And it continues...
Work remains hell. Over this past week I've clocked over 75 hours. I use the phrase "this week" lightly, since I haven't actually had a weekend without work since Labor Day (ironic, no?). Yesterday, I arrived at the office around 7am and kicked off my last program at 1:40am this morning. Why do I continue this pace, you ask? I'm not quite sure, actually. I did start looking around for another job, and I’ve received a few good offers. My question is this, though...will my worklife truly be better somewhere else? I absolutely enjoy the people with whom I work, and to me that means a great deal. (I’ve read your blogs, so I’m sure you agree.) I've been around the workplace long enough to know that a good-natured atmosphere is quite rare. It would probably take doubling my salary and stock options to actually get me to make a move to another - but we won't let those at MY company know that, right?

There is some light at the end of the tunnel. I spoke with my boss (who is also a dear friend) about my concerns this week. It's one thing to log these horrid hours when there is a pot of gold waiting at the end; yet another to just accept that the scenario will repeat again and again for the rest of my time at the company. My boss and I discussed opening me up to opportunities within other teams. The carrot at the end of the stick - if this new project is successful over the next two months, I'll receive a promotion along with a significant (30%) increase in salary. How do I kick off this new path in the company? Well now, that would be with a presentation in front of all executive managers this week. Pray for me on Tuesday morning....since I'll be quaking through a 3.5 hour adventure in stage fright as I "sell" how our computer system can aid the employees in their quest to make the company even more profitable.

I ventured out this morning and purchased a hip new outfit for comfort, because we all know that feeling good about what you're wearing eases the tension of public speaking. With that, I'm off to pack for the conference. I leave tomorrow morning, arriving around noon....only to practice my presentation over and over again until what I imagine will be way past midnight. I'll pop into chats when I can this week, so take detailed notes for me if I miss anything good.

I suppose this business trip could be worse, right? The conference could be in Des Moines rather than oceanfront Fort Lauderdale.