Southerly by David Haywood

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Southerly: We Haven't Forgotten You Christchurch!

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  • Kyle Matthews,

    I hear that Ihimaera chap might have one out again soon.

    The book so good, he's writing it twice? (Or, 1.996 times, final number may decrease as Jolisa finds more free time).

    Since Nov 2006 • 6243 posts Report Reply

  • James Green,

    The book so good, he's writing it twice? (Or, 1.996 times, final number may decrease as Jolisa finds more free time).

    I heard a rumour that this number approximates a Z score, which means that, because it exceeds 1.98, we can be 95% confident that the book is his. Luckily he's an academic not a student though. For if we had to use Student's t distribution, then we might be forced to accept the null hypothesis. <too early in the week for obscure stats jokes?>

    Limerick, Ireland • Since Nov 2006 • 703 posts Report Reply

  • Kris V,

    no, never too early 'round these parts....

    Shakeytown • Since Nov 2008 • 61 posts Report Reply

  • Matthew Littlewood,

    @ Dave and Emma:
    Aww. Thanks. Rest assured, when the opportunity arises, I'll make a beeline back to to ChCh to meet you two. Good luck with the launch!

    Today, Tomorrow, Timaru • Since Jan 2007 • 449 posts Report Reply

  • Robert Urquhart,

    Right, few photos from the Christchurch event

    It was good to meet some of the esteemed PAers and I promise to try and make a bit more noise in future.

    My double identity continues to confuse Emma in amusing ways, but given the pace of the past few weeks she may be forgiven :D

    Christchurch • Since Mar 2009 • 163 posts Report Reply

  • David Haywood,

    Bloody hell, Robert -- that was quick! And very fine photos, too.

    I think that this one is practically the best photograph of me ever. It certainly captures David Haywood in his native surroundings.

    Thanks to everyone for turning up. And what a nice bunch you all are!

    Dunsandel • Since Nov 2006 • 1156 posts Report Reply

  • Dave Patrick,

    Gutted that a triple booking meant I missed it - so I'll just echo the statement made further up thread that David and Emma write LOTS more books so another book launch is required

    Rangiora, Te Wai Pounamu • Since Nov 2006 • 261 posts Report Reply

  • Isabel Hitchings,

    That was a remarkably enjoyable evening. David and Emma both heartily deserve every success.

    The warm fuzzies generated by good company and the sponsor's product have yet to wear off :-)

    Christchurch • Since Jul 2007 • 719 posts Report Reply

  • Ross Mason,

    Student's t distribution

    For years and years and years...and years, I could not understand why anyone was interested enough to name a distribution stats thing after "a student". Why were students so important???

    The eureka moment was shattering. It suddenly dawned one day while idly perusing a statisticians bookshelf when I saw an author called....Student.

    Duh.

    Please please please tell me there were/are others just as confused.....

    Upper Hutt • Since Jun 2007 • 1590 posts Report Reply

  • James Green,

    when I saw an author called....Student

    For a couple of years I assumed it was because it was an uncomplicated test, therefore used mostly by students.

    However, the real story is much better. William Sealey Gosset worked for Guinness, but was prohibited from publishing by his employer, so used the pseudonym A. Student. Guinness used statistics both for beer production, but also barley production. Actually, it's rather disturbing how much of statistics is based around agricultural sampling in a field. I used to exhort my students to have a Guinness every day they used the t-test.

    Limerick, Ireland • Since Nov 2006 • 703 posts Report Reply

  • Islander,

    This is really cool info - thank you, James Green!
    I'll probably never use it but - it's just *so* good to know.

    Big O, Mahitahi, Te Wahi … • Since Feb 2007 • 5643 posts Report Reply

  • Robert Urquhart,

    Bloody hell, Robert -- that was quick! And very fine photos, too.

    I think that this one is practically the best photograph of me ever. It certainly captures David Haywood in his native surroundings.

    I may have become quite proficient at getting photos online promptly over the past couple of years ...

    Your native habitat has library decor, beer and an attractive woman nearby reading one of your books? Lucky bastard ;D

    Christchurch • Since Mar 2009 • 163 posts Report Reply

  • Ross Mason,

    Thank you James.....phew...

    William Sealey Gosset worked for Guinness, but was prohibited from publishing by his employer, so used the pseudonym A. Student.

    You are right, and "commercial sensitivity" was a 'problem' even back then!!

    Upper Hutt • Since Jun 2007 • 1590 posts Report Reply

  • Emma Hart,

    My double identity continues to confuse Emma in amusing ways, but given the pace of the past few weeks she may be forgiven :D

    Oh arse, I cocked that up again, didn't I? I can tell Marsden from Matsen, it's just the names I get confused. Sorry. And I have to give you massively big ups for spelling my children's names correctly in the captions.

    I think that this one is practically the best photograph of me ever. It certainly captures David Haywood in his native surroundings.

    It makes you look all dark and brooding and Relevant to my Interests.

    I did take some pics last night but I don't have Robert's legendary uploading speed. I was at the hospital at seven this morning and haven't really recovered yet.

    For those who are interested, this one features my partner, Karl, and both our children. My daughter is the redhead in the tiger-print dress who spent the whole launch reading my book.

    Christchurch • Since Nov 2006 • 4651 posts Report Reply

  • Kyle Matthews,

    Is this your ghost writer David?

    Since Nov 2006 • 6243 posts Report Reply

  • Robert Urquhart,

    @Emma don't worry, I'm sure there will be opportunity for me to get you to re-sign it with something more appropriate :D I didn't notice myself at the time (cap M, upstroke in about the right place) until you miscalled me to Isabel, which prompted me to check what you had written.

    But do you realise how far back through your journal I had to go to find something more helpful than 'son' for Kieran? T'other, not a problem :p

    Hope the scan went well.

    Christchurch • Since Mar 2009 • 163 posts Report Reply

  • Sayana,

    But do you realise how far back through your journal I had to go to find something more helpful than 'son' for Kieran?

    Heh. I was labelling christmas presents this weekend, and had to go back to something like September at Livejournal to get the spelling right for Kieran. I can remember R's as she (or perhaps Karl) taught me to sign it years ago.

    Since Sep 2008 • 50 posts Report Reply

  • Emma Hart,

    Hope the scan went well.

    Yeah. I now know what the important difference between a CT and an MRI is: about forty minutes.

    Christchurch • Since Nov 2006 • 4651 posts Report Reply

  • Isabel Hitchings,

    Emma/Robert you have cleared up a bunch of "didn't I used to know you by a different name?" and "who was that masked poster?" confusion.

    Christchurch • Since Jul 2007 • 719 posts Report Reply

  • Philip Challinor,

    I don't think this can be a ghost writer - from the condescending expression, I'd say it's a critic.

    London, England • Since Sep 2009 • 52 posts Report Reply

  • David Haywood,

    Certainly not the apple cheeks of a ghost writer (their cheeks are usually rather hollow). Actually the subject of the photograph is rather keen on the book -- he finds the drawing of Too-Fat Smith (the well-known necrophiliac) rather amusing: "Look at that man's trousers!" I only hope that other critics will be similarly amused.

    Dunsandel • Since Nov 2006 • 1156 posts Report Reply

  • giovanni tiso,

    I vote for "Look at that man's trousers!" as the title of your next book.

    Or indeed Emma's.

    Wellington • Since Jun 2007 • 7473 posts Report Reply

  • Isabel Hitchings,

    I vote for "Look at that man's trousers!" as the title of your next book.

    Or indeed Emma's.

    I's probably buy two copies.

    Christchurch • Since Jul 2007 • 719 posts Report Reply

  • Philip Challinor,

    The eureka moment was shattering. It suddenly dawned one day while idly perusing a statisticians bookshelf when I saw an author called....Student.

    I'm still waiting for the eureka moment to strike me as to why New Zealand's Reserve Bank has named its governor after a traffic cone. And is it for this same reason that people in the Land of the Broken Boot get around by riding German singers and/or Native American tribes?

    I'm not actually all that sure that the eureka moment will be all that much fun when it does arrive. But I'm waiting for it anyway. In economics, this is known as laisser-faire, or in laybeing's terms "staring doom in the face like a wallaby in headlights".

    London, England • Since Sep 2009 • 52 posts Report Reply

  • Ross Mason,

    Obtuse is not the word.......

    And is it for this same reason that people in the Land of the Broken Boot get around by riding German singers and/or Native American tribes?

    Australia??? Two front seats and a tray on the back - Utes are beaut? Holden? Ford?

    "Land of the broken boot"?? WTFIT?

    Italians? Big Booted italy kicked little Sicily, into the middle of the Mediteranean Sea.?? But is is not broken.

    Broken Boot??/ Seen if the bootup of a PC fails????

    Other than that....I give up.

    Eureka??....er...no.

    Bollard. One may assume that those who take up the opportunity to sign Bank Notes need to have a thick skin...or are able to survive a good bollocking. Bollards hardly move so maybe.....Then there are those who are a little Brash and also signed the bills.

    Actually a bollard may not necessarily be a traiifc cone. They are a bit more solid than that being they keep things like cars etc out! One can move a cone.

    Maybe he is a conehead? Alienish?

    Rolls of fthe tongue though doesn't it. Bollard, Bolllaaaarrd. Bolaaaard. Bollllllllllard. Got a good gutteral start and a loud harsh ending.

    Upper Hutt • Since Jun 2007 • 1590 posts Report Reply

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