Snow Day

Chris-
Loved the lite humour of this post.
“…the fog of adulthood…” is one of those “pregnant phrases” you hear about.
I LOVE a snow day-somewhat “forces” the inner forces to come forth and go to work for me.
Thanks.
Wayne

Totally embodies the concept of “work hard, play hard.” Excellent post Mr. Brogan.

Chris, sort of like what Travis said, I’m afraid that many complain about the need for a break mainly because they are not truly doing what they enjoy/want to do. To them, it’s a job, not a mission aimed at specific goals to be attained.

Take something you hate to do, force yourself to do it day-in and day-out and I’m sure you’d need a break too. That’s not a defense from me, as I strive to keep doing what I love to do… but take me back to my previous career and UGHHH… I couldn’t WAIT for “snow days” to just sit back and relax!

Chris,

I guess down here we call them hurricane days. The only thing hurricane days might be a bit more stressful than snow days. But waiting for a tropical storm down here especially those that miss out paralyze the productivity of the Island.

Most time is for people collecting rations, fuel, and getting ready.

I guess we don’t have snow days here! But I do understand the message your saying. Just as yesterday I agreed with your post today I completely agree with this one.

Thanks to working on days people took off I did not fall behind these last few days which I have spent in the hospital caring for a loved one.

Have fun with the Snow!

I worked in a middle school for 4 years- loved the kids, hated the way time was structured. Everything had to be ON TIME…clocks ruled my life from 7:30 AM – 4PM. Snow days were like a time warp…everything slowed down, I got more done, I could think more clearly. When every day is structured up by some external clock I think we lose our ability to create authentically. My work now consists of every day being the equivalent of a snow day – I own my time. Now I see my first grader longing for breaks from school -it isn’t that he dislikes learning, he’s feeling the time crunch. We don’t work in factories any more – we need to teach ourselves and our kids to learn and create in new ways to manage and own our time. Because, you’re right, time is the most valuable resource we have and it is limited.

I could not agree more…you took the words right off of my blog page(ha ha)!! I am glad to know others feel the same(not that it is that important)!!! Great one…

Wait a minute my smart ass answer on Twitter was to live in a place where it doesn’t snow, but following the logic of your post means I never get a day off! I’m moving to a colder place ASAP….
Not really. Days off are better in the sun anyway =p

My husband drilled the idea of “opportunity cost” into my head when we first met. Either I could run around like a chicken with my head cut off with a mile-long to-do list or prioritize those things that I bring the most value to. And for him, sometimes the most valuable thing to do is to sit on the couch for an afternoon, because that’s how he recharges.

I find opportunity cost is a great way to think about both prioritizing and delegating. And playing on a snowy day definitely has a lot of value!

okay … i’m not trying to diss you or anything here … in fact, i’m probably one of your biggest fans … but the value of the snow day is that you get the amazing excuse to stop and play … and the value of doing your own laundry is that, well, besides the clean clothes part, you also get to let your mind stop and play …

here’s where i’m coming from

our minds, no matter how ‘busy’ and amazing we are, need time to just gestate and let things sink in … especially for anyone in a creative field, that down time is critical … in fact, Disney Stuidos were notorious for factoring in that old fashioned notion of ‘the smoke break’ into the workaday existence of their animation team ( of course, it wasn’t called ‘the smoke break’, but it was that time that an animator or creative had to sit in the hall and vedge out for a while, to let their brain relax and maybe come up with some less-forced, more natural gestault solution to things )

the snow day … certain components of a typical snow day come to mind … trying to stay warm and watch the storm unfold … the need to shovel or plow or dig your family out in some way … and with that, the need to bundle up and go outside … which for kids means the opportunity to run around, make snow angels, throw and taste snow, have a snowball fight, build a snowman, play with parents even … which for parents means the opportunity to run around, make snow angels, throw and taste snow, have a snowball fight, build a snowman, play with children even … its an amazing opportunity that none of us should pass up … its totally fun and super fantastic for your mind, your body, your family or whoever else might get involved in snowplay

doing your own laundry … well, this is an interesting one … but most of the time, in today’s modern day ‘n’ age, we spend in front of a monitor with a keyboard under fingers hands pointed downward typing away … this is work … we spend less and less time using our hands to manipulate and craft things, but what’s interesting is that when we do something like knit, sculpt, fold, etcetera … when we use our hands to actually touch and not tap … well, parts of our mind open up and operate in an entirely different manner … a different awareness comes into play … and we free up parts of our mind to think differently … i think its the same thing Henry Miller describes when he talks about walking ( a repetitive, physical event he actually worked into his daily routine for most of his writing and living life ) … in fact, Henry Miller knew he was a writer because the words would come to him along walks through New York, Paris, wherever … if only he could capture those words along the way, right? well, anyhow, this is why i think we should all do our own laundry, sometimes wash dishes by hand, physically touch and handle actual materials in the real world … i know that Montessori, and now other schools, espouse the value of ‘manipulatives’ as part of a child’s learning and development … i personally believe that this is a basic human need … we need texture … we need to touch … its part of our bodies and brains … as much as we’d like to deny the animal side of our existence, this is essential stuff, this touch … this touch and the need to run around and chase each other in the snow

Chris – I’m with you on this…

We’re all going to make the choice to invest our time in the things which make us happy & ultimately, money. Add efficiency tools & a delegation network and you have the making for ubiquity:)

And please, any self-respecting Camaro owner needs to invest in a snow cover. 50 bucks at Sears! I nearly fell out of my chair when I saw your picture:)

Happy Holidays Chris!