neadods | Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes (a State of the Nea post)

I seem to be having an unprecedented (and expensive) bout of adulthood going on. I've upgraded my wardrobe almost from scratch for the first time in years. I've been going to doctors regularly (although I may have to go back to the dentist, as the tooth that started all this nonsense is still incredibly sensitive.) I'm about to pick a painter for the house. I've just had a ton of work done on my car - the bumper cover is still held on with duct tape, but the tires and everything under the hood should be good to go for the next 60,000 miles.

This weekend, I have two essays on Martha and racism in Who to peer review, and I have a fanfic to edit for a MediaWest zine. I've offered to put in a clinic shift and am waiting to hear back.

And on Monday... I start the new contract.

It's going to mean a lot of changes, which is why I'm spending all this time trying to get things done in advance. Some of them are good - I will be learning a lot of new things in the new job. Some are good in disguise - I can no longer take the time to buy a chai and bagel at the local bakery Every. Single. Morning. (I found out what brand of chai they use, though. Big Train spice, available for reasonable rates on the internet.) Considering the way parking is, it's not out of the question on at least nice days to force myself to get exercise by parking about half a mile away from the door.

And some things will be an adjustment. The bad parking means that I won't be blithely running errands over lunch anymore. Because I'll be on a steep learning curve, I won't be able to listen to audiobooks while I'm working. I've been badly spoiled on those two points for many months now.

Basically, on Monday my life begins the New Normal. And I'm both excited and a little scared about it.