Think IT is bad? try IT in the Mining industry. After a long time with very few vacations I finally cracked and went away - Funny thing happened - NOTHING - the world didn't stop turning and the crap was all waiting for me when i got back. I don't know about any one else, but I realised that i was somewhat conceited in thinking that I mattered so much.

Where I really mattered was with my family and THAT was what i was neglecting. Sure, I do some preparation before I leave, just to make my arrival back at work a bit less of a shock. But as a previous post stated - if there is a great pile waiting when you get back then you should be finding out what your co-workers do. Vacations also have the added benefit of making management stop taking me for granted.