tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-55315921913571716582024-03-14T16:44:51.946+10:30NothingStuff.no-onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01166048458762333739noreply@blogger.comBlogger72125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5531592191357171658.post-13918530756172107082016-07-01T09:10:00.000+09:302016-07-01T09:10:33.386+09:30Another day, another scam<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
This one claims to be from Telstra. And it was so well done, when it hit my inbox, I actually looked at it for a second, and thought it was real. Then I remembered that the email address it came to is not the email address I use for billing purposes.<br />
It looks like this:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3zKeNS3VoFDVxoFzS_zi6CJBQdlxVK2sCDVWhFEDRiSGe6TlGUK_lmyAD1atK9JjxeXhK5tHANDZN67SVgbHKeERB1Shk-sxdz3Lao8r_Nnxqdyyl_C1xj8BkTasvHea9geRvEb_sOITU/s1600/Telstra+bill.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="555" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3zKeNS3VoFDVxoFzS_zi6CJBQdlxVK2sCDVWhFEDRiSGe6TlGUK_lmyAD1atK9JjxeXhK5tHANDZN67SVgbHKeERB1Shk-sxdz3Lao8r_Nnxqdyyl_C1xj8BkTasvHea9geRvEb_sOITU/s640/Telstra+bill.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
A quick google search of the email address it comes from revealed that yes, clicking on the link will infect your computer with a virus.<br />
This is the sender address:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOgZ-q3sZ7U33E1CHl6vyyDO5Ti8KzsmTdMcLqvssVXzWgpIB_9GgQ7dD1VLYtdtv_ccxw_LgF1GeHCRWITAlb-qYCMQ2FIxdLTy77m0mWRNyY2hPONC8GGoeklhU_24u4tmoF8WIIAx2n/s1600/telstra+bill+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="23" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOgZ-q3sZ7U33E1CHl6vyyDO5Ti8KzsmTdMcLqvssVXzWgpIB_9GgQ7dD1VLYtdtv_ccxw_LgF1GeHCRWITAlb-qYCMQ2FIxdLTy77m0mWRNyY2hPONC8GGoeklhU_24u4tmoF8WIIAx2n/s320/telstra+bill+2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Clever scammers, they've managed to actually include the name of the company in the address.<br />
<br />
As always, be careful and if you receive an email that looks like this, don't click anything. If you're really not sure, call Telstra and check your account. Stay computer safe!<br />
<br /></div>
no-onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01166048458762333739noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5531592191357171658.post-54860538011183832832016-06-23T15:41:00.000+09:302016-06-23T15:41:51.796+09:30Computer Virus PSA<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Well, it's been about *checks wrist where a watch would be, if I wore a watch* 4 years since my last post. I am making a brief return, and bringing with me a Public Service Announcement.<br />
<br />
You've probably heard about the Crypto Locker viruses that have been going around. You open a link, and all your files get locked. If you back up your stuff regularly, you may be fine. You can delete the locked files, and restore from your backup. If you don't the only way to get your files unlocked is to pay the bastards that sent you the link.<br />
<br />
The current one I've seen going around in Australia claims to be from AGL. Timely, since they've been in the news lately about how they'll be raising electricity prices again. When opened the email looks like this:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimQHWHKm2g9B51_oKgb-Jzq30NSqoNPHPdYVrpZBlNgWpJmyRNnYG0PbCGmrv-Aa3o67woiYx_xyAwJrd8zBuETHhMqQGpT35z3R6namPqhvBmyViZGxR0kjAMbAqxpkoxmNRS8FBHJhQn/s1600/Crypto.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimQHWHKm2g9B51_oKgb-Jzq30NSqoNPHPdYVrpZBlNgWpJmyRNnYG0PbCGmrv-Aa3o67woiYx_xyAwJrd8zBuETHhMqQGpT35z3R6namPqhvBmyViZGxR0kjAMbAqxpkoxmNRS8FBHJhQn/s1600/Crypto.JPG" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
And if you click those links to view your bill, or see more details, you'll infect your computer with the Crypto virus.<br />
<br />
If you look at the sender address, you will see it has nothing to do with AGL:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1_9iGPp7oEwSZ6GOPN6SY_yWMg1og1FaK_0RPpVMmoZ3SQesnueGLk5dbvYH4TBMGLDSLmRjQ-KPj-3FtYFXUpAnJkdS4lxG2vvt0XTY5tKIopFAVxrMRuN-7BJQkQm-gJsR4QsL9Lc7M/s1600/crypto+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="22" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1_9iGPp7oEwSZ6GOPN6SY_yWMg1og1FaK_0RPpVMmoZ3SQesnueGLk5dbvYH4TBMGLDSLmRjQ-KPj-3FtYFXUpAnJkdS4lxG2vvt0XTY5tKIopFAVxrMRuN-7BJQkQm-gJsR4QsL9Lc7M/s320/crypto+2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Sender addresses will vary, and sometimes they do try include the name of the company they're pretending to be from, but mostly they look pretty dodgy. But for a lot of people it's not something they routinely check, if they think the email is from someone they trust, or do business with.<br />
<br />
I have also seen emails claiming to be from Australia Post saying you have a package to collect, and from the Australian Federal Police, saying you have a fine to pay.<br />
<br />
Anyone can be fooled, so be careful, look at the sender address, and if you think something seems a bit off, don't click or download anything. Call the company directly, or send them email at an address you know you can trust - one you find on a bill, or their official website, and check if there really is a problem or deal you need to be told about.<br />
<br />
<span id="goog_1854132359"></span><span id="goog_1854132360"></span></div>
no-onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01166048458762333739noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5531592191357171658.post-60666279899202084992012-03-18T02:02:00.001+10:302012-03-18T02:06:55.551+10:30Faith Hill & Tim McGraw Concert<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">On Friday I went to the Tim McGraw & Faith Hill 2012 Australian Tour concert.<br />
<br />
<br />
For those of you who don't know, Tim and Faith are Country singers. New Country, not old style Country & Western. Faith has had a bit of a pop crossover as well (I'm sure just about all of you have heard "This Kiss" and "Breathe". Faith and Tim met many years ago, when they were support acts on a tour. They have now been married for a lot of years and have three daughters. They have toured together in the States, but this is their first time touring together in Australia. Adelaide was their first stop, and I bought tickets the day they went on sale.<br />
<br />
<br />
The concert was awesome.<br />
<br />
<br />
The opening act was a band from Texas who I had never heard of, The Eli Young Band. They were really good.<br />
<br />
<br />
As for the main event, Faith and Tim are excellent showpeople, knowing just how to play to the crowd.<br />
<br />
Faith came out first, singing some of her old songs, plus three new ones, from an album to be released later this year. When someone requested "It Matters To Me", which wasn't on her set list, she had to see if any of her band knew it, and when the piano player was able to play the music, she sang the first verse and chorus.<br />
<br />
<br />
At the end of her set, Tim joined her onstage for one of their duets, and as she was leaving he told us we'd all just heard the best singer in the world, his wife. And it's probably a rehearsed line that he'll say at every concert, and a lot of people won't agree, but it was still really sweet. <br />
<br />
Tim had a lot of energy on stage, joked with the crowd, played around, sang a mix of old and new songs. He ended his set with a song Faith sings backup on, and then they sang another duet.<br />
<br />
After leaving the stage they returned for one encore song. The song they sang, I Need You, is actually their one duet I don't care for, but they did sing it beautifully, and they seem to really enjoy and love each other, so the concert still ended on a positive note.<br />
<br />
<br />
Pictures and videos:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjURhPPfscUxjKgoCggvuU-tiUcSJ6ATWVtiBDq1MTXj8b_r8WdBlq_qlTuYXPU_d9ouCaA8g0bcIoMruxsw0aFwphlaowyqhdngq9feEc97keGXgEzahPaLKBGLVN6Y-jD3OqwIfL4fEOJ/s1600/IMG_0023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjURhPPfscUxjKgoCggvuU-tiUcSJ6ATWVtiBDq1MTXj8b_r8WdBlq_qlTuYXPU_d9ouCaA8g0bcIoMruxsw0aFwphlaowyqhdngq9feEc97keGXgEzahPaLKBGLVN6Y-jD3OqwIfL4fEOJ/s320/IMG_0023.JPG" width="240" /></a></div> My concert t-shirt <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4NjKFqDvdk_sEHz7-6WWGq1Sen7gIEKNOWXe6T-KAlKWNvZVZVq5pAMGHev0sWnPQ4jDrPC67mtG4-ySTchmw7Jiwl823wafHYYtGqlc0T8EAQxEOwq-KyMVdqmj3soGhNkPvNGT6Cu6Q/s1600/IMG_0029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4NjKFqDvdk_sEHz7-6WWGq1Sen7gIEKNOWXe6T-KAlKWNvZVZVq5pAMGHev0sWnPQ4jDrPC67mtG4-ySTchmw7Jiwl823wafHYYtGqlc0T8EAQxEOwq-KyMVdqmj3soGhNkPvNGT6Cu6Q/s320/IMG_0029.JPG" width="240" /></a></div> Faith Hill<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqPyN5FAygczV5Eq09ScbqMVqGKTVqpZd6s347BJxNX7HGIwdCKmM0g0QBWY8khIhVwFb5aaXRshDvUAdoTYz3DaFq0-iDAj0mk3m22CzCAfrrZzSDx9vy6tlrqn7sgNiNvpNViJQ-pZGI/s1600/IMG_0031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqPyN5FAygczV5Eq09ScbqMVqGKTVqpZd6s347BJxNX7HGIwdCKmM0g0QBWY8khIhVwFb5aaXRshDvUAdoTYz3DaFq0-iDAj0mk3m22CzCAfrrZzSDx9vy6tlrqn7sgNiNvpNViJQ-pZGI/s320/IMG_0031.JPG" width="240" /></a></div> Faith Hill<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE9zGIW566mHDY6duOnQXERcGdSCJeyyT6_GGeFKsjbffp2kJMZux0JiqAeMpA80sJEfobFkDB_w5jOveW6OhDpP4r-RN3LWYWMaAO0OdF4fxy-xpySfg2yF4t8Bcsrslh85yRqEpllsm9/s1600/IMG_0038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE9zGIW566mHDY6duOnQXERcGdSCJeyyT6_GGeFKsjbffp2kJMZux0JiqAeMpA80sJEfobFkDB_w5jOveW6OhDpP4r-RN3LWYWMaAO0OdF4fxy-xpySfg2yF4t8Bcsrslh85yRqEpllsm9/s320/IMG_0038.JPG" width="240" /></a></div> Tim McGraw<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_U9cIB1x5oNmZrT7PUwcV_QBO24TbSHT0WcPv5yJER5cilxzT-YqCOllHstQHxY7QEYkQzcHR01-QA9BAMAjsQX6DGcraeD6KNLzNEUKzT69Hdh8iF72fEqTXz4RmQJ5_sWCNl9lkBTi6/s1600/IMG_0040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_U9cIB1x5oNmZrT7PUwcV_QBO24TbSHT0WcPv5yJER5cilxzT-YqCOllHstQHxY7QEYkQzcHR01-QA9BAMAjsQX6DGcraeD6KNLzNEUKzT69Hdh8iF72fEqTXz4RmQJ5_sWCNl9lkBTi6/s320/IMG_0040.JPG" width="240" /></a></div> Tim McGraw <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5YMfzU1ba0DhN8KLbX1oeY0AWbvSw20FbYf6spNoX8QQKgxcuzdsAm-I30Q9PAoytj0r_scEOX86GktwD0Y5XP22yrej_9b6Cf9IeYBYHKUJWdJDptgqQZkogWCM1H_xmBYy3RHVH0vOm/s1600/IMG_0057.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5YMfzU1ba0DhN8KLbX1oeY0AWbvSw20FbYf6spNoX8QQKgxcuzdsAm-I30Q9PAoytj0r_scEOX86GktwD0Y5XP22yrej_9b6Cf9IeYBYHKUJWdJDptgqQZkogWCM1H_xmBYy3RHVH0vOm/s320/IMG_0057.JPG" width="240" /></a></div> Tim & Faith<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div> <iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxG79V3AWDXfKIepT-aaNhkQn2PBzch_yNyXJme1vQbzV8x9VkY6AZu_PddRD8UhNLmMiTfEIewdpXoZeMngQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br />
This Kiss - Faith Hill<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxIWuZ5KVKoLkh4GHF3pgBCSJ-Tr3xG1rkcj9vslqVlC98TKZFcMxRh8C_5E4WLxbFRWC2WNVARDAoiTr09xw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div> The Way You Love Me - Faith Hill<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzIRBpKfcNtQT-08MnNT0lYLtTS8Bovn3Wo1a33qhY8sTqAngx4bf47pgyYjVFytvlEbAUcNctQ9kALyc-BkQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div> Breathe - Faith Hill<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dykJCGkxysB_-tSbUrVuOe72NAYhbE5kqEIaO_tLf9G6Jf1tywTqZrLiuyz72yLmAyD6aB6vG9CMPuc-Hn5zA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div> Like We Never Loved At All - Faith & Tim<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzxf8mJvytp7IEye25LAwLgOVfBflgwoMZQeUSs-CMgssIgSn2zpnfWbECe4pOdfEaFeObILhgcFy_Cmz9wZQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div> Real Good Man - Tim McGraw<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwtyGqZX_UyW-f61BvUnpR8fxjIdcDo5q6wKxtz81dUHAIyRp83PL_xCPptS0MzBzj-5dKWufam5ecKmVswhw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div> Something Like That - Tim McGraw<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwnOA9KUXNzd7D_S28yoqwES834M-Xro_ji62IBH-CGgtYsVzFPNnsYv1K1x-Mg5YXGY9GcD40jQji4NOVjRQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div> Angry All The Time - Tim feat. Faith on backup vocals<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzug2-jQW9P3re1QIpKbVOQ2MntZaUqMrdIo2qTDcNMnasmoYTwbctLXMUqB7t-vjKjt9UjYnCR0Lj48wRIrA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br />
It's Your Love - Faith & Tim</div>no-onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01166048458762333739noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5531592191357171658.post-57065100660829829752012-02-23T20:23:00.002+10:302012-02-24T06:49:34.483+10:30Flying Squid<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">I know I haven't finished the other story yet, but yesterday I found out squid can fly. They propel themselves out of the water, shape their tentacles into fins, and go as far as the wind/airlift will take them. Longest recorded distance, 264 metres.<br />
Which had me thinking, as there have already been Syfy Original movies like MegaSnake, Piranha and Sharktopus, why hasn't there been Attack of the Giant Flying Squid?<br />
Because I'm always happy to help out in a time of need (provided I don't have to do much, and only things I enjoy), I've written an opening scene.<br />
<br />
<br />
<u><b>Attack of the Giant Flying Squid</b></u><br />
<br />
<div class="mbl notesBlogText clearfix"><div><em>Opening Scene</em><br />
Bright moonlight shone across the lake. A hot summer day had turned into a pleasantly warm evening, and the water was cool and inviting.<br />
Two girls, Molly and Eve, wearing only bikini bottoms, played in the water, laughing and splashing, while their boyfriends, John and Steve, watched from the shore, wondering how many wine coolers it would take to talk Molly and Eve into kissing each other.<br />
The lake surface rippled as something in the dark water started circling around the girls. Grabbing hold of her friend, Molly whispered "Are there sharks in this lake?"<br />
Eve hugged her tightly, for comfort, and whispered back, "Not sharks. Maybe piranhas."<br />
<br />
The boys watched this display with enjoyment, not realising there was anything wrong. Suddenly a giant, flying squid launched itself out of the lake and flew toward them. The squid turned in the air and wrapped it's tentacles around John's head.<br />
Little suckers on the inside of the tentacles opened into mouths, lined with rows of tiny sharp teeth.<br />
Molly and Eve shrieked in horror as the giant flying squid started tearing John's face off. Splattered with his friends blood, Steve turned and ran.</div></div></div>no-onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01166048458762333739noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5531592191357171658.post-82536805309812509662012-02-17T10:26:00.002+10:302016-01-24T18:25:56.573+10:30Shirtless Adventures In Mystery Land, Part 6<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Note: This story is running out of steam in my brain, so there will probably only be one more part after this one to wrap it all up. <br />
<a href="http://nothingbyno-one.blogspot.com.au/2011/03/shirtless-adventures-in-mystery-land.html" style="color: blue;" target="_blank">Part 1</a> <a href="http://nothingbyno-one.blogspot.com.au/2011/03/shirtless-adventures-in-mystery-land_21.html" style="color: blue;" target="_blank">Part 2</a> <a href="http://nothingbyno-one.blogspot.com.au/2011/05/shirtless-adventures-in-mystery-land.html" style="color: blue;" target="_blank">Part 3</a> <a href="http://nothingbyno-one.blogspot.com.au/2011/08/shirtless-adventures-in-mystery-land.html" style="color: blue;" target="_blank">Part 4</a> <a href="http://nothingbyno-one.blogspot.com.au/2012/01/shirtless-adventures-in-mystery-land.html" style="color: blue;" target="_blank">Part 5</a><br />
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />
Joshua ran shirtlessly down the road, messenger bag bouncing against his left hip. Trying to outrun a swarm of wasp type <i>things</i> intent on stinging him, he noticed a river coming in to view. Desperately hoping wasps in this world hated water, he veered toward it. Throwing off his bag, he jumped shirtlessly into the water.<br />
<br />
Spluttering to the surface, scanning for wasps, Joshua noticed the area he'd run into was all burnt grass and scorched, blackened trees.<br />
<br />
Looking around shirtlessly, Joshua wondered what could have caused this destruction. Fire, obviously, but what started the fire? And when had it happened? The scorched trees were still ashy and the grass hadn't had a chance to start growing back.<br />
<br />
While he was shirtlessly thinking over this situation, several tiny humanoid creatures, wearing loincloths and shrieking loudly, ran past. Suddenly the tiny creatures were engulfed in a ball of flame. As Joshua managed to tear his eyes away from this horrifying image, they landed on a huge fire-breathing dragon. A beautiful animal, scales shimmering in purples and blues. Joshua stared in shirtless wonderment.<br />
<br />
Snapping into action, Joshua jumped out of the river, grabbed his bag and advanced on the dragon, shirtlessly brandishing his sword.<br />
<br />
The dragon snuffed out his flame, and gazed at Joshua, looking deep into his eyes.<br />
<br />
"Joshua," he heard a deep rumbling voice, echoing inside his head, "help me."<br />
<br />
Joshua shirtlessly surveyed the dragon, noticing chipped scales and rivulets of blood running down the dragons chest. The dragon's thoughts in his head told him the small creatures were pixies, and they had attacked the dragon unprovoked, planning on slaughtering him, to use his scales for armor, feasting on his flesh.<br />
<br />
"Can you fly?" Joshua shirtlessly asked the dragon.<br />
<br />
The huge animal nodded.<br />
<br />
"Can you carry me?"<br />
<br />
"Yes." The dragon rumbled, lowering himself against the ground.<br />
<br />
Joshua shirtlessly climbed on the dragon's back, avoiding obvious injuries. Together they flew in the direction of his castle. <br />
<br />
<br /></div>
no-onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01166048458762333739noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5531592191357171658.post-53123334751691189732012-02-14T09:37:00.000+10:302012-02-14T09:37:56.582+10:30I Don't Believe In Valentine's Day<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">It's Valentine's Day again. People getting flowers and chocolates. People getting depressed because they're not getting flowers and chocolates. I don't get the hype. I don't believe in Valentine's Day.<br />
<br />
I'm not religious, so I'm certainly not celebrating it as an actual saints day.<br />
<br />
And I don't find it at all romantic to be given a card/bunch of flowers/box of chocolates/whatever on one particular day, because the gift giver has been told giving presents etc. on this particular day is romantic. <br />
<br />
I'd much rather someone give me a nice cup of coffee, or a book they know I've been wanting to read, on some random day, just because they were thinking about me, and decided to get me something nice. That's romance.</div>no-onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01166048458762333739noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5531592191357171658.post-60836029395027316882012-02-08T09:32:00.000+10:302012-02-08T09:32:19.126+10:30Architectural Lever Sets<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_4DKSdlXh64yUJmLra9CkFhyslePHsHelVOy7vOssSwSi96MZxSD-vV55Y347EWNEpLv92jx0YsHQE8q8e9kOl8MuCacC_4O5ocWXZ5sc5lrO-SJryQV4acTaBqn-PBcTSw5Q2v9An5rA/s1600/Door+handles.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_4DKSdlXh64yUJmLra9CkFhyslePHsHelVOy7vOssSwSi96MZxSD-vV55Y347EWNEpLv92jx0YsHQE8q8e9kOl8MuCacC_4O5ocWXZ5sc5lrO-SJryQV4acTaBqn-PBcTSw5Q2v9An5rA/s320/Door+handles.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>When did we stop calling them door handles?</div>no-onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01166048458762333739noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5531592191357171658.post-33451666502310155372012-02-05T10:50:00.003+10:302012-02-06T11:33:25.353+10:30TV Stuff: Product Placement<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">My last TV Stuff post was about things people who are no longer enjoying a show waste their time bitching about online. <br />
This post is about the main thing people who are still enjoying a show seem to waste their time bitching about online. <strong>Product Placement.</strong><br />
<br />
We've all seen it. You watch The Big Bang Theory, one of the boys opens up his laptop, and you clearly see the alien head on the cover. An Alienware computer made by Dell. Product Placement.<br />
<br />
On Chuck, everyone had an iPhone and they frequently ate Subway sandwiches, which, when one was in a scene, they would often say what they had on their sub, or what they liked eat from Subway. Product Placement. <br />
<br />
On Fringe, Walter eats Red Vines red liqourice, mostly from clearly marked Red Vines packets (on a couple of occasions he's had them in a glass jar, but one of those times he'd put a 'Red Vines' label on the jar.) They also show shots of the Nissan cars they drive, pulling away from curbs, at a camera angle that displays the car logo. We get inside of the car shots with the fancy dashboard showing. Product Placement.<br />
<br />
On Warehouse 13, Myka eats Twizzlers red liquorice, from clearly marked Twizzlers packets. Claudia talks to Steve about his hybrid car, running through the car specs. We see shots of the cars as they drive down roads, car logos again on display. Product Placement.<br />
<br />
You may not watch any of these shows. You may watch but not really notice the Product Placement. You may not notice it in the shows you do watch. It's there. And if you're not bitching about it in a forum somewhere, you probably, sensibly don't really care. <br />
<br />
Here's the thing. I knew Product Placement existed, but until I started noticing people complaining about it so much, I didn't really pay attention to it, except in the way it was intended by the advertising companies (ohh nice Alienware computer, hey I do like Subway, I really want an iPhone, that kind of thing.)<br />
<br />
Now that I do notice it more, I still don't get the endless complaining. As for the way it's used in the show, well, long before product placement was a thing, we would see shots of cars pulling away from curbs and driving down roads. We'd even see characters discussing their cars. It's just that now it's specific cars added for advertising purposes, instead of just to pad out scenes. Characters have always eaten food, snacks, and talked about what they're eating. Again, now it's just specific foods and snacks.<br />
<br />
The problem so many viewers seem to have is "I don't watch a show to see ads. That's what ad breaks are for." But...how many people are using the ad breaks to quickly flick over and see what's on another channel. How many people are using the ad breaks to go to the toilet or get a snack. How many people are recording their show, and fast-forwarding through the ads. And how many of them are downloading their shows, and not seeing any ads at all. <br />
<br />
All the people doing all this complaining seem to conveniently forget that it's the ad money that is keeping their show on the air, and the companies paying for this want to make sure their product is seen. <br />
<br />
I don't work in television, or in advertising, but I do like my shows. This year Fringe is on the bubble for renewel. It may not get a season 5, because it costs so much to make. So if they want to have an episode where every scene has either a Nissan car, or a pack of Red Vines, or the Fringe team in a Nissan eating Red Vines, as long as it keeps the show on the air I won't complain.<br />
<br />
Product Placement works like any other advertising, with the bonus that you get to see people you like interacting with the product in question rather than annoying overly load music, or overly enthusiastic announcers. <br />
<br />
And just like any other advertising sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't, and sometimes it will make you buy something else entirely.<br />
<br />
My product placement story (which I know you've all been waiting for): I don't drive or care about cars, so this will be about liquorice. <br />
<br />
Right now, my two favourite shows are Fringe and Warehouse 13. They both product place red liquorice. Red Vines & Twizzlers. I'm a Red Vines girl, when I can get them. When I can't I don't have any at all. I never go for the Twizzlers. So sometimes when I'm watching Fringe, I'll see Walter eating a Red Vine, and think 'I kinda feel like Red Vines'. And then maybe the next day, I'll go buy some. <br />
But when I'm watching Warehouse 13, and I see Myka eating Twizzlers, I usually think, 'ew Twizzlers. Red Vines are better. I kinda feel like Red Vines. I love Myka.' And the next day I'll go buy some Red Vines. So the Warehouse 13 Product Placement actually inspires me to buy a different brand.<br />
<br />
****This post is not sponsered by Red Vines, although if they would like to give me some money, I would happily start Product Placing it into all my other posts.****</div>no-onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01166048458762333739noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5531592191357171658.post-37579805675943939022012-02-03T23:16:00.000+10:302012-02-03T23:16:14.631+10:30Quote Of The Week<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">"Socializing is as exhausting as giving blood. People assume we loners are misanthropes, just sitting thinking, ‘Oh, people are such a bunch of assholes,’ but it’s really not like that. We just have a smaller tolerance for what it takes to be with others. It means having to perform. I get so tired of communicating."<br />
--- Anneli Rufus<br />
<br />
I read this quote today and it resonated with me immediately. This is how I am in most social situations. Sometimes I get accused of being snobby and thinking I'm too good to talk to people. I'm not and I don't. Sometimes people tell me I'm just shy and if I make more of an effort I'll have no trouble being comfortable in a crowd. I don't consider myself to be shy, because I have no trouble saying what I think needs to be said, regardless of who I might be speaking to, if I actually have something to say. <br />
<br />
It's just that when there's people around I don't often have much to say. I find making the effort to stay engaged and interested mentally exhausting. It's not a judgement on the people I'm around. It's me finding interacting to be a huge effort I find completely draining. It was nice to see my feelings summed up so well in one paragraph.</div>no-onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01166048458762333739noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5531592191357171658.post-59098454927509074142012-01-29T12:26:00.001+10:302012-01-29T21:17:50.753+10:30Hola, Niñas y Niños<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">I've decided to start learning Spanish. I've always loved the sound of Spanish, and as much as French is supposedly considered the language of love, Spanish is the one that still sounds sexy, even when you're being yelled and/or sworn at. <br />
<br />
I've wanted to learn Spanish for the longest time, and I always put it off, because I don't like classroom environments, and when a teacher is standing up droning on for any length of time, I get distracted and start writing stories to myself in my book margins. I learn best through reading, and then trying, not through being told. I think this ties into how much I desperately wanted to be home-schooled as a kid. I was under the impression if I were home-schooled they'd just send out a years worth of work and I could read through it all on my own and send it back when I was done. I was so disappointed to find out it didn't work that way.<br />
<br />
My sister who has taken a Spanish course, because her sister-in-law is from Chile, has said she thinks I could teach myself from a book, and that she'd help me with pronunciation if needed. <br />
<br />
I downloaded a book to the Kindle application on my phone, Getting Started with Spanish. It claims to be set out for use by homeschoolers, and it includes a website address to download sound clips of the words being spoken, if pronunciation is a problem.<br />
<br />
I've read the first couple of mini lessons, and have learned how to say 'girl and boy' - 'niña y niño' 'the girl and the boy' - ''la niña y el niño'. I think one of the hardest parts may be remembering which form of 'the' to use. We only have one, they have a female 'the' - 'la' and a male 'the' - 'el'. Easy when refering to people, not so easy when talking about objects.<br />
<br />
Still I shall persevere, and hopefully before too long I will be able to converse in Spanish. </div>no-onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01166048458762333739noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5531592191357171658.post-27518209182183881392012-01-26T10:22:00.002+10:302012-01-26T10:24:19.842+10:30It's Award Season...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">...and once again I wasn't nominated for a Golden Globe or an Oscar. I've been snubbed, y'all.<br />
<br />
As is the case every year, when some people don't get nominated, magazines and websites everywhere start putting up slightly hysterical sounding articles outlining all the people who were 'snubbed' by whomever is choosing the nominees.<br />
<br />
Now correct me if I'm wrong, but I was under the impression that when you snubbed someone, you deliberately excluded them with the express purpose of hurting their feelings, and then engaged in all kinds off passive-aggressive behaviours to convey the fact that they have been snubbed and they should feel bad about that.<br />
<br />
I suppose it's possible that the people choosing the nominees are doing just that. That they each have someone they particularly hate, and now that they've successfully blocked the nomination, they are following that actor around Hollywood, laughing at them about how they could have been nominated, but they weren't, because they're not liked. I don't know exactly what goes on over there.<br />
<br />
It just seems to me that it's far more likely, that when you only have six available spaces, and hundreds of actors submitting 'for your consideration' tapes of their work, some people are going to have to be left off the list. (Meanwhile can you imagine how hellish the Awards shows would be if everyone who submitted a tape got nominated. They're bad enough now with the six person limit.)<br />
<br />
I wish that unless the media had actual evidence of someone not being nominated solely to hurt their feelings and make them feel left out, they'd stop saying people were snubbed. It's ridiculous.</div>no-onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01166048458762333739noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5531592191357171658.post-8972635486197282392012-01-22T22:43:00.001+10:302012-01-22T22:45:11.599+10:30I'm not...but...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Ever notice how often people will say "I'm not (whatever)" and follow that right up with "but (whatever)", pretty well proving they are what they say they're not.<br />
<br />
"I'm not racist, but I don't trust Asian people." Guess what, you're racist. Not trusting an entire race makes you racist. And I don't want to hear what you're planning on saying after that opening sentence.<br />
<br />
"I'm not homophobic, but I don't want me and my family to be around gay people. They'll probably try to convert us." You're homophobic. And I don't want to hear the rest of what you're about to say.<br />
<br />
"I'm not trying to offend you, but you'd look so much prettier if you put on some makeup." You don't start a sentence with "I'm not trying to offend you", unless you know you're about to say something potentially offensive. Don't say it. <br />
<br />
I don't know what kind of person you think I am, and I don't know how you got the impression that it's okay to say that stuff to me. Don't. I don't want to hear it. </div>no-onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01166048458762333739noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5531592191357171658.post-31741873734604302612012-01-20T11:44:00.000+10:302012-01-20T11:44:11.924+10:30Buying One Should Be The First Thing You Get Fined For<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Zooey Deschanel's current TV show <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1826940/" target="_blank">New Girl</a>, has something called "The Douchebag Jar". Basically if you act like a dick, you have to put money in the jar.<br />
An American clothing company, Urban Outfitters, is now selling the jar.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidJQDUgj-jZeNLN0dkCTaGdG0b8hlzM9iDgP_7nXp-aZavopR0VuEkXbA1-SnlwaEul_LL_AH-yR6vUCy3jMehU2Y9kESprYxcZkxlHlkdAkMdjZzTLWOh0hzMNMXKQyY4sYmbrtbBhcpz/s1600/Jar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nfa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidJQDUgj-jZeNLN0dkCTaGdG0b8hlzM9iDgP_7nXp-aZavopR0VuEkXbA1-SnlwaEul_LL_AH-yR6vUCy3jMehU2Y9kESprYxcZkxlHlkdAkMdjZzTLWOh0hzMNMXKQyY4sYmbrtbBhcpz/s320/Jar.jpg" width="215" /></a></div>And people are buying it. An empty jar, with a money slot in the top, that retails for $8. I can understand buying one of those money tins that you can't open just by twisting off the lid, because those are probably really hard to make. This is just a normal jar. For less than half the price you could buy a jar of spaghetti sauce, and after you've used it to make some delicious spaghetti, you can wash the jar, cut a money slot in the lid, and put on a sticker labelling it a 'Douchebag Jar'. <br />
<br />
If you go to a store a buy one pre-made, your change should automatically have to go in the jar. <br />
</div>no-onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01166048458762333739noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5531592191357171658.post-9156951822479455342012-01-16T10:33:00.002+10:302012-01-17T19:02:13.065+10:30Shirtless Adventures In Mystery Land: Part 5<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Because River reminded me I hadn't worked on this in a while.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://nothingbyno-one.blogspot.com/2011/03/shirtless-adventures-in-mystery-land.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #20124d;">Part 1</span></a><br />
<a href="http://nothingbyno-one.blogspot.com/2011/03/shirtless-adventures-in-mystery-land_21.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #20124d;">Part 2</span></a><br />
<a href="http://nothingbyno-one.blogspot.com/2011/05/shirtless-adventures-in-mystery-land.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #20124d;">Part 3</span></a><br />
<a href="http://nothingbyno-one.blogspot.com/2011/08/shirtless-adventures-in-mystery-land.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #20124d;">Part 4</span></a><br />
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />
The mermaid's tail turned into a pair of legs. Really nice legs, Joshua noticed, as she stood, stretching nakedly, before walking over to an alcove near the back of the cave.<br />
<br />
She came back to the pond carrying a large, shiny sword. Joshua felt slightly panicy seeing it. Was she going to kill him? What did mermaids eat anyway? Before he could get too carried away with his own thoughts, the mermaid nakedly offered him the sword.<br />
<br />
"You'll be needing this on your journey," she said. "The key to your castle has been taken by a nasty tribe of Brownies."<br />
<br />
"...little chocolate cake things have my key?" Joshua asked hestitantly.<br />
<br />
The mermaid laughed at his question. "Brownies are a type of faerie, somewhat related to goblins. Ususally they're nice, helping people with harvests and housework. This tribe has gone bad, we don't know why. Don't lose the sword Joshua, you'll need it."<br />
<br />
Joshua sighed nakedly as he weighted the sword in his hands. It was a good fit. Well balanced, felt like it would be easy to swing and stab. He'd just prefer not to have to use it. <br />
<br />
"Good luck Joshua." The mermaid smiled, leaned forward, and kissed Joshua softly. There was a flash of sparkly light, and suddenly Joshua found himself standing shirlessly in a forest, holding his sword. (Not a metaphor).<br />
<br />
He was a tiny bit disappointed, as he'd kind of been wondering what mermaid sex might be like. As long as her legs stayed legs of course. Joshua shrugged shirtlessly, adjusted his messenger bag so it was sitting more comfortably and headed off through the forest.<br />
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />
<br />
Nearing the edge of the forest, Joshua shirtlessly came across a stream with a huge waterfall. Pausing to stare at the breathtaking image, he decided this would be a good place to take a break and eat lunch. Shirtlessly setting down his bag, he was knocked off his feet by a small, slender man with very sharp teeth. The small man sat on Joshua's shirtless chest, biting his flailing arm. <br />
<br />
Realising this must be one of the Brownies he was meant to find, Joshua heaved himself upward, forcing the man away. Five more Brownies rushed at him, trying to knock him down, biting him anywhere they could.<br />
Joshua scrabbled for his messenger bag, managing to snag it, and retrieve his sword. Backing away from the rabid-seeming creatures, he swung the sword menacingly.<br />
<br />
"I don't want to hurt you," he shirtlessly tried to explain, "I just need my key. If you give it to me, I'll leave you in peace."<br />
<br />
The Brownies ignored this, snarling and advancing on him, looking to attack. Reluctantly he stabbed at the nearest one, spearing him in the chest. As it fell to the ground, the five remaining Brownies shrieked and leaped on him, biting and scratching. Joshua fought back stabbing and swinging the sword. <br />
<br />
Finally Joshua stood, shirtless, wounded and bleeding, surrounded by the bodies of the dead Brownies. He turned away, horrified by what he'd just done. What he'd had to do. Joshua walked down to the waterfall, standing shirtlessly under the cascading water, washing off the blood. He stayed there long after he was clean, until he felt he could face the bodies again. <br />
<br />
Joshua shirtlessly searched the Brownies until he found a large iron key hidden in the clothing of the first Brownie to attack him. It warmed in his hand and seemed to be pointing him in the direction he needed to go to find his castle. <br />
<br />
Joshua started walking.<br />
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />
TBC.<br />
Hopefully this time it won't be a five-month wait before the next part.</div>no-onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01166048458762333739noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5531592191357171658.post-14192479575001036092012-01-13T18:18:00.001+10:302012-01-13T18:34:45.938+10:30Taking A Break From My Break......to bitch about stuff, and also ask a question. <br />
The bitching first (because obviously that's more important), and just to note when I use the word 'you' it's in general.<br />
<br />
You may be the nicest person in the world. Every single thing you have to say may be fascinating, and maybe I'd be crying bitter tears of disappointment and regret if I ever found out what I didn't get to hear. Maybe you're lonely and want someone to talk to. I'm not that person. (I understand that makes me sound horrible).<br />
<br />
If I'm sitting at a bus stop, wearing headphones, and reading a book, don't tap me to get my attention, start yammering about your kids/grandkids/pets/whatever and then get offended when I politely say that I don't feel like talking and I'd just like to listen to my music and read my book. I'm wearing the headphones for a reason. <br />
<br />
<b>Question time</b> (reason for question first) I have a running joke thing with a few people where if one of us says something that could be considered mean or offensive if it were said to someone else, we respond with 'that's going in my diary'.<br />
<br />
I've never kept a diary. I made a few half-hearted attempts here and there because friends were keeping them, but I could never get past a couple of days. I've never understood why someone would write all their dreams and secrets down in one place, where someone else might be able to find them and read them. I like to keep my secrets in my head, where they will stay secret, unless of course, the government and/or aliens have mind reading devices. (some might suggest a blog is a diary, and for some people it may be. I don't put any of my really personal stuff on here so I don't think it is for me.<br />
<br />
So today's questions are: Did you ever keep a diary? Why? Do you still keep one? Are you ever worried someone will find it and read it?no-onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01166048458762333739noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5531592191357171658.post-35452513596315679412011-12-21T13:14:00.000+10:302011-12-21T13:14:35.254+10:30Taking A Break<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">I'll be taking a break from blogging. I'm finding it harder and harder to come up with things to write about.<br />
I may return with the occasional recipe or movie review. So keep an eye out around the end of March when The Hunger Games movie comes out. I'm sure I'll have a lot to say about that one. <br />
And if you haven't already, read The Hunger Games trilogy. They are really good books. </div>no-onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01166048458762333739noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5531592191357171658.post-3503691783966367812011-12-20T08:45:00.000+10:302011-12-20T08:45:02.320+10:30Shuffle Your Feet So We Know You're Not Dead<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">We've all been there. Going into a public toilet, the next stall is occupied, and there is no sound at all. Not that we're listening for it, but the complete absence of noise is noticable, and kind of eerie. <br />
<br />
We know it's just someone who is so bladder shy, that not only can't they pee while the surrounding stalls are occupied, they're holding themselves completely still, trying to not even breathe, because they hate people knowing they're in the toilet. Of course we know that's what it is. <br />
<br />
But...once upon a time, a long, long time ago - or 15 years back - Scully told Mulder that people die on the toilet <em>all the time</em>. Regular people! Not just fat, drugged up, jumpsuit wearing rock stars. So I always kind of wonder if maybe, <em>just maybe</em>, the person in the next stall is actually dead. <br />
<br />
Dilemma. Knocking on the wall and asking if they're okay is out of the question. If they're dead, they won't answer. If they're alive, but excruciatingly shy, they also won't answer. So then management gets called, because there may be an issue in the toilets. They knock and get no answer. Security gets brought in to break down the door....revealing some poor woman, pants down, completely mortified by the whole thing. Lawsuits follow, because they're now so traumatised they can't leave the house in case they need to pee while they're out, and they can never use a public toilet again. It's a terrible thing. *<-- As far as I know this scenario has never actually happened. Really though, it's only a matter of time. I can't be the only person wondering if people in other stalls are dead. *<br />
<br />
So, if you're one of those people, hunched in a stall, waiting desperately for everyone to leave so you can pee in peace, shuffle your feet a little. Or jiggle the toilet paper holder. Something to let us know you're actually okay in there.</div>no-onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01166048458762333739noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5531592191357171658.post-12805085180378441002011-12-18T19:24:00.000+10:302011-12-18T19:24:05.238+10:30Cooking With No-One: Tomato Sauce<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">So I made my tomato sauce and it worked out really well. Here's how I did it:<br />
Cut up around 2.5kg of tomatoes.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb2CIbIQr3_t2AWjdoAWKRaHMbuliSxJMWQODQT_t0YAJypGi0Ov4bbKuuhnCMVRq8lkjZcYNzhAN18dqFW6mWUwAEqiUQwMm0nTdXoun5G0sDbVWBlA1Tf4cbTNT8URM0NckNOmWtVwNX/s1600/IMG_0268.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb2CIbIQr3_t2AWjdoAWKRaHMbuliSxJMWQODQT_t0YAJypGi0Ov4bbKuuhnCMVRq8lkjZcYNzhAN18dqFW6mWUwAEqiUQwMm0nTdXoun5G0sDbVWBlA1Tf4cbTNT8URM0NckNOmWtVwNX/s320/IMG_0268.JPG" width="288" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>And 2 large sliced onions. (Also what is with the onions and tomatoes in Australian stores. I had the hardest time finding decent ones.)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUnQ6oYb8xXvQv7B6VnPW42RApzVRbnYcQ6eKb1WGJnftPsbPAmwaMqqZbOQJ16_AWaX11AADYD8vpHfcy6b0BdH3Ctn8-lJL7tJgcEqWHbND-PnOzu3wAFC7DFeLtOa81tv82Kro-G6_F/s1600/IMG_0269.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUnQ6oYb8xXvQv7B6VnPW42RApzVRbnYcQ6eKb1WGJnftPsbPAmwaMqqZbOQJ16_AWaX11AADYD8vpHfcy6b0BdH3Ctn8-lJL7tJgcEqWHbND-PnOzu3wAFC7DFeLtOa81tv82Kro-G6_F/s320/IMG_0269.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
Mix together in a large bowl, cover and leave overnight.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgphgDXlR5bIHt544Z_dBMz-s_JfbcITDkwEmCUO_cu9IgWxQUQPBL-PiuxOhYofMGn4eqZ4gbzlQjaM4NGqSVUvklmqddbHCfc-x2wBOAavA-fY5Ay-xGu2agTlOOYSUJLh2KasXGphzfR/s1600/IMG_0270.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgphgDXlR5bIHt544Z_dBMz-s_JfbcITDkwEmCUO_cu9IgWxQUQPBL-PiuxOhYofMGn4eqZ4gbzlQjaM4NGqSVUvklmqddbHCfc-x2wBOAavA-fY5Ay-xGu2agTlOOYSUJLh2KasXGphzfR/s320/IMG_0270.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>...The next day<br />
Peel and cut up three large granny smith apples. Crush one head of garlic. Add 1 tsp of ground ginger.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdDy-tkAuxGPSiWrq1zVbFnPFqRnvwrZimK_Hc0vYxaFBPLR62aZQCrY47BcVxLFl1y6EU_qTBnKg6L_rUwz_OJ26IBBQJ4x9djnOTePLvr_8QgCi3nEQ-rDr409Yw2v247MX33t30_3Jt/s1600/IMG_0271.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdDy-tkAuxGPSiWrq1zVbFnPFqRnvwrZimK_Hc0vYxaFBPLR62aZQCrY47BcVxLFl1y6EU_qTBnKg6L_rUwz_OJ26IBBQJ4x9djnOTePLvr_8QgCi3nEQ-rDr409Yw2v247MX33t30_3Jt/s320/IMG_0271.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Put tomato/onion mix and apple mix in a large pot. Cook on a low-medium heat for around 2 and half hours, stiring frequently so nothing sticks to the bottom of the pot. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisd2mm27cYtjtM6svmCn4ZmxC7n2P6Ru9w7NXmsDE0jpAG8t1VANnQEONrNOT1VMqShqZkyJ73Uc8a-B7i9kpnB6JO2qqK9In-buy-JhqvrW-bEh7LEzPUCM4wsHyZojwdcLM6Qmgd8juA/s1600/IMG_0272.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisd2mm27cYtjtM6svmCn4ZmxC7n2P6Ru9w7NXmsDE0jpAG8t1VANnQEONrNOT1VMqShqZkyJ73Uc8a-B7i9kpnB6JO2qqK9In-buy-JhqvrW-bEh7LEzPUCM4wsHyZojwdcLM6Qmgd8juA/s320/IMG_0272.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>In a bowl, combine 2 cups of sugar with 1 tbsp of salt. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhscGb3YwwZ9v2y1SUkD47Le39LpvUcpZZ7a8BfA94P4GsaBcpq7WUGBVedr1wcUCiyDraz_Iy0i67dGN9D02SoSmGEmvL-kuEBbZ2caZgQvmGFDS4L6AJ5fAt0JSFxluKGawvRGAJCsd91/s1600/IMG_0273.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhscGb3YwwZ9v2y1SUkD47Le39LpvUcpZZ7a8BfA94P4GsaBcpq7WUGBVedr1wcUCiyDraz_Iy0i67dGN9D02SoSmGEmvL-kuEBbZ2caZgQvmGFDS4L6AJ5fAt0JSFxluKGawvRGAJCsd91/s320/IMG_0273.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>I just realised that photo looks kind of like a face.<br />
<br />
Make a basic roux. I used 4tbsp of butter and 4tbsp of plain flour.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL29nXUEXKPEwnNEK0FrgDWvsUqfVVShwU6F2QMiJ_uYxM8B5rtGb8-RsixfHIlXiNGwQb_PGdjGEPnVy1NTNMgMqI_E0c-TxiWCdgc0mXimpggv18Tcif-vr26BtwHUqezu6IoYzUivoX/s1600/IMG_0274.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL29nXUEXKPEwnNEK0FrgDWvsUqfVVShwU6F2QMiJ_uYxM8B5rtGb8-RsixfHIlXiNGwQb_PGdjGEPnVy1NTNMgMqI_E0c-TxiWCdgc0mXimpggv18Tcif-vr26BtwHUqezu6IoYzUivoX/s320/IMG_0274.JPG" width="287" /></a></div><br />
Stir over a low heat until it resembles icing. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheqdWht9UOnR7oSl1L-h9MDAZ9-ixXZ-o4tX8IiV2ZKgsEpfQAiTNOu_CZ2Yp1qtlTSFI-nFrLf0Ilcihejkw3GX6L5IqzvdlWKezrCMLbd5MrrTdRgUZWWdc9EQJILahqlfxmNVc_u5gT/s1600/IMG_0275.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheqdWht9UOnR7oSl1L-h9MDAZ9-ixXZ-o4tX8IiV2ZKgsEpfQAiTNOu_CZ2Yp1qtlTSFI-nFrLf0Ilcihejkw3GX6L5IqzvdlWKezrCMLbd5MrrTdRgUZWWdc9EQJILahqlfxmNVc_u5gT/s320/IMG_0275.JPG" width="289" /></a></div><br />
Add 1 cup of balsamic vinegar. (This whole bit with the roux and vinegar was my departure from the original recipe, which said to use something called 'Ezy Sauce'. I decided to make my own.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ9iaQ1WV4RmRngoV4egJhQxI9CQAWBZIq4IwmPOh4KjtgpuHZCF7B83yC4xGJMXi3i15P27_u5vCnVfgRRKwGMFQKB4Qu6uEIT_XxM-q_ZvXJlCsj2g1QafUNSfdA7P9bGjkjRQsylwn6/s1600/IMG_0276.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ9iaQ1WV4RmRngoV4egJhQxI9CQAWBZIq4IwmPOh4KjtgpuHZCF7B83yC4xGJMXi3i15P27_u5vCnVfgRRKwGMFQKB4Qu6uEIT_XxM-q_ZvXJlCsj2g1QafUNSfdA7P9bGjkjRQsylwn6/s320/IMG_0276.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Pour in sugar mix, stir until sugar is dissolved.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjxSgKT_ahLtsHZpihEGpNwTO3VQDQMgJn7ymbTY42Ne_39cdR-ThSCZoFHe1n8IekbZIsvF5LpWM8yl9Bk7YiCZ2JKI7BB0K0m_naA0szS0oJCaLXphagt6n_vOPtaI0ixKORlgUgKmuc/s1600/IMG_0277.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjxSgKT_ahLtsHZpihEGpNwTO3VQDQMgJn7ymbTY42Ne_39cdR-ThSCZoFHe1n8IekbZIsvF5LpWM8yl9Bk7YiCZ2JKI7BB0K0m_naA0szS0oJCaLXphagt6n_vOPtaI0ixKORlgUgKmuc/s320/IMG_0277.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Add to cooking tomatoes.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPdm-zCtP16J667PSxsLSJoOCYgn7qmnXPCDghsxDuJirHUB6LZ-gVuSTKweKFIh1TmEkEESBFgsZF36WhuqMkW2n_p021Ao0LQ_aYdjxevOxnbhyXCaaGSuj4zDGdvqDpiwMDWcIVzA2z/s1600/IMG_0279.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPdm-zCtP16J667PSxsLSJoOCYgn7qmnXPCDghsxDuJirHUB6LZ-gVuSTKweKFIh1TmEkEESBFgsZF36WhuqMkW2n_p021Ao0LQ_aYdjxevOxnbhyXCaaGSuj4zDGdvqDpiwMDWcIVzA2z/s320/IMG_0279.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Cook over low-medium heat for further 30-40 minutes. The vinegary smell will blend into the tomato smell.<br />
Use hand mixer or food processor to blend until smooth.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBweqqU_1IoYQBGlFTPcJO6OD9serZhTpS8FGlag_DWEu7wsn8BBSB1oYPxvG64kbmCvd9xrUMdb27rJeCfKbEORPbvpRfelaUF4OIASW_6piBHumF0WKDeKyKCn5H0LSAS4_iHH-h_xEz/s1600/IMG_0280.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBweqqU_1IoYQBGlFTPcJO6OD9serZhTpS8FGlag_DWEu7wsn8BBSB1oYPxvG64kbmCvd9xrUMdb27rJeCfKbEORPbvpRfelaUF4OIASW_6piBHumF0WKDeKyKCn5H0LSAS4_iHH-h_xEz/s320/IMG_0280.JPG" width="298" /></a></div><br />
Dip bread into sauce to sample taste. Yum.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWVale-jAchgVNI_gJ_Lmt4ieL-_YGXAqjt7CP_CoR6sdBC9ooA3iT-qYYjTp8uX8DmQsnT0LLCFDPtVylHnl_DtUQ8BCjetgwNQN6Ge5U4hq44D-ocnB9RGG70bkTvvti4r1vatAEF-1r/s1600/IMG_0281.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWVale-jAchgVNI_gJ_Lmt4ieL-_YGXAqjt7CP_CoR6sdBC9ooA3iT-qYYjTp8uX8DmQsnT0LLCFDPtVylHnl_DtUQ8BCjetgwNQN6Ge5U4hq44D-ocnB9RGG70bkTvvti4r1vatAEF-1r/s320/IMG_0281.JPG" width="261" /></a></div><br />
Let sauce cool, then transfer into storage container. Refrigerate.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX459YZsbTBlu3dr8wrFInIcc_86mT5oGqEMYjhTnDm-9YmQz6XaRQIH7Z9K6i7JylMNny9PaBs6Ja8w-IeS5gOrwP7iDtbaUGzAd3K5uE8eaXhOnk89-7VwA9CXl0jCbRy0d9wSBCqL_0/s1600/IMG_0282.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX459YZsbTBlu3dr8wrFInIcc_86mT5oGqEMYjhTnDm-9YmQz6XaRQIH7Z9K6i7JylMNny9PaBs6Ja8w-IeS5gOrwP7iDtbaUGzAd3K5uE8eaXhOnk89-7VwA9CXl0jCbRy0d9wSBCqL_0/s320/IMG_0282.JPG" width="182" /></a></div></div>no-onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01166048458762333739noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5531592191357171658.post-41506148191890543542011-12-14T09:52:00.000+10:302011-12-14T09:52:26.184+10:30My Weekend Project<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">I know it's only Wednesday, but projects take planning. And buying stuff. And talking myself into actually doing the projects, on the basis that now that I've bought the stuff, I damn well shouldn't waste my money by not using it. <br />
<br />
Tomato Sauce. <br />
<br />
My younger brother thinks he has developed an allergy to store bought tomato sauce. He's okay with tomato based pasta sauce, and fresh tomato isn't a problem, but if he has regular tomato sauce from a bottle, he gets a headache. It's really very sad, because as Australians it's practically unpatriotic to not be able to have sauce. <br />
<br />
So I have decided to try making my own, where I know what all the ingredients are, to see if The Boy is still affected, or if it is, as I suspect, actually an allergy to one of the preservatives or colourants in the bottled stuff. <br />
<br />
I've found an okay looking recipe, and while I usually follow recipes exactly the first time I make them, and then tweak on future endevours, this time I'm making a few changes before I even start. <br />
<br />
I'll be making the tomato sauce on Saturday, and if it all goes well, it will be documented here. </div>no-onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01166048458762333739noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5531592191357171658.post-90220091515750479692011-12-11T18:43:00.000+10:302011-12-11T18:43:52.980+10:30Cooking With No-One: Butter Pecan Ice Cream<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">I got my Ice Cream Maker! Yay!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh0oIuFeCWRfwH9AHkCD8ZbL-SanxAjhuZrm1kmZj1wCE5u_xNpCOBCR2qgHr3UunMGaakRE51K8RQLSmpLOAj_2lJmf4jleACqnoB8bKlKcuJKobpMtaI0i128H0X0re8FVCQD2ZOdt2X/s1600/Ice++Cream+01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh0oIuFeCWRfwH9AHkCD8ZbL-SanxAjhuZrm1kmZj1wCE5u_xNpCOBCR2qgHr3UunMGaakRE51K8RQLSmpLOAj_2lJmf4jleACqnoB8bKlKcuJKobpMtaI0i128H0X0re8FVCQD2ZOdt2X/s320/Ice++Cream+01.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>I'm not really a fan of the colour pink, but Myer was having a sale on these. They were going out for $104, and by the time I got to the store they only had 6 left. 5 in pink, and 1 in a shade of yellow I disliked even more. So I got the pink one.<br />
<br />
As the butter-pecan ice cream was the reason I first wanted to make my own ice cream, I made that first.<br />
<br />
I am following the suggestion of a friend who already has an ice cream maker, and just storing the freezer bowl part in the freezer so it's always ready for use. <br />
<br />
Prepare the pecans.<br />
<br />
Melt about 4 tablespoons of butter in a saucepan.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJLKO6ft5RiqvqutdzvVNRGTBUhQVs0b2BpOq81JUs3SSNVPuLqlyaoqzK3rhqZn7vn1wdY66Bwl4hqfTskXn24pSfvlZjJnZ4eZ3mVVo7HEc3luLn5Z_MS5r1dNmbNXNy0fOl0z8oo91_/s1600/Ice+Cream+02.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJLKO6ft5RiqvqutdzvVNRGTBUhQVs0b2BpOq81JUs3SSNVPuLqlyaoqzK3rhqZn7vn1wdY66Bwl4hqfTskXn24pSfvlZjJnZ4eZ3mVVo7HEc3luLn5Z_MS5r1dNmbNXNy0fOl0z8oo91_/s320/Ice+Cream+02.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
Add a pinch of salt, and chopped pecans. I could only find either whole pecans, or pecan halves, and they were all tucked away, practically hidden by the seventeen thousand different types of almonds the store stocked. Poor pecans. I chopped them myself. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5XcIO9hI6XI7M0AE7Gb_oBXRKx3k8NF2zk9EVtpX9WPWT1pjbuwoi_WScwGyYVkC7CMNkZQWUPfdbPMnnJ0ng9Z6grg4RN4Z-zVQvOGropNPAITSAWC9ybo7vnwRWw4N9kq8m6YlivbE5/s1600/Ice+Cream+04.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5XcIO9hI6XI7M0AE7Gb_oBXRKx3k8NF2zk9EVtpX9WPWT1pjbuwoi_WScwGyYVkC7CMNkZQWUPfdbPMnnJ0ng9Z6grg4RN4Z-zVQvOGropNPAITSAWC9ybo7vnwRWw4N9kq8m6YlivbE5/s320/Ice+Cream+04.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
Cook over a low heat for around 8 minutes. Drain butter. Taste one of the pecan pieces. It tasted a little like buttered popcorn.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWGZL_-SHx8AE71PuburxaEtIapr3ipHM-g69ei_pqRAKzSZcyAxu-b2e-WxodfRguTZjRnMyF7w3eIqzKR-l-ojvm-yCeyAgctciMspihbjQlVSzvOCZ-cw5J4B3d_q32Mv3NZttU3wCP/s1600/Ice+Cream+05.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWGZL_-SHx8AE71PuburxaEtIapr3ipHM-g69ei_pqRAKzSZcyAxu-b2e-WxodfRguTZjRnMyF7w3eIqzKR-l-ojvm-yCeyAgctciMspihbjQlVSzvOCZ-cw5J4B3d_q32Mv3NZttU3wCP/s320/Ice+Cream+05.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>Start preparing ice cream mix.<br />
<br />
In a medium size mixing bowl, combine a pinch of salt, 3/4 cup brown sugar and 1 cup of milk.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4CClRWCKR2gZbjR7WZk-wPxO7x-MFxz3dLLuEWinEinpQr0CbaTb5xJrLACde7CN_K8FzkQbmuYwqy-yRLO9JwYNon794kZJI0s3rONVfqrXwMP75rZ0MDAcKxLv_N0YZponoJOQmJcWH/s1600/Ice+Cream+06.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4CClRWCKR2gZbjR7WZk-wPxO7x-MFxz3dLLuEWinEinpQr0CbaTb5xJrLACde7CN_K8FzkQbmuYwqy-yRLO9JwYNon794kZJI0s3rONVfqrXwMP75rZ0MDAcKxLv_N0YZponoJOQmJcWH/s320/Ice+Cream+06.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2cMProLJLA4GU-gg8z0911VXRAJ4dTXVJhPGvNxCr-zZP95OsOGqeBH0O67sseqQhECbjaTWnurGYrzMPTOyF9FUZxlTXnZjwqgru_b2WuByYN4zq17HLVVypBNW4xlnxsaLjC7I4Tjug/s1600/Ice+Cream+07.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2cMProLJLA4GU-gg8z0911VXRAJ4dTXVJhPGvNxCr-zZP95OsOGqeBH0O67sseqQhECbjaTWnurGYrzMPTOyF9FUZxlTXnZjwqgru_b2WuByYN4zq17HLVVypBNW4xlnxsaLjC7I4Tjug/s320/Ice+Cream+07.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Whisk until sugar is disolved. It will look kind of like the milk that's left over after a bowl of cocoa pops.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0u-FE7bGiPYiWj24JGOgIPH3YS5ToVIGtbdCUFBep8hyphenhyphenOjvEq4hJTC8Y7Nb533QDcU5ekgMBBHhSEQ2i_yGIULMUimv3Fub6rCbD4twzBWjPUSxyz3ZIZ-a_eOdUSq-rajfzt8cvJwo-a/s1600/Ice+Cream+08.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0u-FE7bGiPYiWj24JGOgIPH3YS5ToVIGtbdCUFBep8hyphenhyphenOjvEq4hJTC8Y7Nb533QDcU5ekgMBBHhSEQ2i_yGIULMUimv3Fub6rCbD4twzBWjPUSxyz3ZIZ-a_eOdUSq-rajfzt8cvJwo-a/s320/Ice+Cream+08.JPG" width="297" /></a></div>Add two cups of thickened cream and 1 teaspoon of vanilla essence.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU4iq5AO9-5KXRjICC8EHzpbRSDjGexv0yDjnzITgfLVvWOBsyo3943D54_Bp6wZ2zAPInG6EuA7K5daqzq2R9ovBZz7yPwpNq0VeHOxQ1kOf6M6pzHYhuxYbtfENIj2xNgBDe8JwaRjpu/s1600/Ice+Cream+10.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU4iq5AO9-5KXRjICC8EHzpbRSDjGexv0yDjnzITgfLVvWOBsyo3943D54_Bp6wZ2zAPInG6EuA7K5daqzq2R9ovBZz7yPwpNq0VeHOxQ1kOf6M6pzHYhuxYbtfENIj2xNgBDe8JwaRjpu/s320/Ice+Cream+10.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>Whisk until smooth. It will look like a milkshake.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwOMuiiG-FBwL2I-OkreSnTEfhXm77H2hMRQfAtjxceZZd55J9-Ohgf2zONmQJsn4mOkdbNmG6CXENRPS_lTEtVkhMfViQqqJ1wOn7AvxKOS0i-tfTA5W3mW5uUyfq8P3ddygfYF8rr4ou/s1600/Ice+Cream+11.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwOMuiiG-FBwL2I-OkreSnTEfhXm77H2hMRQfAtjxceZZd55J9-Ohgf2zONmQJsn4mOkdbNmG6CXENRPS_lTEtVkhMfViQqqJ1wOn7AvxKOS0i-tfTA5W3mW5uUyfq8P3ddygfYF8rr4ou/s320/Ice+Cream+11.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>Cover and refrigerate overnight.<br />
<br />
Make the ice cream in the ice cream maker.<br />
Assemble the machine.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht6rl0kxPTTeg4XUBj3yVdAGNBvkwknIx7cemgsjJ1yHXDIZPLLxMUUbWgzf7IhzuW6RwvvfX9M894b_VG8EBMQCKC7oWswCufnVSWEI_g2Eq6WBzYaUa8EdUG4DgKKm_6Zw1dIGQB0_x0/s1600/Ice+Cream+12.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht6rl0kxPTTeg4XUBj3yVdAGNBvkwknIx7cemgsjJ1yHXDIZPLLxMUUbWgzf7IhzuW6RwvvfX9M894b_VG8EBMQCKC7oWswCufnVSWEI_g2Eq6WBzYaUa8EdUG4DgKKm_6Zw1dIGQB0_x0/s320/Ice+Cream+12.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>Turn machine on, then pour ice cream mix through the hole in the top of the lid.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIYtiwT8kKm9KKLoYbQOm34Axt_5yOdDBSVAcDjYvsA1GciVYTWpVA5PElGMBASUAzZI9QlflmH2JVtm4UWW027Rm-8mlMR6zoMQ0pfzBreP3N9ZFmf9sHOi8h6KN9I37YNux7gklh971f/s1600/Ice+Cream+13.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIYtiwT8kKm9KKLoYbQOm34Axt_5yOdDBSVAcDjYvsA1GciVYTWpVA5PElGMBASUAzZI9QlflmH2JVtm4UWW027Rm-8mlMR6zoMQ0pfzBreP3N9ZFmf9sHOi8h6KN9I37YNux7gklh971f/s320/Ice+Cream+13.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>Let it mix for around 15-20 minutes. It will look like this:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP9W5KJB-DgrSu2ocqiajhC-UjXTjJR0o4mVhkmlB_zugtHNC23wW1WDVjRAVjQ61cm5Y01mf4AzwJ_iV0wHOBMddOVzlC7KG63KVFgGExTzuA-Z7BdgMuhrJ25rYTpe7vcK7iLj9QQeaQ/s1600/Ice+Cream+14.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP9W5KJB-DgrSu2ocqiajhC-UjXTjJR0o4mVhkmlB_zugtHNC23wW1WDVjRAVjQ61cm5Y01mf4AzwJ_iV0wHOBMddOVzlC7KG63KVFgGExTzuA-Z7BdgMuhrJ25rYTpe7vcK7iLj9QQeaQ/s320/Ice+Cream+14.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>Add pecans through the hole in the lid.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7zXsTUBR8vcnwKlaSi-32PbtdKuBfm4dx1Dj4zKpZZ2rmHpI2IbHM7DHvGXRQNZynrnwdGCDeqZAxAAr7MCeTHS-jJjIN-YnYWY3CnBVULYniE3JidrviLIkYtXTlSZLwDNatsHX2q5J6/s1600/Ice+Cream+15.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7zXsTUBR8vcnwKlaSi-32PbtdKuBfm4dx1Dj4zKpZZ2rmHpI2IbHM7DHvGXRQNZynrnwdGCDeqZAxAAr7MCeTHS-jJjIN-YnYWY3CnBVULYniE3JidrviLIkYtXTlSZLwDNatsHX2q5J6/s320/Ice+Cream+15.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>Mix for a further 5 minutes.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFWBqKQzVJMs6nYoB_XzlXDazajZ7omJNqRBMAbxj6s3qLfjT66kMjQzuKwi5mhz3POddPzEu8LidQvIlZzl9nHZK2-rEI5sJw2Y_09tXgi4KFf8P3irOWl3INYxS4aGEGXcnBsj8iVCU9/s1600/Ice+Cream+16.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFWBqKQzVJMs6nYoB_XzlXDazajZ7omJNqRBMAbxj6s3qLfjT66kMjQzuKwi5mhz3POddPzEu8LidQvIlZzl9nHZK2-rEI5sJw2Y_09tXgi4KFf8P3irOWl3INYxS4aGEGXcnBsj8iVCU9/s320/Ice+Cream+16.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>When done, put ice cream in freezer proof container. Yum.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9O8zRua3XgE3ACnhATgrJZPV_GNVLZghTk07wBYJcMHjIW3vtebi3lHytRA6vRhUloVjXyAMgmsii-Px1pN823UC7ose_5a7e4ap7C5mm5UPKCFX4Z0zccvik6BQ2gPKAi0MTceKrMRIN/s1600/Ice+Cream+17.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9O8zRua3XgE3ACnhATgrJZPV_GNVLZghTk07wBYJcMHjIW3vtebi3lHytRA6vRhUloVjXyAMgmsii-Px1pN823UC7ose_5a7e4ap7C5mm5UPKCFX4Z0zccvik6BQ2gPKAi0MTceKrMRIN/s320/Ice+Cream+17.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>Or eat it right away, whatever works for you.</div>no-onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01166048458762333739noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5531592191357171658.post-3681491196780935412011-12-10T16:36:00.000+10:302011-12-10T16:36:05.391+10:30Reading With No-One: Santa Olivia<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDJCcgpy1b0vtJRxs1KF61tRmFW3yTTxtMWwJr2tFqDnP9rgjeCK_LmuP6yyXtTeghqgJQxA-e2aiIyjRiP80lNjVa4RoAvpvABQ6ujLmbgAO1tcY3rSxLhieNV2kOAE1hEInsyU4R5OnS/s1600/Santa+Olivia.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDJCcgpy1b0vtJRxs1KF61tRmFW3yTTxtMWwJr2tFqDnP9rgjeCK_LmuP6yyXtTeghqgJQxA-e2aiIyjRiP80lNjVa4RoAvpvABQ6ujLmbgAO1tcY3rSxLhieNV2kOAE1hEInsyU4R5OnS/s320/Santa+Olivia.JPG" width="212" /></a></div>They say don't judge a book by the cover, but I really like this cover. Before I get to my mini-review, I will give you the blurb from the back of the book:<br />
<br />
'There is no pity in Santa Olivia. And no escape. In this isolated military buffer zone between Mexico and the U.S., the citizens of Santa Olivia are virtually powerless. Then an unlikely herione is born. She is the daughter of a man genetically manipulated by the government to be a weapon. A "Wolf-Man," he was engineered to have superhuman strength, speed, stamina and senses, as well as a total lack of fear. Named for her vanished father, Loup Garron has inherited his gifts. <br />
<br />
Frustrated by the injustices visited upon her friends and neighbours by the military occupiers, Loup is determined to avenge her community. Aided by a handful of her fellow orphans, Loup takes on the guise of their patron saint, Santa Olivia, and sets out to deliver vigilante justice - aware that if she is caught, she could lose her freedom...and her possibly her life.'<br />
<br />
*******For anyone not familiar with the word, Loup is pronounced Lou. 'Le Loup-Garou' is french for 'The Wolf-Man'********* <br />
<br />
Santa Olivia was recommended to me by a friend. I haven't quite finished it yet, I've got probably around another 45 minutes of reading time to go, but I thought if I did the review before I finished, I'd be less likely to over-explain and ruin the book for people who hate being spoiled as to endings and important plot points. (I'm not one of those people, so I sometimes accidently give to much away, when around people who are.)<br />
<br />
I'm really enjoying Santa Olivia. It's engaging, interesting, and has a lead character who seems worth knowing. And I love a kick-ass female, who can take care of herself while protecting the people around her.<br />
<br />
The story takes place in a world, set sometime in the future where plagues of illness have killed scores of people across the United States and Mexico (and presumably the rest of the world). Santa Olivia is a small town on the US-Mexican border, and has been walled off on both sides. It is technically no longer a part of either country, and as far as the world outside knows, the only people in the town are the soldiers who live there to protect the border. The civilians no longer exist in any official way. <br />
<br />
The US army has told the town residents they are being kept safe from El Segundo a rebel Mexican general, who would use Santa Olivia as a gateway to attack the US, but they have reason to believe they are being lied to. That there is no El Segundo and the area is being kept walled off for other reasons.<br />
<br />
The leading Army General holds out hope to locals in the form of boxing matches, promising if anyone can beat one of his men in a fight, they will get free passage out of Santa Olivia, for themselves and one other person. The locals cling to this promise, but the one time it seems like one of them may win, the fight is fixed. So we see that nobody is ever leaving. <br />
<br />
Up until the boxing match, Loup, who at this point is still a teenager, had been doing a few small acts as the saint, Santa Olivia. The outcome is what makes her decide to really fight against the army, and for freedom.<br />
<br />
I'm sure I'll enjoy the rest of this book as much as I've liked what I've already read.<br />
<br />
And I have, waiting, the sequel, Saints Astray, which I will start later this evening.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimq-m8zfSzCJo-wZ0blzP4MAkySA8qZBYt0v-u-DN1VIzMn7iErWlMPklRgHyXDVG4iVMvgrIKxu-O115VXKlR8p37YvHE2A0jiMFW4aghKI5dw8X_3qL-pkYTPQlbY1CaZtrYza9l8VkX/s1600/Saints+Astray.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimq-m8zfSzCJo-wZ0blzP4MAkySA8qZBYt0v-u-DN1VIzMn7iErWlMPklRgHyXDVG4iVMvgrIKxu-O115VXKlR8p37YvHE2A0jiMFW4aghKI5dw8X_3qL-pkYTPQlbY1CaZtrYza9l8VkX/s320/Saints+Astray.JPG" width="225" /></a></div></div>no-onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01166048458762333739noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5531592191357171658.post-2827563909569153992011-12-08T09:39:00.003+10:302011-12-08T11:28:01.092+10:30My Breakfast Cafe<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">As a time saver, and so I can sleep as late as possible, I grab breakfast on the way to work and eat it when I get there. <br />
<br />
A few months back some of the bus routes changed and this meant I got to work about 15 minutes earlier (but couldn't catch a later bus, because that would be too late), so I started getting off the bus two stops earlier and walking the rest of the way. <br />
<br />
Back at the start of November I noticed, right near the bus stop I was now using, a tiny little cafe, with a few tables out the front. Apparently it's been there for years, I'd just never noticed it. It's run by a couple of men, brothers I think, originally from Nepal. One of them does most of the counter work, the other one is mostly out the back. They serve breakfast and lunch, curries being their main lunch attraction. I don't have time to get up there for lunch, so I'm yet to try them.<br />
<br />
The first day I went in, I got a tall latte, with two sugars, and a maple syrup-pecan danish. It tasted like real maple syrup, and had actual pecans on it. By the middle of the week, the counter guy was just confirming that it was two sugars in the latte, and a danish to go. By the second week he didn't have to ask. I walk in and he starts my making my coffee and bagging up the danish while we say good morning, and if it's quiet in there, chat about the weather, the christmas decorations showing up on the street and other shops, how was the weekend, stuff like that. <br />
<br />
It's not just me, there are a bunch of regulars who come in and get the same remarkable service. Some of them stay in and chat, some of them wander in, put some money on the counter with a quick "morning, I'll be out at the tables", and he knows what to bring them. The only people I've seen tell him what they're after are people making a change to their regular breakfast, and they do that before he's had a chance to start getting their usual, (through the door "I'll have a muffin, instead of some toast today mate), or newbies, (well, probably newbies, why else would they need to ask the coffee sizes, or what kind of bread they use for the toast).<br />
<br />
While I still love my Hudson's coffee, the lattes here are excellent and the customer service is amazing (which is what really keeps me coming back every morning). One day I'll make it there for lunch and try the Nepalese Curry.</div>no-onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01166048458762333739noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5531592191357171658.post-15121045988926476262011-12-07T08:23:00.001+10:302011-12-07T08:26:03.145+10:30Quote Of The WeekFrom Terry Pratchett's new novel 'Snuff':<br />
"...good people have no business being so bad. Goodness is about what you do. Not what you pray to."no-onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01166048458762333739noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5531592191357171658.post-14418543434230198042011-12-03T12:49:00.001+10:302011-12-03T20:53:25.229+10:30I'm Over It<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">The love affair the world seems to be having with vampires and werewolves.<br />
<br />
Full disclosure, I watched Buffy & Angel back in the day. I own the DVDs and still watch them on occasion. I currently watch The Vampire Diaries in spite of the fact that the two male leads are playing vampires, because they have some fantastic writing and acting, and of course, Ian Somerhalder's abs are very nice.<br />
<br />
However, I was in Dymocks today, to use a gift card I got for my birthday. (Sidenote, I know some people who don't like to give gift cards because they're not 'personal'. I beg to differ. Gift cards says "I personally know that you'd rather choose your own book, instead of maybe ending with one you already own, or will hate." Yay giftcards!)<br />
<br />
So, I'm wandering through the sci-fi/fantasy and horror sections, and it seems like every third book (or series) is about a human in love with a vampire or werewolf. Or a werewolf or vampire in love with a human. And it's all soppy and "I must control my bloodlust for the sake of love." eeerrrggghhhh. The market is just oversaturated, and I object to these genres being overrun with supernatural romances. I miss the days when vampires and werewolves were bloodthirsty killing machines to be hunted down and slayed, rather than fallen in love with and bedded. Back then, at least when one of these creatures fell for a human, they'd turn them and continue on with their natural bloodlusty killing sprees. <br />
<br />
I want my genres back to the way they were.</div>no-onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01166048458762333739noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5531592191357171658.post-5145724235120235932011-12-01T15:50:00.000+10:302011-12-01T15:50:58.263+10:30Gingerbread House<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br />
A friend made me this gingerbread house. <br />
Front:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Km_h9XgU20PC6ZRSFMc-9fIZ0MF80BZNdFG2-8wDGJ1i86pCA0xyGKwy_g9GXpU4iPmlXhQrI1hPnRhDV75dFz74dpldGV09ijgRHsxLvA5f9wPdf4qLpCiYk7C4GdTm5Tv-SeBezpUo/s1600/Gingerbread.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Km_h9XgU20PC6ZRSFMc-9fIZ0MF80BZNdFG2-8wDGJ1i86pCA0xyGKwy_g9GXpU4iPmlXhQrI1hPnRhDV75dFz74dpldGV09ijgRHsxLvA5f9wPdf4qLpCiYk7C4GdTm5Tv-SeBezpUo/s320/Gingerbread.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Sides: (only one pic, because they look the same)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKhg0OS74rnyCP_2EYCT3oJ_E57z1zQwf534LkUv8Ay4wnaYU9Q_BXda9jOpkps5-iXxjHWX5NgOpcwqSAx3YDifF3kcJ-OOVnJhxDYEveRc4HXfXF8cYGu_MzlX1B1mxwACtk99PGYnz4/s1600/Gingerbread+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKhg0OS74rnyCP_2EYCT3oJ_E57z1zQwf534LkUv8Ay4wnaYU9Q_BXda9jOpkps5-iXxjHWX5NgOpcwqSAx3YDifF3kcJ-OOVnJhxDYEveRc4HXfXF8cYGu_MzlX1B1mxwACtk99PGYnz4/s320/Gingerbread+2.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Back:</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirpGYIT-vGWXGwql8Ezx3rfwqTfhkZcV1sTopUaUg9NgkqH9boclr4Am94LOCkBi_Qq7A2RMClKGUuycNG-glJZwtxeotCLZR0VnGQ_TR6YMKBmEc_8RoXpJlweolojAxuxti1RAFj0yHM/s1600/Gingerbread+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirpGYIT-vGWXGwql8Ezx3rfwqTfhkZcV1sTopUaUg9NgkqH9boclr4Am94LOCkBi_Qq7A2RMClKGUuycNG-glJZwtxeotCLZR0VnGQ_TR6YMKBmEc_8RoXpJlweolojAxuxti1RAFj0yHM/s320/Gingerbread+3.JPG" width="240" /></a></div> And these maimed and murdered gingerbread men. Or 'gingerdead' men, as we're calling them. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmwg_WzKYah-c63C2-Q0XqWBPV1C0TzYBbwL7mSmjdRgvvjMvdLhsjYKAr40fwdMJ0CICN1oqggziDzEGd8Mz8At9m5-S8ZHuK3GIz3cDlx5k-ZTR0FRsJhddiCvBQEybjR9551Va4iehx/s1600/Gingerdead+Men.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmwg_WzKYah-c63C2-Q0XqWBPV1C0TzYBbwL7mSmjdRgvvjMvdLhsjYKAr40fwdMJ0CICN1oqggziDzEGd8Mz8At9m5-S8ZHuK3GIz3cDlx5k-ZTR0FRsJhddiCvBQEybjR9551Va4iehx/s320/Gingerdead+Men.JPG" width="240" /></a></div></div>no-onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01166048458762333739noreply@blogger.com4