Time is Running Out

[tracker7]

I'm this close to dropping out of GenCon. There's a "guys, I'm out" e-mail sitting in my drafts folder, and the simple fact that I've written it should be enough of a sign for me.

Closer on the calendar is Christmas. Plans are to go to Mom&Dad's Friday morning, but that's looking iffy. We are going to get some weather tomorrow night. The afternoon high is going to be around 45F, dropping to 0F or so around midnight. And then there's the rain and snow. I think the ground will be warm enough to melt any snow, but that just means, hey, more water to freeze over. So, I'm going to make a travel-time decision. Dad and I have talked about it already, and we're not at all opposed to putting things off for a week or so. This is going to be a brutally cold weekend. Better to not risk the travel, if it's really bad.

Christmas. The second one without Mom, and I'm feeling her loss more keenly this year than last. At the same time, I'm feeling her presence or her spirit. I'm enjoying the season that she loved so much. Maybe I'm letting myself enjoy it, I don't know. But the decorations and lights and songs - all of it, they're making me smile, bringing me little joys.

Tomorrow is The Niece's birthday, and it may be when The Grandniece arrives. According to Dad, she's dilating and may go into labor pretty soon. That'll be a heck of a holiday.

Ice & Dice is now a month away. Prep is effectively done, since I'm going to run one of the Alien scenarios I ran at Nerdlouvia last month.

Comments

[atolnon]

I know you'll make a good decision, but I always wanna remind people to be cautious first, don't take unneeded risks, etc. Nobody wants to hear you got hurt on the way over if the weather was real bad. But otherwise, I'm really glad you're letting yourself enjoy the holiday season. And... if you had to write the letter, you should probably go with your gut.

[tracker7]

After another talk with Dad, we're going to put off the Christmas celebration until next week. It is so cold right now: -2F, -24F wind chill, and it won't be much warmer tomorrow. This is a dangerous cold.

I sent the e-mail. Dropping out of GenCon.

[atolnon]

It's just dangerous out. I'm worried for people who're traveling - the celebration will be just as good next week as this week at least. And I'm sorry about the stress from GenCon, but sometimes it's just too much and it's probably for the best you're drawing a boundary on that.

[tracker7]

I've checked Kentucky's road condition site every few hours, and I'm feeling pretty good about the decision to stay home. Interstate 71 is closed up near Cincinnati, and there are constant incidents along I-64, which is nearly half of my route home.