Credit Card Day:::::::::::::::

My Shiney new FEMA credit card came today. It is a Master Card with the words "The United States of America" across the top. It came via UPS about 5 pm today and cascaded a series of events I have been waiting for. I had to call my boss in Austin and remind him who I was (Oh YEah you're Mary's boy) it has been so long. He is going too make sure I am attached to the right job function in Lousiana and then I call one number, make a change in my status as "ready to go" (no shit) and FEMA man has his cape and launch point again!!!!! I have to wait for one more call (there is a code number I need to get before I can put charges on my card for this disaster.... it is how they keep the charges for them seperate)

My boss Kent promised to call me tomorrow so it is possible I will be traveling that quickly. Either way it should be very soon now. Very few hanging chads between me and the airplane terminal. More info as it comes available.

Another Wednesday in Texas

Hello Readers!!

Letter this morning from FEMA that detailed some parts of my employement, instructions for comportment and dress and how to use my credit card (which is not here yet). They did tell me that I have a card "In the Mail" and it will get here in from 5 to 7 days (but not from what date!!)... So I am cooling my heels and still homeless in my parents house till I get additional word on the location of my credit card and final travel instructions. As you all might imagine I am reasonably frustrated at the snails pace of the proceedings. This is on par with normal daily operations in a company like IBM so it is not wholly surprising, rather it iis just a frustrating experience on balance. Here is the chronology of events of getting where I am if anyone is interested but me:

August 28 Katrina makes landfall in New Orleans

Sept 1 FEMA makes contact with me by phone and I resubmit my resume for inspection

Sept 9 Call from my current boss Kent to say he was forwarding a letter with my name on it to hire me.

Sept 21 Received package of paperwork to fill out for hire and fingerprints. Overnight back

Oct 19 Moved from my residence in Colorado Springs, put everything in storage and go to parents house to wait "forthcoming" credit card and travel instructions

Oct 26 Receive hiring letter detailing use of travel and credit card and a promise of credit card in 5-7 days

I know this is a huge set of disasters given that Rita hit another Region 6 location right in the middle of that time line. So it seems I am stuck. FEMA man is grounded. So more news when it is available.

Safe in Texas for the Moment

Hi all!! Made it to My parents house in Andrews Tx today. Not quite ten hours on the road. D0gie made it ok, she does not drink or eat while in transit so she was pretty wrung out by the time we got here. Spending at least two days here prior to heading out. More news as it is available.