A Slow News, Er, Month

Remember what I said last time -- about posting more during spring break? Yeah, those were good times. I find myself in a strange predicament, as I have little to report despite being ludicrously busy over the last three weeks. I will try to hit the highlights (such as they are).

The Thursday after my last update, my department chair Andy and I took a group of students to Nashville for a sectional meeting of the Mathematical Association of America. Our primary reason for the trek was a Math Jeopardy! competition for undergraduates. While the team did not make the final round, I was proud of them for actually attempting to answer questions. I also had the opportunity to listen to some mathematical talks, whose quality ran the full gamut of quality. I have to say that Andy comes up with some of the best talk titles in the entire mathematical community; amidst a session boasting discussions of inequalities for polynomials and iterative root-finding methods, he spoke about maximizing the spectacle of water fountains. As an added bonus, I heard the author of my analysis textbook (who is also the president-elect of the MAA, apparently) lecture on the winding paths that lead to some mathematical proofs -- a modern extension of his writings. Oh, and I forgot to mention that I saw several of my professors from Wake Forest, one of whom was honored for his teaching. Congratulations, El Hughbo -- you deserve it.

The trip has greatly influenced my time since break, but not in a way one would typically expect. While getting ready for bed Friday night, as I prepared to clean my glasses lenses, the frames broke. In half. For those playing along at home, I have appeared in public without glasses fewer than ten times this decade. My naked eyes can barely detect movement beyond two yards. This meant that Andy had to drive the entire way back to Bristol. I have since gotten the frames reassembled, but a visit to the optometrist is in the works.

Upon the resumption of classes, I have been juggling two new courses on my schedule. In addition to a topics course on partial differential equations, I am teaching statistics in the graduate and professional studies program. I learned about the evening course the week before break began, which means that I had about ten days (after subtracting trips) to spin a course from straw. Adding to the fun, the GPS program ignores spring break, so I was in Nashville when the class was supposed to meet for the first time. This, combined with a fresh batch of tests to grade, has kept me in near-constant motion while on campus of late.

Sandi's work at the bank has continued more or less as usual. However, a higher-up mandate has precluded more than twenty minutes of Internet usage during the work day. Since down time at work was the time Sandi typically read my blog posts, I suppose you can blame BB&T suits for my lack of updates. Yes, that is a much better direction for finger-pointing than at me.

I promise to try harder (you know -- like Avis®) on keeping you abreast of our latest news in the weeks to come. Should I fail, you have my permission either to give me mean glances or to stick your tongue out at me when next we meet. Take care, everyone!