Great Personal News on the Job Front

This morning I accepted an offer for a full-time permanent job with the federal government. Start date is Monday, August 15. 


It's a brand new position, deemed necessary in the face of belt tightening, so I'm hoping it's not on the chopping block as federal downsizing cranks up. The volume of work is daunting and the subject matter challenging, but interesting.

I'm familiar with the office and personnel. It's a short commute. The pay plenty acceptable. All in all, it's a great opportunity.  And, to have this come together in these tough economic times is all the more amazing. 

I'm not sure which event is more shocking - this multisport geek finally having some success getting his S together on the career front, or (cue the sport reference) Norwegian riders winning four stages of the Tour de France this year.

These Norwegian commentators = me after closing the deal today. 
(1:30). 

Summer news - Delfest 2011

Well. This page is still up, untouched for a year.

Posting some sights and sounds from my Memorial Day weekend taking in Delfest 2011 at the Allegany County Fairgrounds in Cumberland, MD.  It's a bluegrass festival hosted by Del McCoury and his various family bands.

Think southern gentlemen (sir and m'am attached to everything), cotton candy, popsicles, river tubing, hula hoops, happy sticky kids, the infield of a dirt track oval, the sizzle of the grill, the stars and stripes, grandstand beer, country hippies mingling smilingly with gospel lovers, and all kinds of string music.

Two hour drive (map).

View of the main stage from the far end of the infield.

Potomac River runs along the base of the hill to the right.

Everything built to a great Sunday night closing lineup:  The Del McCoury Band followed by Yonder Mountain String Band with Del and others joining Yonder.

A video playlis of five songs from Sunday night:

• Walk Out in the Rain - The Del McCoury Band
• Loneliness and Desperation - The Del McCoury Band

• The First Whippoorwill - Yonder Mountain String Band with Del McCoury, Jeff Carter on fiddle, and Ronnie McCoury on mando.
• The Prisoner's Song - "
• Southern Flavor - Yonder Mountain String Band with Jeff Carter, Ronnie McCoury and Drew Emmitt on mando. 

Had to add this. The Sleepy Man Banjo Boys. Thank you Mr. Letterman.




Hope everyone is having a spectacular summer!