smells like records

I won the new Fresh & Onlys LP in an online social media contest!  Pretty spiffy, eh?  I adore the first two songs a lot. Melancholy with dreamy, pretty guitar, great for summer.  Still taking in the rest of the album.  Considering going up to St. Louis to catch them on tour. 

I wish bands that I love would come closer.  Closer still.  In my face.  Even closer.  Closer yet.  :::woof:::

BLACK AND WHITE

Trick-fil-A

Hej, dudes + dudettes! Didn't get out and about this past weekend, but it was still a pretty good one.  Last weekend, after breaking our shovel trying to dig out a root ball, I had a mini-meltdown in the front yard.  It was glorious!  I used a lot of salty language.  Immediately thereafter, ATM + I hopped into the car and went over to the hardware store and bought tools, tools designed to excavate root balls.  Instead of one removal per session, we did FIVE.  Our property is jungle-dense with the worst shrubs, vines, and irresponsibly cared-for trees, poor things.  Our goal is to remove it all, let it chill + settle for some time, and then carefully + thoughtfully put in new things.  All this rain has been keeping the ground soft, so maybe we'll see big progress again next weekend.

One of my favorite things about our house are the metal awnings, especially during a perfect rain in the morning when you're allowed to sleep in. Here, you can see the unruly plants trying to get inside the bedroom window to strangle me in my sleep.  I'll show them.

Sun rays chasing the tail end of a storm:

And the subsequent mammatus cloud formations.  A lot of these in Arkansas lately:

Furthering my attempts to demystify veganism for omnis, ATM + I "went there" and made Trick-fil-A sandwiches for supper last night, a double F U to the animal farming machine + to Chik-fil-A themselves.  That's a two-finger bird, you guys.  Isn't that FUN?!

The sandwiches were absurdly DELICIOUS with their "buttered" and toasted buns and their crispy pickles.  They're totally legit.  Try it!

Trick-Fil-A sandwich:

4 vegan chicken cutlets (try Gardein Chick’n Scallopini)
3/4 cup plain, unsweetened almond milk
1/4 cup pickle juice
1 1/4 cups flour
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. pepper
1 tsp. onion powder
1/2 tsp. paprika
1/4 tsp. dry mustard
2 Tbsp. powdered sugar
Peanut, canola, or vegetable oil, for frying
Earth Balance spread
4 vegan buns
16 dill pickle chips

• Defrost or thaw the chicken cutlets if frozen.
• Combine the almond milk and the pickle juice in a bowl and mix well. Set aside.
• Combine the flour, salt, pepper, onion powder, paprika, dry mustard, and powdered sugar in a medium-sized mixing bowl. Set aside.
• Warm the oil in a small frying pan over medium heat.
• Dip a “chicken” cutlet into the wet mixture, coating evenly on all sides. Toss into the flour mixture and coat generously. Repeat the dipping process twice per cutlet -- permission granted to double dip -- and set aside.
• Place one cutlet in the frying pan using a pair of tongs. Flip occasionally to ensure even cooking. Allow to cook for about 5 to 8 minutes, or until the outside is crisp and golden brown. Allow to drain on a paper towel. Repeat with the remaining cutlets.
• Lightly 'butter' the buns with the Earth Balance spread and place in a frying pan over low heat until slightly toasted.
• Place 4 pickle chips on the bottom half of each bun, then top with the fried “chicken.” Serve immediately.

 This is your face, Chik-fil-A!

PARQUET COURTS

Yesterday eve, ATM + I shuffled over to Memphis to catch Parquet Courts on tour.  So glad we did that.  They sound great live + seeing them live means we're married now.  I am married to Parquet Courts.  They've got a new album out right now + are on tour, so go get married, if you can!  Their last lp is essential, too, btw.

Before we left Memphis, ATM + I popped over to Imagine Vegan Cafe for lunch.  Honestly, wtf.  There's no sweatin' it because you can order anything off the menu and it's vegan.  Granted, this isn't the raw veg & grain-heavy healthy stuff here; it's vegan junk/comfort food heaven.  But, dang it if it's not just a relief to walk into a restaurant and eat whatever w/o having to be all concerned about  animal ingredients, sub-ingredients, and science-ingredients. It's delicious, too.  We tried the app sampler, Philly cheese-steak sandwich with fries, red beans + rice, and two kinds of cake.  I am so gonna be craving that mess soon.  Goooooo!  BTW, this is such an invaluable resource right here for vegan dining in Memphis, TN.

Looking back on Arkansas from Bluff City:

GENESIS/OBLIVION

STILL FALLS THE RAIN

Ever since I heard Roxy Music in Ft. Smith the other day, I cannot stop listening to them.  I'm officially going through a third Roxy Music phase and it's the deepest one yet.  

Is it all over my face?

On Saturday, we took a hurried trip to Fort Smith-->Dallas-->Fort Smith to take my lil cousin to IKEA to pick out some things for her dorm, a treat for high school graduation.  We did not do any loafing around in the "Big D", as it is yuckily referred to by the old-timers around here, but we did get a meal in at Cosmic Cafe.  I'm certain there are loads of awesome restaurants in Dallas that would make me very happy, but we only go to CC. Their Okra Remedy and I Hate Eggplant sandwiches are total enlightenment.  We made it back to my aunt's home in Ft. Smith late Saturday night.  I slept on a twin-sized mattress in a teenage girl's room.  I received very little sleep despite my exhaustion.

Late the next morning, my aunt loaded us down with a lot of homemade Vietnamese food and we went back to North Little Rock.  On our way out of town, we stopped at a convenience store to gas up the car and get foode/drinke for the road.  Roxy Music's 'Love Is The Drug' was playing on speakers.  It was unexpected and it made me happy.

Yesterday, ATM & I headed over to Everett's for a BBQ about 4 p.  About 15 minutes into hanging out, I FELL.  I missed the last step of the back stoop and I WENT DOWN.  It took me a minute to get up and be helped over to some steps to sit because I was experiencing pain all over my body, primarily my left ankle.  I could feel that it had turned in a way that it shouldn't have.  I sat for a few minutes before, per ATM, I lost all color in my lips + face and I told him that I thought I was going to faint.  I suppose the fall put me into shock?  I could see psychedelia!  It was pretty + frightening!  HELP ME!  It took all effort to be led inside to lay out on the couch. I remember the French Open being on the telly, Djokovic acting goofy during a rain delay, which made the experience weird.  My foot was elevated and I was sipping an ice cold Topo Chico.  After 10 mins or so, I felt much much better.  The color came back to my face and I could rotate my ankle, but it still hurt like hell.  Minor swelling, no bruising.  Ibuprofen cocktail and early to bed!  Today, it still hurts + I've got a funny walk.  I'm stiff all over.  I'm hoping for full recovery by week's end.

Anyway.

Amateur photo of Saturn - your favorite planet - by Thomas Davison.


Eyeball examination:


New specs:


Say your good-byes:


Be easy.


Our new couch cover makes the couch look like it's wearing a suit, getting ready for a job interview:

NOWHERE FAST

MATHEMATICS

BAM BAM

KING TUBBY'S BADNESS DUB

We will be stronger for it.

The last six words of Hon. Chris Piazza's ruling deeming Arkansas' gay marriage ban unconstitutional.  I appreciate his not mincing words.

For a week, gays + lesbians who wanted to marry in Arkansas, could.  For one week, the State of Arkansas was progressive, the first Southern state to grant marriage licenses to same-sex couples.  For a week, I had the honor of witnessing the (very guarded) joy of people who couldn't even fathom the idea of being wed in their beloved home state.  This might qualify as one of those 'you had to be there' experiences, but trust me when I say that it was awesome, exciting, beautiful, and real.  

Real life is so much more different than what is reported in the news.  

My co-worker told me of a conversation that she had with another co-worker who just couldn't wrap her head around it all.  "Why do 'they' make such a big deal out of it?," which is more of a critique than a genuine question.  Whether you agree or not, that is an awfully callous + arrogant thing to say.  It compelled me to write a little something.  I'm aware that this isn't my story or my fight, but I want my support to be clear and evident.

I do not accept the argument regarding the sanctity of marriage.  I do not have to look very far to see that it's not a viable defense.  My mum has been divorced three times, my father two.  That's not very inspiring, it's not uncommon, and doesn't really bring to mind inviolability.  Marriage just doesn't work out sometimes, no matter who is involved.  Not to be completely unromantic, but marriage can come off as a business arrangement, too, what with tax and insurance incentives.  

All of that said, recognition of a union, of love, is what 'they' want.  And equal protection under the law.  It's for any and all reasons any person who hopes to married or is married wants.  It's not that hard to understand, and yet...

It's a big deal, too, because there are some people who make it their life's work to ban gay marriage.  It's annoying, time consuming, and it will cost tax-payers millions because you all know -- deep down you know it to be true -- that it's unconstitutional.  You don't even have to be a legal scholar to know it.  So, it's a long, painful, harmful, expensive, dramatic farce that we are all forced into.  This never had to be a big deal, but here we are.  We've still a ways to go.  

Anyway, here's the good stuff.  This is the very first gay marriage license to be issued in Pulaski County, Arkansas:

Witnessing the Hon. Wendell Griffen officiate his first gay marriage was moving:

Yesterday, the AR Supremes issued a stay on the ban.  We're back to where we started.  But, I have faith in the judicial process.  It'll take time + money, of course.  I hope there is some relief that at the very least, the couples who did get married before the stay will be federally recognized.

Oof, I really want some wedding cake.

LUMINOUS

The Horrors have got a new album coming out May 5, but they are streaming it online right now. It's so good with it's traces of Ride and not-so-subtle hints of Echo + the Bunnymen and The Psychedelic Furs.  Dreamy, lovely, sweet + moody.  I hope to catch them on tour again and this time I will stand on the synthesizer side of the stage.  ♥♥♥ ♥ ♥

(◦′ᆺ‵◦) ♬° ✧❥✧¸.•*¨*✧♡✧ ♡Good Night♡ ✧♡✧*¨*•.❥

MELODY LEE

I'm sorry that you may have to watch an anti-ACA ad before watching this. :_(

SO NOW YOU KNOW

VEGAN MATZO BALL SOUP

It took us until about the middle of February to really get a handle on the dietary mayhem caused by the holidays. We're full steam ahead with VB6 now.  It's easy when you get to eat amazing things like matzo ball soup.  I swear, this satisfies on many levels.  Try it!  Lifted from hell yeah it's vegan! blog.  I wouldn't deviate from the recipe, it's perfect as is.  Also, there's some overnight chilling, so start this a day before you actually want to tuck away.

Ingredients

• 12.5 oz firm silken tofu
• ¼ c plus 2 Tbsp olive oil, separated
• 1 c matzoh meal
• 1 Tbsp nutritional yeast
• 1 tsp salt
• ½ tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp onion powder
• ½ tsp black pepper
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• ¼ tsp celery seed
• 2 Tbsp olive oil
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 2 medium carrots, chopped into half-circles
• 2 celery stalks, chopped into half-moons
• 1 handful fresh dill, chopped
• 6 c vegetable stock
• salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. In a food processor, blend together tofu and ¼ cup oil.
2. Transfer mixture to a medium bowl and stir in matzo meal, nutritional yeast, salt, baking powder, onion, pepper, garlic, and celery seed.
3. Place dough in an air-tight container and refrigerate overnight.
4. In a large pot, saute onion, carrot, and celery in 2 Tbsp olive oil until soft.
5. Add dill and stock and set aside.
6. Using your hands or a cookie scoop, form mixture into 2″ balls.
7. Drop balls into broth.
8. Bring broth to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer, covered, for 40 minutes.
9. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve hot.

FRIDAY

I went to see the doctor yesterday because I have fluid in my left ear.  How it got there is beyond me (shower, probably), but it's messing up my hearing and balance game, so I got it checked before it started giving me a fever and all that.  On top of that, it's day two of lady jams.  I've got cramps that register on the Richter Scale.  On top of that, I've got a bad case of nerves.  Work has been rough for me lately.  Enough for me to ask for a little pro assistance.  My go-to calming and tension easing methods seem like child's play.  So, I'm buzzing on all of these pills doc gave me.  I admit, I feel pretty spiffy RIGHT NOW.  Except for the nausea.  Ho ho!

We've put our minds together, ATM, Zach + I, and are reworking the kitchen renovation plans. We all agree that we do not want to see a stop in progress.  With a little finessing, and probably a lot of sweat equity, we are just going to keep going and do things piecemeal.  We've got the funding for the dry wall and the electrical work, so that's next.  All the while, we're going to keep saving.  We will end up shaving off the sum of money we'll need to borrow, probably saving a couple thousand.  It's going to be slow going.  As Zach said, we'll probably end up experiencing five different versions of this kitchen before it is all said and done.  I think that's kinda cool.  Metamorphosis.

That doesn't mean that we'll stop trying financial institutions.  I've met with Blair to get information on the people she worked with for her reno. And instead of just a plan B, we've got a C, too.

Occasionally, I'll go through ATM's books to find something to read.  I just finished his copy of George Saunders' Tenth of December. I just started his copy of CivilWarLand in Bad Decline.  I really loved Tenth of December.  I'm really loving CivilWarLand.  Saunders is a master short story teller.    

I've come across a cache of mixes by DJ Count Sizzle that are fun & important.  They've been the soundtrack to a lot of my current projects (cooking, textile dyeing, busywork).  That and Todd Terje's latest album It's Album Time.  And Blood Orange, too.

This evening, ATM + I decided to try our hand at making gnocchi.  It's a little involved, but it's not as difficult as I'd imagined.  I was so afraid that I'd make a gummy, chewy pasta, so I was real light-handed with the flour.  With a little tweaking, it'll be perfect next go around, not to say that it wasn't delicious because we ate. it. all.  Serves four? Pft.

KMHD + I had Barbies when we were little (You really do not want to know what we had our Barbs do), but because our stepmum is Japanese, we were more exposed to Sanrio products.  It was awesome because at the time, you *could* buy Sanrio products here in specialty shops, but we got the goods direct from Japan.  We were the envy of all grade school girls. Anyway, I still have a soft spot for My Melody, Hello Kitty (we share a birthday), and Keroppi.  I still have some of the things Mayumi got me in elementary school.  I've recently learned that Sanrio has a new character that I'm absolutely infatuated with.  He is an egg yolk.  Yes, an unmotivated, lazy, sad little egg who wants to be eaten.  I get you, Gudetama!

  



Looking forward to getting things done this weekend.  And the weather will be good.  Everything is in bloom.

HOW MUCH IS DIDDLY SQUAT?

When we went to the bank this afternoon to get a loan, the only thing I imagined not working out was that we wouldn't get the entire amount of money we were hoping to borrow.  I did not expect to be completely shut down.

It was about 3 minutes into our meeting with the loan officer that I knew we were getting diddly squat because he started feeding us some prepared lines.  He blamed the market, and regulation, and people who defaulted on their loans - he basically blamed everything and everyone except banks themselves for our being denied. Banks can do whatever they want!  I had to tune out because I could feel my anger rising.

To our credit, our credit is in fine form.  What we lack is EQUITY.  Our house? It's just not worth enough.  So, as I'm understanding it, only well-to-do folks can get loans.  Please enlighten me - how is that fucking fair?  How are we to improve our station in life when we're not even offered the same benefits and opportunities that our parents were extended?  Improving the next generation's quality of life is a fucking myth.  Might as well take your chances with the lottery, right?

This is so heartbreaking. I'm gutted.  And angry.  We've worked so hard, but we just don't stand a chance.  ATM + I always consider ourselves extremely fortunate, but we're not hi-falutin' folk. 

Maybe it was unwise to start disassembling the kitchen, but, really, it couldn't be avoided.  We had to fix the plumbing in the wall behind the counters.  And we had to take down the cabinets above the stove to see if there was any damage to include in our loan estimate.

I'm out.

Zine post with art, music, some personal narrative, hopeful plans, and maybe a recipe.

Nan Goldin, NYC 1983

ATM + I are real slow to decorate the walls of our home because we gotta be really really sure.  Last week, during my lunch break, I came across this wee art deco style shelf with mirrors at Sweet Home Furnishings.  It's now hanging, with confidence, in our bedroom.  Good lighting at night.

We've grown tired of all of the contingencies that come with a kitchen renovation, so we decided to do something well within our control (I think) and bought a dishwasher.  The way our temporary kitchen situation is, we can go ahead and start using it right away.  I think this will boost morale and dish cleansing performance.  The only way I can make this news exciting is with this exhilarating promo photo:

This track off the Liars' new album is so good, it's been stuck in my head for days now. The video is brilliant with it's using the same 9 second clip over and over again:

New sounds from the Eagulls:

I found four kinds of daffodils in our yard.  Of our (going on) five years living here, they've not blossomed as strong and hard as they have this time:

Started some new batches of tofu misozuke.  Still looking for a conscientious business person to help me with this.  This is a serious inquiry.  Know anyone?

Since spring is here, I've been wanting to eat all of the green veg like sweet peas and asparagus.  And rhubarb, the official harbinger of Spring.  Folks around here don't really like to touch the stuff and ATM attributes my liking it to being part Yankee.  Is that true?  I don't see how one can resist strawberry-rhubarb pie.  Anyway, last Friday, I made peas & pasta, a seriously delicious springy green dish.  I think you'd like it.

Ingredients:
1 cup dried pasta (we used mini penne)
2 cups shelled peas (fresh or frozen)
1/2 loosely packed fresh basil leaves
1 shallot, peeled and quartered
1/4 c finely shredded Parmesan cheese
1/4 t salt
1/4 t ground black pepper
3 oz. thinly sliced prosciutto
1/4 c whipping cream

Cook pasta according to package directions, adding 1 c peas the last 2 mins of cooking.  Reserve 1 cup pasta water.  Drain pasta.

In a food processor, combing remaining peas, basil, shallot, 2 T of the Parmesan, salt, pepper, and 1/2 c of the reserved pasta water.  Process until smooth.  Set aside. 

In a large skillet heat butter over medium heat.  Add and cook prosciutto until crispy.  Remove to paper towel to drain.  Cut prosciutto into think strips and set aside.  Add cream to skillet; bring to boiling.  Boil gently, uncovered for 1 minute.  Add pasta, blended pea mixture, and the remaining 1/2 c pasta water.  Toss gently until heated through.  Gently mix in prosciutto and remaining Parmesan.  Chow down!

Time permitting, I'd like to work on:  learning basic sumi-e, studying shibori,  and keep on keeping on with the misozuke.  Oh, and taping the edges of the bathroom for a painting.  Peace.