I was at a dinner party the other night when the topic of vacation time came up. I have two weeks vacation and every single one of those days is planned out already on Jan. 1st. Two people at the dinner party had over a week left of vacation that they were not taking, would not be paid for and would not be allowed to carry over into 2007. I honestly can't comprehend how someone could waive hard earned vacation. To me it's just another symptom of how the American work world is getting way out of whack. It's not that these people don't want vacation, it's that they are afraid to take it. When I was growing up, more than once my parents took a three week vacation. Not only do I not have three weeks vacation despite being 11 years out of college, but even if I did, my employer would not let me take the three weeks all at once. So much for that trip to Europe I guess. Still, I guarantee you this, I will take every day I have coming. When you get to the point where you are afraid to take off for vacation, then it's time to rethink your life.