Bueller….Bueller….

It’s been all over the internet the last few days, Cameron’s house from the classic movie Ferris Bueller’s Day Off is for sale.  Not only is it a stunning architecturally designed house, but it’s a little piece teen movie memorabilia.  If you want to see a pic of the car pavilion without a Ferrari crashing through it, click on the link above.

Apple and cinnamon muffins

I tried a new recipe for apple and cinnamon muffins the other day (the original is here).  The muffins turned out OK but they weren’t great.  Not sure what contributed to this, I might have over mixed the batter or maybe they just weren’t sweet enough but they were still alright to eat.   Anyway, here’s the recipe mostly given in the hope that someone else might try it too and get a better result. 

On second thought looking at the recipe, I might not have put in quite enough baking powder.  All my recipes are scrawled on scrap paper so the chance to misread it is possible.  It’s entirely likely I used one teaspoon as opposed to one tablespoon baking powder.  So I’m not going to write the recipe off just yet.

• 2 cups plain flour
• 1 tbsp baking powder
• 2 tspn cinnamon
• 3/4 cup brown sugar
• apples (I used a tin of pie apple chopped up)
• 125g melted butter – cooled
• 2 eggs – whisked
• 3/4 cup milk
• apple cinnamon crunchola muesli for topping

Preheat oven to 180 degrees Celsius.  Combine flour, baking powder, cinnamon and sugar.  In another bowl combine butter, eggs and milk.  Add wet mixture to dry mixture.  When mixed through add chopped apples.  Divide into muffin pans and top with crunchy muesli.  The original recipe was meant to make twelve muffins but I made seventeen smaller ones.  Bake for twenty minutes, then cool on wire racks.

the finished product

Books that changed your life…

I found this article in the Guardian, where authors (fiction, non-fiction etc) were asked – which book changed your life?  Changed a life.  That’s a pretty big call and I don’t know that I have one myself.  It’s certainly made me wonder.  I’ve come across a few books over the years where the lightbulb has gone on and I’ve thought, this is the book for me.  Or others that I’ve loved so much I’ve read them far too many times.  Maybe I’m just thinking too hard about it.  Anyone out there have one?

Ghost town – Mt Bokor

During my trip to Cambodia in 2007 I travelled high up one particular mountain to the former French hill station of Mt Bokor.  Located in the south, Mt Bokor was a summer resort for the French thanks to its cool weather and stunning views.  Not much is left now in what has been designated a national park (or similar) but there is accommodation, just not in the old hotel. 

 The buildings left behind when the French departed are ghosts of their former selves.  Impressive in size and design but with flaking paint and plaster, windowless facades hint at the dark, unlit, unfurnished interiors.  It was a fascinating place to visit.  The old hotel was possibly the eeriest structure.  It was huge.  The facade hinted at its former grandeur, but the inside was gutted, dark and empty.  The one hitch to visiting Mt Bokor?  The lengthy and somewhat uncomfortable trip up the mountain.  The road has not been maintained in many places leading to ute sized potholes and a very bumpy ride.  Our trip in the back of a pick up took many, many hours (pretty much all day) and at least one person ended up with fist sized bruises from the bumps.  The views however, were totally worth it.

Did I mention the ever present mist? - adds to the eerieness...

 It was certainly impressive up close and we got to have a really good look inside – provided you remembered your torch.

Close up of entrance - note the lovely orange fungus

 The orange fungus was on quite a lot of the buildings.  The near perpetual misty air probably helps it along.

old Catholic Church wreathed in mist

 It was nice and creepy inside the Church too.  All the fixtures were intact, it was just all left to rot.

view to the coast - yes it was a long way down off the edge

So, as mentioned, it’s a long uncomfortable journey (and some on my trip disliked it) but if you’re in the neighbourhood - I highly recommend it.

Rudeness and mobile phones

Yeah cell phone is American but you get my point

In another day of glorious exploration, I made it all the way to the bank – exciting huh?  I was there to change some old travellers cheques I’ve been hanging on to because it’s a hassle to find time to go to the bank.  I had the day off so thought I would brave the queues.  The lineup wasn’t too bad but as the usual foreign exchange counter was closed I had to get in the regular queue.  No problem, there were only a few people in front of me.  It was those who followed that inspired today’s post. 

The guy behind me in line obviously though that lunch time queues at the bank were the best place to arrange his Friday night outing.  Talking too loudly on his mobile “Hi, is Serge there?” “Yeah Serge, …Serge”  “Yeah we’re gonna go out tonight, I’m dressed up enough for, you know, going out, out”  “I don’t know about bowling but we’ve definitely been to Timezone too many times.  What do you think?”   “Blah, blah blah…..I’m a self involved loser”  This conversation was edited due to its extreme boring nature and the fact I already know too much about this guy.  It’s rude enough, in my opinion, to subject those around you to these boring ass yet apparently essential conversations but I just hoped he would stop when it came his time to get served.  I work in a customer service role and I find it incredibly rude when people talk on their phones when you’re trying to help them.  So rude that I actually stop helping them until they’re done talking, because if you’re not going to give me any of your attention while I find information for you, you’re not going to get the most helpful me. 

So I waited in line like a good customer till it was my turn to be served and was told almost immediately that the teller couldn’t change my cheques but that I’d have to proceed to the newly opened temporary foreign exchange counter where guess what? – I ended up standing in line waiting behind the idiot who was still talking on his mobile. (He had another identical one in his hand for good measure because having more phones to talk on than you have mouths and brains is an awesome idea).  So I waited, with patience for the teller who had to deal with this jerk, and no patience for the guy on the phone and whatever his issues were.  At one point he turned around and gave me a weak smile.  He did not get one in return.  Even the teller at the next window didn’t appear impressed with him.  Eventually he was sent to another part of the bank to wait while they investigated his query.  I hope they made him wait a long time.

Children of the Sun,

See your time has just begun, Searching for your way, Through adventures every day…. Yeah I looked it up on the internets.  In case you’ve missed the subtle pop culture reference to an 80’s Japanese/French animated children’s show, that’s the Mysterious Cities of Gold theme song.  One of the most memorable of my childhood.  I spent hours dedicated to watching this series in the afternoons on the ABC along with Monkey, Dr Who and You can’t do that on television – ah such classics.  It possibly explains a lot about how I turned out too. 

Anyway, I’m excited today because I managed to get my hands on DVD’s of the original Cities of Gold series.  Apparently my local library is awesome enough to buy obscure television shows from twenty years ago that I loved (as opposed to the ones they buy that I have no interest in watching).  I fully intend to rewatch this show from beginning to end, which is totally nerdy but I don’t care.  They’ll probably be a total mess (rewatching a couple of Voltron episodes proved unintentionally hilarious) but I loved this show (especially it’s theme tune) and I have to watch it again at least for old times sake.  Click here if you want to experience the awesomeness of the theme song again thanks to Youtube.

Yay for new books!

So while (dreaded nineties phrase) surfing the net last night I came across this article in the Scotsman.  It appears China Mieville has a new book, The City & The City, and I’m very happy.  Apparently this one revolves around a mystery to do with two neighbouring cities but like most Mieville stories it probably won’t be straightforward. 

I’ve been a fan of his writing since I first read Perdido Street Station while in London many years ago.  I’ve read all the others available over here in Australia (I think some short stories in other compilations are harder to come by) and I’ve liked most of them.  I especially loved Un Lun Dun because I’m into the alternate world thing and because it’s set in London.  King Rat is also set in London and it’s another favourite.  I don’t know much about drum and bass but the story was fascinating.  So, yay for new books.  It’s always good when a favourite author has a new book for you to read.

Because I’m a geek…

I really enjoyed checking out these classic Star Trek convention photos from way back when.  It’s interesting looking back at early Star Trek fandom. Check out how young (and thin) William Shatner is.  I can’t believe the stars got so up close and personal with fans at conventions, it just wouldn’t happen today.  There are pictures of Gene Roddenberry and George Takei sitting around with attendees  like it’s completely normal.  It clearly didn’t have the regimented structure that would exist now.  Also, you must look at the old costume competition pictures – they are awesome.

Coffee and donut cupcakes

It’s like morning tea all rolled into one baked good.  Delicious and efficient.

Vietnamese Crazy House

I took heaps of photos in Vietnam, too many to have shown everyone.  So I thought I’d start posting them here from time to time.  I had a great trip to Vietnam last year.  I was a month well spent.  These photos are all from the Crazy house in Da Lat.  Da Lat is up in the mountains and was the scene of a great day trip on motorcycles around the local area.  At the Crazy House every room has a theme (and usually a creepily large plaster animal related to the theme, sometimes with evil red eyes).

cottage at Crazy House

evil kangaroo

twisty bits and a giraffe

As for why it’s named Crazy House, I think the pictures are somewhat self explanatory.