distance

the distance the earth is from the sun, is of utmost importance, when understanding life.

the distance the nearest diner is from my humble abode, needs be closer.

the sun

it's important.

As God as my witness, I will try to make mathematics approachable

Math is too cool, too interesting and too relevant to be thought of as the subject, "I can't do." The reality of that situation is that the person who stood before you, "Can't Teach Math." There are so many things to take notice and note of, but recently, I believe there is a large problem with the way in which we teach mathematics. When something is taught poorly, it is not always an easy fix when faced with the proportion of who was taught right, or who is capable to teach it properly.

The point is, it's important to teach it properly. There really are explanations in mathematical language, and for better or worse, much of our life is surrounded by it. So there is the reason in its applicability. But the great thing about us as human beings is our consistent imagination, and our wonder. In some ways, math seems limitless, and yet so focused. This balance, this creation not just made by our minds but created in Natural Laws can be tangible, fun and immensely inspiring.

I imagine a day, inspiring children to figure math out on their own. To explore the ways it works, and to understand its ambiguity and wonder, but also its quirky rules, and why. This helps each other learn, and create our own flare with mutual understanding. How differently our brains can come to mutual reason through different mathematical processing is a skill not to be forgotten. This kind of awareness is essential.

Dry Ice

I never took chemistry. I somehow avoided it and regretfully don't know much more than the idea of it. Today in the mail, came a box filled with dry ice and buffalo meat, a gift sent to Parker for his birthday. I was more excited about the dry ice, as I placed it into a plastic cup, given free to me at the Big Texan from Amarillo, TX. The clouds of vapor were swaying whichever way I directed them too.

After a while I wanted to figure out how to take the really big piece and make it "smoke." With excitement, I threw the largest piece into a metal mixing bowl. Parker, worried and trying to change my mind, did not speak fast enough. As soon as I tossed the block in, it started violently reacting with the metal in the bowl, sending vibrations through my hands up to my arms. Trying to control my laughter, and not cause any harm, I tossed the ice right back into its container.

I wish I knew more about chemistry. But earlier this morning, I wished I had more mystery. So I'll accept the mystery for now, and allow the spontaneous reaction to become real. It is still incredible to know that the chemistry which exists in our world, involves strong reactions.

It was a history lesson

so they peeled the dried skin off the rocks

and found little diamonds made of water

while feeling like thieves.

And before they knew it

they were dark skinned and frail

realizing that beauty didn't mean pleasure

and much to their dismay

hard didn't mean sweet.

Instead of wandering

they had found their mates

and hid away

even though what they were doing

was no secret.

Was it important to see?

Important to hear?

Well, it was

easy to pretend

and to find a stranger

knowing that they weren't a stranger at all.

don't forget why there is science

I feel like writing. I'm in Los Angeles, CA and I've been living here for a little over two months. I'm finding that a lot of people here like to decorate their home with inspiration from Zen Buddhism, and feel the need to connect with some form of Eastern spirituality. Except, they like the materials and the image of the idea, rather than the purpose.

While currently unemployed, I have indulged in two readings, Sophie's World and The Scientists: A history of science told through the lives of the greatest inventors. I'm learning the development of "European" philosophy and science, and the creators of these subjects. In my lense, they are inspiring individuals with extreme creativity and passion for purity in thought, through reason and curiosity. These are the fathers of philosophy, math, astronomy and more to come, and they seem just as "Christ-like" as any other spiritual figure. My particular communication goal is to put clearly the fact that science and philosophy were set forth with good, honest intention. Unfortunately, through some force of "evil," it has been manipulated and abused by groups such as Pharmaceutical companies, Nuclear chemists etc.

The concrete goals for thought such as how does the universe work, where does an idea come from, and nature vs. nurture, were created through method and specific people searching for meaning. I think it is unwise to appreciate or not appreciate an idea, without understanding how it came to be, and the people that played rolls in a historical evolution.

Soup

I love Pho.

Especially when I am sick --- today I feel itchy and achy in every region above my neck.

Unfortunately I woke up and ate a bagel with lox so I'm not hungry enough for Pho yet, but I know as soon as I indulge it is going to make me feel a whole lot better (I am Jewish and Scandinavian. There is no way I can not love smoked salmon).

I've been dreaming very vividly for the past two months, and using it to write poetry. Here's the poem I wrote after waking up this morning:

I was on a train

the kind that circled around a tree

the passengers weren't all human

but a replica of Martin Luther King Jr was there.

So Oprah turned it into a game

and we didn't care because she was rich

and when we returned to school

with fat wallets and wet hair

the cupcakes weren't a surprise

in fact they were forgotten.

The search was to find money

and put it into the right order.

You couldn't leave the room with your stash

but out was where the bowl was

the bowl promised to be filled with the most cash.

But, leaving your money inside, while you were out

gave others the opportunity to snatch.

My dad knew where the bowl was

inside the maracas in the garage.

Peeling open the packaging I found just a toy mouse inside

and we laughed for having easily found it

watching all the paranoid players

taking the risk

to find something

that wasn't even there.