“It’s only when you wake up that you realize you were plastered.”

While I was away on vacation, I was visiting a friend’s cottage and lo’ and behold, I found something rather interesting.

A TANK ALERT box.

Now, most people would attribute this rather curious looking device–colored in Half-Life orange no less–to the toilet it sat beside.

But not I. Not being well-versed in the art of zombie killing via L4D and L4D2.

No, I immediately went O M F G. And took a picture.

Yeah, all I could think about was how this would be so fitting in the Left 4 Dead universe. Because when you hear the thumping, T-Rex like vibrations of an approaching Tank, it’s already too late. But a Tank Alert Alarm System could save you precious seconds–allowing you to not run away (because there is no running away from a Tank), but to load up on ammo and prayers.

And if you don’t know what a Tank is? Check this out:

Yeah. Guns and prayers. Guns and prayers.

And it’s kinda funny how a franchise and soak into your head so much that the second you see something that could easily fit into said franchise, your brain automatically makes the leap. I love that.

Now I need to find something to defend against Boomers, because, well, they’re just gross.

Sauble Beach (on Lake Huron) is known for its sunsets, and we were treated to some gorgeous ones–when it wasn’t cloudy that is.

Madeleine (no, “it’s MADDY!” as she would say) had a blast below:

And then there was Claire, picking stones and collecting them to take home of course:

When the weather was poor, we took off into town for ice cream… and  shopping of course. Charlotte is all about shopping–just like her mother–and decided it would be fun to try on every single pair of sunglasses she could find. Charlie is a fashionista already:

And then there was my wife and I…running around and trying to read and relax when we could. We even found time to take a quick pic:

Her parents came up with us as well, which was fun. They were also a great help with the kids too, and even watched them on occasion so we could take off into town or go for a drive. I got a bit of reading in, ate way too much, drank even more, and gained a few pounds…but isn’t that what vacation is for?

I even wrote a new chapter on the current WIP while there.

I came back relaxed and ready to charge ahead to an encroaching deadline.

Though I already can’t wait to go back to the cottage next year.

Sun and fun. Can’t go wrong.

And as for being unplugged? I did a pretty good job. No tweeting or Facebook. Though I admit I did peek once or twice. And I did check email at one point… But all in all, it was a rather nice break from the internet. I’ll definitely unplug again.

And to be honest, I’m not sure I can do it. I am email addicted. Twitter addicted. Internet addicted.

Well, I am plugged in pretty hard.

But when I look at the picture below (a quick snap from Maui), I think, ahhh, relaxation–and how nice would it be to just disappear for a little while.

So that is exactly what I’m going to do. As of tomorrow, when I leave my house for a cottage on a favourite Canadian lake, I will be unplugging myself.

No internet, no email, no Twitter, nothing.

I will have my cell phone in case my agent needs to get a hold of me, but that’s it. No. Data. Access.

The order of business will be family, beach, writing, and reading. And drinking a few beers here and there.

I will be back on Sunday August 22nd.

Now I need to go ready myself for the disconnection tomorrow morning. It’s going to hurt…

Or will it?

Jim Carrey was pure gold back then (when he went by James Carrey).

And that I have a job that allows me to do so.

Here’s to the troops around the world, and their families waiting for their safe return.