In which Joi FINALLY takes a real vacation

[JoitheArtist]

Tomorrow, at 5:00pm (or a few minutes earlier, if I can get away with it), I will clock out of work, drive like a bat out of hell to get home, sling my bags in a friend's car, ride to the train station...and hop on the last train out of town for Santa Barbara!

FOR SIX WHOLE DAYS

Note: the only time I've EVER taken vacations that long were to see my family at Christmas. I have NEVER taken a "me" vacation that long.

I'm taking the train (I LOVE riding the train, and this is the Pacific Surfliner) to stay with my friend in Santa Barbara--we plan to watch movies, cook fresh pasta, shop at a few of my favorite stores, read in silence for hours, and not think about work the entire time.

Work email? Won't touch it. Phone? Won't even turn it on, except to see if there are any family emergencies every few days.

I'm getting OUT. OF. HERE.

(Naturally, this means CEO is trying desperately to completely screw my job up before I go, but whatever...)

[taxguykarl]

Wow your first real vacation. I remember mine. Prior to that my 'vacations' consisted of traveling to my hometown for Thanksgiving and Christmas or taking a week off work to move.
In 1999 (about 12 years after I graduated) I went with my GF (now wife) to Eureka Springs, AR

We saw the shows and explored the town. And had minimal contact with any family.LOL

Tell us all about it, Joi.

[Elspeth]

YAY Joi!!!!! So glad you are getting away! Have a wonderful time

[AdminAssistant]

In 1999 (about 12 years after I graduated) I went with my GF (now wife) to Eureka Springs, AR

We saw the shows and explored the town. And had minimal contact with any family.LOL

Did you see Our Milk Carton With Arms?

I will say that Eureka Springs is a lovely town in a very beautiful part of the Ozarks. But the Passion Play Complex is a bit frightening.

ETA: I haven't had a real vacation as an adult, either. I'm hoping that when the boy moves up here this summer, we can take a weekend and go....somewhere. Doesn't even have to be fancy or special, I just want to go on a trip, stay in a hotel, do the whole tourist-y bit.

[Sunsetsky]

Nice! I hope you have a great time!

[JoitheArtist]

Tell us all about it, Joi.

I will when I get back--dunno how much time I'll spend online during the vacation. Going up to Santa Barbara, which is a gorgeous town--I'll take pics.

[Nurian]

Just enjoy your time away. We're all happy for you!

[Der Cute]

Hay Joi- remember this is NonResponsibleJoi time. You can check in here but don't spend much time til youre back! Enjoy the pasta, and pics are required.

Cutenoob

[JoitheArtist]

Arrived safely in Santa Barbara last night (with a GREAT story for Sightings, which I will post someday), and spent the night chatting with my friend.

Went to sleep in an insanely soft bed in a very cozy little room (my friend in SB used to have a housemate who was another friend of mine, but she's in Oregon till further notice, so I got to sleep in her room). The windows are all blacked out with curtains, so I could sleep as late as I wanted. (still woke up at 7--dadgum ingrained habits...) Took a great bubble bath while reading some good sci-fi (Green Mars). Got dressed. Looked out the window to the lovely low clouds and the top of the hills. Listened to the birds chirping.

I never want to go back.

[taxguykarl]

Did you see Our Milk Carton With Arms?

I will say that Eureka Springs is a lovely town in a very beautiful part of the Ozarks. But the Passion Play Complex is a bit frightening.

You mean the Christ of the Ozarks statue? Did you know that the lead sculptor previously worked on Mt. Rushmore?

Yes, I so agree with you that the town is lovely.

[Primer]

Vacation? What's that? Hang on while I go grab my dictionary!

I've not had a "real" vacation since I was 17. I've gone along with DH to a few artilliry (muzzle loading cannon) schools, but that doesn't really count since he's an in instructor, and by default, I'm an assistant. I also usually have papers with me to be graded. And on reenactment weekends, I have to wait till the public is gone, or sit in the tent with the "doors" tied if I want to get any done. I have been able to take the past 3 summers off from teaching, but I don't count having major surgeries instead as a vacation. Oh well.

[JoitheArtist]

Update:

Today is my second full day here, and I'm beginning, just beginning, to feel human again. I love being able to go to bed when I want, for as long as I want, even at 1pm. Went to the Lush store today, and blew the remnants of my paycheck on bath supplies, then went to the store and got some black truffle oil to jazz up the mushroom ravioli I'll be making later. Went for an hour long walk in the park this morning, and took over a hundred pictures, mostly of the awesome turtles in the pond. A large portion of my day is spent in silence, except for whatever music I have on the computer.

So, yeah...beginning to feel a little bit human again...