All entries for July 2007

The dichotomy paradox

A mathematician, a physicist and an engineer were asked to answer the following question. A group of boys are lined up on one wall of a dance hall, and an equal number of girls are lined up on the opposite wall. Both groups are then instructed to advance toward each other by one quarter the distance separating them, every ten seconds (i.e., if they are distance d apart at time 0, they are d/2 at t=10, d/4 at t=20, d/8 at t=30, and so on.) When do they meet at the center of the dance hall? The mathematician said they would never actually meet because the series is infinite. The physicist said they would meet when time equals infinity. The engineer said that within one minute they would be close enough for all practical purposes.

: 30 Jul 2007 20:45 |  Comments (2) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

Harry Potter

Everyone on the Tube is reading it. I mean everyone! What’s the big deal? It’s only a book isn’t it?

: 24 Jul 2007 22:32 |  Comments (4) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

School Reunion

Well officially it was George’s birthday barbeque, but since it’s the closest I’m ever going to get now to a school reunion, I may as well call it that.

So it seems everyone is now working in various places along the M4 corridor, and almost everyone has ended up working in IT related jobs. Furthermore, everyone is looking to get themselves on the property ladder. In a way, I’m no different.

The highlight of the evening… well there wasn’t one as such, as everyone seems to have matured to the extent that alcohol-induced antics are becoming a thing of the past. But nevertheless it’s always good to cross paths again with those with whom we spent our childhood. Hopefully I can be less of a stranger to them from now on.

: 15 Jul 2007 23:37 |  Comments (0) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

Why am I awake at this time in the morning?

Any rational person in my situation would be asleep.

: 05 Jul 2007 04:22 |  Comments (2) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

Is this the most boring Wimbledon ever?

Really. No British interest after the second day. No competition in the men’s tournament because the identity of the winner was known 51 weeks ago. No play for three quarters of each day because it’s always raining. No five set matches finishing 19-17 in the fifth with both competitors drenched in sweat. No real upsets of the recognised pecking order. No timeless classic appearing in the tournament for the twentieth time.

Honestly, if I weren’t so sports-orientated, it would be easy to overlook the fact that it was happening this year at all.

: 03 Jul 2007 20:27 |  Comments (6) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

Minor injustice

It wasn’t my fault. Yes, I was caught holding the instrument and yes, i was at the scene of the misdemeanor when it was spotted. But that doesn’t mean it was me who was responsible. I was innocently doing my business in the wrong place at the wrong time. I hope you realise this. I hope that when the dust settles you recognise that you’ve got the wrong man here. I’ll take it on the chin and know better next time. But the real culprit is still laughing his head off somewhere.

: 02 Jul 2007 21:57 |  Comments (1) |  Close comments |  Report a problem