Espresso Versus Coffee: Let's Google it!

I recently discovered that our on-campus coffee vendors will give you coffee refills for only $1 if you bring in a reusable mug or thermos. This is an awesome deal that I have been fully taking advantage of the past 2 days. However, today, I was sipping my vanilla coffee with skim milk and 2 sugar packets, I realized that whatever particular "hit" of flavor my tongue was craving was not being satisfied in this regular ol' cup of joe. It was espresso I wanted. Not coffee.

I then realized that I had no idea what the difference was. Hopefully, neither do you, or else you probably think I'm an ignorant coffee connoisseur.

Regardless, here are the facts: (courtesy of wikipedia)


Caffè espresso or espresso (from Italian; sometimes erroneously pronounced or spelled in English expresso[1]) is a concentrated coffee beverage brewed by forcing hot water under pressure through finely ground coffee.



Espresso was developed in Milan, Italy, in the early 20th century, but up until the mid-1940s it was a beverage produced solely with steam pressure. The invention of the spring piston lever machine and its subsequent commercial success changed espresso into the beverage as it is known today. With some espresso machines, espresso can now be produced with 0.82–1.8 MPa (8.2–18 atm; 120–265 PSI) of pressure.



The defining characteristics of espresso include a thicker consistency than drip coffee, a higher amount of dissolved solids than drip coffee per relative volume, and a serving size that is usually measured in shots, which have traditionally been between 25 and 30 ml (around 1 fluid ounce) in size. Many of espresso's chemical components quickly degrade by oxidation[2]. The most distinguishing characteristic is "crema," a reddish-brown foam that floats on the surface and is composed of vegetable oils, proteins and sugars. Crema has elements of both emulsion and foam colloid.

As a result of the high-pressure brewing process, all of the flavors and chemicals in a typical cup of coffee are concentrated. For this reason, espresso lends itself to becoming the base for other drinks, such as lattes, cappuccino, macchiato and mochas.




While there can be significant variation, on a per-volume basis, espresso contains approximately three times the caffeine content of regular brewed coffee (1.700 g/l (50 mg per fluid ounce) of espresso versus 0.50–0.75 g/l (14–22 mg per ounce) for brewed coffee). Compared on the basis of usual serving sizes, a 30 ml (1 fluid ounce) shot of espresso has about half the caffeine of a standard 180 ml (6 fluid ounce) cup of American-style coffee, which varies from 80 to 130 mg.[3]


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Well there you have it, it's all about the type of bean and water pressure. Now if only I can convince Java city to give me 99 cent mocha lattes....

Mother's Day in the UK? Let's google it!

First, an admission. I follow Tom Felton on twitter. Tom felton, as in, Draco Malfoy from the Harry Potter Films, yes.



Okay, that being said, Tom (of course we're on first name basis)has been tweeting all morning about cooking dinner for his mum (proper british spelling, of course), buying her bath soaps, writing her a song (holy cow I didn't know Tom was a muscian?!), etc, and then expressing extreme confusion about how all his American followers believe Mother's day to be in May. He insists it's today.

Well, clearly there is some cultural diversity amuck here! Shall we turn to google?


A lovely site called projectbritain.com explains it all for us:

Mothering Sunday
The UK's version of Mother's Day - 22 March 2009


What is Mothering Sunday?

Mothering Sunday in the UK is the equivalent of Mothers' Day in other countries.

What happens on Mothering Sunday in the UK?

Mothering Sunday is a time when children pay respect to their Mothers. Children often give their Mothers a gift and a card.

Mothering Sunday church service
Many churches give the children in the congregation a little bunch of spring flowers to give to their Mothers as a thank you for all their care and love throughout the year.

When is Mothering Sunday (Mother's Day)?

Mothering Sunday (Mother's Day) is always the fourth Sunday of Lent.
2009 Mothering Sunday in UK in 2009 - 22 March
(Mother's Day in US in 2009 - 10 May)
2010 Mothering Sunday in UK in 2010 - 14 March
(Mother's Day in US in 2010 - 9 May)
2011 Mothering Sunday in UK in 2011 - 3 April
(Mother's Day in US in 2010 - 8 May)

Why is Mothering Sunday on different dates each year?

Mothering Sunday is not a fixed day because it is always the middle Sunday in Lent (which lasts from Ash Wednesday to the day before Easter Sunday). This means that Mother's Day in the UK will fall on different dates each year and sometimes even fall in different months.

Mothering Sunday has been celebrated in the UK on the fourth Sunday in Lent since at least the 16th century.

The History behind Mothering Sunday

Mothering Sunday was also known as 'Refreshment Sunday' or 'Mid-Lent Sunday'. It was often called Refreshment Sunday because the fasting rules for Lent were relaxed, in honour of the 'Feeding of the Five Thousand', a story in the Christian Bible.

No one is absolutely certain exactly how the idea of Mothering Sunday began. However, it is known that on this day, about four hundred years ago, people made a point of visiting their nearest big church (the Mother Church). A cathedral is a very large church and the 'mother church' of all other churches in an area ('diocese').
People who visited their mother church would say they had gone "a mothering."

Young British girls and boys 'in service' (maids and servants) were only allowed one day to visit their family each year. This was usually Mothering Sunday. Often the housekeeper or cook would allow the maids to bake a cake to take home for their mother. Sometimes a gift of eggs; or flowers from the garden (or hothouse) was allowed. Flowers were traditional, as the young girls and boys would have to walk home to their village, and could gather them on their way home through the meadows.



Well there you have it, tom. You're right after all ! Silly American's and our ethnocentrism, assuming our holidays are the same as yours!
Have a lovely mothering day with your mum :)

McDonald's as a Peace Keeping Force? Let's Google It!

Today in my Environment and Culture anthropology class we were discussing whether war was inevitable in all cultures and societies, or not. We agreed, basically, that while human aggression and violence may be inevitable, it is specific cultural and societal conditions that lead to war. In today's world, this happens less and less because of the global economy that promotes trade and business with countries all over the world, thus needing to be on peaceful terms with them.

This is when our professor spouted a quote about how no 2 countries that have McDonald's have ever been in a war with one another.

Is this TRUE?

Let's google it!





According to wikpedia, not so much (although pretty darn close):


Thomas Friedman once said that no country with a McDonald's had gone to war with another. However, the "Golden Arches Theory of Conflict Prevention" is not strictly true. Careful historians point to the 1989 United States invasion of Panama, NATO's bombing of Serbia in 1999, the 2006 Lebanon War, and the 2008 South Ossetia War as exceptions.

Some observers have suggested that the company should be given credit for increasing the standard of service in markets that it enters. A group of anthropologists in a study entitled Golden Arches East (Stanford University Press, 1998, edited by James L. Watson) looked at the impact McDonald's had on East Asia, and Hong Kong in particular. When it opened in Hong Kong in 1975, McDonald's was the first restaurant to consistently offer clean restrooms, driving customers to demand the same of other restaurants and institutions. In East Asia in particular, McDonald's have become a symbol for the desire to embrace Western cultural norms. McDonald's have recently taken to partnering up with Sinopec, China's second largest oil company, in the People's Republic of China, as it begins to take advantage of China's growing use of personal vehicles by opening numerous drive-thru restaurants.[36] The only countries in Europe not to have McDonald's stores are Albania, Armenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Vatican City.

The pope doesn't want a Mickey D's in the Vatican city?? No wonder he's so grouchy. A world without chicken mcnuggets is ....well gosh, not a world at all.

Maybe mcdonald's hasn't solved all the conflict in the world, but it's certainly made it a better place *cue crescendo of cheesy music*


(okay, maybe those last comments were slightly tongue in cheek. Or maybe not. You decide)

How do Mermaids Have Sex? Let's Google It!

While drinking from the water fountain at the gym tonight, me and my friend were reminiscing about the classic disney channel movie "The thirteenth year" about the boy who turns into a merman.






This, of course, got us on to the question of how mermaids and mermen reproduce. the biology of it isn't obvious, so we were stumped. What IS obvious is that this is a question for google.





Wikipedia (of course) had the answer:

The Mermaid problem is an observation occasionally mentioned in literature, concerning the difficulty of having sexual intercourse with a mermaid. Although mermaids are commonly depicted as beautiful, variably nude, and enticing, a man attempting to have sex with one would be thwarted by the typical portrayal of the creature: a fish from the waist down, with no vagina. Some fiction, aware of the long running question, deliberately avoids the question for humorous effect.[1] More generally, it can also be a joking reference to the unusual sexual interest many non-human characters seem to have with humans in fantasy or science fiction, and potential physical issues therein.




Mythical biology

Theoretically a mermaid would reproduce as most aquatic animals do, by external fertilization, requiring a human male to deposit his seed underwater onto her eggs. (The confusion is further compounded by the fact that mermaids are usually depicted with a navel and breasts,[2] which would suggest placental vivipary rather than ovipary.) However, this situation is sometimes rectified by portraying mermaids as having genitalia more similar to dolphins than fish,[3] or having the ability to change into human form, e.g. the fishtail splitting into two legs when it dries, and again turning into fishtail when the legs touch with water. A prominent example of this is the Touchstone Pictures film Splash where the Mermaid character Madison, portrayed by Daryl Hannah, transforms into human form and sustains a romantic and sexual relationship with Allen Bauer, portrayed by Tom Hanks, while retaining many of her undersea habits and mannerisms.

A French idiom, finir en queue de poisson (to end with the tail of a fish), makes reference to this difficulty; it refers to a promising start that ends in disappointment. It originates from a line in Horace's Ars Poetica: Desinit in piscem mulier formosa superne (the beautiful woman ends in a fish's tail).

Historical perspective

Interestingly this was not always an issue. In the past it was not uncommon for a mermaid (actually a medieval siren or melusine) to be portrayed as having a split tail, with a vagina located (or merely implied to be) between the two parts.



H. P. Lovecraft's short story "Dagon"[4] and the logo of the American coffee chain Starbucks are examples of this.



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well, gosh, who knew the starbuck's logo had the answer all this time!
Just goes to show ya we need to open our eyes :)

Ides of March?? Let's google it!

So today is March 15th, which I KNEW meant something important. I just couldn't remember what, exactly.

After a quick google I remembered it's the Ides of March!

Wikipedia helps us out with what that means:

The Ides of March (Latin: Idus Martias) is the name of the date 15 March in the Roman calendar. The term ides was used for the 15th day of the months of March, May, July, and October, and the 13th day of the other eight months.[1] In Roman times, the Ides of March was a festive day dedicated to the god Mars and a military parade was usually held. In modern times, the term Ides of March is best known as the date that Julius Caesar was assassinated, in 44 BC, the story of which was famously dramatized in William Shakespeare's play Julius Caesar.

Etymology

The term idūs (ides) is thought to have originally been the day of the full moon. The Romans considered this an auspicious day in their calendar. The word ides comes from Latin, meaning "half division" (of a month) but is probably of non-Indoeuropean origin.

Assassination of Julius Caesar
Main article: Assassination of Julius Caesar

Caesar was assassinated on the Ides of March, 44 BC, after declaring himself dictator of Rome for life. According to a near-contemporary biographer, Caesar summoned the Senate to meet in the Theatre of Pompey on the Ides of March. A certain soothsayer warned Caesar to be on his guard against a great peril on the day of the month of March which the Romans call the Ides, and when the day had come and Caesar was on his way to the senate-house, he greeted the seer with a jest and said: "The Ides of March has come", to which the seer replied: "Aye Caesar, but not gone".[4]As the Senate convened, Caesar was attacked and stabbed to death by a group of senators who called themselves the Liberatores ("Liberators"); they justified their tyrannicide on the grounds that they were preserving the Republic from Caesar's alleged monarchical ambitions.



Cool! So, be on the look out for assassins and whatnot today.

Happy Ides of March!

What's up with the moon? Let's google it.

So I've been stupidly emotional today. I decided I'm gonna blame it on the moon. Or something.
Can I do that?

Let's google it.



First, some interesting facts about the moon and it's symbolism, as taken from a fully new age-y type website ( I mean, they are the experts on this stuff):

New Moon
The new moon occurs when the sun and moon are in conjunction, occupying the same part of the sky from the viewpoint of earth. During this time the moon doesn't reflect the light of the sun, and so cannot be seen (except during a solar eclipse). The moon's un-illuminated side is facing the earth.

The new moon phase is the time of new beginnings - like the Maiden form of the Goddess and the season of Spring. The appearance of the new crescent moon was celebrated as a return of the moon from the dead.

This is a time of growing energy, newness, rejuvenation, growth, renewal and hope. It is a good point to make changes in your life, such as ending bad habits or relationships.

Full Moon
The full moon occurs between 14 and 15 days after the new moon, and is shaped like a complete disc. The moon's illuminated side is facing the earth. The full moon reflects the maximum light from the sun.

This moon phase is the time of abundance, ripening and completeness - fertile and shining with the full power of feminine secrets and mysteries - like the Mother form of the Goddess, and the season of Summer - pregnant with life.

A child born during a full moon should live a long and healthy life. This is the time when the moon's energy is strongest and full of magick power.
Legendary werewolves supposedly only emerge at the full moon.

Moon Phases
Waxing - the moon is growing larger in the sky, moving from a narrow crescent just after the new moon towards the full moon.
The waxing moon grows from right to left and is called the 'right-hand moon' - the crescent is like the curve between the right-hand's index finger and thumb.

Waning - the moon is decreasing in size, moving from the full moon back towards a crescent as the new moon approaches.
The waning moon decreases from right to left and is called the 'left-hand moon' because of its similarity to the curve on the left hand.
Energy is now waning with the moon herself, and is linked with the Crone aspect of the Goddess.

Gibbous - during the phases between the First Quarter and the full moon, and between the full moon and the Last Quarter, when more than half of the disc is illuminated.


Now, different types of moons that are unique:


The moon rises around sunset when it's a full Moon, and sunrise when it's a new moon.
Moon months

Our months are linked to the movements of the moon. The moon passes between the earth and the sun every 29½ days - then there is a new moon. In Jewish and Muslim calendars a new month begins - all the months have 29 or 30 days.

Honey Moon
The June full moon was called the Mead or Honey moon. The name derives from the hives being full of honey at this time of the year. The honey would have been fermented and made into mead. Traditionally, a honey drink was taken after wedding ceremonies held on the Summer Solstice. This is the derivation of 'honeymoon'.
Blue Moon
Due to the moon's cycle being 29½ days, there are occasionally - as in July 2004 - two full moons in one month (only happens on average every 2.7 years). Then the second moon of the month is called a 'blue moon'.
The next blue moon will be in June 2007. There will be two blue moons in 2018.

Dark Moon
When two new moons occur in a month, the second is called a
'dark moon'.
The new moon is also sometimes called the dark moon - at this phase there is no illumination on the earth's side.

Harvest Moon
The full moon nearest to the Autumn Equinox is called the 'Harvest moon'. This is because for several nights it appears large and bright in the early evening, bringing farmers valuable extra time to gather in their harvest.
The Celtic year was once divided into 13 months - one for each moon occuring during the year.



And other fun facts about the moon:

Monday - the name derives from the Latin 'dies lunae' meaning - moon's day


The moon controls the tides of the oceans. So, if two thirds of the human body weight is water, then it is likely that the moon affects our emotions and energy levels. Remember the word 'lunatic' is derived from the Latin word for moon - luna!


Moon Beauty Tips
The period of a waning moon leading up to a new moon is the best time for detoxifying the body - release all your toxins and refresh.
This is the optimum time to exfoliate, use cleansing face packs, sea-salt baths, seaweed wraps, have facials and sweat it out in the sauna.

The phase when the moon is waxing up to a full moon is the time to replenish, regenerate and repair your skin with moisturizers and essential oil massages. Give your hair a deep conditioning treatment too, as it's believed that the skin and hair are more absorbent at this time.


Moonflower
This beautiful, white, fragrant flower - ipomoea alba - opens at dusk from midsummer. This tender perennial climber with large, rounded leaves with heart-shaped bases, can reach 15 feet in a season. Scented, white 5-inch-wide flowers attract night-flying moths.



Moonstone
This is the birthstone for June, and was believed by the Romans to hold captured beams of moonlight.
In India it is considered a sacred gemstone, a symbol of the Third Eye that brings good fortune and helps promote spiritual enlightenment.

This form of feldspar has a beautiful pearly lustre, reminiscent of moonlight. Its irridescent effect - 'schiller' - comes in many colours from translucent, pink, yellow, green, rainbow, gold and silver.

Sometimes moonstones are carved to show a man-in-the-moon face. Moonstone's energies are soothing, nurturing and feminine in nature. They can help bring calm, balancing yin/yang emotions and help us to become sensitive and loving.




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Well, that was a long post, but very informative. I don't know if any of that explains my over-emotionality tonight, but hey, sometimes you just need a good cry regardless of the moon, right?

Claddagh ring? Let's google it!

Pictured above is Claddagh ring. These babies were hugely popular in high school, so of course I didn't have one. Resisting the trend, or something. HOWEVER, when I was in Ireland last semester, I figured that getting an "authentic" Irish Claddagh ring totally went around the tacky, trendy cliche, and justified purchasing one. So I did. But the real question became, which way do I wear it?
The Claddagh ring is rife with meaning and symbolism, at least to us easily deceived Americans. But regardless, it's important to know which way to wear the ring, as it tells the world whether you are single, taken, or married.

In other words, pivotal information. Have you ever thought, "gosh I wish _____ was wearing a name tag of some sort so I would know if I can tap that?" Well my friend, the Claddagh ring does just that.

Assuming you're savvy on the proper way to sport that silver finger bangle.

I discovered the other day that my friend and I were wearing our Claddagh rings the same direction--despite the fact that she has a boyfriend, and I do not.
Who is right? And who is sending out the wrong signal to a sea of prospective fish?

Tell us, dear Google.

(from Wikipedia--a TOTALLY valid source. Hush. I'll fight you on this one.)

The Claddagh's distinctive design features two hands clasping a heart, and usually surmounted by a crown. The elements of this symbol are often said to correspond to the qualities of love (the heart), friendship (the hands), and loyalty (the crown). The expression which was associated with these symbols in the giving of the ring was: "With my hands I give you my heart, and crown it with my love."

The way that a Claddagh ring is worn on the hand is usually intended to convey the wearer's romantic availability, or lack thereof. Traditionally, if the ring is on the right hand with the heart pointing outward and away from the body, this indicates that the person wearing the ring is not in any serious relationship, and may in fact be single and looking for a relationship. When worn on the right hand but with the heart pointing inward toward the body, this indicates the person wearing the ring is in a relationship, or that "someone has captured their heart". A Claddagh worn on the left hand ring finger, pointing outward away from the body, generally indicates that the wearer is engaged. When the ring is on the left hand ring finger and pointing inward toward the body, it generally means that the person wearing the ring is married.


Well! There you have it! I'm glad we all got that cleared up. Now we can have a Claddagh ring party and get a little crazy!