Vacation

Looking at the accepted meanings of words can prove pointless. Noting something is cool, for instance, may have nothing to do with its thermal properties. In fact, many things are cool and hot at the same time. Stating that a certain motorcycle is bad is usually a complement. Everybody knows word connotations are in flux, often representing the inverse of the literal meaning of the word. But some words are inflexible. The words work and vacation fall into that category. Their meaning is not in question, and they are antonyms. Work is what you do to have food, clothing, and lodging. Vacation is what you do to get away from work for a while so that you can continue working. In fact, you must have permission from your work to take vacation. Otherwise it is known as quitting.

I enjoy my job as much as a person can. The task itself is engaging, the people I encounter are my friends, the benefits are adequate, and the pay is exceptional. I feel valued, and I contribute to the lives around me. Even though I don't mind the work I perform every day, every now and then I need a break. Sometimes I don't want to get in my service van and go fix a machine. I want to stay home and fix a machine.

It may seem counter-intuitive to want to perform the very same tasks on my vacation that I perform at my job, but that is exactly what I intend to do. Of course, I don't perform the same exact tasks. At my job I fix industrial robots. I do not have an industrial robot at home, but I have a car, and I find great pleasure in working on it.

My neighbors think I have an old car that is constantly broken, because I work on it from time to time. They walk over and ask what I am doing. Replacing ball joints, shocks, springs, bushings, CV boots, sway bar links, and undercoating was the answer last summer. Usually they just walk away with their hearts full of pity that I have to do this kind of thing myself. I try to explain that I enjoy doing this kind of thing, that I find great pleasure in maintaining and modifying my little old car, but I am unable to convince them.

I love the whole process of summer car maintenance. I plan the work, gather the materials, and make a schedule. This year it is going to be brake pads, new slotted and drilled rotors, cam belt, all fluids, and Plasti Dip.  Working on my car is the culmination of many hours of thought, research, and planning. It allows me to put into action things I have been thinking about. It is greatly fulfilling, and allows me to do the other things in life that are less enjoyable without stress.

Work as vacation. What's next? Eating vegetables because you like them, or choosing to exercise for fun? Crazier things have happened.