Tumbled out of bed. And stumbled to the kitchen. Coffee. It’s go time.
The future starts now. It always does. And the future also never comes. Go figure.
Either way my professional future starts this morning when I officially start my new job. I got my laptop over the weekend and I have a 9:30 and a 10 on the schedule today…and am on the road for a few days next week. Why hit the ground running when you can hit the ground sprinting?
I don’t talk too much about work here but because not working has been a frequent topic, allow me to close the loop: I’m going to work for the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) as Director of Safe Energy, Transportation, & HazMat. I’ll be overseeing their portfolio of projects in these areas, helping to raise levels of safety worldwide relative to these emerging hazards. I’m excited to be doing what I do best—seeing the big picture and building strategic programs that optimize effort and outcomes—and I’m excited to learn new subject matter and to develop some skills related to grant-funded work. That’s about all I know about it now. Oh, and it’s fully remote. But I’m ready for whatever.
I needed to go back to work and as time went on I was thinking I might be forced to settle, to take something that was “fine.” So I’m pleasantly surprised and very excited that I ended up with what seems like a close-to-perfect opportunity. Since you gotta pay to play—and I love to play—it had to be done.
Speaking of playing, when I was last here on Friday I was heading to VT for the 2nd Annual Battenkill Fly Fishing Festival, and it did not disappoint. It was a gorgeous ride up, even in the rain…and Fortune smiled on us when the sporadic downpours let up just as we were about to head from our AirBnB to the event itself. Saturday consisted of live music, a beer tent, a walk through the art exhibits and the vendor barn, a BBQ dinner, and more live music. Yesterday had us down by the river participating in a women teaching women casting class. It’s an art and a science, fly fishing is…and when I had it explained to me I completely understood why my dad loved it so much. The solitary time. Finding the perfect fly. Outwitting the trout. All of it. Just such a perfect fit for how he was wired. I’m not sure I have the patience for it, but it was pretty relaxing, I’ll give it that. Of course we weren’t practicing with real hooks which was a good thing—otherwise I’d have a hook in my left cheek and be blind in my right eye.
Our AirBnB allegedly has a resident bear and we were cautioned not to leave food outside or even just inside the door. Pretty sure that the bears couldn’t use the keypad…and we saw no evidence of the creatures. The owners had a no-shoes policy so I was really glad I brought my slippers and didn’t have to borrow from the sock box in the mud room. Best thing about the place was it was walking distance to the main event. Score. I know it doesn’t look like much from the outside but the inside was very nicely appointed.
There was something very Gilmore Girls about the experience.
We toured the Norman Rockwell exhibit and this wall featuring The Four Freedoms (as delivered by FDR in a State of the Union Speech in early 1941)—of speech, of worship, from want, and from fear—was really moving, given where we are as a Nation some 80+ years later.
There’s no mention of arms, or self defense…and that was particularly striking given “freedom from fear.” We don’t get to particularly enjoy these freedoms as a collective nation anymore, and that’s sad. (We did have a laugh about “Freedom From Want” though. The turkey is ginormous, but there’s only one side on the table. 😂
(Side note, in 1943 these paintings went on a national tour to promote the sale of War Bonds—and raised over $130M (>$3B in today’s dollars).)
The night ended with a BBQ and live music in the very same barn that Michael J. Fox and Tracy Pollan got married in. So swish. We heard a very funny story the next day from the woman who owned the Inn at the time. Apparently they had llamas on the property and some paparazzo put on a costume llama head and was skulking through the pasture trying to get pictures. Tricky.
Yesterday started out thusly, with a doorknob malfunction:
It took a phone call an hour later to ultimately set the rescue in motion but we all bounced back and had a laugh about it over coffee. Not sure I’d have found it so funny if I’d have been the one locked in. We packed up and headed down to the casting class.
Below is a pic of the band from yesterday—they were great. Pretty sure that guy on the left is related to Jerry Garcia. The drummer was a late add to the group. He showed up with his camera and they asked him if he had his drumsticks with him because they had a bucket he could play “like the kids in New York City.” He didn’t but “I have my bongos in the car” and the rest was history. Vermont. Gotta love it. 🤣
The ride home was less rainy and also gorgeous. I was happy to be home as I always am and enjoyed a semi-chill night by the fire, watching hockey. It was important for me to be rested and ready today, because I was and am a little nervous. I think I’d be less nervous if I were going into an office…but I also think if I were going into an office I’d think being remote would be less nerve-wracking. You know how that goes with the grass being green in other places…when it’s greenest where we water it, as the saying goes. Once I get the the system down and a handle on the logistics of working for this group, I’ll be fine. I know how I am. Of course, the Bruins overtime Game 7 loss didn’t help me with my nerves…but that’s sports, right? It also didn’t help with my sleep either. Once that choke show ended, it took me a while to get my adrenaline in check. Despite all the records the Bs set this season, not all games are created equal. Would you rather that NHL regular-season record 64th win or a W in Game 5, 6, or 7 vs the Panthers? I’ll say this—there’s no Duck Boat Parade for winning the Presidents’ Trophy. Remember the 2007 NFL season when the Pats went undefeated…until they lost the Super Bowl? I’m having flashbacks. Who can forget The Helmet Catch? Or that ball dribbling down the first base line and in between Bill Buckner’s legs in 1986? These things hurt when you’re a dyed in the wool Boston sports fan, and the pain lessens over time, but it always remains. This is up there. Excruciating collapse.
Anyhow…
Thanks for being here with me and thanks for the extra effort you put forth during my unemployment—it made a huge difference.
I need to have some more coffee and walk upstairs to work. No more lallygagging.
Have a great week.
Love you too.
Nicky -- also love the GG reference! I hope your first day was great!
Love the Gilmore Girls reference. Who doesn't want to visit that world for a while? Good luck with the new Job. Sounds like interesting and important work!