I used to quite like the journals but it doesn't look as though they're very often used any longer.

they'd really go with my playlist, you see.

how cool is that? also i am really enjoying built to spill at the moment

don't more of you lovely folk speak german, god damn it.

It's still bizarre, the feeling of school without authority, no one to make sure I go to bed on time, wake up on time, live straight, eat right, take care.

I still love it.

by the time i make it home monday night, i'll have put in two weeks' worth of work in five days' time.

ouch.

Up at 6 for a drive to Flagstaff, training a law firm on how to use their new VoIP system.

A lot of people like to poke fun at lawyers, but I rather like them. People as a whole are notoriously resistant to change, and intimidated by technology. When change and technology are your bread and butter, it's really nice to be in a position where most of your clients are bright and very interested in anything that will help them work more efficiently.

Still, damn long day.

i've got blood on my teeth from my younger days. there's a shadow of that clinging to the mouth of today, all the little wounds of history thrown wide awake. there's something missing.

i climbed ten thousand stairs over the last months, knitted blankets from the promise of stardust, kept the fire high against a chill from deep within, let gravity subside.

now take the bright eyed child in your soft hands.
hold him gentle, hold him close to your full breast.
say your goodbyes.
hold him there beneath the waters till the brightness subsides.

feel the blood on your teeth.

traditionally i spend the holidays alone, but this year i am looking at having a few friends over for a proper holiday meal. i would like to base the meal around goose, but would like to do something nontraditional and exciting for the meal. i hope some of you have interesting recipe suggestions.

also, my birthday occurs oct. 6 and i am thinking about getting myself a serious knife. right now i'm fixed on the 10 in. Global chef's knife. the best i can find it for it $131.

can anyone offer a better price, or a compelling argument to look elsewhere?

thanks
michael

What it is

Wheat noodles lightly fried,two eggs perfectly poached.

Compare to

Ramen scramble. Seriously, never eat it again.

What you need

A pot
A skillet
Somen noodles
Eggs
Low sodium soy sauce
Butter
White vinegar (optional)
A serving spoon
A spatula
Salt
Pepper
Garlic
A bowl or something
Paper plates

What you do

noodles

Put some water in the pot. Heat high, boil water, in go the noodles. If you make the OK sign with your hand, the O will be about big enough to hold a bunch of noodles suitable for four plates.

Put the skillet on high heat and put a bit of butter in there. It should take about two minutes for the butter to get melty and start making cooking noises. Drain the noodles and set them somewhere for a second.

Take a clove of peeled garlic and squish it. The flat of a knife is good for this job. Stick the garlic in the buttery pan. Let it sizzle for a second or two.

Throw the noodles into the pan. Reduce heat to medium/medium-high. Rinse out your pot. You don't really have to scrub with soap, but get all the noodle stuff out of there and get it nice and smooth so the next part isn't totally fucked. Put water in the pot again and heat high.

Drizzle the noodles with soy sauce and stir them around occasionally. Reduce heat to medium. They take care of themselves for the most part.

eggs

Crack an egg into a bowl or cup or something. The fresher the egg, the easier this will be. DO NOT BREAK THE YOLK.

Wait for the water to boil. When it boils, reduce heat to low-medium. You want it at a simmer.

When the water has stopped boiling, stir it in a circular motion quickly. You want to create a whirlpool effect. Get the bowl with the egg in it. You want to tip it into the water using an opposite circular motion. You should see the white of the egg kind of wind itself around the yolk and begin cooking.

OPTIONAL: add a bit of white vinegar before the egg. It helps the egg stay together.

Stir the noodles around a bit more while the egg cooks, add more soy if you like. Move the garlic around. Crack another egg into your bowl.

The egg will need between 3-4 minutes to poach, keep an eye on it. When it looks like the one in the picture, take it out with the spoon. A slotted spoon is handy for draining the water, or you can put it on a paper towel.

Put the noodles onto a plate, removing the garlic, and cook another egg the same way. When it's done, take it out and put the eggs onto the noodles. Salt and pepper to taste.

When you put the fork into the egg, it should give slight resistance but not be runny or rubbery. The yolk should spill out.

Eat the food.

Pairs with

Anything. Cheap beer, good wine, whatever.

Recommended for

Casual morning-after brunch to impress company without trying too hard, bartering with roommates for light household duties, satiating late-night chemically-induced hunger pangs without making yourself feel awful.

Have fun!