*waves shyly*

[NbyNW]

Nice to see you back, Owlie.

Transitions can be tough, especially when you feel like you're not getting any traction. Don't give up! Something will work out.

[Owlie]

Thanks all. I actually popped in because I had a question, and I hopefully won't get too sucked in for bit. I really should be packing right now!

I emailed the head of the admissions committee at Arizona (which was my top choice), asking what I could do to improve my application for next year/whenever I reapply. He sent back a nice, but ultimately unhelpful e-mail. It boiled down to:
"It's not you, it's us. Any other year, we would have taken you in a heartbeat, but funding is down so we had to cut waaay back. Try to find a job in a research area. I'm sorry I couldn't be more helpful, but best of luck." It's the same everywhere, so I know it's not personal. It does make it that much harder to motivate myself to go through this process again, though. It's amazing how draining it is.

How's the new bike working out, zoom-zoom? Last time I was here I seem to remember you were stuck on the trainer.

By the way, Shannon, you set something off. I tried out a Dolce last time I was home. Love...though let's face it, I'd go with the Ruby.

[zoom-zoom]

How's the new bike working out, zoom-zoom? Last time I was here I seem to remember you were stuck on the trainer.

Awesome, for the most part...though our crappy weather days are still outnumbering the nice ones. I think that is going to change really soon, though...about time!

We're still working out dialing my fit in perfectly, though we're REALLY close. I'm suspicious that I have some leg length discrepancy issues at play (which weren't as big an issue on my previous bike with more forgiving geometry). I've always been VERY suspicious that my right leg is a hair longer...though signs point towards my left arch collapsing more than my right. It explains why all of my right knee pains while running disappeared as soon as I added Superfeet insoles to my shoes. If I take out the insoles my right knee hurts, again within a couple of runs. My Sidi shoes are too narrow, as is, so I've ordered some wider men's Louis Garneaus so that I might try Superfeet in those...and possibly some forefoot shims on the left side.

It stinks to hear your frustrations finding jobs in academia. It seems like academic and teaching jobs at all levels are really at a premium. Our local school district just cut nearly a quarter of teaching staff. It seems to me that cuts could have/should have been made elsewhere...the kids are the ones who will suffer most. I really hope things turn around--soon!

[ClockworkOrange]

Good to see you posting again Owlie.

Unfortunately funding for jobs appears to be a worldwide problem.

Just keep banging on doors, somebody is going to take you on soon.

Hugs.

[Roadtrip]

By the way, Shannon, you set something off. I tried out a Dolce last time I was home. Love...though let's face it, I'd go with the Ruby.

The ruby is such a sweet bike. I just had my fitting done and the stem replacement came in and is installed... I get to pick her up tonight. Plan is to take her out for a longer ride tomorrow for a true test.

Are you in town now???

Can you ride tomorrow?

Shannon

[Catrin]

Owlie! It is very good to see you back here, have been wondering if all was ok with you. So sorry to hear that things are working out differently than you had hoped, but very glad to hear you are ok.

[Owlie]

Catrin, have you taken up mountain biking while I've been gone?

I need to get back in the saddle, stat!
I'm also having major new bike lust...maybe I need to avoid this place until the crop of "new bike" posts goes away...or I get about $4000 for the Ultegra-equipped, bright red Ruby that I've been lusting after.

[Catrin]

Catrin, have you taken up mountain biking while I've been gone?

I need to get back in the saddle, stat!
I'm also having major new bike lust...maybe I need to avoid this place until the crop of "new bike" posts goes away...or I get about $4000 for the Ultegra-equipped, bright red Ruby that I've been lusting after.

LOL, I am attending the Midwest Women's Mountain Bike Clinic in June, and after two months of debating with myself went ahead and purchased my Jamis Mountain Goat....errrrr, mountain bike I was going to take a free rental, but when I found out the size the store had reserved for me was far too large (though the smallest size they had), I decided to pull the trigger. It also helped the distributor only had a couple left

I don't think the "new bike" posts EVER go away

It is good to see you back!

[Roadtrip]

Cat,

If it makes you feel better I'm "done" with the bike purchases... For right now the new bike posts don't bother me, but when all the 2012 bikes start appearing at the LBS, I may have some drooling myself.

Shannon