When next we meet it will be over. More than 25 years of waiting, a job transfer to be closer, the sacrificing of a pork belly or three to the weather gods, the 200,000+ people that will be in my way, the anticipated gas and food shortages (yes they are planning on running out of gas and food in Western Kentucky), all the education and outreach, all of it will be over.

The Great American Eclipse is now so close I can taste it.

The weather at the place I will be hiding from the crowds is bouncing back and forth from good to FUCKING PERFECT. I am not bringing camping gear and instead bringing extra telescopes and optical gear for a star party the night before the event. I get to hang with some real astrophotographers so I will pick their brains a bit. And then the day of? No public outreach. No education. No bullshit. All I plan on doing is watch the event, do some basic science to get my NASA and Astronomical League credits, then a massive steak and meat and dead pig BBQ/grilling/Meatfest to celebrate the end of all the work we have done.

In January, we start looking to 2024 and do it all again.

So here is a picture of the moon I took this month. AS I will be in an area of minimal internet and even spottier cell phone coverage, I am also coordinating my life to have a strict "Fuck you Internet" policy. This weekend is going to be hectic on Friday, Saturday and a little bit on Sunday. Then on Monday the event of the decade. Then Tuesday I go home and recover.