My job is changing. As of Monday, I will be serving as the Administrative Support Coordinator of the Humboldt State Department of Nursing. I have been tranferred from the Computing Science Department at the will of the Dean of our college, Natural Sciences and Resources. I was informed of this change on the first day back to work, which also was the first day of classes. The reactions from friends and colleagues has been one of surprise and, frankly, worry. The Nursing Department here has had quite a tumultuous recent few years with a good dose of uncomfortable office politics and division. I was called in as part of a solution to this problem, so I feel complimented that I am thought well of enough to help with a difficult situation. It certainly wasn't my idea, though. I'm bracing for a very different workload, developing good working relationships with new people and a new boss.
Do I get a raise? We'll see. There are a number of issues I'm sure I haven't thought of which may come into focus in the next couple of weeks. Everything from "how do I decorate my new office" to "how can I possibly do the work of one-and-a-half people, take classes (Spanish and computing) advise student clubs (Circus and Juggling)?"

I'm reminded of a line in "Where the Heart Is", a movie I saw on a plane, about how life can turn on a dime.

True, true.