F. A. Q.

At a long-awaited steamboat dinner, a bunch of us fell to talking about how nice it would be for everyone to carry signs, each with their personal set of Frequently Asked Questions. This would cut the time needed for meaningless clarifications that nobody likes answering, and allow people to really get to know each other, greatly enhancing the quality of our communication.

Some examples include:
"Yes, the rash is on the mend, and thanks for embarrassing me in front of my entire department."
"I've been divorced... twice. Want to know the details too?"
"Imperial College IS a university... not a junior college!"


This Masquerade
- The Carpenters

Are we really happy here with this lonely game we play
Looking for words to say
Searching but not finding understanding anywhere
We're lost in a masquerade

Both afraid to say we're just too far away
From being close together from the start
We tried to talk it over but the words got in the way
We're lost inside this lonely game we play

Thoughts of leaving disappear every time I see your eyes
No matter how hard I try
To understand the reasons why we carry on this way
We're lost in a masquerade