fosteronfilm‘s email circle–a society of which dude_the and dean13 are members of–has engaged in a long-ranging debate on the merits of various types of cheese lo these last few days, with topics ranging from Roquefort v. Gorgonzola to the politics of the cheese oligarchy to the best place to buy and consume cheese locally and abroad. I, an innocent bystander, have been agog at the heated and impassioned discourse, and the one time I tried to enter into the fray, I was quite roundly dismissed as being a mere cheese aficionado-wannabe. Fine, I sez. I’m going home and taking my brie with me. But I’m now craving cheesecake.
Had another restless night last night. Even disabled the motion detector–we’re going through a bit of windy weather, and the holly tree beside it has grown unruly such that its branches are close enough to trigger it if stirred by a strong breeze. This is a slightly different sort of insomnia than I’ve had before. While I seem to be able to get to sleep, I can’t manage to stay that way for more than an hour or two at a stretch. I’m wondering if this bout of sleep dysfunction might be due to the green/black tea blend I’ve been imbibing recently to boost the Adderall. Switching back to herbal as of today.
Eventually, I headed into the bedroom while Matthew was still working in the living room, hoping a more comfortable napping place would help, and then I got hit by the “it’s-dark-I’m-alone-can’t-sleep-clown’ll-eat-me” jitters. So I called Matthew in to keep me company, and he reassured me that no clowns or other baddies would dare set foot in our house because it’s guarded by fairy-types, courtesy our own fey beastie, Hobkin. (Who, while not big on the guard critter front himself, does put in a good word on our behalf.) He then went on to assure me that any boogles or goblins who came visiting would surely only be looking for a cookie, or perhaps a beer, so I needn’t fret. I was all safe and secure.
And y’know? That did it. The willies went away, and I was able to get another couple hours of much-needed sleep. I love my husband.
Writing Stuff
Received:
– An email from Christopher Cevasco, the editor of Paradox, alerting me of the domain and email addy change of his ‘zine. I’ve had a story under consideration with him for almost five and a half months (167-days), so I took the opportunity to query about it. And, it seems I beat him to the draw. He informed me that he wants to publish “The Archer of the Sun and the Lady of the Moon” in the forthcoming June issue (#9), and the contract will be going out later this week.
*squee!* This is my second sale to Paradox, and I’m delighted to be able to make an encore appearance between those fine pages.
– 54-day “There’s a sense of maturity and authenticity in your portrayal of these imperfect people and tangled relationships, and the ending brought tears to my eyes . . . but” rejection from Strange Horizons with an invite to submit again. Sigh. Evoking tears just ain’t enough anymore, dangit.
Cheese!
I’m fond of certain types of swiss and mozarella myself….
Does their debate ever hit the issue of rennet vs. non-rennet cheese?
Oh, dear. What have I started? Eeeeee!
“Does their debate ever hit the issue of rennet vs. non-rennet cheese?“
If it has, I’ve blanked it from my memory.
Mazel tov!
Thankee!
Congrats on the sale!
I’ve had one at Paradox for 153 days. *fingers crossed*
Crossing fingers with you!
Yay for the sale! And very cool title! 🙂
Thank you, on both counts!
Cheddar. If there was only one cheese, it would have to be cheddar. Without cheddar, you’d have no: Boar’s Head English Melting Cheese; Cooper cheese; Wisconsin Extra Sharp Cheddar; and so many more, including the common American cheese.
It is *all*.
Of course, some montery jack belongs with the extra sharp, in a 2:1 cheddar:jack ratio.
And gouda isn’t bad to snack on.
Muenster goes nicely on certain sandwiches…
And then there’s cream cheese, which belongs on bagels, and bagels aren’t edible without it…
And we can’t forget swiss, especially on a grilled ham & cheese…
Or ricotta (along with the 2:1 cheddar:jack) in stuffed shells, topped with some parmesian and romano…
Mmmmm… thanks, now I’m hungry! =P
I had no idea that cheese was such a flashfire topic with vehement opinions from all quarters. Goodness.
And I’m starving now.
Just remember one thing, and you’ll be fine:
The Cheese stands alone.
Congrats on the second Paradox sale. I got a “your writing is strong,” but no from them recently, but still no nod. I shall bask in your sunshine for awhile.
Thanks, sweetie. And I shall endeavour to beam in your general direction.
Thanks; I can feel the warmth of your smile all the way over here in Huntspatch!
I love cheese…
And the picture of you in your icon.
“I love cheese…“
Oh, me too! I just didn’t realize there was so much controversy and so much to deliberate about with regard to its various and myriad incarnations.
“And the picture of you in your icon.“
Aw, thanks! I’m right pleased with how that turned out.
Paradox
Another sale! Woot!!!
You’re on a role. Would you sprinkle some of that fairy-dust-success on my head? 😉
Re: Paradox
Thanks, Suzanne. And: *sprinkle sprinkle sprinkle*
evoking tears!
My goodness, what more could SH ask for?!
Jason S.
Re: evoking tears!
If I knew, I’d have sent it to them already. Sigh.
Regardless of how cheesy the subject matter
or how practiced and refined the debate, it’s still about ROTTEN MILK 😛
As Brian (the dog from Family Guy) says: That’s either good cheese, or bad meat
Re: Regardless of how cheesy the subject matter
Considering the avid, cheesy fandom exhibited by the discussion, I do believe that sentiment would constitute blasphemy. Or at the very least, heresy.
Re: Regardless of how cheesy the subject matter
Fortunately, heresy refers to deviating from ones beliefs, and as I don’t share those, I can’t be blasphemous or heretical, as they’re not my beliefs anyway 😀
At most, I can claim heathenship *grin*
this HAS put me in the mood for some cheesecake though. Feel like a trip up to Cheesecake Factory one evening??
Re: Regardless of how cheesy the subject matter
“this HAS put me in the mood for some cheesecake though. Feel like a trip up to Cheesecake Factory one evening??“
Mmmm. Cheesecake Factory. Wowza, I haven’t been there in ages. *droool*
Congrats on the sale, Eugie!!! 😀
Thanks, Maggie!
Who doesn’t like Welsh Rarebit or cheese fondue?
Eh! Being a cheese neophyte and cheese connoisseur wannabe, I thought it was a light hearted, tongue in cheek, discussion with self mocking overtones featuring absurd diatribes ridiculing the obsessive compulsive fanatic in all of us.
There is nothing like the comfort of our big and small loved ones to drive away those late night bouts of irrational fears and worries.
And…
Congrats on the sale!
“it was a light hearted, tongue in cheek, discussion with self mocking overtones featuring absurd diatribes ridiculing the obsessive compulsive fanatic in all of us.“
That’s where it starts. That’s where it always starts. But where does it end? Where? I ask you!
“And…Congrats on the sale!“
Hee. Thankee kindly.
On Matters of Cheese
It ends as all these things do: in puns.
Though. still, I think my call for a crusade against Velveeta was inspired. I wonder if I can sell it anywhere… hm…. 😉
Re: On Matters of Cheese
It was an inspirational call to arms! I hate myself for willingly and wantonly consuming velveeta.
Conga rats!
Thank you!
Hey! Don’t forget about me! I play too! And Yeah on the sale to Paradox. I think that issue the last one on my subscription…
Congrats on the sale! I got the same response when I queried him a few days ago…maybe now I should go query Black Gate while I’m on a roll. 😀
And, of course, there’s always Limburger Cheese. No matter how you slice it…
Congrats on the Paradox sale! And yeah, I’m still trying to figure out what Strange Horizons wants, myself. I’m hoping that over time, with continued reading, etc., my subconscious will do its job and start making things click in my head so as to make many lucky guesses on what to sub where. Because the conscious part of my brain has long since grown confused.
I could go for some cheesecake myself. I didn’t realize Hobkin was in contact with fairies and such, I think my Maggie would eat anything small and flying that came around.
I LOOOOOVE cheese, but most cheeses do not love me. Lactose intolerance is a terrible, terrible thing.
So I have been exploring the wonderful world of non-cow milk cheese. Sheep’s cheese melts better than goat’s cheese (which doesn’t actually melt at all!), but the smell can put people off. Some people think goat’s cheese is too sharp and salty in taste.
My mother went on a bus trip and brought me back some proper goat’s fetta from an organic goat farm. This cheese is ambrosia. AMBROSIA, I tell you. It is so soft in texture it melts in the mouth, and the taste is a wonderful blend of sweet and sharp – you get a delicately sweet mouthful, and then the sharp notes come out, but not overpowering.
I’m going to cry when I’ve eaten it all.
Aren’t hubbies/SOs great for that? I can just hear Matt soothing you too. 🙂
Love the skunky pic. 🙂
Thinking of you two and hope you are both well.
More posts soon!