I wrote a couple of weeks ago about having the digital jitters before a trip where I expected to be completely disconnected for close to two weeks. I was prepared for sweats and shakes as my blackberry remained silent, and figured I’d be howling at the moon when my iPhone didn’t ring. Wrong.

My trip was great. Me and one of my BFFs (am I 12?) fished with bears, kayaked with whales, slept on the beach and hugged a glacier. I also made some new friends the old fashioned way - in person. From a digital perspective, I had more connectivity than I expected on the front and back ends when I was in Juneau and then Gustavus, Alaska. In between I camped and kayaked in Glacier Bay and there was no service. None. Even the guide’s satellite phone was sketchy. But guess what? My team and our clients did just fine without me. And I did just fine without an Internet connection.

I confess, I was a little nervous the first day - I’m just so used to checking in that it was odd not to be able to. But by the time I got into the kayak I was ready to forget about work and focus on vacation. There were a few important meetings I missed during the week, and I gave them a fleeting thought, but overall I found being disconnected quite valuable. It made me appreciate my time a little more, and when I got reconnected at the end of the week I appreciated my clients, my colleagues, my connections all the more.

My trip to Alaska was a “ten-years at Burson” gift to myself. And I loved every minute of it. But I love my job, and my company, and I was happy to get back and get connected again. I didn’t get the jitters, but luckily I didn’t lose my enthusiasm and excitement for the business either.

I’ve got the digital jitters. I am in Alaska as I write, about to head on a 9 day kayaking excursion. The adventure begins shortly with a float plane and then a paddle, and then a hike to visit a bear sanctuary. From there we will continue on and explore the Glacier Bay area of Alaska. I’ve heard there is no connectivity out there and I’m quite nervous about it.

This trip was a ten-year work anniversary trip to myself. I’ve been at Burson-Marsteller for ten years now, first as a consultant, and in November it will be ten years as staff. TEN YEARS! When I started at the company we didn’t even have email for every employee - my first email account was a shared one with the design group. Given that my job was to develop an interactive capability I’ve always stayed extremely connected - first via mobile phone, then via email, then via remote access, and of course now via blackberry. So the idea of completely disconnecting for 9 days has me quite nervous.

I have an awesome team so I’m not worried about the work getting done or the clients being serviced. I know Tery, Rome, Chris and others will do an awesome job. It is more that staying connected is an important and fun part of my life. I’ve written about work/life balance before, and my lack of it, but some of that is at my own doing. So, I’m considering this a social experiment of sorts, to see how I do being unplugged, and to just chillax for a few days. I’ll write about the experience when I get back, and am now off to see the bears.

We’ve been a little quiet on the blog lately. Things are very busy at work and while i have many posts started I have had a difficult time finding time to finish them. I will get caught up soon.

In the meantime, I have had a social media revelation. A dear, dear friend of mine passed away of his own doing a few days ago. Kevin Haythe was a great colleague and an even better friend. He was in my life for only a short time (about a year and a half) but was tremendously impactful and became one of my closest friends.

One of the great things about Kevin was how he lived life with curiosity. He questioned everything. He was one to live life to the fullest in each moment, and quite honestly he had doubts about social media’s negative impact on that. He believed the change in marketing and communications at the hand of digital media, but he didn’t find the relevance for him personally. I remember when I finally got him to join Facebook he didn’t understand the value. He came around though, and even had a twitter feed and started a food blog, Raisins and Chocolate Milk, in the last few months.

The relevance of social media has taken on new meaning for me this week. I heard the news of Kevin’s death via traditional means, a telephone call, but the majority of other details are coming via social media and most notably Facebook. I created an album on Facebook which people have been commenting too, sharing their personal remembrances around the images. Others have started doing the same, painting a beautiful portrait of what was important to Kevin. Some of his other friends who saw him tagged in images sent me emails to share stories, talk live, or get information on services. And people I couldn’t get in touch with due to travel schedules were easily communicated with via Facebook, email, and text messaging. It is sadly ironic that digital media has more relevance to Kevin’s life in death, but is somehow fitting given his interest in digital and curiosity about it. In fact, he had big plans for digital media and his skepticism helped him see things that others wouldn’t consider.

Folks who criticize those of us who use online as a significant communications channel are in the minority, but to them I’d say, try it, you’ll like it. It isn’t the only way to communicate, but certainly enhances my life each and every day. And, I am so grateful to all of my online and offline friends for their support this week and always, and also thank Kevin’s extended circle for including me in your conversations. I hope our ongoing social interaction helps us all find peace with this soon. And Kevin, I hope you are resting peacefully. I’ll never forget the difference you made in my life, both professionally and even more so personally, and am grateful for every moment we spent together. Rest in peace dear friend.