Chit Chat # 27

State of the Chit Chat Message

Bob Chen

Iam glad to report that the state of the Chit Chat is strong. By the number 27, it indicates that I've been writing roughly twice a month. This is not too bad considering I'm still working at a 40 hour week job. Recently, the writings got sort of mixed up with some branching out to the 40th re-union book, with another editor. The subject matter also contributed to the division; you see, FLT (Fermat's Last Theorem) was not as attractive as Larry's jokes, S.S.'s movie talks,and not put in the web-site at this time. For a while Jame's (Pat Wong, sometimes) and I started writing to each other only. I tried to copy to all concerned to no avail. The chemistry is not there to excite participation. I don't want to sound lofty, and say it is too deep in math for most Lighters, classes A,B,C, and D all included. As you all know, I was not that good in math or any other subjects then ('53 to '59). James Koo seems to be the only one that likes mathematical rigor. Pat, too.

S.S. wants more inputs to the web-site with more diversified topics. Perhaps, James and Pat can lead off with a "Mathematically Speaking...". If James writes enough there about FLT, more traffic will result from other lighters. His lament of only himself seems to be jumping in the FLT barrel can easily be resolved if other Lighters know about my
article before the 40th re-union. Anyway, the world waited more than 350 years for the proof of FLT, what is the difference of another seven more months! It is interesting that there is a web-site in Yahoo that posts a short proof (fourteen pages) starting out with Pythagorean Theorem also.

I, and Desmond, wrote to Gina about the re-union hotel room reservations already. I hope other seventy plus Lighters will do the same soon. I suggested to Gina that, if possible, house all of us under one roof for those few days and nights. I don't think there will be any dull moments after 40 years. I missed the 35th at Vancouver, and that might be a good blue-print to copy. If I remembered right, Raymond Cheung, or Larry Wan told me that they were running between the floors at 3 AM. I am confident that Gina, and Steve will find us, not just good food, good dancing music, in Toronto this coming August.

Last, but not least, we still have missing Lighters to locate. Star, Moon, and Sun; none of them will appear in person. Are there ways to entice them to come? Star hinted that her divorce was the reason for not coming. I, and some others, were in the same boat; but we are going. I encourage all Lighters try to bring one more, if this wishful thinking materializes, the whole 140 Lighters will show up.