Wednesday - Friday, September 16 - 18 2009 (diary, descriptive geometry)

Change through one's life (as I reported in my previous Blog entry), no matter how rigorous or extensive has its limits. One is always restricted in a broad sense by the specifics of one's body, mind, capabilities, inclination, etc. So some aspects of one's life remain constant, and at least for the duration of one's life more or less permanent.
One obvious constant in my life has of course been the strong inclination not to be tied to any group or in any situation on a permanent basis, certainly from my middle age onwards.

But there is something else, perhaps less noticeable, which has been and still is a constant feature in my life.
At High school I was rather indifferent to most of the 14 odd subjects thrust upon us, but one I absolutely loved. It was descriptive geometry. I excelled in this subject, scoring 9 out of 10 in my final matriculation exam.

Descriptive geometry develops the expertise of defining the shape of an object by projecting its image onto 2 or 3, usually (but not always) perpendicular, imaginary planes surrounding it.

The simple example below shows the slice of a sphere (with specified dimensions), resting on an imaginary (light grey) horizontal plane, with a vertical segment on its left chopped off. In descriptive geometry most configurations are much more complex, commonly with 2, 3 or more objects (including lines and planes in space) intersecting one another.
But the picture below gives the general idea. Here the horizontal plane is shown in grey, with 2 vertical planes, one aligned NS, the other EW (both in pale yellow), perpendicular to it. The three shapes of the object are projected on the three planes, which are then rotated downwards into the horizontal plane.

Throughout my years as a geologist 3-dimensional geometrical patterns were a regular part of my work. But then and ever since, my mind has abundantly been occupied by what could perhaps be described as an abstract form of descriptive geometry. Here the objects are not physical shapes but ideas, concepts I enjoy taking apart, defining their component aspects or consequences, or in the reverse combining "projections" such as facts, observations, deductions to discover the concept or idea that combines them.

Symmetry too forms a part of descriptive geometry and so does it in my abstract way of analysis and thinking. Like for example the symmetry which I have suggested which relates Richard Feynman's sum over histories to the infinite possible paths of music improvisation. Or the full stop in writing which can be correlated with the variation in music phrase length in Jazz improvisation. I am sure you will find many more examples in my Blog, as well as on my music website.

This abstract geometry has been one of the most "permanent" features of my personality and undoubtedly one of the greatest joys in my life.

Saturday & Sunday, September 19 & 20 2009 (diary)

Saturday I have lunch in the new Bar Zushi in Casuarina. The chef (standing next to me on this photo), who has been working at Bar Zushi for 5 years now has decided to leave to do something else in her life. Tomorrow is her last day here so I have come to say goodbye and wish her well. She may stay in contact by email. Afterwards I have a swim at the Nightcliff pool. The water is nice and warm and there is a refreshing breeze when you come out of the pool.

Sunday morning I watch the "Insiders" program as usual, then on to Stokes Hill Wharf for lunch. A very pleasant day. An elderly lady (actually really one year younger than me) sits on a table next to mine and we exchange a few words. She has the same trouble as I have. The bore water here is very rich in calcium. On the Mango farm the sprinkler system sprinkles daily water droplets on my windscreen. When these dry up they leave a calcium residue on the glass which I have been unable to remove with normal car wash materials. White vinegar will do the trick she tells me, it cleaned her windows very successfully. I offer her a drink for the useful advice which she accepts.