This Whole Relaxing Concept Is Overrated..
Author: Amy Armitage
So I’ve been “officially” away from work for not quite 48 hours and I admit I have been checkin’ in. It was just a taste.. I responded to a few emails, checked my sales.. added some links to my blog and did some soft core coding.. maybe some trolling of the forums and OK.. I read a handful of tech articles and news on Slashdot.. I swear.. that was all..
OK… I AM IN DENIAL…
My phone has internet too.. I can check in even when I’m away from my laptop.. and I do.. constantly. Sheesh yesterday while I was lounging by the pool I had my book in one hand, a beer in the other and my phone on my tummy. Maybe by the end of the week I’ll be a fluffy and relaxed marshmallow saying “Huh? Lunar wha?”
I had to laugh, sweet Katrina one of our AMAZING Support Supervisors started a thread on our forums with a poll:
“How long can Amy last this week and a half away from Lunarpages?”
The options are:
* All the way. She’s a tough chick.
* 7 days till all the coffee and stimulants are gone.
* 5 days then she is toast.
* 3 days tops! She loves us too much.
* No way she makes it a day.
OMG… Am I that predictable?
There’s a StarBucks close by, so coffee isn’t an issue but I admit I do need “Puter Stimulation”. Sounds almost depraved doesn’t it?
The correct answer to the poll.. I didn’t even last 3 hours..
So far I’ve successfully slept in (depends on how you define sleep in I guess). First day I made it to 6.49am and today OMG 7.16am. Not bad considering I usually surface between 4.30 and 5am each day.
*high 5 @ my other hand
My dog “Baxter BoomskiButt” is with us, and the house we’re staying at is soooooooo decked out.. It has an incredible salt water pool but unfortunately he keeps falling in so I’m on 24/7 suicide watch. I feel like the mother of a 2 year old who is constantly on high alert to DANGER ZONES.. I can’t tie him up outside because it’s so bloody hot here he would have a melt down..
Our CEO and I were chatting most the day yesterday via email (I was using my phone ok?! I DID SEE THE SUNSHINE) bout our obsession with our online world and after he explained his take on it.. I’ve decided we should open a rehab center for Internet Junkies.. Maybe we could open it in Vegas. Vegas is the only place in the world where I’m NOT motivated to turn on my laptop. I think because those pretty lights substitute for the sexy flicker of my monitor. (Oh.. and because I’m usually too hammered to type).
But what could we call this safe haven for cyberly challenged geeks?
August 20th, 2006 at 9:32 am
oh god.. 3 hours!!
take a step back from the laptop Amy!!!
August 20th, 2006 at 9:33 am
*picks up phone
Ok sure..
lol
August 20th, 2006 at 10:15 am
** just shakes his head **
But what does it say about me that I didn’t see anything “wrong” with what you did because afterall you didn’t go in to work… you held off posting in the forums for a bit and you wouldn’t want people who needed you to suffer unnecessarily, so you took pity and responded to some emails even though you were on vacation… see, that was being nice and shouldn’t be frowned upon… and really, you are supposed to be on “vacation” from work, not from the computer or the internet… so don’t feel guilty about that side of it…
okay, I’ve got to get back to work…..
August 20th, 2006 at 1:17 pm
Sup Amy? Not sure if you remember me but I was a regular on your old forums at Mind Collisions for a long time. Any plans on reopening them? Forum life isn’t the same without you and MC. Maybe in your time off this week you could chat me up and we can hang out. I joined Lunar Forums and sent you a msg through there with my email and AIM details.
Hoping you get in touch :p
August 20th, 2006 at 4:59 pm
He heh, I knew you wouldnt make it far from the mouse ! {not that we would want you too eithe r !} I agree with GMT, you arn’t at work so it doesnt matter ! Have fun, enjoy your time off and check in every chance you get. Vegas,, yeah now you`re talking ! as for a name for the rehab clinic for us internet addicts, just like the Betty Ford clinic it should justly be called “Armitage Arms” lol, We miss you Amy, RAT
August 22nd, 2006 at 8:13 am
Haha. I voted: “No way she makes it a day.” You’re like me!
However, I do have to say, NOT taking your laptop and going where there is no cell phone signal helps. That’s what I did for my 3 day weekend.
At first I got panicky at the lack of internet and cell phone, especially since I just had to check my email from the sitter’s right before I left town and discovered many that needed attention “right away”. The need to follow up on those were strong, but fortunately, the person I asked to follow up did a good job as always (thanks, Matthew!!).
I think the key for a TRUE vacation is to go where you cannot easily access the online world, and delegate your normal duties to someone you know can get it done. You deserve a break, Amy!
August 22nd, 2006 at 6:42 pm
You may be lucky! I might actually have time tomorrow (Wednesday) to work on your blog again. :)
August 23rd, 2006 at 9:21 pm
Well, it seems Amy is at least staying out of the public eye for a couple of days… don’t think I’ve seen any posts from her at LF and no new blog entries… somehow I have a feeling she’s been doing a lot “behind the scenes” though and is likely to reappear before too much longer…
August 24th, 2006 at 7:08 am
I was reading about Amy on Tech Republic. There are some hot discussions going on over there and she seems to be at the center of TWO of them. Checked out the blog and I admit she’s not just another pretty face. Well done Amy.
Now come back from vacation and post something since I have you bookmarked!
August 24th, 2006 at 12:48 pm
I know about the women in IT one, but I’m curious what is the other blog she’s in the middle of over at techrepublic now? Same topic or something?
One of these days I’ll figure out how to effectively search the blogs there, but right now Amy’s blog is the only one I visit (at least on regular basis…)
August 24th, 2006 at 5:26 pm
Perhaps the new look to her blog will bring her out of hiding… I mean, surely she has to post something about the change! (I’m beginning to think she might have started taking this vacation stuff seriously…)