2008 News & Views: Discussion and Announcements for the Survivorphile

[PrincessErin]

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[LitEroCat]

Holiday gift

More in the spirit of Confucius' concept of 'Loving Kindness' [expressed in many ways by many other masters], here's something that worked this week:

Rach, Sandra and Giada all say they keep their nuts in the freezer, but they roast their nuts before using them. That got my attention. My naughty food story involving them and some others from that food channel is near done. Pretty tasty!

I called this my Nutty, Chocolate Fudge cookies surprise. Following Sandra's idea of 'Semi home made', I used this format.

1. Start with a 'complete Fudge brownie mix' and follow directions for the cakie format. I used egg beaters instead of whole eggs.
2. Take your nuts out of the freezer and roast them. I combined about 1/2 cup of almonds and pinoli, roasted then crushed them and put them in the mix.
3. After mixing, I added the surprise - a tsp Cayenne pepper. Use a little more than you think you should.
4. I also added a tsp of Vanilla to round it out.
5. Finally, drop a rounded tsp of mix per cookie on a cookie sheet and cook at 375 for 12-15 min.

Use a frosting mix or make your own and add a little zigzag to the finished and cooled cookies.

Don't tell your guinea pig, umm guest, what the surprise is. Let them share a bit each of 1 cookie first. The pepper isn't obvious at all, but sneaks up on you after you swallow. Surprise! I just learned that the pepper like to shout louder the second day, if any cookies survived the night.

Happy holidays.

 

[PrincessErin]

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[LitEroCat]

You seriously need to come be my chef. I would pay you too I can't cook and you sound like a wonderful cook. As always that recipe sounds great except for the pepper. How many times do I have to tell you that cookies are supposed to be sweet, not spicy.

Only six more days of the insanity which is called the 2008 Survivor Contest. Did anyone really survive?

Erin

Sure, send me a 1st class ticket and I'll bring my recipe for gourmet Mac & Cheese.

BTW, the fudge cookies are sweet. There's hardly a hint of pepper until you swallow. Pepper and choc have a VERY long combined history that well predates the Mayans. Be brave!

 

[CrimsonMaiden]

The Scoreboard has been updated one last time for 2008 before we do the final tally once the contest has ended. There has been some cards recently updated so there are some changes in the leaders. You've still got 4 1/2 days to submit! Just don't forget to put "Survivor Contest 2008" in the notes field to be sure they get posted on time.

Also, please remember that your scorecards must be updated accurately by Midnight PST on 1/4/2009. After that, whatever is on your scorecard will be considered final unless an error needs to be fixed by a moderator. Winners will be announced on or shortly after 1/5/2009.

 

[SunrockSin]

The Scoreboard has been updated one last time for 2008 before we do the final tally once the contest has ended. There has been some cards recently updated so there are some changes in the leaders. You've still got 4 1/2 days to submit! Just don't forget to put "Survivor Contest 2008" in the notes field to be sure they get posted on time.

Actually the rules read: Contest entries submitted after 12/20/2008 must be clearly marked SURVIVOR CONTEST in the notes field for the editor. Failure to do this may result in stories not being posted in time for the contest.

I know they use a search program but will it find the notation regardless if it is listed as shown on the rules page and if listed as "Survivor Contest 2008" or will it find only one of the options?


SRS

 

[starrkers]

I don't think it will matter as long as "Survivor Contest" is in there somewhere. But that's only my opinion. I don't know for sure.

 

[CrimsonMaiden]

Actually the rules read: Contest entries submitted after 12/20/2008 must be clearly marked SURVIVOR CONTEST in the notes field for the editor. Failure to do this may result in stories not being posted in time for the contest.

I know they use a search program but will it find the notation regardless if it is listed as shown on the rules page and if listed as "Survivor Contest 2008" or will it find only one of the options?


SRS

Considering that Survivor 2009 starts with any stories posted on January 2... I would advise adding the 2008, but hey, it's your points. I always err on the side of caution and added the year during the contests in which I participated.

 

[PrincessErin]

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[CrimsonMaiden]

For the stories that I posted today I put in SURVIVOR CONTEST 2008 and they were approved quickly. On the same note is it assumed that if you submit a story on December 31st, 2008, said last day for submitting stories, it will be posted by January 1st 2009, said last day for posting stories?

Just curious...

That's the plan. Whether it actually happens or not is up to Laurel.

 

[Boxlicker101]

That's the plan. Whether it actually happens or not is up to Laurel.

I posted a How to essay yesterday, and it hasn't been posted yet. It should make it tomorrow. It's an important entry for me because it fills the 35th category, so it is worth 33 points. If it is rejected, for some reason or other, I will have time to make the necessary changes.

I don't expect that to happen, but it just might.

 

[PrincessErin]

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[KarennaC]

That is exciting Boxlicker. Strange how just one story can be worth so many points.

I want to review my scorecard before it gets looked at. I think my head is going to explode making sure I haven't made any mistakes.

Anyone want to do that for me? Hehe

Erin

No, thanks; I don't want my head to explode. lol

I should probably doublecheck my card too, though...

 

[PrincessErin]

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[Selena_Kitt]

I can check your scorecard if you want. I'm OCD so would love it.

I love reading the comments from readers when it opens up a discussion. I wrote 4 reviews of the Twilight series and have people arguing with each other in my comments.

One person thinks the book is horrible and I am a horrible teacher to suggest my students should read it. Someone else has told me I shouldn't be so harsh.

Erin

Ah Twilight. I just saw the movie. It was just about as good as the book. Which is to say... not outstanding, but at times tolerable enough to get to the end just to see what happens....

 

[CrimsonMaiden]

Ah Twilight. I just saw the movie. It was just about as good as the book. Which is to say... not outstanding, but at times tolerable enough to get to the end just to see what happens....

I've got the first book, but I haven't read it yet.

 

[PrincessErin]

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[Selena_Kitt]

I teach Grade 8 and all of the girls in my class are obsessed. I heard mixed reviews and figured I should read it just to know what they are interested in.

I went to see the movie simply as a night out and had more fun chatting with people in line and before the movie then I did watching the movie.

Erin

I have two teenage kids... both obsessed (one girl, one boy, interestingly enough.)

Gee, what teen girl wouldn't love the idea of a sparkly (potentially) "dangerous" vampire who's so overcome by her he has to constantly restrain himself from eating her? Total teen dream.

 

[PrincessErin]

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[Selena_Kitt]

I posted a How to essay yesterday, and it hasn't been posted yet. It should make it tomorrow. It's an important entry for me because it fills the 35th category, so it is worth 33 points. If it is rejected, for some reason or other, I will have time to make the necessary changes.

I don't expect that to happen, but it just might.

Ultimately, it isn't gonna matter... the top five spots are pretty well out of reach by now, I think...

 

[PrincessErin]

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[LadynStFreknBed]

Actually other then the top 2, the point spread for the next five people is close enough that if someone is crazy and posted a lot of stories in the next four days it could make a difference.

(I'm on holidays and am bored, way too much time on my hands, maybe next year I should help check scorecards)

Erin

Erin!
Are you saying that if I post a lot of stories now, that I'm crazy?

 

[PrincessErin]

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[BOSTONFICTIONWRITER]

I teach Grade 8 and all of the girls in my class are obsessed. I heard mixed reviews and figured I should read it just to know what they are interested in.

I went to see the movie simply as a night out and had more fun chatting with people in line and before the movie then I did watching the movie.

Erin

Please stop lying about being a teacher. We have a mutual friend who knows that you don't teach the 8th grade. You are a teacher's aid for pre-school children.

You shouldn't be ashamed of your career. You're just embarrassing yourself by making up stories. I think you've been writing too many abbreviated fictional pieces, snippets of stories. Now, you can't tell reality from fiction.

Listen, a lot of people don't have a college degree. You finished high school and should be proud of that accomplishment.

Get help, Erin.

 

[PrincessErin]

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