For a while this past winter (What? Winter's over, right?), the IAFF and the JP council were up in arms about issues like firefighter pay and leave. At least, that's what I think it was. I'm pretty sure that, when approached with a petition in January, the petition, what the off-duty firefighter who explained the situation said, and the resolutions that signaled the end of threats of firefighter strikes at the council meeting a month ago, said three different things.

For a while, things got awfully jaw-y. There was a lot of posturing and huffing to go around, and signs and placards were all over the place. Most of them are still there, a handful have "Thank You" signs taped onto them. In the end, I think the firefighters got what they wanted (assurances of hours to be worked), JP got most of what they wanted (drug testing and tighter reins to curb abuse of sick leave and personal leave), and certainly sign makers got what they wanted (business outside of election season).

Over the course of the events, Amanda & I came to our own consensus: no political signs in the front yard, unless we both feel strongly enough to justify the sign, and are on the same side of the issue/campaign. (For the record, neither of us are big on yard signs.)

The wedding is twelve weeks away. In some respects, the sooner it gets here, the better. However, in many others, it's just as well (and not just for paperwork's sake). For instance:

• Neither of us are packed for the honeymoon.
• We haven't even technically started pre-marital counseling. (No, waiting this late to start is not a good idea.)
• I'm too well-versed in being a ##### with a superiority complex.

Being in the doghouse isn't fun. A situation to be avoided, sure: most every time fault is well-placed. Let it be a lesson, however, that in the case of fallen man, the seas will not be perfectly smooth.

Not having an immediate opportunity to rectify the situation is even worse, however, which is the pickle I currently find myself in. Just saying "I'm sorry," won't cut it at the moment, and it appears that's all I can do for the time being. Mere promises of change are insufficient, and immediate opportunities to exercise that change are wont to show themselves.

I don't ever want to go to bed with a disconnect hanging in the air, but I suppose don't have a choice tonight. I don't like this mire that is my bed, but this is the bed I made, so I have no choice.

-KIE, not to be consoled