Tag Archive: vacation

Balancing out time debts

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Fri. December 4, 2009

A few days ago I was speaking to my project manager about the fact that we, the developers, kept getting a good number of days owed to us but we always seemed to not have the time to take that time off. It’s true, I mean, it always seems like there are projects on the horizon really preventing me from reaching a period of downtime. My mind seems to think that downtime is the only proper time to really escape without having to worry about work. Noble, so it seems. Thing is, we’ll never get to a period where that kind of downtime is freely available; the client will just throw more projects our way.

So, you can see a reason for some of my frustration, right? My project manager wisely told me though that I need to claim these days off. In doing so, I should not worry about projects falling behind a little bit. It should be left up to the manager to rejig the schedule to make things work. And really, if the client creates a schedule that’s tighter than a mouse’s arse then there are bigger issues to address, yes? Things will not fall apart without me. And so, after all of that discussion I decided to take one of my owed days today. It wasn’t so much that I had an appointment or anything like that. I just felt the need to have a bit of an extended weekend. I actually had plans to get my place tidied up, but in the end I just lounged around for the afternoon and evening. Do I feel guilty? No. Perhaps the old me would have felt a little bit guilty. Seriously though, I guess I gave enough of myself to work lately such that not taking the time off to do whatever I want would be equivalent to letting them take advantage of me. Bah. Really, I guess you can say I’m balancing out debts. Yes.

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Vacation fatigue

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Sun. August 9, 2009

Sunday is coming to a close just shortly. Now that my time off is just about over, I need to take a moment to reflect on this entirely eventful week. I took time off of work in order to get all of my affairs in order. As of now, there’s still stuff on my task list that needs to get done. I’ve tried my best, but it’s only inevitable that there will be something out there that needs to be taken care of. I often complain about the fact that I’m in desperate need of an extended period of time off. It’s interesting to me that this so-called vacation period hasn’t been restful at all. As much as I wanted to kick back and relax in my new digs for a little while, I just haven’t been able to. There are things to get, people to see, and places to go. And now the week is over and I have to be on the ball at work tomorrow.

Perhaps I can say “that’s life” and get on with things. In my case, living somewhat comfortably requires hard work and effort. Without both, a lot of opportunities will probably just pass me by. All the same, can’t I just get a bit of proper rest? If I actually get it though, will I get bored? Hard to tell.

Well, that’s that, I guess. May the work week bring me blessings.

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Wishing for irresponsibility

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Tue. May 19, 2009

Time and time again, I have to forcibly tell myself to take time off for no other reason than to just get away from my desk. As much as I have the makings of a [reluctant] workaholic, taking time off is something that I need to do more often for my own sanity. Last time I took a day off I had a good reason to stay at home and be with family; it was the only way I could convince myself to get away. This time around though…I just took the day off because I wanted a longer long weekend. There was no other reason.

See! I’m learning!

That being said, it seems like I need to actually make some effort to ensure that my time off really is time off. What do I mean? Well, if I’m being honest I had several strong urges to check my email or pop online to chat with colleagues to see what was up. No kidding. Seems I can’t get away. I guess that’s a side-effect of being so connected. Honestly, given the nature of my job I can’t really help it.

I wonder if I can just get away and be irresponsible for a little while. I’m not saying I want to permanently be in that state, but being in a bubble for a little while might do me some good.

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Getting away from the desk

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Thu. April 9, 2009

Last week, in anticipation for the Easter Triduum I decided to take today off. I figured that that would allow me to at least head to church with the family instead of having to rush home from work. Usually when I ask for time off it’s after a large amount of weighing the reasons for taking time off. As a result, I don’t take many days off because there’s always some reason for me to come in. Hell, even my PM agrees with me that I don’t take enough time off. This time though seemed a lot easier. I guess the need to be away from my desk was just really heavy this time around.

I had good intentions for today. I wanted to wake up early and do many loads of laundry, followed by a bit of shopping to replenish what ever supplies I might be low on. All well and good, but what actually happened was that I woke up at around noon feeling groggy. My urge to do something useful was replaced by an undeniable sense of inertia. So much for that.

One side effect of being at home means more interaction between me and my parents. And that inevitably means a bit of heated words between me and my father. There’s a lot of love here, but sometimes it just seems like we’re on different planes of existence. It’s hard to explain other than the fact that we fight in the way families do. It is what it is, right? It’s kind of no wonder I find myself wanting to work instead of being here. Heh.

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Day of the family

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Mon. February 16, 2009

Family Day is a fairly new holiday in Ontario. I don’t think I’m getting full value out of it. What do I mean? Well, for me, all it is is really a day away from work, which I’m totally thankful for. To be honest, I wish I had the next few days off as well. I need to take a few days off to allow my appreciation and enthusiasm for work to build again.

Oh, but we’ve already been over that.

Well, notice then that I seem to be over looking the whole “family” aspect of today. On the news they were showing the happy faces of families going out to the museums, the zoo, parks, etc. Most people were happy to be with their loved ones as if it was something novel. Why do I seem in shock? Well, the obvious thing in my case is that I basically see my family every day. Today I was with them again, and to be honest it just felt like any other weekend. The three of us are a solid unit. Perhaps that’s why I’m not making such hoopla over the meaning of this holiday, you know? If we had a national holiday like Heritage Day or Flag Day in February, I suspect I’d probably have more enthusiasm for those days than Family Day.

I’m not saying that there’s no value in it. I mean, there are people out there that don’t have families, or have family members on the other side of the world. I’m sure they’re wishing they could spend the day with their loved ones. I feel fortunate to have my family here with me. It’s just that my current situation means that I just won’t put much meaning behind this day. I can’t.

It makes me wonder what next year’s Family Day will be like. In three months time I’ll be leaving the nest. Even though they’ll be a drive away, the separation will have a big effect on both ends. Will Family Day click? We’ll see. I’m sure I’ll have a greater appreciation for the intentions behind this holiday.

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Rejected for time off

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Fri. February 13, 2009

I have a pile of lieu days that I need to use up. I was figuring that given that Family Day is taking place on Monday I should try to extend the long weekend even further by requesting Tuesday and Wednesday off. I’ve said it many times: I really need time to just get away from the office. Well, I passed the idea by my PM.

The result of the request? Denied.

Apparently there’s some project documentation that I need to get done, and that can’t wait until after my short break. I seem to be needed.

That’s just fantastic.

Granted, I’m not as close to my (work|bullshit|stress) thresholds as I was just a short while ago, but still. This is now the second time my request for time off has been rejected at this company. The last time this happened was late in December 2006. I was working on a project with one other person who wasn’t helpful at all. I was basically left working on the project on my own while he was on vacation. I was so stressed out back then that even my friends noticed how I was a shell of my usual self. I asked my PM if he could give me time off around Christmas, but he had to reject it because I was asking way too close to the dates I wanted off. The client expected X amount of resources and they couldn’t be short-changed by me taking time off on a whim. To be honest, I’m sure that’s what’s happened this time.

I’m not as bitter about this rejection though, because, yes, I can deal with having to get my tasks done. I can hang in there a little bit longer, for sure. I suppose I can call in sick, but the idea of shirking doesn’t sit well with me. I almost think that one day it *will* affect my health, at which point I’ll be screwed. Awesome.

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Surviving without her

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Wed. October 8, 2008

I was up at 4 a.m. this past morning. It wasn’t from being unable to sleep, but rather that I had to be up to get ready to take my mother to Union Station. She was taking a trip to New York City by train to meet up with her sister. From there, they’re going to participate in a tour of Europe. How fortunate! I’m seriously happy for her because she really needs a break from work. As much as I wish I had time off to tour Europe, I know that I can’t complain considering that I had a packed tour of Japan just this past June. Even so, even if it means a stay-cation I’d still find the time off valuable. I’ve been going full-throttle hardcore at work and I just need to hold myself back for my health. Seriously. When I have focus, it’s like I’m a beast tearing through bug tickets. It’s at times like this when I just need to unplug and get away.

Anyway, now with mom gone for a few weeks I’m a little bit concerned. I’m usually at work late, leaving my father to cook. He’s not much of a cook, so I’m expecting a lot of cans of sardines, corned beef hash, and cans of corn in the next little while. As much as I want to cook for the two of us, unless I find a way to leave work extra early I won’t be able to get anything done until late–what with my commute, and all. On the other hand, this period might also mean a lot of take out. I generally don’t want to become entirely reliant on it, but I think it’ll have to be an alternative that we’ll rely on more often than not.

Of course, dad may surprise me one day.

Thanksgiving is coming up next Monday, and I plan on cooking for that day. All I know is that I’m going to do a prime rib roast. I also sort of want to do a soup of some sort really there are no solid plans for anything else. I’m actually kind of excited to really get in there and be creative.

Yes, us men can survive for a little while without her. It makes me wonder how my father will manage though once I’m off in my condo (6 months left according to that widget on the side!). If my mother ever visits my relatives and leaves him behind for a while, he can obviously fend for himself, but…I dunno. The thought of him alone bothers me. God, the two of them just need to be together–they complement each other rather well.

Bah. Focus, focus.

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Nothing left but to say goodbye

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Thu. June 12, 2008

I’m sitting here in a suddenly spacious apartment. It’s funny how the second mattress made everything seem so cramped. Now that I see it like this though, there’s definitely enough room here for one person. It’s still small, but at least the guy has some breathing room.

My bags are packed: backpack, gym bag, luggage. I looked outside the balcony door and it seems to be raining. I’m praying that the rain will ease up as I lug everything to the station. Otherwise, it’s going to be a miserable march over to Uguisudani.

Seriously, I’m in disbelief that this whirlwind vacation is at an end. In these 12 days here, I’ve crammed so much in that it makes the mind numb. I’ve been to Hakodate, Sapporo, Nagoya, Kyoto, Osaka, Beppu, Hiroshima, and Kobe and experienced the people through new eyes. In Tokyo, I’ve been to a baseball game, a ninja restaurant, karaoke in Shibuya. God, how hectic! I’ve pushed myself day after day to get out there even though my body cried out for a day of rest. I’ve taken 4-5 hour walks hiking from one end of the city to the other. I’ve spent way too much on food–but as long as I keep in mind that this is a vacation I can at least maintain some of my sanity, you know? I guess you could say that I did my part to stimulate the Japanese economy, yes?

In a few hours I’ll be on a plane headed for home and I’ll once again get to enjoy the comforts that I miss so much. Oh, privacy! How beautiful you are! Don’t get me wrong, I completely appreciate the fact that my friend put up with me for so long. We’ve been at each other’s throats on occasion, but fundamentally we share a lot of the same values and that’s what’s kept us at peace. We helped push each other to do things that we wouldn’t be able to alone. It was a beneficial team-up every step of the way.

I feel that it really is time to go home.

The next 24 hours are going to be long and arduous, and I will be thankful for every minute.

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Blogging about the other days on the tour, as well as my post days in Tokyo will continue :) I’ve still got stories to share.

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