I just want to say—ma’am, the Doctor Who reference is hugely appreciated by this American Whovian. (I even had someone tell me to swear on something that matters, to which I unabashedly replied “fish fingers and custard!”)
I am sadly not the baking type (my last attempt involved cornbread from a box mix that ended up beautiful on the outside and raw in the middle), but I would do many, many unholy things for a warm apple crumble and custard right now.
Hey everybody, I think there some people we need to send internet *hugs* to. On Disqus we used to be able to @username and they would be notified. Does anybody know if that works on substack? I'll start with ziggywiggy the magnificent because I know she's around.
Oh, Nicola! Stellar fiancé Meccalopolis and I foraged at least a gallon of wild blackberries over the summer, but they're done (still a few sweet berries for the birds, but not enough for us) until next summer. There were also clever little raspberries beneath some of the brambles, camouflaging themselves as unripe blackberries. I have both apples (including a couple of wild ones we picked) and pears, and would love to make them into something delicious, but store-bought blackberries have traded deliciousness for size.
There are plenty of vegan custard recipes around the web. Thanks for sharing your crumble.
Help I need Movie Night advice, The Silence Of the Lambs is scheduled for next week, it has transphobic issues and I am thinking about changing it out for the first Alien movie. People are upset when I change movies last minute but I also don't want to do something that is painful to the trans community. I just want Movie Night to be fun and try really hard to avoid problematic movies.
I very much appreciate you looking out for everyone. I personally enjoyed Silence of the Lambs (even as a trans person myself), but I can see how it might be upsetting.
Weird question: Any chance 2001: A Space Odyssey might be up for movie night sometime?
You are a kind soul Ziggy. I think SOTL has many qualities that make it a great film but it also has a glaring problem that makes it painful and unwatchable for many. My feeling is that I'd rather cause a minor inconvenience for those who were looking forward to SOTL than to inflict further discomfort upon a community that has been under increasing threat the past few years.
Looking for a fantastic horror film for October? The 1963 version of "The Haunting" remains one of the best horror films ever made.
I love the film, and we could discuss the issues- I do it ALL the time with my kids. But also feel that if others feel otherwise it's best to pass on it.
ziggy, I know you will make a reasoned decision. But for many folks when they started transitioning the first reaction they got was "Oh like Buffalo Bill?"
Actually causing pain is not a good reason to have an interesting comments section IMHO.
That was a joke, that is not something that could actually happen. The reason I asked is because I am trying to not cause pain. This is making me physically ill.
If you’re having that kind of reaction, it looks like you’ve got your answer.
For your own sake, and others as well, switch the movie. Your health isn’t worth hours of comments arguing about SOTL. I fear some may also say things you’ll find hurtful about the movie being chosen.
Movies are a product of their times. Absent really egregious stuff, parsing to avoid ruffling any feathers of modern sensibility eliminates so much great cinema as to limit the whole thing to banality.
(Having said that, I could watch Alien EVERY DAY!!!)
I agree completely. Comedies are the most vulnerable genre followed by mysteries with comic relief. I still like Charlie Chan (the ones with Sidney Toler) but they wouldn't fit in today. Mr. Moto movies are practically never shown.
I agree with you! But I'm the one that will be catching flak and I tend to take this stuff way too personally. So just trying to avoid that. Damned if I do, damned if don't.
As I said earlier, I know you will make a thoughtful choice. You always do. There are persuasive arguments on both sides, and this can't be easy. But you are loved and trusted. Whatever decision you make will be fully supported by the vast majority of us.
I see you making every effort and being thoughtful. It's very clear where your heart is at. If folks don't see that then that's on them. You may have the opportunity to put some embracing equanimity and having boundaries into your schedule if you don't have enough on your plate already...
A psychothriller like SotL doesn't seem like a joyful or fun movie for Movie Night. I know I wouldn't watch it. Alien, though space horror, would be a much better choice.
The primary antagonist, "Buffalo Bill", is described as being a transwoman who was denied affirmation surgery, and so starts murdering women to make a "woman suit" from their skins. So... yeah... 😳
(Also too, it's weird AF that the actor went on to play Cpt. Stottlemeyer on "Monk".)
I hope so, because last night I went to the Steve Jobs opera, and it was great!
Called "The (R)Evolution of Steve Jobs" it was awesome to see at the San Francisco Opera, where there were people that had known him, an 80s after-party, (with swag like glow sticks, Trivial Pursuit cards, and stickers), and a Q & A session with the singers playing Woz and Jobs.
(We lived in Palo Alto when Jobs died, and watched his house and the local Apple Store become a shrine.)
There were many first time opera goers because:
1. short (90 mins)
2. relevant (of course, lots of iphone references and clear sur-titles)
3. lyrical (as a lady in the restroom said: "Not a series of beeps and boops!")
4. great singers (Jobs, a baritone, is onstage the whole time, and sings beautiful duets with Woz, a tenor, and his wife Laurene, a mezzo)
5. wonderful comic relief provided by the great bass playing his spiritual mentor
I could get behind a humble crumble. I was browsing for easy recipes for apple/cinnamon with not much cakiness and found a bunch of recipes for 'dump cakes' which are essentially what you have here except there's some baking powder in the mix (looking in particular at Jiffy Yellow Cake mix which makes one 8 or 9 inch round cake layer). I think that would be enough for me for a 9x11 pan. Lots of cinnamon though and more apples than anything - probably 6 or 8 depending on size. I'm a lazy man, and also never keep flour or sugar in the house so when I want to splurge a whole day's insulin on a carby dessert I need it to be easy.
Now I'm off to watch 27 recipes I can't eat on Great British Baking Show...
I learn a lot, (but not so much from the idiots that complain about things like suggested cooking times, and can't be bothered to check and see if something is not done or is burning).
My spouse and I saw U2 on their Joshua Tree tour and we both cried at different parts. We're working out the details to get to the Sphere residency because it looks supremely cool and Achtung Baby rules.
I may also be able to work in another concert on this trip starring my fake Irish bf, so my excitement is bubbling over.
Tim Wakefield, the last of the great knuckleball pitchers, died at age 57 today. He won 200 games over a 19 year major league career, 17 of those years with the Boston Red Sox. His selfless attitude and willingness to pitch whenever his team needed him endeared him to fans.
Fuck cancer. And fuck Curt Schilling for telling the world that Wakefield had cancer when he and his wife wanted to keep their illness private.
Knuckleball used to be the last refuge for old pitchers who could still get hitters out. Jim Bouton was one, loved Ball Four. I don't know when we'll see another knuckleballer in the league.
BOB UECKER (Retired catcher and anouncer for the BREWERS) described how he tried to snag the KNUCKLEBALL. He said he let it go by and walked over and picked it up!
Perfect! I wanted to make apple crumble today. Well, it will have to happen Monday at this point.
I found some heirloom apples in a grocery store near sonoma, and bought some as edible souvenirs. Belle de Boskoop? Not common in the US.
I just want to say—ma’am, the Doctor Who reference is hugely appreciated by this American Whovian. (I even had someone tell me to swear on something that matters, to which I unabashedly replied “fish fingers and custard!”)
I am sadly not the baking type (my last attempt involved cornbread from a box mix that ended up beautiful on the outside and raw in the middle), but I would do many, many unholy things for a warm apple crumble and custard right now.
Stick a candle in there. Jimmy Carter turns 99 at home with Rosalynn and other family as tributes come from around the world https://apnews.com/article/jimmy-carter-99-birthday-hospice-19be42d93ca052816aaa06c57c38be1b
Cakes we like, where are you based in the U.K.?
The South West Coast, deepest, darkest Devon. Although I'm a Yorkshire transplant.
See above about Darkest Salford and Yorkshire people being good at cakes. It great to meet a Wonketeer who lives in the U.K.
There are a few of us around.
This looks so totally scrumptious!
Hey everybody, I think there some people we need to send internet *hugs* to. On Disqus we used to be able to @username and they would be notified. Does anybody know if that works on substack? I'll start with ziggywiggy the magnificent because I know she's around.
@-ing people works in Notes, but not in the comments.
Oh, Nicola! Stellar fiancé Meccalopolis and I foraged at least a gallon of wild blackberries over the summer, but they're done (still a few sweet berries for the birds, but not enough for us) until next summer. There were also clever little raspberries beneath some of the brambles, camouflaging themselves as unripe blackberries. I have both apples (including a couple of wild ones we picked) and pears, and would love to make them into something delicious, but store-bought blackberries have traded deliciousness for size.
There are plenty of vegan custard recipes around the web. Thanks for sharing your crumble.
I used to make custard sauce with a splash of dark rum and pour it over grilled pineapple. Excellent!
That sounds wonderful....
Mmmmm Zabaione
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zabaione
Help I need Movie Night advice, The Silence Of the Lambs is scheduled for next week, it has transphobic issues and I am thinking about changing it out for the first Alien movie. People are upset when I change movies last minute but I also don't want to do something that is painful to the trans community. I just want Movie Night to be fun and try really hard to avoid problematic movies.
I very much appreciate you looking out for everyone. I personally enjoyed Silence of the Lambs (even as a trans person myself), but I can see how it might be upsetting.
Weird question: Any chance 2001: A Space Odyssey might be up for movie night sometime?
Thank you! 2001: A Space Odyssey will definitely happen at some point.
alien is so fab! do it! also really scary
also, also, i have been too scared to ever see silence of the lambs...
The change was made. We are watching Alien next week.
I think that would be a fine switch. Believe it or not, I've never seen any of the Alien movies. Maybe I'll even be scared enough to stay awake...
And if anyone complains too aggressively, just lemme at 'em! (I'll use my scary dad voice on them.)
I saw it when it first came out in the theater, scared the hell out of me.
Switch it out for the 80s cult classic that is The Lost Boys. Or The Crow.
oh man lost boys...
It's going to be Alien because people love those movies, it will make the change easier. We already did the second one(Aliens) so time for the first.
You are a kind soul Ziggy. I think SOTL has many qualities that make it a great film but it also has a glaring problem that makes it painful and unwatchable for many. My feeling is that I'd rather cause a minor inconvenience for those who were looking forward to SOTL than to inflict further discomfort upon a community that has been under increasing threat the past few years.
Looking for a fantastic horror film for October? The 1963 version of "The Haunting" remains one of the best horror films ever made.
The Haunting is on October's schedule for the 14th! Thank you for the advice.
Is Hausu on your scary movie list? I hate horror films, but Hausu is delightfully weird as well as murdery.
I say pass. There's a great documentary on Netflix, "Disclosure", that addresses how truly not good this movie is for transpeople.
I know you hate inconveniencing folks because you are a kind person. That's the same reason you should not be featuring SOTL.
I love the film, and we could discuss the issues- I do it ALL the time with my kids. But also feel that if others feel otherwise it's best to pass on it.
This is making me crazy. I need to stop overthinking it. Maybe I can figure a way to do both, that would make for an interesting comment section.
ziggy, I know you will make a reasoned decision. But for many folks when they started transitioning the first reaction they got was "Oh like Buffalo Bill?"
Actually causing pain is not a good reason to have an interesting comments section IMHO.
That was a joke, that is not something that could actually happen. The reason I asked is because I am trying to not cause pain. This is making me physically ill.
If you’re having that kind of reaction, it looks like you’ve got your answer.
For your own sake, and others as well, switch the movie. Your health isn’t worth hours of comments arguing about SOTL. I fear some may also say things you’ll find hurtful about the movie being chosen.
I would like to see the movie done with a that as a "lets discuss."
My worry is if you start having to censer a movie where does it end?
there are soooo many good movies that have not aged well we can
maybe learn from them? I am not a member of the community tho,
so I may be off on this: I just don't want you to have to re think every
movie ...does that make sense?
It's what's making me crazy.
ziggy, whatever you decide I will support you. I know how much care you put into your choices. And I will always admire you for that.
I wasn't gonna weigh in because I'm not watching SOTL anyway and I'm about 50% likely to pass out at 8:55, but I'd vote for Aliens.
Great movie!
Cat People (1942) is much fun.
I was looking for something people would be pumped up for and forgive my last minute change. Although I do want to do Cat People in the future.
I second Cat People!
The original of course! Although the second one had an excellent song by Bowie.
Yay!
Movies are a product of their times. Absent really egregious stuff, parsing to avoid ruffling any feathers of modern sensibility eliminates so much great cinema as to limit the whole thing to banality.
(Having said that, I could watch Alien EVERY DAY!!!)
I agree completely. Comedies are the most vulnerable genre followed by mysteries with comic relief. I still like Charlie Chan (the ones with Sidney Toler) but they wouldn't fit in today. Mr. Moto movies are practically never shown.
Hey, the Warner Oland ones were great, too!
Have you seen "Charlie Chan in Egypt"? It also features Lincoln "Stepin Fetchit" Perry....
Probably. Haven't seen one in decades. Mom and I would watch 'em on local midnight movie back in the day.
Yes, second best IMHO. Research reveals nine actors portrayed CC.
I agree with you! But I'm the one that will be catching flak and I tend to take this stuff way too personally. So just trying to avoid that. Damned if I do, damned if don't.
As I said earlier, I know you will make a thoughtful choice. You always do. There are persuasive arguments on both sides, and this can't be easy. But you are loved and trusted. Whatever decision you make will be fully supported by the vast majority of us.
I see you making every effort and being thoughtful. It's very clear where your heart is at. If folks don't see that then that's on them. You may have the opportunity to put some embracing equanimity and having boundaries into your schedule if you don't have enough on your plate already...
Thank you susamonkey, I needed to hear that.
THIS RIGHT HERE! You are our Movie Boss!
What susanmonkey said!
This is making me sick I am so worried about making the right choice. I wish I wasn't like this.
I run into this problem all the time when picking movies. But I figured people would be psyched for Alien.
Alien is a great choice! As usual, we'll be in the radio station studio spinning vinyl so we'll miss it.
Some years ago I brought two friends with me to see H.R. Giger's sculptures. They were as amazing as you would imagine.
Have you done first Ghostbusters?
Yes, near Thanksgiving last year.
Please, I BEG of you, switch it to the first Alien, if even only to make paul absolutely ecstatic.
It will be his weekend off from the hospital and paul is an Alien fanatic.
Thank you, my dilemma has been resolved.
Then there is always Free Guy.
That had no business being as good as it was!
A psychothriller like SotL doesn't seem like a joyful or fun movie for Movie Night. I know I wouldn't watch it. Alien, though space horror, would be a much better choice.
I am concerned about the transphobia.
I don't remember that part but I haven't seen the movie in decades, and then only once.
The primary antagonist, "Buffalo Bill", is described as being a transwoman who was denied affirmation surgery, and so starts murdering women to make a "woman suit" from their skins. So... yeah... 😳
(Also too, it's weird AF that the actor went on to play Cpt. Stottlemeyer on "Monk".)
RHPS or GTFO
We did that last Halloween and it doesn't work so well in a Movie Night format.
I think we still have the wonkyhorror.com domain.
Ah, pity
or switch out to My Dinner with Andre...a real barnburner!
the exit is over here?
you have the My Dinner with Andre action figures don't you?
ROTFLMAO!!!!
I quite enjoy that film, but probably not for a Wonkette movie night.
me too, and agree wholeheartedly...
You're not helping, Rocky!
my sincerest Canadian apologies
OMG, I love this place!
Whoa! A sincere Canadian apology is worth anywhere from 6 to 9 American apologies.
Mr. Demme says that, (since they say it all the time), it's worth 1/4 of an American apology!
Is this the open thread?
I hope so, because last night I went to the Steve Jobs opera, and it was great!
Called "The (R)Evolution of Steve Jobs" it was awesome to see at the San Francisco Opera, where there were people that had known him, an 80s after-party, (with swag like glow sticks, Trivial Pursuit cards, and stickers), and a Q & A session with the singers playing Woz and Jobs.
(We lived in Palo Alto when Jobs died, and watched his house and the local Apple Store become a shrine.)
There were many first time opera goers because:
1. short (90 mins)
2. relevant (of course, lots of iphone references and clear sur-titles)
3. lyrical (as a lady in the restroom said: "Not a series of beeps and boops!")
4. great singers (Jobs, a baritone, is onstage the whole time, and sings beautiful duets with Woz, a tenor, and his wife Laurene, a mezzo)
5. wonderful comic relief provided by the great bass playing his spiritual mentor
6. ingenious sets
Real singers, real instruments, guitar(!) people.
This is how to get new audiences.
If you have a chance to go or stream it, do it!
I could get behind a humble crumble. I was browsing for easy recipes for apple/cinnamon with not much cakiness and found a bunch of recipes for 'dump cakes' which are essentially what you have here except there's some baking powder in the mix (looking in particular at Jiffy Yellow Cake mix which makes one 8 or 9 inch round cake layer). I think that would be enough for me for a 9x11 pan. Lots of cinnamon though and more apples than anything - probably 6 or 8 depending on size. I'm a lazy man, and also never keep flour or sugar in the house so when I want to splurge a whole day's insulin on a carby dessert I need it to be easy.
Now I'm off to watch 27 recipes I can't eat on Great British Baking Show...
So many recipes use pie filling for a dump cake, but this includes directions for using fresh apples, adds pecans, cinnamon, and can easily be halved.
https://therecipecritic.com/apple-dump-cake/
I also love watching GBBS, and the charming cooks.
That's pretty much the kind of things I've been finding. That first comment though - somebody doesn't understand the concept here<g>
Some people are so stupid!
I always read the comments, though.
I learn a lot, (but not so much from the idiots that complain about things like suggested cooking times, and can't be bothered to check and see if something is not done or is burning).
My spouse and I saw U2 on their Joshua Tree tour and we both cried at different parts. We're working out the details to get to the Sphere residency because it looks supremely cool and Achtung Baby rules.
I may also be able to work in another concert on this trip starring my fake Irish bf, so my excitement is bubbling over.
https://variety.com/2023/music/concert-reviews/u2-sphere-las-vegas-residency-opening-concert-review-1235741243/
Me too! Houston Summit which is now Joel Osteen televangelical Lakewood Church
I was there! It was pretty amazing. Went with my sister. Pretty surreal to be back home now after such a spectacle.
Saw that Tour.
"Bullet the Blue Sky" was a revelation.
Bono had the whole crowd singing at the end.
It was awesome.
Your fake Irish BF sounds a lot like my Canadian girlfriend.
You know that all the time Bono was banging on about governments forgiving Third World debt U2 were structured as an entity that paid no tax?
The Church of Bono?
I seem to be on a flight with a lot of Christian pilgrims.
So like a combination of “Lost,” “Manifest,” and “At Play in the Fields of Our Lord” vibes?
Time for a kumbaya sing along!
End times are nice times!
They let them take their buckled shoes and hats on the plane?
You are surprised?
Where you going?
Israel.
https://www.state.gov/u-s-government-to-assist-u-s-citizens-in-departing-israel/
I think your flight is on Monday, but here is a possible plan B.
Safe and happy travels
My son-in-law is Israeli.
Drama daughter says that when people find that out, they get weird, (especially born agains).
Happy travels. I posted some pics of Germany when I went. If you got time, share a few of Israel.
https://nuernburger.substack.com/p/coming-soon
Seems people liked seeing the pics. I am interested i Israel.
A trip to the Holy Land theme park is a major bragging point for the flockers
Oy.
Do they have buckles on their shoes?
Are you stopping in the Holy Land?
For 10 days, yes.
If it had been last week it would have been the other team.
Yep. Probably be some frummies on tomorrow’s flight-although it’s out of Atlanta, so fewer than from NY.
That's "Rapture Airlines' for you.
"when it was still too hot to even consider eating a crumble and custard"
Are you drunk woman? I could be sitting in an active volcano and happily eat crumble and custard.
Lol, agreed!
But of course she's talking about firing up the oven.
(I wonder if you could make a crumble in an air fryer?)
Tim Wakefield, the last of the great knuckleball pitchers, died at age 57 today. He won 200 games over a 19 year major league career, 17 of those years with the Boston Red Sox. His selfless attitude and willingness to pitch whenever his team needed him endeared him to fans.
Fuck cancer. And fuck Curt Schilling for telling the world that Wakefield had cancer when he and his wife wanted to keep their illness private.
I call him Kurt Von Schilling. And he's not a big dick, he's a little bitty teeny tiny wee microscopic nano dick.
P.S. Stephen Wright had his knuckleball moments for the Sox, too.
Love the "fuck Curt Schilling" part.
He's such a wanker.
I think Wilbur Wood is still with us, but yeah. Wakefield, the Niekro brothers, and Hoyt Wilhelm are all gone.
Wakefield was one of the truly Good Guys. He's definitely crossed our version of the Rainbow Bridge....
Sad to hear it, but thank YOU for being the one to tell me.
He was fun to watch pitch, batters hated it.
He said he only learned how to throw a knuckler because he wanted to say that he tried *everything* to stay in baseball.
Knuckleball used to be the last refuge for old pitchers who could still get hitters out. Jim Bouton was one, loved Ball Four. I don't know when we'll see another knuckleballer in the league.
BOB UECKER (Retired catcher and anouncer for the BREWERS) described how he tried to snag the KNUCKLEBALL. He said he let it go by and walked over and picked it up!
If it's good enough for Eleven it's good enough for me, Cakes! Also, fezes *are* cool.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=KCdKBHdPz30
{agrees in fez}
But...do you try the door?