the continuing life of a summer "nomad"

in my last post i mentioned a month's travelling, but now a third of it is over:

i've returned from the bojarski conference in poland slightly time-zone-weary, glad of anglophony, appreciative of familiar american food ..

.. but best of all, not so frustrated about mathematics.

i will have many things to say about poland and perhaps i will write about them here or there, but let me first say these:

1. it was good to see old friends and colleagues from years past .. and yes, years: i've forgotten how much i've wandered since my beginnings at pittsburgh, and how many conferences i've wraithed with little known and little to say ..
   
   .. but more and more, i have more to say. perhaps they are silly or naive, but they are my ideas. i liken it to a child learning how to speak: babble comes before any wise words.
   
   i've forgotten that i remember so many people from varying places, where mathematics (specifically analysis) are spoken. we mathematicians have a culture like that of villages and tribes which to the "auslander" seems strange to see.
   
   it is even strange to me, and often so, but it is comforting. it is good to remember that you and i are not alone, when walking the path of mathematical inquiry.
   
   
2. i've forgotten how mathematics can be so varied, yet connected, but most of all, so damned interesting!
   
   perhaps it is my own disposition: i always think little of myself and what i associate with who i am, and the work and ideas of others will always merit more than mine.
   
   my best rationale is my being "a little kid trying to run with the big kids" and be warned: these older guys are pretty damned cool and brilliant and full of ideas and vigor and passion. it is infectious, and while this conference inspiration is with me, i can only be a boy, running and messing around and dreaming of great things.