Arontius of Bygelswade

.....The drive in to work this morning was much different than it was during the last 'snow storm'. It was wet and viscous this time. I think if it was a choice between the two I would prefer the hard-packed and frozen version of snowed roads as it 'stays put' for the most part when driving over it. The wet snow seems to want to 'help' your car move into unexpected directions.

.....We had about six to eight inches on Fairgrounds Road. The Shipyard was officially operating on a normal day schedule. Although it was interesting as the power went out sometime last night around 2AM. At 4AM my eyes popped open and I got right out of bed without even thinking about it. I clued into the fact there was no power about a minute later. Then walked into the computer room to pick up my watch and verify the time. Yup, 4:02AM. :-)

.....No shower this morning. Sigh! Took me a while to get assembled in the dark though. Hit the road at about 5AM. Suzie was again a trooper on the roads. Although she did slide a bit. I got a scare coming up the hill over Fairgrounds onto Waaga. Somebody in a subcompact could not get the traction necessary to get off of a side street and onto Fairgrounds. I was headed up the hill and was scared they were going to pull in front of me and I was going to have to stop. That would have been bad as I don't know how easy it would have been to get started again.

.....The rest of the drive into the garage was uneventful. The rain was coming down hard already. I bet the snow is gone by noon. Meant a soggy walk in from the garage though. My feet were soaked by the time I made it to my desk.

.....I was not impressed by the response of the road clearing crews in Kitsap County. We pay more in property taxes than they do in Seattle and I don't see the return for value in the form of services. Our infrastructure sucks. Our libraries and emergency services need as many volunteers to fill their ranks as they have paid members and constantly begging for money. Our homeless rely on charities almost alone for any food and housing they receive. Sigh! I'm not sure if I'm turning conservative in my old age or what.

.....I hope the snow goes away by noon. Tonight is Druim Doineann's Business Meeting. Sophia is stepping down as their Seneschale and Ivan is stepping up. They have a lot to discuss. Sophia mentioned anything from branch dissolution to hiatus to leaving things the status quo. We could help but we dare not do too much. We've been accused of meddling in the past and need to wait until specifically asked. Which is frustrating as we're a Barony of 'fixers' and 'doers'. Standing by and waiting to be asked to do something is not our style. But in some situations you have to do just that.

.....I'm thinking good thoughts for them and hoping for the best. I would be sad to see a branch go away. Even into hiatus. I remember when Silverthorn dissolved with all of their big dreams of expansion and new directions. I think they finally disappeared a year later. I know the situations are much different. But once you go down the path of hiatus or dissolution, it's hard to come back.

.....Sir Brendan and Mistress Aryana were at Fight Practice last night! They are really nice people. Even after I failed to recognize them AT ALL until they introduced themselves. I was mightily embarrassed. :-) He brought another fighter with him and they wanted to get re-authorized. We made sure he received an invitation to the next indoor fight practice at the Manchester Fuel Depot. If he could come to even just a couple it would be a fantastic learning opportunity for our fighters in the Barony!

.....Mistress Aryana is no slouch either. We were discussing what Druim Doineann could do to help itself and she offered many good opinions. She dived right into a myriad of topics and knew items of interest in everything we brought up. And was a welcome addition to the conversation. I hope the both of them come and play with us.

.....For the rest of this week: nothing tonight (yeah, I can get caught up in e-mail); Thursday is a Dragon's Pearl meeting; Friday is the Western Regional Pelican Meeting in Tacoma (agenda out, check; must send out reminders by Thursday); Saturday is free (yeah!!!!); Sunday is a retinue meeting; Monday is a holiday (yeah!!!).

.....Gots lots to talk about but never seem to think of Live Journal until just before bed and when I seem to fall asleep just as the screen comes to life. I should think about ways of becoming more disciplined about writing in the journal. Hmmm...

.....Aaron / Arontius.