Big News!

For friends of my blog who have not yet heard (which is most everyone as this is fairly up to the minute news), Rusty received a job offer in San Francisco. He will be working for the EPA in region 9. To save us all a litany of emails and questions, I'm including a Q and A section to this post...

1. When? Well, he's due out there by August 21st, but will be coming back to settle home stuff sometime in September or October.

2. Where will he live? We haven't decided that yet, but he may be staying with our dear friends Paul and Liz until that is determined. (No one tell Paul and Liz until we call them!)

3. This seems so sudden, how long have you two been planning this? We have been discussing the possibility of a move for quite some time. Whether that meant closer to Raleigh or it meant out of the state we had not determined. About a month and a half ago, this opportunity became available. We didn't think in our wildest dreams, we would move back to the bay area...but there you have it, that's where the opportunity is...Rusty really wanted to get back with the federal government, and this was his chance.

4. When will Walt go? Hmmm, tough question. I really feel obligated to work through the school year, and I want to get my defense of proposal done at UNC, Chapel Hill before leaving. (Other hindrances are selling the house and getting Principal's licensure in California) So, I'm thinking spring may be the time I can go, but much depends on the aforementioned goals.

5. What will Rusty be working on? He will be a RPM (Remedial Project Manager) once again. His project will be a mine clean-up site in the Sierra Nevada Foothills. This is and has been a public relations nightmare. Rusty's facilitative skills and his environmental knowledge make him perfect for this job.

6. Isn't it expensive there? Yes, it is! ('nuff said).

7. Aren't you nervous about such a big move? Yes, we are but we have lived in the bay area once before. Quite frankly, we are ten years older and ten years wiser since then. Living there before was like a big party, our priorities have changed and our desires have changed. We are more worried about a possible culture shock...we have been inculcated into NC culture pretty heavily...I expect we'll receive a few rebukes in the bay area for not being up on the latest PC issues and lingo but we'll adapt. I'm sure, we'll also quickly adopt the liberal haughtiness and smugness so characteristic of bay area residents. It'll be nice to be in a blue state for a change.

8. When is the going away bash? To Be Determined

Ten years in North Carolina! It has been fantastic, fruitful and fun. But, it seems the fates are moving us along. Feel free to come visit me but even more tempting, visit Rusty!

The Ultimate Fireworks on the Fourth

Last weekend, Rusty and I flew into Florida for a brief visit to say "Howdy" to Rusty's parents. While in Florida, we went to a manatee preserve and enjoyed the slow, methodical rise and fall of about a dozen manatees in the water. Several manatee pups were present. This is not a side to central Florida many families take the time to see as they rush off to the mega-Disney money vaccuum in Orlando. The afternoon was quiet as we observed these gentle sea cows, feeling guilty about the obvious scars from boat propellors. There really is nothing like liberal guilt for getting Rusty and I motivated to donate money or pick up a cause. The moment was then shattered by the screeching of children rushing to their next activity on their Florida vacation checklist. We wanted to swing by the preserve surrounding Kennedy Space Center. Disappointingly, it was closed in preparation of the shuttle launch. The launch was delayed twice while we were in Florida. July fourth was a beautiful day and the prognosis for a lift off was good. We decided to go to the beach and watch the launch.



The tension was building slowly over the hour as we stood on the pier off the coast of Titusville waiting for the shuttle to launch. The weather? Warm, clear and just about perfect. The radios, all tuned to the shuttle launch coverage, began the countdown right on time. As the count came down to three, two and one, an audible inhalation of breath was not only heard but felt from the thousands of spectators, really a collective prayer to whatever god, goddess or saint rules the heavens and the vehicles bringing us to the heavens. One can't help the multiple emotions present at this moment, tension, fear, signifigance, more importantly feelings of insignifigance, an overwhelming sense of joy and oddly enough accomplishment even though having done nothing but be a spectator. The shuttle lifted off quickly. The sonic boom startled everyone out of their individual thoughts forcing a sense of jubilation and prompting thunderous applause. The shuttle program will end in 2010 if not sooner. I'm sure there will be a less expensive equally impressive light show to take it's place. I will miss the shuttle and the random emotions it has produced. Happy 4th of July and thanks America for this spectacular fireworks display.