New Mollexicon Post: Yeab

This week: Yeab.

Happy Things - On a Tumultuous Day...

It's been an emotional day, and I think I've said all I want to say about it so far on my twitter. So let's jump in with some Happy Things.

love.
compassion.
peace.


What else do you need, in the end?

Recipe: Hobbit Risotto

I've been making this for YEARS and it's consistently my favorite dish to make for company. I first learned how to make risotto in Bizzy and Nina's happy yellow kitchen, about five years ago, from a Best Recipe book. It was the perfect thing for me: kind of fiddly, easy to modify, really hard to screw up. I make it with sausage, I make it with bacon, I sometimes make it with chicken or maybe asparagus. Risotto is awesome, guys. As usual, my recipe style gets a little ramble-y - DON'T BE PUT OFF. I promise it's easy.  Recipe after the jump!

New Mollexicon Post: Thent

And we continue with the madness. This week: Thent!

A Vignette, by Molly Price.

My writers group did a wee holiday exchange this year.  We each picked names out of a hat, and wrote that person a secret story to be read aloud at our December meeting.  My roommate and I picked each other, yet managed to keep it a secret, despite writing the stories side by side on the couch.  This is for Lisa.

Georgia gets home from work at eight o'clock in the evening. She parks her car outside her apartment building and sits for a moment, listening to the radio. The street is quiet and the trees and pavements glitter from the constant rain of the past month.

She thinks about microwaving some leftover pasta for dinner and maybe watching a movie before bed. If she can stay awake.

With a tired sigh, she gets out of the car and slams the door. She feels her phone shift in her sweater pocket and it clatters to the ground before she can stop it.

"Crap," she mutters and bends over to pick it up.

There's a gust of cold wind that whips her skirt around her legs and when Georgia stands upright, snow is falling all around her. She stares up at the sky in disbelief, catching snowflakes in her eyelashes.

Behind her, the car rocks and groans, and she whirls around.

A boy dressed in deep red is crouching on the roof, staring at her with eyes so pale and vague it's like he's looking right through her.

"What are --" she starts, but can't seem to finish the sentence.

"Merry Christmas," the boy whispers, and wiggles his fingers in front of his face. The snow begins falling even harder, blanketing the street in white.

"Christmas is in December," Georgia tells him.

The boy stops wiggling his fingers and drops his hand.

"What month is this?" he asks.

"April," Georgia says patiently.

"Aw, man, I missed it again." The boy stands and digs a small book out of his pocket. He flips through a few pages and looks at his watch. "Shit."

Georgia stands mutely, watching him fiddle with his watch.

"Sorry!" he says and snaps his fingers, disappearing with a crack.

Georgia looks around at the snow.

Damn weather fairies.

New Mollexicon Post: LunchTim

LunchTim.

NOW I REALLY WANT SOME EGG SALAD.

Please bear with me while I indulge myself with this insanity.

New Blog: Mollexicon

A new blog where I amuse myself by making up words and definitions. WHY DON'T YOU COME BY AND SAY HELLO.

First definition: SUGARO - n, 2010. An amputee Mexican wrestler famous for his signature moves, the Hamhock, the Whirling Dervish, the Fiesta Buster, and the Giant Fly.

I don't really have an excuse for this. <3

Happy Things - Crap, I Skipped a Few Months.

Oops! Let's just get right to it.

teeny binder clips.
alcohol swabs.
coffee coffee coffee.
Flying.
clementines.
homemade plum gin.
comics
flan in a cup.
ribbons.
sassy hair.
ribbons in sassy hair.
the color green.
my iPod.
Mythbusters.
my pink scarf.
oatmeal.
the TRON: Legacy soundtrack.
making up stuff.
canned air.
ears.
giant fluffy akitas.
cupcakes.
Community.
the letter "V" vivacious, voltage, various, vivid, vacant, vexing, verisimilitude, verdigris.
blue mugs.
the sky:

Internet Explorer? Really?

Are people really still using IE? Like, for casual browsing? Really?

It boggles my mind.

Lent, y'all.

I wrote this two years ago, and while I no longer even consider myself religious [sorry, Mom.], that's not the point of the essay. Happy Lent, y'all. Go learn something about yourselves.

The following text is taken from the February 2009 entry, "Not Your Typical Jesus Post."

I wished someone a "Happy Lent" the other day, and didn't stop to think until later that they may feel I was telling them to revel in deprivation.

But see, to me Lent isn't about doing without - it's about taking on an experiment that you normally wouldn't put much energy into. I am all about self-discovery. And my mother is always very adamant about the specifics. She is careful to call it her "Lenten Discipline", and never, "What she's giving up". The same way that how, in highschool, when a friend asked "Is Molly there?" when calling me, she would answer, "Yes," and then wait for them to ask to speak to me. Thanks, Mom.

Now, It's pretty obvious that I am not a traditional Christian. I'm not even a traditional Episcopalian, although they are the denomination with whom I identify best. Because I don't necessarily believe that Jesus was the son of whatever God is up there [Sorry, Mom, still mulling that one over...]. I do, however, think he was a pretty rad guy, who preached about love and acceptance and genuinely cared for the welfare of the people he touched. How can you argue with something like that?

But, regardless of what you believe, Lent is a good time to try taking on a task. When you think about it, it's more realistic than most New Years resolutions. You can see the end of it if you really can't stand what you've committed to. And then you learn about yourself. In fact, if you're successful with your Lenten Discipline, try commiting yourself to something new each month! Learn French. Master baking. Master French Baking. Take your dog [or hamster!] for obedience classes, and then enter them in an agility show. Your possibilities are endless, because it's not about doing without, it's about what you can do, and being grateful for the time that you are given.

So, this year, for my Lenten Discipline, I am resolving to be neater. Both in my appearance and apartment. I will do all of my dishes as they are dirtied. I will iron clothes that are wrinkled. I will think more carefully about the food I eat. I will sweep my kitchen floor before the popcorn that was dropped on it gets ground into a fine dust. I'll stick to Lent as best as I can, and I won't think too hard about the science of Easter apart from celebrating new life and enjoying my family.

I do like zombies, though.

Recipe: Lisa's Pasta

Lisa's Pasta
[Gluten Free if you use rice pasta or similar, Vegetarian] serves 4-5 [or three roommates with a few lunch leftovers.]

2 TBSP olive oil
2-3 large onions [or like, 4 medium ones. Use as many as you want, they're delicious.] halved and then in thin strips
3 large bell peppers [4-5 smallish organic ones - I like the purple ones best] sliced into thin strips
3 large portabella caps, sliced into finger-size and then in thirds or quarters.
3 large zucchini [4-5 small ones - i like to mix and match yellow and green] sliced into thin half-moons if zucchini is large, or rounds if small.
1C balsamic vinegar. [this is an approximation - you may not need all of it, or you might want more. I basically pour until it's slightly saucier than I want, and then I let it reduce for a while.]
3 TBSP pesto. [this is what really makes this dish awesome - I have gone without pesto, and it's just not as good.]
1lb pasta [shapes work better than strands here, but knock yourself out. also, use rice pasta for gluten-freeness.]
parmesan cheese to sprinkle on.
salt and pepper to taste.

Start the water for pasta and before everything else. I like to add lots of salt and garlic powder to my pasta water before the pasta goes in.

In a large skillet, saute the onions in the olive oil until caramelized. Anyone in the house with you will wander into the kitchen and miraculously keep you company the rest of the time you're cooking. You're welcome.

Add in the bell peppers, mushrooms, and zucchini and let cook for a few minutes until things start to soften.

Add the vinegar until it's a tad saucier than you want. Let things mellow for a few minutes with a lid before adding the pesto. Add some cracked pepper and salt if you think it could use some more - just wait until after adding the pesto as it is sure to be salty.

Side note - I make a batch of pesto and then freeze it in ice-cube trays for individual servings. This recipe works best with 2 cubes, which I've calculated to be roughly 3 tablespoons. The more the merrier, though. This dish can only be improved by it, and I really believe you can't add too much.

Let everything hang out for 10 to 15 minutes on low heat with a lid, stirring occasionally.

Serve over pasta with copious amounts of Parmesan cheese.


I know the photo is terrible, but when I'm hungry I'd rather be cooking than taking arty food shots. *shrug*

It was time.

Attired to please herself: no gems of any kind
She wore, nor aught of borrowed gloss in Nature's stead;
And, then her long, loose hair flung round her head
Fell carelessly behind.
~Publius Terentius Afer

I got my hair cut this weekend. All of them, actually. The story in photos after the jump.

Happy Things - January times

Alright, let's just dive right back in here with a Happy Things list!

new bed frames.
clean sheets.
smelly candles [but only cinnamon, vanilla, or eucalpytus spearmint.] [maybe sometimes gingerbread.] [chocolate is nice, too.]
Robots.
snowman pencils.
wild hair.
small children that shake hands when being introduced.
calvin and hobbes.
brand new journals. [I have a journal problem.]
my dog. [he's been huddling into a nest on my bed every morning when I leave for work.]
herd immunity. [whatever, you all knew I was a nerd.]
ramen noodles.
my kindle.
my family.
my friends.
cherry coke.
yoga.
sweet-tea flavored vodka.
new tattoos:

science.
you all. <3

It Gets Better - If We Make It Better.

The news has been abuzz the last few weeks with the stories of bullied teens. A nationwide campaign was launched to tell kids everywhere that It Gets Better. And watching those videos makes me happy, and a little tearful, because it does. It does get better.

But what I can’t help thinking is that not enough is actually being done. All we’re really doing is telling kids, “Suck it up for a few years, then you’ll be free.”

But what if they can’t suck it up? What if every damn day they’re tortured by kids in the hallways and locker rooms and buses that teachers and parents turn a blind eye to because they’re different? Because they’re fat, or slow, or ugly, or gay. They’re too nice, too hairy, too smart.

We’re basically telling kids to endure this abuse because someday those kids won’t be doing it to their face any longer. But they’ll still be discriminated against by their own government. Possibly their own families. Sometimes their jobs or churches. We’re telling them to wait and hope that it will get better.

But in the mean time, they have to suffer, because no one is listening to the people trying to change things. Not enough parents are teaching their kids about tolerance and diversity. Not enough schools are enforcing anti-bullying policies. Not enough people are doing their part.

I know what it is to be bullied. Every day for three years I was trapped for 90 minutes on a bus with kids who made fun of me because I’m fat. Those years are when the Star Wars movies were re-released, and you can probably guess which nickname I got. Some mornings I would miss the bus on purpose and my mother would have to make the 45 minute drive, making herself late for work, to get me to school on time.

I grew up with these kids, I’m even friendly with them now. But I will always, always remember those days. Crying on the bus, being sick when I got to school. Not wearing certain clothes because they showed my pre-pubescent belly rolls.

Kids are cruel. We hear this all the time, but I don’t think we’re actually listening. Kids are cruel.

And that has to stop. Because those cruel kids don’t always grow up to be friendly with their victims. And their victims don't always get over it.

I am glad President Obama made a video, but it was the least he could do. Then again, it was the absolute least he could do.

I want more.

Jon Stewart, come to our party!

So, Jon Stewart [you know, from The Daily Show?] is having a little shindig on the 30th. Perhaps you've heard of it?

Problem is, my roommates and I are trying to have our OWN little shindig that night, and many of our guests are bailing on us because they want to go to the rally and think they'll be tired or whatever later. Lame, right?

Well, I'm hoping to start an INTERNET MOVEMENT, y'all.

Go tell Jon Stewart to come to our party.

C'mon, you know you want to. This could be the kind of human interest story WORTH READING. Or watching. Whatever, you know it would be awesome.

TELL THE WORLD!

My Very Own Recipe: Butternut Squash and Mushroom Peanut Butter Soup

Butternut Squash and Mushroom Peanut Butter Soup
Gluten-free, vegetarian, could be vegan [if you're into that sort of thing...] All measurements are fairly approximate. I was just throwing stuff together that sounded good.

Giant butternut squash, peeled and chopped into two-inchish chunks
3 small onions, sliced up nice and thin
3 portobella caps, sliced up pinky-sized and then in halfish.
1/2 C peanut butter
3/4 C apple or pear cider
1/4 C milk
palmful of curry powder
palmful kosher salt
palmful ground black pepper [white or pink would be lovely, too]

I mix the seasonings together and keep them in a bowl next to the stove. You'll probably end up using all of it by the end.

Whack the squash chunks on a baking sheet with a couple teaspoons of olive oil, a bunch of the spice mixture. Roast at 350 degrees, stirring a few times, until knife tender. Turn off oven and let it chill while you do other stuff.

The other stuff: in a heavy pot with a lid or dutch oven, caramelize the onions in 2ish teaspoons of olive oil. Season with more of the spice mixture. Once onions are nice and browned, add the 'shrooms, a bit of the cider, and the milk. Add the rest of the spices, and let the mushrooms get all soft and squishy while you are doing more Other Stuff.

The other other stuff: In a large food processor, puree half of the squash, drizzling in some of the cider as you go to help things smooth out. Dump into the pot with the mushrooms and onions. Puree the second half of the squash with the peanut butter, again adding the cider. Once that's all smooth and creamy, add it to the pot and stir in the rest of the cider.

Let things hang out for a bit on low heat. If making earlier in the day, just leave it on the stove until you're ready to serve or take it to your potluck.

Goes really well with bread, or a grilled cheese sandwich with apple and honey.

Happy Things - September Edition

Alright, y'all, let's get physical positive!

Things for/about which I am Happy:
peanut M&Ms [I am chomping on some RIGHT THIS SECOND].
clean drinking water.
my cutest ever puppy.
Joni Mitchell [times A MILLION].
Gigantic coffee mugs.
my rain boots
my new suede knee-high boots [they are SO AWESOME, y'all, I can't even believe they're mine].
action-packed movies [GIMME THE SPLOSIONS!!].
quiet tea times.
people that hold the elevator for you when your hands are full of flu vaccine.
people that care about other people.
people.
lovely music.
pink post-its.
words.
the letter "L"; language, longitude, lull, lariat, lollipop, left, lucid, loquacious, love, love, love.
dirt.
ink.
windows.
soundtracks.
Matt Smith: [bow-ties are so cool.]

the internet.
friends.
family.
learning.

iSight is a hell of a drug.

I made this, using iMovie. 338 stills, set to .1 second each.



It was a lot of fun! After an happy accident whilst opening a single one, every picture in my Photobooth album flashed across the screen. I thought they looked neat and decided to put them together into a collage.

Music is "People's Playground Version A" by Vampire's Sound Incorporation. If you can get your hands on their album "Vampyros Lesbos - Sexadelic Dance Party" I highly recommend it.

Poetry: Bit, Bag, and Game.

Bit, Bag, and Game.

I want a job that I can move around
push and pull barrels
tear walls down or hang signs up

I want to fix wood planks to steel rails
flex my muscles a bit
wear jeans and get messy

I want sun and air
maybe concrete and metal
but definitely crouching down and dirt on the seat of my pants

I want to learn while I am doing.
Come home with mud on my neck and a dusty bandana.
Give me a hammer, tell me what to pound.

- Molly Price, 2010

10 Extremely Compelling Reasons for SPX Attendance

10 Reasons you should attend the Small Press Expo on Saturday, September 11th and Sunday, September 12th.:

1: You will be supporting independent artists. [This is, I feel, the most important point, because art is extremely important to me.]

2: You will have a chance to buy neat swag that's not available elsewhere.

3: You will be able to meet COMPLETELY AWESOME PEOPLE who make amazing things for you to read and view.

4: I will be volunteering there on Saturday, from 1pm to 5pm. I don't know what I'll be doing yet, but you better believe I will be doing it ENTHUSIASTICALLY. Watch my twitter on Saturday for details, cos I am going to tweet my little heart out. Also keep an eye on #SPX2010, cos I have a feeling it will be jumping.

5: Bethesda is quite pretty, actually, and the hotel is GORGEOUS.

6: It’s only $10 for a single day pass, and only $15 for both. This is an Outrageous Deal, y’all.

7: It’s easy to get to, wot with a Metro stop across the street, not to mention tons of parking in several garages nearby.

8: There is a Chocolate Fountain, y’all. I am not even making this up.

9: ANIMATION SHOWCASE.

10: Proceeds benefit the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund.

If all this doesn’t make you want to go SO BAD, then you might be a robot and incapable of persuasion. If this is the case, can we be BFF? I’ve always wanted a robot BFF.

Photos courtesy of Rachel, SPX2009