I'm fascinated by higher math that uses letters for numbers (I'm thinking specifically of the numbers e and i), but it makes something in my brain short-circuit when I try to actually learn it beyond what i stands for.

When I first learned that discrete math exists, it was via a conversation, so I didn't know it was "discrete," not "discreet," and I commented that it must be a bunch of numbers in trench coats and fedoras lurking in dark alleys.

And THAT, my friends, is why Teppy will never be a mathematician. I like imagining their inner lives too much.

a bunch of numbers in trench coats and fedoras lurking in dark alleys.

Teppy - those sound like covert numbers, not discreet ones.

::runs away::

ETA ::but returns to point to the story of my last math exam evar, in which I was asked to state why the square root of i was irrational. Five paragraphs and a definition of reality/rationality later..."::

I like imagining their inner lives too much.

"The inner life of Pi: not a cookbook"

It's a winner waiting to be written.

"The inner life of Pi: not a cookbook"

"Pi: Not Dessert, Bitches!!!"

"Planck's Constant: Mrs. Planck relieved"

Which is actually a rip-off from a line from a Barbara Hambly book.

"I've Got Avogadro's Number"

"I've Got Avogadro's Number"

My brother actually wrote a song with that title. At the time, he and I were the only 2 people who (1) got it, and (b) found it HILARIOUS, for lo, we are humongous dorks.

Heh. My friend Gary has a song which includes Pi, Planck's constant and Avogodro.

I like imagining their inner lives too much.

I'm pretty sure most mathematicians have favorite numbers. I myself, though not a mathematician, assign them personalities. This may be why I'm not a mathematician, but there you are.

He showed up to the mediation with his mother and his lawyer.

heh. when I dealt with student grievances, if someone mentioned the word lawyer, I said "if you want this to rise to legal action, I will call the General Counsel's office right now and get this off my desk. Be aware that the GC' priority for grievance matters is pretty low, so it may take several months to resolve."

Student showed up with a parent to a grievance, told them that they had to wait outside. Mother threw a fit, I just looked at her and told her that our policy was very clear and that I'd told her kid that she couldn't be there. She paused and said "you told him that?" I said yes. She turned to her kid, and he said "yeah, but I didn't think it was a big deal" I think at that point she figured out that she may not have the whole story, so she backed down.