December 28, 2003
Life is sometimes like a good computer game, where you get points, answers, kills, you can see your goals ... but you're still confused and not really much closer to the conclusion ... Shadow Chaser extols the fun of Knights of the Old Republic RPG created by LucasArts. As long as you remember to "save," you'll make it. And though Luke and Leia make it through the cold swampy planet to get help, the answers don't seem to be helpful. And of course, the closer they get to getting back, the more in danger Luke will be ... yes, you must read Renewal, Chapter Five!! As for more confusion, even though the reincarnated fellowship realize the Valar had indeed reincarnated them, the discoveries they make about their past lives include things like susceptibility to motion sickness ... but that's not as bothersome as the changed skull on Legolas's palm ... Shadows That Remain is back! Part I is over, but Part II is called "Morgoth," and starts with Chapter 28: White City. These are all in Stories & Things, listed respectively in: "Reviews," "GFFA Fanfic," and in "Other Fic." Read and recover from holiday excesses, and indulge in what you really want after all!
December 23, 2003
The Yule Holidays are approaching, for both the GFFA and in other universes! After the destruction of the One Ring, the Hobbits return to Hobbiton -- and Samwise Gamgee gets married! As the preparations progress, Sam decides that the feast would carry reminders of the great adventure he'd shared with Frodo and the fellowship, as well as recipes that meant a lot to him. Wedding Feast for Samwise Gamgee and Rosie Cotton includes long and interesting tales of how each recipe gained its place on the banquet tables, and includes gifts from the other members of the fellowship. Have some punch and stay for the party! Or perhaps you prefer to party with the likes of the residents and staff of the Errant Venture, where Booster's New Holiday: Party Bits and Pieces shows that you don't need an official day off to make it festive. This "Set Piece" gives us a bit of insight into Booster's upbringing, too. Both are listed in Hut Cuisine -- Happy Holidays!
December 18, 2003
We all have heard true tales of people who have children before they've made their peace with the grandparents of those children. And what if on top of all that tension, people accuse you of incompetence or wrongdoing? Then you'd have Renewal, Chapter 4. Ivy has written some clever and profound insights linking one generation to the next ... in "GFFA Fanfic" listed in Stories & Things.
December 15, 2003
When a woman is irritable and she tells you nothing is wrong, it's best not to believe her, but to act like you do, because you don't necessarily want to know the truth, much less handle it ... Renewal, Chapter 3 delivers the message of a tragedy to Han, but will he want to hear the rest of it ..? Listed in "GFFA Fanfic," Stories & Things. Things are sticky and too warm for Leia, but in an alternative universe, things are comfy and cozy -- a much more preferable warmth (unlike the seasonably snowy conditions in the northeast US right now!). We attribute the excellent recipes to Tahiri's Way with a Capon, which is based on a meal and punchline central to At the Oasis: Paddy and the Capon. It's a "Set Piece" in Hut Cuisine, and it's all really good!
December 11, 2003
LOTR: Return of the King will be out soon ... very soon ... and Shadow Chaser is marking the event by completing Shadows That Remain, Part I: Sauron -- Chapter 26: Healing and Chapter 27: Leaving. Things become clear, good soldiers get paid, and you know there must be more ... finish reading it before Aragorn is back! It's in "Other Fic," Stories & Things. Iella's Many Happy Returns starts to slowly explode, and Tahiri is forced into epiphanies ... there is a similarity between her -- post-Vong abused -- and Legolas in Shadow's story ... think about it. Read Chapter 21 and Chapter 22. It'll make you agree that the NJO sucks because they killed Anakin ... It's a "GFFA Fanfic" in Stories & Things. The sagas resolve or progress ... but not completely ...
December 8, 2003
It's officially Christmas holiday season, because in many parts of the USA, it's snowing! From our geocentric POV, that's a good reason to start carolling! Gabbydriel creates a "filk" -- a poem based on a song -- and Diana doodled along: Holiday Homage to Lord of the Rings: 12 Days of Christmas is funny and pretty. Go sing, and get in the mood for the new Lord of the Rings movie (due out in two weeks!) as well as Christmas! It's listed in both "Poetry" in Stories & Things, as well as "Other Art" in Art & Stuff. And Shadow Chaser promises that this part of her LOTR-based fanfic, Shadows That Remain, Part I: Sauron will draw to a close in another three chapters in time for Return of the King! Start counting down and check out Chapter 25: Struggle, where the severity of Legolas's actions are made horrifyingly clear. It's in "Other Fic," Stories & Things. Ivy's Chapter Two of the multi-part saga Renewal also speaks of survival, struggle and sacrifice, this time not by Luke and Leia, but for them ... These are both great tales for your holiday reading list! And if you need a break, go to the Caribbean (like Orlando "Legolas" Bloom did when he made Pirates of the Caribbean), or at least eat some of that great Caribbean food at Brisas del Caribe, where SuSu wonders why a hot area like the Caribbean has food so well suited to cold weather? It's a "Noshery Review" in Hut Cuisine. Finally, "the Culinary Padawan" returns to cooking school to watch Jacques Torres's French Christmas demonstration and seminar. What could be more festive than an edible yule log and chocolates? It's a "Field Report" in Stories & Things. Enjoy the holidays, and read more!
December 3, 2003
Some of us just realized that Han and Leia courted for over 8 years before finally tying the knot! Yeah, a Princess/Councilor and a Pirate/Smuggler together would have caused some waves, but we think it's because they were so close they wanted to kill each other. It happens to all of us, eh? Ivy's adventure tale investigates that turmoil and much else, in the multi-chapter Renewal, Chapter One -- it's a long chapter and completely worth getting into; you'll be clamoring for more! Speaking of teases, a movie trailer is designed to tease, for sure. Kelly Grosskreutz goes a step further and gives us her Review of the Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkhaban Movie Trailer and makes moment-by-moment analyses, comparing what can be seen versus the book's details. The movie is not due out till June, but "Something Wicked This Way Comes!" Both are in Stories & Things, in "GFFA Fanfic" and in "Reviews," respectively. Obsession is a great thing, so enjoy!
November 30, 2003
The end of Thanksgiving weekend, and we're STILL full! So no recipes today, please! Instead, we will read about other feasts. In the best of all possible worlds, life would be good and the GFFA wouldn't kill off people we didn't want killed off. To counter those murders (and they ARE murders!), we often expand on canon, or in some cases, we run counter to it and create the oft-misunderstood AU (... no, not Australia! Alternative Universe!) Iella had created one AU story a short while back, but it spawned other ideas, so now it's a series. At the Oasis now has an Introduction and three parts to the story so far: My Oasis, The Other Woman (very different from the Diana-authored story of the same name), and Paddy and the Capon, the last one told in Grandpa Han's voice ... it's funny! That story is also illustrated with Pretty Pilots, you get to figure out who those pilots are, what fun! Despite the "AU" tag, they are "GFFA Fanfic" in Stories & Thingsl the Pretty Pilots are "GFFA Art," of course! That's in Art & Stuff. The Solo clan had a great-sounding dinner in that story, which encouraged some of us to run out and find good food, too. While in upstate New York (i.e. -- not the city), try to get to Dinosaur BBQ, where our Hut Reporter managed to get a tour of the double-secret pit! It's good, and they sell giftpacks of rub and sauce, too! It's a "Noshery Review" in Hut Cuisine. If we're lucky, one of those magical rubs will help Aragorn ... Shadow Chaser looks up from exams and realizes there are rabid fans foaming at the mouth for the next chapter of Shadows That Remain. Maybe it was guilt or fear, but she realizes she's deprived us long enough and submits Chapter 24: Vernomage and promises unthinkable tortures to come ... so get caught up while she's distracted temporarily! It's "Other Fic" in Stories & Things.
November 27, 2003
Happy Thanksgiving, and may you all be happily stuffed and napping copiously! If you want inspiring stories about food and how to prepare it, we have a Corran Horn tale, where it's either him or the beast that's the Thanksgiving Roasting. As for leftovers, Luke Skywalker presents his bride-to-be with a unique gift: brown stock, the base of many soups and sauces. This and two classic soup recipes are in Nirauan Engagement Soups: Hand in Marriage at the Hand of Thrawn and there are good tips in the story for getting stock for free. If you're into spicier preparations, be sure you go to Kalustyan's, an extraordinary spice and food emporium that's been there since that section of New York was a tenement block. Taken together, it's all great food and fun times. Enjoy the holiday, we wish you were here to join us! The "GFFA Fanfic" is listed in Stories & Things, the "Set Piece" and "Noshery Review" are in Hut Cuisine.
November 23, 2003
Today's postings seem to all be concerned with a foreign place, and being a stranger in a strange land. Iella submits a "songfic" -- a fanfic based on song lyrics. It's not unusual to be inspired by a song, and Here Without You is the story of Anakin Solo, who has to learn to deal with being forced to exist someplace he's never been before and his effect on those who love him. Myn Donos must try to stay out of the land of the insane, but he has no map for that ... fortunately, he meets a guide in Tanira. (This story first appeared on other sites, but it's been revised since then. It's the first time this version has been online!) Ivy answered a challenge for another group, and opted to write about a gory ritual in a mysterious world in the GFFA. The Sending not only describes the ritual, but how that ritual is perceived by those outside the culture. And as always, one must figure out what to eat when somewhere unfamiliar. SuSu reviews Sushi Samba, where sushi is not what you think it is, and what does South America have to do with Japanese cuisine? As quirky as it sounds, it works! In contrast, there are rather alien things passing themselves off as burgers at Woody's Family Restaurant The three "GFFA Fanfics" are listed in Stories & Things, and the "Noshery Reviews" are in Hut Cuisine.
November 19, 2003
New contributor Ivy is known as a Han/Leia story spinner, a great addition to the other obsessions of 'Hut members! Welcome, Ivy, and thank you for the closed-ship, poignant tale, Restless Spaces, where Leia has to make peace with the ghost of the man who was sworn to protect her, and she uses the man she's with, who has also sworn to protect her ... Their child, much younger, is going through his own difficulties with females, but also learning control, in Many Happy Returns, Chapter 20. It's frustrating knowing about both groups, makes you want to tell Anakin where the others are! Today seems to be a Leia Organa posting day: Alderaanian Royal Training Service Project, 2: Making fleece scarves is a continuation of Alderaanian Royal Training Service Project: Making fleece blankets for refugees, making sure not to waste the scraps from the blanket-making. Leia is gratified to give the warm things away to refugees, but gets an unexpected measure of satisfaction when she sees the scarves a decade later on Tatooine. What Goes Around, Comes Around shows how an act of compassion can benefit you in unexpected ways. The stories are listed as "GFFA Fanfic" in Stories & Things, and the scarf projects are in "GFFA Art," Art & Stuff. It's Leia karma day!
November 16, 2003
A caged animal will try anything to escape ... they will even try patience, and endure the most heinous worries, if they know they will be free. Our imprisoned heros of Many Happy Returns have endured much -- including the guards forgetting to take them on refresher breaks -- and have been patient. But you need just one spot of bad luck to undo it all ... Chapter 19 piles stuff higher and deeper on the prisoners, and it's obvious they are dealing with a duplicious madman. Don't you hate that? Well, hopefully, if you're going mad from the chilly weather here on earth, you run into the two fat Saxon Witches -- Wookiee Hut creations in the Harry Potter universe. This time, they restore you with their Enchanted Orange Ginger Curried Carrot Soup, which will warm you up in many ways; if you don't feel like cooking, look at the electronic art for Saxon Witches' Carrot Soup, nearly as warming! And while we're on the topic of Harry Potter, the new trailer for Prisoner of Azkhaban is available! The movie is due out in June, so only go to Allies & Links to check out the trailer if you -- like Lando and company -- have the patience to wait for it ... Today's postings are listed in "GFFA Fanfic," Stories & Things, and in Hut Cuisine. Enjoy the chills!.
November 12, 2003
The sentient planet Zonama Sekot has had it's share of run-ins with Skywalkers ... knowing that there are more out there is enough to keep a planet hidden, no matter what the gravity well situation! As it has to find refuge in places without interrupting the local gravity signature too much, it tends to move around a bit in it's search. If the planet is lucky, it can get away with people thinking it's a simple lunar eclipse. See what you think of the holo, listed in "GFFA Art," Art & Stuff. And if you get hungry, you could do worse than find an Indian Cafeteria or a classic diner, whether chasing planets or trying to patch up ruined dates. The latter is responsible for a dating second chance, and Mike Meyer's famous mother-in-law (as in "The Industrial Revolution was neither Industrial, nor a Revolution. Discuss!") reportedly loves the Sage Diner, while former President Bill Clinton enjoys the cafeteria line at Curry In A Hurry. Both "Noshery Reviews" -- for places inexpensive and good enough to satisfy a wandering planet -- are listed in Hut Cuisine.
November 9, 2003
A Jedi, we all know, shall have compassion, but shall have no attachment -- it's absolutely forbidden. It turns out there are good reasons for this; you don't want a defender of your galaxy to have "allegiances" of any sort ... as a sample, find out The Price of A Kiss. If one is attached is one's opinion ever truly impartial? This story appears as "GFFA Fanfic," listed in Stories & Things. And when Harry Potter was in the lake during the second trial in Goblet of Fire, he panicked and chose compassion over following the rules. One could surmise he did it for love, but what if he did it to shut up some voices in his head? A funny idea, illustrated in "Wee Wookiees" Art & Stuff, called Friends and Hallucinations; it could be a crossover thing! And more art: if you want to see the best samples of what NJO characters probably SHOULD look like, check out the latest link for some inspiring book cover art, listed in Allies & Links.
November 7, 2003
Wedge, as big a hero as he is to some of us, has always been kind of slow on the uptake for other stuff. Like women, for example. Even supernatural women. Chapter 38 of the absorbing The Mantrusian Affair starts finding some keys to put into some of those mysterious locks ... but as you may have suspected, there are more layers of intrigue in this "GFFA Fanfic," listed in Stories & Things. (By the way, the 5-minute episodes for the The Clone Wars animated microseries starts tonight! Listed in Allies & Links.)
November 2, 2003
Yesterday was "All Soul's Day," or "Day of the Dead," which doesn't seem to bode well for Lando, Tendra and their fellow prisoners. But tenacity pays off -- but timing is EVERYTHING, as evidenced in Chapter 17 and Chapter 18 of the very popular Many Happy Returns listed in "GFFA Fanfic," Stories & Things. On a more celebratory note, the Fellowship didn't mention any party at the end of their great adventure, but that's not to say they didn't have one. How best to dispel the horrors of captivity and torture by Orcs? By creating a Mocking the Orcs Centerpiece, for mockery can reduce a horror into a mere memory ... Check out the images of Merry and Pippin's artistic rendering of their tormentors in the "Other Art" section of Art & Stuff. (Some of you will love this one ... some will be made queasy ...)
October 28, 2003
As Hallowe'en approaches, thoughts often turn to candy, but to stay in the spirit of a good American-style All Hallow's Eve, what could be creepier and slimier than ... sea monsters? As gross as some people would believe fish and seafood is, they're simply wrong about most of it, especially if it's cooked very well and allowed to shine in the simplest way possible. Bigelow's Seafood is one of a dying breed of old-fashioned clamshacks that fry or grill seafood, and they sell t-shirts that read, "I got my belly at Bigelow's!" You'll need to either go there or read the review to figure that one out (but if you know already, you are one of us!) As for genuine creepiness, it turns out that Slytherin House has an "inner circle" of members who have to get past the idea of crawly sea beasties, but in fact, the recipes produce delicious fare. For Hallowe'en, try a seafood-based menu, limned in Slytherin "Inner House" Fishy Initiation Feast. The "Noshery Review" and "Set Piece" are listed in Hut Cuisine.
October 22, 2003
In the victory parade on Naboo, there are very young girls dressed in finery standing on the presentation platform behind the handmaidens, and they were described as "royal princesses." How had they come to that position? They applied for the job, and Queen Amidala picked them based on an interview. PrincessChippy got her position thanks to sketches she made of Impressions of Coruscant, Top & Bottom. Kid's drawings, for sure, but they showed a maturity beyond her four years of life! But she did partake in kid foods, albeit rather sophisticated versions of them, like the cakes in Cupcake Café, but not the tongue tacos at Salon Mexico, which is across the street in New York (not Naboo). The drawing is classified under "Wee Wookiees" in Art & Stuff, and the "Noshery Reviews" are listed in Hut Cuisine.
October 20, 2003
It seems with the gorgeous autumn weather we've been having, some Hutties have been going out to eat a lot more, but it's all to our benefit when they hand in restaurant reviews! There is Arharn Thai, which doesn't do the silly "fusion" stuff that many Thai places try to do (sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't); Chat 'n Chew, which is actually MUCH more palatable and charming that it sounds from the name of the place, we promise; Fifth Avenue Restaurant, which is the best of the Greek style diners, and even better, it doesn't have those bloated menus with their vacuum-packed freezer bags for instant reheating (thank goodness!); and finally there is The Chipper, which is the PERFECT fare to have when watching the Rugby World Cup matches, which are currently in progress (hard to overshadow the baseball World Series, eh? But the players are cuter in rugby than in baseball, according to some Hutties ...). They're all listed in "Noshery Reviews," which is a section of Hut Cuisine.
And how does all this dining get paid for? There is a new short "GFFA Fanfic" about the consequences of not knowing who's going to pay the check in a restaurant ... do you split it evenly? But what if you had the salad and no drinks? Is that fair? Read Split Check and pick up some pointers about how to NOT handle that situation! In Stories & Things.
October 18, 2003
You know that old adage, about how "no experience is ever wasted"? It's actually true, despite what you may think about the boredom or suffering at the time it's happening. Non-trivial stuff like being abandoned in a jungle or more trivial stuff like watching your old man and his mates trying to walk while drinking too much! Iella's Many Happy Returns, Chapter 16 seems to let us know that success is at hand ... but in the world of fanfic, you never know! Listed in "GFFA Fanfic," Stories & Things.
October 16, 2003
We all have to grow up sometime, even those who are famous for their giddy youthfulness. The one known as "The Naked Chef" is grown up, and has become a mentor and father figure to young wannabes who otherwise might have had no hope ... Of course, some of us might have killed for the opportunity to work with the young master (who is very much like a mix of Anakin and Obi-wan) but will settle for a book signing to meet the man himself! The "Field Report" filed for this event can be found in Stories & Things, and is called Jamie Oliver Book Signing, Barnes & Noble, Union Square, NYC. (Bonus signing by Jamie's mentor, Gennaro!)
October 14, 2003
When one is young and silly, one makes young, silly decisions about young, silly things. LepChick94's confession is told in the "Field Report" The More Things Change... A Field Report from an Evolved Lep-Fan. There are benefits to growing older after all, among them not being so foolishly silly anymore (and yes, it does feel good!). Feel better about all those dumb things you do, for someday you, too, will grow out of them! The report is in Stories & Things.
October 11, 2003
As Peter Parker's uncle told him, "With great power comes great responsibility," and the Royal House of Organa, knowing the secret of Leia Organa's secret heritage, made sure she understood this simple but profound concept. One of the first things she learned: compassion for others, through Alderaanian Royal Training Service Project: Making Fleece Blankets for Refugees, a simple project that filled her with satisfaction and happiness. There are complete details with photographs, so with the cold weather coming, make one with, or for, a loved one. Take a look in "GFFA Art," Art & Stuff.
October 9, 2003
Sometimes life changes so fast, it can't possibly make sense until a lot of time has passed. At long last, the players of Iella's Many Happy Returns are back, trying to make sense of all the changes in their situations and in their feelings. Chapter 15 goes beyond the expected Tahiri/Anakin pairing ... it shows all the signs of a very complex and very interesting scenario coming up! And as for big, fast changes, separation and divorce are always sad, difficult changes, but often it can be for the best, and everyone ultimately benefits. However, we'll bet few women have left a legacy as profound as that of Padmé Naberrie Skywalker when she chose an abrupt single motherhood. Winter of My Life describes her mental state in the days and weeks following that decision ... and a surprise discovery, too! Even though the arrival of Ep3 (in 554 days!) might make this tale (and others!) all wonky, it's a good one to mull over while we're forced to wait ... Both tales are "GFFA Fanfic," and they're in Stories & Things, go take a look and see if they make sense to you.
October 5, 2003
We know you know all the words ... we know you were terrified that they'd be caught before they could get to Switzerland ... and if you pair that with a beautiful, ornately decorated gem of a theater, you could only be making the trip to see The Sound of Music National Touring Company Performance at the Fox Theater. Despite the bad signage misdirecting you away from the venue, it's a positive "Field Report," in Stories & Things.
September 30, 2003
If you've never wondered how an apparently unattractive man could manage to have a beautiful woman on his arm ... then you don't know all there is to know about women! Myn Donos wants to see Lara Notsil again, but he needs help, even if he doesn't know it. And the men of Wraith Squadron are the ones to supply the help in the form of a Makeover for Bubbie, which, though funny, is really educational, and men need to take note! It's "GFFA Fanfic" and listed in Stories & Things.
September 28, 2003
After Princess Leia betrayed the location of a rebel base to Governor Tarkin, a raid was made. Though the base had been abandoned for some time, in fact something of real significance had been found. Lucky for us the Imps never realized what they had ... to them, it's merely a Mysterious System Model Found on Dantooine. However, someone must have realized the significance of the third planet on the system, as evidenced by Ehh-Arth Under Death Star Surveillance ... it might yet be out there! The hand-painted model and the outer-space tableau are listed in "GFFA Art," Art & Stuff.
September 27, 2003
It's no secret that not everyone is happy with the sequence of events in the "official" NJO, so what's a fanfic writer to do? As in religion, it's often possible to ignore the bits you didn't like, and still retain the passion. And though some might revile such a thing, "AU" (alternate universe -- not Australian, apologies to that place!) plots often feel much more "official and right" than what the pros do to our favorites. Plus, when a talented, fun writer like Iella writes the tale, you KNOW it's right! At the Oasis gets into the heads of two lovers who have matured a tiny bit, to see what life should have held for them. We think "AU" stories can sometimes be ... therapeutic. It's a "GFFA Fanfic," in Stories & Things.
September 25, 2003
What ever happened to that Vong girl who had been "activated" when Tahiri had been captured? Sleeping With the Enemy is the most recent story in NJO: Warrior of Light, the tales of Anakin and Tahiri ... and now of Riina ... listed in Stories & Things as "GFFA Fanfic" of the best sort!
September 20, 2003
Safe in the Elven haven of Lorien, Inc. the reincarnated members of the Fellowship and their allies are extremely worried about Legolas and the effects he suffers from absorbing Sauron's essence. Tensions mount as aspects of their former lives emerge during preparation for the next battle for the White City. Chapter 23: Preparation of Shadows That Remain outlines the ways they cope; listed in "Other Fics," Stories & Things. And Lt. Kettch lets everyone know how to cope with life's little irritations, as he is wont to do ... Ask Kettch is always a slightly surreal read ...
September 10, 2003
When a soldier is sent to war, it is a sobering thought that he or she may die in the line of duty, by design. And yet death is not necessarily the worst thing, as those in Shadow Chaser's Shadows That Remain know, when they hear the worst in Chapter 22: Shadow. As many in the USA are now asking, what is the acceptable cost of victory? Listed in "Other Fics," Stories & Things. At least the owners of the 5 Burros Café know that the acceptable cost of bad service is great food and "ambiance"! Read this "Noshery Review" in Hut Cuisine.
September 1, 2003
It's Labor Day, time to celebrate work by ... not working! It means a lot of things, most significantly it signals the end of summer in much of the northern hemisphere. In the GFFA, it also means other things, like working to deliver a baby! Hobbie's first child is due, but is born early in Labor Day. Part of the Hobbie's Saga story arc, it's Part 7, listed in "GFFA Fanfic," Stories & Things. And after mother and child were declared fine and healthy, they got to go home for dinner cooked by the new papa: Retread Chili, and it's better than the original meal! In "Mains: Stews," Hut Cuisine.
August 28, 2003
When Legolas and his ilk kill evil ones, they absorb their energy; the larger the evil, the more energy to be absorbed and the more hazardous. So what happens if you kill the likes of say ... Sauron? By killing him, are you committing suicide? Shadow Chaser's Shadows That Remain, Chapter 21: Power comes to Wookieehut, and we wonder how much it was influenced by that power outage a couple of weeks ago! (Kill evil entity, run the AC ... hey, it works!) It's in "Other Fic," Stories & Things, and the longest chapter of this epic yet! Is the energy like food? If so, then try food from elsewhere, like Cendrillon for someone's childhood memories from the Philippines, or Tandoor for a more sophisticated type of Indian buffet weekend brunch. Both are listed as "Noshery Reviews," Hut Cuisine. Yum ... and yum!
August 25, 2003
Leia learns something about sexuality in general, and about a special man in particular when the nagging question, Is He ... Corellian? keeps coming up. It's racy and rated R, logged in "GFFA Fanfic," Stories & Things. The question is really, does it matter??
August 23, 2003
Members of the Rebel Alliance and later the New Republic are pretty handy with their fingers. When stressed and in need of relaxation, they 've been known to put their hands to Rebel Arts & Crafts and make themselves some very nice, useful pillows and blanket sets -- these came in very handy on Hoth. And Tyria Sarkin, who gave the nickname "Wraith" to Gray Squadron, also gave them an Unofficial Squadron Symbol. When they became an Intelligence unit, she remade it in green, and it was referred to as the Original Wraith Patch (Intel) even after they were issued an official patch. These are listed in "GFFA Art," Art & Stuff. And the Northeast Travelogue comes to a close with a report for the final Day 7: Ottawa to Home. The WookieeHutters traveled home via IKEA and Toronto. At the Swedish store, not only did they buy a lot of stuff, they had meatballs for breakfast! Why? Check out the restaurant review for IKEA Cafeteria, where a date has family and social implications! Listed in "Noshery Reviews," Hut Cuisine.
August 22, 2003
Arthur Weasley finds out it's one thing to admire Muggles, but totally a different thing to try and live their life! At the Quidditch World Cup Barbeque, he tries -- and fails -- to cook like them. To the rescue come two formidable, fat, food-wise witches, who show them how to cook all manner of things on a grill, including what they drink! This fun Hut Cuisine "Set Piece" is accompanied by a drawing of the Two Fat Witches showing Hermione and Ginny how to turn a roast! That's in "Other Art," Art & Stuff, and the other is a "Set Piece" in Hut Cuisine. You should always listen to women who drive around in a motorbike and sidecar!
August 21, 2003
The latest chapter of Shadows That Remain has a shift ... there is doubt of the ability of Legolas. And if he falls, what would they do? Chapter 20: Concern is titled a touch subtly! Read it in "Other Fic," Stories & Things.
August 19, 2003
Happy Birthday! A couple of Huttites have birthdays today; it's sometimes a happy event (if you're younger) or a melancholy one (if you're older!), but Voort saBinring knows how to deal with the blues and make himself -- and his guests -- happy about his birthday! He presents a manly menu, with instructions on how to grill the perfect steak, and has a very unusual birthday cake featured ... It's the "Set Piece" called Piggy's Macho Birthday Dinner, and it's a winner! Check it out in Hut Cuisine. And if we're talking about fun and steak, do it in Chicago, where cattle were formerly shipped for slaughter and distribution! These days, it's a big city with lots of amenity and LOTS of fun for a pack of "Girl Sprouts" (as one of the maternal Huttites refers to them). The "Field Report" by Dancing Queen is called The Girl Scouts Invade Chicago! and it shows what you can do to get what you want if you persevere. And it may look easy, but selling cookies can be rough! That report is listed in Stories & Things, and there are photos, too!
August 18, 2003
Iella Wessiri has always been a mystery ... why marry Diric? Why reject Wedge? It turns out that the thing she needs most from a man is something that no decent woman would openly admit to ... she's The Other Woman, and she likes it like that! Rated R, "GFFA Fanfic" in Stories & Things. Because even law enforcers have needs, too!
August 17, 2003
The traveling Hutties have been taking turns writing reports, so they are coming in ad hoc, but it's worth it! Plenty of photos and restaurant reviews accompany these reports, too. One big tip -- always make sure the hotel has a pool ... The Northeast Travelogue "Field Report" wedges in a report between days 5 and 6 with Day 5 II: Concord to Ottawa where they encounter the memory of the Old Man on the Mountain, in Stories & Things. They picnicked on donut peaches en route, but went to Yesterday's Restaurant & Parlour for a comforting dinner. It sounds quaint, but that's because they've been around for nearly half a century. It's a "Noshery Review" in Hut Cuisine.
August 16, 2003
That big trip across the northeast USA that was an extended HutCon seems so long ago, but the reports are still percolating through. The Northeast Travelogue "Field Report" explains why they were so ready to crash into a pool or into bed every night on Day 4: Glenburnie to New England and Day 6: Ottawa, Ontario. Those are listed in Stories & Things. To support these reports are restaurant reviews for A&W for rootbeer and poutine, Tucker's Marketplace for a great all you can eat style buffet restaurant, and The Weathervane for superlative seafood just about on the ocean. The last three are listed in "Noshery Reviews" in Hut Cuisine.
August 15, 2003
Where were you when the lights when out? That's not so clear; what IS clear is how many of us survived the Blackout of the Niagara-Mohawk Power Grid. Some writing will be coming along inspired by that rather tense event. But what were some of us doing just before? Eating out, actually ... on the west coast, there was Coldstone Creamery and on the east, there was Culinaria. At least we started the angst with full bellies? Both are "Noshery Reviews" in Hut Cuisine.
August 12, 2003
When frenetically traveling from place to place, it's a good idea to stop and smell the roses ... or at least to look at cool old mortars and Hogwartian schools! The Northeast Travelogue "Field Report" stops at Fort Ticonderoga and at St. Paul's School on days 3 and 5. (Day 4 report to be filed soon; we hear it has something to do with being Scottish?) Listed in Stories & Things.
August 11, 2003
There will always be people whom you want to come to your wedding who don't for some reason. But sometimes, even the Wraiths can't keep certain people from crashing the party! Leia receives some interesting gifts, in On Your Wedding Day ... it's in "GFFA Fanfic," in Stories & Things.
August 9, 2003
New Yorkers have a tendency to feel their world (which consists of Manhattan island, and not all of it, either!) is the only one ... anyone who ventures further afield tends to be escorted by the hand or have a really, really good reason. Trotters provides the perfect reason! It's a beaming "Noshery Review" in Hut Cuisine. But in the newest chapter of Shadows That Remain, Chapter 19: Fear makes everyone involved in the pitched battle wish they had gotten out of town! Read it in "Other Fic," Stories & Things.
August 7, 2003
Legolas finds himself absorbing more than energy through the extraction of Mage souls, and the effects are doing things to his judgement. The Chapter 18: Transference of Shadows That Remain might not be that benign; listed in "Other Fic," Stories & Things. Instead of consuming souls, try having a nice sandwich at Junior's. Diana reports it's a nice place for goodbyes. As for Solleys, better to just say goodbye to it ... They're both listed in "Noshery Reviews," Hut Cuisine.
July 30, 2003
Like many battle preparations, the war to kill Sauron needs to be thought out carefully, and everyone must know their part. Too bad that personal feelings and arrogance can get in the way, even before the fighting starts. Chapter 17: Defense of Shadows That Remain brews with anticipation ... in "Other Fic," Stories & Things.
July 27, 2003
SuSu has submitted the last of her Culinary Padawan reports. She can't believe it's over, and we made her promise she'll get cracking on all those Hut Cuisine submissions that have had to wait for her these past months! While we're waiting, here are the final two reports: Lesson 21: Puff Pastry & Pot au Feu and Lesson 22: Seafood. SuSu also mentioned that she'll try to add photos and revise back reports and the glossary later on this summer. Though hastily written in some cases, these are interesting "Field Reports" and are listed in the Stories & Things section.
July 26, 2003
You did notice that there were a LOT of dead people in Order of the Phoenix, the most recent Harry Potter series book. Not only were people killed, but people who worked with Harry's parents are back from the dead, in the sense that Harry is told who those people were. It's a way to connect the past to the present. Kelly M. Grosskreutz does us all a favor and tallies and explains the deaths in her essay, Harry Potter Death Toll. It's good to keep score! Listed in "Essays & Rants," Stories & Things.
July 25, 2003
It often helps to see an item to remember stuff associated with that thing, whether it be something benign or something murderous ... Gimli seems to be more than a geologist when he reveals his stash of acquired stuff to the Fellowship. Chapter 16: Black City of Shadows That Remain is online now at "Other Fic," Stories & Things.
July 22, 2003
When people fall in love, there is often a measure of doubt and unhappiness involved. You can imagine the turmoil suffered by the likes of Padmé and Anakin; or you can read their mental diary, Like A Gentleman in "GFFA Fanfic," Stories & Things. In every way, they are like every pair of lovers in the universe.
July 20, 2003
It's sweets week for the Culinary Padawan, and she got to make romantic, classic treats that are sure to impress! Lesson 19: Mousses & Soufflés and Lesson 20: Génoise will make any date or potential lover swoon. Isn't it grand that food can be used so decadently?? It's a "Field Report" in Stories & Things.
July 18, 2003
Anakin and Tahiri have survived their escape, but now they need to drum up some support to help rescue Lando and Tendra. Sometimes it helps to be beautiful and blonde, or the son of someone notorious, or both! In Many Happy Returns, they meet some people who don't seem nearly as scary as they look ... right? Chapter 13 and Chapter 14 help toward the planning, and finally give the kids some time together. Go read them, in "GFFA Fanfic," Stories & Things.
July 16, 2003
Wormholes are marvelous things, but you do get kind of sapped by them. A bit like when Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon went through the membrane into Oto Gunga, and came out pretty dry on the other side ... only this happens to Kerensa and she's not wet. Um ... the next chapter of The Mantrusian Affair, Chapter 37, makes you wonder just what the heck Nerensai is up to! In "GFFA Fanfic," Stories & Things.
July 15, 2003
Summer time, and the livin' is easy, or so the song goes. You have to work hard to find your fun! But the rewards of summer are great: thunderstorms watched from a covered porch, clean rest stops, yummy cherry pie ... ah, the simple pleasures! A bunch of Hutties continue their Northeast Travelogue as they Cross New York State on Day 2. There are pictures with interesting forest denizens in them ... It's listed in Field Reports in Stories & Things. Listen to the rhythm of the falling rain ...
July 14, 2003
Happy Bastille Day ... and we like the French because we've been pretty well fed with Susu's efforts as Culinary Padawan. She cooked some more fish and moved on to duck and a great idea for a summer grill party: Lesson 17: Fish II and Lesson 18: Duck (and Grilled Chicken). She had a hard time of it, but it's worth it, at least to those of us who are imbibing in her leftovers! Speaking of leftovers, those left from the Fellowship are now set to return to the Black City to face the forces of Darkness. Too bad that questions and premonitions plague those left behind; and one member of the Fellowship is given an additional burden in Shadow Chaser's Shadows That Remain, Chapter 15: Decision. Leftovers can be good and bad things. Both sets are in Stories & Things.
July 13, 2003
Again, sorry for the long week of no new material, but the Hutties have been around and about, some even without Internet access ... the result is some grumpy people suffering withdrawal! (Both readers and writers!) So the stuff is trickling in ... today, some restaurant reviews, from opposite ends of New York -- both geographically and conceptually: Bohn's in western NYS and Raoul's in ultra-trendy SoHo in NYC. Big, hunkin' pieces of steak and white boy rap on one side, tropical tapioca and jazz in the other. Listed in Hut Cuisine Restaurant Reviews, ingest and moan!
July 12, 2003
It's been a busy week, and we are all sorry to have not posted much this week. But no one is more sorry than Iella, who apologizes to everyone who wrote to her clamoring for more installments of The Mantrusian Affair and Many Happy Returns. In the next few days, more of these chapters will be posted! Today, there is Chapter 36 of The Mantrusian Affair, in which some of those cards held so closely to the various chests start to show ... In "GFFA Fanfic," Stories & Things. (More things are scheduled for the next few days, so some back soon and often!)
July 6, 2003
Several Hutties decide a vacation is overdue, and when that happens, they vacation in a BIG way. Seven days to do 2000 miles. Follow along in their Travelogue which is organized day by day. As reviews for restaurants go up, links will be made. Day One saw them in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada. The "Field Report" tells all, listed in Stories & Things. There are photos, too!
July 5, 2003
The Culinary Padawan has a fridge and freezer full of leftovers from the most recent cooking classes: Lesson 15: Salads and Lesson 16: Fish. Because of the holidays and the heat, no one wanted to take perishable food home. But you know Susu, she hates wasting anything, and she goes prepared with about a gallon's worth of Tupperware containers. She even made a fish stock from the filleting trimmings. She even describes eviceration, if you're into that sort of thing ... they're "Field Reports," Stories & Things.
July 4, 2003
Hope your hometown is hosting a fireworks spectacle. Nothing like it in the world! Diana makes sure Wes sees fireworks too, but they aren't really the kind he's used to. Since it's American Independence Day, we figure a good escape story is appropriate. Wes Janson is held prisoner and he discovers his captors want him to say, Eat Me? (NC-17/Slash) ... yeah, Wedge thought so, too. It's a bit disturbing, so beware before you see if you're right, listed in "GFFA Fanfic," Stories & Things.
July 3, 2003
Before the fireworks start tomorrow, we have some of our own! The Fellowship is gathered together, and you should see the bomb that's dropped on them ... well, at least Rivendell has been reincarnated to an extent also. The Shadows That Remain, reveals the purpose for gathering them together, and introduces those who control what knowledge the reincarnated ones are allowed to possess in Chapter 14: Fellowship in "Other Fic," Stories & Things. As for explosive, is there anyone who doesn't remember or get Monty Python? You need to read melobeeda's essay: Every Sperm is Sacred, or Why You Need to Love Monty Python. Actually, the title is a good summary in and of itself, so go read it! It's listed in Essays & Rants in Stories & Things.
June 28, 2003
The Culinary Padawan is a bit flustered with the change of partners and stations, but like the French, she'll survive, though not in quite the same way. She also took the results of her work to a Wookiee Hut gathering and comments include, "yummy!" and "best ever!" Hey, it's worth the suffering! The reports are in "Field Reports" and cover Lesson 13: Pork & Garnitures, where she has a revelation on how the French get away with so much and why some people might mistake cleverness for arrogance, and Lesson 14: Potages (Soups), done on a hot summer's night. The padawans make mistakes and have to decide how to fix them. Hum along to that Meatlof song, and read these in Stories & Things.
June 23, 2003
You know how sometimes talking to your relatives can put you in a towering, rotten, moody rage? Legolas seethes in a quiet place after a confrontation with his father, when he runs into an old friend -- a VERY old friend -- and his mood is lifted! And small things are now in bigger packages. It's all laid out in The Shadows That Remain, Chapter 13: Comrades in "Other Fic," Stories & Things. Hey, you can't pick your family, but you gotta have friends!
June 21, 2003
J.K. Rowling comes through, and today Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix is out! Yeah, some of us tried surreptitious ways to get a start on our reading -- some work in bookstores and stole peeks at the stock ... some swallowed up "stolen" chapters on the 'net (bad! bad!) ... others stayed up all night and loitered in the store till midnight, when the book officially went on sale! We couldn't get the first two groups to write a "Field Report," but the loiterers did, and had a great time -- even coming away with official promotional hats! Read all about the Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix Pre-Launch Bookstore Event and a non-spoiler Book Review -- the first in "Field Reports" and the second in "Reviews" -- in Stories & Things. (We KNOW that you spent all day -- and night -- reading it ... we did!!)
June 19, 2003
The Culinary Padawan is over halfway done with the culinary arts course she's taking! She'll get a new working partner in the next lesson, but for Lesson 11: Beef & Veal and Lesson 12: Mixt, things are as they've been. Hope the heat and the fatigue, and now a new partner, don't make her lose it? Or maybe we do ... It's a "Field Report" in Stories & Things.
June 17, 2003
A subcommittee of the Jedi Council must decide what will happen to Padawans who will not become Knights. The rule: if a Master does not choose you to train by year 13, you have to leave. But where to deliberate a Padawan's fate in complete privacy? To hide, Master Yoda says cover up completely, or expose completely. The Fateful Deliberations at Dex's Diner is in "Set Pieces," Hut Cuisine. Funny, no one ordered potatoes, which can be found in just about every cuisine even though it's a relative newcomer, historically speaking. SuSu skips around, submitting the Field Report for Lesson 9: Potato of The Culinary Padawan series after she had submitted Lesson Ten -- too hot in the kitchen? Time to get out? It's listed in Stories & Things.
June 16, 2003
Like preparations for a chess game, the pieces of the Fellowship regroup and plan their positions for the assault to come. While moving into position is hard enough, Legolas is given an even more difficult assignment -- he must face his past and overcome a bitter family dispute to request troops for the Elven Alliance. Chapter 12: Friction of The Shadows That Remain will be uncomfortable to anyone who's ever needed to ask for help from kin who don't speak to you anymore. It's in "Other Fic," Stories & Things.
June 15, 2003
The Lord of the Rings has feasts and parties, the most famous being Bilbo's Farewell Birthday Feast, which fed hundreds with almost as many dishes. This Set Piece reports Bilbo's very favorite recipes. The Hobbit, like most of us, loves slow-roasted pork! We've had it, and it's awesome, check it out, in Hut Cuisine. SuSu submits another Culinary Padawan Field Report, for Lesson 10: Chicken, where she describes the reaction of some classmates to addressing and dismembering a whole fowl. Eeuuw? Look in Field Reports, Stories & Things.
June 13, 2003
There is a difference between being taken against your will, and being made to want it ... Annallisa's Corsex sizzles and pops in the next two chapters of this PG-13/NC-17 tale. There is implied slash in Chapter 2 and out-and-out, no-holds barred fun and slash in Chapter 3, so caveat emptor and enjoy it responsibly, in Stories & Things. For something milder but not nearly as good, see the movie review for 2 fast, 2 furious, in "Reviews," of the same Wookieehut section!
June 9, 2003
A boisterous family reunion -- at least on the part of the twins, is a light-hearted moment in an otherwise tense interlude as the Fellowship gathers in the Golden City to be healed of their wounds and begin to form their plans. Read Chapter 11: Reunion of The Shadows That Remain, Stories & Things.
June 8, 2003
It's been a serious foodie week. Inspired by Susu's Culinary Padawan Field Reports, several Huttites and hangers-on went to visit Jedi Grand Masters of cuisine, and came back groupies all because of The Demos of Two Jacques. Then they paid homage to the students of these Masters, by going to the student-staffed L'École for dinner and had a wonderful meal for not as much as they should have paid. The two-part Field Report is in Stories & Things and the restaurant review is listed in Hut Cuisine.
June 7, 2003
Nazgul, Orcs, Undead ... the contemporary incarnations of these horrors are just as dangerous and deadly as their originals. Will the Fellowship make good their escape to plan their defense and attack? Read Shadows That Remain, Chapter 10: Flight for the latest skinny! Listed in Other Fic, Stories & Things. The Culinary Padawan has significantly fewer things to worry about, though how the eggs behave and how to turn out a perfect crust are troublesome enough! Two Field Reports this time, for Lesson Seven: Crèmes & Custards and Lesson Eight: Tartes, also in Stories & Things.
June 5, 2003
Corran Horn serves time on the Errant Venture bottling Penitential Banana Chutney for Booster's trading currency. No one else wants to do it, so let's get Corran to do it! (Hey, he likes it!) To be found listed in Condiments, Preserves, & Relishes in Hut Cuisine. In the latest installment of the LOTR-based tale Shadows That Remain, Chapter 09: Escape witnesses the "awakening" of the hobbits. It's inevitable, but not easy, for not only do the light ones know it, the dark ones do, too ... Look for it in Other Fic, Stories & Things.
June 4, 2003
The Culinary Padawan has a bad day, but the eggs are good! Check out Lesson Six: Eggs in Field Reports, Stories & Things.
June 1, 2003
It's making sense now, and the players are being identified. In the LOTR-based future tale Chapter 08: Reincarnation of Shadows That Remain those who were alive before start to understand. But if you know what happened in the past, is it a blueprint for the future? Check it out, listed in Other Fic, Stories & Things.
May 30, 2003
The Culinary Padawan realizes that many foods that are preserved are more than mummified remains, and learns to use some in Lesson Five: Preserved Foods. It's listed in "