An average wednesday

It's late night, but in CMI, no one is sleeping at 12:01 am. You could sleep now, get a solid 8 hours in, and then have breakfast. Or maybe you could venture to the mess and indulge in a midnight snack. [[Midnight Snack]] [[Sleep]]

The mess is relatively empty, and for quite a good reason. The supplies are yet to stock up, leaving choices slim. Maybe this is a sign to call it quits and go to sleep. Or, look! An Amul Choco-Bar is still in stock. Shall I grab one of these chocolatey delights? [[Sleep]] [[Choco-Bar Time]]

You plug your laptop and phone in to charge, their screens fading to black. You set an alarm, start the vaporizer with a soft hiss, and then, lights out. The room plunges into darkness, save for the dim glow of your devices charging. A few moments of thinking about random things ensue. The meaning of life, why do you do math, are you happy?, all swirl in your mind until... zzzzzz. [[Sunrise]]

You grab a Choco-Bar and pay via GPay, the transaction beeping softly. As you unwrap your ice cream, you notice, "Oh, Ryan Hota is right there." You go and say hi. As you savor your ice cream and he munches on his chips, a conversation starts. From Bloom Filters to Set Theory and a little bit of gossip, time flies by. Before you know it, it's 4 in the morning, the sky outside beginning to lighten. Well, you both better sleep now. [[Sleep, finally.]]

You've read this theory that humans can wake up refreshed if they sleep for a multiple of 90 minutes. So you can still wake up at 7 am before breakfast. Latest 8:30 am. And then you can still have the breakfast. The alarm is set, and you drift off, hoping the theory holds true. [[Well...]]

That theory was BS. You wake up at 9:40, groggy and disoriented. The breakfast is long gone, the mess now quiet and empty. You drag yourself to the bath, the cold water shocking you awake. You throw on your favorite Blue ISRO blueprint T-Shirt and a pair of well-worn jeans. Hunger gnaws at you as you rummage through your snack stash, courtesy of your mom's monthly care packages. "I'm late, but I can still make use of the time I have." Where do you head? [[Room]] [[Library]] [[Open Discussion Area]] [[CS Lab]]

As you enter your room, your phone dings. Ah, a new post on the CMI confessions page. Ooh, someone has a crush. The minutes tick by as you scroll through social media, the world outside your room forgotten. Before you know it, the sun is high in the sky and your stomach is grumbling. It's noon. [[Go to Lunch]] [[Skip Lunch,Do Assignment]]

The library here has many perks. A collection of books. Silence. And most importent of them all, AC. You decide to read some material on Analysis before the class. Which book to pick out? The library here has many perks. A vast collection. An almost reverent silence, broken only by the occasional rustle of turning pages or someone entering. And most important of them all, AC. The cool air is a blessed relief from the Chennai heat. You decide to read some material on Analysis before the class. Which book do you pick out? [[Principals of Mathematical Analysis by Rudin]] [[Understanding Analysis by Stephen Abott]]

CMI has these great open discussion areas with a few chairs, two boards, and well-stocked chalk trays. The smell of chalk dust hangs in the air, a familiar scent of academia. One can always go here to study and, moreover, you can solve every question on the BLACKBOARD! The satisfying scritch-scratch of chalk on board is music to a (wannabe) mathematician's ears. If this doesn't put one in the mood to do the assignment questions, nothing will. Anyway, after some time of jumping around the boards, your stomach growls loudly. You're hungry. [[Go to Lunch]]

CS Lab or CLAB is the CLUB of CMI. Functional computers, good internet, AC keeps the atmosphere cool, and there are barely any restrictions. It's probably the most happening place on campus. While some people are studying, there is ambient chatter and keyboard clacks. You haven't done coding in a while. Other people's screens flicker with lines of code, enticing you to join in. Also, you have been thinking of making a choose your own adventure game since a while.? [[Code a game]]

Anyway, the Wednesday Lunch notoriously sucks. You didn't want to look at the non-veg's smug faces anyway. You start the assignment. At first, it seems dull, but as you delve deeper, the problems begin to intrigue you. It's actually interesting. And fun. Well, it's class time. Do you want to hit the brakes on this and head to class or have a friend proxy you? [[Go to Class]] [[Proxy]]

Wednesday Lunches are miserable for the vegetarians. The mess hall is filled with the tantalizing aroma of spices, but it's not for you. The non-veg people get Biryani and Raita. You get mushroom pulao. The stark difference is hard to ignore. It's not bad. But the non-veg seem much happier, their plates piled high with fragrant rice and tender meat. Anyway, you now have a class. Analysis 1 by Upendra Kulkarni. Do you go to the class or have a friend proxy you? [[Go to Class]] [[Proxy]]

You open Rudin. And you immediately feel like closing it. The dense text stares back at you, unyielding. This book has no style. No voice. No flavor. Just dry text. Dry proofs. Dry theorems. The pages seem to suck the life out of the room. You barely push through it. You really, really feel hungry now. Dragging oneself through mud ought to take some effort. [[Go to Lunch]]

A good chunk of people in your class don't like this book. "It only does the reals. What about general metric spaces?" they say, their voices tinged with disdain. Well, the course is called Real Analysis, you think to yourself. Anyway, such a nice book. Reading it always puts one in a good mood. Nice proofs, nice theorems, nice exercises, and nice font. The pages seem to glow with mathematical beauty. [[Go to Lunch]]

You wake up fresh and energetic. The morning light filters through your window, promising a new day. You take a bath, the cool water washing away the last vestiges of sleep. And then you head to the mess. The smell of Aloo Puri wafts through the air, tingling your nostrils. But does one want to eat that this early in the morning? Or should you take the second option, i.e., Chocos and Milk? [[Aloo Puri]] [[Chocos and Milk]]

The puri is crispy, its golden surface glistening with a thin sheen of oil. The Sabji is spicy, the aroma of cumin and coriander filling your senses. What a way to start the morning! You're licking your fingers, savoring every last bit of the delicious breakfast. But after this wonderful start, what next? [[Room]] [[Library]] [[Open Discussion Area]] [[CS Lab]]

Chocos and Milk is a match made in heaven. One really can't not like this. And the mess is generous with the Chocos. The chocolate-y crunch mixed with cold milk is a simple yet satisfying pleasure. You eat it up like a goblin, the spoon clanking against the bowl as you scoop up every last morsel. Then you wash your hands, ready to face the day. What next to do today? [[CS Lab]] [[Library]] [[Room]] [[Open Discussion Area]]

Kulkarni sir is doing compactness. God damn it! Why does he have to do the finite cover stuff? Like we are doing real analysis, why should I care about metric or general topological spaces? Maybe paying attention helps? Or should I just do my own work? Wait, should I just sneak out? [[Pay attention]] [[Own Work]] [[Sneak Out]]

You message Aritra or Rohan and ask them to write your name on the attendance register. A small pang of guilt hits you, but you brush it off. Ah, now I am free. What to do next? The world is your oyster, or at least, the campus is. [[Continue with assignment]] [[Watch some game theory lectures]]

Okay. Okay. Not Okay. What the hell?! The lecture is no longer on any rails. What is happening why? Sir is rambling now. The words wash over you, making less and less sense. What do you do? [[Pay more attention]] [[Own Work]] [[Sneak Out]]

While Kulkarni sir is sketching some neighbourhood, you quietly slip out the back door. Your heart races a bit as you exit. Yes. Now you can do some work. Where do you go? [[Head to library]] [[Head to room]] [[Head to CLAB]] [[Head to ODA]]

You boot up your laptop and start typing the assignment into LaTeX. It's an analysis assignment, in an analysis class. So you are doing nothing wrong. At least, that's what you tell yourself to assuage the slight guilt. Wait, is Kulkarni sir talking about the graph definition of continuity and equating it to the epsilon-delta form? That seems interesting. Do you... [[Pay attention now]] [[Continue with Own Work]]

You pay more attention, forcing yourself to focus on Kulkarni sir's words. Some things start making sense. Other's really don't. The board is a mess of symbols and arrows and circles. Ah, well. The lecture ends soon enough. The scraping of chairs fills the room as people start to pack up. Kulkarni is now discussing something else with people still in the class. Do you really want to be here now? [[Stay for the discussion]] [[Head to library]] [[Head to CLAB]] [[Head to ODA]] [[Head to room]]

Well, he has already filled three of the four boards. You basically get a headache seeing his performance of lifting boards up and down and doing some sort of alien math. The symbols swim before your eyes, refusing to make sense. [[Resume Own Work]] [[Sneak Out]]

If he is doing it, Abbott will also. I'll look at it later. Let me type this question out. You continue typing, the rhythm of your fingers on the keyboard drowning out the lecture. And soon, you are done. You are left to solve one of the questions but you have typeset all others. And the class is over. [[Head to library]] [[Head to room]] [[Head to ODA]] [[Head to CLAB]]

I'll do it from Abbott. You think. And then you continue typing till the end of the class. The world narrows down to just you and your laptop screen. As the class ends, Where do you head to now? [[Head to library]] [[Head to room]] [[Head to ODA]] [[Head to CLAB]]

You head to the library and start doing the work. The quiet atmosphere helps you focus, the only sound the occasional turning of pages or soft tapping of keyboards. After a few hours, the assignment is completed in full. You lean back, stretching, a sense of accomplishment washing over you. And it's dinner time now. Your stomach growls, reminding you that you've been working for hours. [[Sell dinner card and order from Zomato]] [[Go to dinner]]

You go to your room. The familiar surroundings welcome you back. The greenhouse sure gives it a very welcoming smell some days \s. You light your fragrant candle. And then plop on your bed. What to do now? The evening stretches before you, full of possibilities. [[Watch some game theory lectures]] [[Continue with assignment]]

You go to one of the ODAs and start working on the assignment. The assignment gets more and more interesting as you spend more time with it. Nested interval property here, Closure of sets there. The solutions start to click into place. And you are done. A sense of satisfaction washes over you. What next? [[Some Game Theory]] [[Some Analysis]] [[Some Algebra]]

The CLAB is clearly a populer spot. There are people who are here inplace of their classes, and there are people who are here just to study. Or just to watch anime. Or just to play minecraft. Anyways, You start doing the assignment. But then, there is some gossip in the background. Uh, intresting. You want the tea around campus. And 2 hours have passed. Wait, you haven't made any progress. You should really move out of the CLAB, or risk not finishing the assignment. [[Head to room]] [[Head to ODA]] [[Head to library]]

The assignment gets more interesting as you spend more time with it. Nested interval property here, Closure of sets there. And you are done. You lean back, stretching, a sense of accomplishment washing over you. What to do for the remaining part of the day? [[Some Game Theory]] [[Some Analysis]] [[Some Algebra]]

You anyhow have a reading project. Why not watch some Yale Open Course Ware lectures? Not for long. You will do the assignment eventually. And after two lectures on Signaling and Spence Model, it's 5 o'clock. Time has flown by, the concepts swirling in your mind. Should do analysis, that is a subject I need to pass. Enough game theory for today. The practical side of you wins out. [[Head to library]] [[Head to ODA]] [[Head to CLAB]]

Now that your 'canonical' work is done, time to work on the reading project. You feel a sense of accomplishment mixed with anticipation. You open Game Theory by Solan, Maschler, and Zamir and start reading. The pages are dense with information, but you find yourself getting absorbed. Bargaining sets is a fun concept. And then it's dinner time. Your stomach growls, reminding you of the world outside your books. [[Sell dinner card and order from Zomato]] [[Go to dinner]]

Analysis assignment was easy but seniors have told you that Kulkarni takes these monstrous 7-hour exams. The thought sends a shiver down your spine. And you better be prepared for them. So you start doing some questions from AOPS and some randomly from Ross. Time flies when doing questions. Ojas knocks on the door, "Dinner?" he asks, poking his head in. [[Sell dinner card and order from Zomato]] [[Go to dinner]]

Linear Algebra Done Wrong is the perfect book to enjoy an evening with. It is humorous, the title suggests that. It is intutive as well as rigourous and it is not a math cookbook. You really have to think while reading it. And then, time flies. Do you want to head to dinner? Your stomach growls, reminding you that math, while food for the mind, doesn't fill the belly. [[Sell dinner card and order from Zomato]] [[Go to dinner]]

Wait, don't they serve Rumali Roti with Soya Bean today? Your heart sinks a little at the thought. That sounds good in theory, but in practice is a terrible, terrible meal. Rumali roti is as stretchy and chewy as, a tire one would imagine. And soya is well, badly made soya. The thought of it makes your taste buds revolt. But wait, there is the card-selling WhatsApp group. So you decide to sell your card to one of the Data Science people who want the dinner. They can buy a pass from the mess but it is priced at 75 rupees and who even pays that much for this dinner? Anyway, What price do you offer on the group? [[30]] [[40]] [[50]] [[60]]

You don't really like Wednesday dinners. The thought of another disappointing meal doesn't excite you. But anyway, no reason to order today. You decide to brave the mess food. So you go to the mess. Take Rumali Roti, Curd, Mango Pickle, Soya and a Papad and sit next to the rest of your batch. There is some discussion about profs and courses and upcoming exams and music and well, lot of random topics. Once the dinner is done, Piyush and you start walking and talking about something. You reach the auditorium's front gallery, the Audi Foyer where Shubh Sharma is explaining something on the board. You are clearly intrested. Afterall, CMI started to make sense after Shubh bhaiya explained Turing Machines on your first day here. And then time flies.

As soon as you message '30', someone buys it. And then there is a knock at your door. You think it's the buyer but when you open it, it's Abhinav Negi. His face is set in a serious expression. "You really shouldn't sell the card for this low. It ruins the market. It sets a low price. We sellers must band together and not go below 50. You understand?" You nod your head. Negi is yet to understand free markets. Anyway, what does one order now? Your stomach growls, reminding you of your hunger. [[Biryani from Zaitoon]] [[Sub from Subway]]

It takes a while and it is soon sold. Your phone pings with the notification, bringing a smile to your face. The buyer walks to your room, takes your card. GPays you 40. The transaction complete, you're now free to choose your own dinner. You scroll around Zomato for a while. Chennai is expensive and you are somewhat frugal. So you narrow choices down to two options. [[Biryani from Zaitoon]] [[Sub from Subway]]

No one buys. Maybe others don't like Soya as well? The silence from your phone is deafening. You think for a while, weighing your options. Do you reduce the price or wait a little longer? [[30]] [[40]] [[Wait a little longer]]

No one buys. Who in their right mind would even pay 60 rupees for this dinner? You sigh, realizing you might have overestimated the demand. You think for a while, considering your options. Do you reduce the price or wait a little longer? [[30]] [[40]] [[50]] [[Wait a little longer]]

You order Zaitoon's veg biryani. The thought of it makes you happier itself. Your mouth waters in anticipation. The fluffy rice, the spiced vegetables, the spicy salan, the cooling raita. Each component promises a burst of flavor. And after collecting it from the front gate, you have a hearty meal. The aroma fills your room as you dig in, savoring each bite. And then Rohan pops up to the room. And so does Ojas. And so does Mandar. And so does Piyush. And so does Anirudha. And some discussion ensues till its no longer Wednesday.

You order a chili patty sub with one cookie. The cookie was clearly lumped in to meet the order value to apply the coupon. But hey, who's complaining about extra dessert? Subway is always a nice experience. Like, yes it would be cheaper to head out to the location but then again, going out of CMI at night is a tricky proposition. The convenience wins out. You eat your sub, relishing the spicy kick of the patty and the fresh veggies. And your cookie. The sweetness is a perfect end to the meal. And then head out of the room to throw out the packing. Oh, look, Mohak and Pranath are in the hallway. Their animated discussion catches your attention. You jump into the discussion. And like in every discussion, it goes on till it's no longer a Wednesday.

And it is 8:45 now. You are clear that no one will buy the card now. The realization sinks in, along with a twinge of regret. Should have sold for less. At least better than no dinner + no card sale. You make a mental note for next time. Anyway, what does one order? Chennai is expensive and you are somewhat frugal. So you narrow choices down to two options. [[Biryani from Zaitoon]] [[Sub from Subway]]

Kulkarni sir continues with his rather lengthy post-class discussions. The classroom has emptied out, leaving just a handful of dedicated students. You stay, curiosity winning over hunger. And soon, after a while, you notice that the part you didn't understand was because Kulkarni sir had made an error. He fixes the error and now it's clearer.. Aren't you thankful you stayed for this? As Kulkarni sir leaves, thanking the remaining students for their attention, where do you head? [[Head to library]] [[Head to room]] [[Head to ODA]] [[Head to CLAB]]

Writing and coding both are fun. It just doesn't feel right for a while but then it clicks. The high it gives you. You must admit, you are a junkie. And like a junkie, you don't notice when it is lunch time. [[Go to Lunch]] [[Skip Lunch,Do Assignment]]