So, it is party time again, folks!

[wiseheart]

Each year this time, we launch my virtual birthday party, which starts on October 1 and ends on October 9 at midnight, sharp. The goals of the party are to post as many comments and collapse as many threads as possible, on as many new pages as we can. It is always great fun, as you can see if you check out the similar entries of the last few years.

This year, I'll also throw the real party at mid-time - and post the recipes of all the food that will be there for you, so that you can all participate if you want to. Virtual food has no calories.

Fandom-related discussions are as welcome as the ones about coffee or chocolate (just to name a few favourites from previous years), and, of course, pictures and recipes of birthday cakes. ;)

So, drop by, tell your story, post your pics or silly poems, ask questions you always wanted to ask and have a good time!

Soledad, in excited expectation




Oh, and by the way, to provide birthday gifts hobbit-style, I've got a revived story and a Kansas 2 update for you.

Enjoy!

Comments

[wiseheart.livejournal.com]

Thanks, Finch. :)
It's good to hear from you again. It has been too long.

[wiseheart.livejournal.com]

What can I say? We are good, baby!

[espresso-addict.livejournal.com]

I find with films that are novel adaptations my degree of dislike of the film depends on whether I read the novel first or later. I'm much more capable of tolerating divergence when I read the novel only afterwards.

[sammydragoncat]

It does make a difference when the author of the book also does the screen play. I will have to read the book.

[solanpolarn.livejournal.com]

I also find myself much more able to tolerate differences, when I saw the film first. However, in most of those cases I still think that the book is better, and so much better that it is noticeable. Here, I love both and perhaps because they are different enough find that I don't actually have a marked preference.

[solanpolarn.livejournal.com]

I definitely recommend reading the book! :-) I was very pleased to find out that there was a book, but then a bit apprehensive that I wouldn't like it as much as the film, but those fears were unfounded. :-)

[solanpolarn.livejournal.com]

We are indeed! Have I mentioned my great love of Uhura to you? (Your icon made me think of it.) It isn't just Uhura the character I love, though, I am so impressed by the actess Nichelle Nichols as well. Have you read her autobiography? I found it fascinating, with all the things she has done before and after Star Trek.

[espresso-addict.livejournal.com]

I think the only time I've loved the film more than the book is Howl's Moving Castle, where Miyazaki's film has a much darker take on the universe than the Diana Wynne Jones original -- but in that case I saw the film first. They are so different it would be easy to consider them different takes on a similar idea that happened to use the same names.

Though there are some adaptations that provide wonderful eye candy for the heterosexual female/gay male -- Maurice and the television version of Brideshead Revisited spring to mind.

[rcfinch.livejournal.com]

I've been busy fighting the Community of Hilversum *and* one of the publishers I use to work for. That kind of thing takes a lot of energy.

[sammydragoncat]

Got it - I had no idea what Crusade was.

[sammydragoncat]

It sounds wonderful - I will have to buy some.

[altariel.livejournal.com]

Hurray! Finally managed to find the way in!

A very happy birthday to you! Hope you have a lovely day!

[wiseheart.livejournal.com]

I've just finished baking it - it is really easy!

[wiseheart.livejournal.com]

I have it standing on the bookshelf, right above my bed. I admire that woman, she's brave and beautiful and brutally honest.

Have you seen her in "Heroes"? Or in that old movie, where she played that Dorina or whatever she was called?

[wiseheart.livejournal.com]

That's still coming up. I've had very Hobbit-y days, buying groceries and preparing ungodly loads of food for my guests on Saturday. Most of it goes into the freezer and will be heated up, of course, as I have to work insane hours, this week even on Saturday, but we still hope for a great party.

[wiseheart.livejournal.com]

It must be the layout. I could see your icon all the time.

[wiseheart.livejournal.com]

Still a grossly undervalued teacher. Would still prefer to be a professional writer, although by my luck, I'd be undervalued in that profession, too. *g*

[wiseheart.livejournal.com]

Sooo, on with the food discussion, I proudly present... Mum's famous aubergine paste
(or is that a creme???)

In any case, she bakes two medium-sized aubergies on an iron plate on the hearth. Once they've cooled, she peels them, purees the fruit flesh and mixes it with chopped onions. Or with onion paste, lately. Then she adds some sunflower oil until the whole thing is smooth, thick and creamy, and seasons it with a pinch of salt and either with lemon juice or with vinegar.

Usually, she just eats it as a bread spread, but when she prepares it for guests, she fills it into small, hollowed tomatoes.

Me, I hate the thing like the plague, I can't even stand the stench of it, but everyone else who gives it a try gets positively ecstatic, so I thought I'd share the recipe. *g*

[espresso-addict.livejournal.com]

I'm with you on aubergine -- can't abide it!

[wiseheart.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I can imagine. We have that kind of atmosphere at school all the time, since the insipid reforms. Good luck to you!

[wiseheart.livejournal.com]

For me, it has merely decorative purposes. The colour is amazing, but I don't think it should count as food at all.

[wiseheart.livejournal.com]

I wish the_wild_iris were here with us, because this would be a topic for her heart: did you watch Merlin? And Camelot? What do you think, pro and contra?

[espresso-addict.livejournal.com]

The texture & taste are horrid, and most people seem to prepare it with lots of salt, to draw out the moisture, which makes it even worse.

[espresso-addict.livejournal.com]

I haven't heard from Wild Iris in ages; I hope she is well.

[wiseheart.livejournal.com]

I saw someone grilling slices of aubergine on tv once - not in a real grill but in a grilling pan. They used oil in it. I tried to copy the method, hoping I'd like it that way (I was trying to eat more veggies at that time), but it turned out horribly sloppy and dripping with oil. I almost got sick.