it's amazing how much i can get done in the absence of distractions. i've put some serious thought into math, to the point where i'm relatively confident that i just need to work things out. note that this is not at all equivalent to knowing how to solve the problem; it's one of those mysterious higher-level intuitions that merely state that the problem can be solved.
i talked to my mother today. it was pleasant. i think i'm capable of doing this when i'm happy about myself, because i can just shrug off or curtly cut off the negative threads while being upbeat and generally effusive. it's a nice state to be in.
the onus is, i think, on me to put something together for the new year. i am of two minds about this. on the one hand, it would be a nice excuse to see people i don't see very often who i really like. on the other hand, these people typically don't come to the things i throw. on the third hand, it would probably require mediating and/or feeling wistful about the new year. it seems like the percentage of people i know who are happy with their life is increasing. i can't decide whether to be happy or jealous.