Arontius of Bygelswade

.....Lots of stuff going on these days. But the cool and amazing part is that I’m finally getting to a point to where I can see beyond the current mountain of ‘must get done’. It seems that from January until now every free second of time was absolutely filled with stuff that needed to be done now-now-now. It was getting to the point where the only way I could get by was to focus on the immediate task at hand and just make it by one item at a time. But with moving just about complete and September Crown rapidly approaching, I’m looking into October and seeing that things may actually slow down just a hair. Wow! :-)

.....Tonight is a retirement dinner for a friend at work. Going to start introducing the Beloved Tamm and Rhys to my office mates. I’m curious to see how Tamm and they interact. The Shipyard crowd is a little different than what Tamm may be expecting. But then, she has been exposed to a conservative bent while working in The Mint, so this may not be an issue in the slightest. Dinner is going to be at Puerto Vallharta in Port Orchard, so maybe Mexican food will distract Rhys long enough to not get bored to tears. :-)

.....Then it is off back to home to meet with Home Depot to get an estimate on window replacement. I’m facing this one with dread after our last encounter. Especially when I’m told that when Tamm called the sales lady to confirm the appointment, the ‘ONE HOUR’ appointment turned into a ‘ONE AND A HALF HOUR’ appointment. Gak! I think that we’ll all be prepared to physically throw this guy out the door this time is he starts any of the smarmy stuff the last salesman did.

.....The Beloved Tamm is working on this beautiful embroidered and appliqués cover for my gemshorn. It is exceptional (as with anything that the Beloved Tamm does). But a small part of me is a little uncomfortable. I’ve always felt that way when people have made me things for which I don’t actually pay or trade in something. I have never been able to wrap my head around the concept that an artist might want to make something for the joy of making it, rather then it being one more chore or assignment that they are doing on my behalf. I do know that I will love showing off the horn and telling everyone who made it. I’m one lucky guy and I know it. :-)

.....Saturday is all about cleaning up the house in Seattle. Then we’ll be done. At least one trip to the landfill and one to Goodwill. Then the good-byes. It’ll be a tough day. We’re at least going to see if Rhys can spend some time with friends. Maybe with Nimue’s family if they are going to be at home at all.

.....On Sunday I’m going to see if I can excavate Ingasbo downstairs. All the customers who had outstanding orders over a month old have chimed into me. A couple wanted refunds, but most said that they would hold out for a while yet. I at least need to clear a path to the workbench so that I can take an inventory of my stock and see what designs I have to get etched and sent to me. We’re also going to try and do a little organization so that Mom’s stuff is out front and everything is packed a little tighter. I think that we’ll also take a load of stuff to Mom’s.

.....Next week has Business Meeting on Tuesday. I think that either in September or October I will be taking over as Baronial Seneschal. I’ve been wanting to take on that roll for a long time now, and am looking forward to starting. I’ve got some ideas I want to try and can see some mentoring work on the horizon. I think that developing people will be my greatest challenge, and reward.

.....Family Night has moved to Thursdays. I did not think that through and look at my calendar before I agreed to that. The next Wyvern meeting is next Thursday. I am torn between negotiating Family Night back to Wednesday, or just not worrying about the Wyvern meeting at all. It’s not like it’s going to make that huge a difference if I’m there or not. I think that my angst comes from the fact that I’ve never missed a meeting more than the fact that I’d actually be missed or miss anything important. :-)

.....Baronial picnic the following weekend. Looking forward to that. :-)

.....Last week of this month has me tentatively scheduled for a trip to Georgia. We’re going to tour the site where we are planning to install a battery ShipAlt next year. I was rather looking forward to the trip, although I can’t seem to convince the Beloved Tamm to come with me. :-) I guess gators, heat, and humidity just aren’t very exciting. :-) Even if Disney World is only a handful of hours drive away. Just gotta make sure that I get back on Thursday so that I can get everything packed up for September Crown.

.....Gotta run. Everyone have a good weekend. If you are stuck in Seattle this weekend, avoid the major highways. They’ll be a mess with Seafair traffic!!!

.....Aaron / Arontius.