That's so sad about Tim Russert.

The winds been wicked strong here all day and now forest fires are breaking out outside the city.

And I just saw a report on the news about the Iowa flooding stating that it's not even once in a century type of flooding, but once in 500 years kind of flooding. What is going on.

Aw, poor Emmett. I hope everything works out for you David.

Oh, man. I hope he comes out of it without too many scars on either side. I'm betting the physical illness isn't helping - I know my emotional reserves are a lot lower when my body's not cooperating.

He's not that sick. That's the thing. I'm sure he made more of his ill feeling yesterday to get out of yeterday's game. And now that he's made that breech he wants to drop it all.

I just hate the weaselyness of doing that, of quitting on his coach so abruptly. I get that he might be feeling burned out, but it's unacceptable to quit before a tournament without warning. To not fulfill his obligations.

And there's absolutely no way he gets to avoid having that talk with his coach. He gets *extremely* upset about having to face consequences; he builds it up in his mind and tortures himself and he just wants to run away. But he usually comes around and deals with shit and it's always been far better to face things than run away. And his coach will be very cool and understanding about it anyway.

I don't think he realizes, though, that much of the freedom I allow him is because I do understand that the tournament schedule is demanding and requires a lot from him.

We didn't sign him up for camp on the presumption that he'd be busy with baseball all summer, and he could have time off with his friends. I think he feels like he's just going to be screwing off with his buddies all summer and playing a ton of Nintendo, but that's not how the balance is going to be now.

When he feels trapped and unheard, he completely loses his shit. Really, just a wreck.

Yeesh. This is going to be a tough one.

Gah. I hate being stuck all far away--not that he'd want me around anyhow, but I wish I could be there for you and EM.

eta: I mean, obviously I'll be there when you get back after talking with him, but that feels like very much Not Enough.

Ah. Yeah, I get that. I believe I put my mother through a fair amount of similar crap myself. And for the most part ended up regretting the times she let me get away with it.

In news of me:

Very weirdly up and down day. Supposed to be an easy one where I might actually get caught up on the 90,000 outstanding things I have to do because we've been so fucking overloaded the past few months. Not so. Like three things suddenly became critical and I haven't even looked at the stuff I had on for today.

Also, I had a project this week that was just so fucked up. Largely, but not entirely for reasons outside of my control. But then at the very end some stupid fuck ups with submitting the project to the client that were in my control and I didn't manage the way I should have. Feh. And that's not even counting the five minutes of horror when I convinced myself I had submitted a proposal with one of the fees off by several hundred thousand dollars. I didn't, but I damn well could have the way I've been functioning. One of the big problems only came to light this morning, so not a great way to start off the day.

So then my manager asks if I'm free to talk at a certain time today. Ugh. Was expecting a come-to-Jesus, which it was in way, though not how I anticipated. The person I actually report to and who I work most closely with is leaving. And I'm moving on up in the hierarchy as a Team Lead. Yay? I'm going to have direct reports. I don't want direct reports! And meetings, more meetings. (No word on money, more money.)

So while it wasn't the call I was expecting, it still means I'm going to have to get my shit together.

Now I'm on the porch drinking a Guiness. And waiting for the call to pick up the dog from her (badly needed) day at the groomers. And watching a big storm roll in.

Bets on the chances I'll be walking the dog home from her $100 grooming in the pouring rain?

And I just saw a report on the news about the Iowa flooding stating that it's not even once in a century type of flooding, but once in 500 years kind of flooding.

Evacuations along the Cedar River go beyond the 500 year plan.

Hec, good luck.

cause I wasn't sure if she was pregnant. She hadn't said anything and I just sort of stated what was obvious to me. Luckily (?) she was pregnant so I hadn't misjudged

Oohh, yeah, that could've been bad.

Good luck with the teenager/toddler conundrum, David. Does not sound like fun to me. Eep.

Bets on the chances I'll be walking the dog home from her $100 grooming in the pouring rain?

I dunno - the clouds make it look like it's gonna pour any minute, but there's nothing on radar heading towards us.

Go brenda! more money is good. more meetings, nsm. But I hope the more money makes up for the more meetings.

Weekend-- cleaning and errands tonight and tomorrow, plus more of my Angel rewatch, then Sunday head to Vegas for two days.