As I alluded to in a previous post, I am a sixth year graduate student, and, since my department has a strict policy about grad students finishing in five years (a policy, I might add, that no other department on campus seems to have, but whatever), I was not able to get funding this year. Fine, I can live with that, I knew about the policy and it is my fault for taking the extra year.
Then, I was informed that I no longer have an office. Now, this upset me, but, thinking about it rationally, I realized that there is only a limited amount of office space. Plus, I hardly ever use the office, so it is not like this affects me in any tangible way.
However, today, while checking my mailbox, I happened to gaze over at the bulletin board that has pictures of all of the professors and graduate students. And, for reasons known only to her, our secretary removed my picture. Now, again, I understand the funding issue and the office issue, but surely my picture being up on the board wasn't costing the department anything! And there was plenty of space, so that couldn't have been a problem. Plus there is the fact that the picture was already on the board, so it took her more effort to remove it than to just leave it up!! This is right up there with her signing me up to TA a statistics course because my roommate had requested it, but she couldn't remember which of us was which.
Really, I know that this is a trivial issue, but I am incredibly pissed off. I have passed my classes and exams, and I have done everything I need to be in line to graduate this year. I have accepted the fact that I am on my own as far as finding money and a workspace. All I ask in return is for a little shred of dignity. And, by removing my picture, they basically slapped me in the face.
Anyways, posting this here is keeping me from sending out a nasty email, one that I would certainly regret. But who takes down a picture, honestly?
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Let's Go Buffalo!
Ah, the Buffalo Bills. The lifeblood of Western New York. I should probably say a word or two about them. The first season I remember following the Bills, and the NFL in general, was 1990. That year, we (and I will say we, even though I, unfortunately, never took the field as a player) won the AFC east with a 13-3 record, beat Miami in the first round of the playoffs (a game I am pretty sure I was at though I don't remember very much from it), and pummeled the Raiders 51-3 in the championship game. You may ask, "What happened in the Super Bowl?" Um, I don't think they played one that year...
Of course, that was the famous "wide right" game. I will say no more about this (look it up in wikipedia if you must). But since that year, the Bills have been a huge part of my life. I always try to go to at least one game a year, and, in the last two seasons, I went to a total of 6 games. The parking lot at Ralph Wilson Stadium (Ralph Wilson is the Bills long time owner; he just got into the Hall of Fame today in fact) is a magical place. You get there at 10 am, and the lot is already full of tailgaters; a huge collection of people who are as devoted to this team as I am . Out in the real world, Bills' fans are scarce, but we all come together on Sunday.
There is something special about being a fan of the Bills. This is because we simply don't have the national popularity that teams like the Patriots have, so when you see someone wearing that charging buffalo logo, you know that you and they share a common bond. I can't tell you how many times that people have come up to me at hotels, in bowling alleys, on airplanes, and in plenty of other places, and struck up a conversation with me just based on the fact I was wearing my Bills paraphernalia. And let me tell you, I own a lot of it.
Unfortunately, the last few years have been tough, but it helps to commiserate with fellow fans. I found a group of people here in Los Angeles who get together every Sunday, no matter how lousy the team is, to watch each and every game. Rooting for the Bills just feels right. Someday in the near future, I will live close enough to Buffalo, and I will get season tickets. Then, for at least 8 Sundays out of the year, I will be where I belong.
Of course, that was the famous "wide right" game. I will say no more about this (look it up in wikipedia if you must). But since that year, the Bills have been a huge part of my life. I always try to go to at least one game a year, and, in the last two seasons, I went to a total of 6 games. The parking lot at Ralph Wilson Stadium (Ralph Wilson is the Bills long time owner; he just got into the Hall of Fame today in fact) is a magical place. You get there at 10 am, and the lot is already full of tailgaters; a huge collection of people who are as devoted to this team as I am . Out in the real world, Bills' fans are scarce, but we all come together on Sunday.
There is something special about being a fan of the Bills. This is because we simply don't have the national popularity that teams like the Patriots have, so when you see someone wearing that charging buffalo logo, you know that you and they share a common bond. I can't tell you how many times that people have come up to me at hotels, in bowling alleys, on airplanes, and in plenty of other places, and struck up a conversation with me just based on the fact I was wearing my Bills paraphernalia. And let me tell you, I own a lot of it.
Unfortunately, the last few years have been tough, but it helps to commiserate with fellow fans. I found a group of people here in Los Angeles who get together every Sunday, no matter how lousy the team is, to watch each and every game. Rooting for the Bills just feels right. Someday in the near future, I will live close enough to Buffalo, and I will get season tickets. Then, for at least 8 Sundays out of the year, I will be where I belong.
Friday, January 30, 2009
I'm so excited and I just can't hide it...
Wow, I had forgotten how much I love to play the piano. Luckily, we have a music house on campus that is open 24 hours to students. So, since earlier today I bought a new piano book (that featured, among other songs, the title to my post), I finally made the effort to go over and play. At 2 am. And I am happy I did.
It has been far too long since I sat down and really played. And it is fun. More importantly, I got out of my apartment and did something positive. Note to self: doing stuff is good. Try to do more stuff, be it running, playing the piano, or, gasp, doing mathematics. But do stuff! Maybe if I write it here, I will try harder to follow my own advice...
It has been far too long since I sat down and really played. And it is fun. More importantly, I got out of my apartment and did something positive. Note to self: doing stuff is good. Try to do more stuff, be it running, playing the piano, or, gasp, doing mathematics. But do stuff! Maybe if I write it here, I will try harder to follow my own advice...
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Devin's Going Away Dinner
I just got back from a dinner for my friend Devin, who is moving to the bay area for a postdoc (all my grad student friends seem to be graduating, I better be next!). Devin is an interesting person, and I am going to miss him. He is one of the people who would press me to be more social, and since I kind of have a tendency to close myself off from the world, I really appreciate his efforts. He also had a profound impact on my life, in that he finally convinced me to go in to counseling. I kept arguing and fighting it, until one day he finally just signed me up. It has had a great effect on my life (that and the drugs they prescribed me) and everyone I know has noticed the change in my behavior. So for that, I thank him (though he wouldn't let me go ten minutes without taking credit for saving my life, there is some truth to his hyperbole).
As for the dinner itself, it was at one of those fancy places, where, when we found out the average cost was $100 per person, someone commented that she couldn't believe it was that low. Now, I have been trying to be responsible with money, so this did set me back a bit; my friend Dave was kind enough to point out how expensive the wine was, so I passed on that, which helped a bit. I do feel kind of weird being the only one in the group who needs to worry about these things, but I have already taken out a loan from my parents and would very much like to avoid taking another one. Oh well, the food was excellent (I had the rib eye stake and chocolate bread pudding) and I really don't eat at that kind of place often, so I suppose it is all for the best. Now, I have to motivate myself to get some work done tonight or tomorrow... (if I write it down, maybe that will force me to do it).
As for the dinner itself, it was at one of those fancy places, where, when we found out the average cost was $100 per person, someone commented that she couldn't believe it was that low. Now, I have been trying to be responsible with money, so this did set me back a bit; my friend Dave was kind enough to point out how expensive the wine was, so I passed on that, which helped a bit. I do feel kind of weird being the only one in the group who needs to worry about these things, but I have already taken out a loan from my parents and would very much like to avoid taking another one. Oh well, the food was excellent (I had the rib eye stake and chocolate bread pudding) and I really don't eat at that kind of place often, so I suppose it is all for the best. Now, I have to motivate myself to get some work done tonight or tomorrow... (if I write it down, maybe that will force me to do it).
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Tutoring
So my department has an unfortunate rule, which is basically that you can take more than five years to get your PhD, but if you do, you are on your own for the sixth year and beyond. As this is my sixth (and final!) year, I was forced to find funding elsewhere. After completely striking out while trying to apply for teaching positions at Community Colleges, my friend (and fellow mathematician) Rupert suggested I look for tutoring jobs on Craig's List. Lo and behold, after I few tries, I was able to find a company who was desperate enough for a math teacher. Thus began my tutoring career.
When I got the job, I figured this would be something I would suffer through but would keep me employed for the year. Surprisingly, however, I actually enjoy it. Explaining math, even trivial SAT math to high schoolers, is highly enjoyable. And the time really does fly by, at least most of the time.
The only negative to it is the "babysitting" aspect. What I mean is, although high schoolers can converse at a reasonable level from time to time, they still require constant supervision to make sure they don't try to sneak their cell phones or ipods, and to make sure they do the work. So I have to constantly remind them to do homework, and sometimes have to get strict when they won't listen. But, that aside, this is still better than any other job an unqualified graduate student could get.
Like today, I had to work for 4 hours, but 2.5 of that was one on one tutoring, which is much easier to deal with than a class. And the SAT class had only 4 people, so it stayed under control. And, before I knew it, I was done. My schtick is to act all enthusiastic when solving problems, and truth be told, it is not an act. I genuinely am excited to do math. It is times like this that assure me I am going into the right profession.
When I got the job, I figured this would be something I would suffer through but would keep me employed for the year. Surprisingly, however, I actually enjoy it. Explaining math, even trivial SAT math to high schoolers, is highly enjoyable. And the time really does fly by, at least most of the time.
The only negative to it is the "babysitting" aspect. What I mean is, although high schoolers can converse at a reasonable level from time to time, they still require constant supervision to make sure they don't try to sneak their cell phones or ipods, and to make sure they do the work. So I have to constantly remind them to do homework, and sometimes have to get strict when they won't listen. But, that aside, this is still better than any other job an unqualified graduate student could get.
Like today, I had to work for 4 hours, but 2.5 of that was one on one tutoring, which is much easier to deal with than a class. And the SAT class had only 4 people, so it stayed under control. And, before I knew it, I was done. My schtick is to act all enthusiastic when solving problems, and truth be told, it is not an act. I genuinely am excited to do math. It is times like this that assure me I am going into the right profession.
What is Combinatorics?
So the title "Combinatorial Hijinks" comes from the fact that Combinatorics is the field of mathematics that I study (and the fact that Hijinks is a cool word). You might ask, what is combinatorics? Well Wikipedia has this to say:
"Combinatorics is a branch of pure mathematics concerning the study of discrete (and usually finite) objects."
By the way, isn't wikipedia neat? Who would have thought that an encyclopedia edited by anyone would be so useful...
Ok, my tangent is over (though my secant has just begun; expect other math jokes to work their way into my posts). I would describe combinatorics as the art of counting without actually counting, of determining structure and properties of objects without actually knowing very much about those objects. An example I like to give comes from Ramsey Theory.
The idea is this: you are throwing a party, and want to know the least number of people you need to invite so that their is a group of three people who all know each other, or a group of three people such that none of them know each other. Why you would want to do such a thing is not important, using such language as "party" helps make the problem seem more "applied"...
Anyhoo, it turns out six people is enough; let's see why. Let's call the six people Alice, Bob, Christine, David, Edward and Frank. As mathematicians we love to do this sort of thing, so we can shorten the names to A, B, C, D, E and F. Consider Alice. Of the other five people, she either knows at least three of them, or there are three she doesn't know. Without loss of generality (a favorite phrase amongst mathematicians) consider the case where she knows Bob, Christine and David. Now, suppose Bob and Christine also know each other, then Alice, Bob and Christine form a group of three people who all know each other. This will work if any two of Bob, Christine and David know each other. So the only other possibility is that the three of them are mutual strangers, in which case Bob, Christine and David form a group of three people who each don't know each other. Voila! Note that the case where Alice knows two or less people is analogous, since she would have to not know 3 people, and we could repeat the above proof, switching the term "know" with "doesn't know." That is what is meant by "without loss of generality."
The cool thing about that problem is that we don't have to know anything about the structure of these people's lives to conclude something definite about them. The general theme of Ramsey theory is that if you enough objects, there will be order. And that is pretty cool, that we can know things even when we don't know anything.
"Combinatorics is a branch of pure mathematics concerning the study of discrete (and usually finite) objects."
By the way, isn't wikipedia neat? Who would have thought that an encyclopedia edited by anyone would be so useful...
Ok, my tangent is over (though my secant has just begun; expect other math jokes to work their way into my posts). I would describe combinatorics as the art of counting without actually counting, of determining structure and properties of objects without actually knowing very much about those objects. An example I like to give comes from Ramsey Theory.
The idea is this: you are throwing a party, and want to know the least number of people you need to invite so that their is a group of three people who all know each other, or a group of three people such that none of them know each other. Why you would want to do such a thing is not important, using such language as "party" helps make the problem seem more "applied"...
Anyhoo, it turns out six people is enough; let's see why. Let's call the six people Alice, Bob, Christine, David, Edward and Frank. As mathematicians we love to do this sort of thing, so we can shorten the names to A, B, C, D, E and F. Consider Alice. Of the other five people, she either knows at least three of them, or there are three she doesn't know. Without loss of generality (a favorite phrase amongst mathematicians) consider the case where she knows Bob, Christine and David. Now, suppose Bob and Christine also know each other, then Alice, Bob and Christine form a group of three people who all know each other. This will work if any two of Bob, Christine and David know each other. So the only other possibility is that the three of them are mutual strangers, in which case Bob, Christine and David form a group of three people who each don't know each other. Voila! Note that the case where Alice knows two or less people is analogous, since she would have to not know 3 people, and we could repeat the above proof, switching the term "know" with "doesn't know." That is what is meant by "without loss of generality."
The cool thing about that problem is that we don't have to know anything about the structure of these people's lives to conclude something definite about them. The general theme of Ramsey theory is that if you enough objects, there will be order. And that is pretty cool, that we can know things even when we don't know anything.
Hello World
Well, I am keeping up with my trend of getting on the bandwagon years after it left the station. As such, I am starting a blog. Woo-Hoo for me!
To say a little more about myself, the name BuffDan that I have chosen for myself here and on various internet forums has nothing to do with working out, but instead comes from the city of Buffalo, New York, near my hometown of Rochester. When I first got to college, there were several other people named Dan, and thus some sort of adjective was needed. One of us became Black Pants Dan (he liked to wear blank pants), RA Dan (he was our RA), Little Dan (he was short) and myself, Buff Dan, since I have a near fanatical devotion to the Buffalo Bills, and Buffalo is a more well known city than Rochester. Besides, Roch Dan sounds kinda lame.
So that's me in a nutshell (help I'm trapped in a nutshell). As I tend to have lots of thoughts swirling in my head, this blog will hopefully serve as a way for me to get them written down, in the hopes that they will quiet down. That of course is figurative; I don't hear voices or anything, but I do have more than my share of crazy. So I should fit in here on the Interweb.
To say a little more about myself, the name BuffDan that I have chosen for myself here and on various internet forums has nothing to do with working out, but instead comes from the city of Buffalo, New York, near my hometown of Rochester. When I first got to college, there were several other people named Dan, and thus some sort of adjective was needed. One of us became Black Pants Dan (he liked to wear blank pants), RA Dan (he was our RA), Little Dan (he was short) and myself, Buff Dan, since I have a near fanatical devotion to the Buffalo Bills, and Buffalo is a more well known city than Rochester. Besides, Roch Dan sounds kinda lame.
So that's me in a nutshell (help I'm trapped in a nutshell). As I tend to have lots of thoughts swirling in my head, this blog will hopefully serve as a way for me to get them written down, in the hopes that they will quiet down. That of course is figurative; I don't hear voices or anything, but I do have more than my share of crazy. So I should fit in here on the Interweb.
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