I'm slightly disappointed in myself for not writing in my blog more. Now it's my last week in Belfast, and I don't have a lot of writing to show for it. So, of course, when I actually have some legit writing to do, I'm going to waste some time by writing in my blog instead.
This week really kicked my ass. It was the week of the conference, and that meant a couple of 12+ hour days. It got really long, and I ended up getting sick. Even though I hate writing non-analytical stuff, I feel as though a recap is necessary for my sanity.
Monday:
Day in Derry. Long early busride, class, dinner and wine with friends, long busride home. It was a very nice day, but it was a very long day. About 7am to 10pm.
Tuesday:
First a typical day at work, then at 130pm we had to start stuffing delegate bags for the conference. The girl that was supervising us was pretty incompetent, so I had to become the organizer and problem solver. Even though SHE was paid for exactly that. I don't know why she's working for an event organizing company, because she mentally checks out the moment shit hits the fan.
Worked from 830-7, then decided I needed a beer. I called Ariel and she met me at the Parlour. A pint turned into two beers, which turned into two beers and a pitcher of cocktail. Got home at 945pm completely wasted.
Wednesday:
Emailed to say that I was going to come in late (because I knew I'd be out until at least 730), set my alarm for 1030, and settled back into sleep. Then the maintenance men came in (at 730am) with their hammers and drills and best singing voices. I cut my losses, got up, and got ready for work slowly. I had to dress up, so I took my time to look really nice. I got to work at about 11.
There was a meeting (or conversation) of big-wigs in the mediation world, and I was chosen to be notetaker. It started at 230 and ended at 430. I was supposed to be at the waterfront hall at 430, but Peter said that he was keeping me anyway. He asked me to accompany some of our (esteemed) guests in the taxi to the hall. This was an assumption that I am responsible enough to be a real MNI representative, and I appreciated being asked.
Of course, i got to the Waterfront later than I was supposed to, but I just jumped in and began helping with the registration and left the waterfront for a long walk home at 730pm.
Thursday:
Woke up at about 6am to talk to Mike for a little while before I started the longest day of my life. Got ready and left my room at 745 for the three mile walk to the Waterfront. I got there a little early but began registering right away. Worked through coffee break, then got to attend the plenary until lunch. Lunch was delicious (and free!) so, naturally, I ate more than I should have. Then I watched a discussion and attended a workshop.
After the workshop, there was more work to be done, so I worked until dinner time at 7pm. I had 2 glasses of champagne at the drinks reception, and proceeded to have 3 glasses of wine at the dinner/concert. Basically, Rob keeps filling my wine glass so he doesn't need to feel so bad about refilling his. haha.
There was an AWESOME concert that melded Irish and Scottish music and dancing. It was WONDERFUL. When I asked Rob what time it was and he said 11pm, I was slightly shocked to find out that I had been at the venue for about 14 hours. By the time I got home it was a 16 hour day, and I crashed out only to be woken up at about 3am by people outside my door. I literally screamed at them and went back to sleep.
Friday:
I woke up at 6 the next day with a sore throat and a tired body (probably due to the 3 mile walk at midnight). I resolved to go home from the venue early, and I knew there would be no stopping me. So I did the registration, attended the most BORING workshop ever, and went to lunch. Then I ducked out of that bitch faster than you can say slacker. I just about fell asleep on the WALK home. I got into my room, took off my clothes, and fell into my bed. I slept from 230 to 630 and it was unbelievable.
There was something really great about this week and something not so great at all. I enjoyed being able to see all of these important people together to talk about the work they're doing in their respective communities. I did realize, though, that mediation isn't my schtick and I'll never be able to pretend that it is. This makes me feel bad because I feel like a fake sitting in the offices of Mediation Northern Ireland, drinking their coffee and eating their biscuits. I don't know, there's just something about it.
More later.
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