By David Futrelle
A quick little update post.
First off, GIANT THANKS to everyone who’s donated during this fund drive! I can’t do this blog without you, and I appreciate everything you all do to help, whether your donations are large or small or if you contribute to the blog in some other way.
If you can’t donated yet, please do! Pledges are running behind what I need to cover costs, and every little (or big) bit helps!
I’m going to extend the pledge drive for at least a few more days, and will have another update soon. THANKS!
Second, sorry that posts have been light over the past couple of days!
As some of you know, I have problems with chronic migraines that can interfere rather severely with my productivity. Right now I’m in a difficult spot, trying (on the advice of a neurologist) to break a vicious cycle of rebound headaches by more or less going cold turkey on my regular migraine meds and all other painkillers, which means I basically have to deal with my headaches raw for now in hopes of fewer headaches in the future. Hopefully this process won’t take more than a few more days, but until it’s over posts will be light.
I’ve also fallen behind on emails, but please keep on sending tips!
Thanks for understanding. Thanks for everything!
@kupo:
Yep, that’s more or less how I saw it start as a term online, too.
Fun fact, my SJWness (modern connotation, which of course is just anyone a mangry dude disagrees with) on other websites has led to me getting misgendered as a woman more than once.
@Scildfreja:
Practically my entire therapy session today was spent with me talking about how I ended up getting pushed into being such a vocal opponent of those types of people thanks to how strongly I disagreed with them and how I started actually learning about the things feminists talk about rather than just believing I knew better due to being a straight white male.
EDIT: oops, I typed “schild” again. I told you I always do that. XD
@Scildfreja
We’re talking about taking out $50,000 in federal loans just to pay for tuition for an associate’s degree with minimal general education requirements. Not a 4 year degree, a 2 year degree for fucking 50K. Most of that money goes to marketing, not making the programs better.
Obama wanted to mostly allow that because it might be possible to get the schools to fill a niche. But he wanted the schools to emphasize majors like computer programming and systems administration that have higher rates of gainful employment for that degree level (and don’t require “hard” classes like calculus or chemistry). That’s what Betsy DeVos opposed. She wants the school to be allowed to offer expensive vocational degrees that give you zero employment prospects or transfer credit just to get your money and taxpayer money. That’s how bad she is.
I…what. my AAS was around 1/5th that. Hell, my total for my AAS and BS together is less than that.
Also, I just want to point out that computer programming does require calculus, at least if you’re doing a Computer Science degree.
Thanks everyone!
@ Imaginary Petal
Unfortunately, oils are currently verboten, since they’re almost always between 100-125 kcal per tablespoon…not that it stops me completely (at least regarding sesame oil, but only because I never need more than a dash). Haven’t heard of Earth Balance before now, though, and I haven’t looked through margarines, yet (totally forgot they existed, actually), so thanks!
@ EJ
I haven’t, mostly because I’m not allowed meat yet for a few more weeks (I’ll be able to try lean meats then). Currently trying things that are entirely vegetable-based, which has mainly entailed trying to make my own so far. And trying not to burn too many pots in the process.
@ Wicked Witch of Whatever
Thanks! I can’t do butter or oils yet, so I’ve been at a bit of a loss how to sautee without oils…once I got that settled, though, I’ll absolutely try that! Haven’t used leeks, yet, and I’ve been essentially combining spices at random so far, so following your recipe will help.
@ opposablethumbs
Totally stealing that garlic idea and using it with mashed cauliflower.
@ kupo
If that recipe also works with vegetables, totally gonna try it this weekend. If it only works with soup bones, I’ll try it next month. Either way, saved.
Yes. At my local community college you need calculus for the AS in Computer Science (the major that prepares you to transfer to a BS at a state university). The “Computer Programming” AS only requires college algebra and it focuses on getting a job rather than transferring.
They should probably require linear algebra for both majors since that’s arguably more important than calculus nowadays. At least they should require a “business linear algebra” that’s easier and emphasizes applications. But I still think my upper division linear algebra was my funnest class ever. ?
BTW, Gilbert Strang’s OCW course is great if you want to brush up on your linear algebra: https://ocw.mit.edu/courses/mathematics/18-06-linear-algebra-spring-2010/index.htm
@Ray of Rays
I haven’t tried it with just veggies. I would skip the first step in that case, but I have a recipe I’ve been meaning to try from my new vegan cookbook. I’ll try to remember to share it tonight.
@dslucia, 😀
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v1c2OfAzDTI
@History Nerd, I, ah, I’m pretty familiar with the costs of education too 😀 And she’s just going to make it worse, and worse, and worse. I’m pretty sure she makes a huge amount of money off of securities backed by student loan debt, after all. She’s as close as the world has to a literal lich – sucking the life force out of the young and vital to maintain her immortal, necrotic power.
Have tried to set her on fire with my mind. I still haven’t gotten the trick to that yet.
@Scildfreja
My debt “could be higher” (not what some people take out for medical school nowadays). But it’s more manageable because I’m not married/no kids and I have very good references from my master’s program and good technical skills. I’m looking to do a job plus PhD thingy.
I tried setting people on fire with my thoughts also. It doesn’t work.
@Scildfreja:
I wonder if I always want to add an ‘h’ because of words like “school” and “scholar”, ’cause that’s the way I pronounce your nym.
Is that even correct, or would it be something like “sildfreja”? Have I asked that before? I feel like I’ve seen a discussion about it. XD
re: broth
I have not tried this but it sounds like it would work:
http://www.slate.com/blogs/browbeat/2016/10/21/how_to_easily_make_great_soups_all_winter.html
It is essentially a vegetable bouillon recipe. You whip it up and then hydrate into broth as needed.
eta: If you don’t want to read the copy twice, here is a direct link to the recipe:
https://food52.com/recipes/64146-the-river-cottage-s-vegetable-bouillon-a-k-a-souper-mix
@Ray of Rays
Ok, here’s the recipe from my new cookbook. I haven’t tried it yet but it sounds way yummier than the canned stuff.
Edit: Hmm, that image quality. I’ll try typing it up.
2 leeks, white and light green parts only, chopped and washed thoroughly (2 1/2 cups or 5 ounces)
2 carrots, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch pieces (2/3 cup or 3 ounces)
½ small celery root, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch pieces (3/4 cup or 3 ounces)
½ cup (1/2 ounce) parsley leaves and thin stems
3 tablespoons dried minced onions
2 tablespoons kosher salt
1 ½ tablespoons tomato paste
3 tablespoons soy sauce
For the best balance of flavors, measure the prepped vegetables by weight. Kosher salt aids in grinding the vegetables. The broth base contains enough salt to keep it from freezing solid, making it easy to remove 1 tablespoon at a time. To make 1 cup of broth, stir 1 tablespoon of fresh or frozen broth base into 1 cup of boiling water. If particle-free broth is desired, let the broth steep for 5 minutes and then strain it through a fine-mesh strainer.
Process leeks, carrots, celery root, parsley, minced onions, and salt in food processor, scraping down sides of bowl frequently, until paste is as fine as possible, 3 to 4 minutes. Add tomato paste and process for 1 minute, scraping down sides of bowl every 20 seconds. Add soy sauce and continue to process 1 minute longer. Transfer mixture to airtight container and tap firmly on counter to remove air bubbles. Press small piece of parchment paper flush against surface of mixture and cover. Freeze for up to 6 months.
@dslucia, I’ve talked about it a little bit but it’s been awhile. I don’t know why I like screen names that are little rollercoasters, I just do.
“Scild” is just sort of a strange configuration of phonemes in the english-speaking brain these days. SCI is fine, and LD is fine, but they don’t mix well. If it helps, “scild” is the old english word for “shield”. The word morphed from one to the other around – I dunno – 11th or 12th century I’m gonna guess? Part of the Norman influence I imagine. So the name is “Shield-freya” or shieldmaiden, though when I say it aloud I tend to put a more nordic spin on the pronunciation, as I think it’s likely more proper. I’m far from a linguist though!
That looks super tasty kupo!
The for-profits tend to give online higher education a bad reputation. It’s a shame because online education can be done well with lower costs and benefit non-traditional students and people with disabilities.
@Ray of Rays
any plant-based butter substitute will still have oils. If you’re in the US, Earth Balance has several blends (w & w/o soy, organic, etc). I’ve noticed ads for I can’t believe it’s not butter’s new vegan, but I haven’t tried it or seen the ingredients. There are whipped containers and sticks. Sticks are mostly soy. The last sticks I bought, I got at Aldi, so they are some hidden brand.
most artificial butter flavorings are vegan, so it’s not really hard to make a vegan butter and I do have a recipe for a homemade that I have not attempted yet. The butter does not have the same greasy fat thing, though, just the flavor.
@everyone talking about broth
You all are so fancy. I have a big ziploc bag in my freezer with all the bits and ends and peels from appropriate vegetables*, mushrooms and herbs. When it’s full, I cover the contents with water, add some peppercorns and seaweed and let it boil (or these days, throw it in the Instant Pot). Cool, strain. I’ve made fancier versions for special occasions and they’re lovely, but I’m not able to compost where I live now and making stuff for everyday this way feels right.
I definitely followed recipes when I started, but eventually ended up here.
*onions, carrots, celery, leeks, garlic, parsley, potato. I say sweet peppers, tomatoes, summer squash are fine, some don’t. Avoid cabbages and broccolis and anything that would overpower.
@kupo
now that is very interesting and a different approach. Does it say if you can use it straight for umami factor?
Which cookbook is that from?
@eli
It doesn’t say. It’s from Vegan for Everybody by America’s Test Kitchen.
@ eli
Hopefully not this one.
http://img.auctiva.com/imgdata/1/1/9/6/6/7/0/webimg/694685653_tp.gif
This is why I’m wary of people who say they’re humanitarian.
Fungi did diverge from the lineage that we evolved from quite some time after plants did. Which throws up some interesting questions from a vegetarian point of view. They’re scrummy though.
@Alan
Shhh! You’ll blow my cover!
That broth recipe sounds good. I really like salty stuff.
Meanwhile, I didn’t know ITT Tech was this bad (students getting acceptable grades when they never showed up or turned in any work for the entire term, instructors knowing nothing about the subject being taught): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A6GY_AROLC4
@Alan
NOOOOOOOO!
re: fungi. I’m not really a fan, but I’ve been trying to develop a taste. If there’s any possibility of sentience, I’d be more than willing to reconsider 🙂
Hello all. This is not about anything – any watched ‘Bones’ before? Recently i copy plenty series onto my hard drive and watched this one. i like it – start with the dead and then slove but fuck? Too many problems.
In series 4 plenty of transphobia. One episode, victim is trans-female and they call this episode ‘he in the she’ and make jokes about what to say – he or she.
And then another with Japanese doctor. All characters get upset because they cant see if they male or female. Well, one character says, is it important? Which is what i thought – not important. And they all saying ‘o its so hard without pronouns’. Even me, not english, shouting at my laptop ‘say fucking they!’
Then before this doctor going home, one character (very attractive woman) hugs them. Which is not good because after she says ‘its a boy, i felt it’ meaning she sexually assalt that person! Because she felt that person when she huged them. Just because you dont know if someone male or female – you have no right to know. And no right to hug or touch. I /hate/ hug from strange. Only my parents, brothers or girlfiend. I can imagine how angry if same happen that happen to this character.
And also they call UA ‘the Ukraine’ -_-
@Valentine
Ugh, that sounds terrible. I’ve watched a few episodes but never really got into the show.
What is the correct term for UA? I’ve heard “the Ukraine” a lot.
@kupo:
I think it’s just “Ukraine”, but because English likes definite articles we add “the”. Kinda like how talking about the band “Deftones” usually sounds weirder than “the Deftones”.
I could be wrong, though, and I’d be happy to defer to Valentine if there’s another answer.
EDIT: Oh, having read up on it, apparently there’s a whole thing about sovereign nations wrapped up in it as well, which makes sense, as using “the Ukraine” implies disregard for the country’s sovereignty. I like the example Wikipedia used of Lebanon, because it apparently used to be referred to as “the Lebanon” in English.