Let’s try a quick recap of what’s been going on:

• School is going well. Homework and exams began rolling in at a regular pace a few weeks ago, so it feels real. I’m pretty confident about my ability to maintain high marks this semester. Unfortunately, I didn’t get the grant I was hoping for. That was disappointing, especially since I was told on several occasions that I had it. The most frustrating part was waiting—almost 2 months of being told it’s coming, to end with “Oops, sorry, no it’s not.”—which launched me into a long, pedantic dissertation on the unreliable state of education funding today. Don’t worry; I’ve spared this blog the gory details . If you’re interested, though, shoot me a note. I’d be happy to commiserate some more.
• New place: So yeah, since I didn’t get fully funded this year, I’m moving at the end of this month to less-expensive digs. It’s been a source of stress since the circumstances are not ideal, but in the long run it’ll be great. There’s a town house in the suburbs I really like, primarily for its modern design and price. I don’t like that it’s away from Boulder, but I need to save money right now. Living in Boulder is a luxury I can’t really afford, unless I’m willing to give up a few creature comforts. And I’m not. I’m waiting to hear back from the landlord, who’s a female engineer in her early thirties and would make an ideal roommate. She said she liked me and that I was her top choice in our interview. However, she also said she’d give me a decision yesterday (Monday), which she didn’t, and now I’m feeling anxious. I called this afternoon to “follow-up” since I hadn’t heard from her and since I have a few other interviews waiting to hear back from me. I just want this whole deal to be settled so I can move on already.
• This afternoon I have an interview with a faculty member from the Center to Advance Research and Teaching in the Social Sciences (CARTSS) at CU. She is interviewing me about my participation in UNAVCO’s RESESS program as a Community Mentor this summer. I have no idea what her questions will be, especially since the program’s goals, and all of the participants in it, have roots in the physical sciences. Things like this are a bit foreign to me—it’s not the first time I’ve been interviewed for community work I’ve done, but—I get the impression that, because of who she is, this encounter could be a good networking tool. I’ll be sure to keep my eyes and ears open.
• Since August I have worked as a committee member for a local, non-profit organization that focuses on promoting community health. The Board recently elected a new Executive Director, and during our last committee meeting it became apparent that the way the organization has been functioning in specific areas of interest will change. I guess this is customary with new ED appointments, and I don’t know if the changes will be sweeping, but several policies are going to be re-written, and some structural adjustments may follow. I’m usually excited about change, but as the newest committee member, I could see the apprehension in the eyes of the veteran associates. The question really does come up—will new changes to an established community organization be beneficial to the community as a whole? Because that is really what we are here for, to serve the needs of the community. In the meeting, I asked the ED why he chose to pursue employment at this organization. In other words, why is he here? And you know what? His answer was thin. He even seemed uncomfortable with the question. As natural and even disarming as his disposition seemed to be on first impressions, it was odd. I didn’t like that. It was even more disconcerting to find out that half of the Board is due to be replaced at the end of this year. Soon after my question it came out how some changes would be made, and soon after that, one committee member walked out. We ended the meeting with smiles and hugs as happy family, but we’ll see what turns up in the next few months.
• About three weeks ago I had a few friends over for chicken wings and a movie. It was a disaster-success. The movie I chose was Casablanca, which everyone liked, but only 4 of the 10 or 12 people I invited came. Oh well, there were more wings and bleu cheese for the rest of us. I want to do the event again, maybe this time showing something a little funkier, like the classic pseudo-sci-fi Brazil. And there will be more bleu cheese next time. I’ll probably wait until I’m all settled into the new place though.
• Books!!! My favorite pastime and obsession (also my greatest source of frustration while packing to move). A couple of weeks ago I finished the sci-fi novel Good Omens, by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett. It was delightfully devilish and funny! It’s about the end of the world, according to the “Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch”. For those Douglas Adams fans out there, I’d highly recommend this one. Currently, I’m reading the children’s fantasy novel The Golden Compass, Book 1 by Philip Pullman (the movie comes out next year), Spaceflight Life Support and Biospherics by Peter Eckart (because I’m a geek, which would, um, explain all of the books I read), and most recently Doomsday Book by Connie Willis (for sci-fi book club). While perusing the “Recommended Reading” list at the local book shop yesterday, I found a used copy in excellent condition for 5 bucks—my eyes bugged so big you’d have thought I’d hit the lotto. Books can do that to me…books on sale move me in a spiritual way. So far, this last one has been a real page-turner. Set in the not-too-distant future, this sci-fi novel about time-traveling historians totally appeals to my fantastical dreams of seeing the universe in an impervious time-traveling bubble. Hey, if I could get my head out of the clouds, I wouldn’t be studying about how to build rocket ships, now would I?
• Right now it’s snowing outside hard, and for the first time this season!!! I’m all excited, despite my usual aversion to snow, because I’m set on going snowboarding this season. Gasp, shock…I know. Cold, wet and falling down—yeah, yeah, not my thing. But I have to at least try. Speaking of snow, Buffalo (and most of Western NY) has been in a state of emergency for the last 5 days due to a lake-effect snow storm on last Thursday. So far my folks and sister are still without power and water, but they are holding up. I bet they wish they skied, or at least snow-shoed, right about now.
• New Year’s is coming soon, which means the annual celebration with my best friends. Probably in DC this time. I’m really looking forward to that. And maybe I’ll have just one date this year .
• I’m starting swing dance classes! Cam suggested we go and I said I’ll do it. This will be either a ton of fun, or a ton of vicious ridicule.
• I’m scheming to make a batch of mead (honey wine) for the first time in a few weeks. Lovely.