Disappointment
Well, today I was supposed to go to a state agency meeting. I actually look forward to these meetings. It gives me a chance to remind the various state departments that we are there, and what we can do for them, and it gives me some insight into some customers I really don't have all that many opportunities to understand. I get to talk with county emergency managers with some frequency, and the Michigan State Police perhaps a little more frequently. But opportunities to see inside the Department of Transportation, Department of Health, Department of Corrections, etc., etc., these are pretty rare.
I had also planned to meet with a guy who I hope will take over as the manager of the station at the State EOC. I was going to introduce him to the folks, show him the station, and perhaps even make a test in preparation for an exercise in a couple of weeks. It can be a little intimidating just looking at the fortress that is the EOC, and the idea of working closely with the State Police can put some people off. But Michigan is fortunate to have an extremely professional force. These folks are very dedicated, and since we have a common mission, they are anxious to be as helpful as possible. Their attitude pretty quickly dissolves any reservations a person might have.
The weather wasn't supposed to be very good, so I got up early, left with plenty of time to get to Lansing, about a 100 mile drive. After about a half-hour on the road, having covered a whopping six miles, it became pretty clear that no way was I going to get to Lansing in time. So I turned aorund, and the trip back was even slower than the trip out. The temperature is dropping fast, and even though I'm not the fastest gun in the west on slippery roads, once the traffic starts to build, you're going as fast as the slowest guy.
I suppose I should be pleased that instead of spending half the day driving, I'll have a chance to work on my to-do list. But these meetings only come once a quarter, so it is pretty disappointing. Oh, well, off to the next to-do item.