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