A Vacation "Getaway"?

I just read a 2005 statistic that stated 13% of American employees check their business email while on vacation.

First of all, that statistic is seven years old, so, the percentage has obviously gone up.

Secondly, it doesn't take into consideration personal email or the constant communication of Facebook, Twitter, and the like.

Not that those things are bad, but isn't the purpose of a vacation to get away from our job, our work, our routine?  Does the 21st century job dictate that we constantly stay "on the job"?  Do the folks back at the office not acknowledge or respect our time away?  Or can we not disconnect ourselves?

I contend that disconnection is necessary to actually perform better on the job.  I liken it to Sudoku.  When I'm deep in thought, working a difficult puzzle and get stuck, I find that if I leave it for a day or two, the solution pops out at me when I return to it.

A vacation serves to relax the body, refresh the mind, renew our outlook.  Our jobs, family, relationships, and the activities that flow from them can only benefit from this respite.

Hail, No!

It hailed here today.  It's hailed about five significant times since we've lived here.  I think everyone in the neighborhood has a new roof now.

What made today's storm different was that our neighbor's palm tree was struck by lightning.  We saw a bright flash in our house, then before we could brace ourselves for the Crack! of thunder, we heard what sounded like a cannon go off.

Palm tree pieces were all over our backyard and all the hairy parts underneath the tree bark were exposed the full length of the tree.

Good thing we had just turned all the computers off or I wouldn't be typing this right now.