How many dirty pumpkins could I make out of that!?
Saturday, 13 October 2012
My gourd!
Driving the space shuttle Endeavour through downtown LA? Easy! Driving a massive pumpkin at 70mph along the 280 in San Jose? Hmmm.
How many dirty pumpkins could I make out of that!?
How many dirty pumpkins could I make out of that!?
Wednesday, 10 October 2012
Dirty pumpkin
"Dirty pumpkin" isn't just my pet name for Hannah, it's a fine drink I discovered in Bishop, CA, on my recent road trip. It's a mixture of all the best things in life - coffee, chai tea, and pumpkins.
I decided to follow my Marxist principles and take ownership of the means of production. By coincidence, Hannah was baking some pumpkin bread so I had a source of pureed gourd. I already owned the rest and went about constructing the concoction in a highly scientific manner (chuck it all in a mug, see how it tastes).
The result? Well, I needed three times the pumpkin I originally thought, and still it didn't taste that strong, more of a velvety texture. An unfortunate side-effect was a thick, caffeinated, orangey-brown soup at the bottom of the cup, but I was brought up on Horlicks and so these things do not surprise or scare me. In the end it wasn't completely unlike what I'd been served on the other side of the mountains but more experiments (and pumpkins) are needed.
Coffee, hand-ground.
Pureed pumpkin (or maybe Hannah is already stocking up on baby food, I'll have to check).
Nectar of the gods.
There's nothing like a perfectly pulled shot of espresso, and this is nothing like a perfectly pulled shot of espresso.
In vitro combination.
Drink, enjoy, repeat, avoid sludge at the bottom.
I decided to follow my Marxist principles and take ownership of the means of production. By coincidence, Hannah was baking some pumpkin bread so I had a source of pureed gourd. I already owned the rest and went about constructing the concoction in a highly scientific manner (chuck it all in a mug, see how it tastes).
The result? Well, I needed three times the pumpkin I originally thought, and still it didn't taste that strong, more of a velvety texture. An unfortunate side-effect was a thick, caffeinated, orangey-brown soup at the bottom of the cup, but I was brought up on Horlicks and so these things do not surprise or scare me. In the end it wasn't completely unlike what I'd been served on the other side of the mountains but more experiments (and pumpkins) are needed.
Coffee, hand-ground.
Pureed pumpkin (or maybe Hannah is already stocking up on baby food, I'll have to check).
Nectar of the gods.
There's nothing like a perfectly pulled shot of espresso, and this is nothing like a perfectly pulled shot of espresso.
In vitro combination.
Drink, enjoy, repeat, avoid sludge at the bottom.
Sunday, 7 October 2012
Flyby
It's Fleet Week in San Francisco, where warships fill the harbour and jets scream across the sky. It is somewhat unnerving when your bus is buzzed by a supersonic bomber but we kept our heads down and made it to the Bay where the action was happening. Last year we stood among the crowds, but this time Hannah managed to nab some Chevron corporate hospitality tickets - free food and a seat!
We were joined by the Schwimmers, and cheered and clapped all the aerobatic antics. Several crazy biplanes flew between the yacht masts, a very eerie B2 bomber came stealthily by, and then a 747 flew in over the Golden Gate Bridge. That was a little terrifying, but probably worse for all the passengers on board...
HMCS Edmonton. They seemed to have more Canadian than American ships there - let's hope no one invades Canada this weekend!
Me and Evan, taking full advantage of the freebies.
A sea rescue display! Except that the rescuee was wearing flippers, so obviously prepared. Fake!
Alien invasion? No, B2 Bomber.
Stealth plane vs. balloon.
Corporate hospitality, not as exclusive as I like, but it'll do.
An Osprey over the bridge.
The first of the crazy stunt pilots.
A certain insurance company took advantage.
Pull up! Pull up!
I think this is an F-22. Whatever, it was loud.
That F-22, an F-18 (?) and something older. Disappointing that these new jets can't keep up with a propeller plane.
Serious lens envy.
The Patriots, billed as "your local aerobatic jet team".
Almost breaking the speed of sound.
"The captain has illuminated the fasten seat belt sign."
"Cabin crew doors to manual and cross check."
We were joined by the Schwimmers, and cheered and clapped all the aerobatic antics. Several crazy biplanes flew between the yacht masts, a very eerie B2 bomber came stealthily by, and then a 747 flew in over the Golden Gate Bridge. That was a little terrifying, but probably worse for all the passengers on board...
HMCS Edmonton. They seemed to have more Canadian than American ships there - let's hope no one invades Canada this weekend!
Me and Evan, taking full advantage of the freebies.
A sea rescue display! Except that the rescuee was wearing flippers, so obviously prepared. Fake!
Alien invasion? No, B2 Bomber.
Stealth plane vs. balloon.
Corporate hospitality, not as exclusive as I like, but it'll do.
An Osprey over the bridge.
The first of the crazy stunt pilots.
A certain insurance company took advantage.
Pull up! Pull up!
I think this is an F-22. Whatever, it was loud.
That F-22, an F-18 (?) and something older. Disappointing that these new jets can't keep up with a propeller plane.
Serious lens envy.
The Patriots, billed as "your local aerobatic jet team".
Almost breaking the speed of sound.
"The captain has illuminated the fasten seat belt sign."
"Cabin crew doors to manual and cross check."
"We have begun our final descent into Alcatraz." (Now that would be a prison break).
Friday, 5 October 2012
The Return of the Queen
Fini is back where she belongs, in California, but only for a week. She's here to attend a photography course in San Diego but couldn't miss out on a quick return to Berkeley. Apparently she spent the day wandering around Uni Village, the boutiques of 4th Street...all her usual hangouts, until she arrived in the Creek, as did a number of Village alumni. It was a subdued night - we're not as young as we were all those years ago.
Champagne with dinner, just like we always used to.
Hannah gets in some practice with young Yuval.
Just like in the old days, except with babies and needing to go to the bathroom more often.
Champagne with dinner, just like we always used to.
Hannah gets in some practice with young Yuval.
Just like in the old days, except with babies and needing to go to the bathroom more often.
Wednesday, 3 October 2012
Debate Night in America
It's always exciting to see how the colonies have decided to govern themselves. Here in the USA they have a "President", who is like the Queen but instead of being born it you get it by spending the most on advertising. Crazy, huh?
It's almost time to choose the next one, so tonight the populace was presented with the usual choice of two in a televised debate. The candidates have been locked away for days practicing, because debate is an alien thing in US politics - unlike our own parliament, where we enjoy watching grown adults shout at each other, here it's all about "checks and balances", recently known as "deadlock" and certainly not "compromise".
As I settled down with a beer, both the candidates seemed a little rusty, although the older one who isn't the president seemed to do better. There's no real evidence that these debates change anyone's minds, but at least it's reality TV with (slightly) more content than Here Comes Honey Boo Boo. I already know how I'll be voting anyway.
Wearing my colours with pride.
My prediction is that one of them will win
It's almost time to choose the next one, so tonight the populace was presented with the usual choice of two in a televised debate. The candidates have been locked away for days practicing, because debate is an alien thing in US politics - unlike our own parliament, where we enjoy watching grown adults shout at each other, here it's all about "checks and balances", recently known as "deadlock" and certainly not "compromise".
As I settled down with a beer, both the candidates seemed a little rusty, although the older one who isn't the president seemed to do better. There's no real evidence that these debates change anyone's minds, but at least it's reality TV with (slightly) more content than Here Comes Honey Boo Boo. I already know how I'll be voting anyway.
Wearing my colours with pride.
My prediction is that one of them will win
Saturday, 29 September 2012
Goodbye Godchild
Well, it's back to the quiet life for me! Hannah caught her flight to London earlier today. We spent the end of her hols mopping up any sins we'd missed out (although Las Vegas pretty much accounted for all of them...and then some). A trip to wine country, a stop off at Whole Foods Santa Rosa - the one that has a bar inside the supermarket! - and then, of course Yogurtland.
Sin #464: Champagne.
Sin #465: Grapes.
Sin #466: Pumpkins.
Sin #467: Beer in a supermarket.
Sin #468: Champagne (again).
Sin #469: frozen yogurt (although, unlike our other Godchildren, Hannah did not consider this the best thing to happen to her in her whole life ever).
Sin #470: Having to leave :(
Sin #464: Champagne.
Sin #465: Grapes.
Sin #466: Pumpkins.
Sin #467: Beer in a supermarket.
Sin #468: Champagne (again).
Sin #469: frozen yogurt (although, unlike our other Godchildren, Hannah did not consider this the best thing to happen to her in her whole life ever).
Sin #470: Having to leave :(
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