Irish Food

St. Patrick's Day is, I believe, Thursday, which also happens to be opening night for Footloose. I shan't be doing anything not-musical related for the next week, until Monday night, when I'll be allowed to start doing things like my homework again. Yay.

However, I always get kind of excited about St. Patrick's Day, because I like culture study, and St. Patrick's Day is kind of a celebration of a culture that is not our own. Yes, I know, it's devolved into a booze fest, a green spree, and a green booze monstrosity, but despite the full-blooded Italian-Americans wearing "Kiss Me, I'm Irish" T-shirts, the root of the holiday is still acknowledging a foreign culture. That's what I get excited about.

So, today, while pretending to "Describe the status of private property under Mao [and] identify and explain TWO [2] policies undertaken by the Chinese government since 1976 that contradict Mao's policy," I looked up Irish food, because if I made some Irish dish and froze it, I could still feel like I was celebrating St. Patrick's Day in the spirit it should be celebrated (as opposed to wearing a wee spot of green, to avoid being pinched).

Oh my goodness.

First of all, let's talk about recipes. "HOW TO MAKE GREEN BEER" is not a recipe.

Secondly, let's talk about what Irish is. Irish is Irish, not British, and not Scottish. Irish is definitely not Indian. Haggis is a prime example of a not-Irish dish. Muligatawny is an ideal example of a not-Irish soup/stew. Scones may be Irish, but only if you don't dump nearly equal parts of sugar and flour into them.

Of course, I'm Scottish, not Irish, and I'm a generation away from Scotland, so I'm much better at calling the internet's bluff when someone pulls something out of their ears when talking about England than Ireland (or Scotland, though I'm loathe to admit it). However, I do know that only Americans would consider making what really looks like a Christmas Pudding for their "genuine Irish desert" on St. Patrick's Day.

On a more positive note, though, I am considering making "Traditional Irish Stew", not because I think it's any more genuine than anything else out there, but because layering the vegetables sounds fun, and it seems meant for the slow cooker.

Additionally, and I'll have to consult my family on this one, but I think perhaps trying to eat a meat in a stew like this, where the juices matter as much as the meat itself, might be more successful than our previous attempts... then again, I might just ruin a whole pot of stew for us if we put meat in it.

I just would really like to be able to eat meat, and it's so difficult because I genuinely don't like it. If you google search, "from vegetarian to meat," you'll find a zillion and two methods for becoming vegetarian. You'll find three or four about how if you offer free-range meat to a vegetarian, they'll instantly leave their meatless days behind. You won't find anything about the texture of chicken is just awful, or the fact that the strange protein makes said vegetarians sick. You really won't find anything about how to conquer such issues, so that if you travel anywhere, you can have local dishes, or even just eat at a friend's house, without putting them in a dither, trying to find something other than a plate of boiled broccoli to put in front of you. (Heck, something most omnivores don't realize is how often we veggies have to eat fettucine alfredo at restaurants. When I was a kid, I really didn't mind... a plate full of garlicky carbs and fat sounded great to me, any day! Now that I'm [somewhat] out of that picky-eater stage, though...)

On another rather unrelated note, my mother and I decided what she's doing about her wedding dress. We went shopping today at our fabulous 1.5-hour's-drive-away-mall, and she said that she compared everything to the dress she has at home -- it's "The Dress." Therefore, we'll be getting it tailored. I'm so excited, she's going to be gorgeous!

My dress, on the other hand, was heavily inspired by this gorgeous

little fey. I found her on Elfwood, by Stephanie N. Payne. Originally, I liked the playful, fantasy-but-reminiscent-of-anime style of this picture, and made it my desktop for a while. I kept coming back to it because I thought that the dress she's wearing would be a lot of fun! So... I'll be wearing it to the upcoming nuptials! However, I thought the colors were too similar to my prom dress, so my wingless, leafless version will be pink, with an overdress of darker red. Don't worry, I'll post pictures of my dress and my mother's dress, once the wedding rolls around. Wouldn't want anyone to accidentally see someone's dress early, you know.

Tate and Werner Wildlife Museums

Yesterday, we went to the Tate Paleontology Museum, and then the Werner Wildlife Musem.

The Tate has "Dee" the mammoth, the largest Columbian mammoth found thus far in North America (and it was found right here in WY!).

It's very large. It's so large that I couldn't get it all in my camera at once. Therefore, I have a picture of its back legs and my dad, who is studiously reading every single word on the display.

The Twelve-Year-Old is studiously admiring dinosaur eggs. Yep. He sure is a solemn, studious lad. Sometimes I think he takes things too seriously.

This is Rick giving me his, "mneh, I don't wanna have my picture taken next to the jaws of a 'Giant Sea Lizard,' but okayyyy..." face.

If only this T-Rex would cooperate and chomp down when I ask him to!

*ahem* I mean, thank goodness this wee beastie has been dead for millenia.

Same not-hungry tyrannous king, but this time, he's losing a staring contest to me.

Someone panted a yellow-and-black-eye on a red Christmas ornament and hung it in this big ol' guy's eye socket. Even so, I beat him to the ground in our staring contest.

Oh, by the way, Dad has an electric guitar.

Review of The Warrior Heir

The Warrior Heir by Cinda Williams Chima. First in a trilogy.

In a magical world where most people (Anaweir) are completely unaware of magical happenings, wizards are willing to stop at nothing to gain the upper hand in their own political intrigues. These wizards use all other magical beings (Anawizard Weir) to achieve those ends. The highest pawns in demand are Warriors, a class that is almost extinct, due to a barbaric, gladiator-like “Game,” in which the warriors are forced to fight each other in their wizard’s stead.

Jack belongs to the Warrior class of Anawizard Weir. Having come into his abilities late in life, he is fought over by the two major wizard political groups. Jack doesn’t want to die in this political game… and he doesn’t want to kill anyone else, either.

The book was entertaining, with a somewhat original premise. However, it seems that Chima’s foreshadowing is a bit heavy-handed – I predicted several key plot and character developments in advance (remember, I’m the only Harry Potter fan in the world that didn’t foresee Ron and Hermione’s relationship). Additionally, Chima’s wording is awkward at times, and she has a love of incomplete sentences. Chima often has two sentences where one would be more effective and elegant. For my taste, fragment sentences are forgivable in dialogue, when communcating dialect – in narration, it is less forgivable.

Characterization is shallow at times – best friend Will is big and loyal, but there’s really not much else to him – and characters’ objectives tend to be simple. Additionally, aspects of The Warrior Heir’s world were not initially well explained. Since most of the book is in third person, from Jack’s point of view, perhaps Chima was trying to force the reader to feel the same confusion Jack feels. However, I felt that because we did see some backstories that Jack wasn’t privy to, the information was simply poorly dealt out. For example, it was difficult to figure out just why Jack was being sought after – it wasn’t until late in the book that we really learned about “The Game,” even though we’d seen characters talk about it in the first chapters.

Negatives aside, the story was entertaining, if not engaging, and certainly a fresh take on the normal-teenager-turned-ancient-warrior line of YA literature (My favorite series in this vein is Percy Jackson). Chima’s writing is descriptive, and she seems at ease with using variety in her language, without sounding like a thesaurus. My twelve-year old source loved the book, but if you’re looking for a book to enjoy with your young teen, you might consider others (Three unrelated but fantastic series you might enjoy as much as your young person are: Artemis Fowl, by Eoin Colfer; Percy Jackson, by Rick Riordan; Bartimaeus, by Jonathon Stroud; Ranger’s Apprentice, by John Flanagan). That said, this book would be great for young audiences who are just beginning to edge away from the Children’s section of the library and towards the Teen section. Kids that love books with lots of action (like my source!) should also enjoy The Warrior Heir.

On the other hand, I would say that for a similar-premis-but-better-written book (also the beginning of a series), you might pick up The Hunger Games over this one.

-Carlin Mackenzie

Run-on Sentences

Dear Run-on Sentences:

You know, I suppose it’s good that we’re finally meeting up again. It has been a while since I’ve seen you, after all, and I wouldn’t want to lose an old friend. Hey, I haven’t forgotten – you were with me through the thick and thin of elementary school. You were always there to offer me a proverbial shoulder to cry on when I hit writer’s block in sixth grade. You were there to encourage me when the teachers of fifth grade were cheerleading the benefits of sentences containing multiple clauses. Run-on Sentences, you were there with me, loyal and true, and always willing to step up to the plate when I needed another ten words put somewhere.

I remember that story we wrote together, in our golden days of youth. I pranced and leaped through fields of imagination, and Run-on Sentences, you slithered alongside me, ensuring my purple pencil could keep up with my fun-filled fantasies. With you by my side, I needed not stop to make a period! When we were together, the words simply flowed out of my slowly deadening pencil, with no regard for form, grammar, or even sense. Those were the days. We were free together, you and I.

Worry not, Run-on Sentences, my sweet. I have not forgotten how close we once were. I’ll always have a special place in my heart for you, truly. But, Run-on Sentences – now, please understand, I say this not with hard feelings, or with any wish to hurt you – you really mustn’t interrupt me at work like this. I know, we had a past, and yes, we had something special going. But when I’m writing about the British government and Parliament, you can’t just barge in and expect me to give up everything to be with you again. Times have changed.

I have changed. I’m older now, and I’ve met some new friends. I know, Run-on Sentences, you hate Conciseness – but I’m not hanging out with him to spite you! It’s just a personality clash between the two of you, he’s really not a bad guy; maybe if you gave him a chance, you’d be surprised by how great Conciseness is.

I have to admit, though, Conciseness isn’t the only one. He introduced me to Eloquence. Oh, Run-on Sentences, I know you’ve never met her. You’ve probably never been in the same room as Eloquence. She’s way out of your league. Hey, she’s way out of mine, too. Poets do not write about her beauty. Eloquence gives poetry its beauty!

It hurts me to say this more than it hurts you to hear it, Run-on Sentences (don’t pretend you didn’t hang out with every other seventh grader in the school just as often as you played with me), but if I got a chance to hang out with Eloquence, I’d stop seeing you for good. Eloquence isn’t a toy, you know. I could never be with her and keep in touch with you. She’d leave me in an instant if she even thought I’d dallied with you again, Run-on Sentences.

Please don’t be hurt, my old friend. I’ve still got a long way to go until I get even close to the level of Eloquence. We can still share a moment or two in the meantime. Just understand, Run-on Sentences, I can’t be seen with you at school. Really. If you showed up in an essay, why, I’d never hear the end of it. Just know that I remember you fondly, and you can still pop up, if you’re subtle about it, and if we have the delete key there to chaperone.

Fondly,

Me

Books

I'd like to get back into reading a lot of Fantasy and Science Fiction (I've gotten out of practice at reading space novels). I'd also like to start reading new books again -- it feels like forever since I've picked up a brand new book and read it.

You know, there's a big difference between reading and rereading. There's also a big difference between reading and reading for an English class. That's why I decided to make a list.

These are books that I want to read and review:

American Gods by Neil Gaiman

Stardust by Neil Gaiman

The Help by Kathryn Stockett

The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo by Steig Larsson

My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult

(books below were added to the list after a facebook plea)

Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss

Deadline by Chris Crutcher

Sun Tzu: Art of War

The Society of S by Susan Hubbard

Good Omens by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman

Potchrowe Harris and the Hallowed Death People by J.K. Simmons (not a parody of anything, I'm sure)

These are books I need to finish and review:

The Looking Glass Wars by Frank Beddor

I Never Promised You A Rose Garden by Joanne Greenberg (penname Hannah Green)

The Belgariad by David Eddings

Anybody know of any other books that I should read?

A Wedding Dress For Mother

By the way, my mother, the beautiful and just JM is engaged to the wise and kind JL.

They've been seeing each other for quite some time now, and I am shocked, not that both their names start with the letter J, but that I've really never noticed that commonality until now.

Next, allow me to inform you that the title of this post sounds like it ought to be a book. "A Daisy for Armadillo," "A Wedding Dress For Mother," you know, all in the same vein.

And thirdly, I stayed home sick (in the American and British senses of the word!) today, and I looked at wedding dresses.

A lot of them.

Actually, if I'm to be specific, I looked at Mother of the Bride dresses, because while my mother is getting married, she seems to think that wearing a poofy white concoction at age olderthanthou+ is ridiculous. So. Some of my favorites so far are:

I just love the detailed neckline and the pleated sleeves. It's a bit suit-ier than is my ideal, but it is her wedding, after all.

This dress is 50705, from David's Bridal (davidsbridal.com).

This dress's ephemeral quality is what blows my mind away. The grey color reminds me of smoke dissolving in the sky and the dream-like sheer overlay adds to that. I wouldn't want her marrying JL in that color -- and the effect wouldn't work in any other. Therefore, it's just here because I really like it.

This dress is 29994, from Montage Boutique (brides.com)

I like the lace of the top, I love the ruching, I love the delicate "lift" of the skirt... Beautiful dress, in all. This is the kind of thing I hope she'll wear -- romantic, and beautiful.

This dress is 29976, Montage by Mon Cherie (brides.com)

I love this dress because it's sophisticated and pretty, simultaneously gorgeous and unpretentious. I like the sheen of the top and the dullness of the bottom, I like the drip effect and the flowy sleeves...

It is M578 Demetrios Evening (brides.com)

This is my favorite. Its asymmetry adds a contemporary feel, as do the contrasting directions of the tucks. However, it's also romantic in its length and in its overall look -- I love it. Muchly.

This dress is A7682, by Avanti Designs (brides.com)

I made a gorgeous spreadsheet (much of it blank...) of the things we need to get done before this shebang happens, too. These things need to be decided (date, time, locale) and announced (invitations, flowers, cake), and talked about (caterers, music, decor)...

I am excited!

Wyoming trip '10 part III

Saturday, February 20, 2010
Today – We decided to go to the Aquatic Center at one, and then the movie “Percy Jackson and the Olympians – The Lightning Thief” afterwards. To kill time until then, though, we went and saw Danyel’s horses (beautiful animals!), and played with her dogs, Skittles the cat, and a laser pointer. Smoky the fat cat (fattest animal I’ve ever seen.) tried to play with the laser pointer too, but he just couldn’t… move properly.

Danyel drove us into town in her adorable pickup. We listened to the radio and sang along with “Why Don’t We Just Dance,” a fantastic song that is very country and very good. See? I’m not the only one who loves country! Danyel’s a fan as well! The truth is, the most beautiful girls adore country music… and Danyel, at least, drives a hot car to go along with her gorgeous face and soul ^_^ Her pickup may be old, but it’s awesome.

At the Aquatic Center, we went down the slides a whole bunch of times, and went around the lazy river fourteen times. Why? Oh, for the marvelously illogical reason that there is a sign in the middle of the lazy river that says, “Water Walkers – if you’re counting, 39 laps makes approximatly 1 mile.” After seeing that sign, we just had to try to reach 39. At fourteen, we were too bored to continue… We went to play water volleyball instead, at which I suck. Once we left, we had to come back for my watch, and then waited for the movie to start. (Enough menial details!) We grabbed a water cup from the concession stand, and got two quarters worth each of M&Ms, Skittles, and Runts from the little candy-machine-put-in-your-quarter-and-turn-the-handle things. Either our concept of size has changed since we were small, or else a quarter buys you a whole lot less candy nowadays…

The Lightning Thief was a great movie, although there were many discrepancies between book and movie. The director also directed Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone -- In my opinion, his ability to stick to a book has gone downhill, but his skill in making good movies has grown greatly. Annabeth’s eyes were really strange… and that’s all I have to say about that.
Afterwards, Dad, Rick and I went to Johnny J’s diner. They have the best veggie burgers, fries, and pie in the universe. I had all three. I may not be as corny as Kansas in August, but I ordered some abnormally good blueberry pie. If you’re ever in Casper, Wyoming, make sure you go to Johnny J’s, it is splendid.

And now, I am home, with a computer on my lap, and an APUSH book review book sitting next to me. Tomorrow will be another fabulous day, I’m sure. Along with all the other things I’m planning to do, people I’m planning to see, I’ll read through the above entry and edit out the silly, boring stuff – wish me luck with that ^_^ night!
Editing has commenced, and finished, but… well, I suppose you’ll decide whether there are still way too many unexciting details or not. For my part, I think that there are more than there should be, but not enough to be able to fix it properly – oh well. If you want to know the little parts of what I’ve been doing, here’s how you find out!