January woes.

I feel that the title of this post summarizes why it's been three ruddy weeks since I've found time to update (blogging is more time consuming than I had thought - and I don't even do anything to blog about!).  January woes are really only part of the story for the last three weeks, but they sure do account for a good chunk of that time.  But I'll get to that.  As usual, to save you the bother of reading an entire post only to realize you didn't really care to know about any of it, a quick agenda:

1. Remainder of Barcelona
2. Lisbon!  (This one's going to be as hazy and vague as my memories of the trip.)
3. Back to school sickness, visits, and resulting academic misery
4. The future ...

Look forward to some decent snaps from recent travels (although they're mostly decent thanks to Picassa, as my camera theft has left me wanting for a better quality piece of machinery [in the mail!!]) as well as the usual nonsense.  Here we go.

Welcome back ... and time to go.

So, it´s been a pretty crazy few weeks since my last post, as such there´s a lot to cover and a lot that will inevitably get skipped/forgotten/condensed.  Also, you'll have to pardon the occasional accent being used as an apostrophe - I'm useless with European keyboards, but getting over it.  Still better than no contractions whatsoever, I figure. Also, I´m in an internet bar right now, so things will have to be expanded on when I have more time.

Agenda:
(1) Marrakech
(2) Holidays
(3) Barcelona (so far)

I further regret to inform you (although this may not actually be disappointing) that Hogmanay brought on a new year at the cost of one (1) camera, memory card included.  Since I was a lazy bum after exams, then my trip, then Christmas, nothing had been uploaded.  So there will be no photographic accompaniments to items 1, 2 (or 3 for that matter ... forthcoming, though).  No matter.  Onwards!

Just a quick one.

A number of things have gone wrong today.  At this moment it is only 12:12pm local time.  First, I slept in (booooo) but I'm two for three in getting up early.  Second, I have not had breakfast yet and I've been up for more than an hour.  Third, and most importantly, I allowed myself to descend into the comments section of a glazey-eyed banal post on 20 things you learn while travelling around the world.  Not how I like to start my day.  Anyways, this (like most of my posts) is pretty banal itself and I'm getting hungry.  On with the day!

Brass tacks.

For anyone who knows me (which would, presumably, be anyone who reads this), you know how I'm getting around this time of the year.  My cooking is going to get more elaborate, my room is going to get cleaner, and my hair will probably look like I put some effort into it.  Or, more simply, the procrastination train has reached full speed.  Suffice to say, it's taking all my willpower and a promise to a third party that I will not go near any wool shop (online or otherwise).

Solution?  Some concrete, in-print commitments.  And a formula for productivity.

A quick bit about chicken dilruba ...

Midway through my attempt at making this tasty curry (which I've had only one time - at Haveli in Ottawa, a truly excellent restaurant) I realized:

Oh hey!  I totally forgot to document this.  Oh well, I'm sure I'll make it again - next time!

Psht.  So glad I didn't waste my time.  It did not turn out at all like I was expecting and was certainly nothing you'd want to see a photo of.  I ground the nuts by hand and I'm not sure I cooked it properly (the recipe was a little vague) so it wound up lumpy, pasty and dry rather than creamy and rich like the one at Haveli.  So sad.  Tasted all right, if completely different than chicken dilruba, so the leftovers will still be eaten.

Thoughts for next time:

• Verify that I was using Punjabi garam masala ... seems odd to specify Punjabi if there's not some other variety that shouldn't be used
• Swap yogurt or milk for cream or coconut milk ... I think it could be creamier and I've always liked everything I've used coconut milk in
• Get a bit more generous with the saffron (again, the recipe was a bit vague)
• Buy properly ground nuts or find a way to powder them myself

Hopefully I get a chance to iron out the kinks and try this again soon.  The original was definitely worth a bit of fiddling around to be able to make myself!