Watermelon Mojito
The mojito is such a quintessential summertime drink, and having been the victim of an overachieving mint plant this year, it seemed churlish not to put the demanding herb to its best use. Not long ago I was introduced to a twist on the classic by the lovely folks at Pappagone (it's a nicea place to stuffa you face) which introduced watermelon into the formula. I was sceptical, but it only took a few sips to convince. I've been trying to get the recipe right at home since, and I think I may have cracked it.
Ingredients
- 12 mint leaves
- 2 shots white rum (I used Applewood's)
- 3/4 shot fresh lime juice
- 1/4 shot gomme syrup
- Watermelon chunks (about the size of your fist)
- ice cubes
Method
Put the rum and mint in a cocktail shaker (or the glass will do) and muddle slightly to bruise the mint leaves. Add the gomme syrup (or a mixture of 2 parts sugar to 1 part water is fine) and lime juice. If you're using a shaker add a couple of ice cubes and give it a good shake. Remove the seeds from the watermelon (if that sort of thing bothers you, I'm from good southern stock and we like the crunchy bits) and put in a blender along with 6-10 ice cubes. Pulse to produce a kind of watermelony crushed ice. Pour the rum/mint mixture into your glass first, followed by the watermelony ice, and stir to mix. Et voilà! This makes about a pint, which if you're anything like me, serves one. More dainty folk can probably get two drinks out of it.
The Gannet
I've started a new blog, all about food glorious food. It's called The Gannet. You can find a link in the column to your left (or right, if you are standing on your head, or I've changed the layout on a whim). Just getting things built up before moving it to its own home. I will be putting all of my food-related stuff there from now on. Do stop by and let me know what you think!
Duckett’s Common
Still grey and cold in London. Dreaming of chocolate Easter eggs and
four days off work. I thought they would be quiet days, but there's
three gigs and a party. Dammit.
This way to the office.
Tuesday passed without major incident. Still persisting in documenting My Days in Flickr. Here is today's selection for you. I don't think I ever noticed this on the way into work, but there it is. About 500 yards from our door.
My Days.
Well I killed another camera. Yep, the Canon S80 is busted. Needs £150 worth of repairs -- about half what it cost. This has upset me because of course, I covet a better camera now. I am thinking it's time to step back in the real world and get a digital SLR.
Lovely, wonderful Damon bought me a new Casio supercompact to cheer me up. A new version of the one I used to have (and broke - actually I had three. Lost one, broke two.) This is nice because I can have it, literally, in my pocket all the time. The S80 was a little bit too big for that. In fact I think what killed it was having it in my handbag all the time. I do treat cameras badly. But then what's the point of having one if you don't have it with you all the time?
Anyway, to celebrate my devolution back to supercompact, I'm documenting my world. This is partly inspired by my friend Eric's snapshots of his daily commute over there in Pennsylvania. I think we may be attempting to inject excitement into a desperate and grey reality, but HEY. At least we're trying.
A full, unabridged and no-holds-barred version of My Days will be available on Flickr. You'll have to be a a friend/family of mine over there to see them all though. I think even my friends and family will wish they didn't have to see it after a while, so don't fall out of your chair to get there. However, to tempt you, by using Flickr's fabulous notes feature I will be offering insightful, exclusive, revealing and humorous commentary on my photos. For a thrill-a-minute tour of my desk, click through the photo above.
When you’re in need of a quick schnack
No, seriously. I'm moving to Hoboken. Forward my post.
Name that punk
I am really astounded by the recent contributions to the American Punk/Hardcore Archive group that I started in Flickr. I have a bunch of old photos that I wanted to show off, and I wanted to see what other people had. It's focussed (roughly) on the period 1978-1991. These were times before digital cameras and t'internet, not like now when you go to a show and there are forty people with cameras in the front row, and five people in the wings, capturing the action with a dvc.
The stuff that I personally love the most is not the band photos, but the crowd shots, and the portraits or snapshots of the people who made the scene. Check out this shot of an unknown woman taken in Richmond Virginia in 1983/84. What a great shot! She's got amazing style. That kind of classic US interpretation of punk - the fucked up mohawk, dog collar and funny shades. She looks tough. I would have wanted to be her friend.
The photographer, Thurston Howes, is trying to find out if anyone knows who she is. She was probably traveling with the UK Subs or the Toy Dolls. So if you know, click on the photo to go to the pool and reveal all, or contact Thurston.
Next time you’re in Hoboken…
While traversing the net for interesting dirt on my family name, I came across this place - Schnackenberg's Luncheonette in Hoboken, New Jersey. It looks like exactly the kind of classic American diner that I love. All the reviews are great, but some recent postings say that the food is great, and great value. The decor is vintage and a scene from The Basketball Diaries was filmed there. Apparently it is run by the daughter of the immigrants who opened the place in 1931. I was sad to read recent posts on a local site which said it's rarely open these days, as apparently the sister of the owner is ill. Maybe I need to move back to New Jersey and take the place on. It's not that crazy of an idea, you know.
Address - 1110 Washington St, Hoboken, New Jersey ( NJ ) 07030-5302
Telephone - (201) 659-9836
Vinyl/CD hybrid
Optimal Media have launched a new vinyl/cd hybrid, imaginatively called the Vinyl-disc. The dual layer disc comprises a digital layer holding audio or video content, and upper layer with a vinyl groove which can be played on any normal player.
The vinyl holds approximately 3 to 5 minutes worth of music, and the disc comes with a special adapter to hold the disc in place on your turntable.
It's a undeniably great gimmick, but I can't see it having any staying power. CD buyers often don't have turntables, and vinyl buyers aren't going to be happy with just 5 minute of music. I'm wondering what the fidelity is like. According to Wired, it's decent but not as good as 180gram pressings.
Recent Posts
Twitter
- My Top 3 Weekly #lastfm artists: Lemon Kittens (10), Bear in Heaven (10) and Danielle Dax (4) #mm http://bit.ly/96P1mK
- My Top 3 Weekly #lastfm artists: Toyah (44), Can (17) and Big Boi (17) #mm http://bit.ly/96P1mK
- Steve Ignorant interview on Future Radio in half an hour... tune in online! http://bit.ly/bDzXaX
- Spend spend spend — at Costco http://gowal.la/r/24752
- ♥ Look at You by Screaming Trees #lastfm: http://bit.ly/a4XLwe amazon: http://bit.ly/ubZJz
Comments
- Australian Adult Shop on World’s Oldest Dildo found.
- Dildos on World’s Oldest Dildo found.
- Dildo on World’s Oldest Dildo found.
- David Kovach on Always a shock, never a surprise
- David Kovach on It’s official: music is worthless