I somehow thought that my first week of unemployment would be quiet, a chance to work on projects, do some reading, and generally decompress from the crunch of finishing off my fellowship.

Not quite.

So far in January, I have submitted one manuscript, been asked to author another, been sent a third to proof and review (has my name on it, but didn’t know it was coming until Wednesday), and been sent a set of figures to critique for another that’s been in limbo for almost a year. I’ve heard that one job possibility is likely not happening, and decided to apply for a faculty position, which is a whole ‘nother kind of application. The last few days have been consumed by writing teaching statements, assembling a portfolio containing all of my previous teaching experience, and starting the application process. Next week, there’s a research proposal to be written, and funding to be thought about.*

And this is unemployment?

Needless to say, not much crafting has happened this week, despite my plans. I did attend a weaving guild meeting on Thursday (the first time I’ve been able to go, because they meet during normal work hours), and last night I managed to sit down and spin for a little bit with my new flyer. It’s coming out much finer than I was able to achieve before, and the bobbin is almost full.

I’m hoping that this will turn into enough fingering-weight 3 ply for a pair of socks. There’s not much spinning left, so we should know soon!

And I am determined that this swatch will turn into cast-on stitches for a new project by the end of the weekend.

It’s been sitting by my knitting chair since last weekend, just waiting to be measured so I can calculate a stitch count and cast on. That sounds like a reasonable goal, right?

*Just for the record, all of these are good and exciting things; just not what I’d expected to be doing this week. It might be a bit of an understatement to say that I was caught a little off guard.