output

TASK: [debug msg="/home/$user/13-02-17--15-23-58"] ********************* 
ok: [192.168.60.2]

TASK: [pause seconds=5] ********************* 
(^C-c = continue early, ^C-a = abort)
[192.168.60.2]
Pausing for 5 seconds
ok: [192.168.60.2]

TASK: [debug msg="/home/$user/13-02-17--15-24-04"] ********************* 
ok: [192.168.60.2]

test.yml

---
- hosts: all
  user: pipeye
  gather_facts: no

  vars:
    date: $LOOKUP(pipe,date +%y-%m-%d--%H-%M-%S)
    release_dir: /home/$user/$date

  tasks:
    - debug: msg="$release_dir" 
    - pause: seconds=5
    - debug: msg="$release_dir"