3.14.2010

Pi Day

Happy π Day! March 14, 03/14, pi! (Although I suppose we'll have to wait another 5 years before we get an even π-er day--03/14/15.)

Why is pi significant? It's certainly not because it's a number of circular mathematical importance, heck no. I hate math. That's why I cherish my relationship with my calculator even more than I cherish my friendship with Krispy.

No, pi is significant because one of the main characters in our long-neglected novel is a girl named Pi. Well, she's named Piety, actually, but we can't blame her if she prefers "the mathematical constant used to refer to the ratio of the circumference of a circle to its diamater" versus "reverence for God or devout fulfillment of religious obligations/the quality or state of being pious/dutiful respect or regard for parents, homeland, etc./a pious act, remark, belief, or the like".

Why Pi? Krispy and I came up with the name after tossing name-ideas around and eventually the conversation degenerated into declarations of desiring delicious desserts. Like pie. Hey, pie! No, pi!

...and thus Pi was born. Or named, at any rate. But since the story is set in a world quite parallel to our own in some aspects, well, being named Pi seemed a bit strange, so we had to retroactively come up with a full name for her. Piper? Penelope? Pia?

None of them seemed quite right. And then, because we are cruel people, we decided it'd be much more fun if she had a name she didn't like, and/or was named after some kind of virtue that, if not necessarily anathema to her personality, was at least the sort of thing you'd roll your eyes at.

How about Piety? Hmm. Sounds plausible, can be shortened to "Pi," wouldn't want to be named that ourselves. Great!

And so did Pi gain her full name. I'm sure she hates us for dumping "Piety" on her, but come on, girl, we hung Pi on you too, while thinking about delectable deliciousness. You can blame us for everything, but give us credit where due too!

Valentine's Day is Val's birthday, and so March 14th must be Pi's birthday--symbolically, at least. Unlike Val, she wasn't created or named or what have you on this day, and it might be a bit much to have her actual factual canonical birthday be today. Nonetheless, she has a day unto herself--Pi Day. We hope that makes up for all the teasing you've received in your life.

4 comments:

Danyelle L. said...

This is awesome! I love how you came up with Piety, er, Pi. O:)

Names--just one more way in which we can torture our characters. >:)

Alz said...

Danyelle - It was especially funny because for a while there Krispy and I would start typing Pie when we meant Pi and pi when we meant pie. Since "Pie" IS in her name, it's not such a stretch either. XP I'm sure that every March 14th, Pi hits up bakeries and sits and eats pie all day. I know I would.

Elana Johnson said...

Very cool! I love that for a name. Happy Pi day to you too. (And I can't wait until 03/14/15. There's just something about that...)

Alz said...

Elana - I know! 03/14/15 will be spectacular! And that got me to thinking how many years it'd be until it'd be even more of a pi day, what with the year date and all actually being 2015. The real Super Pi Day would be March 14, 15,926. Whic is, er, quite a few years in the future.