Estrella Fever and KAS Conundrums.

.....Last night was the first real night of the 'Estrella Pack Dance' in which one sees just how much 'stuff' one can fit into a suitcase, or in this case, duffle bag. I managed to get the sleeping bag, pad, tarp, Pendleton Wool Cloak / Blanket, pillow, boots, and even a chair into the duffle. But it took two of us to close the damned thing. :-) Hope the zipper holds. With that in mind I threw a couple of straps on it to keep it from actually exploding.

.....Started on the main suitcase wherein I gathered all the toiletries. Tonight starts the garb and clothes sort. It's looking like the carry on baggage may be more important than I gave it credit for being. :-)

.....I'm incredibly jealous of Khalja and Company. I really wish I were on the road to Estrella. There are so many things to see and experience along the way. Maybe next year. Maybe with The Beloved Tamm along for the ride. I'm going to really miss her this year.

.....Sigh! Kingdom Arts and Sciences is going to be a headache before it happens. At any one time we will have 29 judges deliberating entries. The judges room last time at the Silverdale Beach Hotel never had that many in there whenever I was there, but we need to be prepared for that possibility. Plus, this time around we've lost at least one meeting space we had on the first floor, plus a full blown Ithra with which to juggle. AND several meetings that we didn't have on the docket the last go-around.

.....I've got ideas in mind, as does Her Excellency and the A&S Judging Staff. But it's going to take some coordination, some creativity and some cool, level heads. The problem with the typical Dragon's Laire Autocrat Team is that we're ALL problem solvers. With everyone solving the problems on their own NOW, NOW, NOW, instead of thinking things through. Sometimes it leads to a little contention when 'Empire' borders are crossed. But the one thing on which I rely is that everyone involved a.) wants to do a good job, b.) wants this event to succeed, and c.) wants A&S to run smoothly.

.....I'm just as bad as everyone else at the problem solving thing, I'll have to watch myself as well. If Her Excellency and I can work together to herd all those horses in the same direction, I think that we'll do fine. Just have to make sure I have a source of Tylenol at hand. :-)

.....Getting excited about Estrella though, can't wait to be there! :-)

.....Aaron / Arontius.