A nearby discussion entitled
pantagruelian prompts me to recommend the base-36 system
http://www.wordwizard.com/phpbb3/viewtopic.php?f=16&t=17971&hilit=base+36...in which "10" means 36. It is a very handy system inasmuch as this number is divisible by 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 9, 12, 18, and itself (did I miss any?). There are even better bases in that respect but they are bigger so would make a multiplication table prohibitive
Also it works out nicely in using every letter of the alphabet: ...8, 9, A, B, C....X, Y, Z, 10, 11..., the last representing 37
In making life's decisions, especially doing yard work, this base has become an important guide. Formerly just the numbers 1 and 3 figured strongly into my work. For instance, how many branches must I chop from that tree? Immediate answer: 1. However, a shrub may require more frequent attention and so the obvious numeral in such cases is 3
But it soon became apparent in pulling weeds, etc, that a larger number would be appropriate, and so I chose 36. However, commonsense also figures into our choices and so when I have an especially onerous task I must draw a line somewhere else. But fortunately as I have indicated, 36 is handy for breaking up into discrete partitions
For instance let's say I make 3 circuits of my property every day, wherein, besides weeding and pruning I must ultimately move 18 cubic yards of mulch from one location to another. Parking my wheelbarrow at the compost pile I therefore address 12 shovelsful at a time so at day's conclusion it contains 36 shovelsful, which I then duly trundle to the new site
Join me in my quest to propagate Base-36
