crunch time

Finished grading the 256ers' tests... a pretty solid bunch, them. I think this is the last time I'll TA the course, though... it's pretty heavy for the pay, and I think I've accumulated lots of experience over the past sittings of it and 490.

Spent some downtime with rottenfruit, she thought it might be best if I studied instead of helping out with singing her mass today. I feel a little bad, but I know she's right. She's got enough singers who know what they're doing to pull it off. Still, I feel so cared for that she set me free on that. Part of me really wanted to help and participate, but there'll be other, less potentially damaging times to sing and help out.

Studying is coming along — did the sample final for differential geometry, I think I can manage it but there are still a couple of rough spots to push through, mostly a nasty pair of proofs on moving frames around a sphere.

Measure theory is still terrifying. But hopefully I'll have a better grasp on the really weird stuff we have to know by the end of today.

Got a long, intense e-mail from F. yestarday and foolishly read it. I think she has good intentions, but that was hard. Called her to tell her I couldn't deal with the e-mails. She sounded kind of understanding. I don't have time to sort out the ethics of this one, just to know that the intensity is toxic. I need to lie down after e-mail like that.

crunchier

Feeling pretty good about being able to do measure and differential geometry — one more chapter representing three lectures and some clean-up to do in measure, and a few bits and pieces of differential to do. Working down from a big picture and having animated discussions with my classmates works wonders for confidence... and I guess the understanding was there all along.

Tomorrow looks more like polish than desperation... probably another eight hours or so of plowing through exercises, but no panic.

It'll be worth it when I emerge, ready for summer.