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Only 40 hours?

This article on the importance of a 40 hour work week is apt. “Why We Have to Go Back to a 40 Hour Work Week to Keep Our Sanity” sounds like a rallying cry for many of us. And the reasons we do it span the gamut from “under-resourced team in a shitty economy” to “CEO OR BUST.” Mostly though, it’s because we want to keep our jobs and the income they provide (food, shelter, travel!). And we don’t want our co-workers to hate us because we don’t deliver.

The last couple of weeks I’ve added something to the challenges of having a team member sitting in Singapore, which is exactly 12 hours ahead of us: “extra-curriculars.” These are passion projects akin to the 50 billion clubs I was a member of in college, or high school. You’re still doing work in the corporate world&151;just not the stuff they pay you to do.

So do those hours put me past the 40, giving me work to gripe about, or should I just accept that it’s a part of my personality to always need to be bustling about and suck it up?

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2012 05 11 Administrative
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Going Further West

I’ve booked a vacation, guys!

I’m going to Denver in June to see the absolutely amazing Miss Brynn, because sometimes what a friendship needs is a little FACE TO FACE. And sometimes what life needs is some mountains, fresh air, and a ride on a new to me airlines (Southwest).

And, because I’ve finally nailed down a vacation date and requested time off, other people are asking about trips around the same time frame.

Sometimes I wish it wouldn’t be like this: 2 weeks with nothing happening and then 3 invitations for the same evening. But, then again, there’s nothing nicer than being swept away* when the floodgates open.

Anyone have must-see or must-dos for the Denver area? I may also do a day trip up to Cheyenne because, why not? It’s right there!

Denver-Cheyenne

I’ve never been to Wyoming, and they’ve got a military base, some walking tours, and three yarn shops. That sounds pretty legit. But perhaps you know of something better?

Bison cuddling will, of course, be attempted.

*While remaining employed, because these trips don’t finance themselves. It’s a fine line.

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2012 05 05 America
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Poem in My (Heart) Pocket

Candlelight

In honor of National Poem in Your Pocket Day, I give to you one of my favorite poems which also incorporates one of my obsessions. I adore candles, and burning them. They give off such beautiful light, and warmth (cheap heating tip!). Every time I blow one out I think of birthday parties, a little wistfully.

My candle burns at both ends;
It will not last the night;
But ah, my foes, and oh, my friends—
It gives a lovely light.
—Edna St. Vincent Millay

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2012 04 26 Recommended Reading Comments (2) Permalink

Hitting Submit: The Hardest Part

It seems like the hardest part of a vacation, or even more broadly, of any trip, is the going part.

That also seems pretty obvious.

But the minute the website reaches “checkout” or someone says “how about this Saturday, does that work?” People hesitate.

I’m included this category.

Initially my weekend plans were to go to Tampa, Ft. Lauderdale, every other beach town in Florida, or even San Francisco this weekend for under $300, $350 max. Current plans? My parents are going to drive down to see the townhouse I moved into at the beginning of the month. There may be dim sum involved.

After all the hours of research, emails, phone calls, text messages, and conversations, why is this?

Part of it is costs, my friends want as cheap of a vacation as possible, understandably, and the idea was borne from a cheap flight email. But you need flexibility and decisiveness to catch deals. When everyone finally agreed to buy the tickets, prices had risen $40 a person. Admittedly, it’s not a huge amount, but it’s something. It was enough.

It fell through because we couldn’t decide in time. Because we just couldn’t click “submit” and make it happen. There was so much to research, so many variables, so many unknowns, and so much money that had to change hands.

So my new tactic is to look further ahead, more research upfront, and disclose as many costs as possible. I feel a bit like a glorified travel agent, but you cannot say you weren’t well informed. There is a benchmark, these prices are variable, and we can customize the package.

The downside is that the further out in advance, the less flexibility you have. No one wants to commit to blocking out a weekend two months from now.

So my backup?

Traveling solo.

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2012 04 19 Pre-trip Comments (0) Permalink

All Your Stuff from A to B

Last weekend I moved.

the devil's in the details

I’ve been trying to cut down on stuff since before the move, and in general, and boxing or otherwise making stuff fit into as few trips as possible between apartment A and townhouse B. Don’t worry, I’m still renting, and luckily there is still too much room.

But that might be a mixed blessing. I’m like a goldfish: I grow to fit my container. Maybe being minimalistic in decor will keep the clutter and accumulation down. Otherwise, it’s to the dumpster at the next move!

dumpster diving

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2012 04 12 Administrative
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