My first blog ever

After numerous hints and reminders from my family, I am finally writing an entry which, as duly noted in the title, is my first blog ever. I must admit that I still don't quite get the attraction of this kind of public journaling. Seems like a type of streaking with none of the adrenalin and all of the exposure. Nonetheless, here I am, writing for public - albeit a very limited public - consumption.

By way of update, my days are spent adapting my dissertation for eventual publication, writing class lectures and syllabi for the fall, and preparing for my relocation. Regarding my manuscript, I sent a chapter, introduction, and table of contents to Johns Hopkins Press last week. It will be a number of weeks before I hear back from them. Nonetheless, I keep on writing in good hope. I am enjoying the process of preparing for classes although it is a bit hard to stay focused and motivated from a distance. I will be teaching Introduction to African American Studies in the fall. In the spring, the African-American Religious Experience and African American History: 1865 to the present. I can hardly wait to be in the classroom again. As for moving, we've settled on professional movers (moving parties no more! woo-hoo!) and I'll soon work with a Realtor in Missoula to settle on a one-bed room or efficiency for the first year until Cheryl (and the boys?) join me at the end of June in 2009. Then there are things like having to change our cell phone carrier because our current carrier does not provide service in the state of Montana, getting my bike in working order because I hope not to buy a second car after I move, and thinking through what I will take with me and what Cheryl and the boys will keep in Evanston.

So, I'm plenty busy. Looking at the calendar I realize that I only have three months here before I take off for Montana. We'll leave on Friday, July 18, spend a full weekend in Kalona, Iowa, and then take two days to drive to Missoula. Cheryl and the boys will spend three days in the city getting to know the place and the people I'll be working with and then return to Evanston. It will be a long four months until I see them again at Thanksgiving.

There. My first blog. Enjoy.

Tobin

Debilitating needs

On Monday morning, Tobin laid in bed and groaned.  He doesn't get sick often, so he thinks God is punishing him when he does.  "Why am I getting sick now?"  My unappreciated answer was, because of germs.  Sadly Zach had a similar germ so half the family was laid low.  Dylan and I, being awesome, did not get sick and went on to school and work.  We came home and opened cans of soup for supper because the chief cook was still laying on the floor,  groaning.  When I offered to prepare something for supper for the following night, Tobin checked to make sure he does nice things for me when I don't feel well.  Of course you do, I assured him.  Dylan was also affirming.  Dad, he said, you have a debilitating need to do nice things for mom.  You're always doing nice things for mom.   

I'm hoping that debilitating need gets passed on to Dylan and Zach.  Come fall when Tobin's in Montana and I'm here, I'll miss those nice things.  I'm hoping to be able to do my job from home 2-3 days a week starting in September.  The management at my work has to be convinced that this is a good idea so I probably won't have an answer for a few months.  But skipping the hour long commute will allow me to be here when the boys get home from school and do nice things for them too.

Tobin and Zach are well again and back to arguing about bedtimes.  Zach was the only one of us to feel the earthquake Friday morning but he mistook it for the cat shaking his bed.  

First Real Post...

So this my first real post actually concerning the blog's main purpose, to inform people about our lives and stuff (I'll provide the stuff). I should, however, update our faithful readers, and gossip mongers, on the present conditions of my life. First off, Junior Year. Yes, it does deserve caps and yes, it does deserve a scream in horror. Fortunately, its almost over with less than a quarter left and I would be excited except that final exams really suck. I'm also finished with my junior research paper and was able to quote two of the Beastie Boys, Chuck D, and ?uestlove. It was awesome. Junior Year also means college search. I refuse to talk about that now(maybe later). Hmm, what else, as far as recreation goes, I'm in band on the Tenor Sax, rock out on the guitar, and just joined the Ultimate club at school. What can I say, my life's a party. I think I'll end it right here. That's probably not close to being a good update on my life but I like to keep a sense of mystery about me... I'm also rather lazy.

First

so apparently my mother thinks that writing a family newsletter is equate-able to writing a blog and that being funny is just as as easy. However she is wrong being funny is hard, as is using correct punctuation. All i can say is thank god for spell-check. is equate-able even spelled like that?

after being propositioned to write for this blog, wonder how many times that word will come out of my mouth, that zach has so cleverly named Blogorama Deluxe Super-Huge Ego or whatever i figured it would be something that would keep me from being bored, then i bought a gameboy and rediscovered the awesomeness of pokemon. Pokemon's coolness lasted for about a day so i had to find something other to do so i did this. unfortunately i don't really know what to right about so there goes that idea. I have however written two paragraphs about nothing so it just goes to show how much a bored person can actually do.

For all you memphis fans out their who agrees with me that calipari really should make his people shot free throws i mean missing 4 out of your last 5 ? that's just disrespectful. I also had them winning in my bracket so it's even more then just disrespectful.

The Office returns on thursday the 10th anyone else excited?

Interesting wikipedia (the king of all internet sites) fact of the day: Felix V was the last legitimate antipope and opposed Pope Nicholas V from 1439-1449.

By the way if you're ever bored somewhere with two people and a computer, the wikipedia game is always a good way to waste time. Just pick a noun, click on random page and the first person to find the noun wins

Dylan

ending beastie boys quote: "i'd guess you'd expect to catch the crew rhyming"

Template Change

Due to several(meaning one) complaint about the color of the template we have decided to change the template of our humble blog. This decision came after some hard thinking but we felt it was for the best. It wouldn't be a true blog without the one fan who spends their evening on the internet posting snarky messages and feeling very pleased with themselves afterward. So please, allow your eyes to enjoy the fresh new template and each time you read a paragraph think to yourself, "thank you, ed, thank you."

This is the first entry on the Miller/Shearer Blogorama Deluxe so named by Zachary who was given the job of creating the blog site- thus the URL.  (Of course it's true)

Given the upcoming changes is our family's life, I thought a blog might be a fun way to keep family and friends up to date on our status and just life in general. 

 What are the chances of this family blog succeeding?   Zach tells me he'll post articles about how cool he is.  I don't think Dylan has weighed in yet.  I'm hoping Tobin won't be too stressed in his new job to add a few lines about his life in Montana.  And I'll try to keep things up to date.  More or less.  If I don't forget or get too tired.   And can think of something to say.

I'll give it a 50% chance.  Those of you who've read our Christmas letter know how witty our sons can be, so by all means, encourage them.  

I'm hoping someone more technologically more adept than I am will post pictures and stuff. (OK boys?)  

Right now, we're all in Evanston. The boys are in the final stretch of their Junior year. I will have worked at the same job for the past 6 years as a triage nurse at Northwestern Medical Faculty Foundation come July.  Tobin is getting ready to graduate and go through the hooding ceremony in June and then in July he'll move to Missoula Montana.   Think we're in for some fun?   

I'm going to finish my milkshake now.