Serge the Concierge

Voting Extended for my 6 Years Blogging Love Panel at South by Southwest to Sunday, August 29

Today felt like cramming revisions before an exam as the hours kept dwindling for a chance to get more Votes for my Six Years Blogging Love Lust 7 Year Itch Panel Idea at South by Southwest Interactive 2011.

As I kept shooting one message after another, the news came in.

Voting via the South by Southwest Panel Picker will now Close at 11:59 PM (US Central Time) on Sunday, August 29, 2010 instead of today Friday.

Now I have time for more cramming.

You have time to VOTE HERE if you did not give me the Thumbs Up yet.

A short registration is needed before Voting.

Please add your comments after Voting.

Voting for my Six Years Blogging Panel at SXSW Interactive Ends Friday, August 27 at Midnight

I don't want to beat my dear readers on the head about it yet I do have a Panel Idea offered for South by Southwest Interactive 2011.

It is Titled Six Years Blogging, Lust, Love, Seven Year Itch

As part of the selection process, anyone can Vote for their Favorites through the Panel Picker.

Voting ends on Friday August 27, 2010 at Midnight (US Central Time).

What's my entry about in a nutshell:

I started writing 'Serge the Concierge'in March 2005, now in my 6th year with 3000 plus posts under my belt, I pause and wonder. I enjoy writing. Possibly because I stick to things I am passionate about. It does take discipline. Call it a second job that does not pay at least not with financial rewards. It does open doors to museums, events, food and wine tastings. I get gourmet food, wine and cookbooks in the mail. Interview interesting people. Make readers happy when then win a contest. Does it need to be more before I get the 7 year itch? "I will share the stage with a sparring partner (probably a lady) who has been at it for as long as I have but covering other topics and our 2 voices will provide for a richer canvas.

I would appreciate your Vote if you like the topic.

You can Vote and give us the Thumbs Up and Comment on It by visiting the Six Years Blogging, Love, Lust, the 7 Year Itch Page on the Panel Picker.

A short registration (name, e-mail address, password and validation) is needed prior to voting.

Thank you!

Vote for My 'Six Years Blogging, Lust, Love, Seven Year Itch' South by Southwest Panel Idea

Don't think for a minute that I turned into a dictator expecting each and everyone of you to head straight to the voting booth and crown me 'King of the South by Southwest Interactive' panels for 2011.

As part of the democratic way topics and speakers are chosen for each edition of South by Southwest, everyone can speak up and help decide through the Panel Picker what the 2011 program will look like.

Vote started on Wednesday, August 11 and is opened until Friday, August 27, 2010.

Since I ask you for your vote, I should first tell you what you're voting for.

Here is almost everything you wanted to know about Six Years Blogging, Lust, Love, Seven Year Itch and were afraid to ask.

I started writing 'Serge the Concierge'in March 2005.

Now in my 6th year with 3000 plus posts under my belt, I pause and wonder.

I enjoy writing. Possibly because I stick to things I am passionate about. It does take discipline.

Call it a second job that does not pay at least not with financial rewards. It does open doors to museums, events, food and wine tastings. I get gourmet food, wine and cookbooks in the mail. Interview interesting people. Make readers happy when then win a contest.

Does it need to be more before I get the 7 year itch? I will share the stage with a sparring partner who has been at it for as long as I have and our 2 voices will provide for a richer canvas.

How do you vote?

Visit the Six Years Blogging, Lust, Love, Seven Year Itch page on Panel Picker.

Give it the Thumbs Up, 'This Idea Rocks' in South by Southwest parlance.

Better even, add your comments.

To be able to Vote, you first need to Create an Account, with only basic details like first and last name and e-mail that then needs to be confirmed, then you're set and powerful.

Thank you in advance for your support and feedback.

If you have troubles signing up and voting, let us know.

 

No Spot for No Vacation Nation at South by Southwest, Should I take It on the Road

The news came yesterday.

My panel idea No Vacation Nation, Is Vagabonding the Answer for South by Southwest 2010 did not make the cut.

I could have campaigned harder.

Competition for a spot was intense kinda like finding a parking spot at the mall before Christmas.

So I wondered. should I take my idea on the road in 2010 and see if it's got legs?

Should I  practice what I was musing about, meeting people, putting flesh on the skeleton of this theme so to speak?

I could still stop along the way and discuss No Vacation Nation-Vagabonding along the way with local kindred spirits and curious ones.

Organizing thought sessions where you think No Vacation Nation-Vagabonding belongs and want to invite me to speak, let me know.

Yes! Magazine looked at similar topics in its Sustainable Happiness issue.

8 Ways to Avoid Burnout by Vacation Advocate Joe Robinson

Since it is Labor Day and we are all supposed to rest but I am living my contradictions as I am in the final push for Votes for (isn't it ironic) 'No Vacation Nation, Is Vagabonding the Right Medicine' at South by Southwest, I will keep this piece short by quoting wise man and vacation advocate Joe Robinson, author of Work to Live.

Here are his 8 Ways to Avoid Burnout and Why:

"Yes, there’s a lot to get done, but there’s no compelling reason to do it in a way that’s unsustainable. Find out how you can change default habits that drive overload and adjust tasks that push coping system to the limit.

• Overcome job burnout
• Escape the automatic stress cycle
• Work fewer hours, get more done
• Control runaway E-tools
• Learn how to say no
• Set boundaries between work and home
• Increase your vacation time
• Create your Personal Life List (what do you want to do on this planet?) "

Give 'No Vacation Nation' the Thumbs Up! Thanks

Voting Ends at 11PM (US Central Time) on September 7.

Happy Labor Day!

This was Monday Work Etiquette # 106

8 Hours Left to Vote for our 'No Vacation Nation' Panel at South by Southwest

I don't mean to disturb your Labor Day party if you are in the US.

Just wanted to remind you that there is still time to vote for our panel No Vacation Nation, Is Vagabonding the Right Medicine at South by Southwest.

I mean there are a full 8 hours to do so as Voting ends at 11:50 pm (US Central Time) on Monday, September 7.

Head for the Voting Page and Give Us the Thumbs Up, a short registration is required.

Do not hesitate to add your comments.

Thanks all for your support.

Continuous Cruisers, Vagabonding on Water in the UK, No Vacation Nation

Some people live on the water.

Some in a sedentary fashion, others in a vagabond style.

According to British Waterways which cares for "2,200 miles of the country's canals and rivers",  the inland waterways in the UK, some 3000 'continuous cruisers' got a license from them.

What distinguishes these 'continuous cruisers' that they have to move to a new spot every two weeks.

According to Wikipedia, "British Waterways (BW) defines a continuous cruiser as a boat which is always on the move (subject to a maximum stay of 14 days in any one location) and making "reasonable progress" (limited backtracking and reasonable journey lengths) between successive moorings. Anyone genuinely touring the network has little difficulty meeting these criteria, except when travelling conditions are poor or when canals are "stopped" (and exceptions are allowed for these circumstances). Controversially, BW "recommend" that a boater who keeps a log of their trip is less likely to have problems justifying their CC credentials ^[2]."

In a detailed and humorous way, RBOA member Peter Earley gives his take on Life as a Continuous Cruiser, from toilets to arcane rules to weather warning.

RBOA by the way stands for Residential Boat Owners Association.

Self described loner, Narrowboat Bones offers us a view of Somerton Deep Lock (picture below, from his site) on August 14.



One of these Continuous Cruisers might be a good addition to our No Vacation Nation, Is Vagabonding the Right Medicine panel at South by Southwest.

Voting on the Panels ends on September 7 so You Can Still Jump in and give us the Thumbs Up.

It would add some color and expand the discussion beyond the US borders.

Life in the slow lane...

Put 'No Vacation Nation' on Map, September 4 is Last Day to Vote for our South By Southwest Panel

Voting ends at Midnight today September 4, 2009 for Panel Ideas offered for South by Southwest 2010 in Austin.

We are proud of our baby, No Vacation Nation, Is Vagabonding the Right Medicine and would appreciate your vote if you like the theme.

If you have not voted yet head for the No Vacation Nation Page on the Panel Picker and give us the Thumbs Up.

Feel free to leave your comments after you vote.

What could be a better topic to think about as we head into the Labor Day week-end in the US?

Congressman Alan Grayson of Florida introduced The Paid Vacation Act in May 2009.

Also, Joe Robinson offered his thoughts on the value added by vacations in his book Work to Live and discussed the state of our No Vacation Nation on The Brian Lehrer Show (WNYC, August 31st).

Let's start the conversation

Thanks in advance for your Vote before Midnight (US Eastern Time) on September 4, 2009.

GoNOMAD, a Place for 'No Vacation Nation' to find Travel Inspiration

Visitors to your site can sometimes open new windows for you.

Such was the case when checking my stats today, I noticed a few hits from Bohemian Connection (think Bohemian Highway in Sonoma County).

I was intrigued by one site they listed as a trusted friend, GoNOMAD, especially with No Vacation Nation, Is Vagabonding the Right Medicine as my panel offer for South by Southwest Interactive 2010.

Amongst GoNOMAD current stories my favorites are Visiting Znojmo: A Little-Known Village in the Czech Republic, a quiet spot in Moravia overlooked by most tourists and in different flavor Chefchaouen, Morocco: A Magical Blue Dreamscape. Should I play classic Miles as the soundtrack.

My last pick, for the Consumed to Thrifty would be A Yurt Holiday on the Isle of Wight: Cheap and Cheerful in Cheap Lodgings, Yurts are kinda like a cross between a tent and a hut originally used by nomads in central Asia.
Check What is a Yurt by Pacific Yurts an Oregon manufacturer of the modern adaptation for details.

Now all you have to do is book your trip and pack your bags.

Bon voyage!

August 24 and I Have not Taken a Vacation Yet, What's Wrong with Me?

It is August 24 and I have not taken a summer vacation yet, what's wrong with me?

I did not take any other break in 2009 and no real break in 2008 either I have to confess.

I looked with envy at those sporting a tan and moving at a nonchalant pace on Sunday while doing my errands.

OK, the tan might be fake but the pace was not.

It is especially ironic for me to acknowledge my constant buzzing (activity) when I offered No Vacation Nation as a Topic for a Panel at South by Southwest 2010.

So why have I not taken a vacation yet.

First in my current occupations (concierge/ waiter), there is no paid vacation to speak of.

Second, I did not stash money in the vacation savings plan to make up for the lack of paid vacation money.

Third, I could have made different spending choices to give me the wiggle room necessary.

Fourth, recognizing my shortcomings, it is not too late to start now and make it happen in the future.

What can be called a vacation first?

I would say no less than a week, two is better, first 7 days to unwind and second part to really rest.

What not to do?

Like myself wait until both your body and your brain ache for a break.

We can always work more, longer but we cannot make up for time spent with loved ones as the people at Take Back Your Time remind us (illustration below copyright Amber Venaas).

 

Oh, by the way, unusual as it might sound for me, I took baby steps in my struggle with free time.

I am going away to Vermont this coming week end.

I might learn to move at a cow's pace.

An out of balance Monday Work Etiquette # 104

Last week: Discreet or Loud...How Should You Display Your Brand?