Whatever

A couple of weeks ago, I had what I thought was going to be a lovely week off work. The plan was to spend my time something like this: Wake up late, watch a bit of ‘This Morning', drink a big mug of tea, potter around a bit, nip into town, have some lunch, potter a bit more, maybe watch Quantum of Solace, and be back in time for ‘The Weakest Link.’ Times five days. I know it’s hardly the pinnacle of human evolution, but after a hard year in the office, the thought of just lazing around in my neighbourhood seemed distinctly blissful. But then my Utopia collapsed. Worked phoned. Not once, but on four out of the five working week days. I don’t blame my colleagues (OK, perhaps I do…a little), rather some infuriating PRs who couldn’t possibly wait till I returned, and who pressured my poor work mates into feeling like they needed to phone me that day to clear the matter up for them. It goes without saying that the matters requiring ‘urgent resolution’ were quite trivial, and eminently able to wait until I returned. My ire was barely containable. I feel bad about chastising at my poor colleagues who got the first cut of it. But my anger is now aimed at the rest of the world, and the people who run it who clearly do not believe holiday is sacrosanct. I've not forgotten that all these pesky PRs had seen my out of office, but still decided I should be reached. So…as I turn my thoughts to my upcoming Christmas break – where I will be away while most are still at work – instead of breaking into festive cheer, I find myself breaking into a sweat about just who will ring me. Non-work life should not be like this. Bah humbug? Maybe, but my Christmas wish this year is simply to have a lovely holiday and come back into 2009 refreshed, and ready to take on the world again. I’ll be more than happy to talk to you – but not till New Year. Oh, and I’m off from 21st December. That’s 21st December. Merry Christmas and happy holidays!