So. Updating at Camp didn't happen.
In a way, I never should have believed it would. My summers generally begin with a euphoric dose of optimism brought on by the escape from the classroom, the escape from Milwaukee, and the knowledge that I have always before met the challenges of camp life. Then, all too soon, I'm swept up in the current of actuality and find myself far too busy to write, and yet stubbornly unwilling to allow the words to simply dribble onto the page.
This summer was more challenging than I expected it to be. My second full summer as an East Side programer was filled with the normal work of programming, some extra programming challenges, and having to still deal with life outside of camp.
I still loved it. In a way, some of the challenges of being understaffed made it possible for me to get to know the campers better than I have been able to in the past. Running the riflery range (well, sharing the running of it with the amazing LG), was not a job I had anticipated, but it did give me the chance to spend hours interacting with the campers.
This is, I know, but the briefest of recaps of a long, gloriously difficult and rewarding few months. Camp is not an experience that is easily regurgitated or understandable by those outside of it. At least that's my current excuse for not writing a more complete summary.
As some of you know, I ended the summer knowing that I was going back to Milwaukee, but not knowing where I would live once I got there. That was . . . stressful. As someone who likes to make plans and maintain a high level of control over my life, it is uncomfortable to stand helpless in the face of an unknown future. Rereading that sentence, it shades into the hyperbolic. Nevertheless, I'll let it stand. I did feel helpless, and slightly panicked. That panic quickly turned to hopefulness when, the night before I was due to return to Milwaukee, a fellow graduate student contacted me and said she was moving, so her apartment was available.
I don't remember much of my initial visit to the apartment. In fact, some of what I thought I remembered turned out to be completely wrong. The one thing I was, unfortunately, not wrong about is that the carpet is hideous. Still, it's a decent place. JB is appalled by the grime in the shared hallway, but it is within walking distance of Marquette, has plenty of space, and is mine alone. The landlord even graciously allowed me to move in a week and a half early. Plus, I installed the internet access last night and am, as a consequence, feeling much more benevolent towards the apartment. One of my concerns with the place was also removed today as, after a couple of weeks of maneuvering, I was able to rent a parking space from my former landlords. Things are falling into place; Perhaps soon this space will feel like home.
