three things make a post if one of them's really important...

[lagilman]

First, the Important News!

Members of Book View Cafe [of which I am one] have been invited to speak at the Library of Congress!

For those who don't know, The Library of Congress is the repository of the United State's literary heritage, and are extremely interested in new methods of publication and distribution of literature. Book View Cafe's innovative combination of author professionalism, cooperative creativity and internet outreach have sparked the Library's attention.

"This is a tremendous honor," says Project Manager Sarah Zettel. "We couldn't be more thrilled."

The presentation is at the Library of Congress the week of May 18, 2009. A firm date will be set after the Inauguration. No, I don't know if I'll e part of the presentation -- a lot depends on scheduling -- but I hope to be there! LoC is an author-geek-joy thing. :-)
--------------------
Cooking news: I have made a... thing. It's not a scone, and it's not a biscuit... it's tasty and light and takes very well to butter and jam... it tastes almost like cornbread but isn't made with cornmeal...


2 C flour, sifted
2 T baking powder
1 t. baking soda
1/2 t. salt
5 T butter, cubed
3/4 C. low-fat sour cream
1 egg, lightly beaten
1/2 C non-fat plain yogurt

Combine dry ingredients, finger-mix with butter, blend in wet ingredients slowly until moist. Form in cast-iron scone pan (or 8x8 pan -- mixture is too moist to shape) and cook @400 degrees for 20 minutes until golden brown on top.

Looks gorgeous. Tastes Yummy. Who cares what it, technically, is?
--------

Random: Leverage continues to amuse and entertain. And bonus!horses! Also? I don't think there's ever been a show on tv where every. single. actor (male and female) does something for me. There's no off note or bad visual. And Hutton... hooyah. This culture still seems to think that tight skin and lean limbs are all that counts, male or female. Bah. Hutton is charming and sexy and inspiring all at once, and raises my eyebrow now the way he never did when he was young-and-pretty. I suspect that his clear comfort-in-his-skin has a lot to do with that...

Oh, and for Certain People: the soundtrack of yesterday afternoon was ASHsongs. I now have 80's Europop/showtunes/RHS synth in my head. Eeee! And there was much bopping about and scaring the cats. :-)

Comments

[deza.livejournal.com]

I used to work at LC. If you get the chance, visit the tunnels underneath. Not only are there tunnels connecting the LC buildings, they also connect to all of the Senate, House and Supreme Court offices and the Capitol. It's rather surreal to be walking through a 7' tunnel with steam pipes running overhead (it honestly feels like being in a Tom Clancy novel) and suddenly find yourself in an underground rotunda with 20' marble statues of Greek gods dotting the perimeter.

Also, the top floor of the Madison Law Library (across the street from the main LC building) is the LC cafeteria. Food's decent, but the view across the residential side of the Hill to the Potomac and the Navy Yard is phenomenal. You can watch plans taking off from RIA while you eat.

Trust me, you wouldn't want to work there. ;)

[karenmiller.livejournal.com]

Great news! Well done! And I can't begin to tell you how deeply I've fallen in love with Leverage. What beautiful writing and wonderful characters.

[difrancis.livejournal.com]

I haven't watched yesterday's Leverage yet, but I like it.

congrats on Bookview Cafe! Very cool.

[booraven22.livejournal.com]

ZOMG! First off-- Congrats, L! SO cool about the LOC speaking engagement!

SECOND-- My poor husband had to listen to me making all sorts of squeeful noises during Leverage last night. And the double whammy of Christian Kane ON A HORSE and hearing one of his songs over the scene in the office? Oh dear benevolent deities...yeah. I'll be looking that eppy up again on zee hulu or youtube.
Love the ensemble, full stop, but last night's ep was VERY nice in the area of eye candy!

[jperceval.livejournal.com]

I like Leverage too -- I just keep forgetting it's on, so I missed last week's ep, drat it.

[divanoir.livejournal.com]

Congratulations!

[vincam.livejournal.com]

Aside from despising country music, I tend to agree.

[vincam.livejournal.com]

The plots have holes large enough to float a barge through, but somehow that doesn't seem to matter. Testimony to just how wonderful the acting is. I about snarfed up a lung when Parker said, "I once saw a horse kill a clown." How childhood PTSD is that? "It" meets "The Black Stallion."

I've adored Hutton since "Ordinary People," and also liked his dad waybackwhen. And that there Christian Kane shore do scruff up purty.

And..oh, yes...horses!

[lagilman]

the trick to a proper caper is to keep things moving so fast nobody has the chance to stop and say 'hey, waitaminnut....'

Much like the con itself, in fact.

[windrose.livejournal.com]

Oh, that is very cool news about Book View Cafe!

I need to learn to make scones. The ones from Publix are horrible. :P

[0eris0.livejournal.com]

Dude, I hope you'll be able to go! That would be awesome to sit in with the Library of Congress people. :-)

And I think you made some type of muffin without sugar. The dry ingredients to a muffin recipe I'm familiar with is similar to that, but with sugar also added in. I'll have to try that one of these days, it sounds good and also slightly better for you.

[neutronjockey.livejournal.com]

The LoC?
That is so awesomely awesome!

[scarlettina.livejournal.com]

Congratulations on the Library of Congress! That is awesome cool! :-)

[jmward14.livejournal.com]

Squeeee! The LoC is my very favorite place in all DC for all the reasons everyone has mentioned and more--the Jefferson Building is one of the most beautiful places on earth. I trust Colleen (it was Colleen who issued the invite, wasn't it?) will take you on a tour. If not, please, take the time to do the tourist half hour. It's stone gorgeous.
Meanwhile, I'm looking forward to hearing the event details. I so plan to be there.
But geez, I thought Leverage was my guilty pleasure. Now I find all the cool kids are doing it. Does this mean I can't be embarrassed about it or Burn Notice anymore? ;-)
Seriously, I think it's the latest manifestation of the "Methos Virus" we contracted during Highlander: The Series. It's got all the earmarks--prime if somewhat unexpected eye candy, smart dialogue, snarky guy in the center who can out-think everyone else... And I agree about Timothy Hutton. He never seemed half so interesting or attractive before. Isn't it great when an actor and a character come together so well?
Cheers and smiles,
Jean Marie

[neadods.livejournal.com]

SO COOL!

BTW, speaking of stuff going on down here, do you know how you're getting here for the Inauguration? Do you have tickets yet? Because they're going fast.

[lagilman]

that, not porn, is what the Internet is for...

[lagilman]

*rubs hands together* That, m'dear, will be easily solved. Scones are easy to make. I vill show you how.....

[windrose.livejournal.com]

Yay! &hearts

I'm currently excavating the guest room. I've been storing all kinds of miscellaneous junk in there, and "tidying for guest" has become "purge all kinds of crap." *vbg*

"Leverage"

[allaboutm-e.livejournal.com]

Best moment -- the "I saw a horse attack a clown" flashback! :)

[jperceval.livejournal.com]

Very true, LOL! Once I'm done with the office today, I'll seek it out.