I'm currently home in Texas taking a break from my research in Massachusetts. Lots of catching up, lots of summer frisbee. And last weekend, I headed up (or is it down) to San Marcos to see people back at my old summer camp. So, how did that go?

For most of this summer, I've been regretting not going back to math camp, as I did the previous two years. I don't have an internship and I guess I could always apply for a UROP during the school year. I've also missed my Texas friends dearly and obviously would have liked a couple of weeks together.

One thing that I often don't see is how my current actions will affect the future. In a similar predicament a few years ago, my parents overruled my decision, and years later, I'm grateful for that. Apparently I haven't changed much, but this weekend really let me peek at what would have been.

In someone else's words, it felt really strange to be there, but not really be there. I didn't know most of the first year campers, and I'm not close to most of the second year campers. Noticeably, there were very few people older than me. Even with the people I do consider to be my close friends, I felt I was intruding and trying to hang onto something that's not mine. These people I used to be close to are now close to each other and I don't belong. I see now, that at some point, I just have to let go of some relationships.

Don't get me wrong, it was very nice to see people and "catch up", but what was really shown to me this weekend is the purpose of math camp in my life. When I first went, it broadened my horizons, taught me about myself and others, introduced me to new people, and helped me form connections that have lasted at least several years later. I definitely didn't know how to socialize, although I'm still not sure about that now. I networked with other students across Texas, and now that they've graduated, students across the US. Even my fraternal affiliation can be explained through randomness in conjunction with a contact from camp.

But with each generation of new students, and time taking its toll on me, much of that usefulness becomes limited. Even if I stay in touch, I wouldn't see many campers except one or two days year unless I and the respective people kept going back. And there has to be a stopping point sometime for most people, so the cycle has to break.

Where do I go from here? I use the lessons, contacts, and opportunities math camp has given me. And always keep the future in mind: what will I do after college, what career do I eventually want, and how can I prepare a family life? I'm thankful for all that math camp has added to my life, so I wouldn't consider this a separation; I'd definitely enjoy giving colloquiums from time to time.

No matter how you look at it though, the era of math camp fun and games is over for me; time has dictated that. And so, I conclude with some lyrics from "Viva la Vida":

I used to rule the world
Seas would rise when I gave the word
Now in the morning I sleep alone
Sweep the streets I used to own

I used to roll the dice
Feel the fear in my enemies eyes
Listen as the crowd would sing:
"Now the old king is dead! Long live the king!"

One minute I held the key
Next the walls were closed on me
And I discovered that my castles stand
Upon pillars of salt, and pillars of sand

I hear Jerusalem bells are ringing
Roman Cavalry choirs are singing
Be my mirror my sword and shield
My missionaries in a foreign field
For some reason I can not explain
Once you know there was never, never an honest word
That was when I ruled the world

It was the wicked and wild wind
Blew down the doors to let me in.
Shattered windows and the sound of drums
People could not believe what I'd become
Revolutionaries Wait
For my head on a silver plate
Just a puppet on a lonely string
Oh who would ever want to be king?

I hear Jerusalem bells are ringing
Roman Cavalry choirs are singing
Be my mirror my sword and shield
My missionaries in a foreign field
For some reason I can not explain
I know Saint Peter won't call my name
Never an honest word
And that was when I ruled the world

I recently read Prisoner's Dilemma, by William Poundstone, fully expecting an in-depth introduction and philosophical discussion about the prisoner's dilemma. Instead, the book took the form of a biography about John von Neumann and a historical analysis of tactics used in the Cold War. Even though I'd heard some admiration for von Neumann, I never truly understood his impact on modern day economics (especially game theory) and computer science until now. Poundstone treats von Neumann like a heroic genius, and why not, considering his achievements for the military. The book opened my eyes for things that I should know more about but didn't, such as the Bay of Pigs Invasion, the Cuban Missile Crisis, and RAND think-tank. If less example and more material is what you crave, this book has details on other game theory problems. Aside from prisoner's dilemma, it mentions deadlock, stag hunt, chicken, and the auctioning of a dollar. It was a very informative and fascinating read, altogether, and now if I ever need to give a talk to students, I think I would be comfortable talking about Prisoner's Dilemma.

Xevarion linked me this a while back:
http://www.opticien-lentilles.com/daltonien_beta/new_test_daltonien.php

I was wondering what bertram's signature referred to.

Click to reveal hidden content

http://www.artofproblemsolving.com/Forum/weblog_entry.php?t=207530
http://www.artofproblemsolving.com/Forum/weblog_entry.php?t=206910
http://www.artofproblemsolving.com/Forum/weblog_entry.php?t=205442

Summary of how we run our vertical stack:

Back of the stack MUST cut
If you're tired, don't be in the back of the stack
No horizontal cuts for cutters!
If you're poached (open), get people's attention
Clear out as fast as you can to finish your cut
Give the stack space, but don't be too deep
Different setup on sidelines
Look to dump early
Make continuation cuts after dump-swing
You can't take away everything on defense unless you just completely own your match-up
Thus, force your guy to make a specific cut
If you're marking dump, don't let the up-line cut
After handler makes throw, try to get in the way
Defender should jump a little earlier

Edelweiss, Edelweiss,
Every morning you greet me.
Small and white, clean and bright,
You look happy to meet me.

Blossom of snow, may you bloom and grow,
Bloom and grow, forever.
Edelweiss, Edelweiss,
Bless my homeland forever.

The first thing I remember is walking along Vassar Street thinking I had finals to study for. I passed Julian along the way and he said he'd catch up to me. After I passed Simmons Hall, the concrete turned into a dirt road, and I decided I should start skateboarding down it. I passed Gilbert also until I met up with a group of people, including Jessie, Jessica, Alka, and Kristen in front of a fenced off dirt field. We decided to hop the fence and thought it was no big deal until a herd of really fat animals (I don't remember, maybe Stegosaurus?) nearly stampeded us. A group of police showed up and caught us trespassing, sentencing us to go to my middle school, CSMS. I walked out of the room across from Ms. Garza's (maybe it was Mr. Mullen's room? Too long ago...) down the hall, being stalked by Jeffrey Chen along the way. When I exited the building's main entrance, I saw a mini-van about to take off for a math competition, among them Kevin Chen, Jeffrey Chan, and Millie all donning the burnt orange Texas ARML shirts. So I walked home (like my home in Texas) thinking that I had to study for a Spanish final and a Mathcounts final. When I got home I called Kristen and she said I didn't have Spanish, but instead computer science, and then offered me a ride to school the next day. So, Kristen picked me up the next day along with some other people, but we drove past the middle school and past an amusement park. Suddenly, Kristen was driving like one of those vehicles in rides at water parks and the road turned to a river in a huge water slide. We went down several falls until the last one was too steep and we all fell out into the water below. Someone grabbed me down deeper into the water until I pulled them off and resurfaced. And then I woke up...

This is the virtual haircut clip. Put on some headphones, close your eyes, and listen.


You can find more by Googling auditory illusions.

Probably seen this before. I feel like I have, anyway.
http://www.2flashgames.com/f/f-178.htm