Apologia

On Vacation (or gone fishin')

T’was, December 22nd, three days before Christmas,
I'd awakened in time, it hadn't yet past,
There was time to do all that I wanted, at last!
It’s not that I’d been a Scrooge and haunted,
I’d simply been busy with product launches.

You see, On November 8th I fell into a dream
of SQL 2005 the database engine machine.
I started in Syracuse, the faces grave,
Til I showed them what it could do, then they got brave!

In Buffalo, of course, it was snowing,
And in Manhattan a cold wind was blowing.
In Newark they did the wave,
In Providence they barely behaved!

‘round the Northeast I ran, behind a big yellow van,
Talking about SQL as much as a man can!
Plus a run to Vegas, for business, not pleasure.
And Wilkes-Barre, PA thrown in for good measure,

So quick as a wink I shot off some emails
“Boss,” said I, “I’m in need of a furlough
Five weeks on the road, the drive needs a plow
The mail’s piled up and the fish tank has snails!”

“I have no tree and the shopping’s not done
The family’s coming for supper—all 21!
I need some time to set things true
So I’ll be on vacation until January 2.”

“No IT Heroes, No blogging (not much)
No email, no phone, no IM or such
Just me and my boy trimming the tree,
With eggnog and sleigh rides—“Ready! 1-2-3!”

I read it over and then hit send
In short order I had my reply and it read
“Right fine idea, you’ve got there, son” (writ my boss)
“My Best to that boy, Jack” signed “Hoss.”

So I’m on vacation, sleeping in late
Eating too much, cleaning each plate.
Visiting with relatives, friends old and new,
Spending precious time with those I love true.

I hope in this season you may share these rare gifts,
Fellowship and affection, the healing of rifts,
Joy in this season and all the year through,
This is my shot at a Hallmark to you.

And to everyone I owe email to
I beg your indulgence and understanding, I do
And know as I write this, though I may be behind
The first week of January is slotted for work of that kind.