My Life, As Told Between (Baby Cakes') Naps

5: 30 pm email exchange at work.

Coworker A (to Coworker B and I):  I’m going to bring Baby A in at 6:30 today if you guys will be around and want to see her.

Me:  I would love to see her, but am STARVING and may have to head out at 6.  Otherwise, I may start gnawing at my desk.

Coworker B:  I’d love to see her too, but am heading out to a spinning class.  Will you and Baby A be around until 7?

Me:  Really Coworker B?  You had to follow up my email, wherein I threaten to eat my desk in hunger, with your email about going to spinning class?  I may have to hate you a little.  =)

My co-workers threw T and I a wedding shower today. It was really sweet. Since most of my them have never met T, and he had the day off, I had asked him to swing by. He was the hit of the party. Several co-workers dropped by afterwards to tell me how charming he is and to comment that he was such a good sport about the entire office grilling him for an hour. =)

I’m actually a little overwhelmed by how generous everyone (my co-workers most recently, but certainly my friends and family) has been, both with their time and money. I can only hope to be as nice to the people in my life as they are to me.

Yay, found out the court ruled in our favor on a big motion today! *Stealing T’s victory dance* (T has no need of it since his softball team never wins. 🙂 J/k T and team. I’m sure you guys will win tonight’s game! Alfie and I will be there to root for you.)

Looking forward to having friends over for a pot luck tomorrow, although we have so much to do before then. The place has been a bit of a mess ever since we got Alfie. He’s adorable, and actually very clean and non-destructive for a dog, but he sheds even more than I do, despite our daily grooming. Plus, for some odd reason, he loves to lick the hardwood floor, which leaves a slight film when it dries.

Actually, we’re finding Alfie is full of odd little quirks. For awhile, we thought he was suffering from some doggy mental distorder because he’d get super-hyper for no reason and race around the room, seemingly chasing an invisible prey. Our trainer recently told us, after he did this in class, that it’s fairly common with younger dogs. She calls it the Zoomies. Now that he knows our dog isn’t mental, T loves to see if he can bring on a case of the Zoomies! We kind of hope he doesn’t grow out of it. =)

Alfie also likes to sit on the stairs with his backside one step higher than his front legs. Weird. Oh, and feet. He likes our feet, whether it’s sitting on them or licking them.

His training is going along fairly well.  He’s learned several basic commands and does them when he’s focused.  The problem is getting him to focus.  Our trainer, who works with a lot of dogs, has pointed out that he’s pretty ADD.  You can just see his mind start to wander in the middle of obeying a command, if he’s paying enough attention to register the command in the first place!  Sigh.  Hopefully, practice will make perfect.  We’ve got one more class to make him perfect!

Sorry, work’s been kicking my butt this week. Between substantive work, meetings, and firm events, etc., I’ve been stretched a little thin. I’ve even noticed that my right eye has been twitching a bit the last couple of days! Sigh. No end in sight until mid December. Woe is me.

On a positive note, T and I painted an accent wall this past weekend! It’s teal and super cute. I’ll try to remember to post a picture.

I know, I know, it’s been too long since the last post. I’ve just been super busy lately. My parents and one of my younger sisters visited over Labor Day weekend, and while I adore them, entertaining them was exhausting. My parents in particular always claim they’re easy going and don’t need to be entertained, but they also can’t sit still in one place for very long without getting antsy and feeling unproductive. As a result, T and I spent much of the weekend driving them around greater LA, on one of the hottest weekends of the year, as they went on a quest to help us furnish our new condo (which, admittedly was a very sweet quest). Poor T had to deal with four back seat drivers as opposed to his usual one (me) – everyone in my family hates to drive, but unforunately we all have opinions on how it should be done!

Since the Great Labor Day Quest resulted in, among other things, the successful purchase of a grill, we decided to host an impromptu BBQ on Labor Day. I think it turned out really well, thanks to our wonderful friends who brought over their Nintendo Wii’s, drinks, sides, and, of course, their wonderful selves! 🙂

Last weekend was the first weekend we had to just sit around and relax in ages. So of course it was the first weekend I had to work since coming to my new firm. Nevertheless, we squeezed in a quick run to Ikea to buy this shelf I’ve been wanting:

We somehow miraculously managed to get it back to our place in my little Honda Civic and T surprised me by assembling it while I was at work! It looks great up in our den and I can’t wait to get the rest of the pieces we need for the room. . . and get rid of some old pieces. We’re also planning to pick up T’s grandmother’s dining room table set, which is currently in storage in Portland. And I’d really like to paint some accent walls eventually. In the meantime, I have a friend visiting from out of town this weekend and we’re hoping to scout out some possible wedding locations next weekend. Stay tuned for more exciting updates of the days of my life. 🙂

Been super busy at work lately. I think the previous six months of relatively decent hours (out by 6:30 or 7:00pm) has spoiled me. I’ve been here until 9 or 10 all week and I’m exhausted. Can’t seem to get started today and there’s so much more to do! Fortunately, the firm realizes we’re all working a little too hard and they’re trying to hire another associate, so hopefully this is temporary.

In other news, T and I are close to buying a condo in Playa Vista! There’s tons of controversy and problems surrounding the development at Playa Vista and the purchase is forcing me to face many of my hypocrisies (i.e., I’d like to think of myself as someone who cares about the environment but am balking at the fact that I have to pay extra taxes to preserve the nearby marshes as part of living in the area). On the other hand, T and I love the condo and the neighborhood. We’re going in tomorrow to sign the Purchase Agreement – wish us luck!

Happy Valentine’s Day!  Yes, yes, I realize no one really celebrates it and it’s all very commercial and whatnot (*insert appropriate amount of cynicism here*).  But I support any holiday that gives me an excuse to eat chocolate.  Yummmm…chocolate….

So T dropped by my office this afternoon to surprise me with flowers and to take me to lunch.  While I love getting flowers in general, this was especially sweet because he had been at work since 3pm the day before, hadn’t gotten any sleep yet because he had to work overtime and was due back at work at 5pm today.  I, in the meanwhile, had driven back to the apartment to surprise him and take him out to lunch.  

. . .Okay, that actually didn’t happen, but wouldn’t that have been so Gift of the Magi of me?  Unfortunately, what actually happened was that I had to help with a motion that had to be filed today, so I couldn’t even be taken to lunch.

Lastly, since I’ve been so lax about posting (as several friends have pointed out recently!), here’s a recap:

• Saw Wicked this weekend.  It was great.  I started crying during the second act, in anticipation of the Wicked Witch of the West’s demise (per The Wizard of Oz).  Despite the tough exterior I present (hey, stop laughing), I am made of goo and regularly cry watching Hallmark commercials.
• T and I made dinner Monday night, a very unusual occurence as neither of us cook.  T made chicken and mushrooms in a black bean sauce.  I made the rice.  Borrowed (non-Asian) Roomie’s rice cooker, only to discover that I don’t actually know how to cook rice (I may be the worst Asian ever).  Fortunately, after a couple of telephone calls, and a bit of derision from my sister B, I was able to put the pieces together.  The pieces, by the way, are essentially:  (a) put rice in pot, (b) put water in pot, (c) press button labeled “cook.”       
• Went to a fantastic Indian dinner last night organized by a friend of mine.  The Frog has done a very good recapping it, so I’ll spare you all.  I woke up still stuffed this morning.  Needless to say, it didn’t stop me from eating my big bowl of Special K with Berries.  Because I do every morning and I’m nothing if not a creature of habit. 

JP1 was recently named one of the “Top Young Lawyers in Southern California.”

Me [to JP1]:  Hey, congrats! 

A2:  Yeah, that’s great that you were named as a top lawyer!

Me:  Actually, I was congratulating him for being called “young.”

[*Laughter from A2…and everyone else within hearing range*] 

JP1:  Ouch!  You know you work for me, right?

Me:  Hmm, maybe I shouldn’t have said that right before turning in this assignment, which, by the way, is not my best work.  You’ve been warned…

I was talking to one of my best friends recently about our respective jobs.  I’m a lawyer.  She does marketing for a high profile company.  We both work crazy hours.  We make a good living.  We’re doing what women before us fought for.  We’re treated as equals to men (for the most part).  We should be happy.

Instead, we’d like to make widgets.  There’s something satisfying about having a finished physical product and knowing when a task is complete, in seeing the tangible connection between your efforts and the end results.  We both realized we missed that in our jobs.  There’s a sense of incompletion when tasks merely lead to more tasks.  When paper begets more paper. 

Then again, I’m sure if I was making widgets, I’d fine something to complain about then too!  =)  

I vaguely remember being interesting.  You know, reading stuff and watching shows and occasionally even doing stuff?  It’s dawned on me recently that I can’t remember the last time I sat down and read a quality book (well, I recently finished the first book in a science fiction/fantasy series Roomie sent me from the UK, but that doesn’t count).  Or the last time I read the newspaper.  Or the last time I volunteered for a good cause.  Sad. 

On the other hand, I’m much more informed about celebrity gossip and fashion that I’ve ever been before.  Even sadder.

I promise to become more interesting.  Really.  I mean it this time!

I blame living in LA a bit and work a lot (as always).  Still swamped.  Took my first deposition this week.*  I was thrown a curveball, but it went better than expected overall.**  I think.  In any case, I’m glad I survived! 

* For my non-lawyer friends, taking a deposition means you arrange for a court reporter to be present while you ask a “witness” (anyone who might have information pertaining to the case) questions.  The witness is usually represented by counsel, who is defending the deposition (making objections and whatnot).  The witness is usually affiliated with the other party but can sometimes be an uninterested third party. 

** At least I think the phrase is “thrown a curveball.”  Whatever.  Basically, I was surprised.

I am very, very tired.

Interesting list in the New York Times of the best works in American fiction in the last 25 years.  Toni Morrison’s Beloved topped the list. 

I think it’s an excellent choice, although I’m probably not in a position to say since I haven’t read many of the books on the list.  Sad considering the fact that I was an English Lit major and think of myself as a rather avid (or formerly avid) reader.  Unfortunately, reading cases all day has made a major dent in my propensity to read in my spare time.  And has significantly decreased the amount of spare time I have.  

I hate how work is always getting in the way of not working.

Actual email sent to JP1 at 9:01 pm tonight:

“Hey [JP1] – Should I stick around for comments on my [document] tonight or can I talk to you about it this weekend (if you’ll be in)?  I’m STARVING.  If you’d prefer to talk about it tonight though, I can stick around a bit longer.  I’ll just start gnawing on the furniture or something…”

Reponse received by JP1 at 9:20 pm:

“I’ll look at it this weekend.  Please go feed yourself.”

A random gay man complimented my shoes this morning in the elevator.  I was really flattered.  Somehow compliments mean more when they come from gay men.  I don’t question it.  I just accept it.  That was pretty much the highlight of my week.

It’s been a tough week.  There are days I really enjoy what I do and love the fact that it’s challenging and allows me to use my brain in a way a lot of other jobs, even other legal jobs, wouldn’t.  Then there are days where I’d like nothing better than to turn off my brain and do something that isn’t so intellectually draining.  Every day this week has been one of those latter days.

Here’s hoping your week’s been better than mine.   

Oh, and on a more upbeat note – I signed up for another marathon in San Francisco this October!  I’m also contemplating running one in San Diego this June (unfortunately, I have a trial in the middle of June that’ll likely get in the way).  They should be fun – assuming I’ll be able to stay in shape for them. Help.  I think I may be developing an addiction.  (Speaking of which, I ended up buying the purse.)

It is sweet. 

My hearing went really well today, so I’m going to do all the celebrating on this blog that I didn’t get to do in court.  Apparently they don’t like it when you start dancing on the benches.  =)

(*happy dance*)

I was nervous while waiting in my car (I ended up arriving insanely early) but was fine once I got into the courtroom.  It was definitely odd being the youngest attorney there though.  And the shortest.  And the womanest.  Which is not to say I was more womanly than the other female attorneys, just that there weren’t any other female attorneys.

(*continues the happy dance*)

(*stops, ponders*) 

Uh, I’m not being obnoxious, am I? 

I was going to write about my weekend in Arizona, but the Frog did such a great job here, I don’t really have anything to add! 

Oh, but while I have your attention, I might as well share a short work story.  So, I have my first hearing this Thursday.  I’m arguing two motions and am a little nervous (i.e., terrified).  I made the mistake of seeking reassurance from JP1, who, while fantastic, is not so warm and fuzzy.  When asked if he had any advice for me, he replied, “Don’t cry.”  I’m not making any promises.

In any case, I’m hoping if I use the word “clearly” often enough, the judge will rule in my favor.  For those lucky few reading this who aren’t lawyers, “clearly” is an attorney’s favorite word.  The magic in “clearly” is that it transforms mere speculation into incontrovertible fact.  It’s the blankie in our legal lexicon.  As long as we can cling to it, we’re safe.  Clearly. 

JP1 and I (and another associate) share the same secretary.  The three of us have decided to get her a gift certificate.  We just can’t decide what kind.  The other associate and I want to get her a gift certificate to a spa.  JP1 wants to get a Visa gift card.  I ran into JP1 as I was getting ready to leave tonight:

JP1:  The Visa gift card is more practical.

Me:  Christmas isn’t about being practical!  Otherwise, we’d skip gift-giving altogether and just buy ourselves what we want for Christmas.

JP1:  Uh . . . isn’t that what you –

Me:  – yes, whatever, that’s beside the point.

JP1:  I’ve asked previous secretaries and they’ve all told me they’d prefer whatever’s closest to cash.

Me:  Maybe that’s because they’re afraid of the alternative.

JP1:  Are you saying I have bad taste?!

Me:  No, just that you’re a boy.

JP1:  I just think we should be practical. 

Me:  I know JP1, but not everyone’s like you.  If we get her the Visa card, she’ll spend it on her family.  If we get her a spa gift card, she’ll be forced to indulge.

JP1:  Shouldn’t she have the choice whether to indulge?

Me:  No. 

JP1:  Why not?

Me:  You are SUCH an engineer.  [Note:  JP1 used to be a structural engineer.]  Fine.  You win.  Let’s get her the Visa card.  But just because I’ve been taught to respect my elders.  Clearly.

I accidently got on the down elevator when I intended to go up this morning.  Of course I realized this too late to do anything about it and ended up having to take it down 22 flights to the ground floor.  I ran into the Managing Partner on the ground floor, who looked at me askance for not getting off.

MP:  —?

Me:  Um, I got on the wrong elevator.

MP:  You know, there are ferris wheels and roller coasters and things like that if you like rides.

Me:  Yes, but none of them are in the office and I have to liven up my day somehow.

(*awkward silence for 17 flights*)

[Elevator opens on 17th floor, no one enters.]

Me:  That was my belated and wild attempt to stop the descent.

MP:  Oh.

(*awkward silence for remaining 5 flights*)

First, a running update.  Eighteen mile run was great.  I was thinking about how much I love our running route.  We get to watch a beautiful sunrise over the ocean and follow it as it creeps up on the marina.  As the morning progresses, the sky’s soft pastel palette gives way to a bright blue.  And on this particular run, we crossed a low-lying stretch of land surrounded by piercing blue water on both sides.  Although it was chillier than usual, we all still showed up before daybreak in our running shorts.  Shorts.  In December.  I really can’t imagine that there are many better places to train for a marathon.

Second, those of you who know me (i.e., everyone who reads this blog because I force them to and then quiz them about it) know I’m generally super laid back.  I don’t get stressed easily and I definitely don’t anger easily.  I do however ocasionally obsess over completely mundane and random things.  Most recently, this lead me to pay $33 for a paperback book.  It was $33 because I had to have it shipped from Australia.  Yup, Australia.  It’s the third book in one of my favorite series.  I picked up the first book in the US.  I bought the second one from the UK when I realized there was a year difference in the US/UK release dates.  I purchased the most recent one from Australia because I couldn’t even wait for the UK release.  At this rate, I may have to purchase the next book from Antartica.  I’m estimating that reading this entire series will cost me approximately a million dollars.

Third, I’ve realized (again) that I should never, ever try to do work from home. Ever.  Seriously, why do I keep deluding myself?  Why?  Sigh.  Not so coincidentally, this week’s WOTWIFLI is faineant.  As in, I’ve definitely been more faineant than diligent this weekend.

Scene:  Friday afternoon, JP2 enters my office waiving a draft letter I’d emailed to him yesterday.  I’m slumped in my chair, despondently reviewing page 1,500 of a 15,600 page document review project.

JP2:  This letter made me laugh!

Silence.  Panicked thoughts of being fired for my incompetence racing through my mind.  Shock and confusion, tinged with horror, etched on my weary face.

JP2:  (looking a little confused)  I can’t wait to see opposing counsel’s reaction to it! 

Me:  (light slowly dawning)  Ohhhhh.  Oh, uh, yes, it’s a rather stern letter.  That’s the tone you wanted, right?

JP2:  Right.  It’s perfect.  Great job!

Me:  (beginning to breath normally again)  Whew.  I thought you were laughing because the letter was really bad!  That, by the way, accounts for the look of panic you may have noticed when you first walked in.

JP2:  (shocked)  What?  I was wondering what that was all about.  I thought I’d done something wrong!

Me:  Nope, just me being paranoid.

JP2:  I’d certainly never couch criticism in those terms!  Or at least I hope I wouldn’t.

Me:  I know.  It just took me a second to realize what you meant.  My first thought was, “Wow, why is JP2 being so mean?”

JP2:  Okay, well, if I ever do – feel free to tell me to go to hell!

End scene.

Epilogue:  I’m still in the office desperately trying to finish the document review project that needs to be done by Tuesday.  Currently on page 6,161.  *Tears*  Sadness at working all weekend and having to cancel all plans mitigated only slightly by realization that at least I am appreciated.