Many afoot!

A few of you have wondered why I've been less active here of late, and I feel like this is such a close community that I have been remiss in not reporting. My apologies.

The main reason I've withdrawn a bit from posting is that I've been going through a number of life transitions and my time has been quite limited.

  • In January I stopped working full time for my previous employer so I could focus more on my creative work. My goal is to finish a manuscript (2nd book of essays) by September.
  • Having said that, I continue to work for my previous employer on a contractual basis.
  • I am also working on other contracts simultaneously, and doing some volunteer work for our local writers festival.

(In other words, I'm working more than ever...and getting paid less....but it is all worth it to me, and I am happier. So it was a good decision.)

I'm also still spending time every month with my 90 year old, legally blind and extremely frail mother, and trying to guide my 15 year old through the travails of adolescence. Not to mention all the other family stuff that always arises.

Like the inimitable Ms. Mary, I have been delighted to have a wardrobe that keeps working for me in the midst of all this. I haven't done a ton of shopping because I simply haven't needed to -- I do read the blog and check into the forum as I can, and this is keeping me up to date and focused. THANK YOU YLF and Angie!!!!

Anyway. All of that is by way of preamble. Because in the near future, there will be even more changes in my life. Why? I am going back to school!! (Yup....in my 50s. I seem to do this once a decade, sort of like the way I used to grow my hair once per decade....)

I've received a scholarship to pursue a PhD in Cultural Studies with a creative thesis, and so I'm going to be starting that in September. My thesis will be the book of poetry that I've been picking at off and on for a number of years. This particular project requires a fair bit of intensive and somewhat specialized research, which I'm hoping the program will help me to structure. A number of professors on the faculty have interests that mesh significantly with my own and there are opportunities within the academy for me to think deeper into my subject. So while in some ways there will be awkwardness (academia and the arts are never perfect bedfellows, to say the least) at the same time, I'm pretty good at "being a student" and know that there is much I can do to turn the (very few) required courses to my own ends. Heh.

First up for me is a summer program in Chinese thought, offered in Beijing. (Traditional Chinese thought is relevant to the book). I have received a scholarship to attend this program and will be in Beijing for part of July.

What this means for the forum is that my participation may be even spottier than usual. I will be reading the blog and checking in here as I can, but please forgive me if I miss a lot of posts or comment briefly!

What this means for my style is that my budget will be much reduced (even with continued part-time work) and my already practical and casual style might become even more practical and casual. Especially in the winter.

I am planning to post my travel capsule and maybe even photos from the road if I can, as I did last time I went to China. And again, I hope to be visiting here when I'm able. But if you don't see me as often, now you will know why.