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mapsedgeAs usual, it was a working weekend, and while it was nice to be out of the office for three days, the fact that I had to spend several hours of it on Work work galls a bit. It's supposed to be a nice relaxing weekend, full of rest and recharging.
Mmmm...except for a few precious hours yesterday, not so much.
I'd thought about going out and visiting Heartland for a day, though ultimately decided against it. Just too much to do around home. Besides, I learned that the single day fee was $60. If that's true (for some perspective, Disneyland is only $15 more and has rides...Worlds of Fun is $20 cheaper and used to have rides) then it's just as well we decided not to. (Which begs the question: if it's true, $60 for what?)
Instead, in addition to the programming for the Day Job, there was yard work and cleanup, general catching up around the home.
Katie is making progress every day toward emotional normalcy, and it is truly amazing sometimes. While she and I were cleaning up a small pile of lumber we happened upon a garden snake. Not a large one, something on the order of 12 to 18", and instead of shrinking away or, worse, running away as would have happened a month ago, she stayed, fascinated. I caught it, got it to stop trying to eat my arm, and eventually was able to hold it for her so she could touch it. When it was time to let it go, she asked to hold it. My girl is finding her courage, and it's wonderful to see.
In other ways, though, she is still a very much younger child, and as she progresses we're getting all of the little developmental quirks in fast forward as her brain and emotions catch up with her chronological age. Sometimes, she's truly bizarre and we have to remind ourselves that she isn't brain damaged...just catching up.
The retaining wall by the garage, that for years served as a very efficient funnel for rainwater into the garage, is gone, replaced with Pavestone™ to match the side garden. I'm building up the yard-side with timber to make a raised bed. (I have no idea what Michelle will plant there, but it doesn't matter: whatever she puts in the ground magically looks great for the space.) Since putting in the stone portion of the wall, we've had three major downpours and the garage has stayed dry. It's hard to express just what a huge deal that is.
Had a great dinner with Star and Tom and Anna yesterday, a quiet afternoon of good food and great company. That, at least, was rest and recharge. God I could use more of that.
And them's the highlights.
Mmmm...except for a few precious hours yesterday, not so much.
I'd thought about going out and visiting Heartland for a day, though ultimately decided against it. Just too much to do around home. Besides, I learned that the single day fee was $60. If that's true (for some perspective, Disneyland is only $15 more and has rides...Worlds of Fun is $20 cheaper and used to have rides) then it's just as well we decided not to. (Which begs the question: if it's true, $60 for what?)
Instead, in addition to the programming for the Day Job, there was yard work and cleanup, general catching up around the home.
Katie is making progress every day toward emotional normalcy, and it is truly amazing sometimes. While she and I were cleaning up a small pile of lumber we happened upon a garden snake. Not a large one, something on the order of 12 to 18", and instead of shrinking away or, worse, running away as would have happened a month ago, she stayed, fascinated. I caught it, got it to stop trying to eat my arm, and eventually was able to hold it for her so she could touch it. When it was time to let it go, she asked to hold it. My girl is finding her courage, and it's wonderful to see.
In other ways, though, she is still a very much younger child, and as she progresses we're getting all of the little developmental quirks in fast forward as her brain and emotions catch up with her chronological age. Sometimes, she's truly bizarre and we have to remind ourselves that she isn't brain damaged...just catching up.
The retaining wall by the garage, that for years served as a very efficient funnel for rainwater into the garage, is gone, replaced with Pavestone™ to match the side garden. I'm building up the yard-side with timber to make a raised bed. (I have no idea what Michelle will plant there, but it doesn't matter: whatever she puts in the ground magically looks great for the space.) Since putting in the stone portion of the wall, we've had three major downpours and the garage has stayed dry. It's hard to express just what a huge deal that is.
Had a great dinner with Star and Tom and Anna yesterday, a quiet afternoon of good food and great company. That, at least, was rest and recharge. God I could use more of that.
And them's the highlights.
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no subject
Date: 2008-05-27 02:00 (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-05-27 16:19 (UTC)This also includes fish, worms, jumpy hoppy things that like to land on my face, and some people.
That got an out-loud laugh, my friend. For me, the list of those creatures belonging to the last species is far long than those of the former.
no subject
Date: 2008-05-27 16:48 (UTC)Hey Bill! Just want you to know that I miss you guys.
no subject
Date: 2008-05-27 03:43 (UTC)Thank you.
I cannot tell you how wonderful it was to see you and spend time together. Katie has changed so much and Jamie is an energizer boy! Thank you both for coming, bringing delish food and warming our home and hearts. Love!!
S~
no subject
Date: 2008-05-27 14:04 (UTC)bringing delish food
I first read that as "devilish" food, which I suppose is true, too.
Love you :)
no subject
Date: 2008-05-27 15:54 (UTC)*sigh* I miss Tom and Anna so much but I'm so glad you all had such a great time.
*hugs*
Day Pass
Date: 2008-05-27 14:34 (UTC)Actually I think it's $65.
Rather than formulating their fees like a business would...You know, factor costs and add a sufficient profit margin...HSA uses Social Engineering to determine prices.
"Social Engineering?" you might reply.
Yes. Social Engineering.
They are trying to get people to do things or not do things based on price.
That is Social Engineering.
Several years ago the day pass was $10. That covered the background cost (payment to camp) and added $3.
Smart people would by 5 Day Passes instead of the full run fee (which at that time was $80 I think) and cheat the organization.
At that time they raised the Day Pass fee so that 5 Day Passes was more expensive than the full run fee, trying to enhance full run numbers.
Even at that, people would buy a Day Pass then lay low.
So rather than fix the security hole and keep tabs on Day Passers so they didn't outstay their paid time, they kept jacking with the price until we now have this cost-prohibitive thing.
Bottom line is that they are trying to entice as many full run fees as possible by overpricing the options.
HSA logic is really fugly.
That's why *I* bailed out after 10 years :P
Re: Day Pass
Date: 2008-05-27 15:16 (UTC)Re: Day Pass
Date: 2008-05-27 15:19 (UTC)It certainly seems easier just to issue color-coded wrist bands for certain days. If you have one, you get to stay, if you don't, you get thrown from the property at speed. It doesn't have to be "fair*."
For 10, possibly even for $20, I'd have come out, maybe bought something, certainly spent time with friends. But $60 because some people are shits? Nah, no thanks.
* A concept I am heartily tired of.
Re: Day Pass
Date: 2008-05-28 17:58 (UTC)They actually do issue different colored wrist band for the day passes. The real problems with that are:
1. Heartland is a big piece of property and while wrist bands seem like they would be easy to spot, they really aren't.
2. You have to have someone checking them, a lot. Which makes people uncomfortable.
3. Then you have to throw people out.
The Heartland population generally wants to feel...shall we say free from the normal contraints of society and are pretty unfond of security in any form. Which ends up causing some pretty unpractical and strange practices.