The last one got archived.

How dangerous is UK electricity transformed down to 9v DC?

Could plugging an old device into a new Sony Bravia via the coaxial input blow it up?

You guys on 240 AC, 50hz?

At any rate, what you should be worried about is the power's like after it comes outta the transformer. Few of these put out current over an amp.

Then, of course, worry about what sort of nick the transformer's in.

Really, unless you're plugging 9V straight into the coaxial socket, then it should be fine - I'm assuming you're plugging the 9V into the "old" device, then that into the Bravia (antenna amp?)

If you are plugging 9V straight into the coax, then you've got bigger things to worry about, and maybe some nice colleagues of MrsK can help you out.

I was more worried about the fact that the cable coming out of the transformer was missing the bit that protects the pin, but so far I haven't blown anything up or electrocuted myself. MrsK is/was an electrical engineer, but she's no help. Next question will be in the basic computer assistance required thread, but I don't think they envisaged it to be Basic basic

I've been reading a book about the Japanese Tea ceremony.

I looked up matcha tea on the web. Lots of shops to sell you powdered green tea, plus little bamboo whisks & hand made bowls. I even found youtube video of how to mix.

Can one of our Japanese cultural experts tell me if an American who is used to drinking Earl Grey will enjoy it?

Do the Japanese still drink it, or did they quit as soon as they got shipments of Diet Pepsi and Jolt Cola?

You can get matcha-type tea at Costco here, even. I don't know if it's authentic really, but the Japanese girl in my office enjoys it. So do I. It's a far cry from Earl Grey though.

Based on the many many types of matcha for sale here in our Asian and Japanese groceries, I am going to assume that it's still going strong in Asia, although I couldn't say about the ceremony part.

Oh, and I'm no expert.

First off, if you are drinking Earl Grey, you are only as American as I am.

I drink matcha, and I have two varieties to hand right now. I can't really draw a comparison with Earl Grey since as theminx says it's quite different. If, however, you enjoy green tea (by which I mean straight up no additives plain green tea) then you will probably love matcha. I personally really enjoy it the most of all my green teas.

So, if you pass the green tea test, please do try some matcha, as I think you will like it. Do bear in mind like all green teas and particularly the most delicate of them, it should not be brewed with water at full boil. This is particularly true for matcha since it has to stay in the water, so mind your water temp or it will be unbearably tannic and bitter! Use the right temp and it's gorgeous.

I also have to add: I don't know shit about mixing it "properly". I just scoop up a wee bit (a little goes a long way) and stir it into my hot water. No faffing about.

My stupid question: how does one prove that the eigenvalues of a hermitian operator are real in terms that I'll be able to remember for the next 18 hours until I can write it down on my exam paper?

quote:

how does one prove that the eigenvalues of a hermitian operator are real in terms that I'll be able to remember for the next 18 hours until I can write it down on my exam paper?

Write it down on the palm of your hand and then once the exam starts make quick notes on the paper and subtly rub it off your hand.

a cunning plan, indeed.

Matcha (as opposed to regular green tea) is not something you have very often in Japan, at least if the people I know are any indication. I could count the number of times I've had it on one hand, and a couple of those times were only because I was a gaijin doing touristy/visitor stuff (before they discovered, to their horror, that I was staying).

The flavor, however, is widely used, especially in ice-cream. Mmm... matcha ice cream...

Matcha has a strong flavor, but I like it. I wouldn't be drinking pots and pots of it, mind you. I don't know that there's much linkage between a liking for Earl Grey and a liking for matcha.

A question for Fashion Police or anyone with a similar profession. Why do libraries hate to be photographed? I was chased out of one recently for trying to take a picture of a vase of flowers and my face in a mirror. How would that harm a library?

Isn't it because anyone taking pictures is helping teh terorists blow up books and destroy our freedom and Dewey decimal system?

Probably something like that . We all know how a big building full of books pisses off Osama.

Same here, Lester. The new Brisbane Square Library's ask me on a few occasions to not take photos, even when I wasn't trying to take photos.

I think, though, it was mostly because they've got a lot of displays of stuff that's copyrighted or from private collections.

Still, though, I'm convinced the Dewey Decimal system is has a greater power in its numbers than the librarians let on, much like Kabbalah, and that cracking these could lead to interdimensional rifts or something like that. So, yeah, it'd be bad for Al-Qaeda to get their mitts on this.

Possibly a good explanation as to why they get so annoyed when you put a Travel book on the same shelf as the Cooking books.

quote:

Originally posted by Lester Zombie:
A question for Fashion Police or anyone with a similar profession. Why do libraries hate to be photographed? I was chased out of one recently for trying to take a picture of a vase of flowers and my face in a mirror. How would that harm a library?

Because librarians are uptight!

I got chased out of one for photographing their signage for inspiration. They were pissed off that I didn't ask first. So I did ask at the next libraries I was staking out.

I think part of it is that they are worried about breaking the sanctity of the room. They perhaps are worried that library patrons will be photographed and that in the librarian's minds this is akin to displaying their library records. I do think that it's mainly an issue about the privacy of their patrons.

Next time ask them first - not so much to get their permission, but to try to find out why they are so abject to the idea. It's much easier to get someone to explain their position before you do something, than after they've had their knee jerk reaction.

quote:

Originally posted by Kradlum:

quote:

how does one prove that the eigenvalues of a hermitian operator are real in terms that I'll be able to remember for the next 18 hours until I can write it down on my exam paper?

Write it down on the palm of your hand and then once the exam starts make quick notes on the paper and subtly rub it off your hand.

The palm of the hand has many disadvantages, in term of concealment. Women have access to a much better system, using their thighs and a skirt loose enough to be lifted while sitting.

From what little I remember from eigenvalues, a palm may not be enough to hold all the relevant functions.

Writing them down also helps to fix them in memory.

While taking my shower I was thinking of how negative influence Adolf H had on the Toothbrush moustache then I shifted to who else had such a negative influence on fashion (didn't find anyone), then I shifted to WG and fashion, then I got kick out of the shower with this unanswered question :

When has WG started to dress well ?

It struck me when I bought one of the bridge trilog book (virtual light?), I remember thinking "Hey ! that guys is well dressed !" (or maybe, to be honest, "Hey ! that guys is dress with expensive clothes !").
I was kind of surprised and I thought that maybe he was not such a nerd.
Stupidly I also felt kind of betrayed (and this feeling was confirmed when I read the book).

I did a little research on g. images at work and found that all pre-bridge photos are close-ups on his face.
I suppose I could find interviews from tha era on y.tube but access is restricted from here.

1998. It was when he received his honorary doctorate from Parson's School of Design, and they made him agree not to make any fashion blunders if he accepted the degree.


But seriously he looked pretty styling in that Hippy Gib video with his Levi's jeans and brown corduroy jacket.

What is Furikake? I'm assuming it's rice cakes, but I haven't opened the packet yet.

Furikake is a kind of flavored sprinkle stuff you put on white sticky rice when you have nothing but rice to eat (or want nothing but rice). Generally made of little bits of dried fish, nori, sesame seeds and that sort of thing. You can also mix it with the rice (after the rice has cooled) when making onigiri (rice balls), or roll the rice balls in it.



Edit: See also the very terse wikipedia article. (What, no history of furikake? No furikake in popular entertainment? No philosophical controversies about furikake?)

Thanks Colin. We did pick it up with the store and say "we must ask Colin what this is"
Not what we thought then.. hmm.. but atleast its in Pokemon packaging!!