Random Ramblings CXCI · 12:30am May 30th, 2017
IN WHICH GRILLING MEAT HAPPENED
Before I start tonight's rambling, I'd like to ask my readers again to please check out the addition I just made to Exes Meet. I've gotten a tiny bit of feedback (all positive), but I'd really like to hear your opinion. At this point, my regular readers know I'm unsure of myself no matter how many (or few) upvotes I get. I know the part I added is not perfect, but I hope I was at least able to improve a story that deserved some more TLC.
So. Today in the United States (please save us from our "leaders") is the 'observed' Memorial Day -- the actual day is on the 30th, but everyone agrees it's easier to just celebrate it on the last Monday of the month so government workers and schoolkids can get a three-day weekend (we Americans aren't allowed very many holidays thanks to our government's disinclination to protect its citizens). This is of course the day that we honour those who died in combat which, to my knowledge, no one in my family who was in the service did, nor have any of my friends who are in the military now.
Memorial Day is also the traditional start of the long American summer. It's when municipal pools (at least here in the South) open for the season. It's also the beginning of "grilling season". I must admit my sin; I use a gas grill rather than charcoal like one is "supposed" to. But I still use wood chips for flavour. So I went over to my mother's place and grilled up some pork chops and steaks and we had a nice little supper. Even after a year, I still got it. 
On the writing front, I'm still working on both Recovery Arc stories. It's slow going. The first chapter of Recovery turned out way longer than I expected, but I'm almost done with it. Once I am, I'm going back to write the entirety of The Rejected (or whatever I decide to name it). The first part of it wasn't as long as I expected once I fed it into a word counter, so I might still be able to release it as a one-shot depending on how the second half goes. A story's pace is its own thing; I don't feel like I control it as much as the characters themselves do. And that to me is a good thing, as it allows things to develop more organically. I work under the barest of outlines most of the time, IF there's one at all.
Once I'm finished, I may request help to ensure these last stories don't suck. But that's a tale for another time.
Peace out!
I use cast iron and an oven, Steakhouse style.
4551784 - I have a cast iron skillet. Never tried using it with the oven. I had a nonstick searing pan I'd put in the oven for meats. I found it difficult to not overcook stuff. I'm just very very pleased with how well my grilled meats turned out tonight.
There's not a lot I can do right, but grilling and making stock are things I can. I'm also capable of making a decent Burmese curry.
In my experience, unless you have a crazy thick steak, it's nearly equal time spent searing on the stovetop, and finishing in the oven.