And why isn’t it a normal Monday? Well its my last day of work this week. So in some ways it’s a Friday. Yep, cut my work week in half because I had some vacation to take before being lost in the wind. I did that a few times and I’ve never stopped kicking myself in the ass for it. No more though. Every minute is MINE.

Funny thought that I don’t associate vacation and this time of year. When I think vacation I think of the scene to my left. Yep – sun – sand – surf. I’ve never been one of these that head to the mountains and snow for the ski season.

I don’t like cold. I don’t like heights. I don’t like slapping two long sticks to my feet and going down a steep hill out of control. I don’t have a broken bone so far and I’m in no hurry to check that one-off of the things medically wrong with me.

Being that it’s too cool for the beach chair and the only thing the umbrella would be good for is keeping the cold rain off me, I guess I’ll find something else to do. Oh yeah, Christmas shopping might be a good start.

But before I can revel in the thoughts of having some time in my day to use as I see, I must get to the job and help put out tomorrows news in print and online. I can still say there is never a dull moment in this business. Even the slowest of days can seem out of control.

It’s evolved over the years as have I. And by that I mean I started off in a weekly newspaper business. Yeah we had more than a dozen and they didn’t all publish on the same days but I thought that was hectic.

Then our weekly chain expanded and we added other products and multiple monthly local phone directories. And coupled with a boom of huge papers and profits, I thought it couldn’t get any busier.

Then I took a step back but became busier because two good friends and I started our own weekly paper. Another level of busy all together being a small business owner.

Then it was off to a daily newspaper and I learned about consistency and strength and staying power. I’ve worked more hours per week at the daily than any other type.

And now we are not only a daily paper but an online news organization. Those operate 24/7/365. My department is open 365. We work 365. Our department is open 24 hours a day.

You know what. I enjoy it and probably have become addicted to it. The unstructured chaos and change and instantaneous nature of the business is like a shot.

The area I work in is like the emergency room nursing unit if I were to use an analogy. We track the patient all the time. Which means you can’t take your eyes and ears off the monitors and patient.

And that patient is the IT systems. A very visible and important cog in the wheel here. So it comes with its share of pressure but I guess I’ve always been lucky in dealing with that aspect.

So today should be a piece of cake. Because there is light at the end of the tunnel.

---

Random Thoughts of the Day

There is little quality control on the production of Xmas string lights.

We are seeing a good example of what people will sell their souls for.

I like that my children look forward to seeing our home decorated for the holidays. I hope it reminds them of good days in their youth.

I always feel like a million $$ after a haircut. Even though I walk out of the barber with a dollar or two in my pocket.

Someone took something of mine without asking. That is not a good way to end a day.