So sorry

I've been psyched for the last month about an upcoming bit of vacation to head back up to NC with the girlfriend to see our friends and celebrate the opening of Bissey's new restaurant, Rue Cler. Well, unfortunately I'm going to use this space tonight to announce and apologize that Judy and I are going to stay back in FL and reschedule our trip hopefully later in the month.

Basically, things have just been really busy, which is great, and I wasn't sure that leaving the state right at this moment was a smart idea... and on top of that, I was going to be missing an important day for my Everglades project. That still wasn't enough to cancel the trip, which was anticipated and deserved, but now it seems that Rue Cler won't be opened on time, so we won't get to eat a disgusting quantity of French food in Durham quite yet.

So, I made the executive decision today to not make a decision at all... but to wait for some sort of fate/God/monkey? to make a choice one way or the other for me, most likely via a call from an editor about an interesting assignment late this week. Turns out I didn't have to wait long... Newsweek called and asked me to, in addition to the other two NW jobs I already am working on this week, shoot in Tennessee on Thursday. So sorry everyone... round on me at The Office next time, I promise!

Putting this quick trip up to NC on hold had me thinking most of the day about how hard it can be sometimes to just stop working, and get away from it -- especially when you are self-employed, and do what you love. Having the job of your choice doesn't mean that you don't need time off... actually, it probably means that you need it even more, because your brain is going 24-hours a day on every little work related thing.

Another vacation trap that I fall prey to is that if the phones are ringing, because other times you know that they won't, you don't even want to entertain the thought of leaving town. And even more dangerous, sometimes its hard to convince yourself, and friends or family, that your slow periods when not much is going on are vacation enough. But that's definitely not the case.

You've got to get away; unplug, clear your head, and spend time with people that are important to you. I'm new to this part of the job, but its already clear that finding time for yourself is the only way to stay on top of your game and nourish new ideas and energy to stay productive and satisfied.

Putting my money where my mouth is... I'm actually planning another small trip next week with my Dad to a big wine tasting event in San Francisco. I don't think any assignment is going to stop that one!

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