All week there was, looming over our heads, the imminent threat of a government shutdown in lieu of Congress not being able to agree on a budget. As it was, the fate of the funding for the condor program was up in the air, contingent on which was the wind was blowing when the dust from hammering out the budget had settled (aagh! mixed metaphors!!!!) But it seemed like each side of the negotiations would just hold out until the last second when a compromise could be reached. The government couldn't shut down. That would be ridiculous.
Cut to today at around 3 o'clock: I'm out at Pole Canyon, Molly is down South Potrero way. Joseph radios us. "Pack up your stuff and get down the mountain. Try to be out of there by four. If the government shuts down at the end of today you're not legally allowed to be at the ranch house tonight. Who knows if any of us will still have jobs tomorrow." Or something to that effect.
Back at the office, it was all grim smiles and gallows humor, as the employees kept tabs on the news coming out of Washington, and I waited for my mom to get to Ventura to pick me up. I was going home for the weekend.
Joseph: "I'll understand if you want to look for another job..."
Me: "Oh god, I hope it doesn't come to that"
