed about 10 separate units of friends (some singles, some couples, some family groups) about catching up while I am here.
Three replies were uber-enthusiastic - hurrah, can't wait, is NOW good for you? Made me feel wonderful!
Another three were "Cool - how does about two weeks from now sound?"
The rest are awaiting any reply at all. Which could easily mean I do not have up to date email addresses. But they didn't bounce ...
It's a little bit humbling. It's not like the complete world revolves around me, of course I know that (although sometimes I wonder WHY NOT?) but these were people who I really have clocked up a lot of time with in the past. I would have thought there was a bit more enthusiasm. Sigh. poor me, not as popular as I think I am ...
;)
I have emailed about 10 separate units of friends (some singles, some couples, some family groups) about catching up while I am here.
Three replies were uber-enthusiastic - hurrah, can't wait, is NOW good for you? Made me feel wonderful!
Another three were "Cool - how does about two weeks from now sound?"
The rest are awaiting any reply at all. Which could easily mean I do not have up to date email addresses. But they didn't bounce ...
It's a little bit humbling. It's not like the complete world revolves around me, of course I know that (although sometimes I wonder WHY NOT?) but these were people who I really have clocked up a lot of time with in the past. I would have thought there was a bit more enthusiasm. Sigh. poor me, not as popular as I think I am ...
;)
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Archery # 1
So, one of the things that my Dad loves is archery. He is an instructor and avid shooter at a local club. As a good bonding experience, I asked if I could come along and learn. Dad was more than pleased.
In fact, he was so pleased that he taught me even though it was the one Saturday a month that they don't teach at all. I love my Dad. Sacrificing his own shooting time. He has a clout competition tomorrow too.
Anyway, I tried archery once before, when I was about 7 and (who knows why?) it was an activity one day at primary school. Because that's smart: giving a full class of small children bows and arrows and presuming they'll all point them in the same direction. I was so short that I would just plonk the bottom of the bow on the ground and the arrow prettymuch found the target on it's own.
In other words, I didn't have high hopes that I would be any good. My target was 10 metres away, and I used the standard recurve bow (RH Bow #5, which I need to remember for next week). Happily for me, I wasn't dreadful. It was amazing how similar "learning" is across different activities: it shared much with juggling. Dad was able to show me why I was going wide, help me bring my right elbow down, and I need to work on how I place my left hand on the bow, as I was using my muscles to work things, not my skeleton. And just like juggling, after one hour I was ready to sit and watch. No stamina, me. Muscles like pipe cleaners.
Not only do I have muscles like pipe cleaners, but I also have uber-bendy elbows. If I practiced, that would lead to some rather ace juggling tricks (Eric's Extension, anyone?) Guess what uber-bendy elbows are bad for? Yup, archery. My left elbow got in the way of the bowstring launching the arrow. Which means I completely spanked the inside of my elbow. It's got the most excellent oval-shaped bruise that I keep poking. Kinda feels like carpet burns. I'm hoping for a little bit of puss tomorrow.
We were so excited that my last arrow scored a ten that we both forgot to take any photos of me in action. So here's one of my Dad afterwards (with compound bow, aiming at 35 meteres at an 80 cm target):
And here is one of me wearing a rather lovely hat. One of the things I wanted to pack, but didn't bother. I regret that. I think I'll commandeer Dad's hat for the rest of this trip.
Yeah baby.
In fact, he was so pleased that he taught me even though it was the one Saturday a month that they don't teach at all. I love my Dad. Sacrificing his own shooting time. He has a clout competition tomorrow too.
Anyway, I tried archery once before, when I was about 7 and (who knows why?) it was an activity one day at primary school. Because that's smart: giving a full class of small children bows and arrows and presuming they'll all point them in the same direction. I was so short that I would just plonk the bottom of the bow on the ground and the arrow prettymuch found the target on it's own.
In other words, I didn't have high hopes that I would be any good. My target was 10 metres away, and I used the standard recurve bow (RH Bow #5, which I need to remember for next week). Happily for me, I wasn't dreadful. It was amazing how similar "learning" is across different activities: it shared much with juggling. Dad was able to show me why I was going wide, help me bring my right elbow down, and I need to work on how I place my left hand on the bow, as I was using my muscles to work things, not my skeleton. And just like juggling, after one hour I was ready to sit and watch. No stamina, me. Muscles like pipe cleaners.
Not only do I have muscles like pipe cleaners, but I also have uber-bendy elbows. If I practiced, that would lead to some rather ace juggling tricks (Eric's Extension, anyone?) Guess what uber-bendy elbows are bad for? Yup, archery. My left elbow got in the way of the bowstring launching the arrow. Which means I completely spanked the inside of my elbow. It's got the most excellent oval-shaped bruise that I keep poking. Kinda feels like carpet burns. I'm hoping for a little bit of puss tomorrow.
We were so excited that my last arrow scored a ten that we both forgot to take any photos of me in action. So here's one of my Dad afterwards (with compound bow, aiming at 35 meteres at an 80 cm target):
And here is one of me wearing a rather lovely hat. One of the things I wanted to pack, but didn't bother. I regret that. I think I'll commandeer Dad's hat for the rest of this trip.
Yeah baby.
Flat White # 2
A continuing theme ...
Today was my second flat white and florentine extravaganza. Mmm. This time, with my Mum. I like my Mum. I love my Mum!
We had an ace visit with Grandma after lunch, and decided to drive to the local tourist venue: Hillarys Boat Harbour. It's close to Mum and Dad's house, free to park and wander around, and there's always something interesting going on. Indeed, about twelve years ago my busking career started and ended there. The world is a better place for it, I must say.
Anyway, I digress. Hillarys has been renovating after a fire left areas gutted, and it obviously chose to use the opportunity to expand. Didn't seem necessary, but I'm sure they have their reasons. Now, you can use a bridge to get to the marina buildings. Apparently the bridge raises when a boat needs to go past - which isn't often: the only boats it's penned in are ones for sale, and I swear it's the same boats from my busking days.
Anyway - lovely walk around, and Mum finally let me buy her something: a flat white and a florentine.
This was from the Sorrento Beach Cafe, or something like that. Flat white was creamy, but with a tiny bit of fluff on top - it was insignificant enough that I just stirred it in. Aren't I brave? Florentine was excellently home-made, a little bit burnt, but the chocolate hid it well. There were whole cherries in this one, not just pieces. They gave us forks to eat our florentines with, which didn't work at all. Atmosphere was brilliant: I was with my Mum, so good company, comfy chairs, pretty view, rather good all round.
Today was my second flat white and florentine extravaganza. Mmm. This time, with my Mum. I like my Mum. I love my Mum!
We had an ace visit with Grandma after lunch, and decided to drive to the local tourist venue: Hillarys Boat Harbour. It's close to Mum and Dad's house, free to park and wander around, and there's always something interesting going on. Indeed, about twelve years ago my busking career started and ended there. The world is a better place for it, I must say.
Anyway, I digress. Hillarys has been renovating after a fire left areas gutted, and it obviously chose to use the opportunity to expand. Didn't seem necessary, but I'm sure they have their reasons. Now, you can use a bridge to get to the marina buildings. Apparently the bridge raises when a boat needs to go past - which isn't often: the only boats it's penned in are ones for sale, and I swear it's the same boats from my busking days.
Anyway - lovely walk around, and Mum finally let me buy her something: a flat white and a florentine.
This was from the Sorrento Beach Cafe, or something like that. Flat white was creamy, but with a tiny bit of fluff on top - it was insignificant enough that I just stirred it in. Aren't I brave? Florentine was excellently home-made, a little bit burnt, but the chocolate hid it well. There were whole cherries in this one, not just pieces. They gave us forks to eat our florentines with, which didn't work at all. Atmosphere was brilliant: I was with my Mum, so good company, comfy chairs, pretty view, rather good all round.
Critters
We all know I'm not great at photography, but here are some critters:
Pink and grey galahs
Magpie in a banksia tree
This one was kind of sad: a dove had made a nest in the dumbest place possible: on top of the little stereo Dad keeps on the porch in the backyard. Dove nests look so flimsy, literally a pile of sticks. Anyway, there were two little baby doves in there, all was well and happy but one day when we came home the stereo is on the ground and the nest had been dragged across the garden. No sign of the little dovelets, but I'm pretty sure there is a cat strutting around with a cheshire grin. The dove just keeps coming and sitting on the little shelf where it was raising its young ... on top of a stereo ... near the pool table.
Pink and grey galahs
Magpie in a banksia tree
This one was kind of sad: a dove had made a nest in the dumbest place possible: on top of the little stereo Dad keeps on the porch in the backyard. Dove nests look so flimsy, literally a pile of sticks. Anyway, there were two little baby doves in there, all was well and happy but one day when we came home the stereo is on the ground and the nest had been dragged across the garden. No sign of the little dovelets, but I'm pretty sure there is a cat strutting around with a cheshire grin. The dove just keeps coming and sitting on the little shelf where it was raising its young ... on top of a stereo ... near the pool table.
Glucojel
Al is pleased to announce that Glucojel jelly beans do not seem to have gelatin in them. Although, I haven't looked up the number ingredients ...
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Melody
I had the most excellent day today. I have stayed in quite close contact with two University friends. When I say "quite close", I mean they forgive me for never really emailing them. Any time I am in Perth (or they are in Vancouver), we always catch up and have a lovely natter.
One of them is a Mum, two-point-six-times over. That makes it doubly exciting each time I see them, as the kids have exploded beyond recognition. I've met T three times now, and she's five. FIVE. ALREADY. That freaked me out a little bit.
But that was what made it completely ace: T had made me a drawing. She wrote my name on it and everything: "aLLy". (My uni buddies all called me Ally) Here is the picture, I think you'll agree it's lovely.
The only weird thing was that once I got there, T insisted on calling me "Melody". No one has any idea where this has come from, but she prettymuch stuck to her guns.
I'm cool with that.
Random small child I hung out with a while ago called me "Girl" until I set him straight and told him to call me Al. He spent the rest of the evening calling me "Alvin and the Chipmunks".
One of them is a Mum, two-point-six-times over. That makes it doubly exciting each time I see them, as the kids have exploded beyond recognition. I've met T three times now, and she's five. FIVE. ALREADY. That freaked me out a little bit.
But that was what made it completely ace: T had made me a drawing. She wrote my name on it and everything: "aLLy". (My uni buddies all called me Ally) Here is the picture, I think you'll agree it's lovely.
The only weird thing was that once I got there, T insisted on calling me "Melody". No one has any idea where this has come from, but she prettymuch stuck to her guns.
I'm cool with that.
Random small child I hung out with a while ago called me "Girl" until I set him straight and told him to call me Al. He spent the rest of the evening calling me "Alvin and the Chipmunks".
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Flat White # 1
Mmm. One thing I completely miss in Canada is the noble flat white. The king of coffees. Well, more like the aristocratic and benevolent uncle. Rich, smooth, yet not all fluff like a cappucino. I really hate that fluff. I scrape it off. Who scrapes the fluff off a cappucino???
Yes, lattes are alright, but really, they are most certainly NOT a flat white.
Merely to prove a point, the very first flat white I had on this Australian trip was in a food court. Even FOOD COURTS allow for these supreme coffees.
While lining up for my flat white in the food court at Whitford City Shopping Centre (do I know how to have a good time or what?) I saw that they also sold FLORENTINES. Now, I had completely forgotten about florentines. Excellent cookie-biscuit things, florentines. Corn flakes, maraschino cherries (umm, how do you spell "maraschino"?), raisin/sultanas, peanuts and stuff, then the base is dipped in chocolate. Just to hold it all together. Chewy, each mouthful is different, and just generally yum.
It was about now that I decided to turn my flat white tasting extravaganza into a flat white and florentine tasting extravaganza.
So, today's verdict? Food court flat white was creamy, completely flat, but served with a plastic spoon which defintely downgrades it a bit. However, a damn fine return to form. The florentine: excellent, but if a biscuit could taste like it was mass-produced, this one was it. Atmosphere: well, food courty. During the school holidays, no less. I easily got a table to myself though, but the smell of Lynx body spray (Ax for those up North) was slightly disconcerting, and didn't really hide the hormones.
Mental note: Don't automatically put a sugar into Australian coffees, I may just be a wimp, but Canadian coffees tend to always taste burnt to me. I think "burnt" may just be "dark" and I have an unrefined palate, but I'm sticking to my burnt theory.
Yes, lattes are alright, but really, they are most certainly NOT a flat white.
Merely to prove a point, the very first flat white I had on this Australian trip was in a food court. Even FOOD COURTS allow for these supreme coffees.
While lining up for my flat white in the food court at Whitford City Shopping Centre (do I know how to have a good time or what?) I saw that they also sold FLORENTINES. Now, I had completely forgotten about florentines. Excellent cookie-biscuit things, florentines. Corn flakes, maraschino cherries (umm, how do you spell "maraschino"?), raisin/sultanas, peanuts and stuff, then the base is dipped in chocolate. Just to hold it all together. Chewy, each mouthful is different, and just generally yum.
It was about now that I decided to turn my flat white tasting extravaganza into a flat white and florentine tasting extravaganza.
So, today's verdict? Food court flat white was creamy, completely flat, but served with a plastic spoon which defintely downgrades it a bit. However, a damn fine return to form. The florentine: excellent, but if a biscuit could taste like it was mass-produced, this one was it. Atmosphere: well, food courty. During the school holidays, no less. I easily got a table to myself though, but the smell of Lynx body spray (Ax for those up North) was slightly disconcerting, and didn't really hide the hormones.
Mental note: Don't automatically put a sugar into Australian coffees, I may just be a wimp, but Canadian coffees tend to always taste burnt to me. I think "burnt" may just be "dark" and I have an unrefined palate, but I'm sticking to my burnt theory.
Monday, October 6, 2008
Slave to Fashion
Sometimes, I surprise myself. I was really so proud at how efficiently I had packed. Really - all bases covered. Bathers, umbrella, colour coordinated handbags - I was ready for everything.
Except that I forgot one thing. I get cold easily.
Mum and Dad's house is designed to release heat. This is very sensible in an Australian summer, as the last thing you want is heat hanging around. There's enough of that outside.
Need I mention it's not summer?
I am a complete wimp. Utterly. Totally wimpy. I take it to new levels. Especially after the non-activity of sitting on an airplane for days, that tends to leave my circulation somewhat ... lacking.
In other words, I had not expected I would be wearing so many layers all the time. It is amazing how quickly one runs out of clean clothes when each day one is wearing two or three days worth.
So, because my Mum rocks completely and happily adapts to my quirks, we visited the Salvation Army second hand store. It rocks. It's HUGE. And she was happy just wandering around while I scoured the racks for layerable clothing items.
I was successful. Bearing in mind my clothing quirks (it must be recycled or organic. It must be a natural fabric. I must be able to throw it in the washing machine - no special care allowed - no ironing, no light coloured laundry. It must go with my other clothes. I must be able to dress it up or down. etc etc etc - picky picky) I did very well. I managed a new pair of light brown corduroy pants which fit me perfectly, as well as two new jumpers (sweaters) - a blue one and a mauve one. I can happily put any of these with any of the other clothes I have brought on this trip. This means as well that I can happily integrate them into my full wardrobe in Vancouver as well. Because, basically the only things I left behind were my work suits.
Except that I forgot one thing. I get cold easily.
Mum and Dad's house is designed to release heat. This is very sensible in an Australian summer, as the last thing you want is heat hanging around. There's enough of that outside.
Need I mention it's not summer?
I am a complete wimp. Utterly. Totally wimpy. I take it to new levels. Especially after the non-activity of sitting on an airplane for days, that tends to leave my circulation somewhat ... lacking.
In other words, I had not expected I would be wearing so many layers all the time. It is amazing how quickly one runs out of clean clothes when each day one is wearing two or three days worth.
So, because my Mum rocks completely and happily adapts to my quirks, we visited the Salvation Army second hand store. It rocks. It's HUGE. And she was happy just wandering around while I scoured the racks for layerable clothing items.
I was successful. Bearing in mind my clothing quirks (it must be recycled or organic. It must be a natural fabric. I must be able to throw it in the washing machine - no special care allowed - no ironing, no light coloured laundry. It must go with my other clothes. I must be able to dress it up or down. etc etc etc - picky picky) I did very well. I managed a new pair of light brown corduroy pants which fit me perfectly, as well as two new jumpers (sweaters) - a blue one and a mauve one. I can happily put any of these with any of the other clothes I have brought on this trip. This means as well that I can happily integrate them into my full wardrobe in Vancouver as well. Because, basically the only things I left behind were my work suits.
Saturday, October 4, 2008
aFoxaBroad
So, like the ambiguous title? Yeah, things like that always seem like a good idea at the time.
A random blog, meant to be the start of something much larger, hopefully large enough that I will regret choosing this name.
At least this time, I should remember the password, so I can keep updating it!
A random blog, meant to be the start of something much larger, hopefully large enough that I will regret choosing this name.
At least this time, I should remember the password, so I can keep updating it!
Fashion packing
I am so anal, but at least I acknowledge it.
I love packing small. Really. But I still love having access to everything I could possibly need on a trip. This leads to a generally interesting quandry of trying to meet both worlds.
Meet my bag:
I *heart* MEC products. Everything about that store rocks my world.
This bag fits as cabin luggage on international flights. Thus, my aim was to fit everything I would need for a three week Springtime visit to my home town in this one bag. Yes, I made it.
I have many clothing requirements, which I shall expand on at a future time. Essentially, I am trying to get the most mileage out of the least items. That's me, trying to do my part for having a smaller eco footprint. As an extra challenge, I want everything to be either organic or recycled. But it must still go with everything else so I can get the most variety out of the least items. I want things that I can toss into one load of washing in the machine, so I never have to worry about lights-and-darks, or dry cleaning. Et cetera, you get the idea. Like I said, I'm anal.
So, in my magical 35 Litre MEC Shuttle bag, I packed:
1 pair of organic navy trousers
1 recycled brown skirt
1 recycled black velvet jacket
5 organic tops of various descriptions
3 recycled tops
(all tops are in colours that can be layered, or matched with any of the bases I brought)
8 pairs of organic black socks
8 organic hankies
Random assortment of unmentionables which are neither organic or recycled, because I need "functional"
1 pair of sneakers
1 pair of Fluevogs (no, they're not recycled or organic, but they will last forever, are not sweatshop made, and can be resoled when required)
Pashminas and scarves: none of them are organic, but most are recycled. I think I packed 5 in total, that I can wear round my neck, head, as a wrap, etc. Whatever is required. Very versatile, scarves. I like scarves a lot.
1 pair of organic gym pants
Bathers, goggles, travel towel
An empty water bottle: this is the best thing ever to pack: you won't get through any customs with water in it, but for hanging around in airports or just on a day out I need to have water and I don't wish to buy it in plastic bottles. Saves money and the environment.
Three little handbags: my standard tiny one for just wandering to the store and back (with umbrella, keys, hankies, etc - normal Al stuff) and two larger bags that are neither recycled nor organic but bought at the Portobello West markets from the woman who made them - they are well made and will last forever. One is brown, one is navy - matching my two bases nicely.
Please note all my accessories are black: black shoes, lack jacket, black pendant on silver chain, black and silver ring ... Easy.
I also packed Christmas presents, and plan to use the gift space on the return journey to bring back some books, cds, maybe even the Doctor Who season 4 box set if I can find it ...
All that in 35 litres. It was brilliant going through customs and just walking away before anybody else had joined the queue - they were still waiting for their bags. HA!
Update: I had planned to pack an extra pair of pants (my green corduroys) and a black jumper, but I suspect they are still sitting neatly folded on my bed or something, because they definitely aren't here. Oops. Not a failsafe plan, then. Tiem to go to the Salvos, I think.
I also forgot to pack a hat. never come to Australia without a hat. Daft idea, that. Happily, Dad seems fine with me borrowing one of his.
I meant to pack a reusable shopping bag, and obviously forgot. That's disappointing. It's like the water bottle - just a useful thing to have.
I love packing small. Really. But I still love having access to everything I could possibly need on a trip. This leads to a generally interesting quandry of trying to meet both worlds.
Meet my bag:
I *heart* MEC products. Everything about that store rocks my world.
This bag fits as cabin luggage on international flights. Thus, my aim was to fit everything I would need for a three week Springtime visit to my home town in this one bag. Yes, I made it.
I have many clothing requirements, which I shall expand on at a future time. Essentially, I am trying to get the most mileage out of the least items. That's me, trying to do my part for having a smaller eco footprint. As an extra challenge, I want everything to be either organic or recycled. But it must still go with everything else so I can get the most variety out of the least items. I want things that I can toss into one load of washing in the machine, so I never have to worry about lights-and-darks, or dry cleaning. Et cetera, you get the idea. Like I said, I'm anal.
So, in my magical 35 Litre MEC Shuttle bag, I packed:
1 pair of organic navy trousers
1 recycled brown skirt
1 recycled black velvet jacket
5 organic tops of various descriptions
3 recycled tops
(all tops are in colours that can be layered, or matched with any of the bases I brought)
8 pairs of organic black socks
8 organic hankies
Random assortment of unmentionables which are neither organic or recycled, because I need "functional"
1 pair of sneakers
1 pair of Fluevogs (no, they're not recycled or organic, but they will last forever, are not sweatshop made, and can be resoled when required)
Pashminas and scarves: none of them are organic, but most are recycled. I think I packed 5 in total, that I can wear round my neck, head, as a wrap, etc. Whatever is required. Very versatile, scarves. I like scarves a lot.
1 pair of organic gym pants
Bathers, goggles, travel towel
An empty water bottle: this is the best thing ever to pack: you won't get through any customs with water in it, but for hanging around in airports or just on a day out I need to have water and I don't wish to buy it in plastic bottles. Saves money and the environment.
Three little handbags: my standard tiny one for just wandering to the store and back (with umbrella, keys, hankies, etc - normal Al stuff) and two larger bags that are neither recycled nor organic but bought at the Portobello West markets from the woman who made them - they are well made and will last forever. One is brown, one is navy - matching my two bases nicely.
Please note all my accessories are black: black shoes, lack jacket, black pendant on silver chain, black and silver ring ... Easy.
I also packed Christmas presents, and plan to use the gift space on the return journey to bring back some books, cds, maybe even the Doctor Who season 4 box set if I can find it ...
All that in 35 litres. It was brilliant going through customs and just walking away before anybody else had joined the queue - they were still waiting for their bags. HA!
Update: I had planned to pack an extra pair of pants (my green corduroys) and a black jumper, but I suspect they are still sitting neatly folded on my bed or something, because they definitely aren't here. Oops. Not a failsafe plan, then. Tiem to go to the Salvos, I think.
I also forgot to pack a hat. never come to Australia without a hat. Daft idea, that. Happily, Dad seems fine with me borrowing one of his.
I meant to pack a reusable shopping bag, and obviously forgot. That's disappointing. It's like the water bottle - just a useful thing to have.
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