Tuesday
Feb192008
Is it vacation already?
Tuesday, February 19, 2008 at 6:09AM
Many of us in the IT field find it very difficult to actually "go away" on vacation. Whether we're connected by beepers, EDGE/EVDO wireless cards, PDAs or any other type of neural connection to the mainframe, we're always at the beck and call of the computers -- I mean users. It's the time of year again when I take my annual trip to Florida. This year it's to see the grandparents (who no longer travel) and to visit the Florida Keys. I always enjoy traveling to the warm weather this time of year even if it was 66°F yesterday in Philadelphia.
The only downside is a lack of connectivity to the outside world. I know what most of you will tell me, "Disconnect, unplug, turn it off!" Well, that's easier said than done. Being in a global company without a very large global IT staff means that I'm on call almost all the time. Whether they call about a line down, a network break in or a simple "this system isn't running properly", I'm on call. Work wouldn't say that I was on call as I won't have the pager that week (note: I don't carry a beeper, I forward it to my cell phone) but I will be. I'll have with me my Blackberry 8820 (which I can't go anywhere without), my HP/Compaq 2510p laptop and a wireless EDGE aircard from AT&T. This should be enough to keep me connected, especially if I find a wifi signal near where I'll be staying. In between swimming with the dolphins, going snorkling on the reef and tanning/studying on the beach, I'll check up online and see where everything is at. A quick VPN login and browse of the systems will make me feel much better... And I know my girlfriend will love for me to do it as well.
I ask you -- How do you disconnect? Do you cut it out cold turkey on vacation? Do you sneak-a-peek at your email, check up on work or throw a couple Tweets out while lounging on the beach? I know I'll try to stay off line but it never seems to work for me.
The only downside is a lack of connectivity to the outside world. I know what most of you will tell me, "Disconnect, unplug, turn it off!" Well, that's easier said than done. Being in a global company without a very large global IT staff means that I'm on call almost all the time. Whether they call about a line down, a network break in or a simple "this system isn't running properly", I'm on call. Work wouldn't say that I was on call as I won't have the pager that week (note: I don't carry a beeper, I forward it to my cell phone) but I will be. I'll have with me my Blackberry 8820 (which I can't go anywhere without), my HP/Compaq 2510p laptop and a wireless EDGE aircard from AT&T. This should be enough to keep me connected, especially if I find a wifi signal near where I'll be staying. In between swimming with the dolphins, going snorkling on the reef and tanning/studying on the beach, I'll check up online and see where everything is at. A quick VPN login and browse of the systems will make me feel much better... And I know my girlfriend will love for me to do it as well.
I ask you -- How do you disconnect? Do you cut it out cold turkey on vacation? Do you sneak-a-peek at your email, check up on work or throw a couple Tweets out while lounging on the beach? I know I'll try to stay off line but it never seems to work for me.
Reader Comments (2)
I have officially added you on Twitter and will definitely be looking forward to hearing from you.
As for a reply to your post, I know exactly how you feel. I currently work third shift at the job I have now and its usually difficult to get people to cover for me so taking days off is quite rare. Hopefully you will be able to enjoy the time away, try not to get to stressed out man. Feel free to contact me by email at pjtd910@comcast.net. Take care.
I have officially added you on Twitter and will definitely be looking forward to hearing from you.
As for a reply to your post, I know exactly how you feel. I currently work third shift at the job I have now and its usually difficult to get people to cover for me so taking days off is quite rare. Hopefully you will be able to enjoy the time away, try not to get to stressed out man. Feel free to contact me by email at pjtd910@comcast.net. Take care.