Defend Thy Thesis or Else!

"Why is it called a 'defense'? Are they going to attack?" ~ Frank


My paper doesn't have a title yet because we reorganized the paper and it has a new focus. It is about Carter surfaces, virtual knots, and the genus problem.

The whole idea of presenting my work in front of professors stresses me out even though most of my audience will be people who care about me and want me to succeed. I also think that half of the audience will get lost after the second slide (which is a good thing, because people who don't get it usually don't ask hard questions).

My thesis (master's in mathematics) defense is scheduled for April 7, 2010. If you are in the Boise area (or not), then you are welcome to come! I love support from friends and family. You may now leave me well wishes and encouragement. :)

Quotes from Class

More math class quotes by same professor:


"You can also play with these things quietly in your room."


"I feel like I'm kicking a dead horse now."


(He walks to other part of the chalkboard.) "Let me do this on scratch paper."


"What now? There are probably a bunch of definitions and horrible lemmas I don't even want to prove."

I loathe... (part 6)

I loathe unloading the dishwasher.
I loathe chalk.
I loathe when people text "I have a question" or "I have news" then don't text back until you text "Ok what?"

Shout Out

We have two less wisdom teeth here in Daba Town. David had his pulled yesterday. His doctor said that he had really deep, curved roots that had grown together under his gums- very stubborn teeth- but they "came out beautifully."

Props to the Dentist:
- Welcoming atmosphere by the assistants and office ladies.
- Dental assistant constantly asked about David's comfort.
- A job well done by Dr. Vania.
- Well prepared conversation about how to take care David once he gets home.
- A bag full of treats picked specifically to help David with his first night after surgery.
- Two phone calls from the office to check up on him, both within 24 hours of the surgery, and one was from the doctor personally (much later in the evening than office hours).
- Semi-cheap considering we don't have insurance.


We are so pleased with the entire experience that we want to tell everyone about our dentist!
If you are in the Boise area and are looking for a dentist, then call 208-375-0665 and ask to see Dr. Harding or Dr. Vania.

Quotes from Class

Olympic Edition:

"The Jordan-Holder Theorem deserves a medal. It's just as important, if not more so, than skiing."



"I should get a medal- Fastest Proposition 5.57 Prover. Now let me go on TV and drag bits of my private life out."



"You brush your teeth as a warm up for your math course."



"Let's prove this- I might run out of patience, but then I only get the silver medal."

I loathe... (part 5)

I loathe the word "chagrin."
I loathe having unfinished craft projects with no time to work on them.
I loathe Family Guy.

Quotes from Class

My math professor is hilarious. We all agree he isn't trying to be funny.


"I wouldn't know how to define 'theorem.' Theorems are just statements, like, 'All cats are gray,' except theorems are supposed to be true, and this one isn't- (pause) by counterexample."


"Criminal things always pay off - so that's always an option."



"The devil would have to do a lot of screwing to make this not isomorphic to that."