my state of the union

Hey kids and campers! How are you today?! It's been way too long since I checked in with yinz guys, so I'll try to give you a little taste of everything that's been going down...

I'm heading into my sixth week at Nlets. If you, like me, still have no clear idea what it is my organization exactly does, all I can say is that we're a big message switch. We have our own data models (GJXDM and NIEM); we're a legal monopoly, nonprofit entity, owned and operated by the 50 states and territories. Our other members include a few dozen federal agencies, as well as Interpol, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and a variety of other for-profit businesses like red light companies, LoJack, and automated license plate readers. I went to our week-long Annual Conference in Montgomery, AL. Never been to a conference where I had to work instead of participate. Granted, our partners had vendor hospitality suites each night with beautiful dinner spreads and open bars; I just worked my tushy off. I was the official photographer a.k.a. the girl who was lurking around with a camera every day that people secretly hated. I also had to attend all the meetings and sessions, take notes, interview about 65 of our reps, be friendly, avoid politics, and survive five days of little to no sleep. I did get to meet some incredibly cool people with incredibly cool jobs: Secret Service, most of the DOD, FBI, and police officers from every state. It was overwhelming, to say the least, but educational and a great opportunity to bond with my Nlets family.

Anyhoo, I LOVE WHAT I'M DOING--making a very real living as a writer, working at breakneck speed, in a positive, aggressive, rewarding environment. So far, I've written just about one of each type of document that was on my job description: press release, grant report, newsletter and magazine articles, PowerPoint presentations, surveys, web content, and even my own new hire job announcement. I have a dopalicious office, where I can spread out my nerd supplies, listen to some tunes, and actually crank out high quality content. I am light years away from Anthem. And, although it can sometimes be a major pain in my ass, teaching online at ASU is turning out to be a yummy cash cow.

In other news, the Keefer's almost lost their Zen place. A couple of days before storms ravaged the Midwest, a tornado ripped through up-state New York and devasted the town of Sandy Creek. People lost houses, boats, cars, and trailers. There were 125mph winds coming off the shoreline, golf-ball sized hail, and sideways, sleeting rain. Initiall, we thought the cottage was completely destroyed. My dad called me one morning, sobbing hysterically--I'm thinking something awful like my mom is dead--and tells me the camp is gone. Mom and dad headed up the very next day, with a dump truck, dad's best climber, and one other worker. The damage is significant, but not crippling. Homeowner's will cover all of the significant damage, which we will start work on in August after the season is over. What's sad is the number of trees that were leveled in the surrounding area, including the trees on our property. There were two 100ft+ pin oaks that my great-grandparents brought as saplings in a bucket from the house in Pittsburgh where my grandfather grew up. I think that's what upset my dad the most--losing the only visible, living connection to his family. So, in the spirit of Joel F. Keefer, he went to Highland Park in the middle of the night and stole saplings from those very same pin oaks that are still there. He also has a seven-year-old maple he's been growing at the lot. I'm going to fly up to NY when they're ready to plant and we'll start a new generation of vegetation. Matt and I are still going up for vacation...even a tornado wouldn't stop me.

Next weekend is my birthday, and it's the first time in my entire life (other than being in Italy, which is a completely acceptable alternative) that I'm not going to (a) be at the camp for my birthday, (b) be with my family for my birthday, (c) watch my dad's 4th of July fireworks before my birthday. Sort of bummed about that, but there's nothing I can do about it. I've got an incredible week in front of me--and just had an excellent week behind me. Went to see Snoop Dogg--well, he opened for 311, but we left after four songs--on Tuesday. I will die happy. Did some white girl dancing/bouncing/awkwardly swaying. Snoop was like "Who's been listening to Snoop for 5 years?" (some people cheered) "Who's been listening to Snoop for 10 years?" (more people cheered)...then he stopped. No shout out for those of us who have been listening to Snoop a Loop for 15 years. I felt old. Speaking of old, Matt and I are going to see Allison Krauss and Robert Plant on Tuesday. Also, T-Bone Burnett is opening for them. I know it's going to be very bluesy/bluegrassy, but if this is the only chance I'll every have to see a fraction of the spirit of Zeppelin, then I'll deal.

Moving on. I traded in my 4Runner yesterday and bought a 2007 Matrix XR. For a fleeting moment, my hand shook as I signed over the title, and my heart pounded as I gave them my keys, though I know the better gas mileage and the certain sense of renewed civic responsibility from not driving an SUV will soon replace the sadness. It's just hard to say goodbye to the vehicle that took me on a 40-day, 8,000 mile road trip across the country; a 3,000 mile musical journey through Canada; the 2,000 mile trek to move down here; and, countless road trips to Pittsburgh, New York, California, and camping up north. In the end, I'm confident that I'll make some good memories in this car...I do have seven years to pay it off and reestablish Road Warrior status.

Have a few more fun things in the hopper for the next month: a Cubs v. Diamondbacks game, STP, and no doubt a bevy of days by Chara's pool. After vacation in August, it's just a month or so before the worst of the heat starts to recede. And, of course, we have football season to look forward to. I know it's not Tomlin's first year of coaching, but with Big Ben on a fat chunk of a contract, and a pretty successful draft, it truly feels like a new era of the Steeler Nation is about to begin.

I suppose that's all for now. It's been nice chatting with you. As always, you're more than welcome to come visit, sleep on my recently paid off pull-out couch, drink some wine, and sweat in places you never knew you had. Much love from Arizona coming your way--I hope all is well wherever you are and whatever you're doing!

XOXO

Chelsea