Alright I finally broke down and signed up for twitter.  You can see me here – http://twitter.com/Vendoran.  I’m syncing facebook and found an app that will also synch my IM status called Twessenger.  I don’t know if I really want to update my IM status with it, but I’ll try it it.  I’m also using a vista sidebar gadget called Twadget.

<rant>

I cannot stress how much of a pet peeve this is of mine.  The number of times I’m told in a single week, "I’m sorry but I was just too busy…", "I’m too busy", "I’m very busy", "I’m really busy" etc, etc is just ludicrous.  And of course this reason (excuse) always comes right after or right before, that person saying they can’t or didn’t do something.

Now, I’m not saying people aren’t busy, in fact I’m saying the opposite.  I’m busy too, here’s my schedule/responsibilities:

• Husband to my wonderful wife
• Father to my 4 wonderful kids (ages 2, 4, 10, 15) and one wonderful dog (age 4)
• My wife and I home-school our kids (SharedView and IM works wonders)
• I have a full time job as a DBPro consultant in Chicagoland at Magenic
• Recently was appointed to the Magenic Technology Council
• Co-ordinate Magenic’s Internal DBPro meetings
• Attend church 3 times a week (Sun morn, Sun night and Wed night)
• Help with upkeep/repairs at church (Sat morn and throughout week if necessary)
• Ensure my eldest daughter can get to and from youth group and church (Fri night)
• Attend school (Mon night)
• Play basketball (Thurs night)
• SQLPASS Member, involved in the DBA SIG

So I’m pretty active, I’m not the busiest person in the world, but I’m not a slacker either.  Yet I still find the time to do things that I feel are worthy of my time (like UserGroup meetings, special events, etc).  Sure I get backed up sometimes, and sometimes I make decisions that say I can’t do something because something else is more important right now.

But what the "I’m too busy" is really saying is it’s not a priority right now.  And I don’t have a problem with that.  But stop saying that such and such is a priority and you want to do it, you’re just too busy (especially if this has been the mantra for over a month).  Because that simply doesn’t work, you can’t have it both ways.  If something is important, get it done, if not, stop saying it is.

We all make time for those things that are important to us.

</rant>

This week was the first time since the last week of January that I took an hour by myself unplugged.  I grabbed some lunch and sat outside to eat and enjoy the weather, no laptop, no cell phone, just me some food and the sun.  Every time I do this, I relish the moments.  Having 4 kids, my wife and being connected all day through my phone, laptop, home PC and XBOX Live, all of which I enjoy, can also catch up to me.

In fact, at home with our kids we have 2 hours of quiet time every day for them.  This is time where all the kids go to their own room with no electronics and they can do anything as long as it doesn’t disturb others (i.e., not too loud).  They usually end up reading, writing or even some times sleeping. Well as my mom used to say = if it’s not good for kids, usually it’s not good for adults either, and if it is good for kids, usually it’s good for adults too.

I highly recommend for others to do something like this as it is truly is a time of refreshing.  So if it’s been awhile, turn off all your electronics and go relax by yourself a bit!  You won’t regret it.