What is the newest installment of 'Random Thoughts' on Physics Forums?

[dkotschessaa]

Only the good die young.
https://plus.maths.org/content/happy-birthday-ramanujan-0

... your $-\frac{1}{12}$ didn't do us a favor though ...

The movie about him was actually quite good. Ken Ono, who was on hand as the math advisor, visited my university and gave a talk awhile ago.

I am considering just putting "It was a vision from Namagiri" for my proofs now. I think it will save a lot of time.

-Dave K

 

[1oldman2]

Merry and a happy New beer.

 

[zoobyshoe]

Once again, for the millionth time, I see this TV commercial featuring Mr. and Mrs. Potatohead practicing potatopophagy with a mere shrug of second thought about it, and, deep down, I find that disturbing.

 

[1oldman2]

potatopophagy

Amazing, a search of this word gets 0 hits... this doesn't happen often.

 

[zoobyshoe]

Amazing, a search of this word gets 0 hits... this doesn't happen often.

Funny, since it's the subject of a very famous painting:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Potato_Eaters

 

[1oldman2]

Funny, since it's the subject of a very famous painting:

Great art, didn't the the de Groots also figure prominently in Michener's "The Covenant" ?

 

[zoobyshoe]

Great art, didn't the the de Groots also figure prominently in Michener's "The Covenant" ?

Same name but different family, I'd say, due to the setting being in a different country. The painting was done in the Netherlands but the book is set in South Africa.

 

[1oldman2]

Same name but different family, I'd say, due to the setting being in a different country. The painting was done in the Netherlands but the book is set in South Africa.

Most definitely, great story I'm very familiar with it as well as the artist.

 

[jim hardy]

 

[1oldman2]

View attachment 110715

Ah... the last piece of the puzzle, thank you.

 

[zoobyshoe]

I was perplexed to find out the post office was closed today.

I guess it is some response to people feeling cheated that Christmas fell on a Sunday, robbing them of the usual day off?

 

[collinsmark]

I was perplexed to find out the post office was closed today.

I guess it is some response to people feeling cheated that Christmas fell on a Sunday, robbing them of the usual day off?

I'm not sure if I would have used those exact words but, yes. That's the gist of it right there.

 

[zoobyshoe]

I'm not sure if I would have used those exact words but, yes. That's the gist of it right there.

Well, since I wanted post office service today, those who denied it to me must have selfish, in fact, essentially evil motives, mustn't they?

 

[collinsmark]

Well, since I wanted post office service today, those who denied it to me must have selfish, in fact, essentially evil motives, mustn't they?

Hee hee.

It's really a matter of employment contracts. When you agree to full-time employment it's usually spelled out that there will be so many paid holidays per calendar year, in addition to weekends and vacation days (and sick days, although companies are switching to the honor system for sick days recently). Sometimes these holidays are specifically spelled out on certain days. And if one of those certain days falls on a weekend, the paid holiday is moved to either a Monday or Friday (usually).

Banks and stock markets are also closed on such paid holiday days.

Here is some more information (biased for the USA): https://www.thebalance.com/paid-holiday-schedule-1917985

 

[Ibix]

Well, since I wanted post office service today, those who denied it to me must have selfish, in fact, essentially evil motives, mustn't they?

That's an interesting definition of evil you have there. But it has its advantages - do what Zooby wilt shall be the whole of the law.

 

[zoobyshoe]

...stock markets are also closed on such paid holiday days.

Huh, I thought casinos never closed.

That's an interesting definition of evil you have there. But it has its advantages - do what Zooby wilt shall be the whole of the law.

Are you saying they didn't close today to personally torment me? Poppycock!

 

[Ibix]

Huh, I thought casinos never closed.

Protective camouflage.

Are you saying they didn't close today to personally torment me? Poppycock!

Perhaps I should have said that's an interesting persecution complex you have there. <Adopts fake German accent>. Tell me all about your mother...

 

[zoobyshoe]

Protective camouflage.

Perhaps I should have said that's an interesting persecution complex you have there. <Adopts fake German accent>. Tell me all about your mother...

Well, every time I asked her to buy me a toy she said, "Well, I would but all the stores are closed today!"

 

[Ibix]

Well, every time I asked her to buy me a toy she said, "Well, I would but all the stores are closed today!"

I bet she told you the one about ice cream vans only playing music when they're out of ice cream, too.

 

[zoobyshoe]

I bet she told you the one about ice cream vans only playing music when they're out of ice cream, too.

She never even told me what ice cream was.

 

[Lisa!]

That's funny! I still have no idea why I'm a Gold Member!

 

[dkotschessaa]

I'm currently playing "Did I fail to use deodorant or is someone eating a sandwich with onions in the office?"
I do not like this game.

I think it's a sandwich.

 

[collinsmark]

I'm currently playing "Did I fail to use deodorant or is someone eating a sandwich with onions in the office?"
I do not like this game.

I think it's a sandwich.

You had mentioned earlier that you're relatively new to office life (white-collar employment outside of academia). The game you describe is quite common. It's a pastime; a funtime tradition that is deeply embedded in office culture. You may try to opt-out playing, but you'll find that your efforts are futile. Attempts to dissolve the game completely will only be met by scorn from your fellow coworkers, accusing you of curtailing personal freedoms.

My best advice is to learn to acquire a taste for vinegar+oil on sandwiches or salads, and keep a positive imagination. The rest will work itself out.

Although most people are merely muddled players, you may try to play competitively, either for fun or protest. But there are no trophies. If you do choose this route from time to time, there are immense opportunities involving microwavable casseroles.

 

[BillTre]

Although most people are merely muddled players, you may try to play competitively, either for fun or protest. But there are no trophies. If you do choose this route from time to time, there are immense opportunities involving microwavable casseroles.

Or you could take the chemical approach:
Dippel's oil
Who Me
Cadaverine
Putrescine
some of these are available from Sigma!

 

[DiracPool]

I like myself, why doesn't anybody else like me?

 

[fresh_42]

It's so difficult to say thank you online. I have the feeling it always sounds ironic even if I mean it honestly.

 

[Borg]

So... I was playing around with flowcharts this morning and one thing led to another...

 

[dkotschessaa]

@Borg It's...beautiful...

 

[dkotschessaa]

You had mentioned earlier that you're relatively new to office life (white-collar employment outside of academia). The game you describe is quite common. It's a pastime; a funtime tradition that is deeply embedded in office culture. You may try to opt-out playing, but you'll find that your efforts are futile. Attempts to dissolve the game completely will only be met by scorn from your fellow coworkers, accusing you of curtailing personal freedoms.

My best advice is to learn to acquire a taste for vinegar+oil on sandwiches or salads, and keep a positive imagination. The rest will work itself out.

Although most people are merely muddled players, you may try to play competitively, either for fun or protest. But there are no trophies. If you do choose this route from time to time, there are immense opportunities involving microwavable casseroles.

Oh, not new to this game. Just back after a long absence.

I used to work in Philadelphia, PA, home of Wawa and I think the origin of the term "hoagie." (rather than sub sandwich). I don't think they call them hoagies here, or at least they didn't until they started putting Wawas down here. What's great about Wawa is that they hired people from PA to come down and work the stores. I'm pretty sure when you step into a Wawa you are officially on Pennsylvania soil.

I realize the above paragraph probably sounds like baby-talk to our international audience.

-Dave K

 

[dkotschessaa]

This thread isn't as satisfying without @Evo every couple of pages. That might be a lot to ask though.

 

[Evo]

This thread isn't as satisfying without @Evo every couple of pages. That might be a lot to ask though.

Want to play "whack-an-Evo?

 

[dkotschessaa]

Want to play "whack-an-Evo?

 

[Tsu]

Want to play "whack-an-Evo?

ME! ME! ME! I'll play! It'll be just like when we were kids...only Mom isn't here to yell at me!

 

[Tsu]

*where's my fish? Ah...Here* THHHHHWACK!

 

[WWGD]

She never even told me what ice cream was.

This is a great line I would like to use somewhere in a conversation, but I can't figure out how!