Can the weather be clement?

Some random drivel:

• Does the USA really think there'd be no need to test NASA astronauts for being drunk? I know they think the image of their country appears more like the one here (right). And I admit that it's potentially not as dangerous as driving on roads as traffic to space is far less busy, but it is something rather pathetic in any case.
• Why is 0! = 1 ? That's something that irks me. I would donate money to a branch of the UN that eradicates use of the phrase "could of", "should of", "would of" etc.
• Is anyone else over harry potter? I may be alone, but j'en doute...

My PC just crashed and saved only up to here... so I'll post and alleviate the ennui and ire.

Ye olde quote (two this time):

My plumbing is all screwed up. Because it turns out, I do not own a garbage disposal. — Demetri Martin

A metaphor is like a simile. — Steven Wright

Königsberg Bridge - now charging tolls each way

Perhaps it is me... no, it is me that presumes what is read on this blog is understood. I think it's quite the opposite.

I write, and mention things like the subject of this posting and just assume y'all know what I am on about. Or if you don't, that when you read that it was Euler who solved the Königsberg Bridge problem, that you know who he was.

Sure, it's not "common" knowledge, but are you really common?Most people who read this (you're in a set of about 10 people, I think) are anything but common, yet I fear I confuse you.

My care factor, fortunately, hovers on or about zero, so my postings will continue in spite of your feedback, or lack thereof.

One thing I have noticed is the prevalence of blogs and its effect on society. For example, it has helped physics extend well beyond the usual small circle of in-the-know doctors and professors. A recent article in the NY Times noted that now with blogs even string theorists who can't spell Higgs became immediately aware of inside information about D Zero data. And I'm sure you're all happy about this (I am).

And a new segment to my blog, a stream of consciousness (followed by the usual quote):

Higgs Boson, ablative, diminished 5th in phrygian mode, somnambulation, Furano, Brownian motion, HDL is good cholesterol, monopoles, Klimt and laminar flow.


Today's quote:
I used to buy a lot of M&Ms, they're a delicious candy. But then I switched to aspirin. I find that if you hand your friend two aspirin, he doesn't look at you like you're selfish.
Mitch Hedberg

The Middle Name - or lack thereof

I was not born with a middle name and this appears to put me in the minority, at least with the people I know... it's harder to gauge whether or not someone has one when you seem them in the street.



There are famous people with middle names - F. Scott Fitzgerald and Harry S Truman to note but two. And interestingly (to me) Harry Truman's middle name is "S" and therefore both a middle initial and name.



There are people who can include a nickname in their common name, such as I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby, and yet here I am with a First Name and a Surname, and nothing betwixt.



Not that it's a problem, but I have been pondering the benefit of adopting a name. I am unsure why, but I have been told that G. Dustin should replace my first name. It has not taken off (yet) but I like the full stop and GDS does have a ring to it.



I'm taking suggestions for a middle name, and if it's good enough, it may be adopted by Deed Poll. If not, you can probably still call me by that new name - for I am one for new coinage.



Until that time, I remain yours:



GS/GDS/Steak/Sir L/Capt G/CC/any other name I'm given, frankly (other than Frankly)





Today's quote

I had amnesia once or twice.
Steven Wright

Who let the blogs out?

Words such as paucity, scarcity and dearth have been hovering in my head for a while.

When something bearing a resemblance to Schrödinger's Cat - Facebook, being both useless and useful at once - blogging has dissipated until now. I've not much to say but that is the perfect forum for a blog. Since the last blog a few things have happened:

• The Think Tank about Nothing which I'm part of has moved no further forward in its goals, meetings or structure.
• The soccer team I'm in has been doing well and for the first time in a LONG TIME may make the finals.
• The snow in Australia has been falling in greater amounts than I can recall in my limited snowboarding career.
• There's been an odd prevalence of people using the word penultimate which, for some odd reason, irks me.
• I've had weird comments when I talk about Nabokov's lecture on Kafka's Metamorphosis.
• Arrested Development has moved up into number 1 spot on my best shows on tv.
• I've worn a suit to work but once in six months.
• Someone signed off an email let me know if I can help you with anything and when I asked her to read over my working draft of the solution to the Goldbach Conjecture she didn't reply.
• This site is still my favourite on the net.
• I'm already over Harry Potter and I have only read book #2.
• Whomsoever is just a pretentious way of saying whomever which itself is a pretentious way of saying whoever.

That'll do for now. It's not easy to catch up with all the blogs of my friends (real friends, not just Facebook friends), so I guess it's best for you the reader (yes, singular) to keep this brief.

And finally...

Mitch Hedberg:
You know, if I made orange juice, I would not be so hardcore on people. I would be more polite, like I would not print 'shake well' on the carton, cause you don't know how good people can shake, you know? I would write, 'Shake to the best of your ability.' Then I'd have a diagram that shows the uninitiated how to shake. 'Alright, put it over here, then put it over here, then put it over here quicker.'

Metempsychoses & Vestibular Neuronitis

To reveal 8 things about ourselves…
THE RULES
1. We have to post these rules before we give you the facts.

2. Players start with eight random facts/habits about themselves.

3. People who are tagged write their own blog about their eight things and post these rules.

4. At the end of your blog, you need to choose eight people to get tagged and list their names.

i. I do not eat anything that ends in -erry. Yes, that includes any berry or cherry or sherry. The rule/shtick is only in relation to words in english and has nothing to do with anything. So don't give me a word which means "salad" in another language and hold me to my rule.

ii. I had my head trodden on in Shoalhaven while sleeping.

iii. I studied optoelectronics... and this results in an odd interest in physics and maths and has no nexus to many other things. It is often a conversation stopper and something few people understand.

iv. I am ambidextrous. This has not come in handy (ahem) that often, but when I broke my thumb during university I was able to take notes, with some legibility, with my left hand. I can eat with chopsticks in both hands and profess to kick a soccer ball with both feet.

v. I don't like people. As a general statement, cynicism trumps most things. As Jerry Seinfeld says of people, They're the worst. Role models include Larry David, Lucille Bluth, Woody Allen and Mel Brooks.

vi. Paul Cezanne is my favourite artist and inspires me to paint. I don't paint enough, but when I do I thoroughly enjoy it (and care not if others do not).

vii. Bacardi and passito are a good combination for a refreshing summer drink. Do not mock until you try.

viii. Pici is my favourite pasta and recommend Montepulciano for a good sampling of said pasta. If you ever want good food, look no further than Tuscany.

Now to give 8 blogs to continue this meme.

I shall name 8 people and if they read this blog they can add it in the comments here or in their own blog:

Joel Stern, David Grunstein, Natalie Shell, DJ Lee, Caroline Blewman, Rojo CC, KP, Clarence

see http://metempsychotic.wordpress.com/2007/07/01/weve-been-tagged-by-matt/ for other stuff