Welcome home

 Finally arrived and starting to get settled in my new abode. I really, really thought it would be easier to pack up and move than it has proved to be. I lived in such a tiny house and tried not to accumulate stuff over the 2 years I lived there (and I got rid of lots)...but, holy moly, it took days to sort and pack everything, and get the house ready for the renter. I was pretty impressed with my tetris packing job on the trailer, but I realized I could have fit a couple of things in the nooks and crannies that I ended up cramming into the car (and, in one case, leaving behind, sob!)

The drive was brutal. I left later on Tuesday than I planned (of course); I had to stop for gas every 2 hours, and it took much longer than I expected to just get to Sioux Falls (I scrapped the plan to stop in Sioux City) at 55 mph (required for the trailer). I hoped the second day would be better (at least I would be driving in the daylight), but it rained all day and took just about as long as Day 1. 

But the Universe had my back - the person who was doing some painting in the apt was there when I arrived and insisted on helping me unload. Such a blessing. She's a talker, but it was worth it to get all that help. She even helped me get that crazy mattress into the house. Whew!

I slept 10 hours that night and felt a little better the next day. The wifi is finally connected and I'm starting to figure out how to put things away (though it's challenging and kind of stressful). Whoever renovated this apt (I don't think it was my current landlord) doesn't cook, because the kitchen set-up is whack. But I'll make it work (because I spend so much time in the kitchen!) I've cooked in a lot of kitchens over the years, and this is just one more that is far from my ideal (maybe some day!)

Kitty spent the first evening hiding under the bathroom sink and still retreats there regularly, but she's slowly getting bolder, and I think we will both end up being very comfortable here.

The neighborhood is a little less neighborhoody than I thought, but there's two gorgeous parks nearby, and I hope to ride my bike to both of them soon. There's a nice coffee shop close enough to ride to (and maybe walk, I'll see). The public radio station is also nearby, which seems like a good sign. And downtown is walking distance (though maybe not riding as it is down a long hill that would be very challenging to ride back up). I haven't had much time to explore, but I look forward to discovering many gems, once my apt is in better order. 

Anger management

 Not sure what the Universe is trying to tell me! In the course of saying goodbye to some of the folks I work with, someone told me they will miss me including how I manage my frustration - just letting things go. What? They went on to say they kind of talk themselves down when they get angry by thinking about me and how I handle it. This is a wild situation - no one on Planet Earth (maybe even in the entire Solar System) associates me with handling frustration gracefully. Well, until now I guess. Hmmm.

Buh bye

 I suppose I shouldn't be surprised that my exit from my current employer is shockingly cold and disinterested. Not a single person I have worked with for over 3 years offered to take me out to lunch or otherwise say goodbye. There is an "official" goodbye, but my boss sent the wrong day (Tue) along with the date (Oct 30) and never issued a correction (though I mentioned the error to her). At lunch time on Tuesday, someone said something to me about the festivities later, so I finally sent out a correction myself, to clear up the confusion. Awkward af though. And wow, could you more clearly telegraph how little you give a shit about me after I put my heart and soul into this job? Just wow. When I think about how engaged I have been - instigating things, volunteering for things, participating in things. All for what?

I don't suppose this is really a reflection on me - anxiety and apathy are a growth industry at the organization. People stay in their offices, barely speak at meetings or even in the hallways. It's downright depressing. This is the perfect moment to be escaping. 

A friend asked me: "How are you doing? I know you built a life there." LOLOL. I can't wait to leave. The "life" I've been existing in here is so devoid of genuine human connection, it is stunning. Good riddance.

KCU Research and Writing Support Librarian

I had the most validating experience with one of my grad students. 

I was meeting with her about the formatting of her dissertation (several faculty members have been sending students to me for help at the very end of the process, once they realized I knew about it and was willing to help). We were discussing formatting, but also writing and organizing. 

She kept telling me how helpful I was and how much she wished she had talked to me earlier. And all I could think is THIS is going to be my FULL job in KC and I am SO ready for it. 

It felt like the Universe wanted me to know how perfect this choice is for me and how much value I will be bringing to the students and faculty there. 

Is Mercury in retrograde?

 There is just too much going on and it is affecting my effectiveness.

Story #1

The keypad on the back door stopped working. wtf? The door is unlocked all the time. I think it must be the battery, even though I put a new one in just a few months ago. I stop at Target - they have a huge battery center but no 9V batteries of course. Next day, I stop at Runnings, who just bought Home of Economy (right by my house). HoE always had pretty good prices, so I was hoping these would be good. They have regular 9V, but also the lithium for $26. I said to myself, fuck it, I might as well get the good one, since the last battery didn't even last a year and Imma boutta go away, don't want to screw my renter. Oh boy. I should have known. When I put in the new battery, I see that the little lever on the lock is tripped. I just wasted $26. Doh!

Story #2

My watch band broke. I can still wear it, but I need a new band. I ordered a new one from Temu because I try not to use Amazon (because Jeff Bezos in a bozo). Plus the band isn't expensive so I'd have to order extra stuff since I don't have Prime, and I'm trying not to order stuff I don't need right before I move. So the watch band is supposed to be delivered in a couple weeks. But then I get a notice that the delivery date has changed to Dec 13. wtf? I won't even be living at the delivery address at that point. Now I'm looking at bands on Amazon and trying to figure out what else to order to get to $35. Couple days go by and I lost my watch. Band must have broken again. I look for it in a few places, but I can't find it. I order a new watchfrom eBay. It's supposed to be delivered in a few days. Then, I found my watch in the way back of my car. ACK! Now I've got a new watch on the way, but still need a new band for the old one. Doh!

Super hero day

So much going on right now, it's hard to get my arms around it. I have discovered that "gratitude" is not the same as "appreciation." Once I gave my notice at UND, many people had lots of nice things to say, which is great and I'm super flattered, but that certainly is not, and has not been, reflected in the meetings I've been invited to or been reflected in how much I am listened to when I have been included. 

But today was a great day! It was a 360 degree librarian day:

I started the day teaching a large undergrad class at 9 am (in-person); the tech let me down for the final exercise and I forgot something important, but I still think I killed it

Next, I did some student engagement with the College of Ed during their semi-annual HS outreach event. Not only did I kill it with the students, but I talked to relevant staff and faculty and made some great connections.

Right after this, I was covering chat and got a research question - we got onto zoom and I killed it helping this student find the right resources.

I closed out the day having a conversation about materials to buy for the children's collections that supports our goal of expanding biligual books this year.

Then I went and donated blood.

Later, I met one of the visiting fellows and helped them work through a frustrating situation they had experienced earlier in the week. I think I said all the right things and they felt better after our conversation.

So I'm feeling like a superstar librarian and generally outstanding contributing member of society. I need to remember this on the many, many days where I feel like I am wasting my time and screwing everything up.

KC Customer Service

Had a truly bizarre experience with a property manager in KC today. 

I had chosen an apt on their website, they contacted me, I said I could only do a virtual tour, and it was scheduled for today. 

This afternoon, I got a text asking me to confirm our 3 pm appt, and I replied "okay." At 3 pm, nothing happened - I didn't get a call or a link in an email or anything. 

I called the number that had texted me (Brylea) and got no answer. I called the main office number and Brylea answered. She said she usually gets a text reply that says "yes confirm" So she's mad because I only said "okay"??? 

I said something like I had expected the tour to occur on the computer and she said, "yeah we'll set up a google meet." I said "okay" and the call ended. Did she hang up on me for saying "okay" again??? 

I have no idea. She didn't call back.

This apt has been listed for over a month. wtaf? She's being this shitty to a potential renter for a place that's empty? Very worrisome if this is typical customer service in the Show Me State!

I will add that there are about a thousand apartments for rent in KC, so this is very much more her loss than mine. I think I'll write a Google review or email the company about how they lost a customer...

UPDATE

Someone else at the company contacted me a few days later. When I mentioned (very briefly) that I had been working unsuccessfully with Brylea, she assured me Brylea is a very kind person (!) I ended up being unimpressed with the apt, and there was no need to try to repair the relationship, or even waste any more time on it.