For the Trans Am, I quit my job. I expected to get back home and freelance or pick-up a job not necessarily related to my field—just something to pay the bills. Who knew the economy would tank during my time on the road? The agency I left ended up hiring me back—though, I didn't ask 'em. A valuable lesson in not burning bridges if there ever was one. That and I must not be too bad at what I do. Even though I'm an old fart for my line of work. Down-side? I may have to cancel RAGBRAI (some friends talked me into it) seeing as how I have no vacation built-in and new agency regs don't allow for unpaid leave. Rats. On the bright side (ftbs), while it goes against my grain to use sick days for vacationing, I'm obligated to an ocean race and I have just enough, between personal and sick days. I mentioned what I was thinking about to management and they tacitly gave it a green light, but "officially" didn't want to know.