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My Thirteen-Day Dilemma
February 16th, 2009 | Stephen Bailey
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Thanks to a strict (and somewhat loony) policy at my publisher, I am forced to take the rest of my vacation days by March 31 or I loose them. How bad can that be? Well, you try to come up with thirteen days worth of things to do with less than six weeks to plan them. It's driving me a little bonkers, I won't lie to you.
Last week, we three trippers hit the NY Times Travel Show at the Javitz Center in NYC to find inspiration for future excursions. I thought maybe I can find some things to do with these thirteen days. But most of what we found the most interesting were adventure trips to distant destinations. The close, more domestic trips still required too much lead time. For example, Holland America has this great cruise from NYC to Canada, but the next available reservations are for late May/Early June.
While I'd love to go thru the mass of information from the mass of smiling tourism boards, I have a more immediate wanderlust to take care of.
My first day off is today actually. So I guess that means this should have been called twelve days and counting. And for those of you thinking, hey wait but today was a holiday. Not in the eyes of my publisher. Anyway, I spent the day trying to find a way to fill two weeks with as little planning and hassle as possible. I came up with what I feel are two decent options.
Week 1 (Feb 23 – 27):
Rediscovering NYC. Yes … doing all those touristy things I — like so many natives — have written off as a waste of time. The top of the Empire State Building. Circle Line cruise around Manhattan. Ellis Island. The Statue of Liberty. Maybe even a stop back in Jersey at the Liberty Science Center.
Why?
I've always taken New York City for granted, which is made worse by my knack for procrastinating. For years I said how much I'd like to eat dinner at Windows on the World atop the North Tower of the World Trade Center. We all know why I can't do that now. Plus, I'd really like to get excited about this city again. That feeling of wonder like a kid on a school trip to some museum or zoo or whatever.
Week 2 (Mar 23 – 27):
Writer's Retreat. Just me on a beach somewhere with my thoughts and words. Alone. It's something I've always wanted to do but never got around to it.
Why?
I've been feeling more and more anxious lately. Too many words in my head and the funnel to my keyboard is getting clogged. If nothing else,. the time spent in isolation, away from the hustle and bustle, away from the headaches, will do me good. Even if my productivity doesn't improve. Although, I think by default it will.
Any Suggestions?
Yeah, yeah. I've been here all my life and should know better, but some of you may know a couple of cool daytrips in NYC that could slip my mind. My mind slips a lot lately. Plus, if anyone has the time to join me, I'm open for that too.
Oh, and any suggestions about a beach? I'm thinking Key West because I've always wanted to go, but maybe there are other quiet beaches fit for a proper retreat.
Add your comments below.
Related Topics: beach, nyc, retreat, travel, vacation
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Stephen Bailey | 2 Comments »
My Thirteen-Day Dilemma
(via Facebook, MySpace, Digg, email and more)
February 17th, 2009 at 5:27 pm
How about heading to Austin during SXSW.
Austin has amazing things to offer, and there are so many people to meet and so many things to do during sxsw, even if you aren't registered.
February 17th, 2009 at 5:52 pm
Thanks Carla. I actually thought about that. Unfortunately, due to scheduling, I won't be able to get there in time for SXSW.