This was the scene
in my front yard this
morning

My counterparts in the US Government who work in Washington tend to see themselves as a breed apart from us lowlifes who man the "Post of Duty's" outside of the DC area.  One thing that is really annoying is that it seems like Washington closes up tighter than a Ducks er, um, bee-hind every time they get a few flakes of snow.  We're sitting here in Phoenix,  working diligently,  and in early November we get the 1st of numerous Service-wide e-mail announcing that all "non-essential" federal employees in DC (not Baltimore,  not Richmond,  just DC) can stay home,  because their new Burberry's 3-Button may see a few snowflakes.  What's the deal,  they all ride the Metro to work anyhow (or take Limo's if you're elected or work for someone elected).  I'm exagerating (just a little) but those snow days irritate the pants off of "us little folk" in the hinterlands. 

Believe it or not,  those of us who man the "Phoenix Headquarters" building actually got a snow day today!!  The temperature today reached 113 crackling cold degrees,  but we still received what is referred to in DC as a "Snow Day".   To paraphrase Yoda "Confused you are?".  Well,  the a/c in our building died about 8:30 this fine morning.  Fortunately at the time the ambient temperature outside was a chilly 94 degrees,  but the thermometer in the building was quickly approaching the 100 degree mark when I left the building (I of course had work to do that couldn't wait until tomorrow,  so I,  unlike most of my cohorts had to stick around another couple of hours).  The good news was that I was able to move into the data center which is always a chilly 64 degrees (got to keep those servers nice and chilly).  I suppose I could have volunteered to management to remain the rest of the day in the data center (for that matter,  IT management could have volunteered to stay in the datacenter as well,  but they didn't),  so I considered it for maybe a nano-second,  packed my rolling laptop bag,  and headed for the nearest freeway. 

It was so much fun.  Snowball fights,  then snow sledding down the 3rd tee at the Tournament Players Club down the street.  I hooked my dachsund Toodles Von Stroodles up to my sleigh, and we went for a ride down the Scottsdale Green (uh, Snow?) Belt.  The coyotes and jackrabbits all cavorted in the mounds of snow,  accompanied by the dulcet tones of a singing roadrunner. I tried the whole touching the pole with my tongue thing, but you know it just doesn't work here.  At this very moment I have a fire going in the fireplace,  and I've invited all of the neighbors for a cup of hot chocolate (with a shot of Baileys if they wish).  What a delightful snow day we had here in North Scottsdale,  I hated to see it end.  We've been assured that the A/C will be working in the Phoenix HQ by the open of business tomorrow. 

As we say here in Arizona,  "You can't shovel sunshine!!"


Disclaimer:  Any references to either Federal employees in the DC area or management were all meant in jest,  and in no way should be construed as disrepect by the author.  The author loves his job,  loves management (adores management),  and wishes to continue with the US goverment as a happy,  loyal,  devoted, unquestioning, subscervient, and hardworking public servant for many years to come...