Adventures in the Mathematics and Statistics Department

SO, Monday was my first day as Friendly Front Deskette. I am happy to report that it was pretty uneventful. I’m also happy to report that I met some really interesting people, one in particular.

I don’t want to publish his name for fear that somehow he will get wind of this (ahhh my notoriety) and take it the wrong way. Let’s call him Bob. My first encounter with Bob was while the girl who was training me was on the phone and he came up to the desk and offered me some M&Ms. (Oh I like this guy already!) He just offered them and then walked off hurriedly, no doubt to some Mensa meeting on another floor. He came back by about 20 minutes later, apologized for only offering candy and not asking my name and introduced himself. He looks every bit the part of the quirky but brilliant Math professor, hair a little too long, outdated clothes a tiny bit askew, and an awkward but harmless smile.

The rest of my “training” (which consisted of understanding the mail room and all the intricacies of alphabetizing) was pretty hum-drum, until Bob showed up again. He darts into the office, grabs his mail and asks,

“So is Jessica interested at all in Math?”

(Curb the sarcastic snorts, cats.) Meanwhile, I swallowed my own snort and replied,

“Mildly.” (Insert your snort here.)

Whatever is the most opposite of being interested in Math, I am most certainly that. I’ll admit, I was a little taken aback that he mentioned Math in a context that suggested that it could be a hobby, some sort of leisurely free time waster. Perhaps that is why I answered a little less than truthfully. (Ok, one more snort.)

At my answer, Bob grabs a paper out of his box and plops it down in front of me and continues flitting about the office. Written on the piece of copy paper in the neatest blue INK handwriting I’d ever seen was the same equation written out four times, the only difference being one variable. (or whatever the actual Math term is) After a few minutes, Bob darts back over and smiles a satisfied smile, as if I should not be staring at a page feeling like I am reading Greek, but in fact understanding the depth of the theory he has just come up with.

Being the witty conversationalist that I am (and hoping for future M&Ms) I ask,

“So, Bob, what’s this all about?”

Yep. What in the world possessed me? I guess the ever inquisitive student in me hoped Bob the Brilliant could explain it in magical terms that my artsy little mind could understand, and he DID explain the theory to me…unsuccessfully….for what felt like half an hour, but turned out to be five minutes. (Maybe it was a theory on bending time through Mathematical theory discussion-in which case, his theory seems sound)

He made it sound so important-like he had just changed the face of Math-that I told him I felt like I should take a picture of it. (I really wanted to actually, every good blog post is better with a picture after all) To that he replied,

“Well, this is what cameras were made for.” (Photo-documenting Math theories? Seriously?)

Other than being an interesting person, I envy his drive. Or maybe the love he has for his work. I only hope I can have the same love and devotion for my work when I move out into my field. (I later found out that he sometimes works all night on Math problems/theories and sleeps in his very cluttered office or enters the theories in his computer only to take over when the computer without fail freezes after 50 hours of solving)

I’m sure there will be more interesting encounters with Bob the Brilliant. I will keep you posted.

“And a happy happy to you too.”

Do you ever play the quote game? Probably one of my favorite pastimes is innocently eavesdropping or accidentally overhearing people’s conversations and relaying the often funny parts I hear to absent friends via text.

“He likes to get an early start on his Sabbathing.”

This game’s an amazingly good time waster, and I’ve found there is no end to the funny quotes to quote-especially when I’m on campus and attempting (unsuccessfully) to do homework, study, or write a paper. I’ve even contemplated putting together a small ‘zine just for fun full of silly things seen and heard on campus. Maybe I should call it “Seen and Heard” like Harriet the Spy.

At any rate, there have been a few things tumbling around in my head since the last post. (More than a few actually, I’ve been remiss with my posting this week) It seems I’ve had more than one conversation lately about Christians and how much influence they have on Christianity just by carrying that label. I think it started with a discussion at church by a well meaning, but less than well educated person on the topic of other religions. It occurred to me somewhere in the discussion that if Christians keep teaching each other what they think they know, but in reality have no authority on, the Christian community will never get any more mature. Hmm…I will leave this thought at that-feel free to hollar me if you want more.

“….Boogie Wonderland…..”

Another tumbler is the idea of context. I suppose there is a certain amount of responsibility that comes with interpreting any text or manuscript. Being a writer like I am, I know how carefully words can be chosen, how much care goes into completing a thought, how much work goes into communicating an idea or concept. Right along with my quotes game previously mentioned, or the never ending “That’s What She Said” game, anything can be twisted into any meaning whatsoever when taken out of context. Tempting though it may be, there is more satisfaction to be had in cutting to the true meaning of a passage than in pulling out key phrases or sentences in order to back whatever misfired thought that may be tumbling around at that particular moment. To be more to the point (it may not only be in my head that thoughts are tumbling) using the Bible in whatever way we so choose to back whatever argument we choose is very risky business.

“Heeey Dad! He made a smiley face!”

Lastly, and tumbling at a rapid rate, is my excitement about a new job as well as for the new school year. (They go hand in hand, somewhat) I have a new job on campus at ASU in the Math and Statistics department. Those of you who know me and my scholastic aptitude may have just laughed, but no no friends, I’m serious. I’ll be answering phones, running errands, filing, and other odd jobs that have little to nothing to do with the mathematical discipline. I believe my actual title is “Friendly Front Deskette” and it will be my personal mission to make the “Nerd-ery” (not my words) more personable as well as fashion forward. (LOL Elle Woods would be SO proud)

“This was an omen from the start!”

Monsoons

The cicadas just started their sunset song outside. I left for a 10 day vacation from the scorching Phoenix heat to Lake Powell, and turns out it was the exact right amount of time. Because on my return I find that monsoon has bloomed. My favorite part of these almost unbearable summers. The wind, the lightning storms, the sudden rain downpours, the amazing rain-smell that the greasewood bushes give off, the desert green and the slight humidity all signal a few things to my thirsty, parched heart.

On the heavy, life is in constant flux. Those of us who live here know that the desert hides beneath its seemingly dry, dead shell nothing short of explosive life. All it takes is one good rain for the desert to remember what it’s like to be full of life again. (there is a time for everything…life, death, growth…) I’m not sure I really need to unpack that thought any more, but in case you aren’t picking up what I’m laying down…maybe this cycle of growth and life and death and re-growth can apply to us as people. The way we grow and learn and how we painfully wait out dry seasons with faith that the first glorious rain will soon be on its way.

A little less heavy, I love living the communal life. Living on a houseboat with about 10 other amazing people for a week just makes me wonder why we as a society moved away from the daily communal goodness. I mean, as a student of sociology and anthropology, I understand the process. It’s just that somewhere in my heart I can’t fathom why we decide to live such distant lives from even those we say we love the most. It could also have something to do with the two books I’m reading right now but mostly I think it may have more to do with the way I’m wired. Seems to me the early church was just a group of people that decided to live everyday together, forgiving the little faults that are bound to happen in close quarters and making sure everyone was taken care of because they just plain loved each other, and their Maker.

On the light side…school is coming soon and I can’t wait. Dreams of new planners and pens and books and the anticipation of a good semester are just buzzing around in my head. (Don’t judge me. I have said before I’ll likely be a lifelong student…that doesn’t mean I’m a total geek.)

AND lastly, a little advice from my vacation-it is likely as unwise as they say it is to rock climb by yourself. Because if you happen to jump from one rock to another and sprain your foot, then continue on for another hour or so, there is no one but yourself to blame when later that night you cannot walk and your foot is twice its normal size. The kicker-I didn’t even have a camera with me, so to add insult to injury, I have no good pictures to show for it.

Love love love.