Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Miscellaneous/2009 July 10

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July 10

Croissant Frustration

OK so I've made this recipe with no drama before, but both batches today have been giving me the same problem: after I've filled the dough with butter and done a single fold, I roll the dough out to find that the butter has leaked out one of the sides. It seems like the top layer is being rolled out, but not the bottom... I can think of a few causes, like 1. under-flouring the rolling surface 2. not enough flour in the dough 3. bad rolling pin technique

Any ideas what would cause this?72.219.136.28 (talk) 04:37, 10 July 2009 (UTC)

Keep the dough cold. The dough should be kept as cold as possible. You should use ice-water for all of your water needs, and if it is warm where you are working, a good solution is to keep a sheet pan in the freezer, and take it out just before rolling, so that the dough is rolled out on a very cold surface. The problem you seem to be having, if the butter is leaking, is that it is melting. The butter really needs to be rock hard to be incorporated correctly into the pastry. --Jayron32.talk.contribs 04:52, 10 July 2009 (UTC)

This trick may work for you: roll out the butter between two sheets of wax paper or Parchment paper (baking) to a thinner square and put that in the freezer for a bit. Then fold that into the cold rolled out dough. 71.236.26.74 (talk) 05:54, 10 July 2009 (UTC)

I keep everything cold, but now I'm thinking there's a fault in the recipe. I like the idea of the cold butter square, because what this recipe does is take room temp butter and spread it on there, fold, then roll. Maybe an intermediate step between folding and rolling would help! i don't quite heave the dexterity to get a well-sized butter rectangle so maybe I'll keep with the room-temp butter but once I have it in the single fold, chill it so it doesn't ooze.72.219.136.28 (talk) 06:22, 10 July 2009 (UTC)

If you can't get a well-sized butter rectangle between two sheets of paper it sounds as though you are trying to get there too fast. Go slow and don't apply too much pressure. Slow and steady gets more results than force and speed. Too little pressure of course also won't work. Start with very little and then apply more each roll until you get the hang of it. 71.236.26.74 (talk) 10:30, 10 July 2009 (UTC)

Oh, and alternate rolling directions. --71.236.26.74 (talk) 11:28, 11 July 2009 (UTC)

Indians-killed??

Does the western world really hate the indians, why are they being ill treated/killed in countries like like Aus ,NZ and the rest and that too students, understood , if they were some menace like terrorists groups or outlaws?? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 61.95.140.188 (talk) 10:33, 10 July 2009 (UTC)

Your question is not very clear. Can you give us any examples of the actions you're referring to please?91.109.212.49 (talk) 11:35, 10 July 2009 (UTC)

To reassure you.... No the western world does not hate Indians. I live in England and we have Indian stars on our TV, we have Indian music in our shops, my daughter goes to school with children from Indian families, etc. You may have seen some troubling news reports about relations between different nations but unfortunately this sort of this is constantly going on all over the world.Popcorn II (talk) 11:47, 10 July 2009 (UTC)

Is this a question about Islam? You might be interested to read Christianity in India#Conflicts and related topics.--Shantavira|^{feed me} 12:27, 10 July 2009 (UTC)

There's been a spate of attacks (some fatal) on Indian students in Australia over the past year and a half, to the point where Indian student groups have held large rallies in Melbourne and Sydney, and probably other places, to protest their right to live, work and study peacefully. It's deplorable, as any violence is, but it does not mean that Australians in general hate Indians. Indian food, for example, has long been a favourite with Australians. For some reason, Indian students seem to be easy targets for mindless morons, many of whom, imo, are simply copycats. The police keep on saying there's no evidence that the attacks are racially based, which I can't quite fathom because there seems to be an inordinately high proportion of attacks on Indians compared with other victims. There have been no attacks on Sri Lankans that I've heard of, yet most people would be hard pressed to tell Indians and Sri Lankans apart. So it seems to be specifically Indians that are being targetted (admittedly, there are probably far more Indians here than Sri Lankans, but the latter still have a certain profile). Maybe the Indian attacks are getting a fair bit of press coverage lately and thus seem more statistically prominent than they actually are. -- JackofOz (talk) 12:37, 10 July 2009 (UTC)

2009 attacks on Indian students in Australia Calliopejen1 (talk) 12:54, 10 July 2009 (UTC)

Humans have had to adjusted to ever wider circles of "us" and "not us" throughout their development and at every stage there's repeated proof of the occasional individual or group who doesn't get it and bucks the trend. Not killing off one's family was the first adjustment and the occasional murders within families tell us that not everyone has even reached that stage (see Infanticide and Honor killing). Then we go to not killing one's tribe members, and again there are counter examples (see Feud). Continue the chain up through villages, cities, countries, nations, ethnicities , fellow humans and for vegetarians/vegans include animals. We create laws to counter-balance "good reasons" (AKA crazy ideas and ideologies) put forward in favor of singling out "others". Sometimes that's not enough. We just haven't developed that far from the ape that climbed off the tree and picked up a stick to beat up his neighbor. 71.236.26.74 (talk) 13:04, 10 July 2009 (UTC)

The media seem to have over dramatized this, people from other ethnic groups are being murdered occasionally too, such as Anglos and Chinese. But you will probably find that Aus and NZ are still much safer than South Africa for example. Graeme Bartlett (talk) 22:27, 10 July 2009 (UTC)

I'm South African, where do you get your information from? The western media? There haven't been ethnic attacks against Indians in South Africa, only a spate of xenophobic attacks against blacks from other African countries last year, and that's over now. Sure, we have a crime problem here, but FIFA wouldn't have allowed the Confederations Cup or World Cup here if they thought it was that unsafe. We are not in a war zone, like some places in the middle east. People who are vigilant tend to avoid crime here. Sandman30s (talk) 20:34, 11 July 2009 (UTC)

Asians, especially Chinese and Indians now make up the majority in most inner cities and suburbs of Australia. Since at night there are few if any white people around, then simple numbers state that Indians will be targeted most especially as they now own most after hours businesses and shops. —Preceding unsigned comment added by Payneham (talk • contribs) 00:28, 14 July 2009 (UTC)

An interesting topic; Most nations are pretty much the same; when a Non-Native person is killed in a country this is usualy highlighted to great Extent by the media! plus the home nation of the Victim. A prime example of this is the recent stabbing of a Egyption women in a German court, this has understanbly hit the media and has caused outrage in Egypt (Hajib martyr to coin a phrase). However If this women had been stabbed in a honur killing in the home country it certainly wouldnt have hit the media with the same fever. Again if this was an English women stabbed by an English man in England again it would hit page 10 in the media but then story would vanish from the media, there wouldnt be mass rallies ECT...I am sure there are many such killings by Forigners in many countries that produce the same effect but wouldnt if it was your home nation/ethnicity. the Mass paranoia that exists about race/religion is indemic in every country in every part of the world. this is shown recently in China were the riots span from one person telling a lie about a apperent rape and this esculating to something quite catastrophic, once the media dig and around and ask people then it becomes a race issue with people not getting jobs being over looked ECT... The idea that a single group is rooted out for attacks in Australia is un-true - again this has proberly spanned from a perticular incident and then esculated simlar to ChinaChromagnum (talk) 06:10, 14 July 2009 (UTC)

Elevators in the Essen Hauptbahnhof

Are there any elevators in the Essen Hauptbahnhof? --88.77.254.114 (talk) 13:33, 10 July 2009 (UTC)

They are currently being revamped. Germany has extensive laws on wheelchair access, but some local stations are still without elevators. A main station like Essen without wheelchair access would be hard to imagine, though. During the remodeling phase elevators to most tracks are out of service and a leaflet with travel alternatives for mobility impaired travelers has been issued according to this .pdf linked from the German page [1]. 71.236.26.74 (talk) 13:48, 10 July 2009 (UTC)

refugee camp in dakar

are there red cross refugee camp in dakar senegal ? If there is, are there refugee girls of some country in africa? —Preceding unsigned comment added by Abysshi (talk • contribs) 14:24, 10 July 2009 (UTC)

The ICRC does not list Senegal in its 2008 report but there were operations in 2006 and 1998. Rmhermen (talk) 15:37, 10 July 2009 (UTC)

Board games and elevators

Which surname of a board game designer is also used for elevators? --88.77.235.73 (talk) 14:54, 10 July 2009 (UTC)

Otis Elevator and Otis College of Art and Design? Both are/were surnames of individuals, and the college has a product design depratment that does create toys and board games. // BL \\ (talk) 15:17, 10 July 2009 (UTC)

Seeing that you are in Germany, I will risk a wild guess. The designer of Coloretto and Zooloretto is Michael Schacht. In German, "Schacht" (or more specifically "Liftschacht" or "Fahrstuhlschacht") means "(elevator) shaft" or "hoistway". ---Sluzzelin talk 16:20, 10 July 2009 (UTC)

Now that's an interesting response, Sluzzelin. Ref Desk regulars never cease to astound me. I hope the OP comes back. // BL \\ (talk) 16:53, 10 July 2009 (UTC)

chili

I am looking for a killer chili recipe (killer meaning that people who are not used to very hot food would welcome death if they ate it.) All the ones I have found by googling don't really seem to be up to that level. Any ideas? Googlemeister (talk) 18:26, 10 July 2009 (UTC)

Take any chili recipe, add several Habanero or Scotch bonnet peppers to the recipe. You will melt people's teeth with it. --Jayron32.talk.contribs 18:49, 10 July 2009 (UTC)

When would they be added? Early in cooking? Late? Googlemeister (talk) 19:52, 10 July 2009 (UTC)

The master chef at our local Italian restaurant say cooking a chilli kills its killer flavour. So, as late as possible while still cooking it enough for your taste. Vimescarrot (talk) 21:19, 10 July 2009 (UTC)

I do hope you're not planning on tricking people who don't normally eat spicy/hot food into eating this - you could make them very ill. Exxolon (talk) 21:50, 10 July 2009 (UTC)

Don't forget the Guatemalan insanity peppers. Deor (talk) 00:21, 11 July 2009 (UTC)

If you're after serious spice, the Naga Jolokia is your friend, at 1/16th the spiciness of pure spicy. Vimescarrot (talk) 09:26, 11 July 2009 (UTC)

I'm not sure if I approve of advising people on how to hurt others . . . DOR (HK) (talk) 03:48, 14 July 2009 (UTC)

Truth Revealing Technique Name

What is the name of the technique where: - you are trying to get information from a person. - they refuse to give you the information outright for whatever reasons they have. - then you might say something like that would seem obviously wrong. - then, that person wishing to correct you, blurts out the information you were seeking.

example:

1. Me - So, where are the keys to the car?
2. Her - I'm not going to tell you because daddy says that you are not allowed to drive the car.
3. Me - Fine, I found the keys in the coffee table drawer anyway.
4. Her - That's not the right set of keys. The car keys are in the jewelry box!....dop!

--Reticuli88 (talk) 18:27, 10 July 2009 (UTC)

Are you thinking of Social engineering (security)? Dismas|^(talk) 18:37, 10 July 2009 (UTC)

That would be a good way to describe it. 1950s-60s TV host Art Linkletter had a kids' segment on his show, and many of the best comments came as answers to, "What did your Mommy tell you not to talk about today?" Baseball Bugs ^{What's up, Doc?} carrots 18:51, 10 July 2009 (UTC)

Exactomundo! thanks! --Reticuli88 (talk) 18:52, 10 July 2009 (UTC)

King Djoser step pyramid

need confirmation, is The Step pyramid made for King Djoser the first step pyramid? It says at http://www.touregypt.net/featurestories/dsteppyramid1.htm that "it should be noted that this may not be, in its essence, the first step pyramid. Several small mastabas at Abusir seem to have perhaps had as many as three steps and date to the second half of the 1st Dynasty." Please help <email removed>Violetdetre (talk) 18:59, 10 July 2009 (UTC)

I removed your email address. People will answer here. Our article on Step pyramid indicates that the Pyramid of Djoser is indeed the first Egyptian step pyramid. --Jayron32.talk.contribs 22:47, 10 July 2009 (UTC)

I've been to Saqqara and the Pyramid of Djoser is huge. The Pyramid of Djoser article says "...earliest large-scale stone construction...", and I certainly think they would have tried out the technology on a smaller scale first, especially on such an important project as the Pharaoh's stairway to heaven. The problem with the "...small mastabas at Abusir ... date to the second half of the 1st Dynasty", is our article on Abusir says "Abusir took its turn ... during the Old Kingdom 5th Dynasty." Astronaut (talk) 04:27, 11 July 2009 (UTC)

assessor information

How do I find information on the status of a piece of real estate in Middleburg, florida. Such as: Is it a rental property? Privately owned property? History of this piece of real estate in the last five years, such as ownership, forclosures, present owner, etc? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 75.175.208.171 (talk) 20:50, 10 July 2009 (UTC)

Recording (real estate) gives an overview of the process but no specifics on how to conduct searches. Exxolon (talk) 21:44, 10 July 2009 (UTC)

official [2], [3], [4],[5],

other: [6], [7], [8], [9] Hope this helps.--71.236.26.74 (talk) 21:57, 10 July 2009 (UTC)

Barracks in the U.S. Military

A part of the musical Hair (1979) shows an Army barrack inside^{(Bukowski's friend George Berger at the Army)}. In the middle, there are several red objects attached to the columns. What's their name and purpose? They look like ashtrays... Here's a link for youtube, skip to 0:17 or 1:25 for example. Another example: [10] @ 0:33--77.4.64.249 (talk) 23:50, 10 July 2009 (UTC)

Precisely - they are typically old coffee cans painted red, and partially filled with water, for the purpose of extinguishing cigarette butts. I think they're call something creative, such as "butt cans". Baseball Bugs ^{What's up, Doc?} carrots 00:10, 11 July 2009 (UTC)

(EC) My guess is that those are fire sand buckets. Red Act (talk) 00:13, 11 July 2009 (UTC)

Thanks you guys!! Guess that's indoor smoking in the barracks is historical nowadays in the U.S.A. I think Red Act is right though because the surroundings and the cans are red painted (red being the one and only color for fire fighting). --77.4.64.249 (talk) 00:15, 11 July 2009 (UTC)

Red denoting fire, for sure. And they could have sand, but I think it's water. Baseball Bugs ^{What's up, Doc?} carrots 00:17, 11 July 2009 (UTC)

The fire sand bucket article says that the reason sand is used instead of water is because oil fires are resistant to water. However, with water, there would also be the issue of the water needing to be replaced on a regular basis due to evaporation, whereas with sand you just fill the bucket once and forget about it. Water gets gross when it stagnates, too, so a bucket kept full of water would need to be cleaned regularly, too, not just refilled. Red Act (talk) 18:49, 11 July 2009 (UTC)

At the time the musical was written, the US army still had a huge number of WWII-era barracks, especially at the bases that were used for basic training. Those barracks had all been built to almost identical designs. They were two stories and made of wood, with one big room on each floor, filled with bunk beds in four rows, a big bathroom at one end and two small rooms for sargents at the other. The pillars were needed because the rooms were so big. Smoking was damn near universal in the army in the 1970's ("At ease, men. smoke 'em if you got 'em.") The Barracks were potential fire traps, being built of (then) 30-year-old wood. The butt cans were "number ten tin cans" (which was then a universally-recognized standard size) which had originally contained canned fruit served at the mess hall, and the cans were painted red. They served both as ash trays and for fire fighting. The danger of fire was so great that each barracks had a fire watch of two soldiers on four-hour shifts throughout the night. -Arch dude (talk) 01:26, 11 July 2009 (UTC)

Thanks for bringing back memories of Fort Knox in 1978. Fort Hood finally destroyed those temporary barracks around 1993. ---— Gadget850 (Ed) ^talk 13:38, 12 July 2009 (UTC)