TV Shows

I"m SO close to being done for the semester! one paper and a handful of exams. Of course, I then get 2 weeks off and get to start all over again! this is a dumb system! of my own choosing. :-)

I'm watching Jericho. Its an interesting show, about a small town that survived a big nuke attack and have no idea what happened and are completely isolated. But doesn't seem to be goin anywhere. Its interesting, but they are starting to write themselves into a melodrama-type corner and the main storyline is weak.

Heroes is much better. I LOVE that show. The characters are interesting, and the story is shaping up to be very cool. There is enough mystery in it to keep you interested, but they don't keep you in the dark forever like they do in Lost. And I think my Husband is becoming obsessed with it. its too cute!

Anyway, I should get back to doing my last paper.
I"m out

Nothing Much. And Cajun Food

I have been meaning to write in my blog for weeks now. But now that I am sitting here I realize I have nothing to say.

Life is adverage. New boss at work cut my pay back to minimum wage, playing lots of computer games and reading, hanging out with friends... blah blah blah.

I am however trying a new Cajun dinner recipie tonight that a friend of mine emailed to me. Kinda excited about that.

Here it is if you curious 2 people.


Cajun Crusted Chicken with Creole Mashed Potatoes
Serves 4

Ingredients:

Four 6- to 7-ounce/180- to 200-g boneless chicken breasts (with the skin on)
6 tablespoons/50 g Cajun spice blend (including cayenne pepper, dried
thyme, garlic powder and paprika)
4 russet potatoes (about 3 pounds/1.36 g total), peeled and quartered
2 tablespoons/30 ml olive oil
4 andouille sausages (about 13 ounces/369 g total), sliced thinly into rounds
1 red bell pepper, cut into thin strips
6 shallots, thinly sliced
2 garlic cloves, finely crushed
1 cup/286 ml chicken stock, warmed
1/2 cup/10 g chopped fresh flat leaf parsley
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
All purpose flour, for dusting


Method:

To marinate the chicken:

Using a large sharp knife, score 3 slits over the tops of the chicken
breasts. Rub the chicken breasts all over with the Cajun spices and
cover with plastic wrap. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours.

To prepare the potatoes:

In a large pot of boiling water, cook the potatoes for 25 minutes or
until soft. Drain the potatoes in a colander and allow them to steam
dry in the colander for 5 minutes. Meanwhile, heat 1 tablespoon/15 ml
of oil in a heavy large sauté pan over medium-high heat.

Add the sausages and fry until golden brown, about 8 minutes. Using a
slotted spoon, transfer the sausages to a plate and set aside. Add
the bell pepper, shallots and garlic to the same pan, and sauté for 8
minutes, or until the peppers are tender and the shallots are golden.

Add the potatoes and half of the chicken stock to the pepper mixture
and stir for 1 to 2 minutes, coarsely mashing the potatoes with the
back of the spoon. Stir in the parsley, cooked sausage and the
remaining chicken stock. Season with salt and pepper and keep warm.

To cook the chicken:

Preheat the oven to 375°F/190°C. Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon/15
ml of oil in a very large oven-proof sauté pan over high heat. Be sure
the pan is large enough so that the chicken breasts do not touch each
other. This will allow them to brown nicely. If you don't have a pan
large enough to fit all the chicken breasts without crowding them, use
2 large pans and divide the oil and chicken between the pans.

Dust both sides of the chicken breasts with a little flour and place
them in the pan skin side down. Cook for 2 minutes or until the
chicken skin is crisp and golden. Transfer the pan to the oven and
roast the chicken for 5 minutes. Turn the chicken breasts over and
return to the oven for 3 to 4 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked
through. Remove the chicken from the oven and let rest for 5 minutes.

To serve:

Cut the chicken breasts crosswise into thick slices. Mound the
potatoes on 4 dinner plates. Arrange the chicken slices alongside the
potatoes. Drizzle the pan juices from the chicken around the chicken
and potatoes and serve.

My Professional Value

I love feeling wanted. It doesn't often happen, especially when one is pursueing a degree is something as generic and generally impractical as English Literature. Academics and professionals are not really clammering for your time, as being able to quote Shakespeare and Dickens inside out and backwards is not really a employable skill. Unless you are an actor, in which case you would have a theatre degree instead or as well. So, because of this lack of enthusiasm, I got very excited when I got begged to take a job with my former employer at another of his video stores. Its a nice feeling to be wanted like, NOW, and to be able to skip the resume/interview process. I think this has been the most painless job search ever. Now if only the library would call and want me too. That would be awesome. In the meantime I will settle for working a minimum wage job that is actually quite similar and that I do enjoy. And continue to pursue my all but useless degree. (good thing I am adding a Library Tech Certificate to it!)

Charity Screening of "Serenity" in Vancouver, BC for "Equality Now"

There we go. We have a confirmed event. NOW you can buy tickets from the Link at the bottom of my blog. All Profits from this movie showing are going to Equality Now, an organization that works to end violence and discrimination against women and girls around the world.

There is an Extra charge when paying via paypal to cover the silly paypal fees and possible shipping if you order early enough (otherwise you can pick them up from me at the door). You can also contact one of the Organizers directly and pay them in person for no extra charge.

Date: Saturday, June 24, 2006
Time: 2:15 pm
Doors open at 1:45 pm
Location: Pacific Cinematheque
202 - 1131 Howe Street
Vancouver, BC
Phone: 604-688-8202

Tickets are $13 until May 31st, $15 after May 31st.

For information about this screening and Door Prizes to go The Offical Website For Vancouver

Or check out the worldwide website at Can't Stop The Serenity

For information Equality Now check out Their Website

Hope to see you there!

Planning for Big Things

Just so you Guys know, I am using my Blog to test the HTML code and functionality of a PayPal checkout Cart for a Charity Event I am helping in. HOWEVER, we are not technically confirmed to be having this thing yet, so DO NOT use the button! Yet. I'm trusting in the fact that the only people I know of for sure who read this blog are in the same group. But the possibility of others reading it means I have to post this. Not that I would not gladly take your money if it was offered, but it is such a pain to refund and sort it out if things don't go the way we would like.

Anyway, I will post more details of the event when we know for sure when/where/if it is happening.

Later!