Because Writing is Exercise

I hate writing. I really do. I also have to do it.n It's how I communicate best and how I sort out all the stuff running around in my head. Much like when I don't exercise I feel lazy and unmotivated, when I haven't written in a while, i feel disorganized and uncentered.

The first paragraph is always the hardest for me. It's much like the first mile of a run. I just want to stop, turn around and walk back to where I started. Same thing with writing. The first paragraph always looks like crap to me, but I know I have to plug through it and get to the second paragraph. Once I get there, the worst is behind me and the words will flow much more easily.

I feel like I write one of these stupid posts every time I have an extended absence from posting to this blog. It's probably an accurate feeling too. First mile down, now time to start getting back into the habit.

Back from a break

I'm about to commit one of my pet peeves here and begin a blog post saying that it's been a while since I last wrote. I will not however, apologize for it. In the last two months, I've become a father, moved from Vermont to Massachusetts, and started a new job.

I've been busy.

Let's recap how this all happened.

You'll most likely remember a trilogy of Vermont posts that were embarrassingly melodramatic and nostalgic back in April. It was right around that time that I decided that I was leaving Vermont and my time at Saint Michael's was over. I had been looking for a change for a while. I had at least eight job interviews this past year and two offers. The only out of state interview I took seriously is the one I had here at Groton. It's got the right combination of community, rural location, and professional opportunity. Most importantly though, when Wife and I walked on campus the first week of June, it just felt right.

Of course, you can't leave a place without leaving something behind. Despite moving and hour from where I grew up, we've left many friends and family behind. This is an odd feeling for me. The last time I moved, it was from Mass to Vermont. I cut ties with just about everyone from high school and my hometown.

This move was a lot different. Maria and I have incredible friends in Vermont. They truly are amazing. All are unique in their own way, and we care about each of them deeply. This weekend I was reminded about how lucky Maria and I are to have friends who are so close they're almost like family.

We've also moved further from my family and my family's roots. It's an odd feeling. In my interview here, I quoted Calvin Coolidge's "Vermont is the state I love" speech. Like Coolidge, my kin were born there and my dead are buried there. Vermont is the state I love, and I'll look forward to returning there when I ever I can. I'm proud to say that my son was born in Vermont. I miss it.

I don't want this to be perceived as I'm not happy about my decision. I'm thrilled. I am so happy to be working here and excited at the opportunity to raise Parker on this campus. This evening I was watching a bunch of students on the Circle playing soccer with other faculty children picturing Parker out there some day.

I think it's a combination of turning 30, having a child, moving away out of my comfort zone and moving out of the state I love all within 3 months that have me feeling a bit nostalgic, and quite frankly, feeling old.

I know, I know, 30 is the new 20, but still...