August 2021: Month in Review
August is my birthday month! Here are the happenings of this deep summer situation.
August Excursion: The Book of Distance VR Experience at Powell Street Festival
The Powell Street Festival is an annual event celebrating Japanese Canadian cultures. In 2020 they were entirely online, this year was a hybrid with a very small programme of events happening at the Japanese Language school on the DTES.
One of those events was the incredibly moving and powerful VR game The Book of Distance by Randall Okita, which about Okita's family experience with WW2 in Canada and the human rights violations and war crimes the Canadian government enacted on Japanese Canadian citizens. I got to play it and despite not really liking video games/VR, I found it very powerful and haunting.
Most-Liked Chore: Brushing Liberty Bell
Liberty Bell is my domestic longhair (we thought she was a maine coon until very recently). My spouse has found a hilarious new routine of standing and brushing LB while hoisting her over one arm. She holds her across her forearm (i.e. with her arm under her belly, hand supporting her chin) while brushing her with her other. LB hangs there limply like a jungle cat, finding the whole experience quite blissful. We realize it's a very odd way to groom your pet but it's hilarious to watch.
Least-Liked Chore: Listening to Halloween Hype
Yes I realize this isn't a chore per se as much of a pet peeve of mine 😅
In recent years I feel like the Halloween hype has been starting earlier and earlier in August. Given, I get there is not a lot to look forward to and celebrate right now with the COVID limitations around the world. However, I think we do ourselves a disservice of not appreciating the seasons as they are. More about how I've learned to appreciate all the seasons here.
August Recipes
I had more occasions to cook for the ones I love this past month. Here is another vegetarian menu for a meal I served to my inlaws.
One Pot Creamy Leek Spaghetti by Ashley Rodriguez. I skipped the anchovy and used veggie broth instead of course, this was still deliciou and my MIL even went for a second helping!
Simple Garden Salad by Recipe Tin Eats
Appetizer - Thai Chicken Salad Cups (I used fried tofu cut into matchsticks instead of chicken!) by Canadian Living
Panzanella Salad with Grilled Zucchini and Tomatoes by Canadian Living. I subbed in pepitas for the pine nuts because pine nuts are so expensive, and I couldn't find fresh mozza so I tore up a ball of bocconcini which worked well!
August Quote
Coming soon to my human birthday, twenty-seven years. I refuse to make a balance sheet. I’ve done great things this year, artistically speaking, that’s all. I’ve also made mistakes. Have learned to do without friends. I believe in will power. I believe in myself. Amen.
-Anaïs Nin
