Finding Gratitude in a Gridlock

I knew Saturday night had the potential for being a horrible ride home from Seattle. On my northbound journey towards the city at 3:30 pm that afternoon, I saw that all southbound lanes of I-5 were shut down. Traffic was backed up for miles being diverted onto surface streets. The Washington State Department of TransportationContinue reading “Finding Gratitude in a Gridlock”

Time to Re-engage with Writing

Hello friends. It’s been a while since I’ve written. Maybe that’s because the stated purpose of this blog was to get through the pandemic whole, healthy, and sane as we madly raced to figure out new technologies, new methods of engagement, and new students—while maintaining our humanity. Corona is still here but the urgency hasContinue reading “Time to Re-engage with Writing”

January 8 Day 1401: Ghost town

It’s a Monday and the office should be bustling, right? Yet I haven’t seen another soul in what feels like hours. Sure its grey outside but that should not keep people away from the University in the Pacific Northwest. Where is everyone? Are they all getting ready to watch the National College Football Playoff Championship? ApparentlyContinue reading “January 8 Day 1401: Ghost town”

May 13 Day 1161: A Festival of Fun

This morning, Tacoma Math hosted its second community math festival of the year. Our first was April 27 at Lincoln High School and today’s was on UW Tacoma’s campus in the new Milgard Building. Funded by the UW Tacoma Office of Community Partnerships, we recruited undergraduate students to create and facilitate math activities. There wasContinue reading “May 13 Day 1161: A Festival of Fun”

March 18 Day 1105: Just a Regular Member

This weekend was the MAA Pacific Northwest Section Spring Meeting at George Fox University in Newberg, OR. We enjoyed clear warm weather and uplifting mathematical talks. Usually at MAA Section meetings I have one or more obligations—whether giving a talk, participating on a panel, running a workshop, or attending executive committee meetings. Today, I hadContinue reading “March 18 Day 1105: Just a Regular Member”

February 22 Day 1081: Math People

These people right here, they are my kind of people—math people. Not necessarily math majors but students choosing to spend their lunch hour participating in an Integral Bee. There was community, celebration, a few extra credit points, and yes…integrals. The Math Club at UW Tacoma organized it, advertised it, and made it a reality. MathContinue reading “February 22 Day 1081: Math People”

January 21 Day 1049: Of Rogues and Rabbits

Happy Lunar New Years Eve. That means it’s time to get excited for Monkeyshines in Tacoma. Thanks to Ms. Monkey and her monkey business, Tacoma gets the best present around Lunar New Year. She and her family make and hide glass medallions and orbs pressed with the Chinese zodiac symbol for the coming year. OverContinue reading “January 21 Day 1049: Of Rogues and Rabbits”

December 3 Day 1000: Parade of Pipes and Pups

This morning I find myself in Alexandria, Virginia and despite the promise of rain, I ventured out to see their Scottish Christmas Walk parade. A family friendly affair with tartans, bagpipes, dancers, and dogs. Kids lined the streets and joyfully collected holiday candy tossed by the marchers by. And it didn’t even rain. I’m soContinue reading “December 3 Day 1000: Parade of Pipes and Pups”

October 22 Day 958: NJ Resilient

While I have attended a few “first meetings since…”, this was the MAA New Jersey Section’s first in-person meeting since the start of COVID. They were planning for in-person last Spring but Omicron subvariants threw a wrench in the plans. Spring pivoted to virtual. As with many of the first meetings back, attendance was lighterContinue reading “October 22 Day 958: NJ Resilient”

October 10 Day 946: Let’s Get On the Bus

Another post-covid first—the first Pierce Transit bus ride since March 2020. With three adults at home and only two cars, sometimes public transportation is required. My son dropped me off at work early this morning and I made my way home on the bus. Suffice it to say that alternate routes due to construction madeContinue reading “October 10 Day 946: Let’s Get On the Bus”