Sunset at the cottage. Photo taken on my iPhone.

Spent the weekend at the cottage with Jeff. It was the first time in years (possibly seven years...we were trying to remember) that the two of us have had time alone up at the cottage together. We spent the weekend reading, napping, and swimming.

I read TWO ENTIRE BOOKS on Saturday (SCARS by Cheryl Rainfield and WONDROUS STRANGE by Lesley Livingston), sitting on the dock in the sunshine, with a breeze coming off the lake. Both books were very good.

Played a game of Race For The Galaxy as well as Smallworld with Jeff, the latter game on the iPad. One of my goals for Race For The Galaxy is to be able to play this game at BGG.con without being quite as lost as I was last year.

PERFECT weather. Jeff and I had both braced ourselves for a sweltering weekend, but the temperature eased off the recent hot spell. I even needed an extra layer in the evening (!).

Wonderful, wonderful weekend. Which is good, since the coming week is going to be incredibly busy as I get ready for the SCBWI conference out in L.A.

 

I so identify with a blog post by Marco Lament (Tumblr and Instapaper developer), who writes about how some people love being completely offline and unreachable, taking a vacation from their computers and cell reception.

To most people, the computer is an annoying tool that they reluctantly use because their job requires it, and mobile phones are a way for their boss to reach them wherever they are, creating an expectation of constant availability for “working”.

I’ve never viewed my connected technology this way. Yes, computers and phones are a way for me to be connected to my work. But they’re also my play, my hobby, my leisure, my education, my exposure to society, and my enlightenment. I like this connection.

I don't talk much on the cell phone, but I use my iPhone for so many creative projects as well as reading e-books.

Most people imagine their personal paradises as something like sipping drinks on a beach and doing nothing. To me, that would be hell. I’d rot into boredom and depression from mental atrophy.

Heh. I've never been a beach person, either.

I'd rather be creating something or challenging myself somehow than be a passive observer. I'd much rather be curled up reading a good book than watch a tv show or movie.

What about the rest of you? Do you see your computer as a burden?