Know what time it is? Benchtime! / by vanessa

Today is my first official day of work on the bench in over four years.  In the consulting world, being on the bench means that you're not on a client project.  Think of it like the summer break that teachers get, only it doesn't last three months.  The last time I was on the bench I was too new in my consulting career to appreciate its awesomeness.  I was that girl begging project managers to give me projects to keep me busy. I've learned.

This is what I looked like today at about 12:30.  It's also what I still look like right now.  It's 6:30 p.m.

At WholeFoods.  In my pajamas.

The thing about being on the bench is that no one knows what you look like when you take your conference calls.  So I didn't bother to get out of my pajamas when I phone-interviewed a candidate, sat on a training call, and met with one of the VPs about an upcoming project.

This is gonna be great.

The only downside I've seen so far is that I've literally eaten 14 Christmas cookies today.  I'm not sure what that has to do with being benched, but given that I've let my wardrobe go, I'm guessing the complete disregard for sensible eating is my attempt at consistency.

Don't worry. I'm being forced to pull it together in less than three weeks.  Until then, you can find me milling around at my favorite coffee shop on Cahuenga.   I'll be the homeless looking one.

It is the virtues, not the faults...which constitute one's true legacy. -- Gandhi