Closing Condition
When you’re closing large corporate deals, you typically have a long list of “closing conditions” — milestones that must be met prior to the money moving. It’s a long list of documents that have to be signed, opionions that must be given, collateral that must be secured, factual conditions that must be met and everything else necessary for the bankers to feel comfortable giving away a few hundred million or some billions of dollars.
Right now, 30 hours before the deal is supposed to close, I’m in my own “closing condition”: I’m tired and I’m drained. It’s two rather different conditions. Being tired can be cured with some sleep. Being drained is an ongoing condition, and no matter how much sleep you get, you aren’t going to suddenly feel “not drained.”
I need a break, not like a vacation (although that would of course be nice), but a break from the stress. I looked back at my time reports today, and since early November, I’ve had 15 days when I didn’t bill any time (note that that period contains six holidays). That’s a long time with no real weekends.
I would write more, because I actually had a fun weekend despite all the work. But the car service just called and said that my car will be here in two minutes. So I’m off for now — maybe I can get three hours’ sleep if I’m lucky.