December 31 Day 1028: Here’s to 2022

The last day of the year brings reflections on the past and hopes for the future. It was a good year with a rough start and a whirlwind finish. The delta and omicron strains of COVID required pivoting from our plans for a return to normal. But by summer, travel was back in full forceContinue reading “December 31 Day 1028: Here’s to 2022”

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”

December 1 Day 998: Winter is Coming

It’s just a little bit of snow. But schools are calling for delayed starts or cancelling out right. I’m flying to DC for a meeting of the Conference Board of the Mathematical Sciences. Last night Alaska preemptively cancelled over 100 flights—including my direct flight to DC this morning. They offered a flight on Friday throughContinue reading “December 1 Day 998: Winter is Coming”

November 19 Day 986: A Few AMATYC Highlights

The conference is continuing for another day but I am heading back this evening. There was plenty of positive math energy but here are some things I particularly want to remember. Indian food last night with April Strom, Chris Rasmussen, and Peter Liljedahl followed by the second half of the AMATYC Ignite event. For theContinue reading “November 19 Day 986: A Few AMATYC Highlights”

November 16 Day 983: The Things We Do For Our Students

I’m sitting at the airport with an hour to wait before boarding the first leg of my journey to Toronto. I distinctly remember swearing off red-eye flights but I seem to keep taking them. When I was younger, I choose red-eyes because of cost. Now I am selecting them because of scheduling. I am travelingContinue reading “November 16 Day 983: The Things We Do For Our Students”

November 5 Day 972: Hanging Out with Abe and Al

The MAA Board meeting ended early this afternoon and I spent the rest of my day wandering about DC. It was a warm and sunny Saturday afternoon; plenty of other folks had the same idea. I was not alone in my travels. It started at the Renwick Gallery to see Chawne Kimber’s quilt still notContinue reading “November 5 Day 972: Hanging Out with Abe and Al”

November 3 Day 970: What a Beautiful Site!

I arrived in DC at 4:30 pm. No flight issues for me, thank goodness. There was plenty of time to meet up with another MAA Board member at the airport, grab a cab, tour the new HQ, enjoy empanadas for dinner, and run the MAA annual business meeting— virtually. I must admit that I amContinue reading “November 3 Day 970: What a Beautiful Site!”

October 27 Day 963: Curious Minds Want to Know

Yes, I did make it home. Tuesday morning at 2:30 am, thirty-one hours later than planned. The Portland flight was delayed and I missed my connection to Seattle. I did not want to stay at a hotel for another night. So I found a driver willing to face the 144 mile drive to Tacoma, WAContinue reading “October 27 Day 963: Curious Minds Want to Know”

October 24 Part 3: I Don’t Want to Talk About It

Still trying to get home. Still in Newark. Losing my optimism. Captain Patrick refused to fly the equipment because it didn’t check out. Good for him. But in trying to get home tonight, I’m going through Portland with a tight connection. And that flight is already showing a delay. If everything works smoothly, I willContinue reading “October 24 Part 3: I Don’t Want to Talk About It”

October 24 Part 2 Day 960. Having a Party with my New Best Friends

Can you believe we are delayed again? Captain Patrick was excited to see us boarding the plane. He gave his welcome in person rather than over the speaker system. We are the same passengers from last night’s fated flight. We reminisced over breakfast. We squeezed into the shuttle from the hotel. We have been togetherContinue reading “October 24 Part 2 Day 960. Having a Party with my New Best Friends”