It Started with a Journal

I worked from home yesterday, and took the opportunity to make the chicken tikka masala. It was really good, and I'd totally make it again (time permitting), but I had unfortunately built it up in my head to meet expectations it probably couldn't have met. :/ See, when I went to summer school in England during college one year (we were taking Shakespeare courses so stayed in Stratford-upon-Avon), my friend I went to an Indian restaurant that served the BEST chicken masala that I have ever had in my entire life. Now, Indian food in Britain is superior anyway, but this dish was beyond even that. And I'm afraid that since that time, I have done nothing but hope that I would be able to find something like it again one day -- and this recipe seemed extremely promising, because the picture of the dish at the end looked very much like what I had in that restaurant. Like I said, it was very, very good -- it just wasn't That Dish, which isn't its fault at all. The only change I'd make to the recipe is that next time I make it, I'm going to use chicken thighs instead of breasts. Breast meat is simply not as tender or moist as thigh meat, and I think the dark meat would soak in the spices/marinade even better.

Thanks to corianderstem, I am going to be able to meet Marian Keyes again today, w00t! I think she has a new book coming out very soon; unusual that she would be doing this talk with the book not officially out yet -- I mean, the fact that she is there and ready to sign the book is a big draw for people to buy it then and there at full price. Does that mean it'll be available early, or this really is just strange timing? Edit: Got totally lost downtown, and couldn't make it. :( So bummed.

If you haven't already, I highly recommend that you check out embe11ished's new story, In Vino Veritas. I'm really enjoying Draco's characterization, and the "patient" pace of the fic is perfect in light of the theme -- a different sort of fermentation is going on, indeed. ;) Plus, as I told her, I love learning about wine, even though I'm unable to enjoy much alcohol myself.

( So now I've seen 'The Aviator' and 'House of Flying Daggers' )

No Alias commentary this week, as I was a dumbass, didn't set a timer, and missed it. Jade volunteered to Priority Mail a copy to me, but when I learned that Sark wasn't in it (STILL), I told her not to bother. She gave me the low down on what happened in the ep. Sounded pretty forgettable to me ... the only parts that seemed worth watching was the Nadia stuff. We think they should just retire Syd and Vaughn (since they seem incapable of not shoving that pairing down our throats), and Nadia/Weiss can take over. That would rock so much.

My computer putting together has been delayed again, because the place where I finally ordered my video card has informed me that they're backordered. YOU COULDN'T TELL ME THAT THE DAY I ORDERED IT? &!#&%*@!!!! Anyway, I have ordered another one from somewhere else, but I hate waiting.

Secret Santas at dearsanta have been revealed! I was so, so lucky to get _lore, who wrote me this fabulous D/G fic: Listen While You Can (linking again in case you missed it the first time). She's a Snape/Lupin fan normally, and LWYC is the longest thing she's ever written, and it's all for me!! Squeeee! And now I can also pimp jade_okelani's Like a Stone, a character piece about Harry that is just so wonderful. (I wrote an USTy Snape/Lupin called Renewal for the lovely kellie528.)

Many thanks to everyone who filled out the poll. I learned lots of interesting things. Thirteen of them, to be exact. ( Such as... )

I'm in a pimping mode today, what can I say?

Melting the Darkness, by petunia @ Portkey. It has NC-17 elements and is thankfully complete. The story's not super long -- roughly around the length of two chapters of IYOK, although it contains elements you'd think would make it long (full progression of the D/G ship, Draco facing his choices, living with the Weasleys, etc.), but was handled v. deftly and I enjoyed it a lot. I believe there's an H/Hr sequel.

By the same author, I've also enjoyed what there is so far of The Secret Diary of Ron Weasley aged 16 & 1/2, which is listed under the Ron/Luna category, but has elements of H/Hr and D/G.