I've got 10 minutes

Ok, maybe not 10 minutes, but I've got a moment to catch my breath. Last week was the busiest, yet most satisfying, week of my professional career. I did a lot of running to and from the client's office, setting up "The Team" and all the other administrative stuff associated with starting a contract. We've got a lot of stuff left to do, and unfortunately the client has been too busy trying to accomplish their primary jobs to make our work any easier, but things are coming along. I know that usually these things happen much more slowly, but the client is really under the gun and although we've been keeping up with our requirements, there's been too much "hurry up and wait" for my taste. I feel bad for those on my staff that have been kicking themselves in the butt to get things accomplished and only to have the client be too busy to notice.

I've had "fun" doing managing of people and of the product, and I haven't made any huge blunders. It's weird to not be "one of the guys," but the perspective is much different than I thought it would be. I have been surprised by the amount of personnel management that I have been required to participate in, but it has been nice for people to take my opinion seriously. I've prided myself on being a pretty good judge in character and this is the first time where I will truly have to live with the results of my judgment.

The biggest drawback with this whole thing has been the fact that I've been coming home much later in the evening than is normal. The two hours that I normally have between when I get home and the kids go up to bed are usually the best part of my day. They make everything else worth it.