Well I like my Win8.1 - I upgraded most of my machines by now. Start-Menu is an non-issue as I always die ... start typing/searching. I like the UI (I just wish you could make title background without having to mess around in your registry) - you don't have to use the charms if you don't want to - all you need is to remember a few shortcuts (if you need to touch your mouse you failed - this is true for Win7 also ;) )

if you need vacation/some time off ... well do what you want. I never really dreamed of something like this but I tend to think about "problems" while being close to sleep or exercising. In both cases those great ideas you have seems so good but turn out to be complete bullshit when thinking them through with enough oxygen in the right parts of my brain :D So the only advice I can give: better forget.