Lawyer me v. Writer me
After I posted last night, I realized just how often I had used the word 'tough'. In reality, while it takes some juggling (and if you're coming to the 2005 NJRW Conference you can come to my workshop on juggling various careers), it's worthwhile. My mom always said that nothing easy was worthwhile and she was right.
As for lawyer me . . . Most people ask how I do this and write. Concentration for starters. When I'm in a zone, it's hard for me to get pulled away. Plus I find that as I had more and more work I got neater and more efficient. Not that I'm necessarily into the whole feng shui thing, but clutter does detract from the time you spend on what you want to do. Why? It takes you longer to find the things you need. (Also read an interesting article that said a small bowl of water with a turtle had something to do with increased profits -- unbeknownst to me, but my turtle Buffy will be very glad to hear that).
Back to lawyer me. I work in Manhattan which means a 40 minute commute from Jersey. That's a good thing. I do large chunks of my writing daily on the commute, anywere from 6 to 10 pages. During the walk to work, I think about what I just wrote and how to refine it. Likewise on the way back to the station, I think about what I am going to write. So if you add that all up, I spend about two hours every day writing.
So what's NYC like during that morning walk? As you can see from the photo, it's a little empty at 6:30 am. You did read that right. I'm generally in the office by 7 so I can leave at a reasonable hour -- 5 p.m. It's a long day, but in the legal world, it's expected along with taking work home at night and on the weekends.
We just moved as I mentioned in my last post. I love being connected to the Chrysler Building. To me it has always been the most beautiful building in all of NYC. The architecture both in and out is stunning. If you're lucky enough to be above street level, you have amazing views gargoyles, hubcaps and other interesting features. The hubcaps are from cars of the time and the "gargoyles" are patterned after radiator caps and hood ornaments, also circa 1930. Or at least that's what I am told.
I have a nice office. It's very spacious and my plants seem to be surviving the change. In that office, I handle various legal matters relating to trademarks for both U.S. and foreign companies. It's a lot of fun and has given me the opportunity to visit over a dozen countries. That's a picture of part of my office below. There's another section with a table for having small conferences (or take-in lunch with my sis, who also works for the same firm, or friends).
As for lawyer me . . . Most people ask how I do this and write. Concentration for starters. When I'm in a zone, it's hard for me to get pulled away. Plus I find that as I had more and more work I got neater and more efficient. Not that I'm necessarily into the whole feng shui thing, but clutter does detract from the time you spend on what you want to do. Why? It takes you longer to find the things you need. (Also read an interesting article that said a small bowl of water with a turtle had something to do with increased profits -- unbeknownst to me, but my turtle Buffy will be very glad to hear that).
Back to lawyer me. I work in Manhattan which means a 40 minute commute from Jersey. That's a good thing. I do large chunks of my writing daily on the commute, anywere from 6 to 10 pages. During the walk to work, I think about what I just wrote and how to refine it. Likewise on the way back to the station, I think about what I am going to write. So if you add that all up, I spend about two hours every day writing.
So what's NYC like during that morning walk? As you can see from the photo, it's a little empty at 6:30 am. You did read that right. I'm generally in the office by 7 so I can leave at a reasonable hour -- 5 p.m. It's a long day, but in the legal world, it's expected along with taking work home at night and on the weekends.
We just moved as I mentioned in my last post. I love being connected to the Chrysler Building. To me it has always been the most beautiful building in all of NYC. The architecture both in and out is stunning. If you're lucky enough to be above street level, you have amazing views gargoyles, hubcaps and other interesting features. The hubcaps are from cars of the time and the "gargoyles" are patterned after radiator caps and hood ornaments, also circa 1930. Or at least that's what I am told.
I have a nice office. It's very spacious and my plants seem to be surviving the change. In that office, I handle various legal matters relating to trademarks for both U.S. and foreign companies. It's a lot of fun and has given me the opportunity to visit over a dozen countries. That's a picture of part of my office below. There's another section with a table for having small conferences (or take-in lunch with my sis, who also works for the same firm, or friends).
Lawyer me. The part that takes up most of my time every day! But as soon as I hit the street for the walk to the train, it's writer me. At least until I get home and become mother me and wife me. More on that later.
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