One of the things I talk about frequently in my upper-level math classes when we study trigonometry is how many things in the world act in a way that can be modeled with what are generally called sinusoidal functions. Anything with waves- sound, light, electromagnetic waves, plus tides, annual temperature patterns. I also mention that when they say on medical shows that there's some kind of heart problem, "They've lost sinus rhythm." they're not talking about you sinuses behind your nose. It means the heart rate is not in a regular, sinusoidal pattern.
Having sat here staring at monitors for 11 days (actually, that's an exaggeration, I don't stare at the monitors, but 'glance,' while more accurate, doesn't carry the same kind of gravitas) I have a greater appreciation. Inhaling, exhaling, blood pressure, whatever. It's supposed to rise and fall within an acceptable range in a predictable pattern, and the one thing about sinusoidals is they are completely predictable. Their very boringness and regularity is their power.
We're all so used to constant stimulation now that we may be losing our appreciation for routine and predictability. Nothing like being in a hospital for 11 days to remind you of how completely we rely on these uninteresting but essential parts of our world. When I teach about continuity, I sometimes say that a discontinuity in real life is almost always a bad thing- death, divorce, car crashes, even just getting lost- all kinds of discontinuities. All unpleasant or worse.
I miss my routine. Going to the refrigerator for food, walking the dog, sitting on the couch and watching TV. Getting up and going to work or reading the newspaper on the weekends. Regular stuff, comforting in its very predictability.
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