A Day in the Office

I came into the office yesterday for a "Women's Networking Breakfast". When it comes to the boys, they always do these things as drinks after work, but when it's women they always have to happen at the crack of dawn, as all of the women have to dash out of the office after work to go home to their kids.

It was annoying to have to get up at the crack of dawn and get dressed up to go into the office, but it was a decent enough hour-and-a-half, and it reminded me that I was long overdue for a chat with my mentor. The breakfast wasn't much to speak of (some danishes, yogurt and granola), but at least it got me going for the morning.

It was nice too that they had name badges for everyone, but I was surprised when I sat down and the girl next to me greeted me with the enthusasm of someone who obviously knows me, and I couldn't see her name badge! I greeted her with the same enthusiasm, whilst frantically trying to think, "How on earth do I know this girl?" Luckily she pretty quickly picked up on my confusion and said, "Tom's wife."

I was embarassed, but with relief exclaimed, "Suzy! Of course!!" Given that I'd never seen her in the office before, perhaps I can be forgiven for the lack of context, but it was still a real slip-up, given that I'd been to dinner with this girl before and knew her reasonably well. Oh well, must try harder in the future.

The talks were okay, although I did note that once again one of the senior manager women there was an unmarried, childless woman. She talked about how she'd never intended to rise so high in the organization, because she'd intended to be home with babies. She of course (as most people do) argued that she had no regrets, but I wonder if my company realises how scary it is to see these women, and know what kind of lifestyle creates a future where you're unmarried with no kids. People always say to me, "Oh don't worry, of course a girl like you will get married!" but it's hard to keep the faith when you see so much evidence to the contrary all around you.

After the breakfast was finally over (at 1.5 hours, it had gone on for at least a half-hour too long), I thought about going back to Old Bailey to work, but since I was in Fenchurch Street anyway, why not find a desk there? So I asked Suzy to direct me to a desk booking terminal, found a desk on the 7th floor, and went up there to find Camille working there, so it was nice to see another familiar face. Then IM'd my friend Nat (who usually works on the 7th floor of Fenchurch Street) to let her know I was around, and was surprised when not 2 minutes later, she popped up by my desk!

We made plans to get lunch, which was a welcome break at that point in the day. She hasn't been running lately due to her horticulture class, and so it was nice to just have a chance to talk and catch up. An hour passed way too quickly.

Finally I got through the day (even managed to make a file download that I needed!) and headed out. I was surprised to get a text as I was walking out of the office, from ER, asking me if I was coming to Putney. Turned out she wanted me to come to the West London hash, but I never go to that, so it was on homeward for me!

Just spent the evening watching the final UK leaders debate with Emily. David Cameron's policies on immigration make me nervous, but I have to admit, aside from that one issue that would affect me, he makes a lot of sense. So, I guess I just have to hope that he won't manage to move too fast on immigration policy, and I'll have enough time to become a citizen before the rules change!

Emily was also telling me about how she and her boyfriend, Will, had their first real serious conversation about "the future", where they started talking about plans a year out, rather than just next month. It's kind of exciting, although I have to admit scary for me, who feels a bit left behind by the whole thing. Oh well, it's really wonderful to see two people falling in love around me, so I just have to stomp down any feelings of schauenfreude (it's so unattractive anyway), and just be happy for Emily. There's not enough love in the world, so it's so wonderful to see it around me!