Summer... I need a vacation

Tomorrow's the official beginning of summer. The longest day. However the opportunity for me to experience the rest and renewal of a vacation seems a LONG, LONG, way away.

Why?

Economics: Our household of WA State civil servants has been without cost of living increases for 4 years. Come July 1st we'll be mandated to take furlough days in addition to an extra 3% reduction in pay. The price of play is getting farther and farther away from us.

School: Classes may be out for students, put the work goes on for teachers (My wife's a teacher). As the kids hit the beach she'll still be pulling all nighters over grade books and reports. Hard work and dedication don't afford for much care-free fun any time soon.

College bound: We pleased that our oldest has graduated from High School and is heading off to college in the fall. But thanks to the economy WA State has been unable to fund our state's higher education system. Forcing them to risk letting WA State colleges raise tuition over the next 2 years as high is necessary in order to survive. I'm glad the higher institutions of learning will be there... I only hope that we can afford to send our son to college this fall.

So this isn't the best recipe for a care free vacation send off. But boy do we need a week off from this reality!

Good news? The forecast is for sun and temps in the 70's tomorrow!

50x50 in 2011!

Date Venue Mode

1. 1/1 S V
   
2. 1/2 B V
3. 1/16 S H
4. 1/17 S V
5. 1/23 S V
6. 1/30 S H
7. 2/6 S H
8. 2/13 S V
9. 2/14 B V
10. 2/20 S FTE
11. 2/27 S V!
12. 3/6 S H
13. 3/13 S H
14. 3/20 S H
15. 3/26 S H
16. 4/3 S V
17. 4/4 B V!!
18. 4/9 S V
19. 4/17 B H
20. 4/24 S V
21. 5/1 S H
22. 5/7 S V
23. 5/8 S H
24. 5/15 S H
25. 5/22 S V
26. 5/28 B V
27. 5/29 S V
28. 6/2 B H
29. 6/5 S H
30. 6/19 S H
31. 6/27 S V
32. 6/28 S V
33. 6/30 S V
34. 7/7 S H
35. 7/9 S V
36. 7/10 S H
37. 7/12 S V
38. 7/17 S V
39. 7/19 S V
    
40. 7/21 B V
    
41. 8/1 B V
42. 8/3 s v
43. 8/8 s v
44. 8/12 s-fte, 8/13 take 2, S V
45. 8/14 S V
46. 8/16 S H FTE but endorphins!
47. 8/17 S H
48. 8/19 S V
49. 8/23 S V
50. 8/24 S V
51. 8/25 S V
52. 8/27 S V
53. 8/29 S V
    
    
    
    
    
    

livingSocial deals

http://escapes.livingsocial.com/deals/8740-topanga-canyon-calm

Escape Kit

• A Three-Day, Two-Night Stay for Two on the First ($190) or Second ($250) Floor of the Casa Blanca House
• Or, a Three-Day, Two-Night Stay for Two on the First Floor ($210) or Tracy and Hepburn Room ($150) of the Casa Rosa House
• Breakfast for Each Guest
• One Bottle of Champagne

Every Hollywood star needs to Escape her public every once in a while, and you, my dear, are no exception. Take to the hills with a three-day, two-night stay at the Topanga Canyon Inn B&B -- in your choice of the first ($190) or second ($250) floor of the Casa Blanca House; or the first floor ($210) or Tracy and Hepburn Room ($150) of the Casa Rosa House -- complete with breakfast, a bottle of champagne, and a fantastic respite from the chaos of city living.

Nestled in the Santa Monica Mountains, the Inn offers a brilliant view of verdant valleys and blue Southern California skies. Owners

End of 2007

Sunny and cold. Appropriate contrasts for a full year that's been.

Off from work today, yet tracking down one last partnership contract before the old year ends.

Two-steps forward, one-step back.

This seems to be the pace of progress experienced lately.

Looking FORWARD to 2008!