cake, coffee and cards

I am thinking of actually cooking *gasp* with the boys, since I need to spend some time cleaning up the kitchen--it's Dragon's turn, and you know how he loves to cook. Also, I have a new recipe for a vegan cake--that's right, no eggs or milk, and I hear it's delicious; I remain skeptical until there is evidence, which means we get to have a taste test!

Eldarian gave me a new card game as well: Quiddler. Letters and words and cards and suitable-for-up-to-8-folks (o my!), it is made by the same people who brought us the fun that is Five Crowns. Want to come over for some cake, coffee and cards?

Many thanks to all who wrote or checked in on Dragon. He is doing well, and seems to have bounced back from the procedure itself. Also, I officially applied for my job as of this afternoon; for good or for ill, I will know if I am permanently a part of this team in the coming weeks. In either case, I'll be a woman in need of a bit of a get-together, so let's all think about when we can schedule it. Perhaps it will entail another round of cake, coffee and cards.

By the way, I finished PopCo., and I must say it was charming, delightful, intriguing, subversive, and a great read. I am also quite glad that I was given an advance reader's copy, since the cover of the print version really gives me the unholy creeps. Even if the blurb on the back is as engaging on the current cover as it is on the advance one, I don't think I could stand to have that doll face staring at me for the legnth of time it took me to read the book, and I'm pretty fast.

Do please also leave your comments for what you would like at the decoration gathering this Sunday. I have signed up for making mulled cider, and depending on the timing of everything might make an apple cake. Dragon has decided he is in charge of making certain there is eggnog (but don't be surprised if he doesn't share) and Tiger is all about the finger snacks. I'm seeing lots of nibbles available, and we can always figure out the rest of it from there. I suppose since this is coming up so quickly that I should get off my duff and find the Christmas Tree stand. I know it's in the basement somewhere, but somehow that doesn't make the prospect of locating it any less daunting.

pending rejection from slashdot

CNN has a story on a study relased by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases and Social & Scientific Systems, Inc. Apparently, people at high risk for liver damage showed that those who drank more than two cups of coffee or tea per day developed chronic liver disease at half the rate of those who drank less than one cup each day. From the story: "Coffee and tea may reduce the risk of serious liver damage in people who drink alcohol too much, are overweight, or have too much iron in the blood." So go out, get drunk and have drink coffee the next morning -- it's all good.

home again home again, jiggity jig

the airport saga was relatively uneventful, and i am home. i thoroughly enjoyed ottawa just as much as i did five years ago, and perhaps even a bit more. the light dusting of snow that i ordered for the trip arrived just on time, even though i didn't, and once the wind died down, the cold was refreshing. it's a lovely city.

dinner in the revolving restaurant was a fine affair, worthy of being hosted in a nation's capitol. i even discovered that Ontario produces some serious, stand-up wines. but as good as the meal was (and it was) and as impressive as the service was (and it was) i think the best time was still to be found at the mayflower pub and restaurant. breakfast on sunday -- it seemed to be a national pasttime there.

we visited the parliament, hung around waiting for the guided tour to begin, and then bailed when we realised how many people would be in the group. after that, a fair walk about in the snow discussing politics and our lives was just right.

notes for next time: the hotel was perfect. visit the public library. see if there is a film festival going on before the last day there.

my ears did jar a bit when i arrived in the philadelphia airport and the announcements weren't repeated in french. i had quite gotten used to it without realizing.

the auld dubliner

i had an amazingly good culinary experience at the restaurant / pub found last night: four heese spinach dip with pita and a mediterannean quesadilla. the food alone could have me move here. now if i only had a job. . .

off to get breakfast and go shopping. [not a typo: could it be the air?]

Please return your seats to the upright position

I've arrived safely and we are going hunt for a restaurant. Hopefully no menus will be harmed in the process.

canada time

In my efforts not to overpack, I did anyway. There were issues with the laptop, and it is staying home. [kn0w1 knows where i will be and how to get in touch with me.] The pets will be visited.

I have crochet, ample yarn, and a prepublication book.

It's snowing in Canada right now.

Sing it with me: O, CAAAAAAN-a-daaa

World Aids Day

If you get a moment, find a red ribbon and wear it.

Number of people living with HIV in 2005: 40.3 million
People newly infected with HIV in 2005: 4.9 million
AIDS deaths in 2005: 3.1 million