It was mandatory training for both our agency and one of the larger federal ones. Yet only offered in three places across the huge state.

Closest site was 118 miles away, but another, 128 miles away, better matched administrative boundaries. A two-hour interstate drive to Sin City.

Okay. No big deal.

Then Monday's email. The local federal office would be able to tie in their video conference equipment. A simple six mile commute.

And since the interstate was icy, that was a good thing.

But...

but...

Roughly a dozen of the federal employees of that local office, for whom the training was also mandatory, opted to drive 122 miles to attend the training in person.

While we video conferenced in from their building.

Hmmmm.... okay.

Like at most of these gatherings, the lead honcho suggested we begin by having everyone introduce themselves, and their position. And then she added, as a jest at the day's weather, "and tell us why you like winter."

And they did!