ADK Journal aka why the hell did I buy so much squash?

Silver Lake, NY.  A little piece of heaven and my annual girl getaway for many years.  Most years Pilar or Alli or Molly make some sort of daily journal or art book filled with quotes and moments and every year I go back, flip through them, and lament that I didn't do the same. 

Silver Lake

Thursday:

The boathouse, with girls!

On the ferry.  I text pilar, she says, don't eat - we are waiting for you!  Arrive, eat snacks and wine, chat with Jim, Judy, and Blas.  Pilar's thumb is big from slamming it in a car door!  Blas has the boathouse this year so we stay in the big house.  Boo on Blas.




Friday:
Wake up and get my morning coffee.  Have it on the porch, listen to NPR.  Read my book.  Pilar again tries to fool me into a hike which means climbing a mountain.  I say NOOO.  No.  Swim a lot.   Judy goes to town.  Judy gets into an accident.  Seafoam car DOWN!  Judy ok.  Now there are only grey hatchbacks in the driveway.  Phew!  Seafoam was messing things up.  Pilar and I walk to the bog.  Monica seems to be dying, she is very thin for a cat.Pilar goes to bed at like, 6pm.  I stay up and drink liquor with Blas and Jim.

Reading in the boathouse

Saturday:
Wake up to Penny sitting on my bed staring at me.  Finally get up.  Blas turns down the Healthblats for mountain climb.  Very unlike Blas. Brooks no show; this makes Pilar sad.  I read.  Have coffee on porch.  Pilar and I go on a long walk to Judy's cabin with Penny.  Take a swim off Judy's dock.  Pilar makes awesome BLT sandwiches.  Pilar and Blas Guffaw at me for drinking at 1pm.  Do Yoga with Pilar in the yard.  Swim.  Read.  Judy packs a picnic and we all get in the little motor boat (except Blas who canoes).  We stop at the Healthblats dock (ok I really don't remember their real names...it's my pet name for them for years b/c they are always exercising and everyone calls them that now).  Get to the beach on other end of Lake.  Have baked brie, rum & tonics.  When I look at us we look straight out of the 60's.  We are very cool.  Go back, make dinner and then a bonfire with smores.  Everyone hates my game "Ghost" but they hate Pilar's game more.  Pilar goes to bed at 8pm.  Blas and I stay up and enjoy the fire.

Sunday:

Rainy day!  Penny is scared so we put on her thunder jacket.  Coffee on the porch.  Read.  Drive to Lake Placid and see "The Help."  Pilar tries to teach me how to use Itunes.  I hate you apple.  Blas makes us dinner - fish burritos (everyone is very amendable to my weird eating restrictions).  Jim says, "who would name someone Benny Anders?" and Blas responds, "this coming from a guy who named me Blas Nadal."  I giggle.  Teach everyone Balderdish.  They like this better than the other games.  Judy wins.  Pilar actually stays up.  Amazing.

Monday:
Coffee on the porch.  I pack.  I am sad.  Get some last minute sun and hugs all around.  On the way home I stop at a local farm and buy a bucket of squash.  It was only 3 bucks but now I'm like, wtf did I do that for?  I've been eating squash ever since.

Till next year my happy home!

Top 5 GoT Males

If I were stuck on a deserted island, and that island happened to be westeros, and there were only 5 males left on westeros, who would I wish them to be?

Here they are, in order:
#5:  OK YES!  I admit it.   Theon Greyjoy.  It isn't Theon the book character, it's Alfie Allen.  Whatever.  I'm embarrassed ok?  I mean Theon, he's so damn hateable.  But Theon without a shirt is so...so...melty.  Let's move on.

More my vision of Snow than HBO

#4:  Jon Snow. Duh.  And Robb Stark.  Double Duh.  /sigh.  Team Robb or Jon?  Who are you?  I'll take both, but only because #3 I lose on just by picking him, but I would not have known it because MARTIN SECRETLY WROTE GAY characters.  He tricked me for like, 5000 pages.

#3:  The Knight of Flowers.  Before I knew he was gay.  And even after.  It's fine.  He can hang around on the island for me to look at (oh, and btw, tv show Loras is not at all like Loras in my head.  Loras in my head is beautiful and much better eye candy than tv show Loras-the-wimpy-i-can-barely-hold-a-sword-guy).

#2:  Jaquen H'ghar:  I mean, who doesn't like your everyday awesome assassin dude?

#1:  Rhaegar.  He really doesn't seem as bad as they make him out to be.  I mean, the poor guy was just trying to protect his dad.  Sure his dad was a crazy burning son of a bitch king, and Rheagar was a proud asshole but he wasn't inherently evil.  At least I don't think he was.  That's my belief and I'm sticking to it.

Robert Baratheon and Rhaegar at Ruby Ford

Yet another reason to love goodreads....

Cut and Paste reviews!  It's been forever since I've done a book update, here are my top 5 in the past...long time:

A Dance with Dragons by George R.R. Martin

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I am very sad to think that I won't be returning the the world of westeros for another few years.  Opening this book (or in my case turning on the kindle) felt like coming home after a long time away. I really dragged out finishing this because I was happy reading it.



This is no FfC.  Every chapter was engrossing, every story moved the plot forward.  Things started to come together - but not in the way you would expect -- In a way that smacks purely of Martin.  Several surprises even though you know the parallel timeline in FfC.  Several shockers as only Martin can do.



Fantastic read! 











View all my reviews

Tigana by Guy Gavriel Kay

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


First book I've read from this author and there is some pretty cool stuff in it. 



The good:

amazing depth of characters

well developed world

stand-alone fantasy

well written

nice pacing

emotional

a lot of "grey" or in between actions and morals, very interesting perspective on all manners of good and evil



The not so good:

I want more of this world!!  Give me more than one book, please!!!

A little formulaic/predictable in places but did not detract from enjoyment

Some "too tidy" threads



This one got added to my all time favs.  Very easy to read quickly, it's a page turner.  Interesting and new fantasy themes with easy to relate to characters, and ones you really care about.  Fans of Martin's series would enjoy this book a lot.



View all my reviews
Haroun and the Sea of Stories by Salman Rushdie

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


The only bad thing I can think to say of this book was that it was too short.  Quite possibly the most enjoyable read I've had in years - an allegory tale yet one that is completely entertaining, lovable, and fun as it stands.  Reminds me a little of Oz and Where the Wild things are with adult wit and insight.



I read one review that stated this is for hardcore Rushdie fans and I couldn't disagree more.  I've cracked a few of his books and haven't been intrigued so when a friend handed me this one I felt obliged to try it out.  I am now looking for more Rushdie to read.  Fast paced, fantastical, extremely well written (the kind of book that reminds you that there are REALLY amazing authors out there) and with a lot of heart, I recommend it to anyone who needs a reprieve from serious but still needs a book with a lot of brain.







View all my reviews
Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I will echo Naz's sentiment on this one which is, "why haven't I read this book until now????"



View all my reviews

Eleanor of Aquitaine: A Biography by Marion Meade

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Reality TV has nothing on Royal England.  I'm convinced that any King named Henry is destined for an amazingly scandalous tenure on the throne.



When I started reading it I felt the material was a little dry and academic.  As it got into the meat of the drama I forgot that I could not hear Eleanor's voice at all (she left no letters, poetry, etc. so the author does not try to recreate her tone as she has no proof of what it was).  By the end I appreciated the succinct and very meticulously researched and detailed account of her life.  Without overtures or guesses into how Eleanor really talked, spoke, or interacted I have in my mind a clear picture of her - the author succeeded in making this a well documented and accurate account of her life.



View all my reviews

Veggie It Out!

This weekend I was chatting with some friends while they were grilling and we had a discussion about fake meat.  I'm prone to eat it when there is a grill around but otherwise I never really crave the fake stuff.  There are times when I've salivated for a burger but they are minimal and a lot easier to surpass then wanting a cigarette.

Anyway, I mentioned how some vegetarians (who don't eat bacon) really don't revel in the fact that they are eating veggies.  They bland out their pasta or grains and then wonder why it's so hard to adjust.

In an effort to assist, I am offering my sunday dinner...and it's also meatless monday!  So YAY for veggies!  BLOW out the flavor!  They are good for you and so versatile!  Also, a glass of wine with your veggie meal doesn't hurt.

AJ's Roasted Zucchini with Indian Spices
AJ's Lemony Quinoa with Parsley and Tomato

Okay so I'm gonna make this easy for you because I'm tired.  Forgive the slightly medieval cookbook way of writing this (you know, minor if any measurements, slightly vague directions...)

For the Zuchs:

• Dice Zuchs, lightly coat with olive oil
• Put on roasting pan and sprinkle with 1 tsp red pepper, 1/2 tsp cumin seed, 1/2 tsp fennel seed (make sure you grind these seeds up fresh, either in a spice grinder or a motar and pestal)
• Sprinkle over zuch, heat for 18 mins. @ 450'

This is HOT!  Serve with yogurt or ricotta w/ mint.

For the Quinoa:

• Dice and saute onion and garlic
• Roast your quinoa (I make my quinoa like a risotto, hence the following directions)
• Add 1-2 tsps lemon zest
• add some chopped tomatoes
• Add warmed veggie stock slowly, cook through, adding as you go.  (usually 1 cup quinoa = 3-4 cups veggie)
• Add 1/2 tsp salt (ONLY if using homemade veggie stock.  Do not add if adding storebought)
• cook it through, about 15 mins.  Toss in parley, and juice of 1 lemon

And finally - pour the wine, sit down, and relax. 

Aruba: The non-exotic Goa

I just got back from a spontaneous trip to Aruba, much needed after a harrowing few months ripe with family drama.  I had planned to go to Thailand but had to cancel the trip and in a fit of mental overload, booked a 5 day/4 night respite to the Caribbean.  I took a few swimsuits, my kindle loaded with Martin's new book (A Dance with Dragons) and some sunscreen.

My original plan had been to relax and maybe see a few sights but let's be honest, I sat on my ass the whole time.  I only got up to take a swim, apply some sunscreen, and grab a pina colada at the bar when the guy didn't come around fast enough to grab my order. 

Several unfortunate truths were made clear to me on this trip.  They are as follows:

1) India has the best hotels.  I am now a spoiled brat who refuses anything less than being treated like a queen. 

2)  India is a better place to holiday

3) India has better food

4) India is cool.  Aruba is very pretty but it's no india

My relationship with India is a love/hate one.  This, I think, resembles my father's relationship halfway, in which he hated everything about India.  However, there are certain luxuries that cannot be ignored about the subcontinent.  Let's take for instance Goa - the holiday location for Indians which I would put similiar to the Caribbean for Americans.

What I disliked so much about Aruba was that it had no culture.  Well, let me rephrase.  The culture was not pervasive.  Everything here was catered to americans.  If you might doubt my synopsis let me provide some evidence:  the airport had 2 sections:  USA travelers and non-USA travelers. 

Goan Architecture

Goan Church Architecture

India doesn't cater to anyone.  It makes no excuses, it does not languish to adhere to eastern  culture even though many of it's visitors are nepali, chinese, russian, and eastern european.  It is proud of what it is.  Goa was landed by the Portuguese in the 1600s and due to this it has long indian roots with a splash of spanish/Portuguese influence making it slightly Mediterranean.  But it's India through and through and it reflects it's history in all of it's glory.  Hindu temples are dotted with spanish and moor architecture.  Meats from the west are mixed with extremely spicy (EXTREMELY spicy) curries of the east.  Fish of all sorts are baked in banana leaves with chilis and coconut and cashews (cashews are one of the biggest Goan exports).  Drinks are spicy and the bread is nutty.  It's hot and dirty in places and that's what makes it authentic.

House in Goa

Aruba seems like a lie.  It seems like a destination with all the comforts of home.  It seems like Howard Johnson circa 1960 with dunkin donuts and fries.  It's houses offer you some semblance of Island life but they seem almost forced, built up to pretend, a veritable drive of US money to supplicate the few who would ventue to see it for it's orginiality.  It screamed false to me.

House in Aruba

But lest I become too zealous in my overtures let me say this:  Aruba is a fantastic vacation spot.  The island has little to no waves, making it calm and inviting.  It's always sunny, it's always warm.  It's ocean rippling with blues of cyan, a deep azure, and a colder sapphire took my breath away.  I just wish it didn't feel like it needed to hide behind something it really wasn't:  a conglomeration of western civilization.  I say this not to the people of aruba, but the people of the states who would sooner see a culture disappear then revel in it.

My early morning swim locale in Aruba

Game of Thrones: Shirtless (NSFW)

Game of Thrones.  Epic.  10+ years in the making.  My dream series coming to fruition in all it's beauty, brutality, and just good storytelling glory.  Ok then why am I just turning into one of those annoying teenage swoony girls?

Usually when boobs fill the screen, I yawn thinking:  Oh yes, this boy stuff again.  What does it say about me that boy chests are now all I want to see?  Is it wrong for me to enjoy the equal opportunity of it all?  We got 2 homosexual scenes:  1 female, 1 male.  Both... in mass auditory.  And lots of frontal nudity from both genders.  But the sexy parts were the boys.

The boys of the north:  Robb, Jon, Theon

There are two very interesting things that happened to me that I think are worthy to note.  The first.  I am suddenly a hell of a lot more sympathetic to Theon.   Not because of his chest, which. let's face it, is beautiful.  But because of the way Alfie Allen acts the character.  Sympathetic, a boy really, lost but wanting to please.   But this doesn't hurt:

Theon and Roz

Second:  The perception and actions of individuals are so far removed from the actuality of it.  ACTIONS of course are more important than anything else.  Theon's actions signify something sketchy, subversive and mean.  His treatment of Osha and Roz are paramount in this perception.  Yes he humbly swears fealty to Robb and you have to dwaddle a moment and think:  "he's not all bad." 

But more worrisome is my penchant for loving characters on their perceived actions rather than their actions.  This is of course the power of tv and movies.  Books, it is stark (no pun intended).  It is infront of you, facing you, you can't turn away from it.  And on screen it's something different.  Nuances and eye shifting and facial expressions that say more than the words themselves.  The depth this adds to each character is amazing.

As well as the visuality of each of them.

Who are your favorites?  Do you have any you feel differently about now seeing them on the screen?

Traveling in the SubContinent

Ok, not really.  That's reserved  for india.  But I'll be traveling for a few weeks south of india.  So maybe south of the sub?  Sub south?  Sub sub?   Provided that the world does not end tonight I have a large stack of fun books to get through.  I intend to read them all.  I assume I'll only get through 1 or 2.  Here they are in no particular order.  Votes and recs welcome:

Kushiels's Dart.  I heard this book was very...interesting.  I say: perfect!  I will report my findings.





  The Beautiful and the Damned.  In the interest of full disclosure, I do love Fitzgerald but never would have thought of reading this until I watched the season finale of gossip girl.  That's right.  I just said that.

The Swan Thieves.  This one isn't getting great reviews but I love Kostova's writing.  I wish her words could be brought out to me on a plate so I could scarf it all down.  Without calories of course.

  The Paris Wife.  This could be great or god awful.  I'm willing to take a chance.  Crappy books are so much less annoying while staring at an ocean and sitting in the sun.  I'm not trying to rub it in, I'm just stating fact.

  Wise Man's Fear.  I've been waiting 3 years for this to come out and have completely forgotten all of book 1.  I remember soemthing about a boy who lives on the street.  Then goes to school and becomes a really good musician.  Really, that's all I remember.  This isn't a comment on Rothfuss but rather my memory.  Hopefully I can pick this up without rereading book 1 because that was a really big book.