May 30, 2008
Unfortunately for you, I once again have no graphics to adequately convey what I am researching. This week was another flood of terms such as Gaussian curvatures, osculating circles, helices, tangential vectors, level curves, line of foci, and other fun mathematical concepts. I won’t go into much more detail since we’re basically still learning the needed concepts, but we did have one big change. We are completely altering our area of research. Our group is no longer researching the curvature of blood vessels. Now we are the “double bubble” group. Our adviser had done some research on this area in the past and we are now exploring new realms of it. As simple background, a circle is the absolute best way to contain a given area with the smallest possible perimeter. Likewise, a sphere is the most efficient way to contain a given volume with the smallest surface area. However, we are looking at the efficiency of what happens when two bubbles (spheres) bump into each other and combine. We are looking at how we can contain the most volume with the least surface area. Our whole group is pretty excited about this and we’re looking forwards to new adventures. Our group is really working well together. We’re joking around with Ole and Lena jokes (which only a few of us get) yet moving forwards as fast as we can (which means as fast as I can). We added another member who arrived back from Hong Kong study abroad which brings our total for Oldham Scholars in the group to three, which is really funny to me. Anyways, more updates and better pictures to come soon.
The other major event of the week was moving into the on-campus apartments on Sunday. It’s a much longer walk to get to my research building and dining centers, but it has more room and a kitchen. I’m rooming with one of my friends and two of his friends. Hopefully, we all continue to get along. I somehow got everything moved, including my futon. It took most of the day, but I’m all settled now.
My friends who helped me move in
Now that I have a lot more free time, I have undertaken the task of getting myself back into as good of shape as possible. Every day, either during lunch or after work, I go to the gym for about an hour and run, bike, row, or swim. Additionally, I’m trying to eat healthier and make other small adjustments. The desserts at our dining center are incredible, but I’m trying my best to resist them more often. I’m rather sore from the gym, but I’ll keep up my new life as long as possible.
Some of the rest of my free time is spent hanging out with other research participants. Every Thursday, our math research group goes out to eat at a local restaurant together. We also have one event planned each week just for us. This week’s activity was going to Coldstone for ice cream. It’s nice to be able to see each other and our professors without talking about math or work at all. Future events include movie nights and game nights.
Some of the math researchers at Coldstone
However, I don’t need someone to plan a night for movies and games. I got together with some science researchers on Thursday night for Catchphrase and Taboo. It got a bit out of control and some of us had tears in our eyes from laughing so hard, but you have to realize what you’re getting yourself into when you start a game night with me.
Elizabeth was on the floor crying because she was
laughing so hard during game night
Finally, I’ve been working hard to bring a disc golf course to the University of Richmond. This has taken a lot of my time with communicating with local disc golfers as well as administration and potential designers. However, if it all works out, I’ll be really excited.
Quote of the Week: “If people do not believe that mathematics is simple, it is only because they do not realize how complicate life is” - John Louis von Neumann
Thought to Ponder: Why are some blackboards green?
Shout Outs: Anyone who’s ever braved a game night with me
YouTube Video of the Week:
I saw this on TV and was amazed that a human body can do that
