Same Hours, New View

I've been working a LOT lately. I'd say I'm right on the edge of the number of hours I can work while still saying reasonably happy (118 hours billed so far this month and we're not quite halfway through). Outside of my travels I haven't had to miss any family dinners, but I have worked every night after the kids have gone to sleep, and I'll admit that even I was in a grumpy when I was still working at midnight last Saturday. I finally shut myself in the study where I wouldn't be tempted to lash out at JP in my frenzy of frumpiness.

I flew to Denver late last night after a full day of deposition prep in Austin. Claire had been up off and on every hour the night before, I think because she knew I was leaving, so I was exhausted. My hotel room is no Presidential Suite (which, just for the record, was a free upgrade; I can't imagine ever actually booking or paying for a room like that), but it's very nice and has a lovely view off a room-length balcony. I'm sitting out on the balcony right now watching the sun set while I type and I am seriously considering a move to Denver. Once in my room last night I still had to draft our Objections to [confidential legal thingy], so I finished that at 12:30, sent it around to the group, and fell into my giant hotel bed at 1 a.m. I then woke up every few hours, absolutely certain I'd missed my alarm, until it went off at 6:30 when I was finally deeply asleep. For the millionth time I wished I'd figured out a way to like coffee, though room service with the most delicious bacon I've ever had helped ease the pain.

Today's deposition was good. I just finished up typing up my summary for the team and doing a few other work tasks. Now I'm going to relax for a whole 30 minutes before heading to a fancy dinner with the client. I'm always torn about work travel. On the one hand I really miss the kids and JP. I completely hate sleeping alone and I miss the cuddles from all three of my family members. But, I'm still nerdy and new enough at this (or maybe it's just that I grew up camping) that business trips with their airplanes and big fancy hotel rooms are exciting. And more seriously, I'd be working non-stop right now whether I was home or not. At least while I'm away I can work like that without the distractions of the office or home, and I can enjoy something like a fancy client dinner instead of just being annoyed that I have to attend any kind of after-work committment.

I fly home late tomorrow night, land at 11 pm, and then drive to Houston early Saturday morning for my grandpa's 80th birthday party. It's going to be a crazy weekend and I know I'm going to have to work a lot (this case is expedited and everything is due Tuesday). JP's birthday is Monday and daycare is closed and we were going to spend the whole day together as a family, but no more. I do have a fabulous birthday meal planned for him, so hopefully he won't mind delaying his turning 29 until Friday. I'm making a homemade cookie cake, along with other delicious things, so I don't think it will be a problem.

Where was I? So, business travel- fancy, tiring, good in limited quantities. Birthdays- awesome, sometimes inconveniently placed on the calendar. Denver- beautiful and tempting me with its mountainous majesty. Me- insanely tired, almost overworked, but having enough fun to know that I picked the right legal career.

I do miss these guys though: