It’s great to be back. I hope I left enough to entertain you until I returned. I knew before I left I hadn’t done a post for yesterday, but I was exhausted, out of time, and just out of ideas.
I’ve found a way to overcome that “I need a vacation to recover from the vacation” feeling. I came back a day earlier than planned, and I didn’t go back to work until today. I puttered. I read a magazine, did some shopping, read some blogs, and just relaxed. For some reason, doing that mid-week seemed easier than coming home on a Friday and going back on a Monday. Go figure.
Acadia is gorgeous. Probably the nicest state park on the east coast (that I’ve seen). I like that the park grew from land donations by residents who wanted to preserve the wilderness. As a result, there are these great towns mixed in all through the park area, which is huge. Bar Harbor being the most famous, but I think I liked the lazy qualities of Southwest Harbor just a little more.
We had two superb days for camping. Too bad we were slated for three days. The rain came down in torrents on Sunday, which had us all thinking that going back to Portland was a much better option than mopping up tent leaks. So we headed back to step-daughter’s house, where we had a nice meal and a fun time.
I’m in love with Portland. It’s like Asheville, only not quite so quirky. My kind of people – environmentally conscious, healthy, into organic foods and living, and interesting. The shopping was great, too. I bought a straw cloche hat that I’m sure I won’t wear much, but I couldn’t resist it. Also, I found some tea in a great tea cafe, so I’m able to support my three-cup-a-day habit.
We came home a day early – not really sure why. Miscommunication, I think. No matter: the traffic in New York would have been about the same – horrific. Two-hour wait at the George Washington Bridge. Let me just say this: if two lanes are closed due to an accident (and WHY didn’t the cops sitting there move them to the shoulder?), people have to merge. Tell that to one native, who saw us stick our arm out the window, indicate we were merging in front of her, then wait until he was almost completely in front of her to lay on the horn, then take the time to pull beside us and shout some obscenity. Whatever. Don’t be so damned selfish and thoughtless, let someone merge without a fight, and you can channel that anger into doing some good, I say.
What took us seven and a half hours going up took us nine and a half coming home. Not great. I loathe that bridge. Only once in my life have I gone across it that it’s been moving, and that was the beginning of this trip. Next time I’m taking the Tappan Zee Bridge route. Longer, but ultimately much faster.
I came back to more work, which is a huge blessing. Naturally, it’s due the same time the rest of the pile is due, so my planned jaunt to Ontario to see the folks is now either delayed or canceled depending on how fast I can work. There go the weekends. I want these things done well and on time, so I’m happy to sacrifice the weekends in order to get what they need and get what I want. We’ll see if it actually works out that way.
So it’s been a week. How are you? What’s new?
Welcome back, Lori! We missed you.
I am dealing with major computer problems-it crashed-I am going on my 3rd day of dealing with Technical Support who cannot figure out how to fix the resolution on my monitor. Everything looks like a Gumby impression that's streeeetched out.
I am also having to reload programs. Thank heavens I backed up all work and have a laptop, but to say it has not been very productive is putting it mildly.
In any event, I'm glad my normal Lori "fix" is back home. 🙂
I'm a "fix" – I love it! LOL Glad to see your smiling words, Cathy. 🙂
New monitor, or is it more serious? Fingers crossed that it's fixed soon. Sucks to be without your main artery. 🙁
Welcome back Lori. I'm still working on a long-term publishing project. Starting a client web site next week. Been mostly doing projects for current clients this past week.
Thanks, Damaria! Good to be back. Glad to see you. 🙂 Sounds like this is your month for repeat business. Isn't it funny how the work you do today is so different from what you did a month or two ago? I'm always amazed to see where client needs lead me.
Arcadia is great. Portland's a great town for the arts, for sports, for the environment. It's one of my favorite cities. Lots of good music and food, too.
If everyone lets one person in front of them, we can all get there on time. But the selfish drivers won't. We have the NY-NJ drivers up here now, and they're causing all kinds of unnecessary problems.
As beautiful as the east coast sounds I could never take that kind of traffic. Just to make you a little jealous, in this Portland it has been between 78 to 82 with afternoon sun for about three weeks. In fact we haven't even hit 90 once. I love Oregon summers!
I can't wait for the day when work comes to me. The marketing aspect of this job becomes draining. So glad to have you back Lori and I'm happy that your trip was fun. Now write another inspiring post! 🙂
Welcome back, Lori. I'm glad you had a back-up plan for the day of the deluge.
This week has been rough. Not work wise, but mentally. Funny how after all these years the anniversary of my mom's death still sends my mind back to that time, and I start thinking like a kid again. It happens to my sister, too, so we had a few lengthy phone calls that day. (Our brother never seems to remember the exact date, so why ruin his good day by bringing it up?) I should have been working on an article that's due this week, but just couldn't force myself to do more that day than send a couple of e-mails.
Yesterday I turned down an assignment from one client. They aren't past due on payments, but have a history of letting invoices pile up before finally paying. I said I refuse to get stuck in that mess again. Once the assignment is paid for, I can accept another. The ball is in his court. (That's step one of the new collection plan I mentioned a couple weeks back.)
The article is still looming, but my mood has cleared. (Beautiful cool, sunny weather sure has helped!)I'm taking part of today off. My sister is dropping her dogs off for a long weekend, and we might do some b-day shopping for our nephew and niece. And lunch. (Better yet – she always pays for lunch when I'm watching her dogs!)
Wade — marketing sucks. My least favorite part of the job. but, if you hack at it steadily enough, it starts to pay off.
Paula, my dad died in 1972, and, every year, at the anniversary of his death, I turn into that 10 year old again. Good for you for laying down the law with the client!
Welcome home… it's sort of been echoing around here without you… love the sound of the park, hate the sound of the bridge… glad to know traffic in San Diego is rarely that bad and even it it is I don't have to be in it.
Consider yourself hugged my dear.
Glad you had a fabulous vacation! I'm a New Englander & love living here. I've only been to Acadia once, but it is so beautiful, it's very hard to forget!
Devon, I totally agree. Take turns and everyone gets there faster. It's the pushing, blocking, and bitching that causes additional problems. And I'm sorry that anniversary even exists for you. Such a huge loss to someone, much less a ten-year-old someone.
Wade, I'd be jealous if it weren't equally gorgeous here. 🙂 Today it's 80 degrees and dry. Just lovely to be outside.
Marketing does suck, but think of each query as practicing your technique. Every contact is you trying to perfect your communications. Maybe just a shift in perspective will help it suck less. 🙂
You mean I have to INSPIRE, too? Ugh! I need another vacation! LOL
Paula, I know what you mean. It's the cloud over that day that hurts, not the memories of the person, but that pain of loss that's hard to take. I'm glad you and your sister are able to talk each other through it. I'm sure your brother doesn't forget – he just doesn't want to talk about it, I'd bet.
Good for you for putting your foot down! I wouldn't say yes to work like that, either.
Hugs right back, Anne. 🙂 You make me feel good – all that missing me. Likewise. I was a little at loose ends without you and this community.
It is gorgeous, Nicky! I could get used to that place. We did some decent hiking and enjoyed the restaurants (we're turning into lazy campers).