Don't call it a comeback, I've been here for years

Oh, hi there. Long time no see. I've been meaning to post, but there have been some complicating factors. Like the fact that I haven't had internet at my new place until now. And the fact that I can't very well blog from the new job because Big Brother is always watching. You wouldn't want me to get in trouble with Big Brother, would you? WOULD YOU?

I am alive. I'm still sort of settling in. What can I say? I'm lazy. At this rate I'll have my stuff completely unpacked in time to box it up and move again. That's sort of the way it goes. Last time I moved it took me roughly three years to do things like hang pictures on the wall. Maybe I'll do it sooner this time. Maybe not. Who knows?

I don't really have much more to say right now, but thought I'd at least check into the blogosphere for a few minutes. I'll make it around to catch up on everyone's blogs soon. Not tonight though. I have too much other stuff to do. Like catch up on fmylife, and textsfromlastnight.

Goodbye's too good a word babe, so I'll just say 'Fare thee well'

I'm leaving Las Vegas.

Most would say, "Finally!"

I feel like I'm leaving too soon.

I'm picking up a U-Haul in about a half hour. I'll load it today, and head out of town tomorrow.

I'm starting a new phase of my career: A job that will allow me to focus solely on research.

It really is a good fit for me and what I hope to achieve.

I'm a little excited.

I'm a little nervous.

I'm also really, really sad.

I'll be closer to my parents and siblings.

I'll be closer to good flyfishing and mountain biking.

But I'll also be further from my kids.

I'm leaving behind some of the best friends a person could hope to have.

I'm leaving behind a girl I'd hoped someday to build a future with.

Those aren't easy things to give up. No matter how good the rest of it seems.

I know things will all work out for me. They always do, but it might take a while for things to feel "normal" again.

Wish me luck.

How was I supposed to know?

Mr M: [Togers], we got the U-Haul today, and it is BIG.

Togers: I bet it is.

Mr M: It is really, really big.

Togers: I know, but what else did you do today?

Mr M: No, [Togers], it's bigger than a snake.


So there you have it. A moving truck is officially bigger than a snake. Who knew?

And if you feel a little left behind

I hate saying goodbye. I'm not very good at it, but I just had to say it to some friends of mine. They're leaving town tomorrow morning, for good. I don't know, it's something about finally graduating and getting a real job or some lame thing like that. Things are going to be different around here without them around, there's no question about that.

As a group we've been trying to hang out a little more than usual over the past week. It's one of those things that just seems to happen when you know it's going to be your last chance to do something. I had lunch with my friend yesterday, and as we were finishing up and heading back to our offices one of my friends asked him if we were going to hang out last night, since it was the last time we could before the movers came.

Lame-O moving friend: "I want to, but we'll have to do it earlier in the afternoon. I can't do it at night because my wife has a party with people from work. Maybe you guys can come, I'll see if there's going to be any free stuff."

Me (at the same time that he was saying the bit about the free stuff): "Are there going to be boobies? Because you can definitely count me in if there are. Especially if they're free."

Lame-O moving friend: "In my experience there's no such thing as free boobies. There's always some kind of a cost."

Truer words have never been spoken.

That's the kind of wisdom that I'll be missing out on from this point on.