18 April 97
After hearing from an adoring fan, I've decided to add another entry.
Besides, it was an eventful/thoughtful day. And ma's on the net now; I
knew it would only be a matter of time.
So where to start? Now, and percolate backwards? From the subway, where a
people-watcher can see and hear an interesting cross-section of humanity.
A budding lawyer/rights activist sat to my left decrying the easy fate of
a couple of supposed baby-killers and a police sergeant who stole 10k from
a drug dealer (all three are only under house arrest). People with real
hair, fake hair, unbelievable hair (I had an odd hair day), budding
mustaches (male and female). I wore earrings today because of my butch
outfit (Man's irish linen shirt (mmm), leather vest, jeans). Truthfully,
New York City is the capital of androgyny. In all ways. Oh yeah, an
officemate calls me Billy now. Yet another name to add to my list.
Now I'm emerging backwards from the subway into the campus of Columbia
University. Talk about impressive. Though I now realize the buildings
really aren't that much bigger than any of the ones at State (or NYU), the
expansive lawns and heavy stone architecture, replete with columns and
friezes, just gave the feeling of being surrounded by behemoths. And I
must say they have a _real_ campus, unlike this bastardized version down
here. Though I must say this is a better part of Manhattan to be in.
Don't you get the feeling that there's a lot of things that I must say?
Now I'm moving back into the Shapiro building, trying to get some copies
of papers from a guy who wants to charge me at least a buck (payment for
his thoughts, or transfer fees?) I told him if he emailed the LaTeX files
to me, I'd send him a dollar as soon as internet money transferal is
totally secure (you hear that, my hacker friends?) Of course, in our
agreement he forgot to ask for a buck adjusted for inflation. I'm evil in
the ways that count most: the small things.
I'm talking to a prof about the predictive power of hindsight, and fitting
nifty curves to all sorts of data. Strawberries and watermelon are
becoming unchewed as I spit them out onto lovely plates, while I'm
fastidiously ignoring free wine and cheese. (I had to save room for the
upcoming chocolate-rum milkshake, that in this reference frame is being
made in negative time, so I cannot describe it in this anecdote. "It is a
poor sort of memory that works in only one direction.")
Hands are clapping (it's the same forwards and backwards folks) and we
start with a prediction (from a sophomore) of an impending crash for the
NASDAQ and S&P500. Take those stocks out now. And, oh yeah, the BIG ONE
is going to happen in LA any day now. Did you know that chlorine ions in
bottled water can predict a large earthquake?
Let's fast-rewind, skipping the two queueing talks that I totally blanked
out on (though I did solve a somewhat interesting problem on betting on
the World Series during that time. Ask me about it someday.) I regret to
inform you that my muse does not hail from Operations Research. Alas, but
so it is, has been, and must be. The picture of web page requests lining
up at a server just does not inspire me, intellectually. You can get me
wrong if you please, but I understand that your ability to read this is
due to alot of work by OR people. And a historical accident that put you
in the priveleged position to be able to use a computer.
Sometime during the lunch period, I read about an amendment to Hawaii's
constitution to disallow gay marriage, but allow nontraditional couples
most of the legal rights of heterosexual pairs (with less than 1/4
consanguity!) registered with the state for purposes of ... what?
becoming a family? How sweet that we have such things institutionalized.
Right up there with license plates and dog licenses. What I like is that
the bill would allow such rights (relating to inheritance, hospital
visiting rights, etc.) to pairs such as a widowed mother and her son,
living with her. Or two old friends who have lived together all their
lives (now what does that remind me of?)
See how important word choice is? I mean, we're all sophisticated enough
to realize the agenda behind "partial extraction & dilation" and "partial
birth abortion". But do you know the difference in connotation between
"effect" and "affect" ("effect" has been used improperly of late (as a
verb), but people wanted to effect a new connotation by this that "affect"
just cannot cover). Anyway, basically, when people can get all the
benefits of being a legally recognized family without getting a marriage
license, you'll find out who understands what is really important.
I'm getting tired of people who think true activism is signing petitions
and yelling at people. Visibility is important, but it only gets you so
far.
There was a really good talk in the morning, that gave me very vivid
images and simpler examples for something I've been thinking about. The
two others surrounding it were o.k., but the first I knew quite a bit
about already and the second (or third) was rather vague. During the
lunch period, two other students and I debated on the man's actual point.
I'm not sure if we came into agreement on that topic, but who cares.
Computer simulation is alive and well in applied probability, even if
noone is publishing the "right" papers.
And then of course, back through the subway, back to the 5:30 waking to an
atmosphere devoid of burning bread smells, and back to sleep.
Which reminds me, it's getting to be that time.
And since you've read so far, I'm going to bless you with some personal
messages. If it's particularly addressed to you, you shall know it.
1) I have heard about your hair. I am not pleased.
2) I miss you.
3) Work it, girl!
4) Make Cindy Lou Rich!
5) Why haven't you written me email? I know I was the last to write.
6) Only those who need to lie need words.
Mix and match! Create an outfit of your very own. Good night, sweet
prince.