So, I guess I'm now an Ohioan (Buckeye?).

I arrived in central Ohio in mid-August, just a few days after defending the dissertation. My head has just stopped spinning, and I've more or less figured my way around town. So it's time to start applying for jobs again. Ah, the life of an academic!

I'm enjoying it here. The town is super-cute, and the campus is lovely. My colleagues are wonderful. The students are much sharper, which makes my job both easier and harder in various ways. And I'm making more money than I know what to do with.

But at the same time, I've been pulled out of my comfort zone. The move went very easily, and everything was set up within a week. But I haven't really had much time to write. Between preparing my classes, grading and watching everything I possibly can in regard to the election season--I'm just starting to get into the groove of my new life. At least I'll have the summers to do some serious work, get published, and get a permanent position.

I never realized how much I missed Fall. There are no seasons in Florida--but rarely does one realize what one is missing until one finds it again. The slight nip of the cold against one's skin on a chilly October morning really makes one feel alive.

If I were a religious man, I would be praying that McCain doesn't win the election. Since I'm not, I'm just applying to a lot of Canadian jobs as a fallback strategy.