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Complex Numbers
Complex Numbers
A complex number is expressed in the standard form a + bi, where a and b are real numbers and i is defined by i^2 = -1 (that is, i is the square root of -1). For example, 3 + 2i is a complex number.
The bi term is often referred to as an imaginary number (though this may be misleading, as it is no more "imaginary" than the symbolic abstractions we know as the "real" numbers). Thus, every complex number has a real part, a, and an imaginary part, bi.
Complex numbers are often represented on a graph known as the "complex plane," where the horizontal axis represents the infinity of real numbers, and the vertical axis represents the infinity of imaginary numbers. Thus, each complex number has a unique representation on the complex plane: some closer to real; others, more imaginary. If a = b, the number is equal parts real and imaginary.
Very simple transformations applied to numbers in the complex plane can lead to fractal structures of enormous intricacy and astonishing beauty.
February 21, 2011 at 5:17pm February 21, 2011 at 5:17pm
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In case any of you were beginning to doubt the inevitable rise of the dead:
http://www.aolnews.com/2011/02/21/pat-the-bunny-gets-zombie-makeover/
"Pat the Zombie" is a sinister zombie parody of the beloved 1940 touch-and-feel children's classic, "Pat the Bunny." Authors Aaron Ximm and Kaveh Soofi say it's a perfect read for dry-humored parents who are burnt out on the original.
However, I think that the authors missed a vital opportunity by trying to keep this masterpiece from their offspring. They'll need to learn... sometime. One way or another. |
February 16, 2011 at 2:42pm February 16, 2011 at 2:42pm
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It's sixty degrees out, my favorite bar has an Imperial stout, and my favorite bartender (Meredith) is back.
See? It doesn't take much to make me feel better.
(To clarify: Meredith left in November for a four-month work/study thing in Europe. It turned into a three-month work/study thing, hence my pleasant surprise at having her back. And no, I don't have a "thing" for her; she's just a really good bartender.) |
February 14, 2011 at 6:32pm February 14, 2011 at 6:32pm
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Say what you want about being single, but I'm going to say this:
Having nothing to be pressured into doing on Valentine's Day (VD) is a major, major relief.
The crap I said in last week's Comedy newsletter aside, sometimes I think VD was invented by some misandrist woman who is probably chuckling in her grave over the crap we XYs have to go through on VD.
It's like this: I've never, not even once, been involved with a woman who appreciated VD. And contrary to popular belief, I've dated a few women.
And yet, almost every year, one of two things happens:
Either 1) I do the roses, chocolate, and dinner out thing, or 2) I get broken up with just before my birthday, which is four days from now.
Look... girls... it's like this: If you're into VD, just frakking SAY SO. Don't pretend you're not just to see whether we're committed enough to do something ANYway, because men are a lot simpler than that. "Don't get me anything for VD" means, to us, "Don't get me anything for VD." End of line.
If you ARE into it, that's cool. I can do the flowers thing. I'd rather make you a nice home-cooked meal, but even there you won't be going out while some of your friends certainly will, so there's a dilemma too: Do something from my heart, based on a skill I actually have (cooking) or do something to conform with your friends so you can talk to them about it the next day. And going out always involves overpriced, lousy food and crappy service, when we could just as easily go out on another night and have a great time.
The whole thing sucks, for us. Sucks. And don't give me the "You'll get yours on Steak and Blowjob Day (March 14)," either, because I don't want anything for S&BJD (or wait - yes, I do; I'm just not going to TELL you and let you figure it out for yourself when I'm lying on the couch pointing at it with a big grin on my face).
I know it sounds like I'm ragging on women, here, and I'm sorry if it seems that way. It's not my intent. It's only Valentine's Day that's the target of my angst this night. I guess VD brings out the worst in all of us.
So, yeah. Glad I've got no pressure, for once, this year. I'm just going to go over to my friend Nicole's house; she's ordered some takeout and we're going to watch some anime with her kid.
Wait... Oh, shit... am I supposed to bring chocolate? |
February 11, 2011 at 1:16pm February 11, 2011 at 1:16pm February 4, 2011 at 12:33am February 4, 2011 at 12:33am
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Mubarak: (paraphrased) "I'd love to step down now, but Egypt would descend into chaos."
...Ummmm....
(Funniest joke I've seen related to the conditions in Egypt right now:
"Egyptians:
Do not harm the pyramids in your protests. We will not rebuild.
-The Jews")
((Yes, I know the Hebrews didn't work on the pyramids. It's still funny.))
(((Yes, I know the Hebrews probably never actually were slaves in Egypt. I don't care. It's STILL funny.))) |
February 2, 2011 at 1:20pm February 2, 2011 at 1:20pm
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Greetings from sunny Virginia, where it's a balmy 60 degrees. My snow shovel hangs lonely in a dusty corner of my storage room, and my car is remarkably free of solid-phase water of any sort. Today I took a stroll in shorts and a t-shirt and sandals.
I'm enjoying the Blizzard of 2011; how about you?  |
February 1, 2011 at 10:03pm February 1, 2011 at 10:03pm
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Came back yesterday but didn't feel much like blogging.
I'm reminded why New York City is a good place to visit, but not to live: there was two feet of snow on the ground, and that's not in the places where plows piled it up, usually on top of people's cars. Oh, it's fine in the summer, but NYC winters are freaking miserable.
And they're going to get more snow from all the global warming
| I write this in jest - as average global temperatures rise, local conditions are expected to be more extreme in both directions |
There was a path about 3' wide to the gravesite, and no room to stand around it. I couldn't even see my mom's headstone from all the snow, and of course my aunt's headstone wasn't there yet.
And naturally, dealing with my family was stressful. I know some people just take that sort of thing in stride as expected, but I'm on a mission to reduce stress in my life - which means there are certain family members I deal with as little as possible. Which, in retrospect, adds to the stress, because they end up sending me on guilt trips for not doing family shit. Hell, my aunt guilt-tripped me from beyond the grave. I'd like to say I'll miss her guilt trips, but I won't. I'll miss everything else, though.
My cousin, however, is cool, and so is his wife. I stayed with them in Manhattan.
So Sunday night, after the funeral, feeling stressed and crappy, I went in search of a Bar. It being Manhattan, it didn't take me long to find one. I felt better after a couple of beers, which either says something about me or about beer.
Looks like the Snowmaggedon storm is going to miss us here in Virginia, anyway, so there's that. |
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I'm more than happy with Carrion Luggage, however.
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