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Reflections on a Summer Past

Yeah, yeah, yeah – summer doesn’t technically end until September 21st. But Labor Day is the unofficial end of summer and we all know it. The college students have returned and the streets are littered with furniture until the next garbage pick up, students begin public school this week, and there are no more “summer” holidays to look forward to.

But it was a good summer overall. And I ended it on a good note, too. The weekend started off by eating Thai food and playing cards with friends. Saturday began with a day at Horseneck Beach and an evening at Water Fire in Providence. Water Fire is quite lovely. The city of Providence has a river running through it (more in line with Paris’ Siene than with Boston’s Charles) and the city lights fires along the center of the river throughout the city. There is classical and/or new age music playing in the back ground and it really is a site to see.

On Sunday, we went kayaking (my second time…I still don’t get the enjoyment of it) and then had a barbecue that evening.

Finally, the weekend (and summer season) ended on Monday when we visited our friends Scott and Deano up in the burbs for dinner and more games (Baggo and Scrabble). Scott and Randy kicked our butts at Baggo and I barely squeaked out a win at Scrabble. Poor Deano…we just won’t go there. At least he prepared a fabulous meal. hehe

And that ended my summer. Looking back, I did a decent bit of travel: London, Prague, Paris (technically late spring, but it started on Memorial Day…the unofficial “beginning” of summer), Provincetown, San Francisco/Mendocino, and enjoyed local beaches (Herring Cove, Crane, Horseneck) and countless barbecues, game nights, and good times with friends.

But I’m equally looking forward to autumn: moving in with Randy, cooler comfy nights, cozy nights snuggling on the sofa, and playing games with friends. Plus, hopefully, the occasional weekend getaway or trip – I’ve got 27 unused vacation days demanding my attention!

3 Comments

  1. Comment by Lise on September 4, 2007 4:07 pm

    1) do you EVER stay home, much less stay home and not socialize? 😉
    2) “Looking back, I did a decent bit of travel: London, Prague, Paris (technically late spring, but it started on Memorial Day…the unofficial “beginning” of summer), Provincetown, San Francisco/Mendocino, and enjoyed local beaches (Herring Cove, Crane, Horseneck)” A DECENT BIT???? jesus, i’d hate to see what your version of a lot of traveling is!
    3) “Plus, hopefully, the occasional weekend getaway or trip – I’ve got 27 unused vacation days demanding my attention!” how the hell do you still have that many days? fuzzy math? or did you never take a day’s vacation for years? something’s funny there!

    not that i’m jealous or anything…

  2. Comment by snarl on September 4, 2007 4:14 pm

    First off – Labor Day Weekend photos can be seen in “Karl’s Photo Gallery”…link is on the bottom right.

    As for vacation time, I have been accumlating them gradually over the years. During my first few years here I would save 5 days per year so I could bank them for a rainy day. That gave me a base of between 15-20 days that I’d carry forward each year. And now I earn 20 vacation days/year, plus 3 personal days. PLUS, I tend to take my vacation’s during week’s when there is a holiday (so if I do that 5 times in one year, that gives me 5 days to use: one more week of vacation!).

    So far this year I’ve taken vacations during Christmas recess, President’s Day, Memorial Day and Independence Day.

    I’m not only cheap with money…I’m cheap with my time!

  3. Comment by Dave Daniels on September 4, 2007 6:46 pm

    Geez, are you folks hiring? We get 4 (FOUR!!!!!!) sick days a year, and barely 2 weeks vacation. And I’m management? I’m in the wrong industry.
    Hire me, I take good dick-tation.

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