Monday, November 27, 2006

Mini Mac Maths

Jean and Dave sat with Little Mac and his sweet daughter Mini Mac and enjoyed a delightful Chinese meal at the Tea House. The food was lovely and the conversation took on it's usual range from "How best to go the toilet" to "A woman's place in the home".

When it came time to leave, Little and Mini would be heading once more for the museum, whereas dave and Jean would be heading for the comforts of home. Jean, for some strange reason, had decided to wear lady's shoes today and her feet where now paying the price. Dave knew from his own experiences that wearing lady's shoes was always a mistake, but Jean simply refused to learn this.

"So why does Dave have to go?" asked Mini Mac

"Dave's only young," replied Little, "He can't stay out by himself."

"He's not..." argued Mini

"He IS," replied Little, " He's ONLY 22!"

Now it's possible Mini didn't fully understand how old 22 was, but she was wise enough to have learnt years ago that when her daddy speaks in that silly tone of voice it means he's talking out of the wrong hole. "He's NOT!"

"I AM 22," joined in Dave, " I REALLY AM." To which Mini Mac gave a look which clearly said, "Why do you humour my father, it just encourages him, please Dave, I expected better from you."

Jean now also dived in, "How old do you think I am?" Mini Mac was clearly unsure how to answer. "I'm 24," replied Jean for her.

To this Mini was very very happy. "Like me?!?! Your 4?!?!"

Only 4 and already better than her daddy at maths.

Wonder where she gets that from?

Wednesday, November 15, 2006

HULK SMASH!!

One week earlier, Dave had everything sorted out. The perfect statistical method for his data had been dropped right in his lap and all he had to do was program it in.

This turned out not to be so simple. Alas, PhD programs rarely are.

One week later, his program improved several times so that it could now work stuff out in a matter of minutes what his first attempt took weeks to do, he was all ready to run it.

And, with great pride, he found out, incredibly quickly, that this method actually didn't work for his data at all and it was back to the drawing board.

Dave's blood began to boil. His muscles began to burst out of his top, his skin turning green. He picked up the ancient relic known as his computer and smashed it into a thousand little pieces. He then continued to smash and bash everything in his path.

On seeing a mirror, he stared into his rage filled eyes and roared, "Whoa, green is TOTALLY MY colour."....

OK, so the hulk out and the smashing of the office didn't actually occur,

but it's the thought that counts.