Tue. & Wed. (1/27-28)

I cannot believe that it is the end of January. I do not want to jinx our winter, but is anyone else amazed at the amount of snow we have had (okay, I did not commit to either too much or too little). Only about 7 weeks until the tulips sprout. I also cannot believe that we are almost into the February part of the calendar, it is going to be a great month, with some travelling and time off of work.

Wednesday: I went to to the Shrine Center. Every now and then, the Shrine, as I presume is the case with any organization, receives business opportunities from new ventures. It is up to the leaders to sift through the extreme and/or ridiculous ideas and bring to the table some realistic presentations. One such presentation was brought to the Board of Directors this evening. In essence it is a direct marketing enterprise that supposedly has been approved by our Shriners International HQ.

I have to say it was a nice presentation, but of course I cannot commit to any contract. I say this, because it is in our by laws that any contract must receive the approval of our General Counsel (Shrine Attorney), prior to my signing. Also, I cannot sign a contract that would oblige any other year besides the year I am Potetate, without the signature of other Board Members.

Therefore, we will have to go through the entire process prior to any possible colloboration.

Thursday, Jan. 28: DAY OFF, DAY OFF (SORT OF) I took my car in for a needed oil change (I have 76000 miles in 3 years). I took my Bride out to dinner and spent some time on the phone afterwards with the circus director.

We are in the last hours of any possible circus commitment for the year. If we cannot get the Governor to give us access to the State Fairgrounds, we have no Circus. As you can imagine, I have been following the discussion on the State Fairgrounds for the last year, until the Governor's actions in October padlocked the entire facility. I, and some of the other Directors, attended multiple "town hall" meetings at the fairgrounds and received a lot of knowledge. Of course, the Shrine Circus is the oldest tenant of the State Fairgrounds, and it is traditionally our home. I find it interesting that in order to keep the fairgrounds shut down costs hundred of thousands of dollars, due to the maintenance requirements of the sewage system that somehow ties in the city of Detroit, County of Wayne and the suburbs (I am sketchy on the details). You would think that some added revenue would be welcomed, I do not get it.

You saw Carrie's post, and I hope you take the time to sign the on line petition asking the Governor to reconsider. We shall see.

I am going to stop by the Shrine Center this evening after work to catch up on some mail. Other than that, life is good, life is good.

I have to say I am having fun, and it is because so many Nobles and their Ladies are so supportive of the Shriners, they make my life easy.

Until next time.....................