"The most exciting sounds in the world are train whistles, plane motors and anchor chains," said a wistful George Bailey to Uncle Billy in one of my favorite movies ("It's a Wonderful Life").
And I couldn't agree more.
I don't know what it is about travel- or at least the expectation of travel- that gets my heart pumping. Maybe it's the thrill of the unknown people, unique accents, unfamiliar food, and other mysteries that await at whatever soil my plane touches.
What to pack? Do I need my passport? Do they speak English where I'm going? Where will I stay? And, most importantly, what is there to do there?
To go or not to go?
It was with a thump in my chest that I tapped in my credit card details to make a spur-of-the-moment purchase of a very cheap (under $200) flight to Florida for next year's Martin Luther King long weekend. Okay, so Florida's no great shakes, but for me - in what will no-doubtedly be a frigid Chicago winter- it will be paradise in January.
So, let's see...I've got travel plans this month (Cincinnati for the Cubs' regular-season finale), next month (to Toronto to visit Firecracker) and November (to celebrate my birthday in Australia) and then to Florida in January. Over the weekend, I plan to cash in a free travel voucher for the Cubs' Spring Training in Arizona next March.
Don't anyone plan to come visit me in the next seven months 'cause I won't be here!!!!!!
(Cue hysterical laughter).
It was Judy Garland in "The Wizard of Oz" that said "There's no place like home."
Sorry, Judy, but I believe Jimmy.
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Sunday, September 09, 2007
Home and Garden TV/ The Travel Channel
For months now, I've been hesitant to plan my annual trip. Australia, Hawaii and Argentina are some of the places where I've celebrated my 'big day' (can people really call it that after the age of 9?)
Anyway, things have been really different this year. My new boss (who returns after 6 years) has not been as easy to work with this time around and I've been afraid to 'request vacation.' We've been discussing my contract on and off for eight months now and it's not going well. As a consultant, I'm not really entitled to 'vacation,' but I've been pretty sure my 'scheduled time off' would cause trouble.
Throwing caution to the wind last week, I sent my boss an email stating that I would be out of the office Nov. 1-24 on my annual trip. I would, of course, bring in an appropriate substitute and train him/her prior to my absence. There was no request, just a statement.
I took a deep breath, pressed SEND and then I waited.
No return email on Tuesday.
No email or verbal feedback on Wednesday either.
Every Thursday morning features a weekly meeting with my boss and I decided to just assume the situation was decided. As our meeting was ending, I asked if I should have my substitute attend our Thursday meetings and update the status report as I normally do.
"Yes, do that," came the reply.
So, it's a go!
Since my normal trip-planning is done before the summer even begins, I am a bit crazed as I think how to get everything done before November 1.
Oh, did I mention that my contractor suggested using my absence to remodel my bathroom (a plan long overdue)? He and I have been discussing my yucky, 1950s style (not retro, just ugly) loo ever since he installed the beautiful Brazilian koa wood floors in my bedroom last year.
These are the same beautiful floors that now include five or six gashes from the 'tornado' that came tearing through Chicago a few weeks ago. Yes, my contractor will fix them...for about $500.
Be careful what you wish for...
Anyway, things have been really different this year. My new boss (who returns after 6 years) has not been as easy to work with this time around and I've been afraid to 'request vacation.' We've been discussing my contract on and off for eight months now and it's not going well. As a consultant, I'm not really entitled to 'vacation,' but I've been pretty sure my 'scheduled time off' would cause trouble.
Throwing caution to the wind last week, I sent my boss an email stating that I would be out of the office Nov. 1-24 on my annual trip. I would, of course, bring in an appropriate substitute and train him/her prior to my absence. There was no request, just a statement.
I took a deep breath, pressed SEND and then I waited.
No return email on Tuesday.
No email or verbal feedback on Wednesday either.
Every Thursday morning features a weekly meeting with my boss and I decided to just assume the situation was decided. As our meeting was ending, I asked if I should have my substitute attend our Thursday meetings and update the status report as I normally do.
"Yes, do that," came the reply.
So, it's a go!
Since my normal trip-planning is done before the summer even begins, I am a bit crazed as I think how to get everything done before November 1.
Oh, did I mention that my contractor suggested using my absence to remodel my bathroom (a plan long overdue)? He and I have been discussing my yucky, 1950s style (not retro, just ugly) loo ever since he installed the beautiful Brazilian koa wood floors in my bedroom last year.
These are the same beautiful floors that now include five or six gashes from the 'tornado' that came tearing through Chicago a few weeks ago. Yes, my contractor will fix them...for about $500.
Get your calculators out, folks. Add the floor price to the bathroom materials. Um, let's see now. There's not much to buy there, except wall tile, floor tile, a tub, shower doors, a new shower head and faucet, a new sink, countertop, vanity cabinet, medicine cabinet, toilet, lighting fixture, and probably a bunch of other stuff.
Be careful what you wish for...
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