John the baptist's father

was told by his wife that an angel would grant them a baby after years of being barren. He didn't believe it. Because of this he was struck dumb for the duration of her pregnancy and did not speak again till John was born. I think it's important to be cautious when wishing on a star. Dreaming is vital, but you really gotta keep your feet on the ground. That's what i think. What about something you know is going to happen; something which you don't deserve, something which is a gift? What if you are still cautious in your enthusiasm, reserved in your faith? Is that wrong? Is it an insult to the power that be to question their wisdom? I have a problem. I think i'm smarter than everyone. For this reason, i can't seem to believe that the universe can still manage to surprise or outwit me. Does that sin have a name? It's not pride is it? Anyway. I have been struck dumb by god for something i refused to believe. I guess i'll get my voice back when the metaphorical baby is born. On other planes, i am in math 344, which is group theory. It is quite difficult already. I can't explain exactly what it is about because if you are into math you already know and if you're not you wouldn't get it. I am going to have a hard time for a bit because I was never taught how to write proofs. The teacher is real mellow, and he is aware that alot of us have never written proofs before so he is trying to teach us. I am also studying on my own. It's not that i don't understand the concept: you prove a complicated idea by linking it back to a simpler idea through a series of accepted axioms. The thing i'm having trouble with is the base. How far down do you have to prove it? what is considered accepted. As a math major i HAVE to learn it, and i'm sure i will. I'm just kinda scared now. I worked out tonight. I rode my bike to psu and then did a circuit, then rode my bike home. Iwonder if my legs will burn as hard tomorrow as last week. I went to the Italian Joint today. It is a restaurant on hawthorne that i discovered with lynn a while back. They were part of the group of restaurants donating 5% of their sales today to katrina relief. I had a seafood ravioli. So i used to be a lifeguard and swim instructor. i was also on swim team as a youth. i also had an in ground pool growing up. Sufficeit (sp?) to say i was a good swimmer. I have been swimming a couple times recently but not seriously. I did some laps last night and discovered that i have lost my mouth/nose control. It's something i've always done so i took it for granted that everyone could do it; that it was no great skill. What i am speaking of is the coordination and muscle control required to switch from breathing through your nose (which you do while face down) to breathing through your mouth (which you do above the water) while pulling your head up. The reason this is so difficult is you only have a limited time to get a lung full through your mouth and you cant pull your head too far out of the water. your nose, then, is still susceptible to a little h2o inhale unless you can exercise a specific muscle on command. The result is you get water up your nose and not enough oxygen to finish your next set. I was starting to remember how to do it by the end of the workout, but i need a lot more practice. Time to go learn some more about proofs.