Associations.

A song, whenever experienced, immediately bringing to mind a book, a story, a magical world.

I remember the first time I really wondered what a mathematical model would look like. It was in one of those circular stairwells that almost seem like "the four towers" that stand at the four corners of Linn-Benton Community College's main courtyard, it was in the southeast stairwell that I wondered, thought about what in the world a mathematical model would be like. I pictured them as something of a hi-tech 3-D image, something like what a computer-aided design software package is. But what you could do with them, how you could use them practically--I had no idea.

A relatively simple example of a mathematical model would be a linear regression model. When generated, this model can help you predict what will happen in the future regarding specific data. If you have 100 horsepower, you can go 23 mph. If you have 120 horsepower, how fast can you go now? A linear regression model might help you estimate that.

You know, academics think that they tackle difficult problems and take pride in systematically analyzing and solving them, but there arise in relationships problems so difficult that they make the hardest "n-machine scheduling problem" seem almost simple. At least you have an idea of where to go and what to do to figure it out.

Sometimes in relationships there doesn't seem to be a solution, or at least not a good one.

Long ride up to Seattle to pick up Uncle Paul, Aunt Dorcas and fam. So, so nice to see them, what a great family. They were totally beat.

Quite a time getting up there. The van I was supposed to pick them up in was in the shop, but it wasn't done. So they just put it together, but they didn't get it to me until about a quarter after 10. I wanted to leave at 10 because they were to get in at 3:59 and I wanted to pick up some Krispy Kreme's for them. But before I could leave we had to perform a major mechanical surgery on the van and take the back seat out. It actually should have been really easy, but we (dad and I) started taking big bolts out, when there was in reality a little spring mechanism that would have popped it out real nice like.

So I didn't get left until almost 11. Things went pretty smoothly until I got off on exit 132 to try to find Krispy Kreme. I had jotted down sketchy directions, figuring I could find it, but of course I had to wander around on the wrong side of the freeway for 10 minutes before I decided to go to the other side that looked a little more KK-esque than the residential-type neighborhood I was cruising.

Upon securing the delights that are KK doughnuts, I hit the road again, ever watchful for SeaTac airport signs. Being a little consternated at the approaching arrival time, I was ever vigilant as I made my way up I-5. But I missed the exit. I don't know how, but I did. So I had to turn around, and this time, boom! Exited safely and correctly.

Followed the signs for the airport and then, for parking. All's well until I find out that the van is too tall to park in the parking garage! What am I to do? I don't know. What I did was drive around the terminal several times, working myself up and realizing that, dude, it's time for them to be getting in and I can't figure out if I'll have to park in overnight parking. Then I saw the sign for oversized parking. Woo-hoo...

I finally got into the airport, but they didn't appear for another 45 minutes or more because they had some problems with luggage. But we were all happy to see each other, and to some of them it didn't seem real that they were in the Pacific Northwest. They were very, very tired.

Bad traffic on the way home slowed us down and then I hit something on the road, still don't know what it was. It was small, though, and I think it was that little thing that gave us the flat tire. Somehow, Paul's jack was not in the van, so he called AAA, who sent a guy out and fixed us up.

Got home about midnight.

How's that for news?

You haven't really lived until you've know the love of Jesus.
His purpose and His plan, a perfect treasure.
Like the sun breaking through, everything is brand new,
And it will last forever;
You haven't really lived until you've known the love of God.

You know, I was going to post this on Friday but then I decided not to, for no good reason.

On Friday, the angels had a party, and God surely smiled, because a sinner became a saint! Brandon Beach became a Christian! It's so, incredibly awesome. That's as exciting of news as you could have...

God still moves in the heart of people.

Nay for segmentation faults.

A society is in bad shape when it places a greater value upon a mediocre philosopher than a good plumber because neither its pipes nor its theories will hold water.

Yay for segmentation faults.

Saturday's aren't very good blogging days. I was 23-9 in picking the first round of the NCAA basketball tournament. I shot a 52 for nine holes today at Trysting Tree. I helped some people with SAT prep. We're going to watch The Lion King 1 and a half.

La la la.