I just got back from the Bay Area GIMPS party at the Tied House in Mountain View, Taxifornia. I had the time of my life. We had the following people attend:
Todd Sauke Chris Brown Edith Mailolo Russell Brooks John Pierce Ernst Mayer Brad Bernard Harvald Alvestrand (all the way from Norway) Irv Rosenfeld Shelly Jones Spike Jones Scott Kurowski (who most generously bought dinner for the whole crew) Donald Knuth (yes, THE Donald Knuth) I tried to introduce myself to Professor Knuth, but Im afraid Im not good in the presence of greatness, so I stammered like Ralph Kramden: "Hello professor, Immm hammina hammina hammina... My name issss hammina hammina hammina..." etc. John Pierce took some photos that he will post on his website. Im the skinny blonde goof standing behind Dr. Knuth. Notice there were exactly 13 attendees. Not only is 13 a prime number, it is also the fifth Mersenne prime! Fifth! Five is the Third Mersenne prime! Three is the second Mersenne prime! 2 is the first mersenne prime! And 1 is the only other factor of a Mersenne prime besides itself! What a remarkable coincidence, friends. I am so in awe. What are the chances? Practically unimaginable. Thank you very much Scott Kurowski for dinner and your associates Brad and Chris who came all the way up from San Diego to join our Mersenne soiree. You guys are the best. spike _________________________________________________________________________ Unsubscribe & list info -- http://www.ndatech.com/mersenne/signup.htm Mersenne Prime FAQ -- http://www.tasam.com/~lrwiman/FAQ-mers
