All Work and No Play...

Greetings:

OK, can you take those 5 words and conjure up any memory at all of Jack Nicholson's character sitting behind his typewriter, seemingly working hard on his next book in various scenes in "The Shining???"  Well, the day after the 4th of July that it is, I'll try to keep this short in explaining how I was about to go CRAZY!!! with All Work and No Play and how 5 days will soon change that.

So, follow along with me as I convey to you my recent stretch of time, when, you know, I am supposed to be OFF!!!  It's Summer and School's OUT, right???

1:  Friday, June 21...  Hook up at work with my Partner at shortly after 7:00am and drive for 9 hours, some 581 miles, to Lubbock, Texas for a work related Conference.  (It should be noted here that we arrived at our Hotel at 4:30pm, very tired, and just wanting to go to our rooms to relax a bit and were told that our room were not ready, that it would be another couple of hours or so before we could have access to them!!!)

Keep this Image in mind for the Payoff at the End...

2:  Saturday, June 22...  Yes, up early on a Saturday morning for a Training Class (Technology in Transportation) that started at 8:00am and will last until 4:00pm.  Followed by a night of Banquet time.

3:  Sunday, June 23...  Up early again on a Sunday morning for a Training Class (Advanced Student Management) that started at 8:00am and will last until 4:00pm.  Followed by a Vendor Trade Show.

4:  Monday, June 24...  Up early again for "Opening Ceremonies" and followed by successive 45 minute mini Training Classes until 3:30pm.  Followed by another night of Banquet time.

5:  Tuesday, June 25...  Up early again for a day of 45 minute mini Training Classes from 8:00am until 3:30pm.

6:  Wednesday, June 26...  Up early again for "Closing Ceremonies" and followed by that dreaded 9 hour, 581 mile, drive back home.  

7:  Thursday, June 27...  Up early again for a 200 mile drive to Austin, Texas to have a quick visit with my oldest Son, Justin, his wife Courtney, and their "Little Man," George, in from NYC for a few days.  After lunch and later bowling, 200 more miles back to the house, arriving at 11:00pm.

This was George's 1st ever "Roll of a Bowling Ball."  Worth every second!!!

8:  Friday, June 28...  Off to another Training Class.  A "Train the Trainer" Course that would be (I would find out) very intense.  Lasted until 6:30pm.

9:  Saturday, June 29...  Up early for Day 2 of "Train the Trainer."  From 7:00am until 6:30pm, most of which was spent outdoors.  Did I mention that it was like 104 degrees out???

10:  Sunday, June 30...  Up early for Day 3 of "Train the Trainer."  Again, from 7:00am until 6:30pm.  And yes, mostly outdoors again.

11:  Monday, July 1...  Up early yet again for Day 4 of "Train the Trainer."  From 7:00am until 2:30pm.  Evaluations and Testing on this final day.

12:  Thursday, July 4...  OK, after a couple of days to FINALLY chillax and take it easy, a night of Managing 21 of our School Buses, taking approximately 2,500 citizens To and From the local Fireworks Celebration and Display.  From 4:00pm until 11:00pm.

Done!!!  That's It!!!  Over!!!  Eeeeasy Big Fella!!!  Relax!!!  OK, I Will!!!  So:

The "PLAY" Payoff...  The San Luis

And the Payoff is...  All of 5 Days in Galveston coming up on July 21.  OK, wait a minute!!!  Hold it a second!!!  Galveston???  I'm kidding, right???  NO!!!  Yes, Galveston!!!  Only 25 minutes from home, which means two days will NOT be spent on traveling.  And, we will be staying at The San Luis Resort.  STOKED doesn't even begin to explain my excitement...

OK...  Remember that Image from above???  From that to this...  What I'm talking about!!!

Yes, I'm Smiling!!!

So, the Moral of the Story is...  You work hard, don't you get to Play Hard???  I think so.  My Woman and I will be chillaxing for 5 Days here and I can't wait.

Takin' it "To the House"

Music:  I was "introduced" to a new Band, if you will, this week by a fellow Blogger Friend.  I gave him a listen and was blown away.  So, I would like to showcase him here.  Singing and Playing the Blues!!!  Gotta love that...  I hope you'll check him out and give Billy D & The Hoodoos a listen.  This, from his latest album, Somethin's Wrong, 50...  And hey, you gotta love Dude's Hat!!!  Enjoy...  (source) 

       
Market Watch:  Dips and surges and Ho-Hums this week, albeit a short week with a Holiday yesterday.  The Dow closed on Wednesday at 14,988, while Facebook closed Wednesday at 24.52.    

The End:  Another one "In the Books."  Thanks for dropping by.  Have a great weekend and I hope to see you back on Tuesday.  Til then...

Be safe, be smart, and always Smile...   It's "Happy Friday"

adios...  vaya con dios