going dark

Music: Otis Redding: Don't Let Go (1976)

On Monday I had lunch with a colleague and we discussed our plans for the summer: she was going to brave "dissertation camp" with a number of grads, while I was going to work on The Book. I told her the story about how I communicated to all the journals I was vetting manuscripts for that I would be unavailable for two months. I have written all the promised letters, and read all the theses and dissertations I had promised to read. There are still revisions to do for a book chapter and the essay on Masonry for Heredom, as well as a pending request for revision or a rejection from a journal, but for the most part I think the pressing loose ends have been singed. I'm ready to focus, with delicious selfishness, on my own work.

My colleague said that I was "going dark." What? I asked. It's a reference to the television 24, she said. Whenever a spy is going incommunicado, she "goes dark." Well, I never watch the show, but I like the sound of the term---as if it's like entering a cave.

So, if any of my peeps who need feedback on this or that thing, letters of recommendation, and so on, are reading this: you better get the request in before July 4. Independence day will be celebrated as just that: my class will be over and my paper grading will be concluded. I am also giddy just thinking about it.

Unfortunately, my home has still yet to be completely repaired. They have been working all week. We ran into a snag with the tile splash back wall (the grouting was loose and needs to be redone). Also, they cannot hook up my dish washing machine, so I'll have to hire the 28th person to do that. And it continues . . . .

But I have hope! I have hope of a me-ness and independence I have not known for eight months. I have hope for an ability to pick up and travel---to leave this godforsaken, dirty, paint-on-the-tile-floor-because-the-construction-workers-do-not-use-dropcloths-when-they-paint condo---whenever I choose. I will blog in these dark months, rest assured. I have hope, however, my blogging locations will be various and far and possibly away at some point.

Away.