Chocolate Fudge Brownies

150g butter
150g dark chocolate (preferably more than 60% cocoa solids)
225g dark soft brown sugar
3 medium eggs
seeds scraped from a vanilla pod, or one teaspoon good vanilla extract
90g whole plain flour
half teaspoon baking powder
100g walnut pieces (or a mixture walnut/cherries)

Cut the butter into chunks and break up the chocolate. Place both in a heatproof bowl and melt together in a microwave or over a pan of simmering water. Stir well, then cool until tepid.
Heat the oven to 190C, gas mark 5. Line the base of a shallow rectangular baking tin (approximately 20cm x 27cm) with non-stick baking paper. Beat the sugar, eggs and vanilla in a mixing bowl til frothy. Mix the flour and baking powder. Beat the buttery chocolate into the sugary eggs, followed by the flour and the walnuts.
Scrape the mixture into the tin, level with the back of a spoon, bake for 30-45 minutes until a crust forms over the top. The centre will feel slightly soft when pressed. Remove and cool in the tin for over 2 hours. Cut into squares while in the tin and lever out with a knife. Enjoy.

Even Rocky Had a Montage

So, for those of you who don't know, I'm excited because it's the annual Tall Persons Club Anniversary event. I feel a montage coming on...

I Wii'd til I could Wii no more...



I bought a dress I wasn't sure about, but I'm coming round to it...



I dyed my hair and (sort of) learnt to curl it....



And now I'm all packed and ready to go...



Always fade out after a montage, always fa....

Close but no cigar

So I haven't updated this blog in ages. And it's only because Twitter isn't working that I've come here. I feel a need to SAY SOMETHING. I wonder if anyone actually comes here any more.
I'm sat on a train writing this on my HTC magic (great phone, completely feeds my obsession with social networking like tinder to a flame). I'm going backwards. In fact, this is not as irritating as usual. I am listening to November Rain and it is in fact raining. The air con is on and, just like at work, I am freezing my butt off. I brought Shopaholic goes abroad with me for a bit of froth but found it too frothy and now have nothing to read. I miss good old meaty Wilbur Smith action. The guy next to me was having some kind of moment when I got on the train, but seems to be normal now. Oh no, he's being odd again, maybe he's got some kind of OCD.
I feel better now, hope you enjoyed that random diatribe.
Update: we're running slow because of a report of a cow on the line. Brilliant.

Post from Twitter

There must be better things to do on a Sunday morning than be wide awake and contemplating a trip to Tesco. #

I'm wondering whether this poster advertising Ipods for £20 is for real - I'm very tempted to go find out. #

Trying out TweetDeck. Looks shiney. Off to see if you really can get something for nothing... #

Black man comes up behind me: 'Hello my lovely, I've been following you' What is it with black men? Confidence? #

No iPod but I am now in possession of 99 Flake. Off to my "garden" to read and relax in the sunshine. Housework? Pah! #

Sun is having unfortunate dalliance with cloud. Retreat! #

Mmmm, disposable BBQ, halloumi, pepper, apple, pork, steak, onions. Woodpecker cider. Now to watch bad films all night. #

"Angels and Demons is the sequel to The Da Vinci Code, although A&D was published and takes place before The Da Vinci Code" - I'm confused! #

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Damn working hours, means I wake up at 8 at the weekend. Or is it my ineffective curtains? #

Been living here for a year and a half and only just figured out the kitchen extractor fan works. Duh. #

twitpic.com/4e89x - Noooo... Buds are going to yellow, plant's not going to flower again :( Boo Hoo! #

Off on a walk with the Metropolitan walkers round Leytonstone and Epping Forest... hope they're nice :-S #

I'm back from the most random day. Everyone was lovely and I just had curry with people I'd only just met. #

The bed with the king size duvet calls, and I see no reason to deny it. #

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Morning has broken, and me with it. Only 8 hours to go and then I can go home... #

I appear to have strained my shoulder again. Better not tell Louise, she'll try and massage it (=agonising torture) #

I've just discovered the @tallscientist replies section. I mostly understand Twitter, but sometimes not. what is the # thing? Tagging? #

Someone just broke down right im the middle of the road outside. Ooops. #

Someone called "Tall is Better" wants to be my friend on FB. Weirdo alert... #

Tis hot out in the sun. Wonder whether it's going to be like this all weekend, may have to abandon the duvet for sitting outside... #

Damn. All my new pears have gone brown from the inside. Yuk. #

Hoorah, end of working day, feeling much better now. The Central Line is calling... #

Don't know what's going on in Leytonstone, road's clogged in both directions. #

doing quizzes on FB and watching Zoo Babies... #

mmmm, Magners Pear cider... must try that soon #

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All I remember of my dream last night is paperclips. Or was it staples? #

Damn these Cox apples from Tesco are gooood. Wonder how long it takes a tree to grow from seed. #

Think I'm coming down with the lergy. Almost 100% sure it's not swine flu. May have to spend weekend under duvet on sofa. Shame. #

Irritating song in my head today: "Number 1" by Tinchy Strider. Utter guff. #

Luckily, the shop was playing "I'm yours" (Jason Moraz) so I have a better song for the afternoon. #

Right, off home, no Water Workout tonight, feel too cruddy. #

I'm going to miss TFC when I leave Leytonstone. It rocks and is full of all sort of food goodies. Even the owner knows me. #

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