That question meme
Jul. 15th, 2010 12:35 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
labellementeuseLeave a comment saying "Harmony" (or "Drusilla" or your favourite vampire name, or "Sassy" or your favourite ship name. Sassy, by the way, is the pairing smoosh for Sam/Castiel, and I think it is HILARIOUS. It goes so well with their matching bitchfaces.)
- I'll respond by asking you five questions.
- Update your journal with the answers to your questions.
- Include this explanation and offer to ask other people questions.
I got questions from![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
sixth_light and lady_larla.
1. What are you most excited about in terms of entering The Real World (on the basis that study is not the real world WHICH IT IS but anyhow)?
A regular paycheck. A full-time job I plan to be in long enough to get sickleave. Having colleagues? Hopefully being able to afford some nicer things. Being able to start saving for my Ultimate Career Goal, which I'm pleased to announce in this space for the first time: After working in New Zealand for a couple years I plan to try to get a job overseas, work there for several years, come back here and start a small publishing company focusing on Young Adult fiction. So I guess I'm looking forward both to moving overseas and coming back.
But probably the big thing I'm looking forward to is doing something productive. Making something, several somethings, BOOKLIKE somethings, in a year.
2. What are you most not excited about, re: above?
Being in a single job for several years at a time. Haha. But I think there'll be enough variety that it won't be that bad actually. Publishing apparently expects to hire people for the seriously long term (i.e. Decades) and they're not all crazy, so ...
3. What's the best new book you've read this year?
You sure know how to ask the tough questions! Favourite older (by publication date) book: Cold Comfort Farm, by Stella Gibbons. Favourite book by a New Zealander: Guardian of the Dead, by Karen Healey. Favourite YA book: Eighth-Grade Super Zero, by Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich. Favourite genre: Kindred, by Octavia E. Butler. Favourite graphic novel: Hicksville, by Dylan Horrocks. Favourite fiction: Tie between The Rehearsal by Ellie Catton and Prodigal Summer by Barbara Kingsolver. Favourite book published this year: A Wizard of Mars, by Diane Duane. Favourite non-fiction: Hons and Rebels, by Jessica Mitford.
4. How do you deal with all the crazy on the New Zealand 'nets since Chadwick's bill became news?
I only go to the Hand Mirror and they control their comments in such a way that it's not a pit. Elsewhere I don't read comments and I make extensive use of the back-button.
5. What's the best meal you cooked in the last month?
Toughie! I made a good leek & potato pie the other day but I've already posted the recipe to that one. Erm ... I made a lot of stuff this month that is reliable boring stuff that I've made before. OK! Sunday night I made honey chicken. This is an old family stand-by that you've eaten a lot, actually, because I used to ask for it every birthday.
Marilyn's Honey Chicken
Ingredients:
Two large dessert spoons of butter
Two or three large spoons of honey (cheap as you like)
Seeded mustard – two large spoons again
1 tablespoon soy sauce
Chicken pieces – drumsticks or thighs
Method:
1. Begin preheating oven to 220 degrees
2. Melt butter and honey together
3. Pile in a tonne of seeded mustard and a tablespoon or so of soy sauce – at this point the mixture should be thick but still runny. Alternatively, I haven't tried this, you could try a dark vinegar, balsamic might be nice, or a rice vinegar. I think crushed and finely chopped garlic might be a nice addition here too.
4. Marinade the chicken in the mixture in a flat, oven-safe pan (ideally you want a glass roasting dish) while the oven pre-heats.
5. Bake the chicken, turning frequently (10-15 minutes) for about 45 minutes. May take up to an hour depending on your chicken. Chicken is done when the juices run clear. People like to be paranoid with chicken, so if you're not sure, slice in and check. You can always serve yourself that piece if you care about appearances (I do not.)
6. Serve with rice and salad.
My Best Salad Dressing
My mother, sister, and I all have our own spins on this basic vinaigrette. Probably some of you are insulted by me posting it but I have come to realise that not everyone learned how to make a salad dressing from their mother (my brothers and father, for example, all good cooks or in the case of one brother at least a decent cook who can follow a recipe, can't do this at all.)
1. Crush 1-2 cloves of garlic, peel, and chop very finely. Add to
2. 2 parts extra-virgin olive oil, one part balsamic vinegar
3. A heaped teaspoon of seeded mustard (depending on how much liquid you started with)
4. Salt and black pepper
5. Optional: a teaspoon of honey. I highly recommend this for spinach salads.
6. Emulsify yum yum yum (this involves using a fork or whisk to whip the oil and vinegar together, or chucking it in a small jar – this is the ideal usage for a left-over mustard jar, by the way, we always have one lying around. It's also storage in case you make too much!)
I like this dressing over just about any kind of salad except potato. And actually it might be good on potato too but I'd use a lot more mustard, I guess. It's good on coleslaw too. IDK posting recipes for this kind of thing is always a bit dodgy because you can do whatever to them!
Best thing I baked lately: Smitten Kitchen's best cocoa brownies, which really are an excellent cocoa brownie.
1) If you could have coffee with any actress - who would you choose and what would you talk about?
Haha, I was just talking to L about how I wouldn't. I spent 2009 working at a drama school, which means I've now spent enough time with actors to do me for the rest of my life. Actors, basically, are horrible – I mean, that's not entirely true, and I'm sure there are actors who are interesting people, but I don't know any actor whose personality, as opposed to their roles (or body), has attracted me to them.
If you're asking who my favourite actor is... I still DK, but I'd do Eliza Dushku in a hot second.
2) What is the most un-put-down-able book you have read in the last 3 months ?
In June: The True Meaning of Smekday, by Adam Rex. In May: Mirror Dance, by Lois McMaster Bujold. In April: Fledgling, by Octavia E. Butler (but that was really hard, I had an amazing April!)
3) Seeing as we've been doing some Dr Who squeeing, if you could travel back in time to anywhere - where do you choose?
Do I get to move my location, too? If not, I want to go to one of the acoustic church tours Bic Runga did when I was in high school. If I get to move my location ... IDK, I'm basically a 21st century girl. A Simon & Garfunkel concert back when they still liked each other? I really don't know! I like reading about different eras but I wouldn't want to visit. I used to read these books by Karen Cushman (The Midwife's Apprentice, Catherine Called Birdy) that were all about how much the past sucked and they really convinced me, you know?
If I had to, though, I guess pretty far back, probably BCE. Roman empire just BCE? The library at Alexandria? Do a lightning tour of the seven wonders? Macedon under Alexander? Who knows.
4) Sarah Palin good for a laugh or good for a laugh while tearing your hair out?
Good for a laugh when Rachel Maddow is sending her up in fishing waders.
5) What 5 songs would you say were the soundtrack for your life?
Depends on what kind of film my life is! (This is a total cheat. You should see the playlist I whittled down to these songs.)
If my life were a quirky/awkward/queer indie film:
1. Rilo Kiley – A Better Son/Daughter
2. Tegan & Sara – City Girl
3. Belle & Sebastian – Dear Catastrophe Waitress
4. Dar Williams – Another Mystery
5. Rosy Tin Teacaddy - Crosswords
my quirky/awkward life .rar
(Cinematically a cross between Juno and And Then Came Lola or, um, Anyone But Me. YT plays an awkward bisexual chick. There are lots of strong female friendships. Also, I'm making up a romance because it's my goddamn fake movie about my life, OK? Title: Out The Window)
If my life was a bit more mainstream sitcom/drama:
1. Bloc Party – Waiting for the 7:18
2. Anika Moa – Falling In Love Again
3. P!nk – Leave Me Alone (I'm Lonely)
4. Barenaked Ladies – Call & Answer
5. Sandi Thom – I Wish I Was A Punk Rocker
my sitcom/drama life .rar
(This is a 30-minute TV show. A group of students and young professionals living in a small city look for purpose, a career, and romance. Drama derived from people dating their friends too often and comedy derived from small-city slapstick. My sister would be in this one. Title: probably Weekend In The City.)
But I'm pretty sure my life actually is:
1. Bic Runga – Making a Scene
2. Avenue Q – What Do You Do With A B. A. in English
3. Tegan & Sara – You Wouldn't Like Me
4. Simon & Garfunkel – A Most Peculiar Man
5. Belle & Sebastian – If You're Feeling Sinister
6. Cat Stevens – If You Want To Sing Out, Sing Out
my actual life .rar
(Well, you read my journal, you know what my life is like. It doesn't have a snappy title.)
That was so much fun imma do that other meme that I've never done: ask me anything. (Anon commenting is on at LJ and DW.) I don't promise to answer everything, but I'll at least think about it!
- I'll respond by asking you five questions.
- Update your journal with the answers to your questions.
- Include this explanation and offer to ask other people questions.
I got questions from
sixth_light and lady_larla.1. What are you most excited about in terms of entering The Real World (on the basis that study is not the real world WHICH IT IS but anyhow)?
A regular paycheck. A full-time job I plan to be in long enough to get sickleave. Having colleagues? Hopefully being able to afford some nicer things. Being able to start saving for my Ultimate Career Goal, which I'm pleased to announce in this space for the first time: After working in New Zealand for a couple years I plan to try to get a job overseas, work there for several years, come back here and start a small publishing company focusing on Young Adult fiction. So I guess I'm looking forward both to moving overseas and coming back.
But probably the big thing I'm looking forward to is doing something productive. Making something, several somethings, BOOKLIKE somethings, in a year.
2. What are you most not excited about, re: above?
Being in a single job for several years at a time. Haha. But I think there'll be enough variety that it won't be that bad actually. Publishing apparently expects to hire people for the seriously long term (i.e. Decades) and they're not all crazy, so ...
3. What's the best new book you've read this year?
You sure know how to ask the tough questions! Favourite older (by publication date) book: Cold Comfort Farm, by Stella Gibbons. Favourite book by a New Zealander: Guardian of the Dead, by Karen Healey. Favourite YA book: Eighth-Grade Super Zero, by Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich. Favourite genre: Kindred, by Octavia E. Butler. Favourite graphic novel: Hicksville, by Dylan Horrocks. Favourite fiction: Tie between The Rehearsal by Ellie Catton and Prodigal Summer by Barbara Kingsolver. Favourite book published this year: A Wizard of Mars, by Diane Duane. Favourite non-fiction: Hons and Rebels, by Jessica Mitford.
4. How do you deal with all the crazy on the New Zealand 'nets since Chadwick's bill became news?
I only go to the Hand Mirror and they control their comments in such a way that it's not a pit. Elsewhere I don't read comments and I make extensive use of the back-button.
5. What's the best meal you cooked in the last month?
Toughie! I made a good leek & potato pie the other day but I've already posted the recipe to that one. Erm ... I made a lot of stuff this month that is reliable boring stuff that I've made before. OK! Sunday night I made honey chicken. This is an old family stand-by that you've eaten a lot, actually, because I used to ask for it every birthday.
Marilyn's Honey Chicken
Ingredients:
Two large dessert spoons of butter
Two or three large spoons of honey (cheap as you like)
Seeded mustard – two large spoons again
1 tablespoon soy sauce
Chicken pieces – drumsticks or thighs
Method:
1. Begin preheating oven to 220 degrees
2. Melt butter and honey together
3. Pile in a tonne of seeded mustard and a tablespoon or so of soy sauce – at this point the mixture should be thick but still runny. Alternatively, I haven't tried this, you could try a dark vinegar, balsamic might be nice, or a rice vinegar. I think crushed and finely chopped garlic might be a nice addition here too.
4. Marinade the chicken in the mixture in a flat, oven-safe pan (ideally you want a glass roasting dish) while the oven pre-heats.
5. Bake the chicken, turning frequently (10-15 minutes) for about 45 minutes. May take up to an hour depending on your chicken. Chicken is done when the juices run clear. People like to be paranoid with chicken, so if you're not sure, slice in and check. You can always serve yourself that piece if you care about appearances (I do not.)
6. Serve with rice and salad.
My Best Salad Dressing
My mother, sister, and I all have our own spins on this basic vinaigrette. Probably some of you are insulted by me posting it but I have come to realise that not everyone learned how to make a salad dressing from their mother (my brothers and father, for example, all good cooks or in the case of one brother at least a decent cook who can follow a recipe, can't do this at all.)
1. Crush 1-2 cloves of garlic, peel, and chop very finely. Add to
2. 2 parts extra-virgin olive oil, one part balsamic vinegar
3. A heaped teaspoon of seeded mustard (depending on how much liquid you started with)
4. Salt and black pepper
5. Optional: a teaspoon of honey. I highly recommend this for spinach salads.
6. Emulsify yum yum yum (this involves using a fork or whisk to whip the oil and vinegar together, or chucking it in a small jar – this is the ideal usage for a left-over mustard jar, by the way, we always have one lying around. It's also storage in case you make too much!)
I like this dressing over just about any kind of salad except potato. And actually it might be good on potato too but I'd use a lot more mustard, I guess. It's good on coleslaw too. IDK posting recipes for this kind of thing is always a bit dodgy because you can do whatever to them!
Best thing I baked lately: Smitten Kitchen's best cocoa brownies, which really are an excellent cocoa brownie.
1) If you could have coffee with any actress - who would you choose and what would you talk about?
Haha, I was just talking to L about how I wouldn't. I spent 2009 working at a drama school, which means I've now spent enough time with actors to do me for the rest of my life. Actors, basically, are horrible – I mean, that's not entirely true, and I'm sure there are actors who are interesting people, but I don't know any actor whose personality, as opposed to their roles (or body), has attracted me to them.
If you're asking who my favourite actor is... I still DK, but I'd do Eliza Dushku in a hot second.
2) What is the most un-put-down-able book you have read in the last 3 months ?
In June: The True Meaning of Smekday, by Adam Rex. In May: Mirror Dance, by Lois McMaster Bujold. In April: Fledgling, by Octavia E. Butler (but that was really hard, I had an amazing April!)
3) Seeing as we've been doing some Dr Who squeeing, if you could travel back in time to anywhere - where do you choose?
Do I get to move my location, too? If not, I want to go to one of the acoustic church tours Bic Runga did when I was in high school. If I get to move my location ... IDK, I'm basically a 21st century girl. A Simon & Garfunkel concert back when they still liked each other? I really don't know! I like reading about different eras but I wouldn't want to visit. I used to read these books by Karen Cushman (The Midwife's Apprentice, Catherine Called Birdy) that were all about how much the past sucked and they really convinced me, you know?
If I had to, though, I guess pretty far back, probably BCE. Roman empire just BCE? The library at Alexandria? Do a lightning tour of the seven wonders? Macedon under Alexander? Who knows.
4) Sarah Palin good for a laugh or good for a laugh while tearing your hair out?
Good for a laugh when Rachel Maddow is sending her up in fishing waders.
5) What 5 songs would you say were the soundtrack for your life?
Depends on what kind of film my life is! (This is a total cheat. You should see the playlist I whittled down to these songs.)
If my life were a quirky/awkward/queer indie film:
1. Rilo Kiley – A Better Son/Daughter
2. Tegan & Sara – City Girl
3. Belle & Sebastian – Dear Catastrophe Waitress
4. Dar Williams – Another Mystery
5. Rosy Tin Teacaddy - Crosswords
my quirky/awkward life .rar
(Cinematically a cross between Juno and And Then Came Lola or, um, Anyone But Me. YT plays an awkward bisexual chick. There are lots of strong female friendships. Also, I'm making up a romance because it's my goddamn fake movie about my life, OK? Title: Out The Window)
If my life was a bit more mainstream sitcom/drama:
1. Bloc Party – Waiting for the 7:18
2. Anika Moa – Falling In Love Again
3. P!nk – Leave Me Alone (I'm Lonely)
4. Barenaked Ladies – Call & Answer
5. Sandi Thom – I Wish I Was A Punk Rocker
my sitcom/drama life .rar
(This is a 30-minute TV show. A group of students and young professionals living in a small city look for purpose, a career, and romance. Drama derived from people dating their friends too often and comedy derived from small-city slapstick. My sister would be in this one. Title: probably Weekend In The City.)
But I'm pretty sure my life actually is:
1. Bic Runga – Making a Scene
2. Avenue Q – What Do You Do With A B. A. in English
3. Tegan & Sara – You Wouldn't Like Me
4. Simon & Garfunkel – A Most Peculiar Man
5. Belle & Sebastian – If You're Feeling Sinister
6. Cat Stevens – If You Want To Sing Out, Sing Out
my actual life .rar
(Well, you read my journal, you know what my life is like. It doesn't have a snappy title.)
That was so much fun imma do that other meme that I've never done: ask me anything. (Anon commenting is on at LJ and DW.) I don't promise to answer everything, but I'll at least think about it!
no subject
Date: 2010-07-17 06:36 pm (UTC)