The taste test

Some time ago, Dr Nik made some pickled jalapenos and gave a jar to me. Since they were pickles, fresher wasn't better so it needed to sit around for a bit. Well... it was time for the taste test. Dr Nik's own versus the all Australian company made from imported ingredients off the shelf version.

So how do you compare them? Well... first you make the condiment...



Mmmmm. Excuse for Mexican food. Then you put it on some corn chips with some grated cheese on top, douse liberally in Tabasco sauce, and forget to take a photo. Then you try them side by side. Which was better? Dr Nik's by far! Why? The other one tasted a bit like jalapeno and a lot like vinegar. Dr Nik's tasted a lot like jalapeno with some nice spices added. When the jar is finished I'm going to keep the pickling rock just in case he decides to come back just to make another batch.

What price, victory?

On the weekend, I fought in the final tournament of a most noble series of tournaments for this:

That's right. It's an ounce of gold. Was I mighty?

Sometimes. Sometimes not.

So what price for victory? I don't know since I didn't win. Certainly not as much as the price for not having the victory. The winner well deserved the prize. I certainly earned my own prize of this and a few others just like it.


It was great fun, and certainly a noble contest. I am grateful to those who organised it and those who took part. There was something different about the tournament. Not the monetary value of the prize, but the idea behind it and the medieval and chivalric character created by a prize of refined precious metal which will hopefull now become a piece of jewellery or some other decoration. That ounce of gold now has a history which I hope will not be forgotten.

I would also like to thank the very lovely DestructoMeg for being the photographer extraordinaire.

Release Sarah Tonin!

On the way home today I was reminded of one of the reasons I study. I handed in my assignment earlier today, and about half an hour or so later, my brain decided that I needed some seratonin to celebrate. Yay! Possibly not the easiest way to feel good, but it worked. Hopefully the feeling lasts a bit longer when the marks come back!

We've hit the society pages!

This morning I received an email inviting me and my partner to a premiere black-tie event. We were offered some spare tickets from a commercial vendor (which we do use). A fund raising charity event complete with celebrity host! It is also apparently a professional networking opportunity (wouldn't want it to just be about the charity would we?) Alas it was at short notice and we are already booked, but it's the thought that counts.

Look out trashy newspaper columns, here we come!