Urban Life, Here I Come!

There are more details than I ever could have appreciated prior to this moment involved in a cross country move. As an 'academic', in a torrid love affair with 'data', I immediately begin to sort these details into 'manageable' categories that I can quantify, check off, and pack away. So far the emerging categories include:

1. Finishing and passing my dissertation defense (ha, you know, that 'little' thing)
2. All things moving (as in home inventory, garage sale, packing, shipping my junk, and getting drugs for the pets)
3. Finding a home in Boston (what did people do before the Internet??)
4. Figuring out my new city
5. Others?

Today I picked up my first round of boxes. I am DELIGHTED to report that these are 'reused' boxes from a local, small business. I feel really great about reusing pre-existing materials and saving a BUNDLE on new boxes from the moving giant known as UHaul. This step in achievement has left me feeling like I 'earned' the opportunity to fantasize a bit and so I have become obsessed with topic #4: figuring out my new city.

First, I have decided to sell my car. The proceeds will help me to pay deposits and move in fees in Boston (I won't tell you what these are as they might insight a coronary event). Additionally, I cannot possibly afford to park or drive a care in Boston (again the cost will stop your heart). However, there has been some concern about my not having a mode of transportation other than the excellent mass transit system. Well, consider this problem solved. As a Boston University employee I will have an awesome and inexpensive membership to 'zip car'. What is 'zip car' you ask. Only the most awesome solution for the episodic need for transportation! Check them out at: http://www.zipcar.com/is-it/

Zip car is a car sharing company used by many urban areas in the US. Essentially, I pay my membership dues annually ($25 as a BU employee), then I can 'rent' a zip car for $7.00 hourly (for the most economical car available, more for the BMW or big rig). These zip cars are scheduled for use via an online calendar/scheduling system and are available in neighborhoods (read: cars are parked in neighborhoods) throughout Boston. Feel free to check them out at:

I'm excited about this for a few reasons. First, it radically reduces the stress and need to find an apartment with parking. Second, it reduces my monthly living expenses because I won't need to carry insurance or pay for regular car maintenance. Finally and third, I have driven A LOT in the past six years of graduate school. I am ready to hang up the car keys, and reduce my gasoline use. Zip car allows me to do this while also allowing me the freedom to drive occasionally...like to do BIG grocery trips. Three cheers for zip car.

So many of you have been writing me with comments and ideas. THANK YOU! I love hearing from you and your contributions make my day. This is a really exciting time and I'm glad you can be a part of the process.

Now, I need to get back to my dissertation defense presentation. I just learned that I only get 45 minutes to present my research. Don't they realize who they're dealing with? I could take a full two hours to discuss and THEN take questions for an hour. :)

Until next time!