WARNING. This isn’t really an informative blog. Then again, it might really inform you about who I am and what makes me tick! So if you’re ready to take a short break from your websurfing, read on. Otherwise check back tomorrow.
I was the last one out of the office on Friday which is pretty much the norm. In fact, if truth be told, I’m usually the first one in too. I often arrive before 7:00 a.m. and most days don’t leave until after 6:00 p.m. Friday as two of our staff, Karen and Meg were leaving for their pre-planned fantastic sounding weekends, each made sure they admonished me not to come into work over the three day holiday. I laughed and told them I was planning to work some on Saturday and that I’d most definitely be here Monday because…because? I couldn’t find a reason. True we were going to be running a Labor Day Special but that we had geared for online registrations. It didn’t need anyone in the office. It certainly didn’t need me.
As I drove home Friday night what is normally a short 10 minute drive turned into more than 40 minutes because of unusual traffic. You might have heard that San Francisco closed one of its bridges for repairs. The rerouting of commute traffic plus people getting away for the holiday weekend put our little surface streets at a standstill. The wait gave me plenty of time to think. I realized that I was becoming pretty much of a workaholic. Granted, I love my job. In fact I am really passionate about what our company does and it’s very easy to get me to expound on every aspect of it with just one short question. But I had to ask myself if in moving from one hectic business trip, to meetings, to “problem” solving from season to season without any respite is keeping things fresh. Am I as filled with new inspiration for new programs and the tweaking of old ones as I once was? Or am I just doing “same old, same old”? The answer was clear. “Take the weekend off. Take all three days off and recoup and regroup.”
I didn’t really have a plan of action by the time I got home but I knew I’d have to have one or I’d end up back at the office. I started by announcing to my husband that we were going to call some old friends we hadn’t seen for awhile and invite them to join us for dinner. Sure enough they were available. We met at a local “happening” restaurant and in our quiet corner we were able to catch up, learn what their daughter is doing in her musical theater career, and hear about their upcoming trip to Barcelona and New York. Instead of collapsing into bed at 11:00 p.m. after a long work week we returned hope invigorated and excited and eager for the next three days. And so the weekend went. One impromptu event after another. Each one wonderful its own unique way.
Yesterday was truly the caper. After performing all of the necessary dog duties to leave our dear Rags for the day, we drove down to Santa Cruz, California. It’s an interesting beach town; home to UC, Santa Cruz and a more than 100 year old newly renovated Boardwalk. The sandy beach off the 
boardwalk plays host to swimmers, picnickers, surfers and volleyball players. The boardwalk has rides of every size, funhouses, games, and food of every variety you can think of. We hadn’t been there in so many years I’ve lost count. We arrived early enough to have breakfast at the end of the long pier and then stroll along the wharf to talk to the families fishing along its side rails and hear the excited squeals of children catching their first fish. From there we walked along the boardwalk resisting as much as we could the temptation of the carnival-style food booths. The aroma of corn dogs and funnel cakes and kettle corn was everywhere.
From Santa Cruz we drove north on Highway 1 along the beautiful California coast soaking in its beauty. We stopped at a lighthouse and laughed as we passed through the town of Davenport before we could even comment on it. We passed by one picture perfect beach cove after another. We ventured into Half Moon Bay stopping at the beach park and suddenly deciding we were starved. We found a taqueria with the best tacos I’ve ever tasted. No wonder the line of people never stopped. After our mid-afternoon snack we continued up the Cabrillo Highway until it joined 101 and funneled us onto the Golden Gate Bridge with its panorama of one of the most gorgeous cities in the world. It was a great reminder of how grateful we are to live in this wonderful place.
The weekend was as refreshing as a cold drink on a hot afternoon. It was completely replenishing. It wasn’t that I didn’t think about business during the weekend. I did. It just wasn’t about a to do list. It was about innovative exciting things. It was about keeping things fresh. So, thank you Karen and Meg for nudging me out of my rut.
