Troll the Ancient Yuletide Carol

On this day I learned that to "Troll" can mean to sing aloud in a carefree way.

The song "Deck the Halls" features the phrase "TROLL THE ANCIENT YULETIDE CAROL"

Compote Pile

Today I learned what "compote" is. It can mean one of two things, one delicious and one nasty sounding to me.

Common preparation of a compote is a cooked dish of fresh or dried fruits, simmered whole or in pieces in a sugar syrup.


A compote can also refer to a game meat dish containing rabbit, pigeon or partridge, cooked in a roux for a long time over low heat with bacon, and pearl onions until the meat has completely cooked to a fine texture.

Father's Office, which houses one of the most critically acclaimed hamburgers in Los Angeles offers Compote on their burgers. Dried fruits on my burger? Gross. I'll take a whopper.

More on wikipedia.

Dine In Tax

Learned of a new tax today. If someone asks you "for here or to go", say "to go" in California. The cashier told me that if I said "for here" he would have to charge me extra. A "dine in" tax exists. Strange, wouldn't it cost the company more to give me a to-go bag and a plastic top?

Apparently

"It’s a sales tax, which is charged on restaurant meals, but not groceries, in many states.

When the food is taken to go, I guess it’s considered groceries."

Water, by the gallon.

Today I learned that soda and water often cost more than gasoline. This was stumbled upon when I was at a the insanely overpriced Westfield, Century City food court where I could not find a beverage for under $1.79. And these are all places with soda fountains. I had a dollar and forty cents, but had to go on without hydrating. Dear Westfield managers, how can you live with yourselves?

The Look on Your Face

Today I learned that getting your wisdom teeth out and getting a nose job both have similar effects on your face. Swelling a bruising can occur around the cheeks and eyes. Strange how the human face reacts to being altered.

Lessons of Minion, Crime in the Hills

The lesson yesterday? I learned that there are a few different meanings for the word minion... and its more than a word used for henchmen in an evil organization. A Jewish Minyan is a "a quorum of Jewish adult men required to hold any sort of service."

Today delt another lession: in Beverly Hills, sometimes people will walk right into the buildings and just try every door to see if it is open. Crooks are known to nab purses during lunch breaks and bathroom stops.

Pilots, Location, Location, Location

I usually learn multiple things in a day, but I've taken to just describing the most interesting things I've learned each 24 hours.

Friday I learned about Pilates. I had always wondered what set it apart from Yoga. Apparently they were developed by a guy who wanted to control and work out his core postural muscles. Because I cannot remember the details of what I was told about Pilates, here is the current summary on Wikipedia:

Joseph Pilates developed Pilates because he preferred fewer, more precise movements, requiring control and form. He believed that mental and physical health were essential to one another and created what is claimed to be a method of total body conditioning that emphasizes proper alignment, centering, concentration, control, precision, breathing, and flowing movement, "The Pilates Principles".
Pilates classes help to build strength and flexibility, with an emphasis on lengthening the body and aligning the spine, rather than on building muscle mass. Pilates' focus is on the "powerhouse" region of the body which includes the muscles of the abdominals and the lower back. Because of its focus Pilates has become popular not only in the field of fitness, but also in rehabilitation. It can be used to progress individuals through movements that represent their day-to-day activities. The focus on strengthening the core/powerhouse muscles and improving postural awareness are especially well indicated for the alleviation and prevention of back pain.
As the popularity of Pilates has exploded, studios have been popping up all over, but so have many mediocre versions of this method, such as trainers with little or no Pilates education teaching this complex system, so keep this in mind when looking for a studio or class. Be aware of your own safety and look for a trainer with years of experience and certification, if at all possible.


On Saturday I learned things about house locations that I never knew. Apparently houses on corners are hardest to sell because they have less land and are harder to get in and out of. Also, in California living on hills means more shake when earthquakes hit, thus more break when it happens too.