So I am getting ready to go on vacation this coming week. Do you know how long it has been since I have taken a vacation? I am not sure that I have ever taken a full week off. I’m one of those that will take my vacation as a payout or be forced to “use them or lose them.”
    Still, with one side of my mind in Mexico, I can’t seem to get the other half out of work. Knowing I am going to be out of the country for a week, I am forcing myself to lock up the laptop at home. It will not make its way to the plane. It’s going to be hard but I am making a pledge to myself not to check my e-mail for a whole week.
    I did check with my cell phone carrier to make sure that my cell works. I thought that the $1.49 per minute was a bit steep but well worth the comfort of knowing my family at home is ok. Yes, if anyone calls from work, I will answer the phone but don’t be surprised to see the charge on my next expense report.
    I guess you get this feeling when you really enjoy what you do. I don’t mind being at work. I really enjoy my job. At times, I have to force myself out of the office for lunch. I have to keep an eye on the clock for every minute after 5 so not to let work unnecessarily take time away from the family.
    It’s the vacation blues. I know I am going to feel disconnected from work for a week. I keep telling myself this is good for me. I know it is and I know I’m going to have fun. I need this right? I do.
    It’s more than vacation. It’s travel, culture and a bit of adventure. I love to fly, fish, swim, climb and enjoy an ocean breeze. I just can’t do these things from my southwest Bakersfield back yard.
     It is hard to leave, but I know our magazine is in good hands. Jason, Adam and Lauren will take great care of our piece with you in mind. They are working hard on our new issue to hit newsstand on October 20th. I know you’re going to really enjoy this issue.
    Have a great week. Even if I don’t talk to you, I’ll be thinking about you. We’ll chat a bit more when I get back. If I remember, I’ll bring you home a t-shirt.

Chris Thompson
 

    This month we released our latest issue of Bakersfield Life magazine. Are we excited? You bet. This is our anniversary issue. Yes, one year with the Bakersfield Life title, and the newness hasn’t yet gone away. Every issue feels new. A new article or two, new additions to our staff, new locations to find the magazine -- it’s all new all over again.
    I know that you may be reading this and thinking, “Who is this guy?” Let me apologize for not introducing myself sooner. My name is Chris Thompson and I am the Managing Editor of Bakersfield Life magazine.
    On a daily basis, I work with the professionals who produce this wonderful monthly magazine. Jason Gutierrez is our Editor and Adam Vinson is our Art and Production designer. Both of these individuals put their hearts and souls into Bakersfield Life every month.
    We have many more people who work with us on a daily basis.  Jane Pecorella proofreads our publication. Lauren Lindsey is one of our many sales reps. Greg Nichols takes some of the beautiful photography you see in our pages.
    Our team came together this last June and we’re excited about the issues that we have released and the issues to come. We’re a new team that has brought experience from various areas to bring you the best local magazine in Bakersfield.
    Some new items we are excited about are right here at Bakersfieldlife.com. You will see that we have added a link to make it easier for you to talk with us directly. Find the “Letters to the Editor” link at the top of the "Bakersfield Life" box.
    We also have added a poll question and we are looking to gather your feedback on various subjects. Feel free to click your opinion into the poll on a monthly basis.
    One of the most exciting new features is the “Community Snapshots” photo scroll. All the community pictures we print in Bakersfield Life can now be found on line. We even post photos that didn’t publish in the magazine. You can find the picture scroll bar at the top of the "Bakersfield Life" section of the home page and click any picture to make it larger.
    So we hope you take a look through our latest issue and the improvements to Bakersfieldlife.com. Read about the shows coming to the Rabobank arena or the new Red Couch feature. Find yourself in the community snapshots and let us know how we’re doing by sending us a letter. It’s all part of new ways we’ve found to better ourselves as we continue to bring you the best local magazine in Bakersfield. Here’s to one year of Bakersfield Life -- and many more to come!

Chris Thompson
Managing Editor
661-395-7492