Reprieve!

We all know GayProf’s quest for a new job didn’t yield the high-quality results we wanted. Just when I became resigned to another year in Bush country, the Goddess smiled on me. A certain academic institute invited me to be a visiting fellow for the 2006-2007 academic year. Come August, it is likely that I can say goodbye to Texas for at least nine months (assuming my current university grants me a year away (which they likely will) and fate keeps going my way). Really, who could be fond of the Back-of-Beyond?

I can hear what you are saying: "GayProf, we love your crusty, cranky demanor! Will leaving horrid red, red Bush-country end the blog? Help us, GayProf. You are our only hope." Okay -- maybe that last bit isn't there. Don’t worry, escaping Texas will not affect my bloggy. It will take more than a fabulous city and major career boost to off-set my perpetual gravitas.

Still, kiddies, I will be spending next year in Boston, yo! I will be able to go to museums and not see statues of dead slave holders! I will be able to get a decent cup of coffee! I can order cocktails that won’t be dispensed out of a slurpee machine! I will conduct my research in a world-renowned library! I will be able to dine out without being surrounded by people who pray over their food! Hell, I will be able to dine out at restaurants that would never think about forcing people to wear a funny hat for their birthday. It's these little bits of civilization that I look forward to in blue, blue Boston.

A year away will also give me the much needed space to decide what my next step will be. Will this put GayProf over the edge for tenure? Will GayProf return to Texas? Actually, that's an easy question. If he can't find another job next year, then yes. Will GayProf starve in one of the most expensive cities in the U.S.? Will GayProf meet an eligible Massachusetts Congressman and complete his destiny to be the gay-version of Jacqueline Kennedy?



Stay tuned.