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must. have.
July 31, 2010
fitness: c25k w4r1
km tracked: 3.72; duration: 0:30; pace: 08:03; feeling: great; calories: 389; effort: 3/5; humid, overcast, sunny, warmer
HUMID! And much warmer than usual.
The slightly longer run sections were nice - came home feeling just a little bit more adrenaline charged. I'm going to have to watch I don't overdo it and bust up my knee again.
"fitness: c25k w4r1" was posted by dogpossum on July 31, 2010 9:37 PM in the category c25k and fitness and running and walking | Comments (0)
July 30, 2010
fitness: c25k w3r3. again.
km tracked: 3.39; pace: 8:50; calories: 389; feeling: great
Wk3 run3 _again_. I'm pretty sure I've done this about a million times. But then, I'm not really supposed to be running properly on the bung knee yet.
I'm looking forward to proper running, but I'm also enjoying the dawdley pace.
"fitness: c25k w3r3. again." was posted by dogpossum on July 30, 2010 3:37 AM in the category c25k and fitness and running and walking | Comments (0)
July 28, 2010
good hair, that man
This is Josh Billings from this clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P5QFR4whDdoo.
The band is of course the Mound CIty Blue Blowers. This type of music is v popular with dancer-musicians atm. But no one is as fun as these blokes were.
This hair inspired my hair.
"good hair, that man" was posted by dogpossum on July 28, 2010 6:00 AM in the category lindy hop and other dances and music | Comments (0)
July 27, 2010
fitness: walking
km tracked: 3.2 km
A nice, easy, short walk.
"fitness: walking" was posted by dogpossum on July 27, 2010 4:28 AM in the category fitness and walking | Comments (0)
July 26, 2010
fitness: c25k w3r3
km tracked: 3.39, duration: 00:30, pace: 08:50, calories: 389, feeling: good
Nice. Knee held up fine, especially after a good rub-down yesterday.
...though now I wonder if I was supposed to be doing run 1 of wk4 instead of wk3r3... ? Whatevs. Slow and steady is _definitely_ my mantra (although 'gaining without pain' might be good).
...looks like I've gotten all confused with the weeks and done run3 of week 3 twice, but not done run 1 or 2 of that week. I'll try to remember to do the same run again on Wednesday (ie a third run from week3, as they're all the same. I think). Doh.
"fitness: c25k w3r3" was posted by dogpossum on July 26, 2010 4:27 AM in the category c25k and fitness and running and walking | Comments (0)
July 25, 2010
fitness: nice walk
km tracked: 4.17km, feeling: great;
A nice, easy walk to help loosen the kinks.
"fitness: nice walk" was posted by dogpossum on July 25, 2010 4:26 AM in the category fitness and walking | Comments (0)
July 24, 2010
google, you're amazing
I couldn't remember the name of a good film I saw ages ago. Well, it wasn't that good, but the dancing (stepping and a few other bits and pieces) was. This is what I typed in. That's the film there, the second result. That's amazing.
"google, you're amazing" was posted by dogpossum on July 24, 2010 6:01 AM in the category fillums | Comments (0)
July 23, 2010
fitness: c25k wk3r3
km tracked: 3.39km, duration: 00:30, pace: 08:50, calories: 389
Feeling pretty good, except I've just had no energy and been a bit puffy post-run. Not in a 'I've run really fast way' but in a 'I can't get any air' way. I figure it's just a cold or bug I've been battling.
Either way, the running itself is going fine, but I can't seem to go as far as I usually do...
"fitness: c25k wk3r3" was posted by dogpossum on July 23, 2010 4:24 AM in the category c25k and fitness and running and walking | Comments (0)
picnic wear
Every year dancers go to the Governor's picnic, and to the Gatsby picnic, wearing late 20s/early 30s clobber and having a lovely time dancing to a live band, picnicing, chatting and so on. This year and last the Sartorialist took some lovely photos.
There's also a story on Citizen Couture about one of the dancers. I like the pics, there, but it bothers me that he used staples to keep his vintage trousers' hems up - the damage they'd have done to the fabric under those conditions!
Rick has also posted a story about the day.
I like the summer fashion of these events, and wish we had that sort of thing here. I can never decide what I'd wear, though. I like the light summer dresses of the period, but they do NOT suit my body shape. I do, however, also like the men's fashions - straw boater's, strongly coloured striped jackets, linen trousers, bow ties... It's all good.
Garance Dore made a comment a little while ago about plus sized models being 'unhealthy'. I can't remember what happened with that story, but it caused a bit of a flurry. I liked the way it highlighted the hypocrisy of the Sartorialist's commitment to 'everyday' fashion on 'ordinary' people but only shooting the same old body types.
"picnic wear" was posted by dogpossum on July 23, 2010 3:24 AM in the category lindy hop and other dances and old sew and sew | Comments (0)
imagining strongs
I am still thinking about large moustaches. I blame Murdoch Mysteries.
"imagining strongs" was posted by dogpossum on July 23, 2010 2:42 AM in the category crafty bastard and scribbling | Comments (0)
July 22, 2010
The First Book of Jazz, p. 6: Old New Orleans
must. have.
"The First Book of Jazz, p. 6: Old New Orleans" was posted by dogpossum on July 22, 2010 1:14 AM in the category objects of desire | Comments (0)
July 21, 2010
sinister blues
I just want to keep a copy of this comment from faceplant, because I think it's interesting.
I've been thinking about and playing some music that I think of as 'sinister blues'. I call it that mostly because I remember seeing the Belle and Sebastian CD If you're feeling sinister on the coffee table when I was talking about it with someone. I like the way B&S, with their kind of sulky, hip aesthetic use the term 'sinister', and I like the way their use contrasts with the sort of show these 'sinister blues' people do (which is excessive, flamboyant, over the top and everything being hip is not).
Basically, when I think 'sinister blues', I'm thinking about bands who use acoustic instrumentation, often borrowed from jazz, blues or folk traditions (gypsy, yiddish, tango, etc), sing songs that are often quite bloody or hypersexualised, dress up in quite flamboyant, carnivale type gear, and do live shows that are really dramatic and fun. Some of them take themselves really seriously, some (most) have a bit of a sense of humour about it. They really do feel a bit Carnival, in that they are about excess, and often sing or perform stories which are deliberately 'shocking' or 'forbidden' or otherwise nasty. It's the excess - of emotion, costume, performing style, etc - which makes them super fun. They tend to dovetail with the goth/rockabilly scene in Sydney, where there's already a high-costume aesthetic. And some pretty heinous gender fail (do not let me get on my burlesque rant again). But as I point out, there's room for queering this shit up. Just like in True Blood, which takes all that excessive drama and sinister performance and twists it just a little (I wrote about that a little bit here).
So, Keith asked:
Keith Shapiro:
Meant to take notes on what we were talking about a month ago re: "despicable" blues or something like that, but didn't write it down and twitter lost it all. Can you remind me about the bands you were talking so I can investigate for this month's podcast? :)
Keith produces Confessin' the Blues, which is an interesting podcast discussing music for blues dancing.
I wrote this response:
Hmmm... I think it was 'Sinister blues' akshully (just a name to sum up these bands' kind of dark, broody style).
Tim Jones had some good names as well.
Ones I can think of:
Tiger Lillies
The Tiger Lillies, 'world's foremost death oompah band' (http://www.tigerlillies.com/; video: http://vimeo.com/10442987). Probably more in the cabaret/gothic glam camp, but still...
[edit: I have written about them here before]
CW Stoneking
CW Stoneking, who you know (http://cwstoneking.com/ ; video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jgncwm9cMio reminds me of the Tiger Lillies). Definitely danceable songs on his cds, and has links with Melbourne's hot jazz scene and bands/musicians who play regularly for lindy hoppers.
Tom Waits. Nuff said.
I'm kinda thinking some Nick Cave should be in this list...
Mojo Juju and the Snake Oil Merchants
Mojo Juju and the Snake oil merchants' 'dusty gin-house cavalcade' (http://www.myspace.com/mojojujuvoodoo): finally, a woman! And fairly queer...
[edit: associated with Hoodoo Emporium]
Brothers Grim
[edit: Gunther's great pic from BBS this year]
Brothers Grim: 'sex voodoo delta blues-a-billy' (http://www.myspace.com/brothersgrimblues; Gunther's great pics: http://www.flickr.com/photos/swingpatrol/4421548489/in/set-72157623461398043/). Did a really GREAT set at Blues Before Sunrise this year - great performers.
Snow Droppers
Brothers Grim remind me of some bands which are popular in Sydney (where there's a greater cross-over with rock n roll and rockabilly), including the Snow Droppers (http://www.snowdroppers.com/) who aren't necessarily 'blues dancing' bands, but are in that sort of newer or retro-type rockabilly/jump blues/rhythm n blues (whatevs) vein.
I like the term 'sinister blues' because it implies the nasty, morbid, goth edge. It's also super-serious, which makes me giggle. Reminds me of True Blood, in the BEST possible way. In fact, there's probably good stuff on the TB soundtrack, and I've found good stuff on the Deadwood and Carnivàle soundtracks as well.
I'm not entirely comfortable with all these bands because some of them (esp at the rockabilly end of the spectrum) tend to be GENDER FAIL. But then, all that work they do is intended to 'shock' (including via dodgy gender politics, violent or bloody themes, etc), which is kinda immature, but also part of their shtick. And it can be kinda fun, what with the dressing up and all, especially when it gets _so_ serious it becomes ridiculous.
I can't think of any female groups who do this stuff (beyond Mojo Juju) And I'd _really_ like to see some queer artists getting in there and screwing with the heteronormativity and rampant blokeism (something for the http://www.redrattler.org/ I think...)
...but then, I don't really know this music very well.
If I'm DJing these guys, I often add in some super old school stuff with dark or darkly funny lyrics (eg Rosetta Howard singing about how she'll 'cut him if he stands still, shoot him if he runs'; Irma Thomas doing 'Soul of a Man'; Bessie Jones singing 'O Death' on the Alan Lomax recordings) - stuff that says bayou, voodoo, etc.
"sinister blues" was posted by dogpossum on July 21, 2010 9:38 PM in the category clicky and djing and lindy hop and other dances and music and television and true blood | Comments (0)
fitness: c25k w3r1
distance: 3.23 km duration: 00:30, pace: 09:18, calories: 389
How could I get a shorter distance when I'm actually running _more_?
Whatevs. Running is nice. We are still pain-free and it is great. I'm gonna continue with the c25k to steadily build me up to previous levels of orsm and avoid injury. It'd be frustrating, if it weren't for the fact that both my podiatrist and I are amazed that (with dodgy foot) I'm actually _walking_ without pain, let alone running. I am made of strongs, I think. :D
"fitness: c25k w3r1" was posted by dogpossum on July 21, 2010 2:45 AM in the category c25k and fitness and running and walking | Comments (0)
July 19, 2010
fitness: c25k w2r3
km tracked: 3.23, duration: 00:30, pace: 9:18, calories: 389
Nice.
"fitness: c25k w2r3" was posted by dogpossum on July 19, 2010 2:47 AM in the category c25k and fitness and running and walking | Comments (0)
July 17, 2010
fitness: slow walking
distance: 5.76 km
A nice walk after NO EXERCISE the last week.
"fitness: slow walking" was posted by dogpossum on July 17, 2010 2:49 AM in the category fitness and walking | Comments (0)
fitness: social dancing
duration: 00:02:00
Still feeling the lack of fitness. Wonder if I have been battling a cold or something as I still feel a bit flat. Boo. In other news, the knees are rockhardawesome and I continue with the sixtyfivezillion strengthening exercises. I can safely say that I owe any mobility at all to the millions of exercises I do every day for my foot and knees.
"fitness: social dancing" was posted by dogpossum on July 17, 2010 2:48 AM in the category fitness and lindy hop and other dances | Comments (0)
July 15, 2010
fitness: social dancing
duration: 02:00, feeling: great
Really felt the lack of exercise during the week. :(
"fitness: social dancing" was posted by dogpossum on July 15, 2010 2:50 AM in the category fitness and lindy hop and other dances | Comments (0)
July 12, 2010
fitness: c25k w1r1
duration: 00:30, distance: 3.69km, pace: 8.07, feeling: good, calories: 389
Doing the first run of c25k with a friend who's starting and wanted company. Not sure I'm any good at running with other people - I don't like the way it distracts me from my own rhythm. Even though the company was nice.
Knees are *knock on wood* feeling GREAT. But I've had about enough of this snot - it's making me tiiiiiired.
"fitness: c25k w1r1" was posted by dogpossum on July 12, 2010 2:52 AM in the category c25k and fitness and running and walking | Comments (0)
July 11, 2010
happy birthday nikola tesla
It was Nikola Tesla's birthday yesterday and I missed it.
Last year I wrote this poem for him:
Happy Birthday, Nikola Tesla,
inventor of alternating current,
unfortunately not
a pro-rock-n-roll wrestler,
but still: fully sick,
Nikola Tesla.
"happy birthday nikola tesla" was posted by dogpossum on July 11, 2010 8:00 PM in the category people i know | Comments (0)
July 9, 2010
fitness: c25k w2r2
duration: 00:30, kilometres tracked: 3.19km, calories: 389, feeling: good, pace: 7:38
Feeling fatigued from constant allergy issues... wonder if I actually have a cold? Either way: boo to lack of energy.
But it's still very nice to be out and running/walking about regularly again. Still no knee pain, so feeling pretty optimistic about returning to proper running. Might continue with c25k til end, though, as I like the structure.
"fitness: c25k w2r2" was posted by dogpossum on July 9, 2010 10:21 PM in the category c25k and fitness and running and walking | Comments (0)
fitness: social dancing
duration: 2:00, feeling: great
Lots of fun, lots of intense dancing. Sore knees the next day, but not in a major way. We'll see how thing shape up on Monday.
"fitness: social dancing" was posted by dogpossum on July 9, 2010 7:57 PM in the category fitness and lindy hop and other dances | Comments (0)
July 5, 2010
fitness: c25k w1r3
km tracked: 3.52, duration: 00:30, pace: 08:31, calories: 389, effort: 3/5, feeling: great
chilly and rainy, but: new tracksuit pants! Had to fang it to catch the lights and nearly kicked my own arse. No aches in the bodgy foot, no knee pain, nothing but persistent allergy snot (which is NOTHING!).
"fitness: c25k w1r3" was posted by dogpossum on July 5, 2010 11:20 PM in the category c25k and fitness and running | Comments (0)
lasagne
This is how we make lasagne.
It's easy and it doesn't take all that long to make. We don't like bechamel sauce, but we _do_ really like the layers of tofu - fu sucks up flavours. We occasionally replace the 'fu with some home made cheese, but that's an added layer of fuss. It's also an added layer of dairy if you're going vegan.
We make vegie lasagne because it's nice. We have also discovered that simple is best - just like pizza.
1. Make some red sauce.
Get some chopped onions and make them transparent in a pan with some olive oil. Make some crushed garlic cook a bit. I add it after the onions are almost ready, because I hate the bitter taste of burnt garlic. I cook the garlic until it's almost brown. If it's not cooked enough it's not sweet enough and it kind of boils in the red slop.
We like to brown some sliced mushrooms (button, swiss brown, whatevs). I take the onions out of the pan and do the mushrooms in the pan.
Add the canned tomatoes, or a bunch of fresh ones if they're really really ripe and nice.
Add a can of brown lentils. These are really important - their nutty flavour is important. If you have some soaked and cooked dried ones on hand, use those. Red lentils are a bit dull - use the tastier ones. The French ones would be wicked.
Let it simmer for a while, til it gets thicker and richer. Add some scrumpled up fresh basil and some salt and pepper if you like.
2. Slice some pumpkin REALLY thinly.
3. Slice some firm tofu (not firm silken tofu, but actually quite firm tofu - firm like a wobbly cheese) about a centimetre thick, or as thin as you can get it.
4. Get some fresh baby spinach.
5. Get some lasagne sheets.
6. Layers, baby. Alternate the ingredients - tofu, red slop, lasagne, red slop, spinach, lasagne, red slop, pumpkin, lasagne, red slop, tofu, lasagne, red slop. I try to get the red slop directly onto the lasagne, because you need the moisture to cook the pasta. But the spinach is usually good enough, and has enough water in it to help make things moist and cook the pasta. If you're making 'real' lasagne, lots of layers of pasta is good. But we tend to prefer the vegies to the pasta, so we don't use as many layers - maybe 5.
7. The final layer should be a layer of pasta. I then add a layer of thinly sliced fresh tomatoes and shredded fresh basil. Then I grate some cheese onto that. But not heaps and heaps of cheese, because it's very rich. I use something tasty - the point isn't a melty mass (like you might get with a mozzarella), but a crispy or tasty layer. It's cool to skip this layer if you're going vegan - the tomatoes and basil will be nice enough without it. I like the cheese, but the Squeeze doesn't like it when it gets really crispy.
8. Cook it for a long time in the oven. It takes ages, usually an hour. You know it's cooked when you can push a skewer in easily. You want the pasta cooked al dente, or to your taste. We like it pretty well cooked.
"lasagne" was posted by dogpossum on July 5, 2010 4:27 AM in the category domesticity and fewd and gastropod | Comments (1)
July 4, 2010
website
I'm going to try to sort this site so that:
- you don't have to look at those boring fitness updates;
- that annoying line/space problem on the entry titles is fixed
- the individual entry pages look better;
- it's easier to navigate back through entries
"website" was posted by dogpossum on July 4, 2010 10:00 PM in the category design and webbing | Comments (1)
July 3, 2010
fitness: walking
distance: 6.61km, effort: 2/5, feeling: great, calories: 453
Nice, slow walking in the sun.
"fitness: walking" was posted by dogpossum on July 3, 2010 9:58 PM in the category fitness and walking | Comments (0)
fitness: social dancing
duration: 02:00, effort: 4/5, feeling: great
Dancing! Adrenaline! YEAH!
I am still really enjoying the increased control running gives me when I dance. And the energy!
"fitness: social dancing" was posted by dogpossum on July 3, 2010 9:53 PM in the category fitness and lindy hop and other dances | Comments (0)
July 2, 2010
fitness: c25k w1r2
km tracked: 3.63, duration: 00:30, feeling: great, effort: 2/5, calories: 389, pace: 08:15
Still doing the first week of c25k because it didn't give me any pain the other day. Had shocking allergies last night, so a nice walk/run in the sun helped get rid of the snot, but kind of made me tired. Not sure whether to keep going with the supergentle program or to risk it with something more.... Might keep it mellow for a month, til the podiatrist-enforced unloading period is done.
"fitness: c25k w1r2" was posted by dogpossum on July 2, 2010 1:51 AM in the category c25k and fitness and running and walking | Comments (0)