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short takes
Words that are often misused #1: "periodic". To be meaningful, this word needs to be accompanied by some indication of the period. "Daily" is "periodic", but probably not what is meant in a recipe's direction to "stir periodically". :-)
Two facts that seem to be at odds with each other: (1) a lot of medieval Islamic recipes call for vinegar; and (2) Islam forbids the consumption of wine.
Our baron (who lives in a castle) shared one way to get your castle past the zoning board. I wonder how that's going to work out for the owners in the end, now that the neighbors have noticed. (Who would have thought you could build a castle on the sly in a populated area?)
Two interesting posts that showed up on my reading list within a few hours of each other, serendipitously: whom do you friend? (from![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
cahwyguy) and who owns the conversation? (from jducoeur). Both have lots of comments that I haven't yet digested.
Words that are often misused #2: "rebate". A rebate is a refund of monies paid. If you give money to someone who didn't pay any (or as much as is being given out), the correct word is "gift" (or "grant", if you want to be more governmental about it). Just sayin'.
Query: can anyone reading this point me to a neutral high-level discussion of economics, that I can consume in an hour, that explains how merely pushing small amounts of money into the economy helps fend off a recession? What does the mere act of one-time spending accomplish, and does it matter whether it's splurge-buying or spending you would have done anyway? My knowledge of macro-economics is, as you can tell, a little on the spotty side. I don't care enough to read a tome, but I'd like to read something shorter, particularly if it doesn't come with an agenda. And yes, I realize that the rhetoric and the real reasons behind the stimulus package probably differ; I'm exploring the stated reason here.
Two facts that seem to be at odds with each other: (1) a lot of medieval Islamic recipes call for vinegar; and (2) Islam forbids the consumption of wine.
Our baron (who lives in a castle) shared one way to get your castle past the zoning board. I wonder how that's going to work out for the owners in the end, now that the neighbors have noticed. (Who would have thought you could build a castle on the sly in a populated area?)
Two interesting posts that showed up on my reading list within a few hours of each other, serendipitously: whom do you friend? (from
cahwyguy) and who owns the conversation? (from jducoeur). Both have lots of comments that I haven't yet digested.Words that are often misused #2: "rebate". A rebate is a refund of monies paid. If you give money to someone who didn't pay any (or as much as is being given out), the correct word is "gift" (or "grant", if you want to be more governmental about it). Just sayin'.
Query: can anyone reading this point me to a neutral high-level discussion of economics, that I can consume in an hour, that explains how merely pushing small amounts of money into the economy helps fend off a recession? What does the mere act of one-time spending accomplish, and does it matter whether it's splurge-buying or spending you would have done anyway? My knowledge of macro-economics is, as you can tell, a little on the spotty side. I don't care enough to read a tome, but I'd like to read something shorter, particularly if it doesn't come with an agenda. And yes, I realize that the rhetoric and the real reasons behind the stimulus package probably differ; I'm exploring the stated reason here.
Vinegar
Also, does the same religious prohibition exist on hard cider and beer? I think so, but I'm not sure whether the prohibition is actually grape-specific or what. And then there is the case of nabih, which is very lightly fermented....
Re: Vinegar
Yup. I was wondering about the inclination to make vinegar in a culture that has no use for wine. I've been assuming that vinegar arose as a byproduct of wine, not an end in itself. Perhaps that assumption is incorrect.
I have the impression that modern Islam forbids all alcohol, but I don't know if that's universal or just some sects, nor if it's modern or long-standing law.
Re: Vinegar
Note: this discussion applies to more than just grapes.