When it rains it pours around here, and I'm mirroring that weather pattern with my blogging. None for two weeks and then three in one day! Pace yourself if you like, I must write when my brain's working that way.
I linked to my friend Zeynep's blog before when she posted about our first political movie night. This time, it's because she's bothered to take pictures of Cardiff flowers this week. See them here:
http://butterfly-x.blogspot.com
Also, if you go down a post or two, there are pictures of our class celebrating our regeneration presentations. There's a shot of me with my new Northern Irish friend. He's a riot and he's off to Zanzibar working on some education project with his NGO this week. I'm hoping I'll someday get to work with him on something in Belize, another of their focus areas.
Even further down in her blog, Zeynep talks about our film night when we watched The Interpreter. (Yes, it was a drama, not particularly educational film night, but we were in the end of a hard semester and wanted some entertainment.) I happen to disagree about the performances of Sean Penn and Nicole Kidman, but wanted to mention that Zeynep made us a turkish dinner of "ripped stomach" and shepard's salad. I hadn't eaten beef in years, except for a taste here and there, having lost the taste for it after mostly going over to white meat (with a bacon exception) for so long. But when she pulled out the minced beef (hamburger meat to us Americans), I decided to just shut my mouth and eat it. "ripped stomach" is basically stuffed eggplant with yogurt sauce and I might just have to make it for you some time. It was truly amazing food.
Note about food:
I've never been too dogmatic about my eating habits, and mostly stay with birds and fish because I prefer them, but having reminded myself recently of the amount of land resources, water and energy that goes into most meat production compared to grain and vegetable based diets, I have a renewed commitment to eating in ways that are sustainable for the environment. What this boils down to is that I think I am now a "conscientious carnivore." I eat meat, but not frequently, and when I do, I buy locally raised, organically fed, free range animals whenever possible. And I try to buy fish that is certified from sustainable fisheries. Yep, it is more expensive, but I figure I make up for that by eating it so much less frequently. A pot of lentils, some veggie burritos and a stir fry and I've earned a plump juicy roast chicken from that cool guy at the farmer's market who talks so fast I can't understand him. Josh is cooking one now. Also Welsh lamb is a local specialty, generally sustainably farmed and good for the local rural economy, so it's practically my duty to eat some now and then. Mmmm. I bet welsh lamb would be good in ripped stomach. If you come visit me I'll give it a shot!
As a recently lapsed veggie I like your balanced and selective way of eating meat, plus it means you don't eat all that grey, reconstituted newspaper-like meat that makes up a large part of British diets (well my grandparents anyway)yck.
I think you should mention some things about Seattle on you blogg - this is a request, because I find it really interesting that it’s different to a lot of the other states, a bit more liberal etc and want to know more about it e.g. politics, social centres and your personal experiences.
See you soon
Sioned x
Posted by: Sioned at April 30, 2006 09:42 PMHaving posted three times in one day, I will refrain from more for now, but I'll definitely think of some Seattle stuff to post. I am in love with Seattle, and miss it lots, so expect some adoration and glossing over of negatives. As a matter of fact, right now I am listening to KEXP radio station in Seattle over the internet. They just mentioned that the band/performance group Awesome has another show coming up next week, and I'm sort of grumpy to be missing two in one year.
Posted by: Appalachia at April 30, 2006 10:19 PM"Awesome"'s new show opens the day after your birthday. I'm pretty sure somebody can manage to rustle up a cd or other "Awesome" swag for you!
Posted by: molly at May 1, 2006 05:46 PMHee. That'd be ok. J. Galt was kind enough to send the Delaware CD last fall. I use the jewel case, with cover still in it, to carry my presentation CDs to and from class--for good luck. Because I'm a dork.
Posted by: Appalachia at May 1, 2006 06:04 PMNooooooooo Triciaaaaaaaaaaaaa,
Don't kill the aubergine with lamb (evem already it has a ripped stomach).. think twice.. hmm this reminded me phil collins song:)
If you want to put lamb..hmm.. let's call this new version "poor lamb in the stomach"... :) you can find a better name.
It's very interesting how people name their foods, isn't it.. also after looking at our food names. How do people think such names and why?
Just some examples:
"ripped stomach" (as you know).. "sheppard's salad".. "the imam has fainted".. "woman buttocks".. "the lip of an enchanting woman".. "the finger of the sultan".. (when i tnaslate, it's even funnier)..:) these are the ones i remember now..
Life is so funny..
Love. Z.
Posted by: Butterfly-x at May 6, 2006 01:48 AMso, um, you think lamb would be a bad idea?? Okay, I'll use Welsh beef then.
It looks like maybe the turks are best at strange food names. I'm trying to think what we have. Pig in the blanket ...lady fingers...hot dog (which is funny but i never thought about it before) ...
I'm curious to know what woman buttocks is!
T
Posted by: Appalachia at May 6, 2006 12:58 PM:)
woman buttocks is a special kind of meatballs:) you should try, wonderful taste:) are "pig in the blanket" or "lady fingers" really food names in us? if they are we should include them in my list.. he he.. also u should check some chinese names in my blog!! it can be a wonderful research subject, the food names and their relation to local cultures. hmmmm:)