In which all is revealed in the world's most scattered post

Back in January, I wrote a post about why I was not ready to move back home to Oregon. One of my main concerns about moving back was a lack of jobs in the publishing industry. Commenter Ann Ominous posted a link to a job at Reed College. I checked it out. Seemed too good to be true. Reed was looking for a Managing Editor, someone to supervise the staff of people who are responsible for all print communication that leaves the college, someone who could also do some hands-on editorial work.

Um, hi, I'd be really good at that.

So I sent in my resume.

And guess what? I guess it wasn't too good to be true, because three and a half months later, that job is mine. Ann, I don't know where you live, but if there's any chance I could take you out for dinner, let me know. It's no exaggeration to say that you changed my life.

The interview process was long; I did three phone interviews and then went out for a campus visit. I love the people I met and will be working with, I love the campus, and I think I will love the job. I know I will love living near my family, and I know it will be hard to say goodbye to Boston.

I've been consumed with the idea of this job and the process of getting it since I sent in my resume via overnight mail way back in late January. It's the reason I've been posting less—it's all I've been able to think about, and I didn't feel like I could blog about it until I had a firm yay or nay. Getting that firm answer took way longer than I expected it took, and, too be fair, way longer than Reed wanted it to. In any case, I got the yay late last week, but there were a bunch of folks I needed to tell in person before I could post about it, and the very celebratory Florida trip interfered with getting the word out. But the word is now out: Oregon, here we come!

For the sake of myself and anyone in my life who has experienced significant hardship, I've often wished that there were a check and balance system controlling the events of our lives. When a really sucky thing happens, I feel like it would be nice to be able to count on a really wonderful thing happening to balance it out. (Of course, when a wonderful thing happens, you hardly want to be waiting for the awful to come as its counterweight, but . . . clearly, my system needs some refinements.) I confess that since John died, part of me has been waiting for some unexpectedly wonderful turn of events to befall Maddie, Riley, and me. This job is it. Nothing can make up for John's death, of course, but I'm still pinching myself to make sure I didn't dream this situation up. Job in my field? Check. In the city in which I want to live? Check. Amazing benefits? Check. Relocation package? Check.

And get this: I got laid off on Wednesday. Doesn't life work in mysterious ways? Now I have time to prep for our move, which is nice because HOLY CRAP there is a lot to do to get ready to move cross-country. So far I have:

• talked to my realtor about a strategy to move my condo (read: lower the effing price even more, sigh)
• arranged for all of our medical records to be sent to OR
• booked our flights to OR
• gotten quotes from three movers
• picked up a bunch of boxes

I have a long way to go. I guess it will all get done somehow. At least now I can blog about it. I've felt so deceitful!

Who's moved cross-country? Any good moving tips? Last time I moved, all my stuff fit in my car. That's just not true anymore. I'm thinking of using PODS, or some similar service, as it's much cheaper than traditional movers. Experiences—good or bad—with that? All advice appreciated. You guys know how much I love to steal the ideas of others!

Confidential to Portland bloggers: We should start planning a meetup!

Confidential to Idol fans: Kris is in the finals?! KRIS?!?! This might be my last season as an Idol fan.