Aqualec's Castle

Hey All! The Christmas season is almost upon us! 

Due to the success of this event in previous years I figured I would organise another Comic Book Secret Santa!

Much like a normal Secret Santa you buy someone a gift, but in this instance it’s either a trade paperback or a few comics. A standard trade costs about $20 - 30 so we can say no more than that. This can also be be done digitally via the comixology site as well

Details are as follows:  - Send me an Email at [email protected] by COB Friday the 28th of November if you are interested and I’ll add you to the list.  - In that email I will need some small details of what type of comics/trades that you’re into, or something you wouldn’t mind getting. That way I can give your Secret Santa a helpful hint on what to get you.  - I’ll also need to know if you prefer to have your Gift placed in your stash at your Local comics Store (if you have one) or sent to you in the post.  - On the 1st of December I’ll have organised who each person is a Secret Santa for and contact you all with the above details.  - Then it’s up to you purchase your gift. If you think you may need to pull out of this for some reason, give me a fair heads up so I can work something out.  If you have any more questions you can email me at [email protected] or tweet me at @aqualec

Also forward this on to anyone you think would be interested. It’s as simple as that!

I know it’s mid October now, but given that we all get very busy around this period of the year I thought it was best to organise this before the Christmas season sneaks up on us. Due to the success of this event in previous years I figured I would organise another one. Much like a normal Secret Santa you buy someone a gift, but in this instance it's either a trade paperback or a few comics. A standard trade costs about $20 - 30 so we can say no more than that. Details are as follows: - Send me an Email at [email protected] by the 29th of November if you are interested and I’ll add you to the list. - In that email I will need some small details of what type of comics/trades that you’re into, or something you wouldn’t mind getting. That way I can give your Secret Santa a helpful hint on what to get you. - I’ll also need to know if you prefer to have your Gift placed in your stash at your Local comics Store (if you have one) or sent to you in the post. - On the 1st of December I’ll have organised who each person is a Secret Santa for and contact you all with the above details. - Then it’s up to you purchase your gift. If you think you may need to pull out of this for some reason, give me a fair heads up so I can work something out. If you have any more questions you can email me at [email protected] or tweet me at @aqualec

Also forward this on to anyone you think would be interested. It’s as simple as that!

This post isn't done to gather sympathy, I just need to get things off my chest. I’d talk about it with someone but my throat is already hurting from being sick, and the arguing tonight has made it worse. Writing is always a cathartic way to get things off my chest anyway.

My parents haven’t been happy since I came out over 2 years ago. Like a lot of European parents of their generation they are very traditional in their values and beliefs. Very Old School. So their 27 year old son coming out to them, after they thought he preferred women was a little shocking.

I came out to them after a break up with my first boyfriend (well first one worth mentioning), someone I had gone out for three years. I did it because one of the many reasons we broke up was about us both not being out to our parents. I had some misguided notion that coming out to my parents would somehow make us get back together (I was wrong, wasn't the first time. That’s a story for another time).

I knew when I came out to my parents that two things would either happen. They would either Accept me, or Not and kick me out. Instead the result I got was this weird grey area. They didn't accept it, but they didn't kick me out or get angry. Just really upset.

Over the past two years and a bit things have ranged from bad to worse, but with moments of happiness. There have been plenty of arguments, insults and tears. Arguments ranging from “Why can’t you try and be straight” to “It’s a disgusting filthy habit”, to my favourite “You’re being selfish and killing us”. Emotional blackmail has also been used. European parents excel at guilt trips.

I've had news articles read to me about gay guys who kill their partners for money, or people who have been bashed/killed for being gay. I've been told to keep safe and not be seen anywhere doing anything. Religion has also been a fun discussion point with them, “Your lifestyle is against our beliefs”.

I've also had my brother completely wipe me off. He doesn't accept it and thinks being Gay is wrong. He is of the belief I went this way because I got dumped hard by a girl, and thought “That it I must be Gay”.

As I mentioned though, throughout it all there has been moments of happiness as well. This is something I hid and lied to my parents for years. Coming out to them, although very hard to do was the bravest thing I've ever done.

It lifted a huge weight off my shoulders. I know a lot of people say that but it’s true. I’m standing much taller, and am more confident in myself than I have ever in my entire life.

I had come out to my friends years prior, and while that was great being able to be myself with them, coming out to my parents really did feel like a fresh start to life.

I no longer had to hide who I was to them. We started talking more as well. Yes it has been at times arguments, but at least we’ve been talking. Communication is something which had broken down over the years prior.

6 months ago I moved out of my family home and into my own one bedroom flat. Life has been fantastic and grown more as a person. Things have gotten better between my parents and me as well.

I have a weekly ritual of going over to my parents every Wednesday for Dinner and sometime for Sunday Lunch/Dinner. Wednesday’s also involve me usually typing my Dad’s invoices out for him.

We still argue occasionally. Tonight for example involved a ‘discussion’ which led to me being asked to leave my house key and not talk to them for a week. This has happened before, so I’m surprisingly not that sad.

So as I said my life is mixture of good and bad. The important things is that I try to not let the bad things keep me down. If I seem overly cheerful all the time it’s because I think life is too short to be sad or angry. Yes my family doesn’t accept me at the moment, but thankfully I’m more of a ‘Glass is Half Full’ kind of person and live in hope that someday they will.

So this I say to you Internet. Stay strong. Embrace your family & friends. Live in hope. Do things that make you happy

This weeks topic is Pies or Practice.

I've chosen Pies because they are a GLORIOUS meal. GLORIOUS I tell you! You make a superb filling and then put in this pastry. Or you put in a plate and just give it a Pastry hat!

Anyway my first memory of Pies is going on a family drive to Harry's Cafe de Wheels at Woolloomooloo (that suburb is a mouthful in itself) Wharf. Harry's has been selling pies there since 1945. A lot of famous people have gone there just to have one of their famous pies.

Here is a little bit of the History of Harry's http://www.harryscafedewheels.com.au/History_of_Harrys_Pies.aspx

Now another Pie store that I have discovered recently and love is called the Pie Tin and it's in Newtown. This place does gourmet savoury and sweet pie/tarts. The Sweet ones are more like your American style sweet pies.

Now the savoury ones have a wide range of flavours, that change from day to day depending on what's available. They bake a small batch fresh at the beginning of each day. They also change the flavours of the pies they cook depending on the weather season. So far I've had the lamb & rosemary, and the tender steak, cheese & smokey bacon. Both were amazing.

Here's their Menu: http://www.thepietin.com.au/menu/pietin_menu.pdf

Anyway I thought I would end this blog post by posting the recipe up for Beef Bourguignon Pies that i recently made. It went down a treat!

INGREDIENTS

12 pickling onions (480g) 6 bacon rashers (420g), rind removed, sliced thinly 2 tablespoons olive oil 400g mushrooms 1kg gravy beef, trimmed, cut into 2cm pieces ¼ cup (35g) plain flour 1 tablespoon tomato paste 2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves 1 cup (250ml) dry red wine 2 cups (500ml) beef stock 750g packet frozen potato chips 2 sheets ready-rolled  butter puff pastry cooking-oil spray ½ cup finely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley 

METHOD

Peel onions, leaving roots intact; halve lengthways.  Cook bacon in heated large heavy-based saucepan, stirring, until crisp; drain on absorbent paper. Reheat same pan; cook onion, stirring, until browned all over, remove from pan. Heat 2 teaspoons of the oil in same pan; cook mushrooms, stirring, until just browned, remove from pan. Coat beef in flour; shake off excess. Heat remaining oil in same pan; cook beef, in batches, until browned all over. Add bacon and onion with tomato paste and thyme; cook, stirring, 2 minutes. Add wine and stock; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, covered, 1 hour. Add mushrooms; simmer, uncovered, about 40 minutes or until beef is tender, stirring occasionally.  Meanwhile, preheat oven to hot.

Place pastry sheets on board; using 1¼-cup (310ml) ovenproof dish, cut lid for one pie by tracing around upper-rim of dish with tip of sharp knife. Repeat process until you have six lids. Place lids on oiled oven  tray, spray with cooking-oil spray; bake, uncovered, in hot oven during  last 4 minutes of chip cooking-time or until lids are browned lightly. Meanwhile, stir parsley into beef bourguignon then divide among six  1¼-cup (310ml) ovenproof dishes; top each with pastry lid.

Books.

I've always loved reading. Growing up you could always find my face in a book reading away. Reading is an escape for me. Escaping away to this literary wonderland that someone has created. With books my reading tastes are usually around Sci-Fi, Fantasy and Drama, But I tend to jump out of that box and read other things as well.

I've never been a big autobiography fan, but this year I've decided to try and start reading more biographies of people in the past and present who fascinate me.

There's just something about books that always grabs me. I just cannot resist buying something from a Comic Book/Book store if I go in. I always find something new that catches my eye that I have to read.

I also have thing I do, that whenever I leave town by plane I purchase a book from the book store at the airport. Although lately I've been mainly purchasing puzzle books, because the airport stores seem to be only selling trash like "Fifty Shades of Grey"

This also means that I have a large collection of stuff that has gone unread. Below is a picture of all the things I've bought last year and this year so far that I still haven't read. I will set out to finish reading them by the end of the year!

When I thought of the word "Special", the first thing that popped into my head were my friends.

My friends keep me sane and down to earth.

They are always there without any judgement for advice, to lend a hand or even a shoulder to cry on.

I consider them family, and closer at times than my own family.

Bedtime. The one moment in the day where I can usually recharge my batteries for a few hours without being disturbed.

The thing I have noticed though as I get older, is that I try to prevent sleeping on the weekends more than I do during the weekday.

I think that's my brain going "Fuck off, it's the weekend. Enjoy it as much as you can before you have to go to grind stone on Monday".

As we all know though, preventing sleep can lead to napping at inappropriate times, or sleeping through the whole next day (I've done both many a time).

This is going to be a short one for this week.

Suffice to say I've had a busy week and a lot of things on my plate. Work and Personal.

A new role at work, a new online writing gig and also stuff going on at home.

That final bit leads me to this weeks Blog Topic: Rescue

A lot of the times I need an outlet/escape from the things that stress me out.

That's where my friends come in. They are always usually there to lend an ear to listen to me, a shoulder to cry on, or even just to go out with for dinner/movie/etc.

There are rare times though when everyone is busy and you need someone to talk to. That's where a help line comes in.

Some Examples: Depression Hotline (Beyond Blue): 1300 22 4636 Depression Hotline alternate (Kid's Helpline): 1800 55 1800 Suicide Hotline (LifeLine): 13 11 14

Don't be afraid or embarrassed to call. Before I came out to my parents I called Beyond Blue.

Voices.

One thing you have to know about me is that I like singing and quoting songs into conversation. I'm more than often involved in Car Karaoke if I'm driving to and from work.

When I was dating someone a few years ago, they would ask why I had called. I would respond with "Oh no reason, I guess I just called to say I love you"

Lame right? I know, but hey, that's how I roll!

I love music and I love singing along to it. Who cares if you aren't very good? It makes you fell happy doing it, or expresses an emotion you need at some point.

I had my birthday drinks the other night. My friend met me at The Columbian on Oxford Street in the city, the DJ's theme for the night was Retro (I had no prior knowledge of this).

Anyway come 9pm people had started dancing, but none of my group had started yet. Truth be told I hadn't wanted to get up and dance yet either.

Then the following song came on:

Something about hearing Chic's 'Le Freak' made want to get up and shake my groove thing. From then on the night was a blur of dancing, singing, drinking and hilarity.

It was a fun night.

I may have also lost my voice a little bit for the better part of the following morning.

I have nothing against Fan fiction. It's a great way to practice your writing skills, like all stories are. It's just that Yaoi/Yuri Fanfiction can get very creepy. If you want an example, just check out Transformers Yaoi. I know the whole Girl on Girl thing is an attraction for some Straight Guys, some of my Straight Female friends too. I just never thought the reverse, a Guy on Guy thing would be an attraction as well.

I guess that's me being a little naive? It's just that I have quite a few female friends, and none of them have expressed that they find to Guys hooking up an attraction (and I have actually asked them).

Also I think another reason i don't get Yaoi/Yuri Fanfiction is because I read about these characters all the time in Stories/Comics, and a part of my brain is going "No you're wrong."

I'll admit I love food. I love cooking and everything that goes into it. As Nigella Lawson said in an episode of her show Nigellissima I just watched "Cooking is alive, it's like a language".

I think cooking can stir up any sorts of emotions and memories, but I digress. I'm meant to be talking about cake.

I will be the first to put their hand up and say I have quite the sweet tooth.

Rather than picking the desserts listed on the menu I will most definitely check out the cakes that are on display or ask if there is a cake of the day.

A piece of Cake with a scoop of Vanilla Ice-Cream or King Island Cream is amazing.

See right there mentioning King Island Cream and Cake makes me think of the first time I had it with Devil's Food Cake. One of many family trips to the Station Cafe in Mount Nelson, Hobart (http://www.thestationcafe.com.au/)

I still live at home for the moment, so there isn't much opportunity to make a cake for myself. Over the years I've grown up helping my Mum cook on occasion, especially when she's making a cake. As a kid I would be in charge of cleaning up, but more than often I would be licking the leftover chocolate on the mixing spoons of in the bowl.

For years my Mum made Carrot Cake and I was never a fan of it. I mean as a kid you want Chocolate, not yucky healthy Carrot! Blurgh! Then as an Adult you try things and you are "Oh My! Where the heck have you been all my life" - I'm not a fan of my Aunty's Carrot Cake though, she puts wayyyyy too many walnuts in it.

Trying Carrot Cake out made me want to try other things my mum liked/order when we went out for dinner. That brought my attention to Sticky Date Pudding. When I think of Sticky Date pudding I think of Trivia at the Off Broadway Bar in Glebe. I used to go there for Trivia with mates. Dinner followed by that amazing Cakey goodness with a scoop of Ice-Cream on the side. Amazing.  

Back to my Aunty that I mentioned before. She used to make these amazing Cheesecakes, and I always saw them in my Grandma's fridge whenever she looked after me as a kid. Fondest memories of seeing toothpicks sticking out of the cake to keep the glad wrap from touching the cake.

Onto my Grandma. Whenever we went over to her place on the weekends for dinner she would have a Pasta Flora (Greek Jam Tart) there waiting for dessert. It tasted amazing. She would bring one to family BBQ's as well. She would switch it up each time using different jams. Strawberry and Apricot was my favourite.

I'll end this talking about my favourite cake. Chocolate Concorde Cake (Gateau Concorde Au Chocolat). This marvellous beauty I first found on a family trip once to the Blue Mountains. We went to eat at a place called Cafe Bon Ton and there it was in the Cake display. I fell in love instantly.

This masterpiece is a Chocolate Meringue Cake which has Chocolate Mousse as the filling, and then is covered entirely with Chocolate Meringue sticks. Every time i have it I drool like Homer Simpson.

Here is a link to a vide and recipe of it: http://www.sbs.com.au/food/recipe/548/Chocolate_Concorde_cake