It has been quite a week on Enasni. Our landing team originally had five members, and we dispatched 3 to do survey work in the mountain region of Evol. We believe that while collecting data on homesteads in the region, they fell under the enchanting spell of the mists of mount Z, fell in love with members of the local tribe, and have undergone the ceremonial marriage ritual. Or, they have been eaten. Either way, we expect not to hear from them again.

Before we lost the team members we were developing a hypothesis regarding the Naem fish, a staple of the Enasni diet. First, we were comparing statistical samples of fish we collected from the famed Yrd River to historical data collected by the Enasni government. Testing our population mean and sample means, we determined that our sample seems to be representative, follows a normal curve and conforms to the central limit theorem. However, there seems to be some substantial changes in the fish population since the Enasni authorities last conducted any research. Namely, the Naem fish we are sampling today have two heads.

Our first hypothesis was “the fish have two heads or they do not.” This meant our significance test had two tails. Recalling that not every fish in our sample had two heads, (some had three) we considered a hypothesis that the number of fish caught each season with two or more heads would be less than or equal to 90%. This would give us many fish, many heads, but only one tail. So, depending on how we frame our research question we could have one headed fish with multiple tails or multiple headed fish with one tail. The choice was mind boggling and we became very confused. So, we decided to simply drink and bring an end to this tale. For now…

Week 2
Before departing for Enasni, as is standard protocol, I began reviewing the limited data available about the planet’s inhabitants. As described, the population was divided roughly evenly by gender. With a mean age of 53. However, upon my arrival, my own observations, corroborated by the local authorities, assured me that this was not the case. Indeed, a review of information prepared by the planet’s own central archives places the mean age at 46.

In pondering this contradiction, I first attempted to apply some comparative analysis. But found some elements of my ancient algebra skills lacking. So I turned to professor Aleks for advice. Once my arithmetic skills were refreshed, I began to compare the data used by our original survey team to that provided by the Enansi archives. What I learned was that our survey team used a small population sample for their calculations. In addition, the team selected subjects all residing in a region of the plant referred to historically by the name “land of the elder ones” (translated). In essence, the region long known for its longevity was not representative of the plant as a whole. In addition, the survey team used a small sample size, and erroneously assuming they had a normal distribution, applied Z in calculations instead of a t-distribution. I will report this correction when I return.

The last time our paths crossed I was exploring a planet the scientists call MBA 503 and the locals refer to as Ti Devivrus. It seems most fortuitous (at least to my good fortune) that both Dr. Aleks and I would be here, on Enasni at the same time.

Some see him as a teacher. Indeed he is. Others see him as inflexible and insistent on perfection. Indeed he is. To yet more, he is a shaman, who reveals great and powerful secrets with his teachings. He is all these things.

And, of all the planets, in all the galaxies in the universe, he had to walk into mine. Now, I ask you, what is the probability of that? Plus or minus 3%.

I landed on Enasni on Friday, instead of Tuesday as called for in our original flight plan. For several days, the team at mission control worked with me attempting a variety of technical corrections to get the ship back on course. In spite of these challenges, I managed to land. For the next day or so, I continued to experience communication problems between the ship and the home world. But the problems appear resolved....at least for the moment.

I left the ship and preceded to explore the landscape and make contact with the locals. Enasni is a landscape filled with many numbers. There are many signs directing its inhabitants here and there ( ~A, GM, P and many more). I confess I must refer to my English:Enasni dictionary to attempt to find my way around.

I met a small green man who seemed to be making a chart of some kind. It had too few markings on its horizontal and vertical axis for me to understand.

Before long I had spoken with several natives. They seem to me to be a people with many questions, challenges, theories, and hypothesis. Every where I turn they ask for my opinion, my help, in solving their dilemmas. They think, I suppose, that I know more than they do, coming from such a distant place and all. Little do they realize that it is I who have come to learn from them. Back to the ship. I must report in to Commander Larry at mission control

Welcome

And so it was to be. With this first blog I record for the ages my MBA journey. In truth, I suppose, it's half a journey, as I am half-way through with my program at the time of this writing. Perhaps, if time permits, I'll include some flashbacks. I mean, at least I owe it to the readers to record such events as the riveting story of how Ned became afraid of clowns, camel milker customer service, Bugsy Seigels MBA project, and other such memorable moments from my MBA trek.

As we begin, we find Tom having waded through the depths of tech hell in order just to go to class (a story best untold as it frightens small children) where he begins his strange and mystifying passage on a planet known by researchers only as MBA 510, but which its inhabitants call "Enasni" ...