Congress is going to screw up my WHOLE SEASON

[mrs.jacinthe]

if they don't freaking get their heads out of their financial asses.

I just got a notification that my race on Saturday COULD BE CANCELLED if there is a government shutdown due to no NPS staff at Lake Mead.  I've been training for this race for THREE months and have put hundreds of dollars down for travel/hotels/race fees/etc.

ETA - This is my A race.  I changed all my plans this season to train hard for this event in hopes of kicking its proverbial ass.

UGH UGH UGH

Someone reassure me that congress will do something today other than twiddle their thumbs and fart.  Hair pets/reassurances/funny things to distract me

[lifetaketwo]

I'm so so sorry

We are looking at backup plans for our vacation next week. It was supposed to be a week of national parks in Utah. I can't even imagine if it was my race.

[Wines Not Whines]

I'm sorry.

DH and I are both federal employees, so if there's a shutdown, we will have ZERO money coming in.

[mrs.jacinthe]

Sept 30, 2013 11:46:48 GMT -5 Wines Not Whines said:

I'm sorry.

DH and I are both federal employees, so if there's a shutdown, we will have ZERO money coming in.

Oh geez.  That does help me put it in perspective.  I'm so sorry.  

[lifetaketwo]

Sept 30, 2013 11:46:48 GMT -5 Wines Not Whines said:

I'm sorry.

DH and I are both federal employees, so if there's a shutdown, we will have ZERO money coming in.

Ugh. So sorry.

[cinco]

Oh no Crossing my fingers for you.

My race in 2 weeks goes through 4 national parks, and I never considered that aspect. Unfortunately, I have had my "A" race cancelled before (once I had stomach bug, NYCM last year), and stressing ahead of time does no good. Try to think positive!

[G22]

Oh man that sucks!

My H is military and we are a one income family so were hoping it doesn't come to a shutdown too.

[mrs.jacinthe]

Ok, now I just feel like a drama llama. This is not a big deal in the grand scheme of things. Worst case scenario: We get a nice relaxing vacation to the Lake Mead area. That's not so bad versus having no income. I'm so sorry for being petty, ladies.

[ebeth]

sorry dude. it really, really sucks to work so hard towards something and then have it fall apart for circumstances totally outside your control. I get it.

but this post makes me wonder if the general public really understands the full implication of a shut down. I think the context most people related to the government shut down is with national parks. I saw a news story on one of those AM news shows this weekend about a shutdown and it was ONLY about the national parks. but there are a whole lot of federal employees who aren't getting paid and have no idea when they'll get paid again if the govt shuts down. there are many 2 fed families in the DC metro area that are going to be without any income until congress gets their act together.

[jamalynn]

Sept 30, 2013 11:46:48 GMT -5 Wines Not Whines said:

I'm sorry.

DH and I are both federal employees, so if there's a shutdown, we will have ZERO money coming in.

FYI, during the last shutdown, feds did get paid eventually.  I am a fed too.

[gt7301b]

Sept 30, 2013 12:01:55 GMT -5 ebeth said:

sorry dude. it really, really sucks to work so hard towards something and then have it fall apart for circumstances totally outside your control. I get it.

but this post makes me wonder if the general public really understands the full implication of a shut down. I think the context most people related to the government shut down is with national parks. I saw a news story on one of those AM news shows this weekend about a shutdown and it was ONLY about the national parks. but there are a whole lot of federal employees who aren't getting paid and have no idea when they'll get paid again if the govt shuts down. there are many 2 fed families in the DC metro area that are going to be without any income until congress gets their act together.

I think the answer to this is no.  I can't imagine what things are going to be like around town tomorrow if there is a shut down.

[lifetaketwo]

Sept 30, 2013 12:01:55 GMT -5 ebeth said:

sorry dude. it really, really sucks to work so hard towards something and then have it fall apart for circumstances totally outside your control. I get it.

but this post makes me wonder if the general public really understands the full implication of a shut down. I think the context most people related to the government shut down is with national parks. I saw a news story on one of those AM news shows this weekend about a shutdown and it was ONLY about the national parks. but there are a whole lot of federal employees who aren't getting paid and have no idea when they'll get paid again if the govt shuts down. there are many 2 fed families in the DC metro area that are going to be without any income until congress gets their act together.

I hope this wasn't directed at me. I'm sorry if it didn't come across this way, but I completely get that this effects me in a minor annoyance non-life altering way. I wasn't trying to compare myself to layoffs/freezes etc. at all because really there is no comparison.

[Wines Not Whines]

Sept 30, 2013 12:01:31 GMT -5 mrs.jacinthe said:

Ok, now I just feel like a drama llama. This is not a big deal in the grand scheme of things. Worst case scenario: We get a nice relaxing vacation to the Lake Mead area. That's not so bad versus having no income. I'm so sorry for being petty, ladies.

I don't think it's petty at all! I'm training for the Marine Corps Marathon, and if it was canceled due to lack of security or something similar during a shutdown, I would be incredibly angry.

[runblondie26]

ugh, that really sucks mrs.jacinthe

DH has been planning to take DD camping in Utah for months now. They're supposed to leave this weekend. We're sweating it out too, and trying to find alternatives if the parks are closed. Way to break a 4 year olds heart, she's so excited to go.

[mrs.jacinthe]

Sept 30, 2013 12:01:55 GMT -5 ebeth said:

sorry dude. it really, really sucks to work so hard towards something and then have it fall apart for circumstances totally outside your control. I get it.

but this post makes me wonder if the general public really understands the full implication of a shut down. I think the context most people related to the government shut down is with national parks. I saw a news story on one of those AM news shows this weekend about a shutdown and it was ONLY about the national parks. but there are a whole lot of federal employees who aren't getting paid and have no idea when they'll get paid again if the govt shuts down. there are many 2 fed families in the DC metro area that are going to be without any income until congress gets their act together.

I think the general answer here is no.  Personally, I get it (even if my own personal complaint about it is for petty reasons): it's basically a giant layoff for more than a million people, most of whom live clustered in a small-ish area.  The last one cost us something like 1.2 billion dollars, and I'm sure inflation would make that number much higher now.

As a moderate, I just don't know how any one party can play god with people's livelihoods like that.  It's immoral.

[ebeth]

Sept 30, 2013 12:14:31 GMT -5 lifetaketwo said:

Sept 30, 2013 12:01:55 GMT -5 ebeth said:

sorry dude. it really, really sucks to work so hard towards something and then have it fall apart for circumstances totally outside your control. I get it.

but this post makes me wonder if the general public really understands the full implication of a shut down. I think the context most people related to the government shut down is with national parks. I saw a news story on one of those AM news shows this weekend about a shutdown and it was ONLY about the national parks. but there are a whole lot of federal employees who aren't getting paid and have no idea when they'll get paid again if the govt shuts down. there are many 2 fed families in the DC metro area that are going to be without any income until congress gets their act together.

I hope this wasn't directed at me. I'm sorry if it didn't come across this way, but I completely get that this effects me in a minor annoyance non-life altering way. I wasn't trying to compare myself to layoffs/freezes etc. at all because really there is no comparison.

no, it wasn't directed at you. and FWIW I think you (and OP) are totally justified being upset about your vacation being ruined. I'm sure is something you planned and saved for and were quite looking forward to enjoying your trip.

the news story and then you and OP talking about NPS closures just made me think that in general americans don't seem what a cluster a shutdown will be because it's not really part of their life. For those who live in this area where the fed govt is such a huge part of the economy and if the fed govt shuts down you and half of your friends aren't getting paid at all and meanwhile you still have to pay for (closed) daycare and your trash isn't getting collected.

[lifetaketwo]

Sept 30, 2013 12:22:49 GMT -5 runblondie26 said:

ugh, that really sucks mrs.jacinthe

DH has been planning to take DD camping in Utah for months now. They're supposed to leave this weekend. We're sweating it out too, and trying to find alternatives if the parks are closed. Way to break a 4 year olds heart, she's so excited to go.

Did you find any or know of any state park alternatives?

Our flights are non-refundable do we can either do Utah or drive to San Diego. I'm thinking we bail on Utah and do it right another year.

[runblondie26]

Sent you a PM lifetaketwo

[G22]

Sept 30, 2013 12:01:31 GMT -5 mrs.jacinthe said:

Ok, now I just feel like a drama llama. This is not a big deal in the grand scheme of things. Worst case scenario: We get a nice relaxing vacation to the Lake Mead area. That's not so bad versus having no income. I'm so sorry for being petty, ladies.

Dont feel bad. I'd be freaking out if the race I'd been training and looking forward to got cancelled too. 

[lifetaketwo]

Sept 30, 2013 12:45:59 GMT -5 runblondie26 said:

Sent you a PM lifetaketwo

Thank you!!!

[emilyj]

I am so sorry to everyone that is potentially going to be affected by this. It is such crap.

[Raggedeannie]

Fed signing in with hair pets to @lifetakestwo - I'm so sorry that you have worked so hard for this only for this to happen! I might be out a paycheck for a little while, but this could be a huge EMOTIONAL letdown for you if you can't do your race. Flameful Confession: I also felt really bad for the Boston Marathoners who couldn't finish their race this year. It sucks!

Not H&F related but I have been working really hard for a major event that is supposed to happen on October 7. It will likely be cancelled in the event of a govt shutdown, not possible to postpone. I'm way more upset about this than the $$ aspect.

[sadlebred]

That stinks!

[naldridge]

Sept 30, 2013 12:01:55 GMT -5 ebeth said:

sorry dude. it really, really sucks to work so hard towards something and then have it fall apart for circumstances totally outside your control. I get it.

but this post makes me wonder if the general public really understands the full implication of a shut down.I think the context most people related to the government shut down is with national parks. I saw a news story on one of those AM news shows this weekend about a shutdown and it was ONLY about the national parks. but there are a whole lot of federal employees who aren't getting paid and have no idea when they'll get paid again if the govt shuts down. there are many 2 fed families in the DC metro area that are going to be without any income until congress gets their act together.

I'll be honest - I have only really thought about it in the context of my mail being backed up. I also assumed that gment employees would continue to be paid.

I'm so sorry ladies! T&p that am agreement is reached before anyone's races, vacations or incomes are affected!

[secretlyevil]

I wish I could make you feel better. But it's looking like a government shut down is inevitable. Now how long it lasts is a whole different story.

I'm sorry.

[MrsE]

Yup, it totally sucks. I think we're all really hoping this will be a short shutdown.

- This coming from another girl inside the beltway who spent her entire day determining the impacts of a shutdown for my employer's federal contracting firm and its employees.

ETA: Oh, and to make this H&FR, I couldn't even get through a workout at my gym this weekend without hearing shutdown related conversations.

[Wines Not Whines]

mrs.jacinthe, I hope you still get to do your race! Let us know.

Meanwhile, I have lots of time to get in my training runs now. Trying to look on the bright side.

[gt7301b]

Sept 30, 2013 15:00:22 GMT -5 naldridge said:

Sept 30, 2013 12:01:55 GMT -5 ebeth said:

sorry dude. it really, really sucks to work so hard towards something and then have it fall apart for circumstances totally outside your control. I get it.

but this post makes me wonder if the general public really understands the full implication of a shut down.I think the context most people related to the government shut down is with national parks. I saw a news story on one of those AM news shows this weekend about a shutdown and it was ONLY about the national parks. but there are a whole lot of federal employees who aren't getting paid and have no idea when they'll get paid again if the govt shuts down. there are many 2 fed families in the DC metro area that are going to be without any income until congress gets their act together.

I'll be honest - I have only really thought about it in the context of my mail being backed up. I also assumed that gment employees would continue to be paid.

I'm so sorry ladies! T&p that am agreement is reached before anyone's races, vacations or incomes are affected!

Your mail will still be delivered.