End of the week and not a moment too soon -- or -- There's so much disappointment in the world

Today's photo was captured from this site.

This picture does not show my Undisclosed Location. Actually, there's no place in Chicago that looks like this, except sometimes my lawn in August... and there's no mountains anywhere near my lawn. But the picture depicts my mental state as this week mercifully draws to a close.... pretty much empty and the end of the line.

I had no Internet this morning (second time this week) and the financial issues that were discussed here yesterday are largely unresolved. And at 4:30 yesterday afternoon opposing counsel in a case called to ask if I could fax him a copy of my brief in our case... a brief that was due yesterday... and that I continue to work on today. Doesn't he know that, to a lawyer, "deadline" means "gee, I better start looking at this, huh?" (You bet he does. But today's a court holiday -- how can you possibly salute our nation's veterans if public employees don't get a day off? -- and I'll bet counsel was hoping to 'work from home' today. There is so much disappointment in the world.)

Because today's a court holiday, I didn't feel the need to wear a tie. But I'll have to make up for that tomorrow, when Youngest Son will be confirmed. Oldest Son will be his sponsor, but he's away at school and I had to fill in for him at Wednesday night's rehearsal. The teachers warned the kids that the Bishop -- who doesn't even slap the kids anymore! -- might ask them a question or two of each of them as he adminsters the Sacrament.

The kids groaned loudly, Youngest Son right along with the rest. I leaned over to him and told him how easy he's got it. I reminded him of how much more work a Jewish boy would have to do for his bar mitzvah. Yeah, he said, but they get better parties after.

I guess there's a trade-off.

Anyway, as soon as the Internet was restored here, Oldest Son IM'd me asking what he needed to wear for the ceremony. "A suit would be nice," I typed back. There was a long pause before he tapped out an acknowledgement. I had just added to the disappointment in his world.

But he'll get even with me: He's bringing one, and maybe two, of his friends to stay overnight with us tonight. Seems some time ago one of his buddies won a one hour 'party' at an Old Town saloon; tonight is the appointed night. The saloon hopes to get people through the doors... and keep them after the hour is up. Oldest Son and his group will probably move on to someplace else. Still more disappointment.

And the best part is that Long Suffering Spouse has no idea we're entertaining house guests this evening. I'll have to break the news to her when school is out. And you know the fate of the messenger who brings bad news....

And while Oldest Son is out nightclubbing, I'll not be able to have so much as a single libation: I have a blood draw in the morning for a doctor's appointment next week.

There's so much disappointment in the world. I hope your weekend is not too disappointing.