The Magazine of Alt-Country (Whatever That Is)...Reborn

After the sad demise of No Depression, an independent publication that I love and respect, due to rising costs of publishing a paper-based, subscription-only periodical; I thought I might have to start listening to Top 40 or start researching what Celine Dion replacement was on their way to a three-year contract on the tawdry Vegas Strip...but no! Not only did No Depression transfer existing subscriptions to a surprisingly interesting mag called Paste, but they also vowed not to let down their loyal followers and to launch a new, sleek, yet satisfying online publication.

And they have delivered on the promise with the new, beautifully designed No Depression web site. Looks great and will save me from major withdrawal from good writing and new music. Check it out!

One Day at a Time

Nevada Test Site
Originally uploaded by doubleaphotoalbum

So, I have been really busy with work. Since I started last May I have been really working hard to learn everything I can so that I can try to do a good job in my first professional position as a capital "L" librarian. On average last year I was traveling every other month and I ended up completing five presentations at national conference and collaborating on a crazy but ultimately published book chapter. For reasons I won't go into here, my job has been quite the uphill struggle. It didn't help that the president of the university as well as state senator Harry Reid happened to be interested/involved in my first digital collection. These challenges at work in combination with adjusting to life in Las Vegas has made for a interesting past 2 years.

But, things are finally coming together. At the end of March we should have a project that I can honestly say that I worked on start to finish and that I am really proud of. The grant I helped write might actually get funded. I just got notified that the first real article I've worked on has been accepted for publication, and I even got a silly, minor, but appreciated award at work.

On the personal front, I feel cautiously optimistic. Las Vegas is never going to spontaneously combust and reincarnate as Portland. I am always going to be out of place here and I need to just accept it. But, I am starting to feel like maybe we have made a few friends that we actually trust and who somewhat share our values. I like my yoga teacher. There is a decent burrito place nearby. And I got a bike so I can get out of my car for a change.

If I can just hang in there and get this project at work finished I think that I will be able to take a deep breath and feel like the work has paid off. We booked a campsite for Memorial Day at Kodachrome Basin in Utah and we found a new hot springs to explore this summer. I hope to be able to hang out with my sis a little more often in California. Next year we are having our family get together in Sedona, which will be great fun. Mount Whitney will be awesome, if we get the permit. I just need to take it one day at time...and hang in there.