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When I started at my current job, I swore I'd never do homework. I was never going to be one of those office slaves who took home mountains of paperwork to finish up at home.
I had to swear to it early, because the company I work for is blessed with
a sweatshop culture, where college
graduates are recruited primarily because they have no lives to
interfere with their ability to work 15-hour
days. Those unfortunate enough to have families, children, or even pets
were the ones taking home the extra work, as if editing copy while their
children ate microwaved baby food somehow qualified as quality time.
"I've got my priorities straight," I thought to myself with satisfaction.
After all, I'm married, and which is more important, a lifelong partnership
or an employment situation that is good for a few years, tops?
Then, right around Christmas, I
was faced with impending copy deadlines just as I was leaving with my family for a week of
vacation in Colorado. "Well, I can edit these on the
plane," I reasoned. I even checked out a company laptop so I could direct
things via e-mail while I was out.
I'll admit it: This was not the first time I'd broken my solemn vow.
Once, I even came in on a Saturday to do a few
hours of work. I have finished up a few paperwork details at home, now and
then. But on December 23rd, as I was logging in to the system to check
e-mail about yet another emergency that had arisen in my absence, I thought
to myself, "What the hell am I doing? I'm here with my family, whom I only
get to see once a year. There's catching up to do, Christmas shopping to be
done, cookies to be baked, presents to wrap. And here I am checking e-mail?
This is MY VACATION."
I checked my e-mail. I even sent a few responses. The copy got edited,
the fires were put out. And then I closed my laptop and stuffed it — and its
associated tangle of cords — into its case, which was then zipped for the
remainder of the trip.
Here's hoping you can do the same on your next vacation.
Wendy Cholbi is a writer who lives with her husband, a philosopher, in Charlottesville, Virginia. Do not attempt to e-mail her while she's on vacation.
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