>Still gadding about

Posted on November 14, 2008 by Annie Rayburn/Carol Burnside

>Visitor: Caroooool! Yoo-hoo! Where are you?
CB: Oh, sorry. Guess I have been quiet lately. This week I’m in South Carolina at a hermit week for writers.

Visitor: That doesn’t sound very exciting. What’s a hermit week?
CB: Several writers (10-12) all convene in this great beach house and ‘hermit’ ourselves away during the day and… (wait for it, it’s astonishing…) we WRITE!

Visitor: Okay, but don’t you do that anyway?
CB: Well, yes, I do. But there’s something freeing about knowing you don’t have to stop and make supper/let the dogs in-out/feed pets/bring the mail in or water plants that let’s your mind stay in the story longer. If we need a change of scenery during the day, we can write on one of the great verandahs overlooking the beach/sitting on the beach/hermited in our room or any of the great sitting areas around the house.

Visitor: A bunch of females in one house sounds like it could be noisy. You sure you’re getting anything done?
CB: Who said it was all females. (heh, heh). Oh, wait. we are. Hmm. Yes, we’re writing. That’s the whole point. You see, there’s a moratorium on noise during the day. It’s verrrrrry quiet and if there’s talk, it’s in hushed tones or whispers. The most common noise is the gentle clacking of typing on a keyboard.

Visitor: Sounds boring. I think of a beach house as being boisterous. Sand and sun and all that jazz.
CB: Oh, you gotta have play time! Mostly, writers just love being among other writers. We have fun too, but our noisy time is over dinner and drinks in the evenings after the work has been done.

Visitor: Okay, you’ve sold me. Can I come next year?
CB: Sure! Just don’t take my room. I’ve got it all picked out.

Visitor: Thanks for dropping by.
CB: Hey, cut it out! It’s MY blog. I appear here frequently or infrequently, depending on the work load. Next week is the big move, so I could be scarce.

Have a great day, visitors!

Posted in Going Places | Tagged | 2 Comments

>Wednesday’s Word: acumen Wat’s it mean?

Posted on November 12, 2008 by Annie Rayburn/Carol Burnside

>Acumen \uh-KYOO-mun\ (noun)

MSWORD’s definition:
Sharpness of mind – The ability to make quick, accurate, intelligent judgments about people or situations.

M-W’s Word Central:
1. Keenness of mind
2. Shrewdness

M-W also says acumen is used to signify “good practical judgment and a natural ability to see what isn’t obvious.”

So, one could have acumen about anything, really.

Due to Sally’s extensive knowledge and dead-on acumen regarding the big cats, the tense situation was dissolved and no one got hurt.

John’s keen business acumen was the reason his store flourished during an economic downturn.

Posted in Wat's it Mean?, Wednesday's Word | Comments Off on >Wednesday’s Word: acumen Wat’s it mean?

>Warning: Important Health Issue*

Posted on November 11, 2008 by Annie Rayburn/Carol Burnside

>Do you have feelings of inadequacy?
Do you suffer from shyness?
Do you sometimes wish you were more assertive?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist about Margaritas.

Margaritas are the safe, natural way to feel better and more confident about yourself and your actions.

Margaritas can help ease you out of your shyness and let you tell the world that you’re ready and willing to do just about anything.

You will notice the benefits of Margaritas almost immediately and with a regimen of regular doses you can overcome any obstacles that prevent you from living the life you want to live.

Shyness and awkwardness will be a thing of the past and you will discover many talents you never knew you had. Stop hiding and start living, with Margaritas.

Margaritas may not be right for everyone. Women who are pregnant or nursing should not use Margaritas.

However, women who wouldn’t mind nursing or becoming pregnant are encouraged to try it.

Side effects may include:
– Dizziness, nausea, vomiting, incarceration
– Erotic lustfulness
– Loss of motor control
– Loss of clothing
– Loss of money
– Loss of virginity
– Attraction to the same sex
– Table dancing
– Headache
– Dehydration
– Dry mouth
– And a desire to sing Karaoke

WARNING:
The consumption of Margaritas may make you think you are whispering when you are not.

WARNING:
The consumption of Margaritas may cause you to tell your friends over and over again that you love them.

WARNING:
The consumption of Margaritas may cause you to think you can sing.

WARNING:
The consumption of Margaritas may make you think you can logically converse with members of the opposite sex without spitting

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* Thanks go to my friends Heidi and Seth Vose for the laugh today!

Posted in Entertainment, Random Bits | 3 Comments