BBS * Text

[nolittlesecret]

From: Neptune
Posted: December 1st

Two questions: First is does anyone know how to build a greenhouse? Or if it would be just easier to use a root cellar and provide sunlamps for what's growing? I'm used to living in a much different climate than this place so growing seasons and conditions are a little different.

Second question is does Japan have a traditional Christmas wreath material or would going for a pine/fir tree wreath be fine? Also, if you're interested in making any to hang around, I don't mind showing how to do that.

Comments

text | from: obi

[yasei]

You know the sun is not a lamp, right?

[nolittlesecret]

Sun lamps are designed to run along the same wavelength and strength of natural sunlight, which allows them to mimic the same conditions for plants that the big orb in the sky does. They were created to allow for underground and greenhouse growing in areas of changing seasons or less than ideal conditions.

Also, they can be used by humans and animals to alleviate the symptoms of SAD, or seasonal affective disorder, which causes depression due to a drop in Vitamin D and other things people are used to getting on sunny days.

So. Yes. Sun lamps are a thing.

[yasei]

It sounds like it's difficult to make them. The sun isn't just a light, I mean. It's different from a candle or a fireplace not to mention those light bulb things.

[nolittlesecret]

You're talking to a science major. I am quite aware of what the sun is made from and what it does. Sun lamps mimic the sun enough to help ensure healthy plants. It's not like I'm setting up a tanning salon, just enough of a lamp setup for plants. They're made to encourage photosynthesis and that's all I need.

[yasei]

That's not a rank of major I'm familiar with. But I'm thinking you're just making up words as you go.

[nolittlesecret]

It was my major in college. As in higher education? Not meaning it military like. I went to school mostly for organic chemistry and biology because they're pretty important to the medical sciences.

[yasei]

[ ......... ]

Okay, sure, if you say so.

[nolittlesecret]

It's pretty obvious you don't believe me.

Which is fine by me.

I know what I know, and it's a helluva a lot more than most people do around here.

[yasei]

Really? I couldn't tell at all that I was lying.

So you like to know more than other people so you can lecture them, alright.

[nolittlesecret]

Context and reading between the lines. Simple psychological and sociological predictors in writing make it easy to figure out who is being honest and who's not. People tend to type differently when they are trying to be "convincing" that what they are saying is how they truly feel.

And it's not knowing more than others and lecturing, it's using what I learned in school and applying it to the real world.

[pirateofdragons]

What's Christmas?

[What is this strange holiday?]

[nolittlesecret]

Depends. Want the religious version or the capitalist version of the meaning?

[pirateofdragons]

Any, I guess. This is my first time hearing about it.

[nolittlesecret]

Well, a quick religious rundown is that it's the day Jesus Christ was supposedly born. It's set in December, around the time of Yule for the Pagans, and it's pretty much been claimed as a Christian holiday with some changes to it. They still keep some of the traditional Yule symbolism, such as the trees used and some of the things people do around that time. It's a pretty big day in large parts of the world.

Capitalism wise? It's the biggest season for spending. Buying presents to give to others, parties, food, all that jazz. It's a mess and you want to get your shopping done early if you're going to do it. Yes, homemade things are accepted, but if you're in America, it's generally considered tacky for adults to do that, so people buy, buy, buy. Back home in Germany it's getting to be that bad, but from how my family celebrated, it was more about spending time with people you love and the gift giving was secondary.

I will say that the thing I love most about this season is the food, hands down.

[pirateofdragons]

Didn't think it'd be that big of a deal.

....Why the food?

[Does that mean Christmas has certain foods he can enjoy???]

[nolittlesecret]

It's held near the end of the year, so it's a pretty huge deal to cultures that weren't sure if they would survive till the next year. Something to look forward to in the deep, dark months of winter.

Oh man, the food is A-M-A-Z-I-N-G

Depending on where you are? That really gives you the menu. In Germany it's a lot of sweets, meats, stews, broiled meats or fish, nut and dried fruit filled things, you name it! And then you go to a place like America? Then you pretty much got state by state food traditions. I bet Japan has some, too, and
for some reason it involves fried chicken and strawberry shortcake.

[pirateofdragons]

Those all sound delicious.

I'm looking eager for my first Christmas then.

[nolittlesecret]

Tell whoever you live with about it. If they can cook, make sure they cook a lot.

[pirateofdragons]

I'll be sure to!

Are there any recommended dishes?

[nolittlesecret]

Fruitcake. Stollen. Anything with dried fruit basically.

[pirateofdragons]

Noted.

Thanks for telling me.

Text, Athena

[mylanceisbiggerthanyours]

Depends on what you're growing maybe. I ain't had a chance to use a greenhouse, though. Have ya checked the library?

What's Christmas?

[nolittlesecret]

Mostly greens. I'm a veggie kind of guy, and the library helped a little, but the thing is that the temple grounds I got don't seem to match the local environment that well. If anything I would set up a hydroponic arrangement.

A Pagan holiday that's been co-opted by various religions as a day to celebrate the birth of a guy who was born over 2,000 years ago by the name of Jesus Christ. Or as most people think of it as, the day people give each other presents and celebrate a guy named Santa Claus.