Prove the converse of the Pythagorean Theorem. That is, assume that triangle ABC is given with a^2 + b^2 = c^2, and prove that triangle ABC is a right triangle.
Assume that points A, B, and C form a triangle. Also assume that the triangle is scalene with measures of the sides being in the proportion of a^2 + b^2 = c^2.
AD1 allows for points P, Q, and R. Definition 4.18 allows for a triangle to be formed by P,Q, and R such that it is a right triangle. Let’s assume that two of the sides, a and b, match the lengths of two sides of triangle ABC, and that the third side is q. According to Theorem 5.18, as triangle PQR is a right triangle, then q^2 = a^2 + b^2.
As c^2 = a^2 + b^2 and q^2 = a^2 + b^2 then q^2 = c^2. As all of the sides for triangles ABC and PQR are congruent, Theorem 5.16 states that they are congruent. If they are congruent triangles, then ABC must also be a right triangle.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Wireless Printing
We have wireless printing and it is fabulous! Without endless cables from our laptops to the printer, we can print from across the room, across the house, up stairs, even out in the yard! We are thinking of setting up a second one too, along with a second wireless server.
Typos
By no means am I a good typist; in fact, I am actually an awful typist. Years ago, I was tested and I came in at a whopping 7 words a minute due to the significant number of errors. So that brings me to typos....
Thank God spell checking programs were developed! But then there are still those typos that slip through. Like "tow" when you mean "two" or "sex" when you mean "six" or..."testes" when you meant to type "tested". "Item" instead of "time".
So, for a final report to a client you want to type:
Based on the six problem solving steps, the employees followed the first two and tested the results over time.
Instead you type:
Based on the sex problem solving steps, the employees followed the first tow and testes the results over item.
And spell check did not find any errors. So much for the professional image!
Thank God spell checking programs were developed! But then there are still those typos that slip through. Like "tow" when you mean "two" or "sex" when you mean "six" or..."testes" when you meant to type "tested". "Item" instead of "time".
So, for a final report to a client you want to type:
Based on the six problem solving steps, the employees followed the first two and tested the results over time.
Instead you type:
Based on the sex problem solving steps, the employees followed the first tow and testes the results over item.
And spell check did not find any errors. So much for the professional image!
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
The Joy Of Computing
So there I was computing on my new laptop when a dialogue box popped up. Inside it it had an "OK" button and absolutely nothing else. Quandary...what should I do? If I clicked it what was I saying okay to? But I could not do anything until I clicked it. I clicked it. Nothing happened. Ah, the joy of computing.
Geometry Problem 2
In a triangle with side lengths 13, 20, and 21, find the length of the altitude (line drawn from the opposite angle across to the opposite side such that it forms two right triangles) drawn to the side of length 21.
Made In Virginia
Many very nice products are made in Virginia, but perhaps are those made by Smithfield are the best. Smithfield has come up with really great packaged pork roasts. They have them packaged in a gazillion flavors (well, maybe a tad bit fewer than that) such as peppercorn (my favorite), mustard, and even a honey one. Just pop them in the oven and an hour later, a yummy meal. Great when served with baked apple!
Monday, May 19, 2008
Geometry Problem 1
You are given a rectangular box with length 6, width 8, and height 24. What is the length of a segment that originates at a corner of the bottom and terminates at the opposite corner of the top?
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Mattress Experiment
I bought a new thick, 2 inches, foam pad to top my 24 year old mattress. So far, I would give it rave reviews! There is an odor that is supposed to go away soon that bothers me a bit, but I swear I am sleeping better than I have for years! If we decide that the pad is a good idea then we will order a pad for Gravity's bed and one for college next year for Esh. I'll keep you all updated...
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Miss Our B&N
We miss our local Barnes and Noble. The old local one closed in early May and the new local one (it moved across the street) will not open until mid-June. We will have to wait to browse books and sip coffee while we sit in comfortable stuffed chairs. We will wait with anticipation.
Sum of N-gon Angles
Following is the derivation of the formula for determining the number of angle degrees in an n-gon (a polygon of "n" sides). This can also be found on the October Thoughts blog.
All n-gons can be broken down into triangles by creating line segments from a single angle to the points located at other angles (Theorem 3.25). The number of triangles formed can be determined by identifying the number of interior angles and subtracting the two angles located next to the chosen angle (line segments from the chosen angle to these angles would trace the two sides of the chosen angle). The number of sides on an n-gon equals the number of angles; so you can also use the number of sides less two. In other words, the number of interior triangles that can be formed in any n-gon equals the number of sides on the n-gon less two sides.
According to Theorem 4.53, all of the interior angles of a triangle sum to a linear angle which, as shown in earlier problems, is 180. The measure of the angles can be determined by multiplying 180 (per triangle) times the number of sides on the n-gon less two (number of interior triangles). Therefore, if n is the number of sides the following applies:
Number of angle degrees = (n-2)(180)
All n-gons can be broken down into triangles by creating line segments from a single angle to the points located at other angles (Theorem 3.25). The number of triangles formed can be determined by identifying the number of interior angles and subtracting the two angles located next to the chosen angle (line segments from the chosen angle to these angles would trace the two sides of the chosen angle). The number of sides on an n-gon equals the number of angles; so you can also use the number of sides less two. In other words, the number of interior triangles that can be formed in any n-gon equals the number of sides on the n-gon less two sides.
According to Theorem 4.53, all of the interior angles of a triangle sum to a linear angle which, as shown in earlier problems, is 180. The measure of the angles can be determined by multiplying 180 (per triangle) times the number of sides on the n-gon less two (number of interior triangles). Therefore, if n is the number of sides the following applies:
Number of angle degrees = (n-2)(180)
Friday, May 16, 2008
Gravity Has A New Friend
The old friend was SO loud and independent
It just had to go!
When we watched TV,
It would steal the show.
Needing special air conditioning
All of its own
We decided its use
Had to find a new home.
Bye to the "shock absorbers"
Bye to the loud whine
When it kept shutting off on its own
Was a very clear sign.
So in with the shiny and new
In with the sleek and slim
So quiet now
We miss the din!
It just had to go!
When we watched TV,
It would steal the show.
Needing special air conditioning
All of its own
We decided its use
Had to find a new home.
Bye to the "shock absorbers"
Bye to the loud whine
When it kept shutting off on its own
Was a very clear sign.
So in with the shiny and new
In with the sleek and slim
So quiet now
We miss the din!
Indiana Jones
Last weekend, while all three of us worked on our various computer-based activities, TBS ran all three of the first Indiana Jones movies back-to-back. It was fabulous. Each one is such a delightful romp of humor and adventure. We must go see the fourth one that is about to be released!
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Goodwill
Wow, we have a really nice brand new Goodwill store that opened up across from Esh's orthodontist. We dropped off a huge bunch of old shorts, swim trunks, etc. that all looked so tiny compared to Esh's current 6'2" of height and his broad shoulders. My...how fast they grow.
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
What I Have Been Up To
"Although viewing lengths as numerical quantities is a relatively recent development in geometry, it has caught on quite well and is very much ingrained in the modern view of geometry. The previous chapters are a demonstration that geometry can get along quite well without numbers, and many geometrical ideas can be developed purely geometrically. Also, one obtains a more clear axiomatic development of geometry by asserting only geometric axioms
and avoiding a separate development of the real number system."
and avoiding a separate development of the real number system."
This explains it all.
Continuity
I have recently begun to deal with continuity in the mathematical sense. Lines are not supposed to have holes and they are supposed to go on to infinity. But if points have no dimension but are just a location in space, then why doesn't a line have holes? If a line is the distance between two points and it contains an infinite number of points then how can it exist; would its existence be like adding an infinite number of zeros together and getting something?
Proof
Among others, here is a proof I did recently that I like.
---------------------------------
Prove that the diagonals of a rectangle are congruent.
Given that points A, B, C, and D form a rectangle, according to the definition of a rectangle, Definition 4.26, it is a quadrilateral with all of its angles congruent. Theorem 4.97 also states that all of the congruent angles in a rectangle are right angles therefore implying that all consecutive sides are perpendicular. According to Theorem 3.25, diagonals can be formed with segments AC and BD thus forming triangles ABC and BAD.
As all of the consecutive sides are perpendicular, then Theorem 4.67 can be used to show that opposite sides of the rectangle are parallel meaning that quadrilateral ABCD is a parallelogram. Theorem 4.85 states that opposite sides of a parallelogram are congruent; therefore sides DA and BC are congruent and sides AB and CD are congruent. As all angles are congruent and right, then angles ABC and BAD are congruent. At this point, Theorem 4.18 can be used to show that triangles ABC and BAD are congruent. Using Theorem 4.20, the two diagonals can be concluded to be congruent. Therefore, it can be concluded that the diagonals of a rectangle are congruent.
-----------------------------------
Definition 4.26: If all angles of a quadrilateral are congruent then the quadrilateral is a rectangle.
Theorem 4.97: The angles of a rectangle are all right angles.
Theorem 3.25: For any points A and B, both A and B lie on segment AB.
Theorem 4.67: If line l is perpendicular to line m and line m is perpendicular to line n then lines l and n are parallel.
Theorem 4.85: Opposite sides of a parallelogram are congruent.
Theorem 4.18: If points A, B, and C are non-collinear and points P, Q and R are non-collinear, then triangles ABC and PQR are congruent if and only if segments AB and PQ are congruent and segments BC and QR are congruent and angles ABC and PQR are congruent.
Theorem 4.20: If points A, B, and C are non-collinear and Points P, Q, and R are non-collinear, then triangles ABC and PQR are congruent if and only if segments AB and PQ are congruent and segments BC and QR are congruent and segments CA and RP are congruent.
---------------------------------
Prove that the diagonals of a rectangle are congruent.
Given that points A, B, C, and D form a rectangle, according to the definition of a rectangle, Definition 4.26, it is a quadrilateral with all of its angles congruent. Theorem 4.97 also states that all of the congruent angles in a rectangle are right angles therefore implying that all consecutive sides are perpendicular. According to Theorem 3.25, diagonals can be formed with segments AC and BD thus forming triangles ABC and BAD.
As all of the consecutive sides are perpendicular, then Theorem 4.67 can be used to show that opposite sides of the rectangle are parallel meaning that quadrilateral ABCD is a parallelogram. Theorem 4.85 states that opposite sides of a parallelogram are congruent; therefore sides DA and BC are congruent and sides AB and CD are congruent. As all angles are congruent and right, then angles ABC and BAD are congruent. At this point, Theorem 4.18 can be used to show that triangles ABC and BAD are congruent. Using Theorem 4.20, the two diagonals can be concluded to be congruent. Therefore, it can be concluded that the diagonals of a rectangle are congruent.
-----------------------------------
Definition 4.26: If all angles of a quadrilateral are congruent then the quadrilateral is a rectangle.
Theorem 4.97: The angles of a rectangle are all right angles.
Theorem 3.25: For any points A and B, both A and B lie on segment AB.
Theorem 4.67: If line l is perpendicular to line m and line m is perpendicular to line n then lines l and n are parallel.
Theorem 4.85: Opposite sides of a parallelogram are congruent.
Theorem 4.18: If points A, B, and C are non-collinear and points P, Q and R are non-collinear, then triangles ABC and PQR are congruent if and only if segments AB and PQ are congruent and segments BC and QR are congruent and angles ABC and PQR are congruent.
Theorem 4.20: If points A, B, and C are non-collinear and Points P, Q, and R are non-collinear, then triangles ABC and PQR are congruent if and only if segments AB and PQ are congruent and segments BC and QR are congruent and segments CA and RP are congruent.
Monday, May 12, 2008
Driver's License In Hand
Tonight, Gravity and Esh went to one of the county's high schools and sat in a packed auditorium so Esh could be handed his actual driver's license! The judge handing out the licenses had quite a sense of humor. According to Gravity and Esh, in the five minute talk to parents, he said that DMV will take away a license for any reason that the parent's feel is appropriate such as "having more holes in your face than you are born with" or "not having enough vowels on your report card". The one bauble in the whole thing is that according to the license, we live on East Bridge Road but there is no East Bridge Road in the entire county (I checked)! But a new license is already ordered.
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Mothers Day
Regardless of whether mothers are important every day or not, it is just plain fun to have mothers day. It's fun for the mother and for those who participate. It's an act of kindness and caring.
I just made cinnamon twists and we will do cards later.
It's a day much like any other but wouldn't it be nice to have someone dote over you
and relieve you of some responssibilities - just for a day?
I just made cinnamon twists and we will do cards later.
It's a day much like any other but wouldn't it be nice to have someone dote over you
and relieve you of some responssibilities - just for a day?
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Wisdom
Wisdom can be viewed as having clear vision of the world around a person. Wise words from Einstein:"Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the universe."
Herding Cats
As I let out the dogs and they all take off into the woods because they smell the deer or something, I feel like I am herding cats trying to get them back in.
It occurred to me that self organization of simple organisms and possibly even particles themselves follow a similar pattern. When an outside observer tryies to "catch" a particle or observe an object, we distrurb it and it takes off in some direction. Hiesenburg's uncertainty principle can come into play here. Or with organisms, it may stimulate the organism to move in a random direction.
However, when left alone, some form of equilibrium tends to occurr. With organisms, there might be a tendency to come together and self organize giving rise over time to complex organisms. With particles, they may tend to form stable atoms and so on.
Toss in evolution and one's that come together in a favorable way, would tend to propogate.
Simplistic examples but it would be interesting to model "cat herding" and compare this with organism and particle behavior.
So I guess if I left the dogs alone, they would come to the back door on their own eventually, probably with a collective intent. However, in the case of dogs, they may have eaten the deer poop, mushrooms and whatever else they can find and get themselves sick.
It occurred to me that self organization of simple organisms and possibly even particles themselves follow a similar pattern. When an outside observer tryies to "catch" a particle or observe an object, we distrurb it and it takes off in some direction. Hiesenburg's uncertainty principle can come into play here. Or with organisms, it may stimulate the organism to move in a random direction.
However, when left alone, some form of equilibrium tends to occurr. With organisms, there might be a tendency to come together and self organize giving rise over time to complex organisms. With particles, they may tend to form stable atoms and so on.
Toss in evolution and one's that come together in a favorable way, would tend to propogate.
Simplistic examples but it would be interesting to model "cat herding" and compare this with organism and particle behavior.
So I guess if I left the dogs alone, they would come to the back door on their own eventually, probably with a collective intent. However, in the case of dogs, they may have eaten the deer poop, mushrooms and whatever else they can find and get themselves sick.
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Are You Shipping Me?
My new favorite ad is for CarMax:
Two men are in a room that appears to be an ancient store with ship models on the shelves. The men are dressed in the era of Columbus but when they begin to talk, they have modern day accents.
"...If I'd like to purchase on the far end of the world would you hold it for me until I can go pick it up?"
"No sir. We will ship it to you."
"You'll ship my ship?"
"We'll ship your ship to any ShipMax in the entire flat world."
"Are you shipping me?"
Two men are in a room that appears to be an ancient store with ship models on the shelves. The men are dressed in the era of Columbus but when they begin to talk, they have modern day accents.
"...If I'd like to purchase on the far end of the world would you hold it for me until I can go pick it up?"
"No sir. We will ship it to you."
"You'll ship my ship?"
"We'll ship your ship to any ShipMax in the entire flat world."
"Are you shipping me?"
Salt
Salt is one of the compounds that all animals need in order to be healthy. It helps our bodies maintain homeostasis. Gandhi went on a fast when the British government tried to control salt production. It even has religious significance. Chlorine gas and solid sodium have explosive results when placed together.
Recently, people have switched from refined salt to sea salt as the prefered table condiment. Sea salt is supposed to be less harmful than regular table salt especially for people with high blood pressure. However, there are also drawbacks to using sea salt. Perhaps, one of the main issues with sea salt is that it is not iodized and trace amounts of iodine are required for proper thyroid function. Many people get iodine naturally from fish products. However, people with fish allergies might fall short on iodine if they give up iodized table salt.
Sea salt is simply salt harvested srom the sea. A benefit of this is that several metals that we need in trace amounts are often found in sea salt such as magnesium. A drawback of this natural harvesting is that heavy metals are also sometimes found in sea salt. These can include lead and even traces of radioactive metals that end up in Earth's seas.
For me, I am going to use both iodized refined salt and sea salt. This way I might get the benefits from both salts and reduce the chances of some of the harmful effects.
Recently, people have switched from refined salt to sea salt as the prefered table condiment. Sea salt is supposed to be less harmful than regular table salt especially for people with high blood pressure. However, there are also drawbacks to using sea salt. Perhaps, one of the main issues with sea salt is that it is not iodized and trace amounts of iodine are required for proper thyroid function. Many people get iodine naturally from fish products. However, people with fish allergies might fall short on iodine if they give up iodized table salt.
Sea salt is simply salt harvested srom the sea. A benefit of this is that several metals that we need in trace amounts are often found in sea salt such as magnesium. A drawback of this natural harvesting is that heavy metals are also sometimes found in sea salt. These can include lead and even traces of radioactive metals that end up in Earth's seas.
For me, I am going to use both iodized refined salt and sea salt. This way I might get the benefits from both salts and reduce the chances of some of the harmful effects.
Sunday, May 4, 2008
48 hour marathon of Superfriends
So yesterday was a successful 7 hour campaign. Esh is probably going to have a 48 hour play, sleep and eat D&D marathon with his other "Superfriends", as they have been dubbed, for a graduation celebration.
October (Mrs. Weasley-even the red hair) stuffed them with chips, carrots, strawberries, Dinosaur chicken nuggets, pretzel nuggets, and Milano cookies and milk Saturday.
Imagination...
Saturday, May 3, 2008
Perspective
While catching up on my magazine reading, I came across an article that made me take a different perspective on my old drawing and writing friend, the pencil. The article was on garphene (http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?id=carbon-wonderland). It begins by stating the following:
"Consider the humble pencil. It may come as a surprise to learn that the now common writing instrument at one time topped the list of must have, high-tech gadgets." Interesting perspective.
"Consider the humble pencil. It may come as a surprise to learn that the now common writing instrument at one time topped the list of must have, high-tech gadgets." Interesting perspective.
A Great Author
I have seen the movie 2001: A Space Odyssey that I do not even remember the first time. I love this movie, especially the ending. T me the ending symbolizes Schrodinger's simultaneity theory. If something is in a state that you can not clearly identify, then it is in all states of existence because all states are possible.
March of this year, Arthur C. Clarke died at 90. He made a wonderful mark on the world and he will be missed.
March of this year, Arthur C. Clarke died at 90. He made a wonderful mark on the world and he will be missed.
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Imagine the Sky
We live near a star on the edge of our spiral galaxy (Milky Way Galaxy). If you get out of city lights, you can see the Milky Way, what you are actually seeing are other stars in our galaxy. Imagine what the sky would like like if you were on the edge of one of these colliding spiral Galaxies.
So cool to imagine...
Saturday, April 26, 2008
Been A Long Time
On House the doctors are always diagnosing Lupus and usually do a lumbar puncture. Hmmm....it's been a long time since I have had either.
Friday, April 25, 2008
Beyond Therapy - not what you think!
Esh performed his final exam Thursday night in his acting class. He and his partner did a wonderful skit (which was a subset of a comedy play) called Beyond Therapy.
Synopsis of their skit:
An interchange between a therapist and her patient (Esh). She has trouble getting words correct and he ends up by hugging her as she unloads on him. She keeps wanting him to fill out personal ads even though he is in a relationship with another guy. Wonderful interchanges and they did a great job.
Synopsis of their skit:
An interchange between a therapist and her patient (Esh). She has trouble getting words correct and he ends up by hugging her as she unloads on him. She keeps wanting him to fill out personal ads even though he is in a relationship with another guy. Wonderful interchanges and they did a great job.
The full play (has been played by John Lithgow and Dianne Weist) can be found at:
http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Beyond-Therapy/Christopher-Durang/e/9780830083152/?itm=1
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Some Day I Will Be Free
From early childhood I knew that I was different. I could solve puzzles and do math problems that my siblings who were five and six years older could not do. I was meant to do something amazing in this world; something that would make a difference. Yet, I was told by my mother that the only reason I had to go to college was so I could marry well. She thought it was a good reason to go to college. She was wrong; there are better reasons than that for women to get educated.
Some day I will be free of the bonds I have placed on myself due to other people's limited sight of what I could be. I will leave everyone behind so I can travel the road I was truly destined to follow, the road that people have worked so hard at preventing me from going down. I will travel it fearlessly knocking all obstacles out of the way. It is my destiny and I have known that my entire life. I did not begin doing math at the age of four for no reason, or just so I could be a housewife and mother. No! I can be more and I will be more. I will make a difference and not through my children or my husband. I will make it on my own, by myself. I will be strong. I, yes I, can make a difference.
Some day I will be free of the bonds I have placed on myself due to other people's limited sight of what I could be. I will leave everyone behind so I can travel the road I was truly destined to follow, the road that people have worked so hard at preventing me from going down. I will travel it fearlessly knocking all obstacles out of the way. It is my destiny and I have known that my entire life. I did not begin doing math at the age of four for no reason, or just so I could be a housewife and mother. No! I can be more and I will be more. I will make a difference and not through my children or my husband. I will make it on my own, by myself. I will be strong. I, yes I, can make a difference.
"Advice is a Gift"
One of the things that really struck me in Randy Pausch's Last Lecture is when he says that advice is a gift; treasure it. Over the years, I have received much advice and I have been glad. It is a gift and a tremendous sign of caring by those who take the time to give it.
What is the most valuable piece of advice you have received?
Mine was probably from one of Chesterfield County's Gifted advisors. When they wanted to skip Esh over all of the high school science curriculum and directly to AP courses, I balked. The advisor suggested that Esh and I attend both an honors biology class and an AP biology class and then decide. I am SO glad that I listened and took her advice. In the honors class the class was reviewing for an exam. When I saw Esh raise his hand and answer the questions correctly, I knew that what the county wanted to do was correct.
Advice is not criticism. It does mean that no one is perfect and can not possible know everything -- that is why we are social animals. We don't need to know it all because we have others in our lives which is a good thing. Advice is a gift -- treasure it! So what is he best advice you have received?
What is the most valuable piece of advice you have received?
Mine was probably from one of Chesterfield County's Gifted advisors. When they wanted to skip Esh over all of the high school science curriculum and directly to AP courses, I balked. The advisor suggested that Esh and I attend both an honors biology class and an AP biology class and then decide. I am SO glad that I listened and took her advice. In the honors class the class was reviewing for an exam. When I saw Esh raise his hand and answer the questions correctly, I knew that what the county wanted to do was correct.
Advice is not criticism. It does mean that no one is perfect and can not possible know everything -- that is why we are social animals. We don't need to know it all because we have others in our lives which is a good thing. Advice is a gift -- treasure it! So what is he best advice you have received?
Monday, April 21, 2008
Ferris Bueller's Day Off
I love Ferris Bueller's Day Off! What an hysterical movie. The three star rating is well deserved.
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Physics major Here!!
Last Wednesday, Esh declared his primary major at UVA as Physics and now has keys to the building and the conference rooms! Whoopee!
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Spring Saturday In Midlothian
or The not so little rascals
Playing Saturday Dungeons and Dragons. A common gaming and social event. Today's is from 3:00 until 10:00.
Early on in the dining room
Dinner (pizza) break. Discussions from Dungeons and Dragons to philosophy and religion, people, economics, and science. You name it. They talk about it. They are the bright and well read one's having fun.
Friday, April 18, 2008
How Fast They Grow 2
Sixth grade Halloween.
Surf camp Ocracoke.
Middle school state chess champions.
The real chess team!
How Fast They Grow 3
12 year old in AP Biology.
Vice President of Mu Alpha Theta.
Last summer at CTY Princeton.
Last Christmas on Ocracoke Island.
Thursday, April 17, 2008
How DO The Shows End??
Okay, so it has now happened with Boston Legal now and CSI New York. It has happened three times to Medium, Without A Trace, and Crimainal Minds. One minute I am watching the shows and then all of a sudden the news is on. And I have no idea how any of these shows ended in the past two weeks!
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
The Importance of Play
On the drive today to C'ville, I began to think back to the lecture given by Randy Pausch and how he stressed the importance of play and having fun in life. Earlier in the year, Esh and I listened to Richard Feynman tapes covering various letters he had written in his life to various people. Feynman also believe that one of the most important things in life was having fun. Einstein developed the entire process of "thought experiments" from the playful side of his nature. All of these great minds worked hard but also found incredible fun in both their work and life. I think there is something very important to be learned from them. Individuals can take themselves and life in general far too seriously. Their lives include only work. Humor is never found in any of the little things of life. As Will expressed in "Good Will Hunting", they are smart and have learned a lot but they will never have an original thought.
So go out roller skating. Bask in the sunshine of today and find joy in a bird or a flower. Throw a Frisbee with your child for hours on end. Go on a roller coaster. Work on a really hard math problem and find joy in discovery. Make some jello squares and throw them at each other out in the yard. Have a squirt gun fight. Or simply read Dakota Cheyenne's blog!
So go out roller skating. Bask in the sunshine of today and find joy in a bird or a flower. Throw a Frisbee with your child for hours on end. Go on a roller coaster. Work on a really hard math problem and find joy in discovery. Make some jello squares and throw them at each other out in the yard. Have a squirt gun fight. Or simply read Dakota Cheyenne's blog!
Animal Talk
A friend and I were talking yesterday about the Human Ego. Our species has such a huge ego that I actually think it interferes with our species gaining knowledge about the world around us. It blinds us to things that make our species just one of the pack of creatures on this Earth. According to my friend, it has been shown that elephants have a complete language. Many of the sounds are beyond our range of hearing so all we hear are grunts, etc. But it appears that they may have a language as complete as ours. I suspect that the cats and dogs in our home also have a complete language too; and as with elephants, probably many of the sounds are beyond our narrow range of hearing.
So one question I have is: do the other animals also have dialects and accents? Do they have actually different regional forms of language?. I suspect that they do. What do you think?
So one question I have is: do the other animals also have dialects and accents? Do they have actually different regional forms of language?. I suspect that they do. What do you think?
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Taxes Are Done
Hooray!! I finished taxes today so they will be files in time to get the tax rebate. We will use it to pay savings back for the new washer and dryer. BTW, there is now a tax deduction for the purchase of Energy Star compliant appliances so we will get that on next year's taxes!
Friday, April 11, 2008
Super Power
If you could have a super power, which one would it be? Some examples are:
- reading minds
- creating weather
- invisibility
- super strength
- controlling others minds
- super speed
- pyrokinesis
- telekinesis
- healing
- creating force fields
etc...........There is a long list! Use your imagination.
- reading minds
- creating weather
- invisibility
- super strength
- controlling others minds
- super speed
- pyrokinesis
- telekinesis
- healing
- creating force fields
etc...........There is a long list! Use your imagination.
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Great Last Lecture
I know this was on AOL but this video is REALLY good.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ji5_MqicxSo&eurl=http://news.aol.com/health/story/ar/_a/last-lecture-web-sensation-now-a-book/20080408120609990001
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ji5_MqicxSo&eurl=http://news.aol.com/health/story/ar/_a/last-lecture-web-sensation-now-a-book/20080408120609990001
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Time Travel
During our slider puzzle shuffle, I came across some board books that Gravity and I used to read to Esh when he was a tot. Now, as Esh is thinking and preparing to go off to college, I looked at those books and decided that it was time to do some time traveling.
I took them downstairs and sat down on the loveseat next to Esh and began to read. "I remember that book!" Then "That was one of my favorites!"
Gravity come down and joined us in the reading and then Esh began to read them out loud to us.
" A is for Aardvark...." What a wonderful way to time travel connecting past with present and then to the future when Esh will be reading these books to his children.
I took them downstairs and sat down on the loveseat next to Esh and began to read. "I remember that book!" Then "That was one of my favorites!"
Gravity come down and joined us in the reading and then Esh began to read them out loud to us.
" A is for Aardvark...." What a wonderful way to time travel connecting past with present and then to the future when Esh will be reading these books to his children.
Monday, April 7, 2008
Sunday, April 6, 2008
Copenhagen
We watched a BBC version of the play "Copenhagen" last night. It was really really good. I highly recommend it to anyone. It discusses the relationship between two of the most brilliant minds of the twentieth century, Neils Bohr and Werner Heisenberg, and Neils Bohr's wife. Truly wonderful how the playwright goes back and forth between ghosts in the current day and back to 1941 when Bohr and Heisenberg had their fateful last meeting. Heisenberg is known for his Uncertainty Principle (it is impossible to know both the location and the momentum of a particle at the same time as measuring either aspects changes the other aspect). It is also great how the author weaves Bohr's and Heisenberg's physics into their conversation. Go out and rent the film today! It is awesome.
Friday, April 4, 2008
10 Days
The distance between Midlothian and Charlottesville does not seem that huge but the climate can be quite different. This is probably because of the change in altitude. Richmond is at 166 feet above sea level but Charlottesville is 594 feet. As we drive the 75 miles, we notice the buds on the trees diminishing as we approach Charlottesville. Today, at home, I looked out at the top of one of the hickories and noticed tiny new leaves have begun to appear. As I look out the window now in Clemons, the trees still have tiny reddish buds. Many days there is a 5 to 10 degree difference in temperatures, too. Interesting. So I estimate that there is about a ten day difference in climate created by the 75 miles.
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Riddle
What run but never walks,
Has a mouth but never talks,
Has a bed but never sleeps,
Has a head but never weeps?
Has a mouth but never talks,
Has a bed but never sleeps,
Has a head but never weeps?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
