Didn't know I was THAT nerdy...

It hasn't been that awesome acclimating to a new community.  I do like our new home and new town, but with limited social interaction it can get quite lonely when you don't have easy access to your friends.  I've been doing my best to feel comfortable, but I'd say that a feeling of unease and displacement has largely marked these first few weeks here.  

And today, I found the strangest comfort that I think says quite a bit about myself.

I headed out to Panera to work on a few things to prepare for my final upload of my dissertation (we have to electronically upload them by July 19th).  I packed my orange backpack that I've had now for five years, all through my Ph.D. coursework, and then slung it on my back.  The sense of comfort, calm, ease that blanketed me when the backpack hugged my shoulders caught me off guard.  I was like a three-year old that found his long-lost security blanket.  And then I  just couldn't believe it.  Of all things that could've made me feel at-home here....of all of the stuff that was packed in three Uhauls, I had an almost physical comforting reaction to my BACK-PACK.  

I didn't realize that I was that nerdy.  

Now I know.  

Don't worry Michael, I won't bring it to bed with me :-)