Laboratory of Mathematics and Writing

I'm Going Through a Mid-life Crisis I just realized I'm through a mid-life crisis (albeit, prematurely). Now, normally it manifests itself through purchases of fancy (land or water) vehicles. I was never into such things. So, I'm not going to dump $60k on a Corvette (I don't know what they're actually worth). No, my mid-life crisis is manifestly differently, but also typical. First, I am a musician. I play guitar. So I went out and bought more guitars than I will ever need. I've always been into Jacksons, especially dinkies, so I have quite a few of those. I also have a few Charvels, Schecters, and some old 80s Yamahas. I think my guitar niche is finding inexpensive guitars that are still rare. For instance, I have a very rare Fernandes Revolver that was made back in the 2000s. Fernandes is no longer in business. I am also into retro-game collecting; specifically Super Nintendo, Sega Dreamcast, and, as of last week, ...

My Master's Degree Is Now Useless It's been a little over a decade since I acquired my master's degree in mathematics. The industry I am employed in now requires no such qualification. In fact, all you really need is a few certifications and some hands-on experience that can be showed off in a portfolio. Which makes me wonder if all those years of hard work to get that degree where a waste. The logical side of me says "Yes!", but the sentimental side of me is speaking a bigger "No!". I was a adjunct instructor at a community college and a part-time tutor for six years after I graduated. I definitely touched the hearts and minds of hundreds of students and even converted a few math-haters out there. I still have Hallmark cards that some of my students gave me. I should have saved a screen shot of the many emails telling me thank you. Hell, I should have saved those the end-of-semester reviews where my students often ...

Demlich Has a LinkedIn An obscure yet legendary Finnish death metal band has a LinkedIn. I totally did not expect that. They never posted anything. So, it's not like there's anything to see. I'm just pleasantly surprised that a Demlich LinkedIn page exists at all. Demilich has only a single album to their name: Nespithe (anagram for The Spine). It's definitely the most unique music you will listen to, even among extreme metal. Unless you're accustomed to the heavy distorted guitars, pounding drums, and guttural cave monster vocals, you'll probably be put off by it. I love it. It's one of my absolute favorites. I just purchased a cassette tape version of it. There's just simply nothing like Demilich; only imitators.

Timedriver - Dreams of a New Dystopia The science fiction sub-genre of cyberpunk is all the rage these days. The release of film Blade Runner 2049 and video game Cyberpunk 2077 released in 2017 and 2020 respectively have piked interest in the sub-genre. Even more, the rise of AI tools like chatGPT among many others has inspired more people to contemplate how technological progress will affect humanity. It is in this background we witnress the rise of cyberpunk synthwave artists. It is in this background Timedriver released Dreams of a New Dystopia . There's definitely dystopian element to Dreams of a New Dystopia . But there's also colorful melodies reminiscent of neon lights to remind us that even in a dystopain city, there are still endless possibilities. Per chance, to even have a good time. That's probably the feelings this album evokes. Sure, the world isn't ideal. But we can dance away our woes in the neo...

Synthwave 2023 Another exciting year is in the books. I will now highlight some of my favorite releases from this year. A synthwave highlight for me this year was getting to see Midnight Danger perform live just in time for Halloween. I've been to a few synthwave shows before and they where fun. But, I've never been to a popular artist show. Midnight Danger absolutely rocked the place. Anyways, every album on this list is perfectly capable of rocking the place. Mega Drive - 200X I'm always eagerly awaiting a Mega Drive music release. I truly feel he or she can do no wrong. My favorite album is still Sequencer, but this may very well be a close second. I'm convinced that it surprasses both 198X and 199X and narrowly edges out Neuroframe. Neuromancer - Hardwired This is nothing short of incredible. It's like Neuromancer took parts from all of your favorite darksynth masters, mixed them all t...

Corruption City Darkness consumes No sun will rise Welcome to our city; the city of the future. Convenience and pleasure all at your beck and call Recieve your reward a few pieces of paper to spend at your leisure Selling your soul to the city The daily routine of toiling for trinkets has you strung out and feeling depressed All human connection seems so distant drink away the pain a few shows to distract In the neon lights in the downtown rain you begin to wonder why everything's the same You won't continue this mindless game of breaking your soul for someone else's gain Reach out to who's out...