Thursday Ramble: I Always Seem to be Busy

I had an email a few days ago asking me to speak at the opening keynote plenary at a national conference last Monday.  The scheduled speaker was sick, and it was only 10-15 minutes. They asked if I could come up with something and fill in.  I agreed, and set to work trying to figure out what to say.  15 minutes is harder to prepare for than an hour.  Edit, edit, edit.  I mentioned this to one of my staff attorneys, and she said, "they asked her, but she was going to be out of town." (She is speaking at a conference in Scotland this week.) So apparently I was at best their third choice.  

My recently retired boss had all kinds of committee and commission assignments.  He arranged for me to replace him on a few of them.  Some are really good, some are an excuse for someone to pay travel expenses for meetings out of town (that I am hoping resume before I retire - this week was here in town.) So Wednesday was spent in a room full of lawyers on an issue I know a little bit about. A couple of dear friends are on the commission, it was nice to see people face to face.  

I realized last weekend I had not taken any photos since returning from Iceland. Time to grab the camera and go for a couple of long walks.  I probably have a few cell phone snaps, but I need to work with the real camera often.  Last year I bought several lenses for the Nikons.  A couple of specialty items, a super fast prime lens, a fisheye lens, a super telephoto, and a really nice 18-200mm lens.  That one has become my new go to standard lens.  The range is super wide angle to moderate telephoto.  It is hand holdable (the super telephoto requires a tripod and lots of fiddling.) The 18-200 is the only lens I took to Iceland. I need to stay busy with the camera.  

I am back in the office at least two days per week.  I was riding the subway in one morning, and realizing how much I enjoy commuting by subway train.  Sitting there reading, listening to the sound of the train moving along, looking up as we pass the new station that will open this fall, as we pass the airport, and when we cross the river into the District.  Two years of not doing that, need to be made up for.  When I am work at home, I work more hours.  And the work expands to fill the time available.  It always has, it always will. The move to director brought 10% more money, and 20-30% more work.  I am still learning to delegate work to others.  

Lots to do, lots to keep me busy,