Eight is Great

This is the 8th post of 2008.

::Balloons fall. Noise makers make noise. Peasants rejoice. OR maybe I just did a dance while sitting on my couch. Take your pick::

That equals last years total, but doesn't really touch past years. I just spent a bit of time looking over old posts of mine and old posts from family and friends. This, I think, is part of the point of blogging. It was really grand. I seemed to have an affinity for saying that in college. Grand, I mean. Its a good word, but I fear I used it too much. Just busting it out sounds good, though. Grand.

I was looking because, as recently as a few years ago, the posts from this time period were filled with things like, "took X final today. Brain oozing out my earz." (Yes, with a Z). THe "Finals" posts were closely followed by blissful accounts of Christmas break and eating too much. This year I am not taking any courses (I haven't in almost two years), I'm not teaching any courses (I'm on a research assistantship), so the "end-of-the-semester" demarcation doesn't mean much this go-round. I work until the 19th, but it won't really stop then, as I'll be collecting data for my dissertation as much as possible until my golden ticket gets punched.

And that is the thing... finishing up these last few months of school has taken on the feel of constructing a golden ticket to leave. I haven't really felt like a student in awhile. I feel most comfortable when I teach (professionally speaking. I feel most comfortable overall when I am having a glass of whiskey on the couch with my wife). I'm not sure when the switch happened, but it has happened. I'm ready to have a profession. My interview @ Spring HIll is January 12th and 13th. I want them to give me that chance at a profession. Because, honestly, I don't feel like a student anymore.

Yes, yes, I know. "The more you know" and all that. I'm going to be a college professor, and keep learning. But there is a difference between how I feel now (and have felt for about a year), and the ability to wear a t-shirt that says "I is a college student" and complain about eating too many noodles. See?

In music news, I just bought "Vampire Weekend." Its a cool sound... like Spoon and Cake had a baby who was born with a tube-amp keyboard. You should take a listen.

And if you are a visual learner, as I am, here is a picture that sums up my post:

Head on Fire.

I hope everyone is well!

Peace,
Joe