Just before going on vacation I decided to write something light for Métro. I thought about the annual media requests for quotes about vacations from an “expert.” I am not aware of any profound research in the area (although there probably is) and of course there are no graduate courses on the topic. Nevertheless, an expert needs to be quoted so they call the Douglas Institute.
Ironically, after submitting the column, CBC-Radio One in Montreal called me and I appeared on their afternoon show on July 28th. The topic? “How are people handling the stress of all this bad weather during this year’s vacation period?” The hostess and I both agreed they should get a life!
In the column, I referred to an incident where the canoe I was in flipped over after my son tried to get in. If it had been videotaped, I would have made a mint.
Things I learned on my summer vacations
(Source: Journal Métro, Vacances: l’avis d’un expert, July 29, 2008)Every year at about this time I get media requests for an interview on the topic of summer vacations. Are they important? Are they good for us? It’s a light story and I have no better answers than the reporters do. Still, they need to hear it from an “expert. So, in the spirit of pretending I know more than other people, here is my humble and non-expert analysis of summer vacations:
Vacations represent a break from routine
Instead of getting up in a mad rush to catch a bus or to sit in traffic, we get to enjoy the relaxing pace of three-hour border crossings.Instead of lunch at our desks or a quick bite at a fast-food joint, we get to try new dining experiences. “Look, Daddy, they have a McDonald’s here too!”Instead of trying to work hard to achieve a consensus on a difficult project with colleagues, we have the freedom to do as we wish…providing that we can achieve a consensus within the family; “What do you mean, you’d rather be with your friends?”
Vacations provide dedicated family time
“OK, Tommy, now be careful getting into the canoe. No, don’t try to climb over the side! Tommy, NOT BY THE SIDE! No, Tommy, DON’T!!…
…OK…you guys flip the canoe back over while I go change my wet clothes.”“Listen, kids, don’t bother asking if we’re there yet. It is a long drive. We just had breakfast and we won’t be there until it is lunchtime. OK?”
“OK, Daddy. (3 second pause) Daddy? When is it gonna be lunchtime?”“Daddy, are you sure you know what you’re doing? I don’t think the Swiss army knife from your keychain is a good tool for cleaning fish.”
Vacations: some lessons learned
- Roller coasters were not invented for people my age…nor my size.
- Time slows down when you are relaxing but the days still fly by.
- Painting a bathroom doesn’t count as vacation time.
- The smell of a campfire is like a time machine, it transports you back to all your past marshmallow roasts.
- Spending money on memories is worth more than spending it on things.
- The return to work or school is never as bad as you expect.Finally, vacations give us a brief time to be kids again, when we can do what we want to instead of what we have to. With that in mind, I’m off to create a few more lasting memories…right after I paint the bathroom. See you in September.
Tagged as vacations.
Posted in Life, Random thoughts.
Posted on 17 Aug 2008
