See Not from concentrate.
Via the Bad Astronomer, who commented:
Understanding such things is as easy as pi. ‘e just goes to the root of the problem, cos it’s no sin. And if you don’t get it, well, secant you shall find.
From kass_rants:
You see, in the medieval and Renaissance periods, people had to make use of every scrap of fabric. Labour was cheap and fabric was expensive. In the early modern period that followed, wealthy people wore lace collars that would equate in price to an estate in Ireland. So you see where I’m going with this. If you had an expensive piece of brocade, it probably cost more than your house. So when you made something from it, you pieced it and turned it and used every last scrap.
Modern dressmaking techniques waste a lot of fabric. They are engineered for speed of sewing. In the periods we study, speed was not as important and conservation of fabric.
Antiques Made To Order.
From one of my mailing lists.
I skipped Irish class last night to stay home with mia_mcdavid. We had a good evening together.
For the second time in 48 hours I am wearing an ice pack. The nurse at the Red Cross decided to try a different vein for apheresis (platelet donation). It did not work. Two other nurses tried to adjust it. No joy. In fact, considerable pain. They had to unplug me.
Continue reading
This morning our church service ended with a parade through the neighborhood. It was led by one of our younger members carrying a Holy Spirit banner. Our Rector said that this banner had been carried at the consecration of Gene Robinson to the Episcopate. Two thoughts immediately went through my head:
This was a great event for colgaffneyis. Continue reading
Yesterday, May 14, was my birthday, when I turned 30 (if you count in base 19). It was a good time–one of my best birthdays. I am very gratified by the good wishes I got from all of my family and friends.
From Hilbert Space to Dilbert Space, and beyond 
