Oban Scotch Whisky

498 AD was the fateful year when Fergus, Angus, and Loarn, sons of King Erc of the Scotti mounted an eastern expedition from the Glens of Antrim to invade and colonise the Oban shores, naming their little kingdom "Calriada." Fergus Mac Erc became the first monarch, his seat the great fortress of 'Dunaad." Angus and Loarn help the lands to the North and South to which the latter Loarn gave his name. The monarch moved north to the ancient Pictish fortress of Dun A Mhonaidh near Oban. The Scotti brought with them the sacred block of time worn red sandstone known as 'Lia Fail' the symbolic "Stone of Destiny."

The coastland of the Gaelic people known as "Earra Gael" fell to the dreaded Viking overlorship in the middle of the eighth century when their rule was at its harshest. It was then that the warrior King Somerled mac Gillibride became foremost in Oban history. Part Viking, part Celt, he rallied his oppressed and despairing countrymen leading them towards a new and lasting freedom from their oppressors. His spirit is said to live upon the precipitous crag of Dun Ollaigh which for centuries has been the home for descendents of his son and heir Dougall mac Somhairlie, the founder of the great "Clan MacDougall."

This moment in history is brought to you from the side of a bottle of Oban Single-malt Scotch Whiskey. Who says bartending isn't an intellectual profession?

Countdown

My new phone has a countdown feature. So I put 10am, January 10th on it. By the way, 25D 20H 18M left until we're back in rehersals.

Audrey and Grant

I've been on a movie-watching binge this month, since I'm trying to get a rather large quilt finished. Having something on in the background makes life happier. Unfortunately, I'm not getting on very fast because I keep picking out movies I haven't seen before. Last night it was Ocean's Eleven, and I didn't even get my quota done (one flower a night quilted).

My current favorite is Charade with Audrey Hepburn and Cary Grant. One of my friends in high school used to be into old movies, but I never acquired a taste for them. I'm on an Audrey Hepburn kick right now. Last night I watched Breakfast at Tiffany's.

Cary Grant is amazing. I'm going to watch, maybe, if I can find a box of kleenex, It Happened One Night. No doubt the most depressing movie ever -- well, I'd put Schindler's List and The Diary of Anne Frank up there somewhere. My favorite scene in Charade was him showering in his suit, because washing a suit on the body "maintains its shape." And Audrey Hepburn in the only woman alive who can look sophisticated with her mouth hanging open, as she frequently does in emotional scenes.

I read a quote by her that says anybody can have her style by putting on a little sleeveless dress. I think being 5'7" and having a 20" waist have SOMETHING to do with it...

Chicken Yellow Curry

Yellow chicken curry(Gaeng ka-ri gy)

3 Tbsp. Yellow Curry paste (either from the recipe above or from a can like Mae Sri brand)

1-lb chicken, cut into 2 inch pieces(cut through the bones with a sharp cleaver if using chicken with bones)

2-3 small red potatoes, scrubbed and cut into 2 inch pieces

1/2 tsp sea salt

1/2 can(16oz) coconut milk, shake before opening to mix seperated milk

2 Tbsp. fried shallots(available in a plastic jar in Asia groceries), optional

1 tsp. fish sauce( to taste)

In a small bowl mix the curry paste with 1 Tbsp. of water to dilute. Add to the coconut milk in a medium sized sauce pan. Stir to mix. Add the chicken and potatoes, and 1/2 tsp of sea salt. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Cook until the meat and potatoes are cooked through, not simmering on low heat, but let the curry roll on a low boil.
At the end of cooking, taste and add fish sauce to adjust the saltiness. Cook a minute longer. Remove from heat. Garnish with fried shallots(available ready made in a plastic container), if desired. Serve with Thai jasmine rice.

Belated Birthday

Belated Birthday

I got the best birthday present yesterday. Almost killed two motorcyclists trying to get the wrapping open while driving...

And then, I was talking on my phone and got distracted, and locked my keys in the car. Pop-a-lock came, and charged $50 to go *click.* Today I'm making a spare key.

Wycliffe Spring Schedule

Wycliffe has finally published our Spring Schedule...thus far at least. We have around 30 gigs booked, and have room for 20 more. I notice we're stopping in Santa Barbara on one of our travel days. Galanga Thai here I come...

Follow your Nose...

Follow Your Nose...

Yesterday Wendy and I went down to Ventura to go to the fabric store and bum around a bit. The weather was lovely and warm (which was unfortunate, because both of us had dressed for the arctic), so we had the windows of the car rolled down. Suddenly, a wonderful whiff of something came floating in. It was Thai, and yet not Thai. So we drove up and down sidestreets, looking for Curry. And then we saw it: Thai Peruvian. And they had Yellow Curry. So my week was made, I had Thai twice. And several meals of leftovers.

Its the simple thing of life you treasure...

Happy Birthday

Well, I'm 24.

For real this time.

Although in my house you can't claim your birthday until, in my case, 7:30-something tonight.

Off to shopping

I'm off to shop. Grandma is taking me out for my birthday, ending with a night at the opera...or something like it. Locals singing "Christmas Inspired Arias."

Cleaning lady

Yesterday I went to a homeowners teaparty with my Grandmother. She didn't want to go alone -- and I don't blame her. There were a lot of people there. Some of them knew me, many of them I'd waited on at the Alisal. I have to say, they are much more courteous to "Shirley's Granddaughter" than to that bartender at the golf course. Funny. I didn't change. Except for clothes.

Today I'm heading up to clean Grandma's house for money for my car payment. I forgot that my first paycheck won't be until the 20th. Rarrgh.