This Long and Winding Road...

...that leads who the hell knows where...

Well, not quite totally unknown. I took a job in what folks around here call The North Country. It's a tenure-track job at a state school that has traditionally offered two-year agricultural and technical programs, but is moving more and more to four-year-degrees, though none yet in the humanities. I'm really impressed by the faculty and administrators I've met, as well as the great students, and I like their attitude toward writing.

And, clearly they liked mine. So there you are.

So, I'll be moving northward this summer, and I'm really looking forward to living within walking distance of campus. The search for an apartment has just started, but signs are good--it's even cheaper to live there than here, so I'll be able to have a good-sized place all to myself.

What, you may ask, does this mean for me and the GF? Well, it offered a time to reassess and ask ourselves what we really wanted. And, what I wanted didn't gibe with what she wanted. So, another twist in the road. I'm working through my seven stages of grief (chocolate is one of those, right?), but when my head is clear I know this really is for the best.

That's when my head is clear.

Top 10 Reasons I Didn't Get the Job

10. I'm too smart.
9. My stylish new suit intimidated them.
8. I spoke with my mouth full during lunch.
7. I couldn't get the cottage cheese out from between my teeth before my meeting with the president.
6. My knowledge of their school's history was too comprehensive.
5. The universe is conspiring against me.
4. I have angered the gods.
3. I cracked an inappropriate joke that I just don't remember.
2. Somebody else had more relevant work experience.
1. There's something better out there and I just don't know it yet.

Reason #529

why I need a permanent job: hoops. That is, with every new place of employment, there are a kajillion new hoops to jump through to get things done.

For example, at my current Institution of Higher Learning, I must submit a PAPER document for each class I wish to create a WebCT account for.

How many things are wrong with this picture?