Bertrand Goes to Japan, Part 1

Yes, you read that correctly.

Bertrand the Mouse left for Japan earlier this week.

Now he didn't go by himself...

...Bertrand went with a supervised group of young people who were happy Bertrand could join them.

Bertrand didn't fly straight into Japan. He and the group flew into an airport in Canada first.

So while they waited for the next flight, Bertrand did some exploring.

Luckily, one of the young adults picked him off the floor, so Bertrand wouldn't catch any germs.

After that, Bertrand stayed off the floor while he explored.

Eventually, all that flying and exploring and waiting tired him out. So Bertrand chilled on a backpack.

I know Bertrand has arrived in Japan based on social media posts from the group. Once someone sends photos, I can post "Bertrand Goes to Japan, Part 2."

Historic Raleigh Tour & Pullen Park Carousel - Wonderful!

4-MINUTE VACATION

Time Off

Five years ago, after a very hard couple of years for my family and when I was still a freelancer, I decided to work extra hard during December and take off the time between Christmas and the New Year and spend it with my family.

Except right around that time, the Sun Times sold The Herald-News to Shaw Media, and I found myself in transition and with a new job instead.

Don't get me wrong. I was thrilled for the joy, which turned out to be lifesaving on more levels than I can explain here. In this case, delayed gratification was the better gratification, and I poured myself into my new role.

Then, a couple years ago, the holidays lined up in such a way that I had several days off in a row. It was the first time I had a "Christmas vacation" since I was a kid. I read a lot (and even stayed up super late one night reading, a real joy) and spent hours out on the I&M Canal one day with Timothy.

And it renewed my goal to have a real Christmas vacation.

So this year, I saved a good chunk of my vacation for the days between Christmas and New Year. A few "life" things that popped up almost obliterated my plans at the last minute. 

The keyword is "almost."

I had a list of things I wanted to accomplish. I'm happy to say I did almost all of them.

* I outlined two novels (the werewolf story and The Phoenix, the first in the BryonySeries Limbo trilogy).

* I finished the memoir. I'm waiting on one photo from the author, and Rebekah needs to make the cover. Then we are ready for uploading, copyediting, and then...voila!

* I finished round one of edits for a client, a project I've slowly worked at all fall.

* I started the formatting for a fundraising book for WriteOn Joliet.

* I began a nonfiction book I plan to self-publish this fall.

* I read. A LOT.

* I visited a friend in the hospital three times.

* I met with Tom Hernandez, my WriteOn Joliet co-leader, to plan 2020.

* I went to the nursing home to see Ron.

* I broke down the three boxes from my most recent at-home office (We moved again in October). I have all the boxes from my Channahon office when we lost the home in 2013, but the plan to is to empty a box a week until the boxes are gone).

* I slept A LOT.

* I drank lots of good coffee (which did not interfere with my sleep).

I came home from work on Christmas Eve night to find the traditional meal was all prepared and waiting for me.

My home was full of people of all ages (one child already had an ice pack to the head, a sure sign of rambunctious fun).

The next day was quieter, since we don't celebrate our family Christmas until Jan. 7. I walked a lot, hung out a lot, visited a friend in the hospital (with Timothy carrying the tree he and Joshua bought for my room all the way up to her room).

Rebekah made homemade cinnamon rolls and ham steaks for breakfast. I added a salad to mine to make it healthy, haha. Jasmine popped in and cleaned up the kitchen.

Mostly, I did nothing. It felt so good, I can't even begin to describe it.

Some leftover work (and an issue that arose) made a dent into one of the vacation days. But Cindy was at the house and did all the housework while I worked, even though she had to go to work that night.

I returned to work this morning. I'm rested, refreshed, and happy to be back! :)

Gone

Back in the "good old days? people sometimes stayed glued to their house for hours at a time if they were expecting a phone call they could not miss.

The ease of virtual communication has erased that. Now we panic if you lose our phones. 

This is not a rant against social media, etc. I love smartphones, and I love social media. I love the ease of convenient communication. 

This morning, I've already answered emails, confident of return replies when the other people are available.

"When they are available." That's the key.

Ease of communication should never translate into 24/7 availability. We should always have off-radar time, the degree of which depends on our nature and how much we need.

Despite negative reports, social media is a tool that can foster connection. But as the ease of communication increases, we should become fierce in protecting the times we don't wish to be "on."

For me, micro bursts of it during the day keep me focused and productive. Larger bursts during the weekend and "days off" rests and rejuvenates me.

Unconvinced? Here's someone else who tried it - and liked it.

https://getpocket.com/explore/item/why-you-need-an-untouchable-day-every-week

Day Off

I had a list of tasks for today. And so far, I've not done one.

Not. A. Single. One.

I read. I wasted time. Handled one crisis and am addressing another.

Except for the crises, it's been a nice, long day.

Sitting here now with a book on my lap and a cup of coffee at my side.

Bliss.

Illustration by Kathleen Rose Van Pelt for "Bryony."

Postings Will Be Sparse While I'm Gone (and I Talked to Ed Calkins)

Flying out tomorrow to Raleigh (by plane, not vampire bat) to spend time with my family, in whatever adventures they choose.

Although I may throw something up from time to time on social media, I won't be posting regularly until my return (but I may check in) and may not blog at all.

Where to find me?

On Twitter at @BryonySeries. On Facebook at www.facebook.com/BryonySeries or Joliet Connect at https://www.facebook.com/groups/1521908851451776/.

And of course, please follow the adventures of Bertrand the Mouse on Instagram at bertrand_bryonyseries. Because he'll more than likely be posting daily.

i also did speak to Ed Calkins. He was surprised and happy to hear from me and promised to send a fresh blog post by next Saturday. But the reasons he's taking a back seat from stuff are still there. He's a great guy, so please remember him in your thoughts/prayers.

See ya in September (or thereabouts!)

I'm Back

Remember what I said about blog posts being spotty while I was in Raleigh? Definitely an understatement. They, along with most social media postings, disappeared all together for one good reason: no time.

It was a very relaxing and productive vacation, and I'll share the details of both over the next few days.

Relaxing because I spent time away simply enjoying my family and doing the things they want to do without the the daily routine calling my name.

Productive because we also wrapped up a couple of lingering projects.

I was happy to leave. I'm happy to be back.

And now to tame the email monster...