Next Club Meeting: December 14, 2024, at the Fountaindale Public Library in Bolingbrook from 11:00 am - 5:00 pm

The Animatrix Network is an anime & manga fan club located in the Southwest suburbs of Chicago, Illinois. We usually meet on the third Saturday of each month (except when holidays or conventions coincide). The meetings are free and open to the public. Join us for a day filled with anime.

This site provides news, reviews, commentaries, and previews of the world of anime and everything it inspires, such as live-action films, comics, music, art, and other weird things to enjoy and contemplate.

Friday, November 30, 2012

Pacific Rim Goes Viral

KAIJU EMERGENCY ALERT SYSTEM!

[Source: Syfy.com] In the form of a breaking news report, a video's surfaced featuring footage from a Kaiju attack. It looks like San Francisco is the target of choice. The monster's described as at least 300 feet tall. Military jets are brought in to subdue it, but too little, too late. The damage has been done. Bridges are destroyed and there's massive panic on the streets. Where are those Jaegers (giant robots) when you need them? The news anchor closes the video with "I can only pray that this is the end of it." Well, we all know that's not the case. A few seconds later, we're shown a quick shot of a roaring monster terrorizing civilians. There's more where that came from.
BREAKING NEWS: KAIJU ATTACK!

Here's a leaked memo (via Total Film) between the Great Britain Air Command and the Pan Pacific Defense Corps detailing the nomination of some pretty exceptional pilots to report for duty immediately in order to deal with this kaiju problem.

And some Top Secret blueprints of the giant robots called "Jaegers." 

The Russian Jaeger that protects Mother Russia:  CHERNO ALPHA Jaeger

Japan's Jaeger: COYOTE TANGO

STRIKER EUREKA another US Jaeger

U.S. Jaeger GYPSY DANGER

Pacific Rim opens in the U.S. July 12, 2013

Thursday, November 29, 2012

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Dumb Ways to Die

Just don't do any of these, okay? 
Watch this amusing video to find out.


Don't play with piranha!

Don't poke bears with a stick!

Or wear antlers during hunting season!

Monday, November 26, 2012

Viewing Schedule for December 1, 2012

Wood Dale Public Library
Large Meeting Room, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
"It's our Holiday Party!
Saturday, December 1, 2012
10:00 - 10:50    Accel World 8-9
10:50 - 11:15    Space Brothers 6
11:15 - 11:40    Rinne no Lagrange 8
11:40 - 12:30    Mirai Nikki (Future Diary) 25-26 (end)
12:30 - 1:30    
Club Meeting / Holiday Party
1:30 - 2:20       Kokoro Connect 7-8
2:20 - 3:10       Another 11-12 (end)

3:10 - 4:00       Sword Art Online 3-4
4:00 - 4:50       Space Battleship Yamato 2199 eps 3-4


10:00 - 10:50   Accel World 8-9
"Accelerate!"
Accel World
[Source: Wikipedia] In the year 2046, Neuro-synchronization, a technology system that allows humans to manipulate their five senses, has become widespread where people can access the internet and enter virtual worlds. Haruyuki "Haru" Arita is a short, fat boy who due to constant bullying has low-self esteem. To escape the torment of real life, he logs-in to the school's virtual world network where he plays squash alone and always gets the highest score. One day Haru attracts the attention of the Student Council Vice-President Kuroyukihime who offers him Brain Burst, a secret program which allows a person to make time appear to stand still in their surroundings by "accelerating" their brainwaves in the real world. Unfortunately, there is a limit to how many times a person can accelerate due to Brain Burst points and the primary way to get more points is to fight and defeat other Brain Burst users in the program's virtual reality massive multiplayer online (VRMMO) fighting game. However, if a user loses all of his/her points the Brain Burst program will uninstall itself and block all re-installation attempts, thus permanently removing the user's ability to accelerate. Kuroyukihime wants Haru's help as she wishes to reach Level 10 and meet the creator of Brain Burst to learn its true purpose. But in order to do that, she must defeat five other Level 9 users who just so happen to be "The Six Kings of Pure Color", the leaders of the six most powerful factions in the Brain Burst world. For helping him, Haru agrees to help Kuroyukihime not only to repay her but to overcome his weaknesses.
Episode 8 "Temptation": As Kuroyukihime's team attempts to claim more territories, Haru finds his tactics are becoming easily read by his opponents. He returns home to be greeted by Tomoko Saito, who is allegedly his second cousin who is staying with him while her parents are away. Haru soon deduces that she is in fact a Burst Linker known as Scarlet Rain, revealed by Kuroyukihime to be the Red King. Following a mishap in the bathroom, Tomoko challenges him to a Brain Burst match, proving to be too powerful for him. As Tomoko wins the match, she requests a real life meeting with Kuroyukihime. As Haru discusses the matter with Kuroyukihime, she reveals she had a thing for the previous Red King, Red Rider, who she had beheaded when she betrayed the other Level 9s.
Episode 9 "Escalation": After discussing with Takumu, Kuroyukihime agrees to meet up with Tomoko, whose real name is Yuniko Kozuki. Yuniko explains how she wishes to borrow Haru's power of flight to destroy the Armor of Catastrophe, an external item that turns Burst Linkers into Chrome Disasters which Kuroyukihime had thought was long destroyed. After Kuroyukihime explains to everyone about how she had fought the last Burst Linker who was possessed by the armor, Yuniko reveals that the current Chrome Disaster is from her own legion, explaining how she needs Haru's flight to get close enough to use an ability to instantly defeat him. After agreeing to the terms, Kuroyukihime becomes jealous of Yuniko and decides to spend the night at Haru's home.

10:50 - 11:15   Space Brothers 6
"Time to Dream again about Space!"
 
Space Brothers
[Source: Wikipedia] When they were young, the brothers Mutta and Hibito promised each other they would become astronauts. Now, in 2025, Hibito has followed his dream to become the first Japanese on the moon, but Mutta has just been fired from his job. His brother reminds him of their childhood promise, and Mutta decides once again to aim for space.
Episode 6 "Et Cetera in My Head": As Mutta arrives at the Johnson Space Center to observe Hibito's training, one of the JAXA judges brings up the reason Mutta was fired from his previous job. As Hibito appears on a television show that night, Mutta is surprised when Hibito starts praising him. Just then, Mutta receives a call from his former workmates informing them of what his former boss had told JAXA. As Mutta becomes convinced he has lost his chance of becoming an astronaut, one of the other JAXA judges, Hoshika, who had been observing Mutta and Hibito's constant visits to JAXA since they were kids, meets up with Mutta's former workmates to get the whole story.

11:15 - 11:40   Rinne no Lagrange 8
"Traaaaaaansmute!"
 
Rinne no Lagrange
[Source: Wikipedia] Madoka Kyouno, a schoolgirl from Kamogawa, is the sole member of the Jersey Club and always ready to help others out. One day, she is approached by an alien named Lan who asks her to pilot a robotic aircraft to defend mankind against an evil force.
Episode 8 "A Lolita in Kamogawa": Asteria Lizamarie de Roschefall, the granddaughter of Novumundos' chairman, comes to question Madoka about the incident that occurred while confronting Muginami. As Asteria speaks with Yoko about the Voxs, Lan tells Madoka about the Vox Legend, in which an incident involving Voxes nearly destroyed the world 20,000 years ago. After speaking with Yoko, Asteria decides to ban Madoka from piloting Midori, prompting Lan and Muginami to lock themselves in the hangar as protest. However, Madoka decides to accept the ban, since it wouldn't separate her from Lan and Muginami. Afterwards, Asteria goes to see Villagiulo, refusing to hand over the Vox units.

11:40 - 12:30     Mirai Nikki (Future Diary) 25-26 (end)
"Happy Black Friday! Early Shopping at the Big Buy Store"
Mirai Nikki
[Source: Wikipedia] Yukiteru "Yuki" Amano is a loner who never really interacts with people and prefers writing a diary on his cell phone with his only companion being an imaginary friend named Deus Ex Machina, the God of Time and Space. However, Yuki soon learns that Deus is real when he makes Yuki participate in a battle royale with eleven other people. Within this "Diary Game", the contestants are given special diaries that can predict the future, with each diary having unique features that gives them both advantages and disadvantages. Within the next 90 days, the contestants must try to kill each other and survive until there is only one person standing, the winner becoming the new God of Time and Space.
Episode 25 "Reset": An ambulance arrives at Yuno's house together with the third Yuno's father. Although he is a much more caring man in this world, Yuno has to stab him when he starts getting suspicious of her. Uryu drops off Yuki and the third Yuno at the school and makes a phone call to this world's Keigo, forewarning him about his son's illness. Yuki evades Yuno and Murmur's attacks, trying to convince Yuno to return to the second world and rule as its goddess. However, Yuno, torn between her feelings for Yuki and the inevitability of the second world's destruction unless one of them dies, decides to trap him in an illusionary "ideal" world where his parents are alive and she has never existed. Uryu returns and fights Murmur, but she is overwhelmed once Yuno releases the seal on Murmur's powers. With Uryu beaten, Yuno approaches her other self.
Episode 26 "Initialization": After some hesitation at seeing the innocence of her other self, Yuno lunges at her, but she is stopped by her other self's parents. Meanwhile, the actions of Yuki and Uryu have caused a domino effect that has changed the future of almost every diary holder for the better. When Balks reads about his other self's death in Yuki's diary using his incomplete Watcher Diary, he calls off his partnership with Deus, who decides to cancel the survival game and find another method to determine his successor. Yuki manages to remember Yuno and break free from the illusionary world, in the process releasing his world's Murmur, who had been trapped by her first world self in order to impersonate her. Faced with Yuki's love and her other self's united family, Yuno's resolve to kill them all is lost, and she decides to commit suicide. A horrified Yuki is declared winner of the survival game by his world's Murmur and spirited away through a vortex. 10,000 years on, Yuki is still grieving Yuno's death in his now empty universe, refusing to create anything. At the end of the episode, the final entry in his diary changes from "Yuno died" to "Yuno came to see me", and her voice is heard calling his name.

12:30 - 1:30     Club Meeting and Holiday Party!

 
Cool Cosplay
-  Convention Announcements
-  Animation News from around the world
-  Cosplayers/Skits/Masquerade
-  Anime Music Videos
-  And other weird, interesting stuff...


"Get ready for more action!"
 

1:30 - 2:20   Kokoro Connect 7-8
"You're in love with who?"
Kokoro Connect
[Source: Wikipedia] The story involves five high school students, Taichi, Iori, Himeko, Yoshifumi and Yui, who are all members of the Cultural Research Club. One day, they begin experiencing a phenomenon in which they randomly swap bodies amongst themselves. As these five friends face many different phenomena at the whims of a mysterious being known as Balloon Vine, their friendship is put to the ultimate test.
Episode 7 "Falling Apart": As the other grow concerned about Yui, who hasn't shown up at school since the incident, Himeko tells Taichi he could be in danger if his desire to help others is unleashed. As the others visit Yui the next day, she reveals her worries that she might end up hurting others again, but Himeko ends up unleashing her desire to scold her, stating her belief that they could all be in danger if they don't satisfy Heartseed's desire for entertainment. As Himeko tries to keep herself out of situations, Taichi's desires cause him to argue with her and reprimand her for being a coward. 
Episode 8 "And Then there Were None": As Himeko distances herself from the others, concerns over Yui cause Taichi and Yoshifumi to argue with each other. When Iori tries to stop them from fighting, Taichi's desires cause him to inadvertently injure her. As the class makes plans for a field trip, Iori becomes worried as both Himeko and Taichi are becoming more distant from her. As Mr. Goto asks Taichi to help him carry some school equipment, he suggests he turn to his friends for advice while Maiko suggest he consider what is most important to him.
 
2:20 - 3:10   Another 11-12 (end)
"Find out who the dead student really is in the final episodes of Another."
 
Another
[Source: Wikipedia] In 1972, a popular student named Misaki who was in class 3-3 of Yomiyama North Middle School suddenly died partway through the school year. Devastated by the unexpected loss, the students and teachers behaved like Misaki was still alive, leading to a strange presence on the graduation photo. In Spring 1998, a 15-year old boy named Kōichi Sakakibara transfers into Yomiyama's class 3-3, where he meets the peculiar Mei Misaki, who is seemingly ignored by her classmates. The class is soon caught up in an epidemic where students, or people related to class 3-3 students, are caught up in mysterious deaths. Learning these deaths have something to do with the mystery of 1972, it is up to Kōichi and Mei to discover the cause of these mysterious deaths and figure out how to put an end to it before it puts an end to them.
Episode 11 "Makeup": Naoya explains that he'd pushed Kazami off the balcony, believing him to be the "extra one". As Kōichi and Mei go with Naoya to check if he is still alive, Kōichi finds that Manabu Maejima has been stabbed in the back; the dining hall is on fire; and the manager has been stabbed to death. Soon after, Kōichi, Naoya, and Yūya discover that the tape has gone missing. While looking for Ms. Mikami, Naoya and Yūya are attacked and chased after by the hotel mistress, Keiko Numata, who turns out to be behind the fire and stabbings. Meanwhile, Izumi's friend Takako, who believes Mei is the "extra one", as she is "different" from the Misaki (possibly Misaki Fujioka) she knew in elementary school, broadcasts the tape across the hotel, ordering everyone to kill Mei. Before things degenerate, Izumi reveals that Takako has been emotionally unstable since the trip to the beach. As Kōichi and Mei try to escape, Ms. Mikami is knocked unconscious while protecting Mei; while Yumi falls from a window chasing them, breaking her neck. After a backdraft from the dining hall kills Makoto Ouji and causes the fire to spread further, Takako appears behind Kōichi and Mei in the staircase. She stabs Kōichi in the arm (though she lets him live, as "Izumi seems fond of you.") and attacks Mei, but is unintentionally hanged when she gets caught in some wires. Izumi arrives soon after, and mistakes that Mei killed Takako. Mei runs off, leaving Kōichi behind.
Episode 12 "Stand by oneself": As more students die or are injured trying to escape the hotel, Chibiki arrives just in time to save Naoya and Yūya from Keiko. Meanwhile, Kōichi comes across Kazami, who has been randomly killing students in order to find the "extra one". He attacks Kōichi, but is killed by Izumi before he can inflict serious injury. Still searching for Mei, Kōichi returns to the hotel, only to find Izumi attempting to end the calamity by killing Mei. When he interferes, she becomes infuriated and tries to kill them both, only to be impaled by shattered glass caused by a lightning strike. As she passes away, Izumi remembers meeting Kōichi in Yomiyama a year and a half ago and tells him about it. When Kōichi finally catches up to Mei, he learns that the "extra one" is Ms. Mikami — Aunt Reiko — who was killed a year and a half ago. Recovering all of his memories, Kōichi reluctantly kills Reiko himself with a pickaxe, ending the calamity; the shock of his action causes Kōichi to pass out from relapse. His voice is heard, saying, "Goodbye...Mother." Sometime after these events, at a graveyard near Yomiyama, Chibiki explains to the recovered Kōichi and Mei that Keiko and her husband were Ikuo Takabayashi's grandparents, who had entered a poor emotional state after his death (which explains Keiko's insanity). After saying goodbye to Chibiki and leaving, Kōichi and Mei reflect on the memories they will likely soon forget. Kōichi later says aloud, "It's over, huh?" to which Mei makes a small smile. After the credits, Kōichi, Mei, and the other students of Class 3-3 record a new message for those who may face the calamity in the future. As Naoya and Yūya hide the message in the 3-3 classroom, the last lines of the message are heard: "That's how to stop the calamity. How you interpret this is up to you. Just make sure to carefully consider your actions. Think it through, and discuss it with your friends...so you'll have no regrets."

3:10 - 4:00  Sword Art Online 3-4
"Kirito must beat the game in order to save himself and his friends,
but he must first harden his emotions even to those he loves."
 Sword Art Online
[Source: Wikipedia] In the year 2022, the Virtual reality Massive Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game (VRMMORPG) Sword Art Online (SAO) is released. With the Nerve Gear, a virtual reality Helmet that stimulates the user's five senses via their brain, players can experience and control their in-game characters with their minds. On November 6, 2022, all the players log in for the first time, and discover that they are unable to log out. They are then teleported to a place where Kayaba Akihiko, the creator of SAO, issues them a challenge; if they wish to be free and log out of the game, they must reach the 100th floor of the game's tower and defeat the final boss. However, if their avatars die in game, their bodies will also die in the real world. The story follows Kirito, a skilled player who is determined to beat the game. As the game progresses Kirito eventually befriends a female player called Asuna who becomes his partner and lover. After the duo discovers the identity of Kayaba's avatar in SAO, the couple confronts and defeats him, freeing themselves and the other players from the game. Upon returning to the real world, Kirito learns that Asuna is trapped along a small group of SAO players against their will in another VRMMORPG called Alfheim Online (ALO) as a part of a plan devised by Nobuyuki Sugō with the intention of brainwashing Asuna and marry her in an attempt to take over her family's company. Helped by old friends from his time in SAO along new allies, Kirito manages to thwart Nobuyuki's plans and finally reunite with Asuna in the real world. Soon after, Kirito embarks in another VRMMORPG called Gun Gale Online (GGO) to investigate the mysterious connection between the game and deaths ocurring in the real world. He eventually discovers that the cuplrits behind the deaths include former members of a murderous guild he has previously confronted in SAO. After solving the murders in GGO, Kirito is recruited to assist in the development of a state-of-the-art game interface far more realistic and complex than those of the games he had previously played, but he eventually gets trapped in a game called UnderWorld (UW) where the flow of time is thousands of times faster than in the real world and is currently finding a way back to reality.
Episode 3 "The World of Swords": On November 6, 2022, the VRMMORPG Sword Art Online is officially released where 10,000 copies have been sold. Kirito, who beta-tested the game, log-ins to the world of Aincrad and meets Klein, a new player who asks him to teach him the basics of the game including the Sword Skill battle system. However, Kirito and Klein cannot log out of the game. The players are teleported to the town square and a red-hooded Game Master appears in the sky. The figure reveals himself to the crowd as Akihiko Kayaba, the game's creator and tells them that he purposefully removed the log-out option. Furthermore, he reveals they cannot log-out by simply removing the NerveGear, the VR helmet they use to log-in the game as it will kill them instantly. The only way to log out is for the players to beat and clear all 100 floors of the game and should they die in the game, their real bodies will die as well. As a parting gift, Akihiko gives them a mirror which reveals their real looks on their avatars. As everyone goes into shock of their new predicament, Kirito asks Klein to follow him to the next town to level up before resources are depleted but Klein politely declines as he wishes to remain with his friends but promises to see him again. Kirito heads out, vowing to be free from this game. By the end of the first month, 2,000 players have died but the 1st floor has yet to be cleared.
Episode 4 "Beater": On December 2, 2022, Kirito attends a meeting organized by an idealistic Diabel who reveals to the attendants that his party has found the boss of the 1st floor tower. He rallies everyone to team up and beat the boss, Illfang the Kobold Lord, which will open up the 2nd floor. As parties are formed, Kirito teams up with a girl name Asuna. A new player named Kibaou blames the Beta Testers of the game for running away to loot and level up while leaving the new players behind. Another player named Egil defends the Beta players, revealing it was they who gave them the free guide book that helped them survive the game. Using the guide book, Diabel decides a strategy for fighting Illfang and his minions. As night comes, Kirito shares his food with Asuna while she reveals she joined them in order to do something than nothing. The next day, Diabel's raid group arrives at the boss's room and fight against Illfang and his minions. When Illfang's health becomes low, Diabel goes for the finishing blow. Kirito tries to warn him after noticing Illfang has a different type of weapon then the one described in the guide book; but Illfang strikes down Diabel. Kirito realizes that Diabel was also a Beta player as he had attempted to obtain the boss's rare item. As he dies, Diabel begs Kirito to defeat the boss and save the players. Having an epiphany on how Diabel was helping the other players while Kirito had only helped himself, Kirito is determined to defeat the boss. While receiving Asuna and the raid group's help, Kirito kills Illfang, clearing the 1st floor much to everyone's joy. But the celebration end whens Kibaou blames Kirito for Diabel's death; as his knowledge as a beta player might have saved Diabel. Fearing continuing fighting between the beta and new players, Kirito mocks everyone, telling them he is unlike the beta players who were clueless about the game, as he obtained far more knowledge of the Beta test than any other player. Everyone is repulsed by Kirito, and name Kirito a Beater; a Beta player who cheats. As Kirito leaves for the 2nd floor, he advises Asuna to join a guild.

4:00 - 4:50   Space Battleship Yamato 2199 eps 3-4
"We're off to outer space... to save the human race!"
Space Battleship Yamato 2199
The year is 2199. The once blue and green planet Earth has been reduced to a radioactive desert wasteland by the constant attacks of a hostile alien race, which forces the remaining population underground. However, a friendly alien race contacts the humans and gives them the blueprints to build a powerful space battleship capable of retrieving a device to clean the planet before humanity disappears. The name of the ship: Space Battleship Yamato.

Sunday, November 25, 2012

The Host 2

Creepy Trailer for the Sequel to 
Korea's Monster Hit
 [Source: Syfy.com] Back in 2006, Bong Joon-Ho's The Host was a refreshing throwback to the classic monster movies of the past. With decent FX and a fresh script, the Korean director had a rampaging hit, racking up nearly $90 million worldwide. Its famous Han River dweller is back to terrorize the waterways of Seoul in the sequel, The Host 2, to be released sometime in 2013, and this time directed by Park Myeong-chan. Take a peek at the new footage and VFX breakdown frames from Korea's Macrograph Studios after the mayhem.


Saturday, November 24, 2012

Aura: Maryuuinkouga Saigo no Tatakai

AURA - Promo Video


[Source: AnimeNewsNetwork] The film, Aura: Maryuuinkouga Saigo no Tatakai, is based on the 2008 light novel of the same name by Romeo Tanaka (Humanity is Declining). The school romantic comedy revolves around Ichirō "Menzu" Satō, a high school freshman who forgets his textbook at school one day. Ichirō encounters a beautiful girl while sneaking back into his school in the dead of night. The girl calls herself a witch from a parallel world. Ichirō used to suffer delusions of grandeur like this, but vowed to stop so that he can successfully re-invent himself as a freshman in high school. Seiji Kishi (Persona 4, Angel Beats!, My Bride is a Mermaid/Seto no Hanayome) is directing the anime at AIC ASTA. Makoto Uezu (School Days, Is This a Zombie?, My Bride is a Mermaid) is collaborating on the story composition with scriptwriter Jun Kumagai (Persona 4 The Animation episodes). Kazuaki Morita (Carnival Phantasm, Kamisama Dolls, My Bride is a Mermaid) is adapting the original novel illustrations by mebae (C – Control – The Money and Soul of Possibility). The film will open in Japanese theaters next spring.

Friday, November 23, 2012

NBA Christmas Carol

Bringing Basketball Christmas Cheer...

To All of Us This Time of Year!

Thursday, November 22, 2012

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!


May your stuffing be tasty,
May your turkey be plump,
May your potatoes and gravy
Have nary a lump.
May your yams be delicious
And your pies take the prize,
And may your Thanksgiving dinner
Stay off of your thighs!
- Anonymous

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

How to Cook a Turducken for the Holidays

It's a chicken, in a duck, in a turkey...
Turducken!

What You'll Need:
Ingredients

* 2 3/4 cups prepared savory bread stuffing, at room temperature, divided

2 cups prepared cornbread stuffing, at room temperature, divided
1/4 cup pecans, chopped
1/2 cup whole berry cranberry sauce4 tbsp butter
6 fresh sage leaves
2 tbsp fresh thyme leaves
3 cloves garlic, quarteredKosher salt and black pepper, freshly ground
1 10-to-12-lb turkey, deboned
1 4-to-5-lb duck, deboned
1 3-to-4-lb chicken, deboned
1 tbsp browning sauce
1 tbsp olive oil

Equipment

2 baking sheets
ScissorsButcher's twine
3 large mixing bowlsFood processorSmall bowlKitchen shearsMeat thermometerCarving knife

Recipe Details

Servings: 12 to 14

Prep time: 1 hour

Total time: 5 hours

Step 1: Preparation

1. Heat the oven to 350ºF (177ºC). Toast the pecans on a baking sheet in the oven. This draws out the essential oils and the deeper flavors, creating a richer pecan taste. After removing the tray from the oven, leave the oven at its current temperature. Cut three long pieces of butcher's twine.

2. Place two and one-fourth cups of bread stuffing into a large mixing bowl. A second large bowl should have a half a cup of bread stuffing and a half a cup of cornbread stuffing. The third large bowl should contain one and a half cups of cornbread stuffing. In the bowl with equal parts of both stuffings, stir in the cranberry sauce and pecans.

3. To create the compound butter, blend the butter, sage, thyme, garlic and a small amount of salt and pepper in a food processor. Transfer this mixture into a small bowl.

Step 2: Assembling the Turducken

1. Place the turkey skin-side down onto a baking sheet. Season the insides of the turkey thoroughly with salt and pepper.

2. On the inside of the turkey, create a small pocket on one side, right between the skin and the meat. Add half of the compound butter inside this pocket.

3. Create another pocket on the other side and put in the other half of the compound butter. This will keep the turkey moist while baking and adds the flavor of the herbs.

3. Add some of the plain bread stuffing onto the top of the turkey. Lay the duck skin-side down on top of the turkey. Add some of the pecan-cranberry stuffing onto the top of the duck.

4. Lay the chicken skin-side down on top of the duck. Add some of the plain cornbread stuffing onto the top of the chicken.

Step 3: Tying, Roasting and Carving

1. Turn the baking sheet so that the turkey's breast points away from you and the legs face you. Place a length of twine under the legs, then bring it forward until it reaches the middle of the turkey. Pull each end towards the other around the turkey, then tie a tight double knot.

2. Place a second length of twine under the legs, then bring it to thigh height. Use it to pull the thighs close together and then tie another double knot.

3. Pull the flap of neck skin up onto the turkey to cover the stuffing as much as it can. Place a piece of twine under the breast, then bring it to wing height. Feel free to turn the baking sheet if necessary. Use the twine to pull the wings upward and then double knot it. Make sure the wings' ends are tucked in to avoid burning them.

4. Use the kitchen shears to trim the excess twine off of each knot. Now, carefully flip over the turkey, using a hand to prevent the stuffing from falling out. If a small amount does fall out, add it back in wherever you can.

5. Rub the browning sauce over the skin side of the turkey, then rub in the olive oil. The olive oil helps the skin become crispy. Season the skin with salt and pepper, which aids in carmelization.

6. Stick a meat thermometer into the center of the chicken stuffing. Roast the turducken in the oven for three to four hours. Once the thermometer reads 165ºF (74ºC), the turducken is ready to be taken out. Use the kitchen shears to cut the butcher's twine, then remove all of the twine.

7. Let the turducken rest for 30 minutes. Remove the thermometer. Slice into the turducken, starting in the center of the breastbone area and carving towards the legs. Make sure to slice through all three layers of meat.

Tips

* When buying your chicken, duck and turkey, ask your butcher for some butcher's twine. They may give it to you free of charge.

* Make sure to roast the turducken immediately after you've put it together. Refrigerating it to roast later creates a risk of stuffing contamination, which leads to foodborne illnesses.
* Because the side of the turkey that is closed with twine won't be seen by the diners...

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Next Club Meeting is December 1, 2012

New Location!
Celebrate! Uh-huh! Uh-huh!
Wood Dale Public Library
520 N. Wood Dale Road
Wood Dale, IL  60191
Large Meeting Room
Saturday, December 1, 2012
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Our next club meeting will be at the Wood Dale Public Library, Large Meeting Room (on your right as you enter the front doors), on December 1, 2012, from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM (when the library closes).

There is public transportation available. A Metra train-stop is located within walking distance. 

Please note: If you are driving, please park your car on the south side of the building (not the front) in order to make room for other library patrons. This will be our Holiday Party. Details will be announced shortly.

A Viewing Schedule will be posted soon.

Hope to see you all there!

(Click on the pics below to enlarge)
Building Map
 
Regional Map

Local Map

Monday, November 19, 2012

Horizon in the Middle of Nowhere

Episode One
In the far future, humans abandon a devastated Earth and traveled to outer space. However, due to unknown phenomenon that prevents them from traveling into space, humanity returns to Earth only to find it inhospitable except for Japan. To accommodate the entire human population, pocket dimensions are created around Japan to house in the populace. In order to find a way to return to outer space, the humans began reenacting human history according to the Holy Book Testament. But in the year 1413 of the Testament Era, the nations of the pocket dimensions invade and conquer Japan, dividing the territory into feudal fiefdoms and forcing the original inhabitants of Japan to leave. It is now the year 1648 of the Testament Era, the refugees of Japan now live in the city ship Musashi, where it constantly travels around Japan while being watched by the Testament Union, the authority that runs the re-enactment of history. However, rumors of an apocalypse and war begins to spread when the Testament stops revealing what happens next after 1648. Taking advantage of this situation, Tori Aoi, head of Musashi Ariadust Academy's Supreme Federation and President of the student council, leads his classmates to use this opportunity to regain their homeland.