nocte's New Writeups

September 28, 2007 (person)

2007-09-28T04:50:35Z

So, I haven't done this for a long time, because really what's there to say? I go to school almost every day, and the days I don't, I have something I need to get done anyway. But today is different. So here we go.

The last two weeks have been bad. No, they've been worse than bad, they've been awful. It might sound cliché, but everything that could go wrong has. Well, that's not true, knock on wood there will not be anymore catastrophes in the days to come because I am not sure how much more I can take. At this point, I am so stressed out that I am snapping over every little thing, things that wouldn't normally bug me.

Classes have been going rough, so I look forward to going home after class to relax. Unfortunately, I live with six other girls in a seven bedroom, three bathroom house. That's a lot of estrogen. Needless to say, but I am going to say it anyway, there's a lot of drama. I just cannot deal with the…

tsumami kanzashi (thing)

2006-10-19T06:04:02Z

Tsumami Kanzashi, literally "tsumami" pinching a square piece of fabric into a formed shape, and "kanzashi" hairpin. This is a traditional Japanese art form that has been in use for over 200 years. Used to decorate meiko, the geisha apprentices since the Edo period.

There is a very traditional and rigid structure around wearing kanzashi. There are many different kinds, and the type and location can indicate status. Kanzashi are becoming a very popular fashion accessory not only among kimono wearing Japanese, but among the general population around the world. While the kimono wearing society in Japan (geishas, maikos, tayu, yujo) must pick their kanzashi according to the season and holidays, everyone else is free to wear whatever they think is lovely. No emphasis is placed on the location of choice for the general population either, pick one that coordinates with what you're wearing.

I found a few websites that sell these, made out of kimono silk for…

April 11, 2006 (thing)

2006-04-11T22:45:50Z

My ordeal with the mystery lump.

So, sometime in late January or early February I noticed a lump. But, how did I notice it you may ask? It felt like a loose needle that I left in my clothing was irritating the skin near my ribs (no, this isn't a breast lump, this is a penny sized lump just inferior my ribs in my abdominal cavity). I'd itch it, it'd hurt more when I poked at it, and eventually I noticed a lump.

I waited a while, 2 weeks or so, and the pain went away. And then, it came back. Insert the dramatic music. I went to my General Practitioner; now, when you go in with a painful lump (emphasis on painful), what do they do, but dig in your abdomen with an index finger until you want to cry! Well, she sent me over for blood work, because she wanted to discard liver or gallbladder issues. She sent me over to have an ultrasound done that day, again for liver and gallbladder issues. The ultrasound hurt a whole bunch. That's when the pain radiated over…

Champagne Flute (thing)

2006-03-27T17:42:25Z

Champagne glasses are designed specifically to the needs of champagne (of course), which are to keep the carbonation in as long as possible; and to keep the champagne cooler by limiting the amount of heat is transferred by the hand of the drinker. The carbonation is kept in by the fact that champagne flutes are tapered at the end, the lowered amount of surface area in turn lowers the amount of gas that can escape. The heat from the hand is limited by the fact that champagne flutes have a long stem used as a handle. These two factors together give modern flutes their unique shape.

This leaves to question the origin of the flute itself. There is a myth that declares that the flute was based on a goblet made from a wax cast that Paris took of Helen of Troy's "gorgeous breast", this story was written by Maurice des Ombiaux. Just like the Helen and Paris story, there are versions of the story that include Madame de Pompadour and…

Dream Log: January 12, 2006 (idea)

2006-01-12T17:01:09Z

My dream starts as a shy recruit for a terra forming project.

"Get Over Here You Scared Buncha Sissies!"

He had to yell to be heard over the din that the machines were making, especially the one that he was introducing us to.

"This Is The People Mover! If You're Not Careful, It Will Kill You!"
"Stop scaring the recruits. Instead of making them want their mommies, teach them how to use the machine right.
"Let Me Have A Volunteer!"

The first guy walked up, he was already wearing his issued jumpsuit, apparently that wasn't enough protection for this people mover machine. How far away did it send you? And how do you get back?

"This People Mover Is For Local Traffic, But There Are Ways To Make It Send You To Your Permanent Assignment"

As the guy walks over to this releasing station, he staggers back slightly, finally he sees that we'r…

French onion soup (idea)

2006-01-11T23:09:42Z

Vegetarian French Onion Soup

Essentially the same as the above two recipes , except for the stock is made with mushrooms. If you don't like mushrooms, this recipe isn't for you.

To make the stock, you will need 1 pound of mushrooms. I used portabella because they were on sale, I am sure this would taste just as good with button. Slice them up, and sautée in butter or oil until they are dark and mushy. This should leave you with a nice brownish liquid in the bottom as well. If you didn't start in a stock pot, move it to a stock pot and add just enough water to cover the mushrooms. Let it simmer for about 1 ½ to 2 hours (adding water as needed).

To this stock I added about 3 tbsp of red wine and about 1 ½ tbsp of soy sauce and about 3 tsp of sea salt. You may choose to add less salt, but French onion soup tends to be on the salty side because of the beef broth typically used.

Cut up about 4 cups of onions. Place them…