mad4u689

It's possible that it would be much more difficult if it were spoken, not written. Then you couldn't work backwards, because you'd have to work as it was being said. It's still very possible - you just start off with fractions (uh oh!!) instead of whole numbers. Then maybe it would make a little more sense?

I actually agree with you. While the Diary of Anne Frank is interesting from a historical perspective, and quite amazing considering Anne's age and situation.. you're better off reading a book like "Night" to get a well-written flavour of those terrible times.

I went to a high school that had a large Asian population (especially Chinese and Korean students), so I can tell them apart pretty well. At least, I can usually tell if someone is Chinese, Korean, Japanese, or Vietnamese (well, or Indian); differences greater than that, I find difficult.

Hehe, one of my friends who was home schooled focused his "home research" on cryptozoology :P So ridiculous :D

Mmm, good list so far, indy500fan :) While I'm not actually a huge fan of Vonnegut, I respect him as an author. I'm sort of the opposite about Ayn Rand - I find her books fascinating, almost a guilty pleasure. Her characters are hazardously attractive and her politics truly interesting and kind of brilliant. Nevertheless, her rambling epic style of writing - while fun - isn't as respectable as that of some other authors. The greatest genius writer I can think of is Hermann Hesse. He takes his strange blend of fascinating philosophy and spins new worlds with it, fairly existentialist. I recommend Steppenwolf, which I consider to be his masterpiece. "Beloved" by Toni Morrison is brilliant, but probably not worth attempting on your own, and not in a class; you need to discuss it in order to make sense of it. Really. "Their Eyes Were Watching God" by Zora Neale Hurston is a great read, and utterly beautiful. The best thing I've encountered from the "Harlem Renaissance" genre/period :D Gabriel Garcia Marquez is a must-read. "One Hundred Years of Solitude" is poetic in its scope; it's one of the most beautiful pieces of work I've ever read. If you like philosophical and you like Vonnegut and you like Eastern Europe, I recommend anything by Milan Kundera. He's a lot more intellectual and "westernized" than other Czech writers, which in some sense is sad, but in another makes its appeal more accessible. If you're looking for less philosophical, here are some more suggestions: Sci-fi and Fantasy: - the His Dark Materials is the most brilliant piece of fantasy fiction I've encountered :D The characters are great and lovable, the worlds are fantastic, and the undertones about the flaws of Christianity and particularly the Catholic Church are interesting. - Orson Scott Card is best known for his Ender series, but he has some other great books out there. I particularly enjoyed "Songmaster" and "Enchantment" Non-fiction: - Next of Kin by Roger Fouts. It talks about Fouts' experiences with chimpanzees, and in particular, Washoe - the first chimpanzee to speak in sign language with humans :D Just fun bestsellers: - the Clan of the Cave Bear and its sequels are really fun to read. They're about this girl, Ayla, who is raised by Neanderthals... it's highly anthropologically accurate, but it's just... yeah :D It's fun to read. - Wicked!! What a fantastic book. The character development is beautiful, and it really builds on the Wizard of Oz world in unexpected ways. It's a quick, fun read... but ALSO well-done and deserving of the word "literature" I might post again some other time with more of my favourites... but that's all for now :D

I'm at Wesleyan University (a small liberal arts school; 2800 students) studying math :D I love it to a ridiculous degree, and if anyone has any questions about it, feel free to ask :D

I started dating this guy last year while I was still completely not over my ex boyfriend. He'd helped me talk through my issues with my ex, and then we cuddled, etc. I went to him out of comfort; he was a great guy. We got together three days before Valentine's Day. The day before Valentine's Day (on the night of the big Valentine's Day party at school) I told him I didn't feel ready or comfortable and we broke up. He'd been about to give me a big handmade card. Then we had to go the party together and pretend nothing was wrong :P I felt terrible, but it was the right decision, and he's happier now with a wonderful new girlfriend who is actually good for him. And we're still really good friends. So it worked out in the end... but was pretty terrible of me at the time :P

Starbucks Doubleshots are the best tasting caffiene-loaded energy drinks around. They can be a bit pricey, but if you really have to stay up all night finishing that paper, they do the job well.

I don't understand why it should matter what the number of lions is, as long as it's greater than 1. Who cares whether the number of lions is odd or even, for example - Let's say there are three lions. If Lion #1 eats the sheep, then it becomes a sheep. Now there are two lions and one sheep. Now Lion #2 could eat Lion #1, whereby it could be eaten by Lion #3. So that's not good for anyone! Actually, though, Lion #1 could bank on the fact that Lion #2 won't eat him once he becomes a sheep, because if Lion #2 becomes a sheep and there's only one lion left, Lion #2 will almost definitely be eaten because there's no reason for Lion #3 not to. So Lion #2 will not eat Lion #1... hmm. Now I see. Interesting!

Ugh - I want so badly for you to become a film reviewer :D

I want to have a family. A nice old-fashioned nuclear family, where I marry a wonderful husband and we have wonderful kids :D We'll have two kids naturally and adopt two more. As for my career, there are four options right now as I see it: a) math teacher B) own a bookstore c) do research in the area of artificial intelligence d) be a "housewife" and enjoy raising my kids and cooking wonderful dinners, etc :D I'll probably wind up living in the New York area (where I'm familiar with) or become an American expatriate, whether it be to somewhere in Eastern Europe (seems the most exciting and practical to me at the moment) or who knows where. :D

Mmm, qualia :D

Quick explanation: This is Fermat's Last Theorem. Note that it was a theorem - it hadn't been proved, and it hadn't been disproved. However, Fermat wrote in the margin of his notes that he'd found a relatively simple proof for it!! But he died before publishing it, and it had never been found out (for CENTURIES!!) until in 1995 someone finally proved it. Woooo, mathematicians! :D

I'm hoping to be a math teacher - one of those really weird quirky ones :D The one who is such a character and students talk about after class, like "Why is Miss Mad so obsessed with math?? What a dork... then again, that lesson today was kind of cool" , and then come to for advice about random things like relationships after school :D

OH MAN :D I'm so happy for you :D!! Gosh... I remember when you two had just started going out. You guys are amazing for each other, have a wonderful engagement :D At the question: Yes, I like to think so.

The Bravia bouncing balls commericial!! :D http://www.bravia-advert.com/commercial ... mhigh.html

[ off topic ] I can't wait for that movie either :3> I mean, it also has the best cast like ever. Robin Williams, Jeff Goldblum, and Christopher Walken? Sigh. Also, I'd vote for Jon Stewart, in all seriousness. [ / off topic and won't talk about it again :x ]

Some girls look great and pull it off... some don't. Halle Berry? And this girl? Just saying :D

I think this has evolved into enough of a general Middle Eastish discussion that I thought I'd post an interesting "solution" by Jon Stewart. A little background on Jon Stewart himself: he's the host of 'The Daily Show' which is a comedy show in the US on Comedy Central. He's a New York Jew. While the show is a comedy (and thus he inserts jokes into his dialogue) the show is also very politically oriented and Jon Stewart likes to tackle some tough issues. Here's a rough transcript I tried to take from an interview in one of his shows, on his "solution" for the Middle East. Just thought it might spark some interesting discussion :D

That is... the best thing... I've ever see :P Aww bmw, it's okay, I love you anyway :D I suppose if you have scruffy facial hair, I might forgive it. :P

let me just say... I think guys with long hair are BEAUTIFUL :D In fact... if a guy has really short hair... (like above the ears) then I would be hestitant to date him at all, unless he grew it out.

Yeah.. I have to say, some of the most romantic moments I've had have just involved watching a movie on someone's computer or something :D But then, hiking and picnics and sunsets are wonderful, too. Is there a local amusement park you could go to? A small one, not like a Six Flags, but bigger than a carnival. That is really fun, and romantic (you can play a game and do really badly and then ask the guy if you can just pay extra to get her a teddy bear prize :D).. especially if you guys like rides.

I guess that would make the cliche-but-romantic nice dinner also a bit more frustrating than romantic :) Candlelight is always nice, and it shows you put some effort in, if you managed to light some candles! Hmm... most of the romantic things I can think of do revolve around eating... now, what does that say about me? :P If I think of anything better I'll post!!

The guy is definitely a sick pedophile. However, it isn't clear that he actually killed JonBenet - his ex-wife says that he wasn't even in Colorado that day, but rather in Alabama with her. Also, this same ex-wife says he used to be obsessed with the case and spend lots of time researching it - which could mean he's guilty, or just as likely, could mean he was just obsessed with the case. Either way, he's a fairly sick individual, but we don't know if he's really the murderer.

Sorry, but that's absolutely terrible. :\