clients. can't live with 'em; can't live without 'em

13-hour day yesterday. emerged with profound Learnings.

beware of potential clients who:

• give you the wrong street address to their HQ
• usher you into a room with no projector or screen
• refuse to let you use the projector you brought
• don't bother to introduce their 10-person team to your 5-person one
  
• glare at you during your pitch
• cock knowing eyebrows at their compeers across the table
• have no questions about your 70-page proposal or 90-min presentation

when it came my turn to do my bit, i didn't give a shit cos i knew whatever i said could not possibly make the situation any worse. so i did just fine.

and the two pints i had afterward did me fine as well, as did the over-priced glass of pinot grigio i enjoyed while the project manager, marketing manager and i argued about the meanings of Sideways with a pharma rep occupying an adjacent seat at the airport bar.

meanwhile, J, our CIO, called the office.
-- we've been delayed. we won't be leaving at 3:30 after all.
-- why? what's up? my boss asked.
-- well, we've got some problems.
-- problems? what kind of problems?
-- well, it's finn and M.
-- huh?
-- they're in custody.
-- no.
-- yes.
silence, while my boss processes, and then asks
-- well, do we have bail money?
-- sorry, you're breaking up. will call you back later -- and J hung up.

that's wot you get for sending your troops into hostile territory.

i have been dutifully tapering all week but i'm not entirely confident in my legs' ability to perform on sunday. we shall see.