Thursday, January 01, 2009

Back to Normal for the New Year

Six months ago I started a job in Galesburg, Illinois. I thought it would be ideal--close to Kathleen's hometown of Davenport, Iowa and an affordable place to live. I hadn't reckoned on the exhausting and frustrating nature of the job. In November, when almost everyone I knew was ecstatic about Barack Obama's election, I was too depressed to join in the enthusiasm. I was glad to see, or rather hear, Obama win--I spent election night driving from Elkhart to Davenport--I didn't have that great joy that so many around me had.

When a position opened up at the Bloomington-Normal station, I bid on it. But I was held on the Galesburg position because there wasn't anyone to fill in. But as of Friday, I'll be "back to Normal." With two agents working at the station, it should be far less stressful than it was when I worked there earlier. I'll still be going back and forth to Elkhart as Kathleen and I work on getting the house in Elkhart ready to sell, but eventually, we expect to be settling in Bloomington or Normal--probably Bloomington.

I'll most likely have less access to the virtual world for the next few days.

Happy New Year to all!

10 comments:

Lisa said...

So glad to hear that things will be back to Normal for you. All the very best to you and Kathleen in 2009!

Anonymous said...

Hey, at least Bloomington/Normal has an airport!

Hope the move works out well.

Again, Happy New Year.

Anonymous said...

"Back to Normal" and your post sound like a great title and subject, respectively, for a country song.

I hope all goes well with the steps leading to your return to Normal. (There are twelve such steps, right?) (Sorry.)

Best wishes for the New Year!

Sustenance Scout said...

Had to laugh at Peter's comment, lol! Best wishes for a smooth move, Steve. So glad things are working out, K.

SzélsőFa said...

Happy New Year to you both!
You were right about carp (or just any sweetwater fish) being a traditional dish for Christmas Eve.

steve on the slow train said...

Thanks to all of you. A country song, eh, Peter? The Normal pun did show up in a book by Bush II operative Karen Hughes, "Ten Minutes from Normal." The title was taken from a conductor's announcement on a campaign train, "Ten Minutes to Normal."

Bloomington-Normal's airport has the grandiose name of Central Illinois Regional Airport.

Tea N. Crumpet said...

I'll get to normal then bounce back out.

Elizabeth said...

Happy New Year to you, Steve! And your family...

Shauna Roberts said...

Good to hear you're finally going to have a settled position! Hope it gives you more time to write, once you get moved into your new house.

gnosticserenity said...

I'm amazed that Kathleen isn't with you now that Jim is in college. I must give her a call... That's what I get for assuming... :-)

I hope your plans are turning out as you predicted here... I hope your job is less stressful and you are enjoying Normal.

Cheers.