Category:
Personal
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27th October 2011The Joy of NatureAt least once in a while, a day comes along which knocks you on your ass. Yesterday was such a day. All week the sea had been rough, but to begin with it was accompanied by high winds and low, rainy clouds. It's no coincidence that the most dramatic aspects of nature are often the most inhospitable ones. The conditions weren't good for sitting out and appreciating the waves - but yesterday everything was perfect. The sea was just as violent, yet the weather had cleared to one of those beautifully sunny autumn days that I always hope for. I leave the ...
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18th October 2011I Am a NerdThe popular understanding of what is it to be a ‘nerd’ is not right. I’m not saying that people are using the word differently than defined: I’m saying that I don’t think the current definition is quite what it should be. Google calls a nerd: “an intelligent, single-minded expert in a particular technical discipline or profession”. Wikipedia says: “Nerd is a term that refers to an intelligent but single-minded person obsessed with a nonsocial hobby or pursuit”. My definition of nerdiness (which I believe I came to through Marco) is along the same lines. But it’s a bit simpler. As far ...
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17th October 2011It’s a RiotThis is not a funny post. I moved back to St Andrews a month ago and I’ve enjoyed just about every minute since. I love it here. So far, my second year at St Andrews has been very different from my first. I’m now doing only maths modules; the maths is harder and there’s more of it. This semester I’m doing modules entirely in pure mathematics, which I think is great. Next semester will be more applied, but pure is where my heart is. I’m currently taking 3 modules: a 2nd year one called Algebra & Analysis, a 3rd year one about ...
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16th September 2011Going BackI'm moving back to St Andrews tomorrow morning. I haven't been this excited in years.
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5th September 2011A Very Strange ManI want to try something different here today. A few weeks ago, in the middle of August, I was taking the train down south. As usual I took the Highland Chieftain ((The Highland Chieftain is the only train from Perth which goes to Edinburgh and then directly onto the ECML and London. I like it because it means I don't have to change, and I get to travel on an HST.)) but on this day it was delayed for 10 minutes before being allowed to enter Perth station. By the time I'd got on and travelled to York, we'd lost even ...
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About Wilf's Blog
I'm a mathematician, but apart from that, I'm a fairly normal guy. I used to write a blog - this blog. I write (wrote) about whatever is on my mind. It can get quite personal sometimes.
