i'm taking advantage of the calm before the storm--this being the hour before most people get into the office and i can't leave my desk (god forbid someone calls while i'm trying to outwit the fax machine!) to catch up a bit...

the last two days have been hectic, to say the least, but in a good way. for the first time in awhile, i've left work both days feeling energy and pride about what i was able to accomplish. as if i've finally been able to contribute something--more than simply answering the phones or running back and forth from the flag shop.

i walked into work tuesday determined to get all of my necessary tour work done, organized, updated and consolidated. so i did just that--touched base with all of the groups, made copies of all relevant information, put in any requests that were pending, blah blah blah. i now have an easy-to-access, easy-to-understand collection of any and all pertinent information (something i was sorely in need of) and have a bunch of constituents who love me for being energized and excited about their pending visits.

yesterday was spent helping out with scheduling--i had offered to help kevin out in any way i could, so he again took me up on my offer. again, organization and productivity were the order of the day, and i was able to bustle about and run from area to area to get things done--which was fantastic. as soon as i was caught up, kevin or jen would come in with more, which i would happily take. the day raced by and i was loving it.

i hate sitting around, feeling as if i should be accomplishing something, but not having anything to accomplish, so this change of pace has been a delight. i'd much rather have it be far too busy than not busy enough--something that harkens back to my college days, particularly senior year (balancing--or trying to balance, anyway--the newspaper, the play, classes, work-study and working at the free press, not to mention a social life). i love the rush of adrenaline and the feeling of PURPOSE. i suppose i'm much like homer welles in "cider house rules" (more so the book than the movie) in that i feel a need, a desire, to be of use. otherwise, what's the point?

today i will be posing for a photograph with the bossman, so i had to make sure to look extra-presentable when preparing for work this morning. i decided to go the dark, sleek route, but i'm also braving the chaos yet again, as it meant i had to go with a suit--but this time, only the jacket, as it was far too cold outside for the matching skirt. no way in hell you're getting my bare (or nyloned) legs out in that cold...

this week is rushing by, but they've been good days. i've felt better the last couple of days than i've felt for awhile, and i'm hoping that carries into the weekend as well. we're going out friday night for one last evening of revelry before alison gets completely bogged down with the moving process, so that should be fun. other than that, who knows what the weekend could hold! i know i plan to sleep in nice and late on monday, i can tell you--i love holiday weekends now that i'm on a federal schedule.

ok, back to the flags. i get those done, i get to get some much-neglected emailing done as well. :)