Three generations on one day! Isn't that the limit?

Happy Birthday to my dear Mom and my wonderful Grandpa!
I am lucky to share a day with two of my favorite people!
I guarantee you all this will be the only picture of myself
I'll ever post on this brog.
All that said, I think my cake looks the yummiest.

The Knowledge

In order for a common bloke to obtain a job as a cabbie in London, he must know quite a bit. Indeed, in order to be licensed to drive the famous black cabs, he must know more than quite a bit. Those wishing for such a license must learn no less than 320 routes in central London. These routes are all within a 6 mile radius of Charring Cross. Not only must they learn these routes, they must learn all the intersections and turnabouts along the way, the many names a single street has and where such names apply, and every single theatre, restaurant, club, police station, public building, hospital, hotel, railway station, park, shop, institute of learning, and place of worship, to name a few. In short, they must know where everything is. This is referred to as The Knowledge.

On average, most would-be cabbies study The Knowledge for almost three years in order to make an "Appearance". At the Appearance, the "Knowledge Boy" (or girl as the case may be) will be given two point within London. They then have to, without the aid of a map, find the shortest and most expedicious route, along with all intersections, roundabouts, and turns. In addition to this, they must name what buildings and points of interest they would be passing. Needless to say, hardly anyone passes the Appearance on their first shot. In fact, it's more common for someone to make up to 10 Appearances before receiving their license. The end result is an extremely knowledgable cabbie who knows the labyrinth of downtown London like the back of his hand; and will probably be able to tell you all about the history of each particular building to boot.

What does this have to do with the shape of the brain? Well, scientists in England have recorded the impact of studying for the Knowledge. Tests have proven that over time, as the daunting amouts of knowledge are acquired, the posterior portion of the right hippocampus actually grows. Studies also show that the more veteran cabbies had still larger hippocampi. This is incredible - the human brain has a certain amount of plasticity to it then. It will take all the information thrown at it and alter its shape to accomodate new knowledge. Or at least navagation knowledge.

The cabbies themselves seem nonplused. Said one, "I really try not to think about it myself. But people constantly get in my cab and say, 'My goodness! What a large hippocampus you have!' and I say 'Well, yes'. It's all very embarrassing." Another averred that he "really couldn't remember the hippocampus growing. It makes you wonder what happened to the rest of it." At least we know it didn't affect his sense of humor.

It has been said that no one really fails the Knowledge, they just give up. Science seems to back this up. It really is amazing when you think about it - that the human brain will alter its shape to accomodate more information. Guess that old "my brain is full" excuse doesn't work anymore, does it?

Hungry Hungry Hippocampus

Well, kidlets, did you know you can change the shape of your brain? Yes, indeed. There are fascinating studies out there showing that gained knowledge, particularly navigational knowledge, can increase the actual size of the hippocampus region of your brain. It appears that smart though you may be, cab drivers in London actually have a bigger brain. Weird, huh? More to come as regards these cabbies. (I'll bet you can't wait!)

I ain't A-Fib-bing!

Atrial fibrillation. All semester long I've been researching this blasted condition. One paper done, one presentation done, and one presentation to go. I know so much about it now that I don't know a thing. Yep. I'm that cool.

This year, I'm most thankful for Thanksgiving break. Yeah.

Another Wodehouse gem

"She was feeling like a mother who, in addition to notifying him that there is no candy, has been compelled to strike a loved child on the base of the skull with a stocking full of sand."

A Royal Imposition

Since we're talking about royalty and all, we might as well talk about a wonderful hoax from the early 1800s. That is the imposture of Princess Caraboo.

In 1817, a strangely dressed and seemingly confused young lady was found wandering the English countryside. She spoke no English. Now at the time in Britain, because of the Napoleonic wars, foreigners were treated with extreme suspicion. Fearing that the girl was a Corsican spy, she was brought before the Overseer of the Poor in Bristol, who in turn brought her to the local magistrate, a Mr Worrell. Mrs Worrell took an interest in the young lady and invited her to stay at her home, Knoll Park.

The Worrells soon deduced that the girls name was Caraboo, but they could not understand anything that she said. Finally, a sailor came along who claimed her could speak her language. Apparently, Caraboo was a royal princess from the island of Javasu. She had been kidnapped by pirates, but she managed to escape from them near England. She had swum to shore through the Bristol Channel.

Well, imagine the Worrells' excitement! They had a real live princess on their hands! What's more, a beautiful, exotic princess who fenced, used a bow and arrow, and swam naked in the lake. For almost three months that corner of Britain was captivated by the "savage princess". That is, until her former boss showed up.

A Mrs Neale saw a picture of Princess Caraboo in the newspaper. She immediately recognized her as Mary Baker, a former servant, who had often entertained the Neale children with her made up languages. The Worrells very kindly paid for Mary's passage to Philadelphia, where it is said she attempted the same hoax again, with no sucess. She eventually returned to England and made guest appearances (really!) from time to time as Princess Caraboo. She died in 1865. But the world has not forgotten the servant girl from Dover who pulled one over on the upper middle classes in England. One can only imagine how much fun she had pulling off such a sucessful hoax.

The Hawaiian Monarchy

The first monarch of Hawaii was Kamehameha the Great, a fierce warrior who united by force the separate fuedal societies of the islands. His dynasty, beginning in 1810, continued through five kings. When the last of the Kamehameha dynasty, Kamehameha V (known as Lot) died in 1872, he named Princess Bernice to be his heir. She, however, refused the crown, preferring a retired life with her husband.

This decision by Bernice left vacant the throne. The legislature therefore nominated some distant relatives of the Kamehameha line and declared an election. Hawaii's first elected king, Lunalilo, was royalty for less than a year when he unexpectedly died. He had not named an heir. SO... the country decided to elect a next monarch. This election was famously heated and nasty. The two candidates, David Kalakaua and Queen Emma, widow of one of the Kamehameha kings, did not much care for the other and rumors and mudslinging and general ugliness ensued. In the end, Queen Emma was defeated and the Kalakaua dynasty began.

Being a smart man, one of the first things Kalakaua did was to create a line of sucession. This came in handy when he passed away in 1891. His sister Lili-uokalani was made queen, and her niece Victoria Ka'iulani named Crown Princess. The government of Hawaii was overthrown in 1893 and the monarchy was abrogated. However then royal line does continue to this day. After the early, tragic death of Ka'iulani, Lili-uokalani named David Kawananakoa, nephew to David Kalakaua's wife, as her heir. We now come to the Kawananakoa Dynasty in waiting - the presumptive heirs to the throne of Hawaii.

David Kawananakoa was a significant character in the life of Ka'iulani. There are many indications that the two were secretly engaged, however, nothing can be known for certain. He did marry eventually to Abigail Wahiikaahuula Campbell. In what was doubtlessly a scandal, he refused to acknowledge paternity for her first child; however, officially this child, also named Abigail, was next in the line of succession. Her son Edward Kawananakoa was next in line, and then his son, Quentin Kawananakoa, who currently is the heir-presumptive to the defunct kingdom and the head ali'i, or chief, of Hawaii. The Kawananakoa family is closely tied to the Hawaiian Republican Party - in fact, Quentin Kawananakoa was the minority leader in the Hawaiian Legislature during the 1990s. His son Kincaid (a dreadful name) is next in the line of succession.

This is very interesting, actually. Many people talk about the Kennedy's being the American royals, or the Bush family, or whoever happens to be in vogue at the moment. What most people do not realize is that the Kawananakoa family is actually recognized as royalty, with titles of Prince and Princess still conferred. They are the only true royals in the United States. Very interesting, eh?

Pua o Hawaii

Forth from her land to mine she goes,
The Island maid, the Island rose,
Light of heart and bright of face,
The daughter of a double race.

Her Islands here in southern sun
Shall mourn their Ka`iulani gone.
And I, in her dear banyan’s shade,
Look vainly for the little maid.

But our Scots Islands far away
Shall glitter with unwonted day,
And cast for once their tempest by
To smile in Ka`iulani’s eye.

These words were written by Ka'iulani's dear childhood friend, Robert Louis Stevenson, before she went away to school in England. There is a great deal of nonsense published both in print and on the internet about a romance between the two. This is all utterly baseless. Ka'iulani was 13 years old when Stevenson came to Hawaii with his family. He took a paternal interest in her and she was fascinated by his storytelling abilities. They said farewell four months after they met each other, and never would meet in person again. Stevenson passed away at his plantation in Samoa while Ka'iulani was still in Britain.

The Peacock Princess

Hawaiian Crown Princess Victoria Kawekiu Lunalilo Kalahinuiahilapalapa Ka'iulani Cleghorn (Ka'iulani, as she was commonly known by), was what you could call an unexpected heroine. A young woman of strong faith, sharp intellect, and striking beauty; she represented her country with spirit and bore affliction with dignity.

Ka'iulani was born on October 16, 1875 to Archie Cleghorn, a Scottish financier, and his wife, Princess Miriam Likelike, the sister of the king of Hawaii. The king (Kalākaua) and his wife (Queen Kapi'olani) had no children, and Ka'iulani was second in line to the throne. After the death of the king, her aunt Lydia Lili‘uokalani became queen. At the age of fifteen, while at school in England, Ka'iulani learned she was now the Crown Princess. Unfortunately, two years later the government in Hawaii was overthrown and the queen deposed. It was at this point that the Peacock Princess (so called for her love of the peacocks that lived on her estate in Waikiki) stepped onto the public stage. She decided to travel to America and plead her countries cause.She was 17 years old.

The American press, being as obnoxious then as now, touted her visit as that of a barbarian princess from an uncivilized country. How shocked the people must have been to have seen the intelligent, refined, and mannered young princess! She gave a speech, the first public speech of her life, after she landed in America. "Seventy years ago Christian America sent over Christian men and women to give religion and civilization to Hawai'i. Today, three of the sons of those missionaries are at your capitol asking you to undo their father’s work. Who sent them? Who gave them the authority to break the Constitution which they swore they would uphold? Today, I, a poor weak girl with not one of my people with me and all these ‘Hawaiian’ statesmen against me, have strength to stand up for the rights of my people. Even now I can hear their wail in my heart and it gives me strength and courage and I am strong - strong in the faith of God, strong in the knowledge that I am right, strong in the strength of seventy million people who in this free land will hear my cry and will refuse to let their flag cover dishonor to mine!"

Not bad for a beginner, eh? Ka'iulani spent much time in America, eventually meeting President Glover Cleveland, who was very interesting in her cause. She dispelled all myths about the heathen nature of her country and dazzled society with her beauty. She spoke excellent English, in additon to Hawaiian, French, and German. Her guardian while in America was Theo Davies, who said this about her, "...Ka'iulani is not a mere worldling; she feels that her life is to be one of service to the King of Kings, and that she is to help her own people to live near Him. It is a solemn question for you to ask yourself how you can best help Ka'iulani in this work... I know it is Kaiulani's great desire to help the Hawaiian girls into lives of Christianity and purity."

However, politics being what they are (and I'm not even going to begin on the many reasons involved), the quest to restore the kingdom of Hawaii was not sucessful. It is thought that if the Spanish-American War not taken place, Ka'iulani might have been sucessful in regaining the throne for her aunt and, eventually, herself. This was however, not to be. The Princess returned to Hawaii. Her expected role in life was now forever taken from her, yet she bore her lot with dignity. She seemed to care more for her people's welfare under their new government than her own. She lived quietly at her estate until her death at the age 0f 23.

Throughout her short life, Ka'iulani made a great impression, first upon her nation who loved her devotedly, and then upon the world, who came to respect and admire her.

The Language of...oh whatever...

Well, gentle readers, our foray into the hidden languages of the Victorians is coming to a close. We have seen the two most important and widely used hidden languages - that of the fan and of flowers - and seen the suprising usage of the humble glove. There are also languages of the handkerchief, the parasol, the postage stamp, and the calling card (Folding the upper right corner meant the card had been left in person, not by way of a servant. Folding the upper left corner meant congratulations, folding the lower right corner meant goodbye. Folding the lower left corner signified condolence). Apparently, there was also a language developed around a gentleman's top hat; however, I cannot locate any information on this.

So we see that the Victorians found many ways of saying things without ever actually saying them, as it were. Whether or not this was a good thing, it does make for some mighty interesting research.

We shall not be leaving the world of Victoria behind us - the next post (hopefully tonight) will be on a great Victorian era princess.

The Language of Flowers

"Flowers have a language of their own, and it is this bright particular language that we would teach our readers. How charmingly a young gentleman can speak to a young lady, and with what eloquent silence in this delightful language. How delicately she can respond, the beautiful little flowers telling her tale in perfumed words; what a delicate story the myrtle or the rose tells! How unhappy that which basil, or yellow rose reveals, while ivy is the most faithful of all." or so says Colliers Cyclopedia of Commercial and Social Information and Treasury of Useful and Entertaining Knowledge (pub.1882).

The language of flowers is quite well developed, and were the whole of it published, would go on for pages and pages. Thusly, we shall confine our attention to roses, that most expressive of all flowers, and one or two other flowers.

Roses, besides fufilling their job of being lovely, often pulled double-duty. Much could be said with a rose, depending upon the colour, degree of openness, and how it is arranged. Roses almost always signify love - the above mentioned variations determine the degree and type of love the presenter feels. Note how some rose colours have several meanings - yet another opportunity for confusion!

Red Rose - true, deep, romantic love
White Rose - eternal love, innocence, purity, secrecy, unrequited love, I am worthy of you
Withered or Dried White Rose - dead love, death is preferable to loss of virtue
Yellow Rose - decrease in love, jealousy, friendship, try to care
Pink Rose - perfect happiness, sweetness, indecision
Dark Pink Rose - thankfulness
Light Pink Rose - grace, joy
Burgundy Rose - unconscious beauty
Deep Crimson Rose - mourning, bashfulness, shame
Peach Rose - immortality, modesty
Coral Rose - desire
Damask Rose - brilliant complexion, freshness, Persian ambassador of love
Orange Rose - fascination
Lavendar Rose - enchantment
Rosebud - youth and beauty, a heart innocent of love
Red Rosebud - pure and lovely
White Rosebud - a heart ignorant of love, girlhood
11 red roses and one yellow rose - love and passion
Bouquet of full bloom roses - gratitude
One full bloom roses over two rose buds - secrecy
White Rose and Red Rose together - unity
Single Full Bloom - I truly love you, I still love you, simplicity
Thornless Single Rose - love at first sight
A Rose given daily - "Thy smile I aspire to"
Rose Leaf - you may hope

This, again, is not an exhaustive list. There were meanings for almost every known variety of roses! And there are many more meanings involved with the arrangement and degree of openness. As far as other flowers go, consider, if you will, that entire books were published on this subject. To even attempt to compile a list here would be insane. However, some flower meanings are more interesting than others. For example - a Venus fly trap means (suprise!) "caught at last". A lady who wished to get rid of a dense suitor would hope he would get the message when she offered him a bachelors button for his boutonniere. Dandelions even held a meaning (faithfulness), showing that even obnoxious weeds were not beyond the Victorians grasp. Ivy means fidelity, which explains it's popularity in Victorian bridal bouquets.

There are dozens and dozens of websites devoted to elucidating the meanings of flowers. Some even give examples of bouquets with their meanings. My personal favorite was, "I'm sorry I was a drunken fool. Please forgive me, I'm only human.". Some things obviously never change.

Good Night, Ladies

The Victorians had many hidden languages, as we've discovered. But none was so widely used and so extensive as the language of flowers. The amount of information involved is staggering, so it will be at least this evening before the flower post goes up.

In the meantime, I'm very pleased to welcome yet another new blog. My sister Grace has opened up Ace's Place. This blog is devoted to her affinity for the death, destruction, and mayhem that occur with catastrophic storms, and whatever else happens to tickle her fancy. Check it out, y'all.

The Language of Gloves

Having established the various communications that might be made with the fan, we turn our attention to the hidden language of a ladies glove. Once again, the Victorians found ways to use commonplace items to circumvent social rules.

Biting the tips - I wish to be rid of you soon

Clenching the gloves, rolled up in the right hand - No

Drawing half way on left hand - Indifference

Dropping both gloves - I love you

Dropping one glove - Yes

Folding up carefully - Go away

Holding the tips downward - I wish to be acquainted

Holding them loose in the right hand - Be contented

Holding them loose in the left hand - I am satisfied

Left hand with the naked thumb exposed - Do you love me?

Putting gloves away - I am most vexed

Right hand with the naked thumb exposed - Kiss me

Smoothing gloves gently - I wish I were with you

Striking gloves over the shoulder - Follow me

Tapping the chin - I love another

Tossing the gloves up gently - I am engaged

Turning them inside out - I hate you

Twisting them around the fingers - Be careful, we are being watched

Using them as a fan - Introduce me to your friends

Striking gloves over the hand - I am displeased