It was a dark and stormy morning. Really. Winds so windy they blew the curtains off my bedroom window. But we were up and out of the house on time, shortly after 8am. One stop at the Dunkin drive thru and off we went. There was not a lot of traffic, but the weather was not pleasant. Little floods (too small to close the roads but enough to make a driver go “holy crap” driving thru them) were all over the place. We made good time getting thru the Bronx and up to I-84, but by the time we got to Exit 15 in CT we needed a break. We got off and followed the signs to Dunkin Donuts. Didn’t see the store sign. Kept driving. No Dunkin. Then Cousin remembers on a previous trip how the Dunkin didn’t look like a Dunkin (do you know how hard it was to type that sentence with a K key that keeps sticking?) because it’s in a bank of stores that had to all look alike (so sayeth the developer) Properly refreshed, we head back to the car and find the rain has stopped. Yay said we, But no sooner are we back on the highway but the clouds open up again. And so it was later when we stopped at Food And Books at the last exit in CT. If you ever find yourself on I-84 near the Mass border, it’s worth pulling off at exit 74 for lunch. Simple, delicious comfort food, and 3 free books with every meal. The only trick is, to find a book you want, you have to look at every one because they are not organized. The owners/managers get donations of books and put them where there is shelf space. Anyway, back on the road and into Massachusetts. A few more miles to the Mass Pike and another few to the Sheraton that was built over the highway. So when they “we’re right off the exit” they mean “we’re right over the exit”. Pretty cool, actually, looking out the room and watching the cars go by underneath.
So, we check in, change into our fancy duds (which actually kind of matched, without us planning that in advance), and back into the car to go to my brother’s house. (For the duration of this tale, my brother will be Bro, cousin will be L, nephew # 1 will be J, his wife M, nephew 2 D, and new bride R) We get into Bro’s car and head over to Marsh Chapel on the BU campus. We got lucky and found a space on the street right in front. Inside were D and R, her parents, their friends, in fact most of the wedding party except for J & M who kept running into flooded out roads as they made their way north from Attleboro. But they made it there, safe and sound, if a little damp from the weather, which was still raining and windy all over the place (but that’s good luck for the couple. no?) The whole ceremony was up on the (altar? pulpit? dais?) - the guests sat in the choir pews, the parents sat in the seats along the back wall. It was a simple and sweet ceremony, and the only reading was a Shakespeare sonnet read by R’s sister. Then it was off to the reception at a little restaurant literally around the corner from Bro’s house.
I will have to continue this later, as I have to get ready for work now. And before you ask, I have not yet had a chance to edit the 250 photos but as soon as I do, they will be up on the web for all to see. I will probably work on that tonight. But I’ll be back around lunch time to finsh the story.
It was a dark and stormy night, when suddenly… nothing happened! An old man sat in a chair in the library of his old, decrepit mansion; his back to the door that was open to the darkened hallway. A ghostly form, icy and reeking of the tomb… didn’t glide up to him. Outside, a flash of lightning illuminated the ghastly form of… a rhododendron. He really didn’t like rhododendrons. He thought to himself he should have the plant removed.
Patiently awaiting the rest of the wedding tale… [taps foot]
Brlfqasdfhapsiudrfh. Despite my morning coffe, I’m barely awake. I have a new name to add to the pantheon of MMP villains, to be firmly ensconced alongside the likes of Mandy the Martian and Roundboy. I submit Harry the Heavy Thumbed Dispatcher…
Precisely at 0100 this morning (and I know this because I have one of those fancy atomic alarm clocks that read the GPS time codes), I had my 4th fire page of my short and decidedly unglamorous career as a volunteer fireman. I was up and dressing as the first reading of the call went out. it was a house fire, where everyone was out safely before the call went in.
Despite this, HtHTD sends out 7 (!) pages to 3 fire stations and the rescue squad, when the standard protocol is 2 stations for a structure fire. In the meantime, a sheriff’s deputy AND a neighbor who is a member of the Hooterville station are on the scene, and trying desperately to shut up the dispatcher, because it was an electrical problem that the homeowner fixed, without flame or smoke. A valid call, but an unwarranted response. The sheriff, who I know from my department, was royally pissed, and threatened to extract a pound of HtHTD’s butt…
I didn’t mind the call, actually; it goes with the territory. It was much less of an adrenaline rush this time, because I actually expected the outcome this time. I’m really mad at Loki, because the stoooopid dawg decided that he had to get everyon to play at that ungodly hour, and it was 0300 before I was back to sleep. I get up at 0445 to start my day. ::yawn::
Oh, and let me tell you, riding the jumpseat in 45 Ammurkin degrees is butt-cold, too… :eek:
I can hardly wait to do it in the dead of winter… NOT!
It was definitely not a dark and stormy morning, but a very sunny one, for lo and behold, it’s winter hours and therefore already daylight by the time we leave. And, even though by Spanish standards this is a rainy area, by most other people’s it’s a place where “rain is something you see in the movies”. So if anybody is having a lousy day I can send y’all some virtual sun, got lots of it today.
Happy MMP!
It wasn’t a dark and stormy night, it was full of fireworks even before darkness fell. Poor little Ophelia didn’t know what to do with herself with all that noise, she followed me round the house all night and spent a good part of it behind the sofa.
It was a bright and clear morning though, probably the last mild morning we’ll be seeing because the weather lady said we’re in for gale force north winds from tomorrow. Oh joys.
Now it’s turned lovely and sunny, probably because I have to spend all afternoon in a web authoring workshop. More delights than you can possibly imagine!
Happy Monday, peeps!
It was a bright and mild morni-- wait, that hasn’t got any drama in it at all, does it? Where’s the foreboding? The tension? The ineffable sense of impending doom? Well, it certainly isn’t in Mississauga this morning. The sun is out, the wind is nearly non-existent, and we stand to suffer a high of 15°C today. That’s just … nice. Makes for poor storytelling, I say, but I guess the weather can’t suck all the time.
Getting up for work this morning was intangibly weird. It was bright. I felt like I was already irreparably late for work – though of course my schedule was perfectly fine. I had grown accustomed to wandering out of the building feeling like it was still the wee hours – heck, I kinda liked that. It still felt like the quiet, peaceful night I went to bed during. Now I’m greeted by that large orange beast in the sky.
The idea that they’re going to change daylight savings next year strikes me as a bit absurd. It’ll barely even be spring when we’re expected to “spring forward.” It just won’t be the same – and I’ll wager just about everybody will be an hour late for work that first day, and an hour early in the “fall back” portion. Will Windows get a patch? That’s what I want to know. And now both of my PDAs will be screwed up. I’ll have to change the times on the manually only to have them change them again when their Julian calendar algorhythm tells them they should, at which point I’ll have to set them back. What a pain in the arse.
(And why does Firefox’s spellchecker not recognize “algorhythm?”)
Morning has started slow – I’m privately wondering how many of our clients are just waking up and realizing they should be at work already. No matter though. I like slow mornings. Easing into the day is the way it should always work. I never liked walking into my place of employment already facing a mountain of work that I couldn’t get done by end of business even if I had four hands and two brains. (I don’t mean that brain, you perv. That’s more like simple ganglia anyway, which is why it refuses to listen to reason. It does bring up a new geek-greeting though: Hey, how’s it ganglion? Okay, that was just pathetic.)
Alright. Back to my coffee.
(Because, my dear, it’s “algorythm”. Here, do have some coffee)
It was chilly and quiet night. Then it was a calm and sunny morning.
Then my superintendent left an 8 minute long voice mail to all of us “leaders” on the leadership team.
Then I got coffee.
Did someone notice it was Monday?
a little tidbit about the ceremony I forogt to mention to hold you over til later - Some of the guests were late, most likely because of the weather, and the ceremony was held for them. The last three to walk in looked like Boston Univ students (Marsh is on the BU campus) - two were in everyday garb, the third in a suit. I thought they were students looking for Saturday evening mass. But I saw them talking to R and being introduced to D. They came in and sat down with the bride’s side. Cuz, M, and I all went 
:dubious:. It was suggested that they were three of R’s ex boyfriends come to stop the wedding, but R later said they were 3 of her best friends from high school, with whom she still kept in touch. Nonetheless, they had not been expected, so we officially had wedding crashers.
Um. Yeah. The “H” was just there because it just wants to get into the middle of everything. Coffee? Yes, please, thank you.
That said, it still doesn’t recognize “algorythm.” It did, however, suggest “algorithm” as an acceptable alternative.
Do you like your Gaudere’s Law with one lump or two? I’ll make us both a fresh pot. 
algorythm must be the Brit spelling - those wacky Brits are always spelling stuff differently
Yawn. Gah. Long weekend.
Rosie, I had a discussion on Friday night (while taking 84 through Connecticut and needing coffee) that you do not stop at exit 15 under any circumstances. Exit 15 will eat your soul. And for the love of all that’s holy, should you happen to get off at 15, don’t go into the McDonald’s. If it’s McDonald’s you must have, go to Exit 25.
And as an aside, I love the Highway Sheraton. 
I only take the Pike on my way to Maine these days, so I don’t get that far east, but the Sheraton and the Star Market that go right over the highway always tickled me, for some reason.
Well, I had a fun weekend. Drove till 2 on Friday night, checked into the hotel, probably didn’t sleep till almost 4. Saturday, we went to my friend Anissa’s house (where whatever will be happening on any given day will take place), and because it was so rainy and windy, we not only had to hang out inside all day, we had to do our ritual inside Saturday night, which is difficult when you’ve got around 30 people and the largest room in the house is about 10x15.
Then there was an impromptu party in our hotel room. We had a sleepover and stayed up all night and giggled. I’m exhausted, but it was worth it.
I see Bobbio is making quite an impression on the neighbors in Mayberry and Hooterville.
Great OP rosie! I’m on pins and needles awaiting the next installment.
Mindy is it more caffiene you need or is it that you need to back off from the caffiene? 
It’s a bright, clear, crisp (48 degrees Amurrkin) morning in south Jawja. Twas indeed kinda weird driving to work in daylight. Plus I forgot about setting clocks back an hour at work before leaving on Friday, so when I got to work (first one in, as usual) all the clocks were still an hour ahead. I set all the clocks in public areas. Anyone with a clock in his/her office is on his/her own to set said clock(s).
Our accreditation survey is in two weeks. :eek: Our last management team meeting before the survey is at ten this morning. I have lots and lots and lots to talk about. Yehaa! :rolleyes:
It was a bright and sunny morning, quiet except for the rumble of traffic outside the window, and the occasional grunting of small furry mammals within. An hairless primate sat hunched over the keyboard, slurping coffee and searching for a new day’s MMP.
rosie, glad you made it through the deluge.
bobbio, wait till summer, with the heat and humidity, the fire will feel cool and refreshing.
That’s a Spatsworthy pun. “algorythm” sound like the ex-vice president’s new jazz band.
Hrm… are we sure it’s not related to the MSWord spellchecker? You know, the one that says “grey” isn’t a word. Not into coffee, but I’ll accept a serving of Earl Grey’s with my Gaudere, thank you.
:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D
points for db.
If it weren’t for caffeine I wouldn’t have a pulse. Then I might end up on gabriella’s table, which is potentially the only place having her on top would not be a good thing.
Speaking of Spatsworthy puns…
MSWord is in a league of its own. It’s like the Google Ads of spellcheckers – you never know what wacky thing it’s going to come up with based on your content, but you know at least one of the suggestions is going to be funny.
You’re right- it is nice outside. Chilly but sunny.
I wait in great anticipation for the wedding pics.
Urk. Was having a complicated and unrestful science fiction dream with friends and muppets and Inara and some big Fifth Element type creatures. Feel halfway still in my dream. Got to do laundry before work- and I get to close tonight and open tomorrow morning! Whee!
It’s a bright and snowy morning; well, dark and bright and snowy. If you don’t live in snow country, you have no clue what I’m talking about. Stupid daylight saving time had my body clock ringing at 0430, so I’m staring at the SDMB instead of the inside of my eyelids. Had a dream that I was driving with my wife in hilly country and there was a polar bear and cub in the car with us. I remember being nervous. Stopped the car and let the cub out, which promptly ran across the road. The momma gets out, can’t see the cub and starts giving me the eye. I ease back into the car and take off. Weird dream.
rosie, of course it’s the Brit spelling, we need something to do all day. It just makes us special, and that’s why you love us.