Hahaha, I used to hang at P&P [lucky Kim still to be nearby, love that place] and I believe they have a screening sniffer dog, as well as a spare, backup dog, at the door.
I did. And I still stunk at math. My brain gave up in the middle of Algebra 1. I never got to do anything with a “cosine”. To this day I look up “trigonometry” and “calculus” in the “Oxford Dictionary of Difficult Words”, which is my favorite book next to Dave’s new book.
Eh, once I got derivatives, and the integral is just the opposite of that. Although I never figured out why we had to put all that dX/dY/dZ at the end of the equations.
Maybe this will help: while dy/dx may seem like a fraction, it's not one in the traditional sense. It represents the limit of the ratio of small changes (Δy/Δx) as Δx approaches zero. All clear now? Blame it on Leibniz. You think Leibniz's notation is difficult to understand, try his theory of monads. Busy guy was Gottfried Wilhelm. And to show how good he was, people are still scratching their heads some three centuries later.
The map of your itinerary reminds me of the kid's game you play with the yarn cobweb on your fingers-- "Cat's Cradle." Which also reminds me of a very bad song.
Barrington, RI? Really? I have relatives there, so I just bought 4 tickets for your lecture/book signing/trumpet solo event. But really...Barrington, RI?? Who booked THAT stop on your tour, the beneficiary of your life insurance policy?
Coming to Seattle! At that point in this Tour d’Dave I expect you to be on at least partial life support. Bringing my dad, who just turned 89, and my son, who turns 33 on the 19th and who always laughs louder than is socially acceptable. Can’t wait.
Apparently, you have ignored Watching Booby Grow and Ice Ice Baby in your short list of awful song lyrics. I am 150 years old and the words continue to haunt my well being.
I once did a book signing at a professional conference and one guy came up to the table, looked at the book and told the staffer he wanted to buy it. The staffer handed it to me and I asked him his name. The guy snatched the book out of my hands and said “I don’t want any writing on it!” Oh well. Sold a book at least.
I haven't been this excited for a new book since I found the answer key to my entire senior year of Spanish tests. Just be sure they don't try to put you on premature permanent display at the American Writers Museum.
Since you are planning to fly right over DFW airport, why not just land there and have a book signing? We Texans will show up! Might even buy a few copies.
Thank you for the poll, I was going to say "honey" is much worse than "I am a chair" or whatever it is. Ask Clint Eastwood, he has chairs listening to him.
Forever a fan. You wrote a nice note (meaning short and clever) to my wife, Jane, who was writing short and clever (meaning nice) magazine pieces. Remember magazines? And you probably inspired my cousin, Sandy Boynton, who shares your perspectives.
See you in random city #6 at Politics & Prose! Let me know if you need me to bring you clean underwear.
You'll be able to tell.
Hahaha, I used to hang at P&P [lucky Kim still to be nearby, love that place] and I believe they have a screening sniffer dog, as well as a spare, backup dog, at the door.
Witnessed at P&P replete with former college crony in the audience. No less entertaining than the last time I attended. Endless thanks.
How many of you people Actually Did the Math homework that was assigned?
I did. And I still stunk at math. My brain gave up in the middle of Algebra 1. I never got to do anything with a “cosine”. To this day I look up “trigonometry” and “calculus” in the “Oxford Dictionary of Difficult Words”, which is my favorite book next to Dave’s new book.
Just assume.
Forget about "the cosine". It's the integrals and differentials that really, really crush young souls.
I co-sign this sentiment: They drove me from maths in high school, I couldn't face it.
ISWYDT, Lynne!
Eh, once I got derivatives, and the integral is just the opposite of that. Although I never figured out why we had to put all that dX/dY/dZ at the end of the equations.
Maybe this will help: while dy/dx may seem like a fraction, it's not one in the traditional sense. It represents the limit of the ratio of small changes (Δy/Δx) as Δx approaches zero. All clear now? Blame it on Leibniz. You think Leibniz's notation is difficult to understand, try his theory of monads. Busy guy was Gottfried Wilhelm. And to show how good he was, people are still scratching their heads some three centuries later.
> You think Leibniz's notation is difficult to understand,…
Newton’s was worse.
Ask Newton. Or Leibnitz.
Who among us doesn't like Calculus? Especially when trig functions are involved
Arc hyperbolic cosecant?
Then there's differential equations & linear algebra!
I am still crushed and differentialed.
I can only presume, looking at your tour schedule, that you thoroughly annoyed someone at your Publishing House and your itinerary is revenge.
Also, I still believe 'MacArthur Park' is worst song ever. Though 'I am, I said' is in the top 10 (along with 'Starships').
Maynard Ferguson's version of 'MacArthur Park' is awesome. Why? No lyrics!
And Maynard’s unbelievable trumpet playing.
The map of your itinerary reminds me of the kid's game you play with the yarn cobweb on your fingers-- "Cat's Cradle." Which also reminds me of a very bad song.
Bob, I was thinking it looked more like a murder board in a bad police procedural. But I can see a Cat’s Cradle, too, now that you mention it.
See you in Rhode Island!
I still laugh about the Bad Song Survey. My favorite entry was “Ain’t No Woman Like The One-eyed Gott”!!
So you wrote a column about a book that was about your columns. Let’s see Neil Diamond do THAT!
OMG - I love the comments as much as the article itself!
I agree, Peter. All the comments here prove that many of Dave's fans are, um, not taking their medication.
Hear hear!!! We’re hilarious!
Barrington, RI? Really? I have relatives there, so I just bought 4 tickets for your lecture/book signing/trumpet solo event. But really...Barrington, RI?? Who booked THAT stop on your tour, the beneficiary of your life insurance policy?
MerryCatholic.substack.com
I'm not 100 percent sure it's an actual place.
No, it's a real place. But it makes Armonk, NY, look like midtown Manhattan ... with lots of fried clams.
Coming to Seattle! At that point in this Tour d’Dave I expect you to be on at least partial life support. Bringing my dad, who just turned 89, and my son, who turns 33 on the 19th and who always laughs louder than is socially acceptable. Can’t wait.
Apparently, you have ignored Watching Booby Grow and Ice Ice Baby in your short list of awful song lyrics. I am 150 years old and the words continue to haunt my well being.
"Watching Booby Grow?"
I once did a book signing at a professional conference and one guy came up to the table, looked at the book and told the staffer he wanted to buy it. The staffer handed it to me and I asked him his name. The guy snatched the book out of my hands and said “I don’t want any writing on it!” Oh well. Sold a book at least.
Was the book about understanding OCD?
No, but that would have been a good guess!
I haven't been this excited for a new book since I found the answer key to my entire senior year of Spanish tests. Just be sure they don't try to put you on premature permanent display at the American Writers Museum.
Since you are planning to fly right over DFW airport, why not just land there and have a book signing? We Texans will show up! Might even buy a few copies.
Apologies, I've had a LITTLE too much caffeine today - just noting that everyone has at least one godawful earworm going, so THANK YOU, DAVE! :)
Yes, W.C. Fields singing, "Chickens Have Pretty Legs in Kansas".
Thank you for the poll, I was going to say "honey" is much worse than "I am a chair" or whatever it is. Ask Clint Eastwood, he has chairs listening to him.
Niiiiiiiice Eastwood reference. 👏🏻
Aww, thank you! 🙏
Forever a fan. You wrote a nice note (meaning short and clever) to my wife, Jane, who was writing short and clever (meaning nice) magazine pieces. Remember magazines? And you probably inspired my cousin, Sandy Boynton, who shares your perspectives.