Python challenge

Well, Fraxas introduced me to the Python challenge, and now I'm hooked. This means that I'm actually going to have to learn Python, instead of clinging to Perl. So I'm taking this opportunity to write down my thoughts as I learn my... uh... [counts on fingers]... 13th programming language.

First observation: taking advantage of block indenting I was going to do anyway to eliminate braces is a good idea. Anything that saves me typing, especially typing unusual characters that require the shift key, is a good thing.