Just got home from seeing Camille at the Barbican. Have a song.



Ophelia Xx

I get sad, but then there’s a cartoon baby pony going ‘nyam nyam nyam’ on a cuddly butterfly and I feel a lot better.

Ophelia Xx

Oh look, there’s internet feminism eating itself again. Aieee.

(If you have comments to make about the video itself, it would probably be best to make them in the linked thread.)

Ophelia Xx

Today I got geekily excited about Outlook calendars. It’s good to enjoy one’s job, I guess.

ETA: I am so cold D:

Ophelia Xx

Today my parents came to visit me for pre-birthday celebrations. They gave me a frame for one of my posters and some cash to spend on Things. I might buy a pair of tickets for Matilda.

We talked for ages—they were here from just after midday until 5pm—and it was lovely. I know I complain about sometimes but they really are awesome parents.

Ophelia Xx

I have started my Christmas shopping! WHAT IS UP WITH THAT.

Ophelia Xx

I am not NaNoing this year, but I am doing crafty things in November! I am making a Thing that involves Sewing, and which I may mention in more detail at some point, and I am also plotting my Christmas cards. I also feel that making my room pretty is an ongoing project. And it will be #reverb time soon, which I am weirdly looking forward to, probably because of the fact that it’s really just an excuse to be sarcastic and grumpy about things.

Tonight I improvised a butternut squash risotto.

Ingredients (serves 1)
olive oil
1 large shallot, finely chopped
1 chili, deseeded and finely chopped
1/4 tsp cumin seeds
1/2 cup arborio risotto rice
Half a butternut squash, peeled, deseeded and cut into 1.5 cm (ish) cubes
40 ml vermouth
350 ml vegetable stock
parmesan or similar
butter
black pepper

Method
In a small pan, heat enough olive oil to cover the bottom. Add the shallot, chili and cumin seeds and fry gently for 3-4 minutes to soften. Add the rice and stir well to coat with the oil, and fry on a high heat for another minute. Then add the vermouth and cook rapidly until the liquid is absorbed.
Add the butternut squash and about 50 ml of the stock. Stir well until the liquid is absorbed, then continue to add a little stock at a time for about 15 minutes, until the rice is cooked and the squash is tender.
Turn out the heat, drop in a knob of butter, and grate in some parmesan. Cover the pan and allow to rest for a few minutes. Remove the lid and stir in the butter and cheese, then season generously with black pepper and serve in a warmed bowl.
I suspect it would also be nice with a little grated nutmeg and hot paprika, if you want to live dangerously. 

Ophelia Xx

The hell is up with LJ? It keeps appearing as if I’m logged in as other users, and I can’t edit entries.

Ophelia Xx

Today I made lentil salad! Yay! Also I made butternut squash curry! Yay!

Cooking things in advance makes me feel like a proper responsible grown-up person. Yes.

Ophelia Xx

I met a baby chameleon this weekend! It was teeny and it had amazing eyes and adorable mitteny feet and it changed colour when it was put on my hand. Sooo cuuute.

Ophelia Xx

Stressed :(

Ophelia Xx

IKEA have informed me that there is absolutely no way that I can have the shelves to go inside my bookcase delivered to my flat. I can’t even pay them to do it. Instead, I have to go into a store. I don’t have a car and my nearest store is nearly 40 miles away. IKEA, I AM DISAPPOINT.

Ophelia Xx

In a spectacular coincidence of IKEAfail and me and my dad not quite being with it yesterday, I have the outside of a bookcase but no shelves. This is annoying.

However, I do have a lovely chair and a room that I have rearranged to permit comfy TV-watchin’, so it’s not all bad. And I have about half of my books in Oxford now, albeit without anywhere to put them. OH BOOKS BOOKS I MISSED YOU SO.

Ophelia Xx

Today I went with my dad to IKEA to buy shelves and a chair. I was successful! So tomorrow I can take books home, omg yay. I have missed my books a lot. They will look so pretty all laid out nicely ^_^

Ophelia Xx

I'm at home, having spent a lovely evening with my parents, my mum's long-lost cousin, and his wife. Good food and chat and peacefulness.

My bed here feels spectacularly comfortable. I am even more strongly inclined to buy a new mattress for my room in the flat now...

Ophelia Xx

A long weekend is afoot. Huzzah.

Ophelia Xx

Surreal day. Everything feels a bit strange at the moment. I am working very very hard. I need to stop imagining things.

Ophelia Xx

Amazing gig with excellent support. Squee! Plus I've discovered the delights of just being able to have a good time without worrying about whether my companions are enjoying it too. Going to see live music alone now seems pretty sensible...

Ophelia Xx

Joan As Police Woman tomorrow! Eeeeeee ^_^

Ophelia Xx

Gah. Gah, I say!

Ophelia Xx