"Crash Course in Life"

Hey all - I know I said that we'd still use this thing once the trip ended - sure hasn't worked out that way, but those of you who know, know.

Things are normalling out now for the most part. Going back to work is right around the corner - found out I have some additional duties which will either be a little challenging or a huge pain. Remains to be seen. But, I think I have reached the level of confidence (or hubris?) where work stuff doesn't send me into a panic. I've been teaching long enough that I feel like I can handle new challenges, and I've been alive long enough to not be afraid of my own mistakes. Obviously I'm grateful that my line of work allowed me to have the amazing trip that was described on this blog, so if they're gonna jerk me around a little, I'm not going to rattle my cage too much.

Truly glad to hear that my good friend Matt Saunders and his wife both found the jobs they wanted. Sad that the jobs they wanted were in the Oklahoma Panhandle, but hey, now we have another place to stay out west. Congrats, Matt - you deserve it more than anyone I know. And you too Becky, for being the rare person who can see Matt for the great human being he is. Good luck out there!

So, I slowly see that more and more of my college friends have packed up and headed west. Not that I had a ton of them to begin with, but...who thought that *I* would be the last one left in town, with no plans to leave for years and years? Funny how the guy with the most wanderlust has put down the firmest roots...and I've never regretted it.

Shessh, what am I even talking about any more? Well, the other big news in the family is that the trip video is finally done. Won't even begin to explain the nightmare of computer trouble that went into it. All that matters is, it's done. And it looks, and sounds, great. Very happy with the results, and as we start premeiering it to friends and family tonight, I hope everyone else enjoys it as well.
The soundtrack is of course...eclectic. From Richard Strauss to Explosions in the Sky and back to music from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (!!!) it covers a lot of territory.

Well, that's all for now. Hopefully we'll be back to posting our thoughts more often these days. To all you teachers, enjoy the twilight of summer, to those who work year-round, your time to taunt us is approaching fast.

Matt