The early Open Forum today was because I had to complete my annual ordeal driving to Richmond last night to make an early morning three-hour CLE ethics seminar for my oldest client organization (but not my longest continuous client because they’ve fired me twice, always to come crawling back…). The thing was a challenge when my late wife was helping me get organized, packed, get other work in order and so on: now it’s almost impossible, especially last night when late breaking issues from client lawyers, a printer break-down, a need pit bull and a torn suit delayed my preparation for hours.

I began the drive to Richmond at 11:45 pm, and most of it was in heavy rain surrounded by trucks, with me expecting to die at any moment. I arrived at my hotel at 1:30 am, got to bed about an hour later, and woke up at six for final prep only to discover that I had managed to do something to my back over-night and could barely straighten up. Once I did, it became clear that sitting aggravated the injury, triggering back spasms, so I needed to stay standing during my three hour presentation, the break, and the usual discussions with attendees afterwards.

One attendee said he had been retired from law for a decade, but after listening to me, he had decided to renew his license to start practicing again. He said I convinced him that lawyers really could be a positive influence on society, and that it was time for him to use his experience and skills to do that.

Yeah, this is what I love.

It’s worth the hassle, and money has nothing to do with it.