Who's On First

            My relationship to mathematics and the art of learning its concept has always been as confusing as the famous Abbott and Costello's "Who's On First" script.
             Strange as it may seem, and as frustrating, Lou Costello is considering becoming a ballplayer. Bud Abbot is trying to explain to Costello its concept. It goes something like this:.
             Abbott: "Who's on first, what's on second, I don't know is on third".
             Costello: "That's what I want to find out. I want you to tell me the names of the players.
             Abbott: "I"m telling you. Whose on first, what's on second, I don't know is on third.
             Costello: "You know the fellow's names"?.
             Abbott: "Yes".
             Costello: "I mean the fellow's name on first base".
             Abbott: "Who"?.
             Costello: "The guy on first base.".
             Abbott: "Who is on first".
             Costello: "Well, what are you asking me for"?.
             Abbott: "I"m not asking you- I"m telling you. Who is on first".
             In my younger years, I found little pleasure from the daily drudgery of Math class that I was mandated to attend. My dislike was not entirely the fault of the teachers, though many of my experience were less than positive, due to monotone, overly boring teachers whose only care was to receive a paycheck on payday or that many were in need of retirement. I also recall more than once with the men teachers, that being pretty or a popular was an easy way to receive an "A" in the class.
             Truthfully, at that time in my life it seemed more important to me to gain socially than academically I think, and this was a very hard lesson to learn and I would not learn it until many years later.
             After the demise of my marriage of 17 years and only having graduated from a Business program from the local Technical school, I found myself in the position of having to earn a living for my three children, with no real marketable skills. But I did believe in my ability to succeed and I knew I would over come this obstacle. While working two jobs to keep a roof over our heads and food on the table, I hardly had time for my children but I was determined to keep afloat during this crossroad in my life.