Not for the faint of art. |
Complex Numbers A complex number is expressed in the standard form a + bi, where a and b are real numbers and i is defined by i^2 = -1 (that is, i is the square root of -1). For example, 3 + 2i is a complex number. The bi term is often referred to as an imaginary number (though this may be misleading, as it is no more "imaginary" than the symbolic abstractions we know as the "real" numbers). Thus, every complex number has a real part, a, and an imaginary part, bi. Complex numbers are often represented on a graph known as the "complex plane," where the horizontal axis represents the infinity of real numbers, and the vertical axis represents the infinity of imaginary numbers. Thus, each complex number has a unique representation on the complex plane: some closer to real; others, more imaginary. If a = b, the number is equal parts real and imaginary. Very simple transformations applied to numbers in the complex plane can lead to fractal structures of enormous intricacy and astonishing beauty. |
Sundays are for reflection in here, and this year, New Year's Eve, which seems to be a popular day for reflection, happens to fall on a Sunday. The random numbers pointed me to an entry almost precisely two and a half years ago, during a somewhat memorable trip: "Elsewhere in Minnesota" As it was a travel update, no external links to deal with. I've decided to stay in the Minneapolis area until July 5. That decision (or rather, the illusion of decision) would end up altering the course of my life. Though, to be fair, any other decision, if one were possible, could have ended up way worse. In the entry, I proceeded to briefly describe a brewery visit. And this place brewed the most delicious mead I've ever enjoyed. This is still the case, though I don't know if their quality has changed by now, or if they're even still doing mead. I don't think I meant to be cagey about the name of the brewery; it's this one. I'd call it a happy mead-ium, but I'd never stoop so low. I can't recall a single other brewery that I've been to brewing mead... And I still can't, though I know they exist. This statement may have been misleading, because what I meant to convey that it's rare for a beer brewery to also make mead. Obviously, places dedicated to mead but not beer exist, and obviously, I've visited them. Four days after this entry, my car would get totaled and that would be it for traveling for well over a year, except for some excursions in others' vehicles. So I haven't been back to Minneapolis since. |