I'm sitting with my critique group in Borders when this book catches my eye. The back cover says, “Stop daydreaming at your desk, ditch the nine to five, say ciao to the rat race–take life by the scruff of the neck and give it a shake!”
Nice thought, I'm thinking. Reading on: “Whether you want to pen a novel, gawp at migrating wildebeest, row the Atlantic or relax on a Goan beach, The Career Break Book is the guide for you!”
They tackle such thoughts as what to do with that pesky mortgage, finances, pets, pension, etc. How to ask the boss for time off (to go to Goa and soak up the sun? To watch wildebeest? To ride the Trans-Mongolian Railway? Uh….), how to take the children out of school for this, and what to do if you don't ever want to come back. The book is $22. Amazon is cheaper, but the cover is different. Don't know which is more recent. Also, not surprisingly, no reviews. If you do decide to run off to the tundra and watch polar bears, guess you won't be too concerned with posting a review on Amazon.com, eh?
It's a nice thought, but I wonder how often people actually chuck it all and run off to Goa. More likely, they buy the book and spend time dreaming about the possibilities. That's what I'd do. Guess that's why I write. I can imagine it all without ever giving up the comforts of home. Want to watch wildebeest? Send a character. Float a felucca down the Nile? Send a character.
Okay. The first thing you should do is rent a convertible, and for god’s sakes, MUSS YOUR HAIR!!!! Good god, woman, have you never read a Nancy Drew? Don’t forget Franklin’s adage: “If you would not be forgotten, as soon as you are dead and rotten, then do things worth the writing, or write things worth the reading.” I advise both. Don’t worry about Hot Lips. Even if you sell 5 books per year, his future annual income will exceed yours. Since you are no shrinking violet, you’ll always have a marital spat or two. Speak up at those meetings, damn it! We are not Quakers! BTW: HI = “Slippahs”, not “Flip Flops”! IE>U
Are you kidding? Have you ever tried to comb out your hair after a convertible ride? I usually end up yanking out several knots and have less hair than when I began. I told Mike he has to warn me when he wants to take the top off the Jeep so I can braid. Ha, now I know you were skimming. I did inform folks that flip flops are slippahs in Hawaii. I wish I’d taken a picture of my lovely pink Reefs when I got my jeans-clad lap in Borders. Borders is so freaking cold, but at least it gives me a reason to wear my jeans. I suffer the cold on my toes so I can wear those Reefs though. I love living in a place where the slippahs come in designer colors and have arch support.
Oh man, you’d have loved the meeting. I swear half of it was in code.