Today's horrible conundrum: Schaumburg, no!

This morning I got offered that job in Schaumburg. Lovely people, pleasant work environment, exactly what I want in terms of a career opportunity, good pay, benefits out the wazoo. If it were downtown, I'd take it in a minute. Instead, here was my train of thought for the entire day:

Lots of people do that commute. It sucks, but they do it. And on a regular day, it's only 45 minutes. But when it rains or snows or if it's Thursday or Friday afternoon, it's anywhere from an hour to an hour and a half. But it would take almost as much time to get downtown. But that would be on the train which is less annoying. But I would be crazy to turn this down; real Chicagoans look at me like I'm insane when I tell them I don't want to spend 2 hours a day in the car. But I'm not a real Chicagoan, and I'm not even sure if I want to be if that's what it takes. But we could move closer. But then we'd have to buy another car. But that might cost less than being unemployed for another three months.

There are even more things than these, but you get the idea. Anyway, I guess I've decided I'm going to call them tomorrow morning and turn it down. I just know I'll be miserable if I have to spend that much time in traffic.

Thanks to those of you who have endured this train of thought personally. It really helps!

Now, I just have to tell them. They're really nice so I'll feel bad. Plus I should've known when I applied. BUT -- the last but -- after that, I shall return to my life of freedom and ease, my pleasant hourly freelancing work and my quality time with the cat. It's a rough life, but that's what you get when you marry into academia. 

¶ 9:46 PM