What Were The Odds?

What do you think are the odds? I asked, wondering whether Ben would follow my advice and derive the quadratic equation using coefficients D/E/F instead of the traditional a/b/c.

92 percent, my brother predicted.

65-80 percent, guessed Melissa.

They seemed overly optimistic. I was certain the advice went in one ear and promptly out the other.

The next time I saw Ben I asked him, Say, did you derive the quadratic formula with D/E/F?

No, he said.

Aha, I thought.

Then he added, I derived it with L/M/N.

10:36:34 PM   permalink: []   feedback:   comments: []  

Morning Mug Shot

I made the mistake of having my picture taken as early as I could. My face is always puffy in the morning. And on top of that, Houston abuses my eyes. I should have known better. I should have waited until the afternoon.

This is a non-smiling picture, the woman said. So I didn't smile.

I stood there puffy-faced, eyes bloodshot and looking punched out, smileless, with what looked like a five o'clock shadow on my chin. The camera flashed, and my thug of a picture was printed onto a temporary badge.

As I entered Building 16, I walked somewhat in shame and hoped that I might figure out a way to have the picture retaken when I get a permanent badge.

10:08:01 PM   permalink: []   feedback:   comments: []