Getting Away
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Getting Away
"It's the most, wonderful time, of the year."
Yes it's that holiday time of the year. No matter what part of the world you live in, the December holiday time is when many businesses slow down and work often gets a little easier. With holiday parties starting, people squeezing in last minute vacation days, or even businesses shutting down, I thought that I'd check in on what you have planned.
What's your holiday vacation like?
I have to say that we've got an inequitable situation here at the dkRanch. My wife's company actually shuts down for a few days and gives extra days off for Christmas, so she'll get like 11 days off in a row and only get charged one vacation day. She's got some good benefits and even in other jobs where she's been forced to take vacation this time of year, she's had generous allowances (like 4 weeks) for vacation.
While she's enjoying time outside with her horses, I'll be working along, getting the daily editorials and begging a few authors to keep writing this time of year. If you see a larger number of articles by Steve Jones this holiday, you'll know I wasn't too successful. I actually only get the actual holidays off this year since my vacation this year doesn't kick in until the middle of February.
But don't feel sorry for me. I have one of the best jobs in the world and I really enjoy writing, so it's work at times, but for the most part I really enjoy it. So share some stories, let us know what you'll be doing and how you'll enjoy the holidays this year.
Steve Jones
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Well, since I live in Cape Town, I'll spend a good portion of this holiday season on the beach, and hopefully fit in some rock-climbing.
As I'm sure our Australian friends will agree, being in the southern hemisphere really has its advantages at this time of year...
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C8H10N4O2
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I agree with Michael,
I was in the cape for New Year a couple of years ago and it was 27 degrees when I stepped off the plane.
They apologised for the cold weather as well.
This year however I'm stuck in Blighty but as I have married a Pole I will be able to have two Christmas's. They celebrate Christmas Eve as the main day with a huge meal with about 12 courses. (lots of fish and no meat)
We celebrate Christmas Day with a nice big roast dinner, stuffing and all the trimmings. Unfortunately I drew the short straw and will be providing emergency support for our customers.
The rest of my 10 days will be spent installing a central heating system in my house.
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Christmas Holidays are the best part of the year for our entire family and friends.
This time is more special. My son is coming back after his first semester at college from Purdue Indiana, where he is majoring in Aerospace Engineering.
We live in New Jersey and there is lot of fun and color this time of the year. I wish I were in remote places like you guys are. But that is fine.
Nice to be talking something outside of SQL, this time of the year.
Happy holidays folks!
Jambu
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Here's one suggestion, although it depends on how timely you want all of your articles to be over the holidays: It's too late for this year, but for next year, try to line up some articles written ahead of time. Even if half of the articles can be written ahead of time on subjects that aren't time-sensitive, you'll need fewer additional authors (or have fewer articles to write yourself).
Happy holidays!
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A SQL query walks into a bar and sees two tables. He walks up to them and asks, "Can I join you?"
Ref.: http://tkyte.blogspot.com/2009/02/sql-joke.html -
Jambu,
Never really thought about southern England as being remote due to all the towns, motorways, planes etc.
However from your perspective it probably seems more like that.
However from reading Steve's editorials everyday I do get the feeling that everyone on the site must be in the middle of no-where somewhere DBA-ing via a Satellite link or suchlike.
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Lucky you, with things slowing down towards the end of the year. In our organization, when people finalize wake up and realize that time is short, we can typicallly expect aboput 30 people to come out of the woodwork around the first week of December to wake up and demand some project they've been sitting on, that absolutely must be done by the end of the year. Being a contractor I'm not in a position to say no very easily so the last three weeks of the year are typically vacation-free and about 80+ hour weeks. So the end of the year is the worst time for me actually and is not looked forward too. Family and kids are affected obviously too.
Didn't mean to bum anybody out here but I just wanted to interject the other side of the year-end coin that I don't think is that atypical.
maddog - Poor Steve, working for The Man again. That's got to be a little bit of a bummer after all his previous freedom. (or maybe I'm glorifying the past) Anyways, I'm looking forward to spending some down time with my family - immediate and extended, and celebrating the True meaning of Christmas. (Ask Charlie Brown, if you're wondering).
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Steve,
Who does your wife work for? 4 weeks vacation! Fantastic!!!
I'll be taking off time starting next Wednesday (the 13th) and going through until January 2nd. I'm looking forward to it, as I didn't take any time off at all during the year.
Merry Christmas, everyone!
Kindest Regards, Rod Connect with me on LinkedIn.
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All these posts with happy people with nothing to do at the end of the year confirms my suspicions that DBA's are slackers
. Either that or the people in my same situation are too busy to contribute to these posts.Jealously Yours,
Corporate Whipped Code Monkey
maddog -
I'll be driving to chicago to visit friends - It's going to be cold up there, but since I have never been there, it should be fun regardless - Happy Hollidays!!
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This is actually my second busiest time of year at work. So, no time off. And, unfortunately for my wife, who is a social worker, this is her busiest time of the year as too many parents can't control themselves while celebrating the holidays and New Years.
So, I will spend my time being upbeat and keeping my home life positive. My daughter will be home from college for 5 days, so I will try to make sure she has an enjoyable time (aka borrowing dad's car). I will get my vacation when I get to go watch my daughter play in their conference basketball tournament in March.
I hope everyone truly enjoys their holidays.
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Alright, Enough grief!
The Holidays are truely one of the best times of the year. Friends, family, generally a better "tenor" in the air. I've never had a company "forced vacation" but it appears this year may actually happen. This means more time with family, and really enjoying all of the great things in my life!
We actually throw a party to bring all of our team from ~ 6 years ago back together for one night. It is wonderful to see all of the changes (kids, jobs, whatever!) and to reflect on what is going on now. I've had a very interesting year, and I know several others in my circle of friends have had some success this year
so it should be a nice night tomorrow. I'm feeling very fortunate, the work will always be around, but the relationships are really what make working worthwhile.
Merry Christmas!
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Well, I wish I could be happy about the December holidays but they just bring up a lot of difficult decisions for me to make with kid and ex plus I have explain for the 499th time why I don't put up holiday decorations.
At least I've figured out what to do on my birthday(around Christmas) - go to a movie!
Yep, that's about the only thing open when I celebrate another year where people are happy to see you and don't serve you cold food whilst tapping their feet wishing you'd leave soon. -
Normally, my wife and I don't go away for the holiday. However, this year we are going to San Jose, Costa Rica with friends.
-SQLBill
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