dreamwindow The World We Live In and Life In General

So, it's official now. I've accepted the position with STScI in Baltimore. I'll start in January, which means I have a hell of a lot of work to do in a very short period of time.
Actually, not as much as people may have been led to believe. I decided in September that I was moving somewhere else after the first of the year no matter what. It was convenient that several nice opportunities came along shortly thereafter. I already had friends elsewhere looking for places to stay and anyone looking for a teacher or programmer, in case I couldn't find an astronomy job in time.
But I don't like keeping secrets from my friends. And I know they were suspicious. Several times I was asked some discomforting questions, and either gave not-quite answers or rather obviously changed the subject. I felt like Frodo shopping for a house in Crickhollow. But now everyone knows I mean to leave and not to return.
Well, almost everyone. The first person I called after getting the first phonecall was Jen. I knew she'd be on her way to work then, so I left a message for her to call me back ASAP. She didn't. She called me today when I was going to start looking for a new car, and I didn't hear the message until a few hours later. Apparently she passed me heading down Conant Street and was calling to find out why I was in Maumee. No answer when I called back. So, unless the gossip mill has reached her she has no idea I'm leaving. Or she doesn't care. For reasons I can't go into I think both options are equally likely.
The great thing about the timing is that Mike finally starts his new job the same time I do. He's only been doing the same thing since we were 16. Sarah was ecstatic when she heard I was moving to Baltimore. She's always wanted to go there, and with Mike's new job they'll have more money and (at long last) free weekends so they can come and visit.
It's really only now sinking in, as more and more congratulations pour in, and I settle more of the details of moving. It's going to be a challenge, and I can't help but feel in some small way that I'm running away from things here. On the other hand, I'm also running towards something new. My family and dearest friends are here, and will remain. But I was growing to feel that if I tried to stay here with them I would destroy myself. Or at least become someone very bitter. Great things are happening for everyone I'm leaving behind. And I know that, in some way, I was responsible for their achieving such happiness. But I can't share in it. If I'm ever to be happy it must be someplace else. The Shire has been saved, but not for me.