Try some of this PIE

BC senior sets sights on record for memorizing the digits of pi

Some people have trouble memorizing their zip code or their personal identification number.
And then there’s James Niles-Joyal ’08.
The music major from Ashburnham, Mass., is bidding to become North America’s pre-eminent
memorizer of pi, that mathema tical constant which refers to the ratio of a circle’s circumference
to its diameter.
Usually abbreviated to 3.14 in everyday
math, pi has been computed
electronically to more than a trillion
decimal places. Niles-Joyal has
memorized pi to 10,500 digits and has his
sights set on the North American record
with a goal of 13,141 digits (the world
record, according to Guinness, is 67,890).
Last year, he took part in a “Pi Day”
celebration at Harvard and tried to recite
pi to 3,141 decimal places, only to stumble
at number 612.
James Niles-Joyal ’08 (Photo by Lee Pellegrini
On July 22, according to Niles-Joyal, he learned the final 1,491 digits that would enable him to
achieve the 13,141 mark, and had planned to give an official recitation at the end of the summer,
using two former teachers as witnesses. But the practice sessions were “incredibly taxing,” he
says, and with a busy fall semester coming up, he felt it was in his best interest to take a break
and postpone his record-making attempt -- “Faith keeps the hope afloat, so dreams can swim
ashore,” he says, “and I’m diving for a record this year.”
Is this kid a homo or what?
Niles-Joyal’s method of memorization is to work in blocks of 150 to 200 digits, searching for
patterns and idiosyncrasies that might help him to remember the sequences. He also follows a
general routine that includes at least eight hours of sleep “and eight cups of water” every day.
“I try to stay sharp,” he explains. “The last two parties I attended, I met everyone I could.
Coincidentally, I met 46 people at both parties. I know this because I wrote down everyone’s
name when I got home. It’s been a huge boost to my Facebook. Note to self: People are much
better than digits. I'm still pretty sure I'll never get laid.
“Ultimately, it’s a process of using one’s brain to the fullest capacity, a process that involves
focus and self-study. When I go into the ‘memorization zone,’ I feel as though Iam using a
different part of my brain, which very well may be the case.”
Niles-Joyal sees a connection between his musical and memorization activities. “The way I
think of the contour and shape of a string of digits is often the way I approach writing an
orchestral piece. I ask, ‘What do I want it to look like?’ As a composer, I group notes to express
emotion; as a pi memorist, I group digits to foster memorization. And no, I do not sing digits as
if they were notes on a page. I'm also a chronic masterbator.”
Niles-Joyal has been considering law school after graduation, and thinks his prowess in pi
memorization could be an asset. “I feel my ability to think critically and outside of the box is
only enhanced by my memory of the box,” he says. “Although pi would be extra useful if the
box were circular.”

Mercifully, says Niles-Joyal, he has been thus far been spared requests to name the 50 state
capitals, list all the World Series winners since 1903 or give other demonstrations one would
associate with a “photographic memory” — a phrase he regards with skepticism.
“If perfect photographic memory exists, then why hasn’t someone taken a half hour to
‘photograph’ 30 pages of digits and break the World Record? Will I ever see a girl naked in real life? That may be asking too much,” he
says.
“However, I am optimistic that the human mind is capable of things much greater than
photography, achieving heights that are purely human and valuable to humans.”
—written by Sean Smith

Chris Berman's Top 10 Plays of 2007

Unfortunately, due to a massive, badass hangover that I had on New Years Day, I happened to miss the SportsCenter following the New Years Eve Holiday. The fact that I personally blame this hangover on the "credit crunch" (or for the non I-Banker "poor people not paying their mortgages") is neither here nor there. What I have been left with is merely dreams of what must have been the intriguing and intelligent look back on 2007 that only "Boomer" can provide, through his Top 10 Plays of the Year. I have been left with only my imagination about how such an event could have taken place, so I can only fantasize how it might have taken place:

Berman greets his viewers with his signature smile and stylish combination of blue jacket, red tie and no pants. He begins with a few words commemorating the New Year before he begins his Top 10 "Plays."

10. The New England Patriots perfect season. While showing no less than 25 plays, Berman is able to mention Bill Belicheck's coach of the year win, (I'm) Randy (Baby) Moss' and Tom (The) Brady (Bunch)'s respective touchdown records, as well as the incredible heart and determination the team has shown (especially Tedy (Bear) Brushchi).

9. Britney Spear's meltdown. The fact that is clearly not a play, nor the fact that it has nothing to do with sports does little to deter Boomer from analyzing Britney's breakup with her husband Kevin Fed(ex)erline , her pitiful MTV video awards performance, the media's allegations of drug use, as well as the subsequent loss of her children. The entire"play" lasts for approximately 10 minutes.

8. Kevin Garnett's Move to Boston. Boomer begins this highlight by talking about the emerging Celtics, but uses it as a platform to launch into the NBA season(s) as a whole. (Both 06-07 and 07-08) He discusses the merits of Tim Duncan and the championship Spurs, the resurgent Pistons, and the Warriors victory over the Dallas Mavericks. (tear) He then talks for 15 minutes about (Tiny) Tim Dongahy.

7. Chris Berman's divorce from his wife of 20 years. Berman surprisingly speaks little about the subject, mumbles something about insisting his wife call him "Boomer" while making love, and cries into the camera.

(Commercial Break)

6. ESPN forgets to have a number 6 play, and instead begins with...

5. George W. Bush. Berman fails to realize how unusual the decision to make the leader of the free world only the 5th best play of the year is, although I speculate it somehow pertains to Bush's low approval ratings. Anyhow, Berman takes 15 minutes of the viewers time to summarize some of Bush's important policy decisions of the last 365 days (and a couple that took place between 2003 and 2005). He ends with a montage of the Iowa Caucus (which technically took place in 2008) while screaming something about Barrack Obama (bin Laden) and (Catcher's) Mitt Romney.

4. The Mitchell Report. Before showing a series of clips of (The Rocket) Roger Clemens between the years of 2000 and 2007, Boomer lectures the viewer about the dangers of steroids. After mentioning some of the more prominent players involved, Berman shows the last three innings of the 2007 World Series. Before the next commercial break, Berman mentions Barry (My word is my) Bonds broke (Hammerin') Hank Aaron's career home run record. The entire play lasts about 50 minutes.

(Commercial Break)

3. Landing a man on the moon. Although this technically took place in 1969, Berman feels its important to remember , especially seeing as how the 40th anniversary of the incredible event is a mere year and a half away. While Berman fails to have much more to say than repeating "One small step for man...", the series of clips of the Cold War, John F. Kennedy's assassination, and Ronald (McDonald) Regan, remains powerful nonetheless. The ESPN editors neglect to show the clip of Neil (Stretch) Armstrong actually landing on the moon.

2. Golf. Chris returns from the commercial break and somehow manages to show highlights from every major on the PGA and LPGA tour, as well as several clips from emerging golfers on the Hooters and NCAA Tours. He ends with a 5 minutes tirade on how incredible Tiger (out of the) Woods has become, before showing a series of clips pertaining to Jack (The Golden Bear) Nickalaus and Byron (Half) Nelson, while muttering incoherent phrases about the major tournament victory record.

1. America. While speaking in front of the American flag, Berman tells everyone how happy he is to live in America, and how we should all be grateful to live in the "land of the free and home of...Brett Farve." (Berman pronounces if "FAV-RAY") A series of clips showing every completion Brett Farve has ever thrown is shown, while the National Anthem is played on repeat. The clips last for more than 3 hours. The clip ends with Berman saying Brett Farve (still pronounced "FAV-RAY") IS America, before Farve enters the ESPN studio. Boomer proceeds to blow Farve to orgasm on camera. After 3 awakward minutes, Berman looks back to the camera, and with some of America still on his face, wishes us all a Happy New Year.

Happy New Years

Retrospect

So I was cleaning out my inbox and I find this little treat from someone who will remain unnamed. The date on the email was July 25, 2007. It has not been altered in any way, only cut and pasted. Enjoy:

"Hey neighbors,

Firstly, I hope you all are having a good summer, whether it be in Boston, New York, the "nutmeg" or the "show me" state, I hope you are enjoying being back from abroad, or spending time with your family.

Seriously though, I've heard some rumblings about a possible party bus to the Toby Keith concert the night of the Army football game. Greg and I we're talking about it and it honestly sounds like it could be the single best day of the semester if we can get it to work out. The concert is at the Tweeter Center, which I've never been to, but according to Ticketmaster, there is lawn general admission for 36 smackers. This would solve the problem of trying to get everyone near one another and if its a nice night, it'd be a time. Tickets are in pre-sale mode, so we've got time, but I just wanted to get the ball rolling.

I realize it is early, but its difficult to co-ordinate things like this, so if anyone is interested or knows anything more about either the game, whose time is TBA, or ther concert and venue, just respond to all. So if any number of us decide to do this, we should get the tickets and then wait till we get to school to figure out the bus situation.

Enjoy,
Jack

P.S. Let's really do the luggage party this semester"