Go, Go, Go

Yesterday was an adventure is scheduling and commitments.

We began with an early morning visit to the Maryland MVA. Both kent4str and I needed to renew our driver's licenses. The MVA does offer online renewals but only every other renewal to ensure the photo is no older than 10 years. Alas, I'm in the off cycle. Worse, while I'd also prefer to go during the mid-morning of a weekday when the lines are shortest, kent4str couldn't spare time from work for his. *sigh*

All things considered though, we did well: we left with our new licenses within an hour. I strongly suspect the MVA would be able to double their processing speed if it wasn't for the language barriers: so many of the people around us spoke english as a third/fourth/fifth language, so getting communications with the MVA staff were slow and laborious, even when interpreting services were available.

And then there the marginally insane folks who think they can argue their way to an exemption or waiver around state law and regulations with a front-line clerk who just wants to get through the day. No, really, you must have a license, pay for your plates & registration and have insurance before you can drive legally in Maryland. It doesn't matter if you can't afford it: it's the law. At least security was prominent to ensure everyone behaved.

Once we were back home, we packed and soon set off for a group lunch with friends in Annandale, VA, at a restaurant called Pho Hot. I hadn't visited this particular restaurant before but I can say that the beef stew with egg noodles (can't remember the korean name for it) was delicious but extremely filling.

Our next appointment was a few miles east of the restaurant in Lincolnia. John Marshall and Bill Harrison were jointly calling a C1/C2 square dance 2-5pm. deege drove up from Richmond to attend with us. I believe we had five squares in the C2 hall and at least two in the C1 hall until we merged for the last session. I had a good time and was pleased that while the C2 was on the hard side periodically and I made my share of mistakes, I was probably in the mid-range of the floor's dance ability. More floor time will bring up my success rate significantly and I intend to pack in as much as possible before our ACDC square dance event in mid February.

The four of us plus callerdayle headed from Virginia to Maryland, stopping briefly at our home before shuttling over to Mi Rancho for dinner.

Despite my fear of running somewhat late, we all arrived at the DC Lambda Squares' holiday square dance at 7pm on time. Betsy Gotta was still setting up her calling equipment when we pulled in.

The dance itself was lots of fun. I got in a couple of Plus tips, some Advanced tips and one C1 tip. We had just barely enough for a C2 but I recommended to Betsy that she skip a possible C2 set in favour of more Mainstream: we had 46 dancers attending, it wouldn't have been an especially good use of resources to call for just us 8, especially since we had an entire afternoon dance together earlier in the day.

kent4str and I sold 50/50 tickets on behalf of the club: Michael Prizer won the $119 jackpot and Arbell Thompson won a basket of wine which was left unclaimed from our recent Harvest Festival Hoedown event.

cuyahogarvr, kent4str, deege and I were home by shortly after 10pm and spent the rest of the evening lounging around the living room chatting, gossiping and such, winding down from the day. Today (Sunday) will be much lighter.

Go, Go, Go

Yesterday was an adventure is scheduling and commitments.

We began with an early morning visit to the Maryland MVA. Both kent4str and I needed to renew our driver's licenses. The MVA does offer online renewals but only every other renewal to ensure the photo is no older than 10 years. Alas, I'm in the off cycle. Worse, while I'd also prefer to go during the mid-morning of a weekday when the lines are shortest, kent4str couldn't spare time from work for his. *sigh*

All things considered though, we did well: we left with our new licenses within an hour. I strongly suspect the MVA would be able to double their processing speed if it wasn't for the language barriers: so many of the people around us spoke english as a third/fourth/fifth language, so getting communications with the MVA staff were slow and laborious, even when interpreting services were available.

And then there the marginally insane folks who think they can argue their way to an exemption or waiver around state law and regulations with a front-line clerk who just wants to get through the day. No, really, you must have a license, pay for your plates & registration and have insurance before you can drive legally in Maryland. It doesn't matter if you can't afford it: it's the law. At least security was prominent to ensure everyone behaved.

Once we were back home, we packed and soon set off for a group lunch with friends in Annandale, VA, at a restaurant called Pho Hot. I hadn't visited this particular restaurant before but I can say that the beef stew with egg noodles (can't remember the korean name for it) was delicious but extremely filling.

Our next appointment was a few miles east of the restaurant in Lincolnia. John Marshall and Bill Harrison were jointly calling a C1/C2 square dance 2-5pm. deege drove up from Richmond to attend with us. I believe we had five squares in the C2 hall and at least two in the C1 hall until we merged for the last session. I had a good time and was pleased that while the C2 was on the hard side periodically and I made my share of mistakes, I was probably in the mid-range of the floor's dance ability. More floor time will bring up my success rate significantly and I intend to pack in as much as possible before our ACDC square dance event in mid February.

The four of us plus callerdayle headed from Virginia to Maryland, stopping briefly at our home before shuttling over to Mi Rancho for dinner.

Despite my fear of running somewhat late, we all arrived at the DC Lambda Squares' holiday square dance at 7pm on time. Betsy Gotta was still setting up her calling equipment when we pulled in.

The dance itself was lots of fun. I got in a couple of Plus tips, some Advanced tips and one C1 tip. We had just barely enough for a C2 but I recommended to Betsy that she skip a possible C2 set in favour of more Mainstream: we had 46 dancers attending, it wouldn't have been an especially good use of resources to call for just us 8, especially since we had an entire afternoon dance together earlier in the day.

kent4str and I sold 50/50 tickets on behalf of the club: Michael Prizer won the $119 jackpot and Arbell Thompson won a basket of wine which was left unclaimed from our recent Harvest Festival Hoedown event.

cuyahogarvr, kent4str, deege and I were home by shortly after 10pm and spent the rest of the evening lounging around the living room chatting, gossiping and such, winding down from the day. Today (Sunday) will be much lighter.

Mike Jacobs Memorial Update

It was announced last night that the upcoming Mike Jacobs memorial event will be held at Cherry Hill Park, College Park, Maryland, on Saturday, January 30, 2010.

Tentatively, there will be a memorial service at 1pm, then an all-level memorial square dance following in the social hall.

More details as they develop.

Mike Jacobs Memorial Update

It was announced last night that the upcoming Mike Jacobs memorial event will be held at Cherry Hill Park, College Park, Maryland, on Saturday, January 30, 2010.

Tentatively, there will be a memorial service at 1pm, then an all-level memorial square dance following in the social hall.

More details as they develop.

Kyle Rae Not Running for Re-election

Toronto city councillor Kyle Rae has decided against running again for city councillor. Click for the full CBC article.

I met him first when he was director of the 519 Community Center years ago and attended a couple of his campaign rallies when he first ran for city office. I'm very curious what he's decided to do next: I can't imagine him simply retiring completely.

Kyle Rae Not Running for Re-election

Toronto city councillor Kyle Rae has decided against running again for city councillor. Click for the full CBC article.

I met him first when he was director of the 519 Community Center years ago and attended a couple of his campaign rallies when he first ran for city office. I'm very curious what he's decided to do next: I can't imagine him simply retiring completely.