I got it, but...

After careful negotiation, cajoling, talking with everyone, maneuvering and postering, I got my Xmas vacation.

As good as I feel about being able to come home and celebrate the holiday in California with family and friends, I don't feel very good about how this was done.

In fact, I'm sick to my stomach about it.

Those who know me well know that I don't play politics. I know the tricks and how to get the advantage, but I find the entire practice distasteful and dishonest. And I played it to the hilt to get one week away from the newsroom, one that allows others to take their time away with only a notice and a smile.

I've received a lot of mixed messages from all involved as to how much or how little I had a chance to get this time. I thank the SE and the EE (Entertainment Editor) for their help and diligent work in the meeting -- one I was told not to attend -- that got me the time off. They both told me that it took a while to get it, it felt like a root canal procedure to them and that one slip and a frustrated ME would have ended it with a "Well, Rob's just gonna have to work."

No one, and I mean no one, should have to go through this to get vacation time, whenever it is asked for. I could have been an absolute asshole and pressed for the entire two weeks I asked for. However, politically, that would have doomed me. I knew that from the start. So, I compromised and placated to get one week. In return, I'll have to work all of the shifts surrounding Thanksgiving (OK...) and the NYE/NYD evening shifts (so much for revealry and football).

Wow, I feel better. I get one frantic week, where a full four days will be travel in a car (my choice) and just enough time for the holiday, a day or two to see friends and then back into the car and off to Oregon and then home. If that's not a vacation, then... well, it isn't. Frantic is the key word, not relaxing or pleasant or pleasing or theraputic or...

There may come a time when I have my family expanded (i.e. kids!) and the chance to come back to California for the holiday will be harder and harder to do. If this is what I get to look forward to every two years, then I have some thinking to do. Serious thinking.

I love my job here and where I live. I've been able to accomplish just about every life goal I've set out to achieve and there is time to do more. But no one should have to negotiate their way to a holiday vacation because the company you work for won't hire someone to replace a key person on your staff. It isn't my fault that we're one desk person short, but I really feel like I'm the one who asked for the moon and the stars when, in reality, I asked for a patch of sand to rest my head.

I also believe that the head editors will find a way to keep us paginators/copy editors/hybrids from taking holiday vacations. But we'll see...

For now, I am happy. I get to go for the holiday. And I'll take comfort in that and will try to forget all of this.

Maybe...

* * *

Kris and I got a new toy... a digital camera that takes movies, too. Very cool.

A few shots:

My wife, Kris.

Me, while watching football last Sunday,

I still have a trip to Mt. St. Helens on my to-do list and I may do it very soon. Yes, I'll have pictures.

* * *

Is anyone else glad that the debates are over with? I am. The last one left me so unimpressed with both that I may have to just flip a coin to choose. My bullshit meter went off the charts throughout and I felt like I heard the same things from the first two debates. Oh, and can Morley Schaffer lob any more softball questions to them? It felt like a rec beer softball league up there...

And no, you won't know who I voted for when my absentee ballot shows up. I'd like a little bit to myself and politics is one of them.

Oh yeah... Go Boston and go St. Louis/Houston. Just no Yankees... ugh...

(c) R. Burns