Dirty Little Earmarks

So, it's appropriations season.

About 1% of the federal government is directed by little ole members of congress to projects like bridges to nowhere. Within that same 1% however, is money for hospitals, senior centers, traumatic brain injury research, wetland conservation, and homeless shelters. I would happily defend earmarks to anyone. Not the purpose of this post, but nevertheless.

I worked 17 hours yesterday. I left work at 2:01 am. I was back at 9:00 this morning. It is so exausting and taxing. This is my third appropriations season and the day of the deadline in previous years I have had a snag and subsequent meltdown. The first year SJP bought me an ice cream so I didn't jump off a cliff. She brought it to my desk with a sticky note that said something to the effect of 'I hope it helps'. I was at my desk with my head staring at the screen, tears running down my face, entering requests into a spreadsheet I didn't know I needed until I tried to turn in my projects and was rejected. I have only cried twice at work, both on the approps deadline days.

This year I have attempted to avoid the meltdown and have been preparing for the deadline for pretty much a month. Late nights, long weekends for a month. Today was the first deadline (everything in defense is more complicated than it has to be and I get to do everything at least twice on two different forms). I had everything ready this morning, but I needed the boss to sign some things to seal the deal. He was at a meeting downtown and it was clear that he was not going to make it back before the noon deadline.

Now in normal circumstances, I think I would have melted. But, perhaps all that yoga has been working, perhaps because it was such a nice day, perhaps because I am exausted from working 17 hours yesterday, I just let what happened happen. It all turned out fine - I think.

I am still facing a huge deadline next Wednesday. Everything has to be just right or you end up with money in the "i love puppies' account instead of the 'save the red rock wilderness' account. (Or, fund the Army M4 Rifle as opposed to build another Coast Guard Cutter.)

All that to say, it was a lovely day today (I love spring)and I think I'm going to plant me some flowers over the weekend.