It has been a long time since my last update! I apologize for that.
Things have been pretty hectic during the past few months, and I've felt
like this year started out pretty crappy for me.

Still a lot to do at work, and I feel that the stress of being too few
with no new hires in sight has started to get to me. I no longer feel
motivated and spend my days doing the bare minimum, which also hurts.  I
would rather deliver quality than deliver at any cost, but I also have
to step back to protect myself.

I talked to my boss and got approval for a weeks vacation, which I
intend to spend in a rented cabin in the woods, off the grid.

This has been an idea of mine for a long time, and I think I am finally
at the stage where I am ready to actually make it happen. I've been
spending more and more time in the surrounding mountains to the north,
and I've been enjoying it immensely. I've recently procured a portable
kitchen and a gas-lantern that have made the dark evenings very cozy up
there. I would only need to spend some money on supplies and
extra/better clothing for the occasion, then I am ready to undertake
this project.

The idea will be to spend most nights in the cabin, but they days on the
trails surrounding the mountains around here. Perhaps I could even get a
fishing license and catch something to eat? I will have my phone turned
off for the entire week, and I will not bring any computer or anything
else that will give me internet access. The only electronic appliance I
will bring and use is my e-reader, with WiFi turned off.

It's going to be an interesting experiment, and I think I will enjoy it.
Hopefully it will put into perspective my use of the internet and
technology in general to entertain myself.

Once I am back, I will make another update here with my experiences.

/M