Allison Stein's Live Journal

The great yogurt experiment....

darkart42@yahoo.com — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 17:15:21 GMT

I'm a fan of greek-style non-fat yogurt. It's plain. It's creamy. It's all natural. It tastes great with fresh fruit or a drizzle of honey. The downside: It's twice the price of the typical store-brand flavored yogurts.

Somewhere on the Internet, I stumbled across the explanation that greek-style yogurt is simply plain yogurt with less water in it. The article had do-it-yourself instructions for converting regular yogurt into greek yogurt. The results are in -- gravity works, and it works fabulously!

I started with a family-size tub of plain, all-natural, no-artificial-anything non-fat yogurt. I lined a large mesh strainer with a paper towel and placed it over a bowl large enough to support the strainer and deep enough to leave a couple inches of clearance where the water would collect.

I drained the existing water (about 1/4 cup) from the yogurt container and placed the yogurt itself into the paper-lined strainer, covered it with plastic wrap, and left it in the fridge overnight. This morning, I found 2 cups(!) of water in the bowl, leaving thicker, creamier yogurt in the strainer. Less volume, but more yum. I had some with fresh strawberries and honey for breakfast. Double yum.

So much for that experiment

darkart42@yahoo.com — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 14:50:20 GMT

Loudtwitter is down, and perhaps for good, due to catastrophic equipment failure. (See
http://loudtwitter.typepad.com/loudtwitter/2009/07/loudtwitter-is-dead-at-least-for-now-1.html for details.)

It was fun while it lasted. Does anyone know of an easy way to post to one of these three -- Twitter, Facebook, and LJ -- with automatic replication out to the others? I still have something that replicates my Twitter to my Facebook, but not LJ (or Dreamwidth).

Suggestions?

darkart42@yahoo.com — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 04:55:03 GMT

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19:44 Had dinner at Korma Sutra Cuisine of India in Overland Park, KS. Always good. Always too much food. Yum. Tonight: Shrimp Curry. Mmmmmmmmmmm #

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darkart42@yahoo.com — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 04:55:04 GMT

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12:54 Epidemic of "Driving While Stupid" today in Overland Park KS. Would you people just hang up the dang phone and watch where you're going? #

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My Soonercon Schedule ...

darkart42@yahoo.com — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 22:12:04 GMT

It’s going to be an action-packed weekend at SoonerCon in Oklahoma City this weekend! I’ll have art in the show, and lots of programming to participate in with some awesome co-panelists:

FRIDAY

5 p.m. -- Can Art Change The World? (D. Cherry, B. Hodgson, A. Viesca, T. Trammell, A. Stein)

9 p.m. -- Yard Dog Press Party in the Con Suite Always a good time, but beware the Hurling Monkeys!

SATURDAY

1 p.m. -- Can it be fine art if it’s SF? (B. Foster, A. Stein, A. Viesca, B. Hodgson, D. Cherry, T. Harvia)

2 p.m. -- Artist’s Quick Draw Contest (C. Conrad, K. Hopkins, A. Stein, B. Foster, T. Harvia, B. Hodgson)

3 p.m. -- Yard Dog Road Show Always a good time!

6 p.m. -- Setting the Scene: Placement and Composition (A. Stein, B. Young, P. Charlifu, T. Harvia, M. Wytch)

SUNDAY

noon -- Artist’s Jam (A. Stein, P. Bradley, B. Foster, C. Conrad, A. Viesca)

2 p.m. -- Self Promotion and Alternate Marketing for Artists (A. Stein, K. Hopkins, M. Wytch, A. Viesca, P. Chariflu)

3 p.m. -- Fine Art vs Illustration – Is There A Difference? (A. Stein, P. Chariflu, D.L. Anderson, T. Harvia) BTW: I might not make this panel – it’s a long drive back to Kansas City!

Tonight I need to finish my art show prep and paperwork, and then pack for the weekend.Tonight is my last chance to get it all done. Why, you ask? Because my sweetie is taking me to the STYX / REO Speedwagon / .38 Special concert! Rock and Roll!

Testing, testing, 1...2...3...

darkart42@yahoo.com — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 03:17:56 GMT

If all goes well, this will be both my first post on Dreamwidth with a cross post to LiveJournal. A big thank you goes out to alienor77310 for the invite code. So here goes nothing in 3...2...1....

darkart42@yahoo.com — Sat, 30 May 2009 04:55:05 GMT

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08:39 Why our 'amazing' science fiction future fizzled - bit.ly/3IXbZu #cnn #

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darkart42@yahoo.com — Fri, 29 May 2009 04:55:06 GMT

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20:57 There are TWO frisky bunnies in the yard today. You know what THAT means.... #

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darkart42@yahoo.com — Sat, 23 May 2009 04:55:07 GMT

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12:38 Yay! Packing for ConQuesT, I found the red jacket I thought I lost in Tulsa. ConQuesT in 3, 2, 1 ... www.conquestkc.org #

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darkart42@yahoo.com — Fri, 22 May 2009 04:55:06 GMT

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21:26 I really shouldn't get this excited about a box of pens, but I am. #

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My ConQuesT Schedule...

darkart42@yahoo.com — Thu, 21 May 2009 17:42:10 GMT

It's ConQuesT time again! Here's my schedule:

FRIDAY

2 PM (Pershing) Art Show Opens
8:30 PM (Pershing) Author & Artists Reception

SATURDAY

10 AM (Empire 1) Is a blog a fanzine? What are the similarities between a blog and a fanzine and what is different? (My co-panelists will be Diane Turnshek and GOH John Scalzi.)
2 PM (Empire 2) Fast Draw - Pictionary battles among artists. (Come watch me, Rachael Mayo, Marziah Karch scribble. It'll be fun!)
4 PM (Empire 3) Bubba can you spare a dime? Just where the hell did that come from? (It's a Yard Dog thing -- always a good time!)

SUNDAY

11 AM (Empire 1) What makes you think YOU can edit? What does an editor Do? (My co-panelists are John Scalzi, Ellen Datlow, and Selina Rosen. I suspect I'll be moderating so the real editors can talk about what they do. To be honest, I am an editor, just one you've never heard of. I edited a semi-pro SF/F/H e-zine and a couple of chapbooks in the distant past. I continue to critique fiction for my writer's group, and I write/edit non-fiction at the day job.)
1 PM (Main) Guest of Honor Interview: Ellen Datlow (OMG! I'll be interviewing our Toastmaster, the multi-award-winning editor Ellen Datlow, in her showcase event. OMG!)
2 PM (Pershing) Yard Dog Press group signing

Don't forget to stop by the art show and to see my newest paintings....very tiny, but incredibly affordable! And as always, stop by the Yard Dog Press table and Buy My Books!

darkart42@yahoo.com — Thu, 21 May 2009 04:55:11 GMT

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08:36 There is a messy chocolate smoosh in the bottom of my purse. At least it's Godiva, but it's still a waste. And a mess. #
20:11 People! People! People! Do NOT show up at yoga class and announce that you have the flu. Especially if you're the teacher! #

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darkart42@yahoo.com — Wed, 20 May 2009 04:55:50 GMT

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11:33 ConQuesT starts Friday. Here's the last update and link to schedule: conquestkc.org/Update05192009.htm #

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darkart42@yahoo.com — Fri, 15 May 2009 04:55:03 GMT

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08:54 Last night's yoga class bore a strong resemblance to a demented game of Twister. The "ohm"s were more like "ow"s. #

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darkart42@yahoo.com — Thu, 14 May 2009 04:55:05 GMT

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08:47 I've loved classic Star Trek TOS since I first saw it in its original run. I'm loving the new Star Trek movie. I can haz sequel, please? #
13:35 Your KFC grilled chicken coupon now only gets you a raincheck, not a meal 'cuz lots of greedy people didn't follow the rules. Imagine that. #
23:27 ConQuesT online registration ends Sat 5/16; Parking info updated; Masq moves to 7 pm, Details www.conquestkc.org/Update05132009.htm #

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This is soooo my life....

darkart42@yahoo.com — Thu, 14 May 2009 04:52:11 GMT

see more Lolcats and funny pictures

darkart42@yahoo.com — Tue, 12 May 2009 04:55:05 GMT

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08:38 Grrr.... I think I left one of my favorite jackets at Conestoga in Tulsa a couple of weeks ago... and just realized it this morning. #
12:49 So much for airport security... bit.ly/FMwvs
via @addthis #

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darkart42@yahoo.com — Sat, 09 May 2009 04:55:06 GMT

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08:03 Watched the Kansas City Symphony and 150 vocalists perform The Lord Of The Rings symphony, based on Howard Shore's film score. Magnificent! #
12:01 For future reference, if you're sick with the flu -- any flu -- stay far far away from me. Okay? #

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darkart42@yahoo.com — Wed, 06 May 2009 16:05:28 GMT

21:24 Contemplating the need to get things done...and how to accomplish same. Goals would be good, but that would require thought...and planning. #

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darkart42@yahoo.com — Wed, 06 May 2009 04:00:02 GMT

10:37 ConQuesT Update: Hotel discount expires today 5/5. www.conquestkc.org/Update04292009.htm #
21:24 Contemplating the need to get things done...and how to accomplish same. Goals would be good, but that would require thought...and planning. #

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Tweetin' ConQuesT Update

darkart42@yahoo.com — Tue, 05 May 2009 15:37:41 GMT

10:37 ConQuesT Update: Hotel discount expires today 5/5. www.conquestkc.org/Update04292009.htm #

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ConQuesT business...

darkart42@yahoo.com — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 14:55:52 GMT

I just sent out the latest ConQuesT E-Update to everyone and their brother. See http://www.conquestkc.org/Update04292009.htm for the full text. Key points of interest:

Membership rate goes up May 1.
Hotel discount expires May 5.
Parking FAQ

Conestoga....

darkart42@yahoo.com — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 02:49:13 GMT

I will be at Conestoga this weekend, with art in the show. I'm in the process of filling out umpty zillion bid sheets by hand. Most of the pieces I'm putting in the art show are original watercolor paintings that are 2.5" x 3.5" inches. This format is the same size as a trading card, and is known as ACEO (Art Cards Editions and Originals).

If you look on Ebay or Etsy, you'll see ACEOs in many media, from painted to collaged to sculpted to sewn, and offered as originals or as prints. Personally, I've grown weary of prints of any size. It's way too easy to dash off any number of prints on a decent color printer, and hard for me to justify charging the going rate for them.

But originals... that's another animal entirely. Even though I sometimes do several if these tiny paintings with a related theme and color scheme, each one is unique -- drawn freehand on 100% cotton acid-free watercolor paper, inked (sometimes), painted with artist-grade paints, and matted to fit a standard 5x7 frame. Because they are small, I can charge about the same for an original that I do for a larger print.

I will be doing a panel / demo on Sunday morning, discussing ACEOs as a phenomenon and as an affordable way to collect original art.

See you there? (And don't forget -- Yard Dog Press has its own track of programming. Come see us, and buy our books!)

Takin' care of ConQuesT business...

darkart42@yahoo.com — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 01:31:38 GMT

Last night, I sent out the first ConQuesT 40 E-Update (electronic progress report) with the following key points:

Register By April 30 For Best Rate
Discount membership rates end April 30. Don’t wait! You can register online or mail it in the old fashioned way. See details at http://conquestkc.org/registration.htm

Hotel Discount Expires May 5
ConQuesT 40 will be held at our new hotel, the fabulous Hyatt Regency Crown Center. Our incredibly low room rate of $83 / night + tax expires May 5. Book your room now! We expect the hotel to sell out early due to other events that weekend. See details at http://conquestkc.org/hotel.htm.

The mailing list was very short, but I also cc'd four relevant Yahoo Groups of which I'm a member. And now I'm sharing it with you, too. If you want to join the mailing list, follow the instructions at the bottom of the e-update page. If you want to go to ConQuesT, get off your tush -- go register and book a room!

The cat equivalent of green beans....

darkart42@yahoo.com — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 21:20:07 GMT

The cats guilted me into opening a new bag of their "regular" food this morning. They apparently have no appreciation for the Science Diet anti-hairball kibble, and their pathetic little mews of "But mo-ommmm.... we don't LIKE it and we don't CARE if it's good for us and we're HUNGRY so put our REAL food in our bowl NOW!" finally pushed my buttons. They dove in and snarfed down the "regular" stuff as soon as it hit their bowl and left the hairball stuff behind. (I'm a bad humin, but mah kittehs have informed me that my services as chief bowl filler and belly rubber will be retained -- for now.)