Day of Days

Today was the last day of finals.  I’ve been studying everyday since last week.  I did well overall, in calculus, econometrics, I expect excellents grades.  In Cost Benefit analysis, a class that was a lot of fun considering it is the hardest class I’ve ever taken, I will accept whatever I get.  I worked hard for that grade, and it represents a lot of sweat and tears.  The linear algebra final I took, inspired me to go home, and change my schedule to avoid ever taking that teacher again.  My grade in there is a big question mark.  The professor was a nightmare, and I’m frustrated with him for how much he may have ruined my understanding of the subject.  We’ll see how it goes, but I hope I get a least a B.

Now, for some time off…

My Mathematical Mind

The last few weeks, I have started to really see different things I’m studying come together in a way that lights the path to my future.  I’m taking econometrics, which is using statistics to measure changes in multiple variables, while holding other variables constant.  It’s based in matrix algebra.  I’m learning that too, though my class is called linear algebra, and I’m in calculus II.  Since econometrics is so important to my grad school ambitions, it’s exciting that the picture is coming into focus.  So today, I was in lecture and the prof. brought up this point about graphing error terms in the multiple regression model.  I noticed that the graph she used was parametric and asked about it later, which clearly impressed her.  She asked if I was in higher level-math.   

 Parametric equations are hard to explain, even for a textbook, but it’s as though you make the x and y terms into their own equations and then find a relationship for them. 

Anyway, the same thing happened last week, when my prof. was explaining the vectors/matrices of the regression model, and I realized the importance of linear independence to the model.  Linear independence means that the columns/rows are a not functions of other rows.

It’s exciting to see it coming together, like my world is lit a little brighter.  Cheers!

It’s in the mail!

Not the check, the digital SLR.  I can’t wait till it gets here.  I really can’t.  I haven’t felt like this in a long time, it’s nice to be excited about something.  Here’s what my new baby looks like.   And to brag a little, I’m paying a lot less than the price they list there–a LOT less.

Work, run, work, run…

I just finished a monster amount of homework.  I really wasn’t sure if I’d finish it all in time, but I pulled it off, dang.

 I’m taking econometrics this semester which is a great tool for economists, but not terribly interesting to discuss.  I’m also taking this Economics Projects Evaluation class, though, which is really an extenstion, more in-depth, of microeconomics.  I am really loving micro.  I think that is the direction I will be headed in for grad school.  The homework in that I just finished was fun, even if I sweated bullets as to whether I’d get it done or not.  I feel good now, anyway.  

 I actually skipped my usual visit to the gym, to get to all this homework, but yesterday I had a nice run in the park.   I’ve seen a slight bump in pace each year after the marathon.  I’m seeing that again, though, my run yesterday was under a PR.  What was notable was I ran a mile at a 7-min. pace.  That’s a first (I think).   I’ve learned recently how much form matters, it can be the difference between pain, soreness, a slow pace, and the opposite of those things.

 Oh, yeah, this awesome Alaskan Malamute that I’ve been fostering since August went to a new potential home.  I miss him so much, and it’s been two days.  I guess it’ll get better.  I  love you, Rocky!

A thought about truth

I came up with this in response to a blog asking “Is an omission a lie?”  I’m not sure I should answer that person’s blog, so I’m posting this here, because I want to think about it more later.

 I’m not sure the question can be answered without a concrete definition for what is otherwise a subjective value.  A more interesting question, in my experience is, can one avoid omitting information that distorts their personal narrative beyond another individual’s recognizable truth?  Is there any common ground of truth that can be reached?  In my experience, truth is impossible except in the context of one’s solipsism.