What to do!? My crew has thus been nicknamed "Justice League" due to the super hero influence on us. One is Superman, the other is Batman, and I am Green Lantern. They have started calling the workshop "Hall of Justice"! It is awesome. Apprentice starts today. She is awesome (did some work for us last year). I asked which super hero she is, and without hesitation she replied "Wolverine" due to the amount of metal holding her body together (a rather nasty car accident some years ago). But... but.. Wolverine is Marvel. Not DC.

(yes, not a real problem, but maybe one to start a spirited conversation and distract us all from the Monday work blues)

She can be Cyborg! He was in the Smallville version of the JLA.

Oh, and apparently he will be joining the actual JLA now.

Spent my weekend taking care of KBD, who stubbornly (and jokingly) insists that he just has "allergies." Values of "taking care" included petting his head (only part I felt safe touching), making him watch 22/29 episodes s2 Twin Peaks, and bickering while fixing food (Control. Freak). Also temporarily ditching him for the aforementioned Corb show.

Show was good, got to talk to Brady and listen to Corb expound about healthcare. I had to try and explain copays to Brady. "So you're not insured?" "No, I am, but you have to pay a copay." "Is that like a deductible for your car?" "No, that's different..."

Ah, Canadians.

Ok Connie! This is probably over-detailed, but that's who I am.

Rice: I rinse the rice until the water runs clear, drain it and then set it aside for 20-30 minutes. I then add water in the ratio of 1 part rice to 7/6 parts water. I bring it to a rolling boil over high heat, cover and turn to medium low for 5 minutes, turn down to low for 10 minutes and then take it off the heat and let it sit for 10 more minutes.

mixture: for 1 cup of raw rice, I combine 1 Tbsp rice vinegar, 1 tsp salt and 1 tsp honey.

I dump the rice into a large pan (roaster sized) and pour the mixture over it. I then fan the rice while combining it with the mixture using a fold-over and drag-back technique with a flat wooden spoon until the rice is glossy and it is all evenly combined. If you have a small electric fan, you can set it up to blow across the rice and save your wrist.

I don't do anything to the nori, but the nori I buy is labeled "pre-toasted". If yours isn't, you might want to toast it a bit. I'm not sure of the technique, since I've never done it, but I think I've read about using an open flame or doing it on a cookie sheet in the oven, so there's probably a couple options.

Hope that helps!

I am Geeky McDorkerson of the upper west side McDorkersons today. This: [link] is the t-shirt I am wearing. I lurves it.

Awesome shirt, Aims! BTW, I posted a Glee link for you in Comedy.

I saw it and LOVE LOVE LOVE.

re: rice.

Does the speed of cooling affect the stickiness?

My nori is toasted. I remember something about soaking nori, but that would just make it dissolve, right?

Ugh - giving away books. We have to do it, on account of the size of the tiny tiny flat we live in, but it's painful. This weekend, The Girl and I were looking for Atwood's 'Oryx and Crake'. Nowhere to be found, although we're sure we had a copy each at one point. It makes us feel less well-read. I like to show off all the lovely books I've read!

My new bookchair just came in the post. The one I used to use is too big for my new desk. I have three different sizes now. I love these things.

I challenge this statement. Seska is not an eskimo. Seska needs the heat, the glorious, delicious life affirming heat.

Indeed, Seska needs the heat. The Girl, apparently, does not. She's whining about how it shouldn't go on until November. And she's used to the climate in the Middle East. Weird.

Seriously, the light and warmth disappeared really suddenly. Autumn arrived this morning with a loud whoooooooshing sound. Here beginneth eight months of pain. It's time to find the hot water bottles and the 'happy lamp' with the daylight bulb in.

I'm going to try not to angst about it too much, but it's really disappointing to get all excited about making a new friend because you had a good time at a concert and both said you should hang out again sometime, and then she declines all future invitations and finally just defriends you on LJ. Coming on the heels of cute girl angst, this is very annoying, though not surprising.