What a weird day. Anastasia’s dad would hate me saying my day was weird, but it just was. Anyway, the college called this afternoon informing me I had been chosen as a finalist that they wanted to interview. I wasn’t shocked, but in many ways I was hoping they wouldn't call. I know that sounds ridiculous. But then that would leave me with Clear lake—my sure thing—my old buddy, good church, tambourine team. So safe. So my heart will not be broken if I don’t get this. I still don’t think I have a super great shot simply because as far as college professors go I am under qualified. I meet the requirements but don’t go much over. I have never cared about publishing. When others send vitas, I send resumes. I am not typical college material. But 5 or 6 committee members (YUCK) will sit there and dart pointed questions at me for an hour on Dec. 1—the anniversary of the most important day of my life, I might add. I will wear my black pin striped suit, of course.

Thus my opportunities could not be much more disparate. There is a six hour travel difference between the two cities. One is quaint, small, almost hick, East Texas, the other suburbs of one of the largest cities in the nation. Northeast Texas gets cold, ice and snow. Houston doesn’t drop below about 40 degrees even in February. The worlds are very different—and on one of those areas my new life will begin. I am considering living in a couple other places if I work in Mount Pleasant. Tyler is a distant consideration—it is rather far for a daily commute, but I haven’t ruled it out ENTIRELY. The other odd consideration is QUITMAN! It is halfway between Tyler and MP and convenient to Shachah as well—also in Quitman I am looking at rock bottom rent and a rental company that will hand me the keys to anyplace they have open. Only living in Los Angeles could make a person want to love in Quitman! Of course then church becomes a factor. Tyler Metro and a long commute? Do I go to MP and go to Daingerfield where I know there is dance? Do I stick with PA plan to start a community dance team wherever I go? See why Clear Lake is easy? I move and everything is there. This is probably the foil.

Meanwhile, here is what happened tonight—as copied from a letter:

My landlord called tonight telling me that the meditation guy was very interested and had been approved but he wanted to see it again. he couldn't find my number so he called Dennis-the landlord--Dennis the landlord felt uncomfortable giving David the renter my number (LIKE HELLO DENNIS--it is listed on the INTERNET!!!!) Anyway, he called me and said David was interested but want to see it again before he decided, etc. So I called David and he was very happy to hear from me. I let him come over again (after acting like another friend was coming by too--renting is scary--letting men in your house...)Anyway, he came and walked in and said he liked it--period. This is the guy who said he liked the FEEL of it--anyway, he said he wanted it and called Dennis to leave a message. Of course it was too late. David is leaving for Fresno in the a.m. and then leaves Tuesday for T-giving on the east coast He told Dennis he is leaving him the deposit tonight in the mail slot and will sign the else Monday. perhaps I have picked up on a bit of my landlord's cynicism, but I know until that lease is SIGNED nothing is in stone. I am not out of my lease unless David is in. Still, if he leaves that money tonight that is pretty certain I must say. So please pray he follows through-if so, he will sign it Monday and I will be free! I will also only have to pay two weeks rent, as planned. He also wants to buy almost all the furniture I have because he has nothing--in fact NOW my conflict is that I might have TOO many people wanting my furniture!!!

And now it is approaching 10 p.m.—I am never up this late these days. Perhaps my Shachah venture to San Diego Saturday will be a wee bit more peaceful than I planned. Suddenly all the doors are flinging open…

Sometimes the quietest prayers are the most powerful.