Day One

Well, today was the first day of the so-called boot camp for incoming graduate students in the math programs (pure math, applied math, scientific computation, and statistics) at UMD. The "camp" is really two classes that meet four days a week (with review sessions on Fridays) in analysis and linear algebra. Thus far, the material does not seem hard, but it is the first day.

There are about twenty of us in the camp, with a fairly even gender split (although I believe the males have a slight edge), although I haven't had the chance to really get to know many of them (I was able to chat with two thus far). I do hope to get to know them better over the next few weeks. Overall, I can't complain so far.

And on a political note from home, the Republican representatives to Congress from Maryland are not having a good year. One lost his primary; the other can't keep track of properties he's sold. Yes, that's right, Rep. Roscoe Bartlett (R-6th) could be in trouble with the law. And he's already passed the buck to his staff. (You can read about it in this past Sunday's Frederick News-Post). I highly doubt anything will happen between now and the election. If Bartlett loses, I will be surprised. Heck, I'm not even sure I'll vote for his opponent. I might just leave that part of the ballot blank. Why can't the district get a decent representative?