Long day of meetings today, starting with a 7 a.m. phonecon. Not that I needed to get up for breakfast, after the massive, late dinner we’d eaten.
By the end of the day, I was seriously dragging. In fact, I was getting pretty … well, depressed. Seeing my part of the department being split up, realizing how poorly I was managing things, thinking that the contributions I’d been making were not only unappreciated, but justifiably so.
Well, we broke up around 4:30, I headed back to the hotel, called Margie, and she suggested I take a Power Nap, since we were meeting for dinner around 6:15. I did so, and actually woke up quite a bit more refreshed and renewed. Yay me.
We went to dinner at Universal City Walk, which is actually just across the street from the hotel and office. The actual restaurant we went to was Emeril’s, part of the small franchise he runs. Now, say what you will about the man, I thought the food was superb (I had a marvelous veal chop, and to-die-for home made vanilla ice cream), the wine list extensive (more Silver Oak, though we didn’t order any), and the service excellent (better than Charley’s, though it’s service was pretty good). The cost was comparable to the night before — yet another “CER Dinner” — but I picked up the tab (i.e., I have even more reason to do an expense report on Monday …).
(Some of the party adjourned to the cigar lounge upstairs. I paid the tab — and then we got another $10 charge, and then as I was paying that, the waiter told me they were still ordering drinks and cigars upstairs. We cut them off … 🙂 )
Then a quick stop by the Universal Studios Store to pick up some Gifts for the loved ones at home (since I may have very limited time on Sunday morning), and back to the hotel.
Talked with Margie some more. Katherine can now say, “I’m tired.” I miss her. And Margie. Margie is still raving over the huge bouquet of tulips I had delivered on Wednesday. I never used to be a “send flowers” person, but it is a gift that has its moments, and I’m glad their beauty and presence help her cope with playing Single Mom while I’m gone.
Have to do some more Work Work tonight before I go to bed (earlier tonight!), but I wanted to get that all written down before I have at it.