Sitting around the Backstreet Pub, listening to blues music and drinking beers with the coworkers I have grown to call friends, I got a physics lesson – and a life lesson – from Bob Vilt.

Sunday, March 18, 2001

Sitting around the Backstreet Pub, listening to blues music and drinking beers with the coworkers I have grown to call friends, I got a physics lesson – and a life lesson – from Bob Vilt.

An overflowing mug of suds quickly left a pool of beer on the table. Like a mini river, the beer began to forge its way toward the end of the table.

Bob and I watched with interest the path the beer took as it tried to make its way to the edge of the table, twisting and turning on its path.

As the beer made a sudden turn to the left, Bob explained why liquids turn, rather than traveling in a straight path.

Apparently the weight of the liquid gets to be too much. It can’t bear its own weight, so it turns over on itself.

Whether or not that’s the case, I really don’t know. But it makes me think of life.

People, like water, never really go in a straight path. For whatever reason, every now and then our paths twist and turn, sometimes more dramatically than others.

My life will soon be taking a sharp curve of its own. Those who know me also know that I’ve never hidden the fact that the southern Minnesota landscape just isn’t for me. I miss the rolling hills, thick forests and large bodies of water that surrounded me in northern Minnesota. Plus, I don’t think I’d ever get used to that funky Hormel smell.

The weight of my current life is getting a little heavy, and I have to turn a corner in order to find peace.

So, I’m heading north again. This time I’m giving Wisconsin a whirl. I’m not moving to the deep bowels of the land of green and gold. I’m heading to Ashland, where I’ll be a little more than an hour away from my family.

Although I’ll soon have to get Wisconsin plates and driver’s license, I will always be a Minnesotan. I’ll risk life and limb to root for the Vikings throughout football season, and I’ll always consider the land of 10,000 lakes home.

And even though I’m incredibly ecstatic about the move, there are things I’ll miss about Austin. Certainly, I’ll miss the individuals I’ve come to call friends. I truly appreciate the opportunity I’ve been given to work with such fine individuals. That includes both my coworkers and the community members with whom I’ve worked. I’m a richer person for having known you.

Of course, there’s those awesome restaurants which have made sticking to a diet next to impossible – El Mariachi, Piggy Blues, Brickhouse and Tendermaid.

Austinites should be proud of its vital downtown district as well. In an age where malls are king, it’s refreshing to see the personality that flourishes in a successful downtown district.

I’m also sad to be leaving behind a spacious apartment with the best pair of landlords I’ve ever known. From helping me when my car gets stuck to watching my cats to inviting me in for a quick drink and lively conversation, those two have been a couple of peaches.

It’s unfortunate that I’m leaving now. It seems Austin is turning a curve itself. There’s exciting things happening in town regarding embracing cultural diversity. To those who are working to make Austin a better place to live, I salute you, and good luck.

I’ll be leaving at the end of this week, but I’m sure this won’t be the last word you hear from me. I’ll be keeping an eye on you, Austin.

Shawnda Schelinder is the Austin Daily Herald’s associate editor. She can be reached at 434-2235 or by e-mail at shawnda.schelinder@austindailyherald