So...there's a lot going on and I'm not sure where to begin. The tl;dr is that I continue to be a restless, dissatisfied person who makes her life extremely complicated. Like, remember last year when I got evicted and moved across the country? And the year before that when I decided to get pregnant during a global pandemic? This summer is not turning out much different.
No, I am not pregnant, and thankfully, evictions and pandemics are not on the docket, either. Buying a house does appear to be forthcoming, though. In our case it feels like it is taking foreeeeever, but I guess that's just how things work? We are under contract on a cute little house with a big yard. Inspections are finished, it's just slow lawyers who are holding things up now. I have not quite accepted that I will need to pack everything up and move again, but I am probably in denial because it appears as though that will be happening in the next month or so. I also have a lot of Thoughts about amortization schedules now, but I will not plague you with those.
And, even crazier...it appears that I will be changing jobs again this summer? I don't know why that has a question mark after it. I am, indeed, changing jobs. It is decided. But I say this sheepishly because, yes, I know, I am a crazy job-hopper who is never satisfied at work.
Like any addict, though, I will insist that this time is different! Really, it is! This time, I am leaving a job that has been pretty much a total disaster from day one. If you are surprised to hear that, it's because I wouldn't allow myself to admit it until a few months ago. Also I hate complaining about things when there's no solution, but now I've found a solution so I can complain! (Another solution would involve running my manager over with a bus, but I've decided against homicide this time.)
Anyway, I'm transferring to a new department within the same university, which should reduce the general upheaval this time. I will, for the first time ever, be working with engineers. Weirdly, I will be making much more than I have before, while also working on stuff I know nothing about. You would think that knowing nothing would lower my salary, but apparently if you put the word "engineering" in your title it automatically entitles you to a 12% raise.
I do realize that what Tocqueville writes about restlessness pretty much directly applies to me and my constant job changes. But I am, after all, an American. I do indeed pursue well-being with a feverish ardor, "tormented constantly by a vague fear of not having chosen the shortest road that can lead to it." Perhaps I should, henceforth, pursue my well-being through the classic American pastime of buying useless kitchen gadgets? That seems like it would be infinitely simpler than my current approach.
