Twice in One Day!

I just can't stop myself from writing again. I am doing my best to stay awake today, but it seems that nothing but a good, long nap will help me make it through to quitting time. Meanwhile, the snow still rages (that's right, "RAGES!") on outside my window and I pray to the gods of justice that there will be enough inchage by 8AM tomorrow to require school closings and no more work until Wednesday.

My job just underwent a big transition to a new Board leadership in December, and then last week, our staff of three dropped to a staff of two for a few days as our Executive Director was ousted and a new PRESIDENT AND CEO (to be said in a big, booming voice like the title implies) was installed. All this turmoil and transition is the real reason they want to keep me onboard here and why they pushed through my raise. There is no one else who knows my job and, if I left, the Board would have more to tangle with than just figuring out the right spin to their newest PR campaign. At least, that's what I tell myself to get through the day. Repeat after me: "I am NOT replaceable, I am NOT replaceable, I am NOT replaceable..."

To this end, I was even privy to a champagne lunch at the Philadelphia Club last week. There is nothing quite like asparagus and shrimp bisque, horseradish-encrusted sea bass, steamed vegetables, potatoe pancakes, and peppermint ice cream in the middle of the afternoon. (The champagne was only a sidenote as I barely sipped more than two quaffs - champagne is icky!) The Club is in a completely renovated home, replete with cathedral-height ceilings, fireplaces in every room, chandeliers, original wood furniture, and crown moulding galore. It is not exactly the kind of home I would want to live in (even if I could afford it), but I certainly have the ability to admire the beauty of its furnishings. If nothing else, it is an elegant, old-world place to visit.

On the other hand, sitting down to dine with several of the "they's" and "them's" who control everything (i.e. the old white men who puppeteer Philadelphia politics in their spare time, and with their spare money), along with the new PRESIDENT AND CEO and my one other colleague, is not exactly my idea of an afternoon perfectly enjoyed. They discussed this, that, and the other Philadelphia thing, and my inability to spark an ounce of concern for the topic of discussion was a real drag. Lucky for me, I drank enough tea to keep me running to the ladies room every ten minutes...

Okay, so I have now just realized that I have nothing else to discuss. Maybe I should just close up shop and run off to the library befor total white-out conditions encroach upon my adventures in reading. Oooh, which reminds me, I should probably call the library and make sure they are open. And I'm off!