Ganymeder

Heinlein has done it again. That statement can be both a positive or a negative, depending on your opinion of his work. My opinion varies, so the statement is meant both ways.

Robert Heinlein is a master, an extremely prolific writer with a real gift for creating intricate plots. There are twists. There are turns. There’s intrigue, adventure, and murder. There’s even a cute little kitten. In the first few pages several major events happen, and the plot never slows down. Through most of the book, I found myself eagerly reading “just one more chapter” to try and figure out just what the hell was going on. It has all the earmarks of a great spy novel set in a futuristic scifi setting. His social commentary is insightful. His monologues alone, humorous diatribes about the business of writing, make the novel worth reading. I admit I highlighted some of those sections. It’s classic Heinlein.

My interest was so engaged, I even overlooked some of Heinlein’s more bizarre sexist writing, particularly group marriage and the supposedly “witty” banter between the main male character and every female (or feminine) character in the book. Typical of Heinlein’s writings in the late 80′s (at least from the novels I’ve read), the hero had every woman, girl, and (Oh how I wish I was kidding) female-personality-type computer throwing themselves at him, wanting to sleep with him, and eventually marry him. I suppose he was just such a prize they couldn’t wait to add him to the harem. Did I mention the group marriage?

So much for the annoying parts. Everything else about the book was great, and I couldn’t wait to reach the ending. I’m going to be somewhat vague, but just in case: SPOILER ALERT. So consider yourself warned.

Three Quarters of the book is spent as a conventional spy novel, albeit in Space, until you suddenly find out the real plot. It’s exciting and awesome and a real page turner. You can’t WAIT to find out how he’s going to explain everything. The main character is finding things out, but he’s indecisive about a crucial decision that’s central to… well, everything. He’s stalling until he has all the information he needs, all the answers to the questions that have been bugging you, the reader, throughout the entire book.

Okay, only ten pages left! Somehow he’s going to wrap this thing up in a spectacular way! Right? Uh… sadly, no. While there is a twist in the last couple pages that I honestly should have seen coming, what with all the sex and group marriages and all, the last pages left me utterly confused. Yes, the event the book has been leading up to all along happened… well, sort of, it doesn’t really resolve anything. I don’t know if Heinlein was trying to leave room for a sequel or what, but the end doesn’t even answer the question of whether they succeeded, whether anyone survived, what actually happened. In short, the ending was not the end. It answered nothing.

I wanted to throw the book at the wall.

So, if you want to read The Cat Who Walks Through Walls for the commentary, the monologues, even the sex… go right ahead. But if you actually expect to have the plot resolved, you’ll be sadly disappointed.

writtenCR 2008-08-19

The Mediterranean Vegan Kitchen teaches you to make simple, delicious, authentic Mediterranean dishes. I’ve made more than a few of the recipes in this book and have enjoyed every one of them. I’m saying this both as the cook and the gourmand. A reluctant cook since, as anyone who’s known me for more than 5 minutes can testify, I hate cooking. I love to eat though, so you see my quandary. However, this book, even for someone who loathes the very thought of using the oven or stove, makes being in the kitchen a real pleasure. With a few simple ingredients such as beans, grains, fresh greens and spices, there is endless variety. Very few of the ingredients are not easily available. In the case of the odd exception, a simple replacement (such as lima beans instead of fava beans) is suggested.

Obviously, the recipes are all vegan, but unlike some other vegan cookbooks, there are no exotic substitutions for conventional omnivore foods like meat, cheese, and eggs. I have to admit, right away, that recipes that call for egg replacer, fake cheese, and faux meats are my pet peeve.* When I make a recipe, or share one with someone else, I prefer it to be with ingredients that most people would be able to find already in their cupboards or at the local grocery store.

Ms. Klein admits in the beginning of the book that she wrestled with the dilemma of whether to include optional substitutions for some of the recipes. She settled the question by asking herself what a Mediterranean cook would do if he/she had all the fresh ingredients on hand for a particular dish but found they had no cheese? The answer: Do without it. Truthfully, the recipes do not need cheese, anchovies, etc., and their absence does not detract from their overall flavor. Indeed, only a sprinkling of cheese may be used in many sauces. It’s considered inappropriate to use any more on marinara, arrabbiata, or any olive oil based sauces. Anchovies are an acquired taste that not everyone acquires. Butter is considered a luxury item because its expensive and has a short shelf life. Desserts that use olive oil or vegetable shortening do not require butter.

Whole foods cooking is widely regarded as healthier, but it’s also easier on the wallet. Let’s face it; the produce aisle’s a lot cheaper than the dairy and meat departments. If you grow your own herbs, an easy and economical thing to do, your savings increase. If you buy produce in season, your wallet’s happier still, not to mention the food is fresher. Even if you use store bought herbs, your overall cost compared to a typical SAD (Standard American Diet) meal of meat, dairy, and vegetables is substantially cheaper.

Last, but not least, these recipes are tasty! It’s wonderful to bite into Greek Lenten Spinach Pie, Beans in a bottle (no bottle required), or Gratin of Young Artichokes and Olives. The flavors just melt in your mouth. These recipes are simply incredible. And easy! Did I mention easy?

I heartily recommend anyone and everyone that reads this to rush out and buy “The Mediterranean Vegan Kitchen” by Donna Klein. If you are the more conservative type, you can request a copy from your librarian, try the recipes, and then buy it. I’m sure that once you get a hold of this book, you’ll be hooked. I know, I am. —

* There is no reason, absolutely none, why things like meat, cheese, and eggs need to be replaced because they have no business being in a healthy diet anyway. Of course, as biological omnivores, we CAN eat them; that doesn’t mean we SHOULD. We are perfectly capable of eating healthy (actually healthier) on a vegan diet than one that includes meat and dairy. This is, of course, my own opinion as a happy, healthy vegan. I’m not a doctor, so don’t load up on vegan donuts and then complain that you’re unhealthy because I told you anything vegan is healthy. Obviously, a diet of donuts and cupcakes, vegan or not, is not going to be a healthy one. The common sense rule applies. Okay, I’m setting my soapbox aside now… (Not really, this blog is my soapbox, but I think you get the point)

Most people (in the U.S. at least) are unaware of the direct link between cocoa and chocolate. The major chocolate companies get the majority of their cocoa from African countries, specifically the Ivory Coast, where most of the cocoa is harvested by child slaves. And NO, that isn’t an exaggeration. It’s a literal fact, well documented by the UN and watchdog groups around the world.

Please take a few minutes to watch these videos and stop supporting slavery.

Newsnight Story about Chocolate and Slavery
[video]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qZy55XsYtIw[/video]

I find it inspiring that these children are taking responsibility for their actions and actively trying to abolish slavery. Below are some links for Slave Free chocolate guides.

Stop Chocolate Slavery

-information and table listing slave free chocolate

Stop the Traffick

-information and downloadable chocolate guide

My previous blog article (with links for more information below the article)

Also, Fair Trade cocoa products should be relatively safe, as should organic. (I realize organic is sort of an umbrella term, but it does require a certain amount of transparency. Also, The Ivory Coast, where the majority of the slave cocoa comes from, does not currently have any organic cocoa farms.)

News debate with big cocoa about slavery

[video]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hehSvt-R51U[/video]

[video]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rR2J3c1ngKc[/video]Newsnight

So, if you’ve read and viewed this far, now you know. You can’t claim innocence. You know what is being bought with your dollars when you buy that chocolate bar.

Buy fair trade or organic cocoa products, or give up chocolate (cocoa products) altogether. Tell people about this issue. Phone and write the cocoa companies and tell them you won’t support child slavery!

Don’t eat bloody chocolate.

I think it’s been pretty well established that I’m not an overly productive writer. In fact, I think of myself more as a hobbyist. But I do think that by taking my time and writing in short bursts, I actually like my work better.

A prime example is the short story I’ve just finished. I hesitate to say “finished” because I keep adding to it. I also happen to be breaking a cardinal rule as far as writing goes; At least I’ve heard its a rule. I read my story to my audience before I actually finish. I know what you’re thinking. I’ll tire of the story quicker, because I’m losing the suspense of finishing first. You may be right, but since my audience consists of one small boy that begs me to read what I’ve written for him and my family makes suggestions when I do this, I’m not too upset about it. Yes, it’s true. I’m quite the rebel.

More precisely, I’m still a beginner. I’m still learning. I still don’t know what the hell I’m doing, but I enjoy figuring it out. I love the process of progressing in a craft. I didn’t say I was good, but I definitely am getting better. I’m still experimenting with what techniques work best for me. I’m still getting inspiration from everyday life.

One example of this is my latest story. The idea came about a month and a half ago when we found a small black cricket in our downstairs family room. He was hopping around for a couple days. I finally caught him with my bug vacuum, and when I released him I noticed he was missing a back leg. Maybe I noticed before; I can’t remember. I kept thinking about how he made his way into our house. My son wanted a story about him, so my son got a story about him.

That’s what happened with my first novel too. I stumbled upon NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) last November when I saw a post about it in the Vegan Freak Radio Forums. Since I’d already been making up stories for my little guy (spoken, not written), I had the crazy idea I could write a 50,000 word children’s book in 30 days. So I stocked up on highly caffeinated beverages and sugary chips, and I was off! Not only did I finish, but I found out I really enjoy creating stories.

Since then I’ve joined a writing community to get feedback on my work (www.writerscafe.org). I’ve read up and listened to audiobooks about writing. I subscribe to podcasts about the craft. I’ve written short stories, essays, and poetry. My Nano,”The Wonderfully Exciting and Awesome Adventures of Monkey boy,” is currently a little over halfway through its second edit. I’ve even joined NaNoPubYe (National Novel Publishing Year), though I am behind on their schedule since I joined late.

So my progress is slow but steady. I can’t say I’m great, but I’m improving. NaNoWriMo taught me the value of giving myself permission to write badly as long as I write something and edit later. I would love to publish someday. Meanwhile, I enjoy what I do, and my little boy loves my work. That’s what counts the most.

I have added the WPvideo plugin to this site.

Instructions and more information can be found at this site.

Here is an example:

[video]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IMOAaciER6o[/video]