On the desireability of learning

I'm sure some of you have been in a Starbucks at some point, desiring some refreshing drink. It happened to me, some years ago; I reached the counter, requested a "large coffee", and received a blank stare in return. That was my introduction to what's become known as "Starbonics": the specialised jargon used for ordering at Starbucks. After that introduction, I naturally resent it; in fact, I refuse to use it. I will order in English, and complain mightily if my (simple) order is incorrect. The trouble is, although Starbonics would be simple to learn, I resent the enforced usage of it. Think how much you hated history lessons at school; anything you're forced to do is unpleasant.

Now, let me compare and contrast with another specialised ordering jargon: In-N-Out Burger's "secret language". I willingly learned this, and will always order in it, because it's not compulsory. You can order in plain English at any In-N-Out, and receive what you wanted. However, the plain English for my "usual" (in a rather loose sense, because it's around six months since I last ate In-N-Out) is rather less wieldy than "Two by one no tomato no onion, protein-style, fries well, medium soda". The only part of that that's equivalent is the soda, in fact; all the rest is custom-ordered. To explain: "two-by-one" means that I want two patties, one slice of cheese, and any combination up to four-by-four is valid; the lack of tomato and onion is self-explanatory; "protein-style" means that I don't want the bun, but rather the burger should be wrapped in lettuce; "fries well" means I want the fries left in the oil for a little longer than normal, as I prefer them crispier. I can give that order at any In-N-Out and know exactly what I'll get. This is the point of ordering jargons, Starbonics included, and is a good idea. However, enforcing a jargon is a good way to a) keep existing customers and b) reject new customers.

Starbonics has the sense of a secret club that you're not a member of, and the existing members don't want you in. You get dirty looks for not knowing things, even though you don't know them because nobody told you. In-N-Out, on the other hand, makes you feel like you're a member of the secret club, and yet allows non-members the same privileges as members, just as long as they ask. The key point is that you don't HAVE to use their jargon. It's helpful if you do, but you can get by without it for years. I hated history lessons at school, but since leaving, have avidly read history.

Of course, Starbucks does suffer quite a lot from being the largest player in the market; everyone loves to bash the 900lb gorilla. Sadly, biggest players seldom manage to do themselves many favours.

And while researching this post, I discovered that I have in fact been regularly patronising a Starbucks in plain covers; Seattle's Best Coffee is actually a Starbucks subsidiary.

In memoriam

My mother has informed me that my paternal grandmother died today at just after 1PM. She didn't specify PST or GMT, although I assume GMT.

My grandmother had been suffering for some years now. She has passed beyond her pain, and I shall miss her. I shall remember the good life she had.

The LA and I shall still be attending Monty Python and the Knitty Grail tonight.

On failure and success

First, failure: Tivo have rather failed at customer service. See, there's a bug. They know about this bug; it can cause season passes to fail to record. They could tell users about it, but they have not. This bug deprived me of my Mythbusters this week. I am not a happy bunny on that front, especially as I heard the words "det cord" bandied about.

But success: this marks my hundredth post across the two blogs I have on this service.

On palettes

The LA commented the other day about my taste in clothes. I've known for some years that I'm very partial to an earth-toned palette, but I hadn't realised that I was actually pretty much an autumnal colour person. Now I look, I see that that's true. I go for oranges, and they're pretty good with my skin tone. Browns and greens complement them.

This does explain why I like sandstone.

On literature

My sister purchased a copy of Neal Stephenson's Anathem for my birthday gift. It's a rather imposing book, and initially difficult to read thanks to large numbers of unfamiliar, invented words. However, I rapidly got past that. I have to admit to having bogged down somewhat, as lighter-reading books have come along, but I'm plugging away with enjoyment.

Stephenson seems to have become the progressive rock of literature. He's rapidly shot beyond normal length to triple-album regions, and each book seems to have a concept. With Anathem, I get the impression his concept is the exploration of the consequences of making science genuinely be a religion, as some people allege it to be.

I'm enjoying it, but it's a big book that demands you think. Be warned.

On protests, gunpowder, and celebration

Today is the 5th of November. To almost everyone in the UK, that means it's Guy Fawkes's Day, the anniversary of the State Opening of Parliament in 1605, which Guy Fawkes, despite his best efforts, did not blow up. That was largely a religious act of terrorism; at the time, Catholics were under huge legal pressure in the UK, James (the new King) had made some vague comments that he might ease things a little, but anti-Catholic sentiment was still strong. A group of young, foolish Catholics formed this plot to remove the King and Parliament, and bring in a Catholic puppet ruler. It largely failed, and this failure was celebrated the next year. By now, though, nobody's sure whether the sentiment is "Hurrah, they failed!" or "Hurrah, they tried!", but the fireworks tend to start in late October and not let up until around February.

Meanwhile, in the USA, the big night for fireworks is the 4th of July. I have to admit to not understanding this; first, it's in Summer. A key point to note about Summer is that it stays light until late. Moreover, in recent years, Benjamin Franklin's worst idea has been used; thanks to clock-keeping, you need to give people even less sleep before the next day's work to get darkness. Frankly, July 4th does not make sense as a time for fireworks.

In both cases, though, the impetus is a rebellion. The major difference is that the US rebellion succeeded.

And tonight, if I can find somewhere reasonably close to Pleasant Hill which will be dark and have an eastward view, I shall be watching silent fireworks, provided by nature. The Taurids are coming, and this year they're promised to be spectacular. And tonight, they're not even having to fight the moon much.

On this historic night...

I greatly respect John McCain for the quality of his concession speech.

I also loved Barack Obama's announcement of the impending addition to his family: in his acceptance speech, he announced that he'd be taking a new puppy to the White House.

Make sure it's house-trained, please.