Going to Africa!

I leave on Saturday. As a funny side note, earlier this week my coworker called me on the radio. He wanted me to meet him in the office so he could talk to me. I step inside and he tells me that one of my speeding tickets is going to court on March 14. I was pretty sure he knew I'd be gone, so I wasn't sure what he expected me to say.

"Yeah, I'll be in Africa." I reminded him.

"It's Melanie Smith." [names have been changed] I wondered if I was supposed to remember her by her name alone. At my blank look he continued, "You got her for speeding, 78." I still had no idea. I mean I write a few tickets and they don't go to court for months.

"Yep," I said, "I'll be in Africa."

"It's going to get dismissed if you're not there." He told me as if I didn't know. Like I should be upset or something because my ticket is going to be dismissed.

"Well I'm not coming back for court. I don't care if all my tickets get dismissed while I'm gone."

He looked horrified. Like he expected me to call the US Attorney's office and beg them to reschedule. At the time I was slightly irritated because I thought he had something interesting to tell me. But later, I just thought it was funny. Oh dear, I've got court. I'll just have to cancel my trip!

Acting District Ranger

That's right, from yesterday until Saturday, I'm the acting district ranger. It sounds much cooler than it is. Nothing actually changes. I don't get a pay raise, and if anything needs a district ranger, I'll just hassle my boss on the phone anyway. But it does sound neat, doesn't it?