The Dreadin' O' The Green

St. Patrick's Day is just around the corner.

In the Kansas City area, we have a yearly parade on that day that would dare to compare with those in greater Irish communities. It's a tradition that has been going on for as long as I can remember, and it seems to have grown larger with each passing year. We have had upwards of 100,000 people attend, all bedecked in green and proclaiming Irish roots - at least for the day. Green beer flows from fountains (or kegs) on every corner.

In the past the parade was held in the downtown area. But this year that's all going to change. There's a new route that will take the parade directly in front of my office.

Here's what that means for me.

1. Increased security at both the front and back of the building to keep revellers out.


2. Blocking entrances to the parking lot and manning the entrances so that only authorized people can get in.


3. Moving company vehicles to a different location.


4. Getting parking passes out to guests.


5. Restricting "friends" of employees who may want to watch the parade from here - in other words, being the bad guy.


6. Arranging for trash and debris to be picked up afterward.


7. Keeping everyone calm.

The good part? My physical office has windows that look out onto the street, and they're high enough to where I can see above the crowd with no problem. The ornamental pear trees outside my window haven't leafed out yet, so I'll have a clear view. I'll try to post pictures for you (if I have time to take any) so you can get an idea of both the size of the crowd and the parade itself. I may even try to get up on the roof to do that.

Look at it as just another service provided to you, the reader, from us, the team here at HUW.

All one of us.