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Title: Nearly there (this week, at least) 
Date: 2022-03-03 
Device: Laptop 
Mood: Relaxed.
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Well, that wasn't so bad. Travel was smooth
(despite carrying extra luggage for one of my
colleagues), and the hotel and the dinner were
very nice.

I'm always struck by the inner lives of some of
the people who I meet in a professional setting. I
know of COURSE these people have inner lives, and
things they keep away from their public persona,
but the depth and breadth is astonishing at times.
Just from the dinner last night (of which there
was a total attendance of about ten):

- two were dealing with significant illness in
  their parents; something which I can empathise
  with;

- one had just decided to quit their role and
  follow their passion and had just bought a
  vineyard in the south of France; incredibly
  brave for a British female executive

- one told me for the first time that he raised
  five children on his own (while running a really
  successful PR company) after his wife brutally
  assaulted him and was put under the care of
  mental health services.

Of course, I've had my own struggles, and I don't
broadcast them, but the level of trust and honesty
on show around the table was quite humbling. It's
so nice when people can come together and be truly
naked about their struggles. It feels like
refreshment.

Enough rambling for now.

--C