Of concern...

I am presently uninspired.

Normally, I look to my Avs to help out in this situation.  But this season, that's not the case.  It's been a long season and the frustrating part, for me, is that they seem to be accepting of it.  I'm not, but they are.

A few weeks ago, I decided I had had enough of my present situation.  There were issues and topics that were beginning to weigh me down to a point that I needed to act.  Who better to turn to than the Big Guy Upstairs?  So I sat down and came up with a list of items that I would pray for until I got an answer.  The result?  silence

In case you're curious, here's my list:

SPIRITUAL  I've been praying that my spiritual life would ignite!  It's been some time since I have been inspired and this needs to change (unless this is the answer?--that I need to go through this desert?).

DIRECTION  Direction for my life.  Had you asked me a couple of years ago, I would have told you that I would be teaching at a university somewhere overseas by this time.  Since then, I have finished my degree and applied to a number (LARGE number) of universities overseas.  The response?  nothing

Wyoming is great, really, but I have grown tired of the year-to-year status for my future.  I am on a one year contract and recently accepted a second one year contract.  This has been the pattern for some time as I haven't known where I would be living more than a year in advance since 2001 when I was evacuated from Central Asia.  I remember explaining this to a couple of my friends over lunch during Spring Break.  Simply put, it's getting old.

RELATIONSHIP  I'm looking.  I'm searching.  And I'm still single.

I am interested in women I shouldn't be or that are not interested in me.  I have a reached a point where I no longer believe I will find someone.  I have lost hope.  For those who know me and know my view of the concept of hope, they know that this pains me to state.  I'm not looking for sympathy here, but rather just an understanding.  If you feel compelled, pray that I would have peace over this matter.

The other day, I was thinking my status might make for an interesting article on the 'geography of one'.  We'll see.

HEALTH  I'll keep this simple.  I have a dentist's appointment this coming Thursday and I'm guessing it's not going to be fun.

PUBLICATIONS  Several weeks ago, I sent out two book proposals to university presses.  One is for a collection of geographical essays that I'm editing and the other is based on my Paul Bunyan work.  It is important that something turns out as I am under a lot of pressure to publish to keep my job (not to mention that I'm now responsible for a team of 12 authors).

Earlier today, I heard back from a publisher regarding the edited volume.  The response?  negative

ugh.

May not be a 'Hockey Mom'...

This week I'm on the road for Spring Break.  I've journeyed to the Black Hills of western South Dakota and the Sandhills of north-central Nebraska and now find myself in Old Town Wichita.  I'm writing from a coffee house (big surprise) that fits my billing quite well.  It's a Christian cafe, but one that plays U2 (Gloria is currently playing) and donates proceeds to child relief internationally (Myanmar (Burma)) and locally (one particular local school where 97+% of the students come from families living below the poverty level).

This particular Spring Break is a one I've been looking forward to for some time.  I've had a busy year and I'm thinking this is a good time to catch up on sleep and relationships and...hockey!

While visiting my parents, my dad suggested that my mom and I should take in a hockey game.  The Rush were at home playing the villainous OK City Blazers and this provided us the opportunity.  The game was great!  Plenty of fights! and it ended with a shoot-out.  Unfortunately, we lost, but it was a good game.  Mom may not have been that into it (I think it may have been the fighting), but was glad she went and I think she got a good taste of what I enjoy.

Last night, I was able to take in the Rush's final road game of the season against the Thunder.  I went with a friend who had never seen a hockey game before and we had a good time.  Game highlight: the Rush were down by a goal with less than 9 minutes to play when Wichita went on a power play and...we scored 2 short-handed goals in 12 seconds!!!  I've never seen that before and don't know if I'll see it again.  Unbelievable.

The Rush may be out of the playoff picture, but we're still skating hard.

This season's record:

Home

Eagles at Rush: W 0-4 (first home game ever!)

Sundogs at Rush: L 3-0

Blazers at Rush: OTL 3-2

Road

Rush at Eagles: OTL 6-7 (first game ever!)

Rush at Rage: L 0-4

Rush at Thunder: W 6-3

ps--the Eagles, Rage, and Thunder are Rapid City's 3 division opponents

Stupid Portland State thinks they're so tough...

I was having a pretty good week until this:

http://espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=290702502

ps--I'm staying in Laramie

As I was saying...

My department chair just contacted me.  I have been offered a full-time position for the coming year.

Last Days on the Ranch?

Laramie is a good fit.  I have noted this before, but I feel the need to reiterate it from time to time.

I received a call from Longmont earlier today.  Several months ago, when I was unsure of what my future would be here--or if I would even have one--I found myself applying for positions around the country.  I hate the process.  Really.  The last couple of years I have applied for more positions than I care to remember.  This year, I didn't send out nearly as many applications.  The reason is simple: not as many openings.

Since sending out a number of applications, I have learned that I will have a position here in the fall.  The department was hoping to retain me, but were waiting to give official word until a fellow faculty member made a commitment as to whether or not she would be returning.  If she retired, I had a position.

The economy tanked.  Stocks crashed.  She's coming back.

Thankfully, I'm in very good standing with the school.  My department was able to offer me something, but at a great reduction in salary.  Initially, I was incredibly frustrated with the situation.  I've since gotten over it and am now just thankful I have something for the coming year.

BTW: there is still a possibility I may have a full-time position here next year.  I should know later this week.

I was, and am, very thankful for the position.  For weeks I had heard nothing, so having something was much better than nothing.  But as noted, that changed earlier today.  Front Range CC is one of the positions I applied for and I have an interview this coming Friday.

The dilemma is not quite as cut and dry as it might seem.  If I am offered a second year here at Wyoming, a second year at full-time, there's no guarantee I'll be offered a third.  Front Range would be full-time and tenured, but would pigeon-hole me professionally and would have me teaching courses I am not nearly as enthusiastic about.

I also need to make a housing decision by Thursday at the latest.

I've been praying a lot of recent.  Praying about direction, guidance, and insight.  I'm not sure this is all related, it could be, but not necessarily.  But at the very least, I will definitely be praying more specifically over the next couple of days.