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September is orange, pumpkin orange, or is orange the fruit the same color as pumpkin.
Either way, I know September is a transitional month. Before the bright days become dark nights. September is pumpkin colored but October as dawn blue, and winter is misty black-- my favorite season.
I did started autumn shopping yesterday. On the weekend I will gather my acorns and oak (around the neighbor), for my home décor and potpourri.
Autumn is also soup season--squash, mannish water, and fish.
Last Hallow's Eve no children came and I had to donate the candy out of fear I'd eat it all.
Autumn spices: cinnamon, clove, parsley, and cedarwood, nutmeg, rosemary, ginger, orange slices.
Either way, I know September is a transitional month. Before the bright days become dark nights. September is pumpkin colored but October as dawn blue, and winter is misty black-- my favorite season.
I did started autumn shopping yesterday. On the weekend I will gather my acorns and oak (around the neighbor), for my home décor and potpourri.
Autumn is also soup season--squash, mannish water, and fish.
Last Hallow's Eve no children came and I had to donate the candy out of fear I'd eat it all.
Autumn spices: cinnamon, clove, parsley, and cedarwood, nutmeg, rosemary, ginger, orange slices.
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The world of food is an exotic mysterious space. It's worldbuilding.
Coconut Cheesecake recipe . P.S. all my ingredients are lactose-free.
Crush coconut cookies and mix with butter. In separate bowl: mix other ingredients.
Set the cookie-base in an appropriate dish or baking pan. Spead the cocunut cream mixture over the base. Add extra coconut flakes if needed. If using white chocolate, melt it, let it cool a bit, and then pour it over the surface of the cake.
Put the cake in the fridge for 2 hours.
Remove and serve.
Coconut Cheesecake recipe . P.S. all my ingredients are lactose-free.
- Coconut cookies as base (Dare 'breaktime' brand is good). 1 or 2 boxes.
- Unsalted butter (lactose-free) - 1/2 brick
- Cream cheese (lactose-free) - 2 tubs
- Plain yogurt (lactose-free) - 1/3 cup
- White chocolate (or condensed milk or white sugar) - as much as you like (may need to control for sweetness).
- Coconut flakes (1 cup)
Crush coconut cookies and mix with butter. In separate bowl: mix other ingredients.
Set the cookie-base in an appropriate dish or baking pan. Spead the cocunut cream mixture over the base. Add extra coconut flakes if needed. If using white chocolate, melt it, let it cool a bit, and then pour it over the surface of the cake.
Put the cake in the fridge for 2 hours.
Remove and serve.
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Okay, I am a mess. I've been trying to practice Lagom, a Swedish word that is a fancier way of saying, minimalism--doing just about what is required but not going above or beyond.
I've been failing in every aspect, but still want to keep on trekiking.
I'm stubborn that way.
I'm obsessed with cleaning up my footprints--the real world, the Internet. I
Getting a book published, albeit by a small press means I have dusted off my lagom ways in favor of putting myself out there, and revisiting the past, which means this blog.
Some of what I have blogged in the past aren't too embarrassing, so I'm keeping them. You can see the evolution of my thoughts and beliefs through the brief life of this blog. The only constant is my heterodoxy.
This blog is back, but like most things in my life, I will struggle to maintain it. I tried Youtubing for a while but am not very good at it. I tried podcasting for a while but am not good at it either (face and voice issues, respectively).
Writing has always been my strength, so may that carry me forward. Can't and won't promise consistency, because, you know, energy and time. This is freewheeling--whatever that means.
Anyway, I'm here, Scapers!
P.S. What prompted this remergence or resurgence is not simply my resurrected website, but going down the rabbithole in search of the title of a magical realism novel I read years ago--and I kid you not, as I'm typing this, the title just came to me--The Elementals by Francesca Lia Block. Ha!
Welcome to the Ebonscape!
I've been failing in every aspect, but still want to keep on trekiking.
I'm stubborn that way.
I'm obsessed with cleaning up my footprints--the real world, the Internet. I
Getting a book published, albeit by a small press means I have dusted off my lagom ways in favor of putting myself out there, and revisiting the past, which means this blog.
Some of what I have blogged in the past aren't too embarrassing, so I'm keeping them. You can see the evolution of my thoughts and beliefs through the brief life of this blog. The only constant is my heterodoxy.
This blog is back, but like most things in my life, I will struggle to maintain it. I tried Youtubing for a while but am not very good at it. I tried podcasting for a while but am not good at it either (face and voice issues, respectively).
Writing has always been my strength, so may that carry me forward. Can't and won't promise consistency, because, you know, energy and time. This is freewheeling--whatever that means.
Anyway, I'm here, Scapers!
P.S. What prompted this remergence or resurgence is not simply my resurrected website, but going down the rabbithole in search of the title of a magical realism novel I read years ago--and I kid you not, as I'm typing this, the title just came to me--The Elementals by Francesca Lia Block. Ha!
Welcome to the Ebonscape!
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It's cold here now. March and April felt so long, but everything else ran by so quickly.
Now it's December, and it's time to look back. Some of these series have been around a while, but I only got around to watching this year (who knew what free time could do).
Here are my Favorite Series 2020:
The Boys
- Broken superheroes and the equally broken vigilantes trying to expose and take them down.
Streaming: HBO/ Crave Canada
I May Destroy You
- Michaela Coel has something that makes her the perfect storyteller for black millennials who don't quite fit into the stereotype. In I May Destroy You, Coel plays Arabella, a young woman searching for the truth after a brutal assault turns her world upside down.
Streaming: HBO/ Crave Canada
Raised by Wolves
- Humans try to colonize an alien planet after fleeing near future earth, deep in the grip of a religious war that may be the result of an alien god called Sol. Lots of mysteries going on here. This one is co-produced by Ridley Scott. Streaming: HBO/ Crave Canada
Tales from the Loop
-A collection of strange stories about people in a town that has an alien device known as an eclipse, which leads to everything from time loops to body switching. Streaming: Amazon Prime
Castle Rock
- Sadly canceled, but an anthology series based on the worlds/novels of Stephen King.
Streaming: HBO/Crave Canada
His Dark Materials
- Based on Phillip Pullman's trilogy about a young prophesied girl in an alternate world where people have daemons (external sapient souls that take the forms of animals).
Streaming: HBO/ Crave Canada
The Expanse
- Finally gotten around to watching this near future series about the politics that follow humans after they have colonized nearby planets.
Streaming: Amazon Prime
Star Trek: lower decks
- From the co-creator of Rick & Morty comes an animated comedy that centers the exploits of low-ranked crewmembers in the world of Star Trek.
Streaming: HBO/Crave Canada
Lovecraft Country
This is a little more controversial. It fits more into my gripe about "black trauma" cast under the umbrella of speculative fiction. It's also not very Lovecraft.
Streaming: HBO/Crave Canada
Upload - a cross between The Good Place and the Black Mirror episode, San Junipero. The afterlife goes digital. Streaming: Amazon Prime
Trickster - based on a FANTASY trilogy by Eden Robinson, Trickster follows teen Jared who discovers he is the son of a Trickster/shapeshifter. When his Trickster dad returns to his life, Jared and his mom become wary of his motives and baggage.
Available on CBC Gem app.
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This is my favorite time of the year and my worst time of the year (for maternal reasons).
I like the dark, cozy mood of fall.
Autumn leaves, pumpkin everything and spices.
I love boots and sweaters.
I have been struggling to make my own pumpkin spice drinks. It doesn't taste like the ones you buy in the cafes, but then again, those aren't made of pumpkins (just spices).
My mood goes up and then goes down.
I like the dark, cozy mood of fall.
Autumn leaves, pumpkin everything and spices.
I love boots and sweaters.
I have been struggling to make my own pumpkin spice drinks. It doesn't taste like the ones you buy in the cafes, but then again, those aren't made of pumpkins (just spices).
My mood goes up and then goes down.
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Do you remember,
The one you used to know?
I'm not the same one
See what the time's done
Is that why you have let me go?
The one you used to know?
I'm not the same one
See what the time's done
Is that why you have let me go?
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Yes, that's a bird named Blanks sitting on my computer. And yes, he's real. #invasionofpersonalspace
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This was a tough year for me. It started off well and progressed well but ended horribly with the death of my mom. It has not been easy going forward, and probably won't be easy ever again. Nonetheless, there were some things that I loved about 2018. Inspired by ForeverPresident Obama, here's my list.
Favorite Things 2018
1. Podcasts -
a. Lore (created/hosted by Aaron Manke). If you're not listening, you are missing out. Aaron Manke, in only the way he can, brings to life the creepiness of real world mysteries, lores and legends. Listening to this, I find myself questioning if any of it was really true. The answer? YES! Well researched, Manke is a storyteller at heart, and has done a good job creeping out his listeners.
-b. -.Stuff to Blow Your Mind/Stuff You Should Know
Another podcast that has done a good job educating me about just about everything, and has made me want to look up everything they mention. You won't regret it.
2. Tdotspec --the upstart publishing company has made me a published author (Strange Economics). Please check it out, if you haven't already.
3. Winners -- I'm addicted and really should cut down on my shopping addictions. In the mean time, I am always looking for the next great find.
4. Matcha -- I am late to the matcha latte/everything party, but am glad I arrived anyway. By the way, try the matcha green tea chocolate bar (Kitkat/nestle). You won't regret it.
5. Essential Oils --this was the year I was to discover my inner natural goddess. Lavender became my go-to color/choice of oil, but I'm loving peppermint, tea tree and milk thistle.
6. Oversized sweaters/shirt-dresses. Ironic that now that I have hit my weight goal, I am more determined than ever to cover up. Oversized sweaters/shirt-dresses are cozy and comfortable. A girl never can have too many oversized sweaters. They're practical for winter, and even summer when the air conditioning is simply too high.
7. Musical Artists:
a. Jessie Reyez. My new Amy Winehouse. What a voice, and what an attitude. According to the 'loco Colombiana', her "straight jacket's custom-made.'
b. Janelle Monae's "Dirty Computer.' The archandroid is everything I wish I could be --cool and nerdy, and this album is catchy and sing-a-long. PERFECT. Blerds represent.
c. Buju Banton --the Jamaican Reggae artist was released from prison in early December 2018. I rediscovered his 'Til Shiloh' album. It's a classic. I've been obsessively listening to it for months.
8. Marvel Studios. Thanks for giving me lighthearted entertainment to get me through tough times. I loved the Black Panther. I was mad, sad and happy about Infinity Wars, and look forward to Endgame.
9. My Fitness Pal -- this is a little tricky. It's a "health/diet" app. But, I am in agreement that anything that helps me track what I am eating/putting in my body is good. And it's free!
10. Google Home --I am of the desire that someday, and I hope I live to experience it, we'll all have robots and AIs in the home called genie/avatars that do our bidding. Google Home (and other assistants) is the first step. Not great. I'm still waiting for it to read me my horoscope and give me life advice. In the meantime, I take comfort in asking it odd questions.
Favorite Things 2018
1. Podcasts -
a. Lore (created/hosted by Aaron Manke). If you're not listening, you are missing out. Aaron Manke, in only the way he can, brings to life the creepiness of real world mysteries, lores and legends. Listening to this, I find myself questioning if any of it was really true. The answer? YES! Well researched, Manke is a storyteller at heart, and has done a good job creeping out his listeners.
-b. -.Stuff to Blow Your Mind/Stuff You Should Know
Another podcast that has done a good job educating me about just about everything, and has made me want to look up everything they mention. You won't regret it.
2. Tdotspec --the upstart publishing company has made me a published author (Strange Economics). Please check it out, if you haven't already.
3. Winners -- I'm addicted and really should cut down on my shopping addictions. In the mean time, I am always looking for the next great find.
4. Matcha -- I am late to the matcha latte/everything party, but am glad I arrived anyway. By the way, try the matcha green tea chocolate bar (Kitkat/nestle). You won't regret it.
5. Essential Oils --this was the year I was to discover my inner natural goddess. Lavender became my go-to color/choice of oil, but I'm loving peppermint, tea tree and milk thistle.
6. Oversized sweaters/shirt-dresses. Ironic that now that I have hit my weight goal, I am more determined than ever to cover up. Oversized sweaters/shirt-dresses are cozy and comfortable. A girl never can have too many oversized sweaters. They're practical for winter, and even summer when the air conditioning is simply too high.
7. Musical Artists:
a. Jessie Reyez. My new Amy Winehouse. What a voice, and what an attitude. According to the 'loco Colombiana', her "straight jacket's custom-made.'
b. Janelle Monae's "Dirty Computer.' The archandroid is everything I wish I could be --cool and nerdy, and this album is catchy and sing-a-long. PERFECT. Blerds represent.
c. Buju Banton --the Jamaican Reggae artist was released from prison in early December 2018. I rediscovered his 'Til Shiloh' album. It's a classic. I've been obsessively listening to it for months.
8. Marvel Studios. Thanks for giving me lighthearted entertainment to get me through tough times. I loved the Black Panther. I was mad, sad and happy about Infinity Wars, and look forward to Endgame.
9. My Fitness Pal -- this is a little tricky. It's a "health/diet" app. But, I am in agreement that anything that helps me track what I am eating/putting in my body is good. And it's free!
10. Google Home --I am of the desire that someday, and I hope I live to experience it, we'll all have robots and AIs in the home called genie/avatars that do our bidding. Google Home (and other assistants) is the first step. Not great. I'm still waiting for it to read me my horoscope and give me life advice. In the meantime, I take comfort in asking it odd questions.
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- I have B.A. in Professional Writing. Once, I considered becoming an editor. I am a web addict--Twitter mainly.
- Speculative Fiction Books I am obsessed with include: Anne Bishop's The Black Jewels Series; Ted Chiang's Story of Your Life (Arrival).
- Natural talents I lust for include singing, dancing and drawing. Despite taking guitar and swimming lessons, I can barely manage either task.
- Natural talents I lust for include singing, dancing and drawing. Despite taking guitar and swimming lessons, I can barely manage either task.
- I wax affectionately for William Shakespeare and know a few of his sonnets/soliloquies by heart. Also, I swoon for Bob Dylan. Truth is, I am obsessed with words--Logolatry. Anyone who masters language will always have my heart.
- I am locked in to Disney and Marvel's productions, and Game of Thrones. I even fear dying and not getting to see the end of a Song of Ice and Fire (Game of Thrones) and Marvel's Infinity Wars.
- The superpower I would most want is Persuasion (like Killgrave in Marvel's Jessica Jones). The ability to talk your way through life (for me it comes back to the power of words or powerful words--logos, or logopathy (passionate word)--yeah, I made the last word up-- I fancy myself an amateur etymologist).
- I am getting into processing and developing--computers. I can build a website and "simple" games for smart phones.
- I am a lucid dreamer--I absorb external stimuli (sounds) into my dreams. I am aware I am dreaming while I am dreaming (did you get that?)
- In another life, I'd be a astrophysicist or archeologist. I love the stars/the concept of space-time and I love ancient civilizations and cultures--not that I am intrigued by Ancient Aliens or anything.
- Personality Tests usually conclude that I am an intuitive thinker and introverted. It goes well with my Hogwarts sorting House--Ravenclaw.
Sample of Intuitive Thinking: Intuitive Thinkers prefer to be challenged intellectually and to think things through for themselves. They are curious about ideas, have a tolerance for theory, a taste for complex problems, and a concern for long-range consequences.
Ravenclaw:Ravenclaw House prizes learning, wisdom, wit, and intellect in its members.[3] Thus, many Ravenclaws tend to be academically motivated and talented students. Ravenclaws also pride themselves in being original in their ideas, and methods. It's not unusual to find Ravenclaw students practicing especially different types of magic that other houses might shun