The top 64%

Today I received an e-mail in regards to the math competition that was on Saturday. They've updated the web site to include the answers to the problems and the rankings of the competitors. It turns out 57 people went. I was ranked 36th out of them -- not too bad, I guess. My companion Mark did much worse -- 52nd -- but I would attribute that to my having had an extra math class rather than the fact that he hardly tried at all.

Yesterday was the first day back to school since the variety show on Thursday night. Everyone -- friends, teachers, and that's it -- said that my act was good. But the few people who could bear to tell the truth pointed out that I stood as stiff and emotionless as a stiff, emotionless person while I was on stage. I didn't want to be the focus of attention because I wasn't singing. And I did crack a grin throughout (well, I think so, anyway -- my own family can't even recognize when I'm smiling). What was I supposed to do, light my guitar on fire and smash it around? So I don't have the best stage presence. I would have been more active if I had sung.

Yesterday I made my first real conversation on Skype, the free PC/phone service which I've mentioned recently. It was with a British guy who has a site (looking at the site, it seems like he's blogged about it too). We mostly talked politics -- not my favorite subject, but I've got some things to say -- and I was surprised to hear that he was more interested in American politics than that of his own kingdom. I'll have to chat with him again. As I wrote this, I talked to my friend Gilbert, whom I just coaxed into downloading the software, so that makes two. If you're a Skype user, my Skype name is fanofthefabfour.

The world's thinnest building is the Sam Kee Building in Vancouver, British Columbia. It's 1.5 m deep, which boggles the mind. Wonder how (or if) business does in there?