I had a short week at work this week, from Wednesday to Friday. Although I’m doing some work today on Saturday, mostly just watching my automations run, reminds me that I need to adjust my time card. I can probably take back one of my vacation days.

Anyway,

I finally got to see Metallica.

It was a religious experience. And this is coming from a well-known atheist. I mean, I was thrown out of Bible school at the age of five for daring to question the logic of the ‘holy trinity.’

When they came on stage, I openly wept. My mouth hung open in awe. I couldn’t get up or move.

I was stunned with the joy of fulfilling a lifelong dream.

And then they blew my face off!

I heard both Welcome Home and One!

One OMFG, they played One and I was there!

I got goosebumps and a little tear in my eye just writing that sentence.

I had so much fun in Seattle outside of the concert. Great food with friends. We went to the Space Needle and visited the ModPop museum, where I geeked out on the Sci-Fi exhibit.

And then I came back to work, and you know what? Everyone was right.

As soon as I logged in on Wednesday, I was kicking ass and taking names. I was plowing through stuff that I just couldn’t muster the energy for before my time off.

So I guess it’s all true: taking time away for myself made me more effective at work.

I’ve heard this all my life and dismissed it. Now I have definitive proof.

A new lesson learned, and now I adjust my way of living my life to accommodate my newfound wisdom.

Plus, they played One! How incredibly cool is that?