what do people do on vacation?

[JunkyII]

Vacation(We call it leave) translates to Family time for me.....first Christmas home in 3 years going to be fun

[Meatwad]

what's a vacation?  

Never heard of one either

[Widewing]

I haven't had a real vacation since 2003.

In 2007, the corporation paid me out for 15 weeks of vacation time. In 2010, they paid out 11 weeks. I earn 5 weeks per year, plus 2 weeks personal time and up to 4 weeks sick.

I take long weekends, and individual days to burn off time. With the end of the year closing in fast, I still have over 200 hours on the books. To reduce that, I'm taking two days a week off for the balance of the year.

Why don't I take vacation? Simple... I'm lead Engineer on several weapons programs. If I'm not there, chaos rules. All the patents are mine, and no one but me has designed even a single system component since 1997.

As a result, if I get hit by a bus, the company is in very big trouble. Thus, I have raised hell the Aerospace Division VP, who went to the CEO, who called me and promised me two experienced Engineers to mentor. One (recruited from Northrop Grumman) started this past May. He's learning the technology, but has a long, long way to go. The 2nd Engineer starts December 1. Maybe, next summer, I'll get to take of a week uninterrupted by panic stricken VPs and customers who won't talk to anyone but me...

[Curval]

Many people can't take vacations for a variety of reasons, lack of cash is one, being invaluable is another.

Where I had/have a problem is when the choice is made NOT to take them.

Widewing, I sure hope these people pay you what you are actually worth to that company.  It's interesting, because at one of our offices I have a girl who runs a small but lucrative part of the business.  Only she knows the various processes required to get the job done and she is invaluable.  She also covets that information.  I am about to institute a revamp of our disaster recovery plan at that office.  One thing that will be required is a policy & procedures manual for every business task performed during office hours.  I plan on getting the information I need that way.  Thus far two separate managing directors have been unable to get it all out of her.

Jeep...sorry dude, I cannot help feeling bitter.  I simply choose to keep that bitterness to myself and you guys.  I see my father almost every day and try to help him as much as possible.

[cpxxx]

Well as the saying goes the one thing you won't say as you lie on your deathbed is: 'I wish I'd spent more time in the office'. I like to remind my wife of that because she really puts in the hours. We've haven't had a proper vacation in a few years. My job as a skydive pilot gets in the way of that. Too many long weeks when the weather is good and not enough pilots to cover my absence. There were times when I had to bring the kids to the airport and leave them in the TV lounge when I flew loads. That is not ideal as you can imagine!

But we did get away to France for a week this year. Not enough time and too much driving for me. So next year we're going to get away for at least two weeks and I'm looking at somewhere in the US because amazingly my wife has never been.

I really think vacations are a must for your own sanity and your relationships and your kids. Otherwise we are just ships passing in the night.

We all need downtime.

[asterix]

I value free time more than extra money so I always take all the free days possible. I like my job, but spending more time with family, friends, hobbies, travelling etc is a lot better.

[LCADolby]

I do absolutely nothing.

[Triton28]

I do absolutely nothing.

This or whatever I want.  Same thing usually.   

[Slate]

  I'm at the point where I get 3 paid weeks a year here in the states and love every minute of Vacation. I have an RV and while it's not hard core camping it's a vacation home wherever I want to drive it. Sitting by the fire at night after stuffing oneself with Barbeque and drinking a few pints with friends smelling the crisp mountain air puts the thought of work very far away.
   Oh and my workplace suspends all appointments for my specialty while I'm gone as no others are able to do what I do where I work. 

   Headed to the Florida Keys this year, some snorkeling, fishing, and more well you know...

[Curval]

  I'm at the point where I get 3 paid weeks a year here in the states and love every minute of Vacation. I have an RV and while it's not hard core camping it's a vacation home wherever I want to drive it. Sitting by the fire at night after stuffing oneself with Barbeque and drinking a few pints with friends smelling the crisp mountain air puts the thought of work very far away.
   Oh and my workplace suspends all appointments for my specialty while I'm gone as no others are able to do what I do where I work. 

   Headed to the Florida Keys this year, some snorkeling, fishing, and more well you know...

Where in the Keys?

[RipRap]

Try to get a hole in one.

[bagrat]

Try to get a hole in one.

Putt putt golf is the devil! always leave those places a couple holes short saying "f*** this!" as I full swing launching my ball into whatever looks breakable(not the parking lot). 

[projoe]

Thats got to be the sexiest putt putt hole I've ever seen!! 

[Bodhi]

Is the hole the belly button?  LOL

[Slate]

Where in the Keys?

  Marathon up near the Turtle Hospital.