I Ain't Afraid of No Daleks

I used to bake cookies (biscuits) a lot, when I was younger and had people to share them with.

Mum used to make a day for baking when my sister and I were growing up. Sometimes it was cake, sometimes chocolate chip or peanut butter cookies. Later, I discovered a few cookie recipes of my own that I liked.

This isn't the old family recipe (the one my mum grew up on, passed down from my gran), but it's easy and economical...and tastes just as good as more involved recipes, I think. I eventually abandoned the family recipe (sorry, gran) to make this one, because I'm a lazy sod, and this was much quicker to make.

PEANUT BUTTER COOKIES

1 cup sugar
1 large egg
1 cup smooth and creamy style peanut butter (you can use chunky style if you've a mind, but I don't care for it)

Pre-heat oven to 375 degrees. (Use an online temperature conversion tool, if you're in the UK)

In a large mixing bowl, combine sugar and egg in mixing bowl, and stir until smooth. Add peanut butter and mix in thoroughly. Roll dough between your palms (washing your hands first, I hope) into walnut-sized balls.
Place the balls on an ungreased cookie sheet(s) at least 2" apart. Flatten with the tines of a fork, in a cross-hatch pattern (see photo). Bake 10 minutes, or until edges brown very slightly. Let cool in pan for 1 minute before removing to a cooling rack. Allow to cool and enjoy!

LEMON CRISPS

This is a genuine Amish recipe from the Pennslyvainia-Dutch country.

1 3/4 cups vegetable oil
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup brown sugar
2 Tablespoons lemon juice
2 large brown eggs
2 teaspoons grated lemon rind
5 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda

Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.

In a large bowl, combine all the ingredients, mixing well. Placing a small amount of dough between your palms, form dough into small balls, the size of walnuts. Place on baking sheet(s) and flatten them gently with the palm of your hand. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until edges turn very slightly golden brown. Remove from cookie sheet and place on cooling rack.

(NOTE: one can substitue orange juice and orange rind, instead of lemon, for orange crisp cookies.)

Russell T. Davies, writer for David Tennant's last episode as the Doctor, has hinted that Tennant's death scene will be quite breath-taking.

Davies hinted that Tennant would be shot by a Dalek, stabbed by The Rani, shot again by a Cyberman, poisoned by the Master, drowned by a Zygon, and have a massive steel safe dropped on him from the roof of the BBC Wales studios, by a Sontaran. As the final coup, he would then be taken from behind by Jade Goody.

The fields lie empty and still in November. The tracor is in the shed, the corn's cut and the silage stored safely in the silo, the hay is baled and ready for a long cold winter.

In some long forgotten field, beneath the towering mountainside, a barn stands as empty and silent as the landscape which surrounds it. Grey trees, grey barn boards, rusty and brown leaves, rusty and brown tin roof. The thing made by man a century or two ago, has become a thing of nature now.

Dying brown and fading green, yellow-gold of death. The harbingers of virgin winter snows. The barn and landscape for the moment, seeming jaded with their own existance.

In the wooded hillside, the maple leaves fall dancing down. Dancing in step with the damned, as the season of life closes it's eyes to the season of rest.

1. If you were to attend a costume party tonight, as what or whom would you go?

I can't afford fancy dress, so would have to go as a cowgirl, 'cos I have the hat, boots and spurs already--tho' why I've held on to my spurs when I'm not able to ride anymore...no kinky stuff, honest!

2. What are your choice of toppings on a hamburger? And do you prefer gas or charcoal grilling?

black pepper, fried onions and catsup. Charcoal or pan fried--never used a gas grill, just charcoal all my life...but have eaten gas grilled burgers, and they're fine...no preference really.

3. You are chosen to have lunch with the President or prime minister. The condition is you only get to ask one question. What do you ask?

"Mr. Bush, did you take a course in being an arrogant, childish, self-centered, warmongering moron, or do you come by naturally?"

4. It’s your first day of vacation, what are you doing?

After getting settled in my room and taking a bit of a rest from my ride/flight , I'm out there walking around, seeing the sights and getting my bearings, checking out the scenery, chilling at some cafe or on a park bench, buying a spot of lunch or a drink .

5. What is your concession stand must-have at the movies?

I used to go to the drive-in's a lot, from the end of May to early Sept., and once or twice a year to the cinema in the mall. But I am not able to do that any longer (budgetary concerns).

If I didn't bring my own--which I usually do at the drive-in cinema (microwave popcorn and cold drinks, and sometimes I'll stop and buy a pizza, or McDonald's, KFC or Chinese takeaway), usually I'll splurge for the standard small hot buttered popcorn and coke. At the drive-in's, if I didn't bring anything and I was hungry, I might also buy a hot dog and a coke, or an ice cream sandwich.

At the Aviation Mall cinema (back when I used to go there), I usually didn't bother, 'cos their prices are totally ridiculous .

6. Which do you dislike most: pop-up ads or spam email?

Pop-ups are impossible to ignore..and sometimes now, they follow your mouse around, making it really hard to close the pop-up...so, definitely pop-ups.

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7. What do you think Captain Hook’s name was before he had a hook for a hand?

Lucille.

8. Rock, paper, or scissors?

Ey? That's a game of sorts, right? I've seen it in TV programes, but not that familar with it, sorry. We used to just toss a coin.

9. How long was it from ‘the first date’ until the proposal of marriage? How long until the wedding?

Hell, I've never even dated the same guy more than three or four times! I don't think marriage is ever, ever, ever, going to be an issue with the likes of me.

10. Which is worse, being in a place that is too loud, or too quiet?

Too loud--for one thing I'm marginally deaf in one ear, and certain loud noise--like heavy traffic noise, and other sounds, sometimes make me basically stone deaf temporarily.

Plus, I live with relative silence all the time and it's rarely bothered me. I've gone days without hearing another human voice before, and that's fine.

Quiet is conductive to very real feelings like peace and serenity. It is good for using your powers of observation and mental exercise, and for connecting yourself to the world around you, and for self-awareness, as well.

That said, I'm okay with loud...like a lot of things in this world, you get used to it.

11. What is one quality that you really appreciate in a person?

A genuine sense of humour--the ability to find humour in times of adversity, and to laf at yourself and life...not hurtful insult humour though--dry wit, I suppose.

12. At the good old general store, what particular kind of candy would you expect to be in the big jar at the counter?

Licorace or maybe peppermint sweets.

13. What is the most distinguishing landmark in your city?

The building I work in--not so much "distinguishing," as a sore thumb, ha-ha. In a city full of Victorian and early 20th century archetecture, ours is a 10 storey tall squat glass and white marble structure that can be literally seen for miles, one of the tallest buildings in the city.

14. Everyone hears discussions that they consider boring. What topic can put you to sleep quicker than any other?

DIY. Nuts, bolts, kitchen cabinets, shelving, loos...zzzzzzzzzz. Wake me up when the conversation is over.

15. How many times did it take you to pass your drivers test?

Twice for the written exam, once for the actual driving part.

16. If you had to have the same topping on your vanilla ice cream for the rest of your life, what topping would you choose?

Oh, probably hot fudge, whipped cream and a marichino cherry, no brainer.

17. What food item would need to be removed from the market altogether in order for you to live a healthier, longer life?

Spam--nasty stuff, that.

18. You are offered an envelope that you know contains $50. You are then told that you may either keep it or exchange it for another envelope that may contain $500 or may be empty. Do you keep the first envelope, or do you take your chances with the second?

Because of my circumstances, I'd be pretty tempted to keep the $50. Depends how hungry I am at the moment, I suppose.

19. If you had to choose, which would you give up: cable TV, or DSL/cable internet?

Ha! Got you there! I don't have cable tv--or any viewing at all, 'cos I can't get any antenna reception here. I'm really lost without internet, it's literally pretty much my only lifeline to the world outside of this apartment and Glens Falls/Queensbury.

20. What is your highest level of education?

culinary arts certificate and
Assoc. of Arts in Liberal Arts/Humanities

(I am Approx. 1 year shy (have about 3 years of credits towards) a B.A. in Communications (Public relations-journalism) and my minor in writing...pretty much not ever going to happen though.

21. How much is a gallon of gas in your city? What was the highest it’s been?

I don't buy petrol, but last I looked at the convenient store pumps down the street, it was $3.07, but I've seen it as high as $3.21 a gallon

22. What kind of lunch box did you have as a kid?

I remember Man From U.N.C.L.E, Gunsmoke and Partridge Family.

23. What would you rather have, a nanny, a housekeeper, a cook, or a chauffeur?

A housekeeper...no contest.

24. Would you rather be trapped in an elevator, or stuck in traffic?

Depends on who I'm stuck in the elevator with...I mean, someone with the wind or bad breath, or whom likes to whistle tunelessly...could do some physcological damage...and not from the confined space! So, I suppose traffic...I used to keep a magazine or a book, and some good tunes with me, to curp any impatience.

25. Lets say a brick fell on your foot, and a little kid is standing right next to you, what is your ‘cleaned up’ swear word?

sun of a gun! Good gosh almighty! or, if I've time to be a bit more creative, Sweet Moses on a bicycle!

My pageview numbers are seriously skewed again:

4244 page views for

465 visitors.

Guess the search engines are going mad again. Either that, or maybe someone is writing my biography.

Some countries have bi-lingual, or even tri-lingual road signs.

In parts of the USA--mostly near the borders of Mexico and Canada, one can sometimes find signs in English/French, and English/Spanish.

In the province of Friesland in the Netherlands, one can find signs in Dutch/English/Friesian

And in parts of Egypt, one can find signs in Arabic/French.

In Wales, it's quite common to see signs in English/Welsh...however, just what those signs actually say, may not quite be what was originally intended.

Take this news story, for instance:

The sign originally said in English, "No entry for heavy goods vehicles. Residential site only," but when Swansea Council officials sent it to be translated, they received an automated e-mail written in Welsh that read: "I am not in the office at the moment. Please send any work to be translated."

Unaware of the actual meaning of the e-mail, officials had the sign printed and put up near a supermarket, only realising their mistake when Welsh speakers pointed it out.

Whoopsie. What a twpsod!

I just got home from work and the doctor's office--seems I'm having some kind of allergic reaction to something, they, nor I, have a clue as to what...needless to say my reaction involves standing over a loo bowl unexpectedly, and itching like crazy on my part of my left forearm, my left leg, and..erm--an embarrassing spot, whose slang word begins with "B." Very odd, that. I rarely have allergic reactions to anything--maybe only 4 or 5 times in my whole lifetime. I'm not on any new meds, and have had no insect bites in the last several days...hmmm--maybe I'm allergic to David Tennant leaving Dr Who?

They gave something for the rash--and it is working, thankfully. The upset stomach as well, seems a bit better. I wasn't feeling great this morning...up part of the night coughing again, and was a bit of a grouch this morning. I'm just about ready to throw up my hands and just have them dig me the grave already...I've NEVER been so continually ill before in my life! When's it gonna stop?!?

Ah well, it could be a serious illness, I reckon, rather than just these little things all the time--worried that I'll lose my job though. Very worried. Sometimes though, I envy people in nursing homes...they have people do everything for them, so they can rest and maybe get to feeling better. That sounds awful, doesn't it? Does to me. I've been to nursing homes--volunteered at one when I was in high school. But, some days, I do miss having someone around to help...that's pathetic I suppose, I'm only middle aged, afterall. I am a pathtetic whinger today, aren't I? Sorry.

"Quiet Donna, I'm don't want HIM to hear us!"

"No, Russel Brand. If he finds out I'm here, I don't want him ringing me up and insulting my grandaughter Susan."

Back when I was at my two-year college, just days before Bush sent us to bombing the hell out of Iraq, some woman in my Environmental Issues in the Adirondacks course, wanted to know why I was against the war. I replied that nearly half the population was under age 21, and bombs don't know the difference between an Iraqui soldier and a wee child. I told her I didn't think Iraq was really a threat to us any longer (for I had only a month before, actually attended a lecture by an actual weapons inspector AND an Iraqi aid worker--two people who pretty much did know the situation over there--which Bush didn't--won't get into that, though.

Anyway, I said that I simply didn't want us killing hundreds--maybe even thousands--of innocent children just to get some washed up dictator. The woman turned 'round to me and sniffed, "Well, they can kill 'em all as far as I'm concerned. Whatever it takes to get Saddam." And, she meant it, too. At that point when I realized that, I got physically ill, and had to go to the bathroom to get sick...not kidding. It truly sickened me.

That was the day I realized I didn't like this country any longer. (Don't hate it...still love a lot of what my country USED to stand for...it's the lazy, callous mentality of way too many the people...makes me ill, it does...for the first time, I understood how the holocoust and other atrocities have happened--people become too wrapped up inside their own safe little comfort zones, and they just don't want to care...it's too hard for them.)

The other day at the office, this kid and some other co-workers, were spouting off against Obama, believing the anti-Obama propaganda that he wants to do away with the constitution, that he supports terrorism, etc... I felt like I was at a KKK rally! Again, made me sick to my stomach listening to the mindless poo being spewed out of the mouths of my fellow Americans.

Now, the republicans have been, for the last 8 or so years, been telling lie, after lie, after lie. So many lies, that even THEY can't tell the difference between truth and falsehood any longer.

Yet, people continue to buy into it. Why? Again, comfort zones...and, it's easier to hate than to have compassion, easier to be angry than to stop and ask questions, easier to hear than to listen.

In all honesty--sometimes I wish we didn't have free education...it's totally wasted on millions of Americans. I wish I was rich, then I could go live somewhere where at least people THINK...hate is everywhere, so is biogtry...even stupidity is everywhere...but America has become the biggest stinking morass of sheer stupidity and outright ignorance in the entire civilized western world. Not something I really want to be associated with, any longer.

The behaviour of my fellow Americans really isn't something to be proud of--no honour in being mean and spiteful, and no pride in being DELIBERATELY stupid.

What the Doctor and Donna REALLY were up to in the Tardis, during those lulls between saving the Earth and the rest of the universe:

"Oh my, Doctor....I had no idea those alien things could do that with their little tenticles...now I know why you hardly ever look at your lad mags. Daleks are sooo-kinky!"

So, tried my hand at a really crappy short story last night, tonight I'm writing an equally crappy poem--well...at least I CALL it a poem...not really sure what exactly it is, truth to tell...technically, it's SUPPOSED to be an "epistle"--that's a poem in the form of a letter. Not sure if this one makes the grade, though.

But, like the short story, it's loosely based on something I wrote about 7 years ago for one of my second level English classes...something mum kept for reasons of her own, heaven knows what for.

Anyway...here's my "creative" rubbish for tonight: (And, please don't throw any rotten tomatoes at me...I've already had enough pasta sauce for one week, thanks.)

WALLS OF AIR, SOUL OF LIGHT

Dear God,

Living in this place, a soul
Like mine, feels trapped, like a fly
Buzzing pointlessly inside a bottle,
It wounds me.

Murky haze shields the beauty of
The stars in the vaulted heavens,
Clouding my sight,
Gas-belching, thundering, ear-shattering
Machines, ignore life

Anonymous,
They are blind to the passing
Landscape, leaves and earth tremble
As the machines whoosh and whine,
Deaf to the sounds of crickets and wind,
Stone cold, as mute as the grave, to
The living world
Which was created for us.

Yet, even amid the desperate and hurried
Rumbling, grinding, honking and booming,
I hear you.

The breeze stirs the poplar leaves,
Dancing joyously in the sunshine, not
Caring for the ignorance of automatons,
Saving the music of cosmognal life for the
Ears of those
Whom have the heart, the
Spirt, the soul. Those who take the time
To listen to the universe.