Like Visiting Old Friends

Recently I have begun re-reading the Harry Potter series for the umpteenth time.  It’s taking me bit longer than normal, as I’m reading other books and stories in between, but I always come back to Harry.  I am currently reading The Goblet of Fire which, I think, is my favourite.  I will never forget the physical reaction I had to the death of Cedric Diggory.  I love reading (obviously) and stories illicit many emotions from me, but still, it’s not often that I have a physical reaction like gasping out loud, or putting my hands over my eyes (as if that will help).  But I did with this book.  And here I am, reading about Cedric all over again.  Even though I know what will happen to him, it’s still fun watching him go through the trials of the Triwizard Tournament as if he has a chance. (as an interesting aside, Cedric Diggory is 17 years old. The same age as Edward Cullen when he ‘died’.  Yet I am struggling to imagine that rosy faced Cedric as portrayed in the movie fighting werewolves and procreating.  Strange.)

That’s the great thing about books you see.  No matter where the story takes the characters or how the book ends, you can always go back and visit with them again.  And again.  And again.  Which is a bittersweet thing if one of your favourite characters dies.  You get to go through the story with them again, which is great, but you know what their destiny is, which is sad.  But not all your favourite characters die, and I love going back and meeting with Anne of Green Gables, or Jo March and reliving their adventures.  They’re my friends, and it’s good to catch up, even after long absences.

I have read the Harry Potter series at least 8 times but probably much more than that, as I re-read it with the release of each book and each movie. This time around is great, because I’m reading my special edition books, most of which I’ve only read once.  Originally I only had the general editions, the special editions being a gift from my parents in 2006.  The special edition Deathly Hallows I haven’t even cracked open yet, but I will within the next two months.

The Harry Potter series: my special edition set

Who are your favourite characters to revisit?  Or do you never return to books you’ve already read, as you know the way they end?  Readers all have differences and we’d love to know yours.

Real Women Don’t Eat California Rolls

Tower of Pisa from Sushi Axiom in Addison, Tx

Before I begin, thanks to my friend, Rachel, for the Advil gel caps. Without them, this blog post would not be possible.

So, Nikki and her sister went out for sushi last weekend. My dear, sweet friend apparently has a problem with the seaweed. I find this odd. I’ve never given the seaweed another thought. It’s just a container… you know, it’s what holds all the good stuff in… like a, uh… like a taco shell!

Oh, wait. Nikki’s never had a taco before. Bad analogy.

Anyway. I’ve been eating sushi since around 1999, I’d estimate. The first time I went was with my sister, who was– until then– the pickiest eater I’d ever met. Her med-school boyfriend, Chad, had convinced her to try it, and in turn, she convinced me to. I’ve only had one piece of sushi in my life that I didn’t like: octopus. It was at a hibachi restaurant, and I tried it on a dare. It was so chewy that my teeth literally couldn’t cut it. I had to shamefully dispose of the little guy in my napkin.

Sorry, little guy. You died in vain.

Anyway. I wanted to show Nikki all the awesome things they can do with sushi that will totally distract her from the seaweed (if the rolls even have them). This is the way to go.

My local friends and I went to a local place called Sushi Axiom. It’s less than a mile from my apartment (score!) and has a nice selection of rolls and other sushi-ish treats. This is going to be a post that’s heavy on the (bad) photography. My iPhone has seen better days.

We started with the Tower of Pisa (pictured above), which is layers of spicy tuna, kana crab, avocado, cucumber, and sushi rice topped with tri-colored sauce. It was a little spicy, but a lot heavenly. We each ordered two rolls that sounded good on the menu, but we tasted a little of each others’ dishes.

My friend Clarinda had the Double Happiness (tempura-fried crab, cream cheese and avocado topped with spicy tuna and black tobiko) and the Mt Axiom (crab meat, tempura-fried tiger shrimp, cucumber and cream cheese wrapped with kana crab stick and drizzled in four sauces). Double Happiness was refreshing. Mt. Axiom was very tasty. 🙂 Both are pictured below.

Double Happiness & Mt Axiom

Katie chose the Crunchy Tuna (tempura-fried tuna, asparagus and crab meat with wasabi cream and chili sauce) and the Cherry Blossom (tempura-fried tiger shrimp, crab and cucumber, garnished with tuna and avocado and topped with signature sauces. I didn’t try the Crunchy Tuna, but it looked really good and everyone else raved about it. The Cherry Blossom was so pretty, and I’m not sure what’s in those signature sauces, but they made the dish. Yummmm.

Crunchy Tuna & Cherry Blossom

Rachel, the drug pusher (thanks again!), had the local Addison Roll (that’s the city the restaurant is in) and the… well, the California Roll. I’m not going to explain the California Roll. It’s the most ubiquitous sushi out there. It’s the gateway sushi that’ll get you hooked on all of its little sushi friends. The Addison Roll (tempura-fried crab, shrimp, avocado and cream cheese with sweet soy) was a little sweet, but really good. (I see a trend here… everything seems to be tempura-fried… hmm…)

California Roll & Addison Roll

And finally came my yummy fare. I am a big fan of the Rainbow Roll, and get it nearly every time I go out for sushi. It just looks so colorful and tastes so fresh and good. So I got that as well as something called Lobster Dynamite. The Rainbow Roll is crab meat, avocado and cucumber topped with assorted fish and avocado. Lobster Dynamite was just insanity. This spicy, baked lobster was like candy, topping a tempura-fried shrimp, crab and cream cheese roll. Holy Mary mother of all things holy, was it good.

Rainbow Roll & Lobster Dynamite

So, Nikki, if you look hard, you might see some seaweed, but there are so many other wonderful things in sushi rolls that you don’t even realize it’s there! My advice would be to get a little more adventurous than you think you can be, and the flavors will make you forget all about the wrap that holds it together. If they prepare it right, you won’t even pick up on the texture, either.

Sound like something you can try? Good. Thought so.

Special thanks to Katie, Rachel and Clarinda for joining me tonight on my bloggy mission. I had a great time. PS Rachel, I still think you’re a real woman.

The Lover’s Dictionary by David Levithan

This book is a novel about a relationship that is told in definitions. It sounds strange, I know, but it’s a beautiful piece of art. What I would give for a man to communicate in such profound and moving ways as author David Levithan… and he’s so brief! (We’d never get along, because I’m so wordy!)

Anyway, I found out about this book on Twitter first… and I’m going to honestly say, there’s not much more I can mention about it that will make you want to read it. Mr. Levithan says something compelling in each of his tweets in 140 characters or less. Let me give you recent some examples:

control, n.: Some play relationships like a rivalry, gathering points and allies. Winner takes all, and it doesn’t mean a thing.

or

conscience, n.: It’s not about how you sleep at night; it’s the days that should be harder when you fail someone you love.

and

cold, adj.: You leave the room right after sex, and I lie there and shiver, feeling used and awful.

or this one

codependency, n.: How strange that society tells us we must pair off, then defines this word as harmful.

and

aperture, n.: The things closest to our eyes are the hardest to keep in focus.

or

charade, n.: Three word phrase. First word “I.” Third word “you.” Despite your movements, second word unclear.

And see, those are just letters A-C!! He posts more entries a couple times a week from the twitter account, but the book itself tells a nice story of love, devotion, conflict, betrayal, borderline alcoholism… lots of drama, which I love.

Typically, Nikki and I will post about things we’ve both read, but this is a recommendation for her that she can add to her criz-azy list that she’s compiling.

Nikki’s book list

I really think she’ll enjoy it– and you might, too! It’s a quick read that will stick with you.