Vacationing in Backyardistan
I hadn’t really planned on taking a vacation this year.
I mean, between all the time I took last year for chemotherapy and my lack of funds due to paying for all that, well, I just hadn’t planned on taking any time for myself this year. Oh, maybe the occasional long weekend, but that was about it. But, after reading this article on Hotjobs about taking time away from work… Well, let’s just say I’m reconsidering it. (And, no, the potential of winning a free trip to Tahiti, also on that article I linked to, did not have any influence over me!)
That first article suggests taking time off, even if you don’t leave the house, but just stay home and read. That was what got the wheels turning in my head. I have this giant stack of books, again, and I never seem to have enough time to read. I could take two or three days before a weekend and just read all day long. Heck, I could probably even do it more than once! Oh, the joy of a day spent reading…
Then, too, there was an article on the New York Times, linked to by LifeHacker, suggesting a number of less expensive vacations one might take. Though, I have to admit, the comments left by other readers were just as good as the article and, in most cases, less expensive than anything suggested by the Times. I particularly liked the idea of taking several days and being a tourist in your own town. There are so many things in Houston that I haven’t done! I’ve lived here ten years and I’ve never seen the San Jacinto Monument, for instance. And, there are so many museums! In fact, I even know someone who used to curate at the Menil. I could probably talk him into acting as a guide for me.
And, now that I have such a nice camera, think of all the opportunities to explore and take pictures.
Advice from your Uncle Jim:
"Forewarned, forearmed; being prepared is half the victory."
--Miguel de Cervantes
One week every year I take a week where I just go to the movies and veg out. Right now I’m on a beach holiday but this isn’t the norm for me. Staycations are pretty cool. One year I just did the local historic sites. Living in Philly there’s tons of that stuff but also living here I hadn’t done it since I was like 12. Have fun in Backyardistan 🙂
Comment by Jenn — 8/12/2008 @ 4:51 pm
Now that’s what I’m talking about! Er… I mean getting out with your camera around the city. I have seen so many wonderful things that I would never have gone to or visited because I wanted to go take pictures. There is SO much to see and do in Houston if you are start looking.
I’ll stop now because I’m not exactly objective but I look forward to reading about some of your adventures.
Comment by laanba — 8/12/2008 @ 9:28 pm
Well, I had lunch with a friend of mine who used to curate at the Menil Friday and he said he’d be more than happy to hit a couple of the museums with me. His specialty is contemporary and he’s an active, professional artist and is obsessed with art. We tend to like the same kind of thing, too. The surrealists are a favorite of both of ours, especially Max Ernst. In fact, I have some limited edition prints by a guy who studied with Max Ernst before WWII.
Anyway, going to a museum with him would be like getting a fun art history lesson. So, in another month or two, I’m going to take a couple days off and do that with him. Pictures will be taken, Laurie! 😉
Comment by the Network Geek — 8/23/2008 @ 8:19 am