Korma & things

Chicken Korma [Click on Image to Enlarge] ---------------------- ---------------------- COMMENT Rollercoaster here last night. No sleep until something like 6am. Back to smoking again.  Coffee & cigarettes. Relaxed a little looking for photos of Joan Crawford for a GIF I felt like doing.  Didn't wind up doing anything with the images, but it was fun at the time and it got me sleepy. Playing with photos and GIFS sort of relaxes and tires me.  Next time I'm wired, I might have a shot at making something random.  Although it was an insanely late 'night'/morning, body-clock seems to be slowly adjusting itself.  Was up before noon, so that's good. Did a bit of spot cleaning here and there.  Got so much crap I'll have to get rid of ... just odds and ends (bangles, books, shoes I don't wear and whatever else produces clutter). Got onto kitchen drawer and cupboard shelf reorganisation and drawer lining with contact paper.  Needed it.  But it's such a pain when space is limited.  Not so good with contact paper or anything that requires patience, so the lining's a bit wonky.  lol Found all sorts of things I'd forgotten about:  bottle stops, dough hooks (that don't fit anything), nut crackers, piping tools.  And food I'd forgotten:  powdered milk (must have another crack at gulab jamun); papadums; pearl barley; flava beans etc). Fried up some papadums for a snack (got oil on standby, so that's really handy and cool). A lot more oily than I remember them.  Maybe my oil wasn't hot enough.  Tasted like pork crackling to me. Haven't caught up with much in the way of news or history.  When I'm not wired and distracted, I'm too tired. Dinner was Chicken Korma. Same recipe that I used recently, only this time around I've used cashew nuts only.  Walnuts weren't a success here.  Made a paste with the caramelised onion and the cashews this time.  Very nice. The only thing I'll need to adjust is to go a little easier on the spices.  Tend to be a bit heavy-handed (especially with chilli ... oops).  This one needs a light touch, because you want it mild enough to taste the cashews.

Costs of US-Anglo & Allied Political Persecution of Western Journalist - Assange

ASSANGE *Oops ... error in that US figure in PIC ABOVE -- should read:   USD $20,198,195.56 (above) Costs US-Anglo & Allied Political Persecution of Western Journalist https://govwaste.co.uk/ German Mark -  34,458,192.91 Russian Ruble - 1,442,059,673.43 Indian Rupee - 1,344,038,057.46 Bitcoin - 50,146.41 ---------------------- ---------------------- Argentine Peso - 304,674,468.25 Canadian Dollar - 26,711,645.25 Chinese Yuan - 130,893,783 Colombian Peso - 63,315,236,603.36 Iranian Rial -  605,940,134,503.97 Iraqi Dinar - 22,212,386,762.44 Israeli New Sheqel - 78,476,755.82 Italian Lira - 34,301,802,329.08 Libyan Dinar - 27,978,660.23 Mexican Peso - 356,525,777.36 New Zealand Dollar - 29,419,170.39 Serbian Dinar - 2,250,330,965.40 Syrian Pound - 4,409,994,619.52 ---------------------- ----------------------

Greek Donuts

Greek Donuts ---------------------- ---------------------- COMMENT Greek 'donuts' turned out really yummy -- recipe here. Weird thing is, I strained the falafel oil and used the same oil to fry these up.  Although there was a smell of spices, the donuts didn't taste like falafel.  Maybe it was the cinnamon sauce that saved the day? Next lot I do will be the Somalian ones.  Cardamom sauce and a yoghurt based dough sounds good.  Some of the other recipes on this site look good:  the spice mix and the chutney look appealing, although the chutney looks like a bit more work than I'd like to do. Still have half the Greek donut dough in the refrigerator to fry up tomorrow.  After that, I might have to lay off the donuts for a while.  I've scoffed almost this entire bowl on my own.  Mouth's sort of numb from all the sugar I've consumed.  Main meal was French style chicken in white wine stew with vegetables.  No photo because it wasn't visually appealing.  Sort of looked like spew.  lol Bit rattled at the moment.  Heap of screaming and carrying on down the street freaked me.  Sounded like someone was being attacked.  Didn't know what they were going to do.  Half expected someone to come charging in here, or to have my car damaged again.  It's died down now, but I'm on still on edge.  Neighbourhood's gone down the tubes.  A**holes.

Caesar - Greatness Is Fleeting & Death is Eternal

Caesar Greatness Is Fleeting & Death is Eternal Gaius Julius Caesar b. July 100 BC d. March 15, 44 BC Roman dictator role in demise of Roman Republic & rise of Roman Empire [wikipedia] Documentary https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dxff0fCe9TM Gaius Julius Caesar b. 102 BC - 100 BC d. March 15, 44 BC parents: Aurelia Gaius Julius Caesar, a praetor (army commander or magistrate) -- noble, patrician roots -- not rich or influential in this period -- aunt: Julia - married to Gaius Marius (leader of Popular faction) Sources of info available re Caesar: Roman historians: Suetonius & Plutarch (abt 100 years after Caesar death) Caesar memoir: 'Caesar:  The Gallic War' Character Ruthless, supremely ambitious Upbringing Brought up Rome -- in seedy brothel-lined alleyways of Subura -- well aware of glorious past of family / decides to climb social & political ladder to where he believes he should be -- Roman army the place to start Roman Army -- hero consul Sulla - power at the point of a spear / uses military might to seize control of Rome in civil war -- joins army age 20 / distinguishes self for battlefield bravery in Greece Homosexuality -- Caesar said to have had sexual relationship with King of Bithynia [Nicomedes IV] (northern Turkey) on what is business / diplomatic trip -- Caesar in Turkey to negotiate with king Nicomedes for warships to aid Roman cause -- gossips call Caesar the 'Queen of Bithynia' -- in that era, the issue wasn't male-to-male sex; it was taking the submissive position - role seen as too much like woman -- Caesar response:  seduction of all women in sight -- Caesar uses gossip to his advantage:  social climbing factor (ie King of Nicomedes, of Bithynia) -- vigorous & frequent sexual exploits both men & women inspire poets -- scribe Catullus:  suggests in verse Caesar has come down with something bad -- but this is unlikely  - various diseases ruled out: -- syphilis transmitted later from America w. conquistadores - eliminated -- herpes - would have left physical marks / would have mentioned - eliminated -- gonorrhoea - would have left physical marks / would have mentioned - eliminated -- chlamydia - possible (but no male symptoms) Politics / Law -- Caesar moves from army into politics & law - in 20s -- powerful & persuasive speaker; court cases draw large crowds Pirates [comment:  following is probably derived from Caesar's own boastful account] -- trip to Greece / captured by Greek pirates -- pirates major problem, infested Mediterranean -- pirates demand a large ransom:  20 silver talents (abt $130,000) - a lifetime's wages for Roman soldier -- Caesar laughs at pirates & says he's worth way more:  50 silver talents -- move shrewd:  increases his chances of remaining alive & of maintaining control of situation -- demonstrates that he can remain cool in face of danger -- turns into guest from hell:  demands quiet, orders pirates around, recites own poetry, berates them for not appreciating it -- pirates sick of him; will kill him if they don't get ransom -- Caesar issues threat of his own:  if they release him, he'll return & kill them -- promises he'll come back & crucify them all -- ransom eventually paid; Caesar released Crucified Pirates -- Caesar raises small naval force & makes good his threat -- crucifies the pirates:  painful & lingering death  |  however, he orders their throats cut first -- was the talk of Rome -- doco commentary:  story has ring of truth to it, as what is known of Caesar's later life indicates he was in control Women -- Julius Caesar, pirate slayer, attracts women:  said to have slept with almost all the wives of Rome's aristocrats -- has a series of wives:  4 -- Caesar uses sex with women to dominate women &, by extension, to show dominance over their husbands Ambition -- over the years, aims for top job:  consul, head of govt of Republic of Rome -- just as today's political campaigns are costly, Caesar accumulates debt which could kill his career -- on look-out for allies & money -- suggests an alliance with wealthy Crassus & military hero, Pompey the Great - they agree First Triumvirate - 3 Conspirators - here -- it doesn't matter that he's had affairs with both their wives -- forget the titles, this is equivalent of the city of Rome being divided up by three powerful 'mafia bosses' -- it's about patronage & power:  it's about deciding who gets the large contracts. Gaul Caesar's share of the spoils = Roman Gaul (northern Italy & parts modern France) -- Caesar becomes governor & that gives him absolute power -- but he has a problem, he has a debt -- decides to go to war / in Roman times it is good business -- money to be made in pillaged treasure & slaves -- target:  unconquered parts of Gaul -- main concern was how much profit to be made -- Rome was essentially a system of:  robbery with violence -- 'I came, I saw, I conquered' - battle-line dispatch from Caesar -- battle progress reported in Rome & Caesar is his own reporter via dispatches -- obsessive attention to detail:  crucial element of personality - psychologically needs to be in control of his image -- not leaving it to other people; Caesar the one to decide who Julius Caesar is -- described as master of self promotion & propaganda Bibracte -- Bibracte - scene of bloody battle with Gallic Helvetii tribe (occupied modern Switzerland) -- Bibracte 2,500 ft elevation / highest place for 150 miles - completely dominates landscape -- crucial for Gauls to hold Bibracte / equally crucial for Caesar to take it -- major clash - ruthless:     -- skulls pitted with sword marks     --  Caesar:  Helvetii bravest of all Gallic tribes     -- incendiary bomb unearthed from abt 1,000 years ago     -- a head of arrow shot from Roman catapult / wire cage to contain sticky substance on fire     -- designed to set Gallic settlement on fire     -- example of high-tech weaponry Gauls up against defending against Caesar     -- Caesar armed his legions with the pilum, a javlin-like weapon     -- spears tearing through shields & skewering Gallic warriors     -- pilum = uniquely Roman weapon, specifically designed for army     -- designed to kill / to be thrown at very short distances     -- Gauls never stood chance against pilum     -- shields penetrated to 6" depth, rendering shields useless = exposure to swordsmen     -- Gauls have numbers in their favour -- Caesar on a mission to make himself a hero in Rome -- Caesar sacks & pillages Gallic towns & villages one by one, adding to his wealth Avaricum -- 150 miles south of modern Paris -- Gallic defenders behind fortified walls -- Caesar lays siege to town for 25 days -- when he storms the walls, he overruns weakened defenders -- Caesar's legions slaughter 39,000 men, women & children -- 800 left alive to carry message to other Gauls:  resistance is futile -- Caesar's standing order:  after victory, soldiers to be turned loose to do as they please -- Caesar brags that his men do just as well stinking of perfume -- sex with captives & prostitutes who follow the Roman army = Roman custom -- climax of war with Gaul, Caesar reveals extent of cruelty on battleground 125 miles east of Avaricum Siege of Alesia Siege of Alesia - September, 52 BC -- hill fort, Alesia -- battle site was probably atop Mont Auxois -- Caesar faces army of 80,000 led by Gual's most successful commander, Vercingetorix* *account refers to 'beheaded' but 'strangled' more frequently stated elsewhere Roman Commanders -- cavalry commanders Mark Antony, Titus Labienus + Gaius Trebonius aid Caesar -- against a confederation of Gallic tribes -  under leadership of Vercingetorix of the Arverni -- last major engagement between Gauls and Romans - marking turning point Gallic Wars in favour of Rome -- marking end of Celtic dominance in France, Belgium, Switzerland + Northern Italy Siege -- Vercingetorix retreated with his 80,000 men to immensely strong natural fortification, with sheer cliff faces -- unable to storm fortification, Caesar builds wall around outside, 10 miles long -- 18 kilometres of 4 metre high fortifications - constructed in abt. 3 weeks -- this line was followed inwards by two 4.5 metre wide ditches, also 4.5 metres deep -- one nearest to the fortification was filled with water from the surrounding rivers -- supplemented by mantraps & deep holes in front of ditches & regularly spaced watchtowers, equipped with Roman artillery -- known as:  circumvallation -- to pen in Gauls until starved into submission -- Vercingetorix had inflicted heavy casualties on Caesar's army -- Gallic riders break through fortification / reinforcements inevitable -- Caesar responds with another barricade around own men, finished just in time (a contravallation) -- contravallation extended for 21km -- 250,000 Gallic reinforcements turn up Caesar Refuses Passage to 20,000 Non-Combatants - Watches Them Starve -- over the weeks that pass, penned in Gauls in fort starve -- desperate, Vercingetorix lets 20,000 women & children leave fort, believing Caesar will let them pass -- old people, women & children, useless mouths in terms of war - denied escape by Caesar -- die of starvation - collateral damage / Caesar does not count the numbers -- Gauls watch helplessly as wives and children slowly die Ends Justify the Means -- Are these the actions of psychopath or does this make good strategic sense? -- David Mallott, Analytical Psychiatrist, University of Maryland:     -- tremendously ruthless act; however, Caesar has calculated that ends justify the means. -- Siege of Alesia ends with final pitched battle -- Vercingetorix & 60,000 Gauls break out of fort & storm weak point in Roman lines -- battle lasts all day - Gauls mentally & physically exhausted -- Caesar leads last reserve in person wearing a scarlet cloak so he can be recognised -- Gallic army falls apart & battle is over -- retreating Gauls were slaughtered -- Caesar writes that not a Gaul would have been left alive had his men not been so exhausted from battle Battle at Alesia is the last real organised resistance by the Gallic armies -- Vercingetorix - taken to Rome & held at Tullianum, located in the Comitium in ancient Rome     Tullianum = Mamertine Prison DETOUR:    Others imprisoned at Tullianum:          Saul of Tarsus - Jewish founder of Christianity     -- of 27 books in New Testament, 14 attributed to Paul (ie Saul)     -- later prisoner at Tullianum (Mamertine Prison)         -- conflict with Asian Jews (Roman Asia = Phrygia / pt. Anatolia (now Turkey)         -- led to 2 years imprisonment for Saul              Simon bar Giora, Jewish revolutionary leader     -- captured in Judea     -- brought to Rome to be displayed during the triumphal procession     -- executed in 70 AD     -- leader of a rebel faction during the First Jewish-Roman War in 1st-century Judea     -- helped in defence against Roman advance to Jerusalem 66 AD     -- assault on hindmost Roman troops / put into disarray     -- led many animals carrying weapons of war into Jerusalem     -- rejected by Jerusalem authorities     -- bar Giora = popular leader of rebellious peasantry     -- Jerusalem leaders wanted means of moderating revolt & negotiating with Romans     -- bar Giora then gathered large numbers of revolutionaries & robbed the wealthy in Acrabbene     -- safe retreat = Masada     -- after Ananus ben Ananus killed in Zealot Temple Siege, bar Giora went to the hills         Ananus ben Ananus (ie Hebrew:  Hanan ben Hanan)         -- Jewish priest         -- former Herodian-era High High Priest of Israel         -- allegedly ordered the execution by stoning of James the Just         -- James the brother of Jesus (ie Yehoshua) - brothers:   James, Jude, Simon & Joses         -- popular opinion turned against him over stoning of James & he was replaced by Roman governor         -- Ananus ben Ananus incited the people to rise up against the Zealots                  Zealots         -- religous/political movement - 1st century         -- to incite Judaea Province to rebel against Roman Empire         -- reportedly robbing the people and using the Temple of Jerusalem as base of operations                  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zealot_Temple_Siege                  Saint Peter         -- ie Shim'on Bar Yona         -- founded the church in Rome with Paul         -- served as its bishop, authored two epistles         -- Peter crucified Rome / Emperor Nero Augustus Caesar         https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Peter                  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mamertine_Prison Vercingetorix  held captive 5 years Tullianum in Rome -- Vercingetorix paraded through Rome streets in chains in triumph -- at climax of parade, Vercingetorix is strangled Gaul Campaign  | Systemic Use of Terror -- Gaul campaign came at an enormous cost in human suffering - almost 20% of the entire population of Gual killed -- equivalent of 50 million US citizens today -- takes Caesar 9 years to subjugate the Gauls -- garrison of Alesia was taken prisoner as well as the survivors of the relief army -- they were either sold into slavery or given as booty to Caesar's legionaries (ie as slaves to legionaries) -- members of Aedui + Arverni tribes, released to secure alliance to Rome -- Caesar wants to make sure they know defeat   2,000 captured rebel hold-outs to carry the message -- Caesar orders that both hands of every man should be cut off -- mutilated men were then sent back to their villages to act as a warning -- systemic use of terror as a means of intimidating targets into not fighting back against the Romans Roman Civil War -- Alesia = major military & political success for Caesar -- senate declared 20 days of thanksgiving for this victory -- but refused Caesar the honour of celebrating a triumphal parade -- 2 years later, 50 BC - Caesar crossed Rubicon (Caesar age 50) -- Roman Civil War 49-95 BC -- each of the years of the civil war, Caesar elected consul -- appointed to several temporary dictatorships -- finally made 'dictator perpetuus' (dictator for life) 44 BC by Roman senate -- increasing personal power = end of Roman Republic & beginning of Roman Empire Caesar's Commanders -- Labinus sided with Optimates, conservative aristocratic faction in civil war -- Labinus killed - Battle of Munda 45 BC -- Trebonius, a most trusted lieutenant - appointed consul by Caesar 45 BC -- Trebonius later involved in Caesar assassination (Ides of March, March 15, 44 BC) -- Trebonius murdered a year later -- Antony, faithful Caesar supporter -- Antony appointed second in command as Master of the Horse - in charge of Italy during civil war -- Antony elected as Caesar's consular colleague 44 BC -- after Caesar assassination, Antony pursued assassins & vied for supreme power with Octavian -- first formed alliance w. Octvian & Marcus Aemilius Lepidus -- Antony then defeated in Battle of Actium 31 BC -- Antony committed suicide Egypt w. Cleopatra 30 BC -- Octavian later became Caesar Augustus First Triumvirate - 3 Conspirators - here -- Caesar made fortune conquering Gaul -- debt free, sets sights on his real goal:  Rome -- alliance has broken down:     -- wealthy Crassus is dead;     -- warrior Pompey, now in charge, is having second thoughts re Caesar -- political opponents accuse Caesar of war crimes -- if Caesar sets foot in Rome, will be persecuted -- Caesar having blackouts & seizures -- 49 BC River Rubicon - border to Italy -- as Governor of Gual, Caesar cannot be prosecuted -- as soon as Caesar crosses Rubicon, he loses immunity -- his only protection is to take his army with him -- but doing so would be declaration of war -- knows if he crosses river, he's launching a military coup -- big decision -- Caesar response:  Let's roll the dice Iacta alea est  |  Cast dice it is ie.  "Caesar chose to rebel, quoting his favorite poet Menander, "the die is cast" (alea iacta est)" [livius] -- Caesar knows the odds are in his favour -- psychologically, crossing the Rubicon means he's thrown out the rule book completely -- whole new ballgame; Caesar in charge -- former ally Pompey is all that stands between Caesar and absolute power -- in that era, where life expectancy low, 50 years was old -- narrator suggests Caesar knew he was living on borrowed time -- Caesar decides to force events -- Caesar chases Pompey & his army around southern Europe -- following 4 years civil war, Caesar defeats Pompey -- Caesar becomes absolute leader of Roman empire -- other victories:  sexual conquest - queen of Egypt, Cleopatra (22 years) -- beds wife of king of Mauritania - later 2 provinces:  Morocco & Algiers -- Richard McLachlan, MD (University of Western Ontario):     -- Caesar's fits likely caused by worm caught on conquest in Egypt     -- 1 year before first seizure, Caesar had spent considerable time in north Africa (Egypt, specifically)     -- Cysticercosis endemic in Egypt at that time - evidence seen in mummies Cysticercosis tissue infection caused by the young form of the pork tapeworm usually acquired by eating food or drinking water that has tapeworm eggs uncooked vegetables are the major source eggs enter the intestine / develop into larvae larvae enter bloodstream and invade host tissues pork tapeworm is particularly common in Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, and Latin America some areas believed to 25% of affected 2010 - caused about 1,200 deaths uncommon in developed countries earliest reference to tapeworms = works of ancient Egyptians abt 2000 BC infection of pork with tapeworm was known to ancient Greeks (384-322 BC, Aristotle 'History of Animals') also known to Jewish physicians (& later Muslim physicians) proposed as one of the reasons pork is forbidden [wikipedia] -- effectively, worms have invaded his organs (incl. brain), caused cysts & seizures Consolidation of Power -- Caesar moves to consolidate power - calls himself dictator for life -- Roman public does not want king -- waters tested w. Mark Antony crown to Caesar & refusal -- Caesar opts to behave as a king, without the title -- decision will cost him his life -- Caesar 56 years old / orders that his statues be placed beside those of old kings of Rome -- orders new calendar, including a month named after himself (July) -- orders coin minted bearing his laurel-leaf crowned image -- first time in Roman history a living person was depicted on a coin -- very close to declaring he is like a king -- for 400 years, Romans have not wanted kings - hence the Republic -- Caesar takes no notice -- discontented body of senators since Caesar had pushed through reforms until 44 BC -- senators among them:     -- Cassius (Caesar's rival) - Caesar slept with his wife     -- Marcus Junius Brutas the younger (someone Caesar considers a friend) - Caesar slept with his mother -- sexual exploits to come back to haunt Caesar -- goodwill Caesar had with senators is long gone -- Ides of March - March 15, 44 BC - Caesar stabbed 23 times -- Caesar described as a goal-driven killer + high on sexual dominance scale -- most similar to Genghis Khan -- people did not believe Caesar a tyrant -- to honour him, built a funeral pyre & burnt his body -- then turned on conspirators who killed their conquering hero -- statue of Caesar is put in Pantheon, building dedicated to gods of Rome -- in death, Caesar is made a god -- first person to receive that honour since Romulus, founder of Rome, 700 years before -------------- Documentary https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dxff0fCe9TM https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Alesia More http://www.livius.org/caa-can/caesar/caesar03.html http://www.vroma.org/~bmcmanus/caesar.html Info from documentary: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dxff0fCe9TM Otherwise, supplemented with info from look-ups in Wikipedia or sources, as marked. ---------------------- ---------------------- COMMENT The psychiatrist in this documentary makes it sound like it's 'not' psychopathy if it's goal directed psychopathy, where the ends justify the means and the individual is in a position of power.  Or that's how it comes across to me.   Will need to come back to this to follow up on the linked materials that I've only skimmed over so far. The brain-eating tape worm sounds absolutely revolting.  Another good reason for quarantine, but negligent governments don't care about that -- they're from a class that's buffered from the consequences of their decisions.  Making war meant profit in Roman times, just as it is today.  Only it was more straightforward and less costly to domestic populations in Roman times, where sale of the defeated into slavery and mass killing of the conquered appears standard.  I like the busts of Caesar, but I'm not sure I like Caesar.  Ruthless, power hungry, sexually exploitative / hedonistic sounding, manipulative propagandist, mass murder.  On the other hand, his military record seems impressive (so far, I think) and he seems fearless (so he probably was a psychopath).  But brain worms and screwing anything that moves aren't so appealing, despite the military prowess.  So maybe he's not all that impressive. Didn't like the facial reconstruction they did on the documentary.  Made him look horrible, where the features were otherwise appealing in statue form. It looks like Caesar will have been dead 2,060 years this 15th March ...  I think.  The backwards dates are confusing. The Christian / Gregorian / Roman dates are insane.   Even the dates are a lie.  The world needs to quit lying and adopt the Hebrew calendar (or whatever's older than that).   It's at least  5776, from when the Hebrews started counting. Not sure I'll remember the mountain of Caesar stuff to follow up on, but it's fun looking.

Falafel

Falafel Right-Click Select:  Open Link in NEW TAB Use Magnifier Tool to ENLARGE ---------------------- ---------------------- COMMENT Resetting the body-clock was a disaster so far ... woke at 3am, was up until 11pm.  Crashed. But then I slept for 13 hours straight.  WTF?  Who sleeps that long???  And who gets up after 13 hours of sleep, feeling sleepy and tired??   Think I liked it better when I as semi 'manic' or something, poring over the news obsessively.  lol Falafel cooking went somewhat better than the planned body-clock reset.  But it began as a disaster.  Rolled home-made falafel mix into small dessert-spoon sized balls, flattened them a little, & arranged them on a tray for a quick chill before frying.  Easier for the inexperienced falafel cook without the requisite falafel scooping gadget. All good ... until I threw some falafel into the oil.  Not hot enough, even after something like 8 minutes heating.  Had to fish it out. Might need some wooden skewers for oil testing.  Apparently, if the oil bubbles around skewer, it's good to go.  Got that off watching what I call 'food porn,' recently. Falafel frying attempt in hot oil:  bubbling.  Bubbling big time.  Seemed OK.  Bubbling's good, right?   Well, it looked like it was all good ... until I tried to fish out a falafel balls to see how the frying process was going.  The f*%$ing falafel balls DISINTEGRATED!!!!!!!!!!!!! Fished out a couple of remaining 'stumps' of falafel and got to quickly remixing and reforming the balls, with a small amount of plain flour. The balls that incorporated some flour didn't fall apart and fried up OK.  But I'm not entirely happy with the texture. The mix I made is just a little too mushy for my taste and needs to be a little more coarse next time.  As I don't really know what I'm doing, how coarse/textured will depend on experimenting to see what I can get away with in terms of falafel balls that don't fall apart. I'm working with tinned chickpeas, so maybe that's where the problem lies.  As in, the chickpeas would probably be waterlogged compared to those traditionally used, starting from scratch with dried chickpeas and soaking them overnight or whatever they do. The lot I mixed up didn't need additional water for the same reason, so that was pointless and counter-productive for me.  After frying off a trial batch of falafel balls remixed with flour, I've had to then drain the oil through a fine sieve to fish out the residue.  Annoying.  Should have only tested with one, instead of tossing in several.  General falafel mix: Chickpeas, x3 cans (drain & rinse) Onion, x2 medium garlic, x5-6 cloves coriander, x1 bunch parsley, half bunch salt cumin coriander powder chilli powder cinnamon powder (small amount) baking powder, 1 tsp 2 slices fresh crumbed bread (food processor) plain flour The spices were on a 'whatever' basis ... whatever I think will taste good.  Can taste the mix to make sure there's enough salt & spices.  Other spices can go in there, as well.  But the above is enough for me. Think I might need to prepare this on a few consecutive days to get the feel for what will work best. Final result wasn't too bad, but I need to maybe take it easy with the degree of food-processing next time. Update Made up a batch of dry chickpeas, soaked overnight. Some panic thinking there's no way the mix was going to adhere as it seemed too crumbly.  Put in a small amount of flour and tested a batch that kind of just adhered.   Cooked up really well.  No problem with falling apart. The texture is very nice.  Much better than the canned chickpeas version. Falafel - Version #2

Ides of March - 15th March (Roman Calendar)

Ides of March -- corresponds to 15 March (Roman calendar) -- day marked by a number of religious observances -- notorious as date of the assassination of Julius Caesar in 44 BC -- Brutus + [fellow assassin] Cassius, dead within couple of years -- republic unable to be restored -- more permanent dictatorship ushered (ie Roman emperors) Julius Caesar -- reportedly sought dictatorship (vs. traditional republican govt) -- quest for power = assassination conspiracy by prominent Romans Christian calendar diverged significantly late 1500s -- Julian calendar (revision of Roman calendar, by Julius Caesar) -- Gregorian calendar (Catholic countries, Europe) -- Ides of March, in roman times: -- deadline for settling debts -- 'ides' fm. L. 'divide' -- date sought to split month (originally on full moon) -- calendar months & lunar cycle out of sync - connection soon lost Roman ides: -- 15 March -- 15 May -- 15 July -- 15 October -- 13 Jan, Feb, April, Jun, August, Sept, Nov, Dec. SOURCE http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2012/03/120315-ides-of-march-beware-caesar-what-when-shakespeare-quote/   Soothsayer. Caesar!   Caesar. Ha! who calls?     Casca. Bid every noise be still: peace yet again!     Caesar. Who is it in the press that calls on me?     I hear a tongue, shriller than all the music,     Cry 'Caesar!' Speak; Caesar is turn'd to hear.     Soothsayer. Beware the ides of March.     Caesar. What man is that?     Brutus. A soothsayer bids you beware the ides of March.     Caesar. Set him before me; let me see his face.     Cassius. Fellow, come from the throng; look upon Caesar.     Caesar. What say'st thou to me now? speak once again.     Soothsayer. Beware the ides of March.     Caesar. He is a dreamer; let us leave him: pass. SOURCE http://www.opensourceshakespeare.org/views/plays/play_view.php?WorkID=juliuscaesar&Act=1&Scene=2&Scope=scene ---------------------- ---------------------- COMMENT Stand by for the 'Ides of March' .... ;) That passage's about all the Shakespeare I can handle.  lol History's really cool, tho. Might have to check out Julius Caesar once I get some practical things out of the way here. Edit:  this Caesar doco looks interesting: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dxff0fCe9TM

Roman Goddess Juno: Matronalia Festival - 1 March Juno Feast

Roman Goddess Juno:   Matronalia Festival - 1 March Juno, Roman Goddess 2nd Century Restoration LINK | Source photo credited to:  Marie-Lan Nguyen Juno -- protector & special counsellor of Roman state -- queen of gods -- daughter of Saturn -- sister-wife of Jupiter (chief god) -- mother of:  Juventas (Youth), Mars & Vulcan -- patron goddess of Rome & Roman Empire -- referred to as 'Regina' (queen) -- worshipped as triad:  Juno + Jupiter + Minerva -- on the Capitol (Juno Capitolina) in Rome Capitolium pl. Capitolia -- Roman temple dedicated to triad:  Jupiter, Juno & Minerva Juno Moneta -- as Juno Moneta (who warns), guarded finances of empire -- on Arx (one of two Capitoline hills), temple dedicated to Juno Moneta -- Temple to Juno Moneta established 1 June 344 BC  [2] -- on the site of the house of Manlius Capitolinus  [2] -- in fulfilment of vow for victory over Aurunci [2] -- close to Roman mint -- Juno worshipped in other cities & temples built in honour Matronalia -- 1 March - Matronalia (feast of Juno Lucina, Goddess of Childbirth  [2]) - lambs & other cattle sacrificed to Juno -- 7 July - Nonae Caprotinae ('The Nones of the Wild Fig') -- month of June named for Juno -- Juno protecting & guardian spirit of females -- Jono's symbol:  peacock http://www.pantheon.org/articles/j/juno.html [2]  http://decodedpast.com/roman-goddess-juno-month-of-june/10241 Juventas (goddess of youth) -- boys offered Juventas coin first time they wore toga (men's attire) -- Temple of Juventas on Capitol = more ancient than that of Jupiter -- second temple at Circus Maximus http://www.pantheon.org/articles/j/juventas.html Evocatio Rome adopted various Italic cults of Juno after conquest of their cities -- via Roman practise referred to as 'evocatio' -- evocatio:  petition of deity of enemy city to abandon original host & transfer allegiance to Rome -- as incentive, Romans promised Temples & cults to deity -- in time of King Romulus, Titus Tatius (Sabine ally) brought cult of Juno Quiritis to Rome -- 396 BC cult of Juno Regina transferred from Veii to Aventine Hill, Rome -- 338 BC Juno Sospita transferred to Rome Moneta -- fm. monere (to warn) -- moneta associated with coinage due to proximity of Temple to mint Lucina -- according to Roman historians, name derived either from:        Ovid     -- lux (pl. of luces - L. for 'light' - esp. daylight; or        Cicero     -- lucere - 'to shine' - eg moonlight    As Rome expanded wider territory, goddesses of conquered peoples affiliated with Roman goddesses: -- Tanit (Carthaginian) -- Hera (Greek) http://decodedpast.com/roman-goddess-juno-month-of-june/10241 Matronalia Roman religious festival aka  Matronales Feriae ancient festival of Juno celebrated March 1 cult established by Titus Tatius, king of Sabines -- celebration of the birthday of Juno son Mars, the god of war -- Jupitor was not Mar's father:  it was magical flower, lily -- festival = procession of married women to temple to make offerings to Juno -- also, prayers for marital happiness conducted at home -- wives received gifts from husbands -- feast was given for female slaves Feriae = festival, holiday The goddess Juno and the currency of Rome http://historybytez.com/2015/10/07/the-goddess-juno-and-the-currency-of-rome/ Juno http://www.ancient.eu/Juno/ ---------------------- ---------------------- Theodosius the Great ruled the Roman Empire 378-395 {last sole Roman emperor} dramatically expanded Christian power -- at the expense of the state & traditional religion -- declared his preferred version of Christianity the only legal state religion -- settled disputes b/w Christian sects -- merged church & state for over 1,000 years Council of Nicea 325 -- Nicea (now Iznik, Turkey) -- meeting of 300 bishops from across Roman empire -- dispute over Arianism -- Council of Nicea condemned the teachings of Arius -- adopted a creed outlining correct belief about the 'son's' relationship to the 'father' -- ie  Nicean Creed -- council determined god =  3  parts:  'father', Jesus 'the Son', and 'the Holy Spirit' / trinity of equal proportions -- controversy continued -- 380 - several churches support Arian position:  god = singular entity -- Theodosius strongly opposed Arian position & opposed imperial policy of religious freedom -- Theodosius suppressed Arians and banned their beliefs -- Theodosius had First Council of Constantinople mend schism in Trinitarians' favour -- First Council of Constantinople declared Arian position heresy -- Theodosius enforced the heresy ruling -- motivation for unity = religious & political -- empire needed uniformity / church & state was linked = uniform church doctrine required to avoid conflicts -- new Christian Empire persecuted pagan religions -- Theodosius reiterated a ban on sacrifice & outlawed auspice (divination of actions of birds) - penalty death -- Theodosius destroyed pagan temples -- Theodosius deprived heretics of civil rights -- requirement of citizenship (for first time in history) = orthodoxy -- Theodosius used army to suppress pagan militants -- Theodosius cut all funding to pagans -- Theodosius oversaw a massacre of 7,000 -- Bishop of Milan excommunicated Theodosius -- first instance of church officials overruling & publishing secular officials -- Theodosius forced to do 7 months' penance -- this helped to establish church supremacy over state -- process of linking church & state began with Constantine / Theodosius completed church-state link -- underground religion now ruled empire -- 385 CE - Bishop Priscillian tried & executed for heresy by Theodosius court -- first time civil govt ordered execution of another Christian to serve Christian religious agenda http://www.examiner.com/article/theodosius-merges-church-and-state Theodosius the Great d. 395 Roman Empire - West / East Rule -- sons: 1.  Honorius - appointed emperor of West  (12 years old)     Master of Soldiers, Flavius Stilicho (half Vandal half Roman, married to cousin of Theodosius)     appointed guardian     / daughter of Stilicho married to 12 year old Honorius in 395    2.  Arcadius - appointed emperor of East Invasions 403 - fear of Visigoth invasion -- Stilicho draws troops from Rhine, Britain & elsewhere to halt advance 404 - Honorius moves residence from Mediolanum (Milan) to saftey of Ravenna 405 - Ostrogoths cross Alps into Italy -- decisively defeated by Stilicho at Faesulae https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Faesulae_%28406%29     Radagaisus - Gothic king, pagan - executed after defeat of his 20,000 men (est.) at Florentia (Forence, Tuscany)     -- entire families & other non-combatants accompanied warriors:  total possibly 100,000 persons     12,000 Gothic men drafted into Roman army     so many others sold into slavery that slave market briefly collapsed     *these Goths later joined Alaric I --> conquest of Rome 410     https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radagaisus 406 - huge numbers of:  Vandals, Suevi, Alemanni, Alans and Burgundians cross Rhine -- Moguntiacum & Treviri fall -- invaders spread into Gaul - destruction spreads -- Stilicho buys off Visigoths -- demand for 4,000 pounds of gold (1,814 kg) -- senate objects -- Stilicho forces compliance -- senators conspire to depose of Stilicho -- accused of plotting with Alaric (Visigoths leader) to depose of Honorius to make own son emperor of west -- troops at Ticinum stage rebellion against Stilicho -- 408, Stilicho surrenders to emperor at Ravenna & is executed -- disaster:  Stilicho German soldiers go over to Alaric to avoid persecution by Romans -- Alaric no longer satisfied with bribes for peace, marches on Italy -- Rome rescued by another enormous payment by a reluctant Honorius -- Alaric and Honorius briefly co-exist Italy -- 410 Alaric camp attacked by Sarus (another Visigoth leader) -- Alaric took this to be attack on behalf of Honorius; breaks off negotiations & marches Rome -- agents within Rome open gates 24 Aug. 410 CE -- Visigoths descend on Rome & sack city over 3 days -- Alaric moves south, dies unexpectedly & brother in law (Athaulf) takes over -- Emperor Constantine III empire collapsing -- empire broke down:     1.  revolt of officers Spain;     2.  military talent of Constantius Constantius III b. Naissus (now Nis, Serbia) -- career soldier -- rank of magister militum under Honorius -- 'Master of Soldiers' - war theatre commander (emperor remaining supreme commander) -- 411 - battles & defeats usurpers in south of France (Arles):     -- Gerontius, general of Maximus (usurper)     -- Constantine III (usurper) -- Constantine forced to surrender when his troops joined another usurper (Jovinus) -- Constantine, who had become ordained priest, was granted safe passage by Constantius     (but later captured & killed by him) -- 412 - expelled Visigoths (Athaulf) from Italy -- 413 - held first consulate -- 414 - begins military offensive v. Visigoths -- Ataulf appoints Priscus Attalus as emperor -- Constantius blockade on Gallic ports / Visigoths flee from Gaul to Hispania 415 -- Attalus captured & sent to Ravenna -- Constantius does deal with Visigoth king Wallia (successor) -- in exchange for wheat & territory in Aquitaine Visigoths pledge to fight for Romans -- Visigoths = official allies / vassal state (foederati) of Romans -- Vandals, Alans & Suebi stationed in Hispania / agreement made for release of Honorius' sister captured sack of Rome 410 -- Constantius appointed patricius (patrician / noble) -- 417 - 2nd year as consul (highest elected political office of Roman Republic)     -- historically, consuls =         - extensive peacetime powers            (administrative, legislative + judicial)         - highest military command in war         - earlier duties incl. religious duties         - consuls read auguries (birds movement)         - essential before leading armies        Ravenna -- capital city of the Western Roman Empire -- from 402 - to collapse:  476 [wikipedia] Source = wikipedia where not otherwise marked ---------------------- ---------------------- COMMENT Thought it really cool that today is Juno's feast day. I inadvertently sacrificed some oil, having made some donuts for breakfast ... and burnt the oil I'd intended to set aside. Managed to sleep during part of the night (yay!), but I woke up at 3am ... thinking of donuts.  So I got up at 3am, surfed 'food porn,' made donuts and eventually had breakfast at something like 5:30am. These turned out quite nice (if you don't mind a dense donut).  If there's a 'next time' I'll be adding heaps more sugar to the mix. It's just a thick, sticky yeast dough (with x3 eggs) that's spooned into hot oil, after resting for 30 minutes. As nice as the latest food experiments have been, I need to stop looking at fattening 'food porn,' as it leads to food cravings, cooking experiments and stacking on weight.  Not sure how I'll mange this:  either I cook and I cook the artery-clogging foods I tend to crave, or I don't cook at all.   There's no middle ground, and certainly no enthusiasm for low-fat meals.  Really enjoyed checking out the Roman info. Don't like Theodosius.  Cannot understand why he would want to endorse (and enforce) some phony foreign religious doctrine that he's effectively placed above the state. It's anger provoking to see churches built over Roman temples. It looks as though Christianity incorporates pagan-style trinities: 1.  the Jesus figure, the Virgin Mary figure & the god figure; 2.  the god, 'son of god' & 'holy spirit' symbols. Guessing it's probably to make the break-away foreign religion eventually adopted by Rome (and imposed on Europe) maybe appeal to the pagan European populations of the time. Not sure why they'd bother with this in Europe, when Europe was largely 'converted' by force. Maybe it's an attempt to legitimise the religion by fitting it in with existing traditions and cycles, to prevent lapse to older traditions (were the new religion to innovate new traditions)? It appears that incorporating a bunch of extraneous traditions may help gain and/or retain followers: Syncretism "Catholicism in Central and South America has been integrated with a number of elements derived from indigenous and slave cultures ... while many African Initiated Churches demonstrate an integration of Protestant and traditional African beliefs." "Catholicism in South Korea has been syncretized with traditional Mahayana Buddhist and Confucian customs that form an integral part of traditional Korean culture. As a result, South Korean Catholics continue to practice ancestral rites and observe many Buddhist and Confucian customs and philosophies."  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syncretism However interesting religion is from a historic and cultural perspective, it's easy to forget that religion is mass delusion and/or fraud. Incredulously, in this day and age, religion is still kowtowed to by the state. Despite: 1.  the notion that the state that is officially separated from religion; 2.  despite what is otherwise presumably the age of reason, enlightenment, modernity etc. Giving religion any state/official credence is participating in a fraud and participating in keeping the masses ignorant, while enabling charlatans to wield political and social power. The state ought to deny superstition instead of being complicit in bolstering it by engaging in public relations lip service displays, by granting political concessions, by granting practical concessions (tax benefits, program funding etc), or by granting special protections (eg. those that result in various lawsuits and payouts on account of what amounts to pursuit of superstition), or facilitating state-imposed erection of unwanted (and incompatible with state culture) religious structures. Instead of embracing reason, modernity and freedom from superstition, the state reinforces & validates superstition by entering into dialogue with adherents of superstition, paying lip service to superstition or otherwise playing a part in legitimising superstition.  In the process, the 'non-religious' state's taking the lot of us down the path of oppression-by-religion, thanks to the new global state religion:   universal 'human rights' ideology.  An ideology that is modern religion, oppression and facilitation of oppression by religion, all wrapped in one. The new religion is much like the former religion:  it's just a political tool to manipulate the gullible masses that are dominated, deceived and eventually brainwashed to serve the interests of those at the top. I was going to delete this because it sounds so negative, but I'll let it stand because it's what I think. Now I'm off to check out some falafel recipes.  I'm hanging to make some decent falafel for a change.  So far, all my attempts have been lame:  the mix usually falls apart on me.  If I try to bind it, it tastes like crap. This lady looks like she knows what she's doing -- here.  Wish I had one of those falafel gadgets.  Makes it look so easy.   One more shot at it can't hurt. Hey, this craving is sort of healthy:  falafels, hummus and salad in flat bread.  Maybe I should live on nothing but falafel.  I think that any time I hit on something I think I'd like to have every day.  But I don't live alone, so the same meal every day until I get sick of it is out of the question ...   lol  :)