Devon Goes to Chicago! (Part II)

Warning: You might want to make yourself a snack and bring it to your computer before you start reading this post. Oh, and if you think you might need to use the restroom in the next hour or so, you might want to take care of that too.

Wednesday: Wrock Chicago

Those of you unfamiliar with the Harry Potter phenomenon may not realize that the fandom is not limited to people who read and talk about the books. No, no, HP fans find many ways to express their love for the books, and the most interesting mode of expression is what they call Wizard Wrock. The requirements for becoming a Wizard Wrocker are very simple: using any number of fans and instruments, you simply write and perform songs that include references to the plots, characters, and culture of the HP canon, and perform them before crowds of Rowling fans in backyards, libraries, and other venues.

Devon and I arrived at the Chicago Hilton in the early afternoon, just in time to hear The Butterbeer Experience, a pixie-like girl with a great voice and unlimited energy. Each of the non-headliners had half an hour on two stages in the hotel, and both rooms were lined with the bands’ “merch” (it’s amazing how much terminology I learned during this week). The other afternoon bands we saw included Celestial Warmbottom, The Moaning Myrtles, The Parselmouths, and The Gringots Grrls.

Before the headliners took the stage that evening, I whisked Dev away to the very touristy Navy Pier to check out the Stained Glass Museum – an impressive collection for a free open-to-the-public exhibit. Many of the pieces were from old sites throughout Chicago, and they covered a variety of themes, styles, and eras. If you are ever in Chicago and have a free hour, this is a definite must-see. We also explored the arboretum, and took a ride on the giant Ferris wheel, and blue-skied plots and characters for our own best-selling young adult book series during dinner.

The big names of Wizard Wrock claimed the stage for the evening performances, and the grand ballroom at the Hilton was packed to bursting with fanboys and girls in various states of costume, with all of their parents and chaperones lining the back walls (trying in vain to distance themselves from the noise, no doubt). Instead of lighters, the crowd held wooden carved wands aloft for the rock anthem-style songs, and groupies rushed the stage and screamed every time a new band came on. Having never attended a concert outside of the classical genre before, this was quite an experience for me.

The events planners at the Hilton evidently did not know what they were getting into when they granted these bands permission to play. Heading up the escalator to the ballroom, Devon and I noticed a crowd of well-dressed people from the American Gospel Singers and Choirs Conference entering the ballroom directly below that of the crazed Wizard Wrockers. Judging by the thumping already emanating from the floor above, we wondered how disturbed the AGSCC would be when the Wrock really got underway. The Whomping Willows took the stage at 8:00, and the madness began.

The base thumped so loud as to thoroughly vibrate my bone marrow, the fans screamed, and everyone started to dance. The floor started to shake so much that I was sure it was going to collapse – I gave Devon one fear-stricken look, and then instinctively dashed to the wall farthest from the crowd. I could see it in my mind: the center of the room suddenly collapsing; the fans, stage, and bands falling through and crushing the nice-looking, be-hatted ladies of the AGSCC; the Earthquake-style scenes of carnage and chaos that would follow. Evidently, I am destined to forever be intimidated by this genre of music. (Nota bene: this theory was confirmed this past Sunday at the Fall Out Boy concert I attended after the Nike Human Race 10K – the race itself was tons of fun, by the way.)

The management arrived at about 8:30 to inform the crowd that their jumping about had completely disrupted the AGSCC conference and caused the chandeliers to sway dangerously, and that we would all be escorted out of the building if we continued. The concert was a little calmer after that (another testimony to the reputation of our Chicago PD), and I mustered the strength to stay until Draco and the Malfoys took the stage. Dev and I retreated temporarily for chocolate cake, and then she plunged back in to watch Harry and the Potters while I sought some necessary quiet in the lobby. We left the Hilton around midnight, rushing home to get some sleep before the real Terminus experience began the next morning.

Thursday: Terminus Registration and Tea

Dressed for a nice day on the town, Dev and I drove back to Chicago the next morning to get in line for Terminus registration and packet pick-up, which started promptly at noon. Although we had already bought our conference tickets online, we hoped to get there in time to buy tickets to a brunch featuring Tamora Pierce, a best-selling young adults’ author who has been writing impressive fiction for the past twenty years or so. Fortunately, Devon “found” a place in the first part of the line, and let me cut in with her. We got to the ticket desk to get two of the last five tickets available for the brunch, fortunately.

We passed the early afternoon in Grant Park, sipping Starbucks and reading over the massive amount of literature describing all of the activities taking place during the conference. We had a hard time sifting through all the information and deciding which events to attend – there were lectures and discussions on the books themselves, as well as how they were connected to education, publishing, young adult fiction, psychology, the world and ethics of fan fiction, fan communities, and politics.

That afternoon, I gave Dev her birthday present – afternoon tea at the Drake. The Drake serves its tea in a dark wood-paneled room, filled with exotic flowers, with a large fountain and harpist in the center. The food was excellent – the scones served with plenty of Devonshire cream, just like I want them – and the desserts were petite, exotic little delights. Devon and I enjoyed ourselves immensely there; we spent the entire afternoon talking about food, books, birthdays, and life.

Friday, Saturday, and Sunday: Terminus

The next three days were a whirl of lectures, discussions, live podcasts, impromptu concerts, merchandise, and great food. The talks and discussions were interesting, if a little overwhelming (I have only read the series once, and I didn’t recognize most of the names and events mentioned during the sessions). The attendees appeared to become more and more comfortable as the conference went on, and by the end, it seemed as though Dev and I were two of only a few without costumes. I have to say that I suffered from several moments of cognitive dissonance, as we sat discussing serious literary theory with middle-aged and teenage women dressed in cloaks and pointy hats. Devon tried on some witches’ hats at the vendor pavilion, and looked rather fetching in this one (although my photographic ineptitude caused me to frame the picture using the birthday-at-a-Mexican-restaurant technique).

We roamed Chicago during our breaks. Dev introduced me to the world of comic books one afternoon, a shadowy realm of quiet people and the intense smell of ink. I was handed a Serenity comic book, and I'm afraid I embarrassed Dev in the middle of Giordano's when I yelled out "Gaa! Comic porn!!" in horror at several points through the book. We even took the Red Line clear to Loyola North Campus to get more Monk's Blend tea at Metropolis. Yes, we take our tea very seriously.

We went shopping one day, and Devon found some great new teaching outfits at H&M. Most of our evenings were free, and we indulged with two nights of North & South (the Elizabeth Gaskell tale, not the Patrick Swayze, Civil War, big-haired mini-series) as only two bibliophiles and Victorian romance lovers can. Dev gave me both the DVDs and the book for my birthday – a perfect gift, in my mind.

As a rather ambitious hostess, I have a reputation for thoroughly exhausting my guests, and this visit was no exception. Dev was so tired by Sunday afternoon that, after the last talk on Sunday afternoon, we went straight to Grant Park so that she could take a rest in the sunshine.

Thanks for all the fun, Dev!

Film Crew Now Online!

Three of my favorite commedians are now on Hulu! Say hello the the Film Crew, a one-year project between Michael J Nelson, Kevin Murphy (also known as Tom Servo), and Bill Corbett (the Crow from MST3K, seasons 8-10). Their purpose here is much the same as MST - taking bad movies and making them freakin' hilarious.

Hollywood After Dark:
Rue MacLanahan of Golden Girls fame bares is all for this 1950s ode to depression and sleaze. Warning: this movie contains actual stripping - not for the young, faint of heart, or weak of stomach.

Giants of Marathon:
"Mr. Hercules" himself, Steve Reeves, flaunts his craft and his pecs in this sword-and-sandal epic. Athens is threatened by invasion from the Persians, and only the well-muscled Phillipedes can flex, pose, and bench-press all the way to victory.

Wild Women of Wongo:
A Neanderthal sex-comedy filmed on location at Cypress Gardens, Florida. The beautiful females of the Wongo tribe think themselves doomed to mate with their ugly tribe-mates, until a well-groomed (and waxed) male from the Goona tribe visits and presents an alternative.

By the way, you can go to Hulu.com to view all of these shows in full-screen. You know, in case you don't want to spend an hour and a half with your nose half an inch from your computer screen.


Update: Okay, it looks like the posted screens throw my text-box parameters completely out of whack. So, instead of watching the little screens on this blog, just go to Hulu, search for "Film Crew", and you'll be able to find the three movies with ease. Please, please check them out sometime if you are in need of a laugh.

Overheard

At this moment, my coworkers in the neighboring cubicle are discussing which of the Disney princesses is the sexiest. Currently, Belle is in the lead (she has the best face and most proportionate body) with Ariel in second thanks to the seashell bikini. Snow White gets an honorable mention.

What am I doing here?!

Gourmet Sunday

I was bitten by the cooking bug yesterday. Adventurous cooking has always been a kind of therapy for me – it’s easy to lose oneself in a pile of garlic and spices, I find. And for the past week, I’ve been waiting for a chance to get lost. Work has been crazed of late as we prepare for our first hosted trade show since 1999. This year’s Oktoberfest will feature four new machine prototypes: one drill, two torches, and a plate machine with two torches and an eight-spindle tool changer, and all of them impressive. There will be beer, bratwurst and sauerkraut, Bavarian bands, Lou Holtz, software vendors, sparks, steel, more testosterone than you can shake a stick at, and Barenaked Ladies.

So you can see why I took Sunday to separate myself from all of this for a while and get into some fabulous food. It all turned out better than I could have anticipated – the Chaamp Masala was creamy, rich, and spicy, and the Paratha crispy and perfect for scooping up the spare sauce (this is a great, quick alternative to the more substantial Na’an served with Middle Eastern dishes). And with the Galette, I finally achieved the flaky crust that every good pastry deserves. All in all, a highly successful day.

Chaamp Masala

Serves 6-8


1 3-inch piece of fresh ginger, peeled and coarsely chopped
3 tablespoons peeled and coarsely chopped garlic
6-8 lamb chops, well trimmed of fat
1 medium-large tomato, grated or finely diced
2 medium onions, minced
1/2 tablespoon cayenne
12 oz. Greek yogurt, beaten
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon roasted cumin seeds
2 teaspoons garam masala
3 tablespoons lemon juice
2-3 tablespoons chopped fresh green coriander (optional)

1. Place the ginger and garlic in a blender with 2-3 tablespoons of water. Blend to a smooth paste.
2. In a large skillet, combine the chops, tomato, onions, cayenne, yogurt, salt, and ginger-garlic paste, and bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Turn the heat to low; cover the skillet and let the contents simmer for 50 minutes or until the chops are almost cooked.
3. Add the cumin seeds and simmer for 10-15 minutes more, until the meat is tender and the sauce is thick. Add the garam masala and lemon juice, and stir thoroughly.
4. Sprinkle with fresh coriander, and serve with rotis, paratha, or rice.


Plain Paratha

Makes 8 pieces


3 1/2 cups Atta (or whole-grain wheat flour)
1 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons chilled Ghee (or vegetable shortening)
1 1/4 cup water
Melted Ghee (or butter) for frying

1. Sift Atta and salt in a large bowl. Thoroughly cut in the ghee until the dough is crumbly. Gradually add the water and knead the dough until it is fully combined. Gather the dough into a ball, and cover it with a damp kitchen towel or plastic wrap. Let the dough rest for 1 hour at room temperature.
2. Divide the dough into 8 parts, and roll each part into a ball. Roll out each dough ball on a floured surface to make a 6” round disc about 1/8” thick.
3. Bring the Tawa (non-stick griddle) to medium heat. Pull a small piece of dough from one of the discs, and place it on the griddle. If the griddle is at the correct temperature, the sample should develop brown spots on the underside in about 30 seconds.
4. Place a paratha on the griddle for 45 – 60 seconds. Lift a corner of the paratha with a spatula – the underside should have a few brown spots. Flip the paratha and cook another 45 – 60 seconds. Baste the top cooked surface with melted ghee. Flip the paratha again, and cook the newly basted surface for another 45 – 60 seconds, and baste the top surface with melted ghee. Flip the paratha one more time, and cook for another 45 – 60 seconds.
5. Keep the cooked paratha in a warm oven until you have cooked all the paratha. Serve warm and fresh.


Peach Blueberry Galette

Serves 6


1 1/2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
3 tsp sugar
2/3 tsp salt
6 tbsp unsalted butter, chilled, cut into small pieces
6 tbsp vegetable shortening, chilled
3 tbsp ice water
3 peaches, cut in 1/4" wedges
1/2 pint blueberries
1 egg yolk
2 tsp heavy cream
Sliced almonds

1. In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, and salt. Cut in the chilled butter, and then the chilled shortening, until well-combined but still crumbly. Gradually add the ice-cold water, tossing the dough with a fork to moisten. Briefly and gently knead the dough to form a ball. Set aside in the refrigerator.
2. Place sliced peaches in a bowl, add 2 tbsp of sugar, and toss. In a separate bowl, combine blueberries and 1 tbsp of sugar. Add or subtract from the amount of sugar at your discretion.
3. Preheat the oven to 425 F. On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to a 12” circle, about 1/8” thick. Gently lift and place the dough onto a cookie sheet lined with parchment.
4. Starting about 1 1/2” from the edge, place peach slices in two layered circles. Add the blueberries to the center and scatter a few decoratively over the peaches.
5. Fold over the dough edge so that it covers the outer edge of the fruit. Sprinkle a small handful of sliced almonds over the fruit. Whisk the egg yolk and cream together, and brush this mixture over the exposed crust. Sprinkle the galette and crust with sugar.
6. Bake the galette until browned, about 20 – 30 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool for about 10 minutes. Loosen the edges and center of the galette from the parchment with a spatula. Lift the galette and parchment with support from a wide spatula or cake lifter, and carefully slide the galette onto a cooling rack or platter. Serve warm with a dollop of crème fraiche or whipped cream.

Devon Goes to Chicago! (Part I)

In the fine tradition of Franky Goes to Hollywood, Herbie Goes to Monte Carlo, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, Tarzan Goes to India, Juan Tamad Goes to Malacañang, and I could go on if this joke didn’t seem to be dying in mid-sentence...

Devon’s flight to Chicago went well, though it was marred by lack of sleep and a lost journal. She left the journal on her plane, and realized the loss only after she had reached the baggage carousel. A severe storm the night before had grounded and delayed many flights, and so lines were long, tempers were high, and airport employees were exhausted. After several hours, she filled out a lost-and-found form and made her way to downtown via the Blue Line. I tried to be kind and consoled her as best as I could - any English major can sympathize with the deep loss attached to a misplaced journal. We stowed her baggage in my car, and I immediately fed her (she had comforting tomato soup at Cosí) and led her to a sunny park where she could sit and relax.

Devon’s wit and conversation skills never cease to amaze me. Even on two and a half hours of sleep, she out-thought me through all of our chats. It makes me wonder. She has always been more clever than me, but it seems that my wits have dulled since my last time with her. Has my close association with engineers, or my blatantly corporate job, blunted my skills? I feel as though something vital inside of me is fading.

Throughout the afternoon, we spotted little groups of girls with black shirts and red ribbons tied in their hair, clutching sizable hardback books and emitting regular squeals as they walked along Michigan Avenue. It appeared that we were not the only ones haunting the immediate area of the Harris Theater, waiting for the doors to open. Dev and I immediately started our low, cynical chuckling, and did not stop until the entire night was over. For several hours, we were surrounded by dewy-eyed fan-girls (and a few guys) who had been won over by the writing skills of Stephenie Meyer, and we just couldn’t help ourselves.

The Breaking Dawn concert followed an interesting format, something between a coffee shop open-mic night and a radio interview. Adolescent girls, with "Team Jacob" and "Team Edward" emblazoned across their t-shirts (and, in a few cases, their buttocks), screamed with delight as each book series title lit up to signal the beginning of the concert, and cooed during the moody, tortured songs of Blue October’s Justin Furstenfeld. (Devon and I concluded that if the Twilight series spawned its own music sub-genre, "vampire rock" – in the fine tradition of wizard wrock – would not be in keeping with the lovey-dovey, tortured romance theme. "Vampire crooning", however, would seem to fit the bill perfectly.)

Meyer herself appeared midway through the show, answering questions submitted by the audience before the show. She seemed pretty comfortable on stage, and gave detailed answers whenever possible, to the delight of the audience. As you have probably gathered if you’ve read any of Meyer’s books, or read Devon’s blog in the past year, Meyer’s a big fan of happy endings all around. My favorite moment of the night: Meyer was asked (via notecard) how Nessie (vampire) and Jacob (werewolf) would live happily ever after, since Jacob was not immortal. She replied that since Nessie was a vampire, Jacob would always be stimulated to turn into a werewolf, thus rejuvenating his life force, and as long as they were together, they would live forever (to explain fully would require pages of pseudo-lore). Meyer seemed so pleased with herself at thinking up such a tidy solution that I couldn’t help turning to Dev and making a bow-tying gesture with my hands, causing Dev to nearly choke on her bottled water. Still, it was interesting to hear an author discuss her own work.

And, I must admit, I’ve read all of her books and enjoyed the hours of escape they provided.

We laughed as we drove to Bourbonnais, and I remember thinking that I had never encountered such a rabid group of fans before, and wagering that I never would again.

Little did I know what would be coming the next day...

Part II coming soon, with pictures!

Best Quick Salsa... Ever!

This recipe is courtesy of Tammi Gismondi and Devon, who spent a memorable 7 days with me last week (details and photos coming soon!) It's super easy, tasty, and creates enough salsa to last for quite a while. Enjoy!

Tammi’s Salsa
Rating: 5/5

1 28 oz. can whole tomatoes
2 bunches green onions, trimmed
1 bunch cilantro
2 small fresh jalapeños
Juice from 1 lime
2 cloves garlic
1 tsp fresh oregano
1/2 tsp cumin
Salt & pepper

1. Chop 1 bunch green onions and half the cilantro bunch. Set aside
2. Stem both jalapeños, and seed one. Combine the juice from the can of tomatoes, the jalapeños, cumin, lime juice, oregano, and garlic; puree until smooth.
3. Add tomatoes, the other bunch of green onions, and the other half bunch of cilantro. Pulse until contents are mostly blended.
4. Pour blended mix into a large, non-reactive bowl. Mix in chopped green onion and cilantro. Season with salt and pepper.

Note: this salsa is best when fresh. It will last for two or three days in the refrigerator.