Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Miscellaneous/2008 December 10

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December 10

Irish not jewish

i was looking for a book written by a German author about a country he has never step foot on..Please help cos i never got an actual answer from you guys. New Clue it's about the Irish People the book that is,, —Preceding unsigned comment added by 196.1.26.36 (talk) 00:03, 10 December 2008 (UTC)

You'll never get an answer if you keep changing the question! APL (talk) 02:19, 10 December 2008 (UTC)

Strangely enough, I think a book about Irish people might refer to Ireland. Gwinva (talk) 03:01, 10 December 2008 (UTC)

But you should keep trying to get a clue. --- OtherDave (talk) 04:04, 10 December 2008 (UTC)

I think you're now talking about Verarschen können wir uns selbst by Johann Wolfgang von Trollfutter. I read it for a while, but probably won't be reading it again. ---Sluzzelin talk 04:35, 10 December 2008 (UTC)

Is it "Über Irland" by Karl Gottlieb Küttner, "the first German travel book to deal exclusively with Ireland"? Adam Bishop (talk) 04:41, 10 December 2008 (UTC)

No, he actually traveled to Dublin one stormy July 1783 and wrote about it in Briefe über Irland ("Letters on Ireland"), published in 1785. These days, the most famous book on Ireland by a German author is probably Heinrich Böll's Irisches Tagebuch ("Irish Journal", 1957), but Böll did visit Ireland. Sorry about my fictitious and angry answer above; I guess I lost the assumption of good faith this time around. ---Sluzzelin talk 04:59, 10 December 2008 (UTC)

If it involves Irish people, perhaps it's Thomas Mann's version of Tristan and Isolde titled Tristan. I've never read Mann's version myself, but I assume it to share the same common plot elements of most versions. Though Tristan is almost always a Briton, the main plot of the story always involves his adventures in Ireland. I don't see anything in Mann's biography that he ever visited Ireland, though he lived in Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Lithuania, and the U.S. If its about a German, writing about Ireland, though he never visited there, I'm going with Mann... --Jayron32.talk.contribs 05:36, 10 December 2008 (UTC)

Ah, good guess, but that book has nothing to do with Ireland. Anticipating The Magic Mountain, most of it is staged in a German sanatorium called Einfried, here an allusion to Richard Wagner's home named Wahnfried. The title is a reference to Wagner's music: In a key scene one afternoon, Detlev Spinell listens to Gabriele Klöterjahn perform the "Liebestod" motif from Tristan und Isolde and is transfigured in ecstatic adoration. Of course there are other parallels to the Tristan and Iseult theme, but it's more of a parody on Wagner's version, and Ireland is far away. ---Sluzzelin talk 06:06, 10 December 2008 (UTC)

Actually, very good guess. The answer might simply be Richard Wagner who of course wrote the libretto to Tristan und Isolde ("Irische Maid, Du wilde, minnige Maid! - Irish maid, my winsome, marvelous maid!" in the opening scene). I don't think Wagner ever visited Ireland. Then again, nor did Gottfried von Strassburg, but the Hitler connection fits Wagner better. ---Sluzzelin talk 06:24, 10 December 2008 (UTC)

I like that idea, but can Wagner's libretto to T&I be properly called a "book", or can we interpret that word with a little more latitude than we normally would? Was it ever published as a literary work, separate from the opera for which it was written? -- JackofOz (talk) 06:33, 10 December 2008 (UTC)

It's a "little book", literally :) ... Yeah, nor is Tristan "about the Irish people", but the clues haven't been that reliable so far, ... I don't know what to think. Maybe Tristan's crew fished for red herring while "the Irish people" were chasing wild geese. ---Sluzzelin talk 06:38, 10 December 2008 (UTC)

It's not a book—at this point I'm not sure that matters, though—but a number of those stupid circulating lists of (extremely dubious) "strange facts" contain the statement "'When Irish Eyes Are Smiling' was written by a German, George Graff, who never set foot in Ireland."[1] Our article on the song attributes the lyrics to Chauncey Olcott and George Graff, Jr., the latter of whom is called (in the article on him) "a United States songwriter." Deor (talk) 13:10, 10 December 2008 (UTC)

According to the IMDB, George Graff Jr. was born in New York City and died in Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania after spending many years as an ASCAP executive. --NellieBly (talk) 19:10, 10 December 2008 (UTC)

"Please help cos i never got an actual answer from you guys." Every cent you have paid for this service will be cheerfully refunded. --LarryMac | Talk 18:32, 10 December 2008 (UTC)

Gacy

Does anyone know where to get the floor plan for John Wayne Gacy's house? I'm reading a book about the killings and a floor plan would help. 8213 West Summerdale, Des Plaines, Il. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 76.225.133.60 (talk) 09:52, 10 December 2008 (UTC)

Just to make it clear to whoever answers, 8213 West Summerdale was John Wayne Gacy's address - I nearly removed the address to protect the OP's privacy! Astronaut (talk) 12:01, 10 December 2008 (UTC)

I think there's a floorplan in the book 30 Below. Little Red Riding Hoodtalk 01:00, 11 December 2008 (UTC)

There is indeed a floorplan there. However, it is not defined enough to make out the actual picture. —Preceding unsigned comment added by JelloTube (talk • contribs) 04:31, 11 December 2008 (UTC)

GST refund in singapore

I am a PRC citizen holding Singapore Student pass. My friend told me that I cannot claim for tax refund when leaving Singapore during holidays, but I found a website, it says You are eligible if you are not a citizen or permanent resident of Singapore, and if you have not exercised employment in Singapore during the past 12 months. but it does not mention students. Am I eligible?--Bencmq (talk) 12:19, 10 December 2008 (UTC)

More info at http://www.customs.gov.sg/leftNav/trav/Tourist+Refund+Scheme.htm William Avery (talk) 12:36, 10 December 2008 (UTC)

Thank you so much.--Bencmq (talk) 14:36, 10 December 2008 (UTC)

Midtown Manhattan restaurants

We're taking the kids to Rockefeller Center this weekend and I'm looking for any recommendations as to restaurants that are geared towards children. It's been some time since we've taken the kids to midtown, and I can't remember anything of note. Price isn't that big a deal, although I'd rather not pay an arm and a leg for chicken fingers and fries. The only thing I can think of is the food court at Rockefeller Center. If the Fat Man wants to take a break from his campaign and chime in, that would be most welcome. Thanks. 98.235.67.132 (talk) 13:49, 10 December 2008 (UTC)

I have a number of (adult) friends who are secretly in love with Mars 2112. --Fullobeans (talk) 15:05, 10 December 2008 (UTC)

If you are willing to venture a little south of Midtown (take the subway, the kids'll LOVE it), there are two great places I remember. I was there last about 10 years ago, but there's a Jekyl and Hyde-themed restaurant that was in Greenwich Village that was really cool if you had kids of the right age (like, say, 3rd grade or older; really young kids may be freaked out). See [2]. There's also South Street Seaport at Pier 17, which is really close to Wall Street and Battery Park and the Statue of Liberty, and has some really cool stuff to do, as well as a food court. --Jayron32.talk.contribs 18:23, 10 December 2008 (UTC)

That's too funny. My eyes lit up when I saw the title to this section and was even more tickled that you invoked me by name. The sad truth is: A) Rockefeller Center is sooooo not my neighborhood and B) Outside of Park Slope, Brooklyn, I know nothing about family-friendly eateries and regard children as some sort of alien life form. Also, as a food snob, I cannot condone themed "restaurants" like Mars 2112 or Jekyll and Hyde (is that place still open?) or, say, that Ninja-themed restaurant (which I hear is waaaaay expensive), but I must acknowledge that, by all accounts, kids go nuts for these types of places.

If the Fat Man had kids, he and the Fat Woman would take them somewhere with serious food and a "special" atmosphere like Shun Lee Palace. But the best advice I can give you about NYC dining: get off of the Reference Desk and go over to Chowhound. You will find the users of that forum to be far more knowledgeable (and civil--thanks to strict moderation) than your average Wikipedian. I just did a search for you and found several relevant threads about midtown dining with kiddies (this one, for example, recommends Virgil's BBQ), but you may want to register there and start your own topic. Happy eating, The Fat Man Who Never Came Back (talk) 05:31, 11 December 2008 (UTC)

Unfortunately, "kid-friendly" and "serious dining establishment" are usually mutually exclusive. Most of the time, "kid friendly" restaurants contain lots of distractions for said kids, thus are usually "themed" restaurants. If themed restaurants are not your style, you might try to find restaurants where the food is prepared at the table, or where the kitchen is visible. Tappanyaki-style Japanese restaurants (actually, these are almost always tourists traps, but less so than themed restaurants) may qualify, as may sushi restaurants, if your kids are adventurous. There's also "fondue" restuarants like "The Melting Pot" (I have no idea if there are any on Manhattan) or places that advertise themselves as "wood-fired" cookeries; you often can see the chefs at work in the middle of the restaurant. Those sort of places may be more interesting for your kids than the typical quiet "serious" restaurants... --Jayron32.talk.contribs 19:54, 11 December 2008 (UTC)

My child guests have always enjoyed Ellen's Starburst Diner on Broadway near 50th (couple of doors up from the Winter Garden and Mamma Mia!) It's a bit of a tourist trap and can get crowded around curtain time, but the singing waitstaff is irresistible. The menu is malt-shop and American comfort food, and not too expensive by NYC standards. Staff and menu alike are highly kid-friendly. Catrionak (talk) 16:22, 11 December 2008 (UTC)

Hey, thanks for all the wonderful suggestions. The kids have tired of Mars 2112 after going there with their grandparents a couple of times. It looks like it's going to be, gulp, the American Girl Cafe. Looks like ol' dad's going to be slipping a little Old Granddad in his heavy winter coat and sliding off to the men's room once or twice, not that it's going to be crowded or anything. Mr. Fat Man, thanks especially for the Chowhound referral. My suggestion of leaving Manhattan for Peter Luger was summarily rejected. Girls. Huh.98.235.67.132 (talk) 04:35, 12 December 2008 (UTC)

Dear God, for the love of all that is holy! Take courage, anon friend, and pray that dry-aged porterhouses await you in heaven.--The Fat Man Who Never Came Back (talk) 08:08, 12 December 2008 (UTC)

EMBA

how project evaluation is different from project appraisal?support with examples121.245.5.50 (talk) 14:46, 10 December 2008 (UTC)

Either do you own assignment or give us the EMBA certificate at the end of it. --Tango (talk) 18:00, 10 December 2008 (UTC)

Car door freezes.

Will coating the rubber seal around the door with petroleum jelly damage it? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 206.41.177.228 (talk) 14:57, 10 December 2008 (UTC)

That's a good question. Some polymers don't like petroleum jelly; others are just fine with it. I would hope and suspect – but cannot guarantee – that your car's manufacturer has chosen materials which (given their working environment) can tolerate a bit of oil and grease. If the car isn't too many years old, you might try contacting the dealership. The mechanics there might a) know if the seals will tolerate petroleum jelly, or b) be able to suggest an alternative.

A number of years ago, I had a four-month contract working at an aircraft maintenance facility. The guys in the shop introduced me to spray-on Teflon (polytetrafluoroethylene, or PTFE) dry lubricants. They sprayed it on the seals and gaskets around airplane doors. The Teflon stuff has the advantage of being dry to the touch – it won't attract dirt and it won't transfer gooey, grimy nastiness on to your clothing if you rub up against it. A bit of Google-Fu finds a number of suppliers, including Amazon (in the U.S.: [3]). A well-stocked hardware store should have something similar on the shelves. TenOfAllTrades(talk) 15:16, 10 December 2008 (UTC)

What I've used is silicone grease. This was the recommended conditioner for the roof seals of my Honda Civic del Sol, which were essentially the same as door gaskets. You can get it in a tube (like toothpaste) at an auto parts store. It may also be called "dielectric grease", because it is an insulating grease also used for spark plug boots. You do not want silicone gasket compounds, which "set up" or harden to a rubbery texture, but you may find the grease in the same section of the store. -- Coneslayer (talk) 16:36, 10 December 2008 (UTC)

Certainly silicone and other gel-like materials are nasty because they WILL get all over your clothes - and they'll collect dirt and dust like crazy...so that's pretty much a non-starter. I've used PTFE spray on car door seals (not so much to stop them getting stuck together when freezing - but to stop 40 year old rubber degrading on a classic car restoration). It's not supposed to affect rubber - but some of the wierd plastics might get affected. You should try it somewhere where it doesn't matter too much (maybe the trunk trim or something) before you spray the whole lot. The concern I'd have is how you're going to apply the stuff while the rubber is still attached to the car. You most definitely do NOT want PTFE on leather or cloth seats or on the car paintwork. I have no problem with my classic car restoration because I do it before I install the rubber onto the car. I guess you could try spraying it onto a clean lint-free cloth and then quickly wiping down the rubber seals...I've never tried that. SteveBaker (talk) 20:53, 10 December 2008 (UTC)

If you are talking about the car door freezing shut in cold weather, it is usually just the lock or the hinges that freeze due to moisture entering and freezing. If the ice seal really is occurring along your weather stripping, this site suggests that petroleum-based products, such as petroleum jelly, would be harmful to the rubber seal. It suggests an alternative application for that seal. Marco polo (talk) 02:25, 11 December 2008 (UTC)

OK - first of all ANY site...ANY site...that tells you to lubricate a lock with WD40 is a site you should run screaming from. Never oil a lock. Use dry graphite. Any oily liquid you put in there will attract dirt and dust which will form a gummy mess which will mess up the lock in short order. So whether the rest of their advice is any good has to be treated with a measure of caution! I asked around in my classic car group - and they reminded me that another great treatment for rubber seals is Johnson's Baby Oil (I'm told that no other brand should be used). This stuff is actually absorbed by the rubber and makes it more supple. You can restore rubber and plastic that's gone hard using baby oil too. Because it's absorbed into the rubber - it doesn't sit on the surface where it can attract dust and dirt or get onto your clothes. Rub a generous amount onto the rubber - let it sit there for a few minutes - then rub as much of it off of the surface as you can. But PTFE spray is also acceptable if you're only trying to prevent freezing. SteveBaker (talk) 06:34, 11 December 2008 (UTC)

Waterproof coating used in the construction of Cesar Manrique's House, Lanzarote

Does anybody know what compound is used to create the dazzling white finish within the rooms of Cesar Manrique's house in Lanzarote? It is also appears to be the same compound which is used for the creation of the pool at Jameos del Agua also created by Manrique on the island. It seems to be a white plasticated substance which is completely waterpoof and easily maintained. ThanksCoelo115 (talk) 18:58, 10 December 2008 (UTC)

I believe this is the stuff the OP is referring to. --Sean 19:58, 10 December 2008 (UTC)

It looks like clear-cote'd fibreglass to me...but it's hard to tell without being able to examine it up-close. SteveBaker (talk) 20:47, 10 December 2008 (UTC)

Thanks Sean. It appeared to me more like a viscous liquid based substance which could be painted on. I am not sure if clear coated fibreglass would fall into that category? I have a couple of cellars and outhouses which are a bit on the damp side and this stuff looks as if it may cheer them up and make them more useable spaces. 86.152.140.255 (talk) 12:11, 12 December 2008 (UTC)

Factories often get their floors painted with stuff (usually grey!) that looks a little like this. It is glossy but very hard wearing. -- SGBailey (talk) 21:50, 12 December 2008 (UTC)

Isn't that a bit slippery for a floor? --S.dedalus (talk) 09:07, 13 December 2008 (UTC)

Factory floors are often painted with epoxy paint because it's very hardwearing and is resistant to all sorts of chemical spills and such. Fibreglass is made from epoxy resin with filaments of glass embedded in it. So in a sense, what SGBailey says is true - but it's just paint - so it doesn't alter the underlying roughness of the concrete floor. The result is a surface that's not really slippery. SteveBaker (talk) 05:04, 14 December 2008 (UTC)