Boosting the signal - it's all about puppy love!

Originally posted by kass_rants at Greyhounds in Texas

So I went to my first ever Estrella War. I'll sum it briefly:

The Good:

1. It was sunny every day and did not rain.
2. I got to hand over my kingdom largesse in person, as well as a gift for Her Majesty. Both were well received.
3. Had very little personal obligations during the event and could do as I pleased, mostly.
4. The Biscuit was mostly well-behaved; always with everyone else in the encampment. Even received a compliment on what a gentleman he was.
5. The trip to Phoenix went without a hitch.
6. Visited with Husband's family Friday evening in Mesa.

The Bad:

1. Three quarters of my husband's driving companions bailed; two with very good reason, the third to probable spousal pressure.
2. I knew practically no one there. My husband seems to forget how few people I know and did not introduce me to anyone. Spent a large portion of the event feeling quite on the outside of everything.
3. I heard much muttering about how low the turn-out was. Merchants' Row had slightly more than half the merchants they had last year. Being the week after Gulf Wars was probably a big factor. ETA: last year there were 89 merchants, not including food (12); this year there were 61 merchants & 8 food vendors.
4. It was freakin' hot! At least 85F every day. Sure, there was a slight breaaze, but it functioned much like the fan in a convection oven, ensuring it was hot everywhere.
5. My in-laws visited the event on Saturday. Husband was on warfield most of the day, therefore I was expected to play host. Couldn't introduce them around camp, as I knew pretty much no one. My FIL really drives me batty... Him playing with his dentures during lunch was repulsive priceless.
6. Slept on the ground for three nights.

The Ugly:

1. Truck threw out a heliocoil as my husband was going to park it after unloading. Picked him up Thursday on my way in. Thank goodness for AAA. Expensive repair...
2. Did I mentioned how fucking hot it was?
3. Trip home was beyond awful. Sure, I got home, but only after five delays and being stuck in Sacramento for an extra 90 minutes. That completely threw off the plan of taking Sound Transit home, at least without a very long wait. Dealt with petulant Eldest and his reluctance to fetch us at SeaTac. (Hello... how many times did I drag him & his girlfriend all over Puget Sound?) Once we were on the flight, had screaming children in quadraphonic sound. Gads.
4. Came home to a trashed house only marginally picked up. Eldest claims the DOG broke the TV... Yes, the new 47" plasma TV is now garbage. There is a possibility of truth, but I am skeptical. Can a tennis ball tossed by a dog break a plasma TV? ETA: This doubt in the veracity of Eldest's statement is based solely on the massive damage he has done to the walls and doors in his room, not to mention the number of holes he has slammed into walls in other parts of the house. I speculate he brought his game system down to the big TV and threw the controller in a losing/frustrating moment.

I am glad to be home. I will try to focus on the positive aspects of the trip.

Now to prepare for NorWesCon...

With overly intelligent animals, namely a Border Collie... What WOULDN'T it do?

I am having to do probably the worst portion of my employee review - the self evaluation. I hate this! I really suck at it, to be quite honest. What are the things I do well? Things to do better? What's my plan for doing them better? Timeline? I think I would rather eat beets than do this... (BTW, I dislike beets and think they taste like dirt)

What makes some of this difficult is my job description is rather fluid. Support the CEO and the leadership team, ensuring the success of the mission.  Not the exact words, but not far off.

And it's due probably tomorrow.

GAAAAAhhhhhhhhHHHhh

I now return you to your day.

I feel as though I have been run over by a thresher. Or maybe a combine. At least I don't go to the job on Fridays.

Oh, Motivational Muse, you bitch... why have you forsaken me??

Really, I am a decent person. I just can't seem to get motivated to do much. So MANY projects looming and have been requested to help with more. Work, home and hobby all want a piece of me, so much so that there's not much left for me.

87 hours of sleep should do it...

Not really, but I sure can put up a good front. Yesterday was quite an industrious day for us. After a delightful breakfast of center cut bacon and buttermilk apple pie pancakes (and the newspaper reading), we set to work. For me, it was run four loads of laundry through the washer & dryer, vacuum and mop downstairs, CLEAN the litter box & litter box cover then wash the dog.

For Hunny, it was some vehicle maintenance then rebuild half a garden box. Not so bad, you say... he had to replace the BOTTOM level of boards. This involved moving all the dirt in the 4' X12' bed into the middle and pulling away the bottom boards, one at a time. Even though they were cedar, they'd been in place for six years and were decaying. Now they are shiny and new! HOORAY!! As a side benefit, all the dirt got turned in the bed, turning under the winter vetch.

After all the was done, together we tackled the back room. We re-arranged our pantry & storage shelves a bit and added some new space, clearing quite a bit of space from crap treasures that were stashed willy-nilly. I now have probably double the shelving available and stuffed that was packed in a bit too tightly has room to breathe. I, also, have room to breathe. I can see the top of my craft table!!

Today, it is waiting on the various Sears tech to visit and do maintenance on our appliances. Warranties run out next month, so better get all those little things covered whilst we're covered.

After all that is done, I will venture out for a few errands. JoAnn's is having a sale & I need a few things...

Yesterday we traveled down to Stromgard for their founding revel. Was a lovely day for a tournament, even if it was  2+ hour drive. I was able to stitch in the sunshine and watch mt hunny fight. At least until the wind picked up and drove me inside. I di feel a bit isolated, as I know practically no one down there. Her Grace Miranda spent a little time with me, which I really appreciate, but when the shy side of me kicks in, I kind of clam up.

Yes, I am shy around people I do not know. After spending the large portion of my youth moving from place to place, I quit trying to form new  friendships easily. It sucks, but that is life.

We did not stay for the feast, though the aromas wafting forth from the kitchen were delightful. We stopped at Spiffy's, which is at the I5/HWY 12 turn-ff. Tasty and plentiful. By the time we got home and unloaded the truck, it was 7pm. I think we were in bed by 8:30! I was tuckered out!!

Malcolm continues to hide in the tub from the scary scary ice cracking off the roof.

Mine really don't differ much from others around here. We had about 12" on Wednesday morning. It was beautiful. I walked to work and the world was completely hushed. Practically no cars on the road and everything was softened and muffled by the snow. Not surprisingly, very few people were there once I got in.

Wednesday was snowy, too. The walk in was a bit sloppier, but better than driving. Glad I don't have far to go - less than 1/2 mile.

Thurday was by far the crappiest. Freezing rain had fallen overnight. Everything was impossibly shiny and crisp. Mother Nature turned crafting diva on crack & shellac. I would have enjoyed it more from inside.

Today, it is beginning to release its hold. Ice is coming of the roof in sheets. Some rather impressive icicle have fallen, looking rather like crystal dinosaur teeth.