I’ve been at NC State University as either a student or employee for almost 11 years. I’ve lasted longer than 2 chancellors, at least 3 provosts, and the usual upheaval associated with a large organization undergoing growth and compression. It’s been an amazing experience, and one where I basically grew up.
Well, all of that ends today. Friday, June 19, 2009 will be my last day with NC State. As of 3pm today, I will end my run with the university, and prepare to move on to other things.
Words written in a blog cannot begin to describe the emotions I feel right now. All I can really say is that I’m ready for a change, and boy am I sure about to get it. I think that I surprised some people by deciding to accept a job in Texas. Heck, I surprised myself a bit with it, too, but what’s important is that I need this change.
At the end of the day, I’ll post a follow-up entry, explaining why I chose to move on.
So I have a LOT more stuff packed up now. The boxes, conveniently sitting in my living room, are starting to pile up. I’ve taken the strategy of taking care of the low-hanging fruit first, so I can build some momentum. 
Things left to pack:
- Pots and pans
- A/V electronics
- Lamps
- Bedding
- Some misc kitchen pieces
- Remainder of my clothes
- Pictures
- Drapes/hardware
- My desktop computer
- Printers
- Remainder of my office supplies
A long list, but no so long considering that some of those are things I can’t pack until the last minute anyway.
I’m tired.
It’s official… I will be leaving North Carolina on Monday, July 6, 2009.
I’ll be traveling through North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and finally Texas, over 3 days. It’s a 20 hour trip according to Google Maps:
View The Big Move in a larger map
Apparently they found out who created the random Barrel Monster that was near the NCSU campus in Raleigh… N.C. State student accused of creating a ‘monster’
Just what NCSU needs right now, more publicity. Woo.
Spent part of my Friday and Saturday working on getting some accounts set up with local utility providers in the Bryan/College Station (BCS) area. I’d kinda like to have the lights and cable turned on when I arrive, so I can get myself set up quickly. Thankfully water and trash collection are already covered by the apartment complex, and there’s no natural gas service to worry about.
So here’s the score:
- Electricity (Bryan, TX Utilities [BTU]): faxed account setup request
- Cable (SuddenLink): requested service via website
- Telephone (Vonage): account created, awaiting delivery of connection hardware
- Water (apt complex): done
- Trash (apt complex): done
Hopefully those first two will be fully set up by mid-week, so I don’t have to rush on them at the last minute.
If there’s one thing that I’m learning (or is that relearning?) during my packing process, it’s that I don’t have enough room to actually do the packing. I have boxes piling up literally everywhere. How can one person collect so much stuff?
Tomorrow, I need to set out a couple of general lists for myself… items to be shipped, items to carry with me. The contents of these lists will change as I continue to pack up, but I’m going to have limited space in my car, and there are some things that absolutely need to go with me. At the top of this list is my cat, Toby. After that, my desktop computer (I am absolutely not having that shipped), several days worth of clothes, toiletries, possibly some non-perishable food, cleaning supplies, and whatever else that i can reasonably fit in my car.
Some days I’m very thankful for owning a mini SUV. I think moving day will be one more of those thankful days.
The following has absolutely nothing to do with me moving, but it’s funny enough to share:
Barrel Monster helpfully directs traffic.
This was discovered along Hillsborough Street in Raleigh, while the road is undergoing construction. Find out more:
http://www.newraleigh.com/articles/archive/barrel-monster-spotted-on-hillsborough-street/
Just a quick note before bed. I spent much of Saturday trying to figure out how to start packing, which is actually much harder than it would seem. I realized that there are a lot of little knick-knacks that just don’t need to go with me. I’m looking at you, office supplies. It’s time for you to get gone.
Well, here we go. I’ve tried my hand at blogging once or twice, usually with pretty inconsistent (read: terrible) results. I didn’t really have a subject to write about, and rambling for the sake of rambling isn’t of much interest to anyone, least of all me.
This time things are different. I have a purpose.
In early July, I’ll be moving to College Station, TX, to effectively begin a new life for myself. I’ve accepted a job at the English Department of Texas A&M University’s College of Liberal Arts.
Yes, Texas. No one is more surprised about this than me. When I applied there a month ago, I figured it was a long-shot bid, but it seemed like a really great opportunity to move up (and move on) with my professional life. Since I’ve spent the last 10 or so years in Raleigh, all of them with NC State University, now seemed like a good time to look elsewhere.
So. Why this blog? My goal here is to have one place where I can share my experiences moving to and living in a new state. I don’t know if anyone will ultimately read this thing, but it’s my hope that I can use it to keep my friends and family updated on my life in the Lone Star state. Fair warning, though… it might just be boring.
Over the next few weeks, I’ll be talking about getting ready for the move, and my new job. Pictures and other assorted stuff will likely follow.
Off we go!