Move update

Move, you ask?

Yes, "move," I say. My husband and I are contemplating a move to another state. We've lived in Minnesota for 20 years, which is the longest I've ever stayed in one place. There are a lot of circumstances coming together that make it simpler for us to move now, rather than later, so we're starting the search for a new home. We may build, we may buy, we may stay put. We'll see what happens.

What happened the last time we moved (20 years ago) was we said, "Well, let's toss out some resumes and see if anyone is interested." Within a month my husband had 3 job offers. So we put our house on the market and it sold in 48 hours.

Whoops. Looks like we're moving! That year we moved 4 times (once to an apartment, one to another apartment when the first apartment was involved in a building fire, once to a house and once to a second house). We've stayed put since then, but we're both getting the itch to try something new, so...

We'll see what happens! Stay tuned here for updates as life sorts itself out.

Politics ... again

I've been watching the Wisconsin events with interest. While I consider myself a liberal, in this case I think I side with the conservatives. I've long thought that unions are out of control in our country and I somewhat admire the governor for sticking to his guns.

I've never belonged to a union. I never had a guaranteed job. I never had a guaranteed salary. I've never had tenure. I understand why those guarantees were needed -- years ago. But I don't think unfair labor practices abound any more, not enough to justify what unions can demand. I don't think the benefit outweigh the abuses any more.

I've talked to so many parents who have pulled their kids from public schools because of poor teaching. Administrators have their hands tied when it comes to getting good people and keeping them and when it comes to getting rid of people who aren't performing adequately. I've seen it in colleges -- I was married to a professor and believe me, I've seen it in practice there. I've seen it with public employees. There are a lot of very good, dedicated employees and there are a lot who are slackers. In a place without unions, those people probably wouldn't have jobs. And that's how it should be, isn't it?

Why are people in unions afraid to stand on their own merit? Are those careers and people who evaluate performance really so biased? Are the labor practices so unfair? It seems like we have government oversight of just about every aspect of our lives. Surely abuses don't persist, do they?

I'm just not sure about this. It sounds like "I deserve a job" to me. It sounds like "I deserve to be taken care of." No one has ever guaranteed a job or a salary for me. Why do you deserve it? What makes your job so different? Why can't you be evaluated based on merit?

I just don't get it, not in today's age.

yes, it's confirmed: I don't belong here

I just got back from a visit to my hometown. This is the first time back since my Mom's funeral, and I wasn't sure how it would feel. After all, it's not really 'home' any more, is it?

Nope. It is home. Yes., it was odd being there without seeing her. But it also felt right -- that's my home, where I grew up, where my friends still live. I have friends here, but there's no friend like an old friend and I have several there. I love walking around town, I love the layout of the place, I like the feel.

It confirmed for me what I've been considering for a long time. I don't belong here. I belong there.

Now to make it happen.

Back in town and ready to work

I just got back from Love Is Murder, a great little conference in Chicago. I know: Chicago in February. Argh! But despite the mild travel headaches, it's a great conference.

Why? I've been thinking a lot about this lately, and I think LIM has the 3 things I really want in a conference:
the chance to interact with readers, one on one
a small group of authors, some with small press and others 'big' names: a nice mix of authors
a relaxed atmosphere, where I can hang out with readers and my peers

I'm tired of conferences that are all about promotion, or conferences where there's an "us" vs. "them" mentality (the Big Guys and the Small Guys).

Yep. Because of this weekend, I'm rethinking my conference plans for the year. What a great side effect from a good weekend!