Clear your minds and visualize your Happy Place

I have post-vacation syndrome.

When I was a kid, Mom comforted me on the first day back to school each year by reminding me, "After you've been in there a couple of hours, it'll be like you never left." And she was right: That knot in the pit of my stomach went away in no time after I caught up with old friends and met new teachers.

So what's the difference between going back to school after summer vacation and going back to work after a week in Florida? Well, everything. On the first day back at school, I remembered why classes flew by -- I was having so much fun! On the first day back at work, I remembered why 10-hour days fly by -- I've got a lot to do. And it just doesn't end. But that's not a bad thing. I'm never bored and there's plenty of mentally stimulating stuff to do.

Still ... the ocean ... she calls to me ...

It's finally getting cold(er) outside -- my thermo-sensor-matic is registering at a pleasant 47F. Thought it was kind of funny how the Floridians were walking around in jackets when it dropped to about 65F. I laughed at them. Ha, ha, silly beachy folk! You wouldn't know cold if it walked up to you wearing a nametag that read "Hi! My name is Cold!" Then I came home and, whaddya know, people here are wearing jackets too.

Here's the dealio. On my way out of the office today, I was struck by a gut-wrenching thought: This is your last winter in Memphis. Gulp. The last one? For real? I'm entering the Season of Lasts -- my last quick-but-beautiful autumn, my last Christmas, my last almost-snowfall, my last sneezy spring, my last Memphis in May barbecue cooking contest, et cetera ad nauseum.

I didn't realize the prospect of leaving would hit me so suddenly ... and hard. Huge questions loom. When will we leave? Where will we go? What will I do?

Okay, time for an Internet pool. You guys predict my life in about a year, and whoever's the most accurate wins something nifty. Maybe i'll hijack the Conoco sign and replace Kevin's name with your own.