Koi

I think the word Chateau in French means castle or a lord's manor. In American English, I think the word chateau is used to describe a small house or cottage. Is this common in the USA? Or just the part of the USA where I live?

I want to purchase a video camcorder that gives good video quality. That records in MP4 format on a SD card or similar. Reason is that I like to send receive clips to iPad. I'm confused by Avchd and MP4 formats. Normally I buy Sony products because they're simple to use.

Please recommend some Classical pieces. My current favorites are:

Respighi's Pines of Rome 3rd Movement

Prokofiev's Battle on the Ice

March of the Charioteers (Ben Hur)

What is a good science experiment for a first grader to learn about electro magnetism and light? i.e. That light is part of the EM spectrum.

Simply a powerful strike?

What are the worst misconceptions, myths, and outright lies that people have believed in, to their sorrow?

The recent episode involving James Lee, holding hostages at the Discovery Channel headquarters, and his view that the environment does not need humans... i.e. we should all kill ourselves. ... seems to me that America is a breeding ground for self loathing. Where did this all come about? It seems as a culture, America wants to commit hari-kari.

His ideas and books are highly controversial. Why is he so highly touted? Especially at Universities and in Academic circles. As an aside, I find his books to be incomprehensible rambling; a rather shameful exercise for a tenured MIT professor of linguistics.

Can someone recommend a reputable plumber company in Dallas area?

Is there a name for the offense Jason Garrett is running with the Dallas Cowboys e.g. the Spread, the Shoot and Duck? As far as I can tell, he mostly calls passes from the Shotgun. The only running plays are Draws. It doesn't look like what New England does. The Patriots have a better running game?

The Dallas Cowboys drafted Dez Bryant WR. The picture most often shown of him, shows him happily crying and holding his hands in front of his chest. What strikes me are his fingernails. They look weird. The fingernails look manicured or longer than normal, in proportion to his fingers. Any ideas?

We're planning a 3 day trip to Disneyland in California for the summer. It will be our six year old's first time. Ideally, we're looking for a hotel that can pick us up from the airport and also shuttle us to Disneyland. I assume the closest airport is John Wayne Airport in Orange County. Any recommendations? Thanks!

France used to be a dominant force in world affairs. People would learn the French language as part of becoming the cultural elite. What happened? Why is France no longer a major player in the world? WWI? TIA!

What technologies or assistance did they give him? Building fortresses, muskets, naval tech?

In the international space station or space shuttle, are there pests such as ants and roaches? If so how do the astronauts get rid of them? I was curious if there any space age technology to zap the vermin.

If the USA wanted to, is there enough uranium in the US or in the world -- such that the USA can generate all the electricity it needs by using nuclear fission power plants?

What about nuclear fusion... what fuel source would fusion use?

If I understand correctly, the universe is expanding like a giant loaf of bread and that this acceleration is ever increasing.

Does this acceleration have any impact on the gravitational constant? (It's been many years since I've been in school. Do scientists still believe in a universal gravitational constant?)

Asked in another way, if the universe's acceleration is decreased -- would we notice an effect on gravity? That is space time curvature would be different?

Many years ago when I went to school, I took several courses on physics and EE. However, the explanations on electromagnetism seem fantastic to me. Still do. Perhaps someone can explain?

- Can electromagnetic forces propagate through empty space?

- In alternating current, are electrons actively ping-ponging between the electric generation station and the electrical outlet at my house?

- If visible light is an electromagnetic force, how do my eyes see it? Are my eyes being irradiated?

TIA