I'm convinced the math room here is magic. Also: math people are weird. Yes, that's right, I said math people. At least they don't experience emotions the same way that normal people do. Normal people being, of course, english majors. Also, their communication is different. Their speech seems to be filled with minute, subtle beeps and whirs - has anyone else noticed that? Anyway, I've decided that math is a language - I know, I'm slow. The application of this knowledge occurs when certain math people are attempting to communicate something, usually exasperated (more whirring when this happens): they all say the same things differently. Prefaced with a little "This is how I do it.." they relate the same thing with different sounds. And here I thought math was a science. All exact and stuff. That's a lie. Or at least a myth.

There is a science major (a subset of the math species, but basically the same thing) in one of my english classes - American Literature II - who decided she needed to "read more". So for her final semester as an undergrad as an elective she chose... American Literature II. I learned this on the first day of classes a couple of hours after I learned with what magnificent grace and raw power the head math people over at the KAP offices could orchestrate and execute complicated logistical problems like herding a couple of thousand math-tards through an introductory intermediate catch-up course (and was astounded). Bemused, (I think), I sat and watched her squirm as our century-old literature buff-type rattled on (and off) about a smattering of topics vaguely related to the class at hand. Apparently, she had no idea how we word-smiths rolled. On the verge of panic, at break she asked me if all english classes were like this. "Well, I suppose... " I replied. She couldn't get over the fact that we had a huge reading list with no schedule - just a general order. "You know, we'll read Thoreau and when we're done we'll read Whitman and when we're done we'll..." She was horrified. Afterwards she actually approached the old prof and asked him what she could expect on any given day in the class. She needed her parameters damn it! He only stood there, mouth agape, as this odd creature whirred and buzzed in his general direction.

As far as the magicity of the above-mentioned math room, I suspect it has something to do with the fact that I go in there not having any math done (and not knowing how to do it), and come out having math done (with a shadow of a memory of having done it).

That's all for now. Broadcasting live from The Underground: may God be with you all.

JS