Feeling Ahead

I seem to be making good steady progress on both my class preparation and some writing.  I suspect the main reason is not being chair anymore;  the last six January's were full of annual evaluations, looking for adjuncts, changing schedules, etc.  It's not just the time committed to these tasks---it was the attention that they took away from my individual work.

I may want to be chair again someday but I really do need to experience a lack of responsibility for others for a while.

Major Conference

Well, I've made it to San Diego for five days.  A major conference---a mix of talks but enough of them to provide a bunch of good talks.  A chance to give my own talk.

Also a chance to be on my own and not responsible for others.  Such a nice change.

Holiday Recovery

I'm back for our annual holiday trip to visit family.  It went mercifully quickly.  My mind keeps racing (caffeine) and the slow pace of sitting around waiting for people to get ready to do things drives me up a wall, as does sitting around listening to people talk about things that have nothing to do with me.

This trip is always followed by the Joint Mathematics Meetings, which is a nice time for me to be alone, to go where I want when I want, etc.  A brief internal locus of control.