by Anna Campbell..to a Desert Island!
When this post comes up into the light of the lair, I'll be heading for the end of my wonderful two-week cruise on the 'Pacific Dawn' (that's it on the left) to New Zealand.
I'm so excited about this. In return for giving a couple of talks about romance writing, I get a free cruise. How cool is that?
I've never been on a cruise before and I've always wanted to go to New Zealand. So all round, it's wonderful. I look forward to sharing lots of photos with you in next month's Bandita blog.I even went wild and bought a digital camera for the trip. It takes me forever to adopt new technology - which may turn out to be the subject of a future blog. Perhaps called Lugging the Luddite!
I'll be stoked if I take a shot as pretty as the one of New Zealand's South Island on the right! Isn't that beautiful? Wow!
So needless to say, I'm in the throes of packing because I leave on Saturday (it's the 25th November here right now - Happy Thanksgiving!). So far, I have a huge number of Anna Campbell books for giveaways, and ten books from the TBR for me to read, and all my Christmas cards to write, and the work in progress which I'm hoping is going to get some attention in amongst all the excitement. And I need lots of the sort of clothes I wear at RWA conferences. Thank goodness, it's a boat and there's no excess luggage charges!So as I started putting out all this stuff that I'm taking with me, I wondered what were the five things I'd take to a desert island. And I came up with:
1. Richard Armitage (hopefully he can build and hunt and light fires and do plumbing and foot massages!)2. A year's worth of Smith's potato chips, especially barbecue flavor
3. Sunscreen
4. 50 cases of champagne (hmm, I'm starting to like the sound of this island!)
5. MOBY DICK. Because while Richard is off catching dinner, I might actually read it in the absence of other entertainment
OK, what five things would you take to a desert island?
Oh, and if you want the Banditas as company, we count as one item. Oh, man, perhaps I should take the Banditas and their cohorts instead of MOBY DICK. We'd have a WHALE of a time!
As this is my last post for the year, I'd like to wish you and yours a very happy Holiday Season.Thank you so much for all your wonderful support during the year. And thank you to all my wonderful Bandita sisters. You and the Bandita buddies are definitely something I give thanks for, not just today which happens to be Thanksgiving, but every minute of the year.
See you all next year!
Oh, and now for the bad news - I'm not sure what email access I'll have on the ship so I'm not sure whether I'll be able to respond to comments.
But hey, guys, party on!
90 comments:
Happy and safe crusing, Anna!! Wooooo!!! What a way to celebrate for the season :) Oh my--have a wonderful time and take TONS of photos!
And hmm... five things I'd take to a desert island?
1. DH
2. some substantive portion of my TBR ;)
3. sunblock a plenty
4. something cute to wear
5. the Banditas ;)
How long did you say we were going to be there? I figure DH is pretty handy; he can worry about getting us rescued and make sure we have stuff to eat and that sort of thing in the meantime ;) Hee!
Oops, I just noticed that I'd misspelled "cruising"--doh!
Well done Fedora he must be over the heat here in Sydney it is sooo hot today.
Anna
Whoo Hoo I so wish I could have been on this cruise with you I really need a holiday at the moment so glad you are having a great time can't wait to see the pictures.
What 5 things would I take
1. DH (he is having a bad run at the moment and is in ICU so he will really need a holiday.
2. Gotta have books and there are lots to choose from on the TBR pile
3. Tim Tams I couldn't go with out them
4. Pepsi Max or champagne
5. Compfy clothes
The Bandits and Bandit Buddies will have to be there as well and what a party we would have.
Have Fun
Helen
Yay Fedora! You are first onto the boat so you get the prize! The GR !!
Oh La Campbell I so envy you your cruise and I hope you are having a FABULOUS time !!
Five things to take on a desert island ?
Hmmm.
The Banditas and Buddies (which includes the cabana boys, the hockey hunks, the gladiators and any other stray hunks left over in the Lair from previous adventures!)
A year's supply of Cadbury's chocolate!
All of those Regency research books I've wanted to read, but never seem to have time to get to.
Richard Armitage - just to sit there and look like, well Richard Armitage. Even paradise needs a little feng shui and Richard can feng my shui ANYTIME !!
My laptop and a REALLY long extension cord so I can finish my revisions and get onto my next novel!
Sending prayers over the pond for your DH, Helen !!
Thanks Louisa
he is getting there hopefully he will be in a ward tomorrow
Have Fun
Helen
I was about to close down my
computer when I began to hear my
name being called! I raced to the Lair but Ms. Fedora had already
staked her claim on the GR! Oh,
my, it's just as well, my choco-
late stash was attacked recently
by son #1 and son #2's children.
I wonder where they all get this
great attachment to chocolate?
Five things to take onto a desert
island: Honey, Sunscreen ('cause
though I'm not fair-skinned, I
still burn horrendously. Must be
my Spanish and Hessian ancestry),
books and more books, Diet Coke,
and the Banditas & Buddies. We
could name the island for one of
our favorite places: Lair Island.
Hmmm, I just don't know!
OOPS! The last last line in my
message actually is the end of
the first paragraph!
Pat C.
Helen -- Your Dh is in the ICU! Hope everything is OK! Sending hugs and prayers for a speedy recovery.
Wait - isn't the lair ON a desert Island? Okay - I guess the question is what 5 things to take if we had to move quickly to another island.
I'd have to take the Dh. I'm use I could find a good use for him. Sunscreen, of course. My laptop (I doubt my editor would take the lack of a suitable means to write as an excuse to miss a deadline). An ample supply of books, and the banditas.
One thing I would NOT take is Moby Dick!!! (grin)
LOL! I guess the GR will have to content himself with being lumped in with the Banditas, buddies, cabana boys, gladiators, hockey hunks, and any other hunks lurking about ;) This is going to be quite the cruise! Hop aboard, everyone!
I MISS YOOOOUUUU!!!!!!!!!! Come back to us soon, Foanna! Hope you're having a fabu time, you lucky duck!
And seriously, if you're taking Richard Armitage, can I have his alter ego, Lucas North? Mmm...
Actually, I'll take Lucas and my Georgette Heyer collection and he can read to me in that amazing voice of his. Sigh.
Can I also take the internet?:) I couldn't live without my Banditas and BBs!
Fo,
I second Mme, WE MISS YOU!!!
And just as you are about to land, I'm about to embark. Hope you have a GREAT holiday and I'll catch up with you when I get home in a week or so!
AC
Who definitely needs the sunblock, diet Pepsi, my meds, Eric Bana (whom I'll have to share with Jane), and my Banditas&Buddies!
Helen,
So sorry to hear about your DH.
Sending lots of prayers and good thoughts to both of you!
AC
Have a great time !!!
I'm not sure about bbq chips but Richard armitage is definitely a good choice.
I'd love to visit new zealand one day... hope you'll post some pictures of your trip.
Again, have fun !
Oh wow, what a nice present for the holidays Anna, have a wonderful time.
Deserted Island must haves....
The Banditas and BBs of course.
My tbr pile, beleive me, it would be enough for all of us.
Toiletries, including sunblock, shampoo and soap.
Comfortable clothing
The men in my life, (son and BF)
This desert isle better have internet......LOL
Hope you're having a fabulous time, Anna! Can't wait to see the pics!
Going off to the desert island with me would be:
1) Sunscreen
2) The Banditas/Buddies/Cabana Guys
3) Laptop
4) Food & Drink (I have my needs)
5) Toothpaste
Helen, I'm keeping your dh in my prayers!
Happy crusing, Anna!
1. My husband. The man is mister wilderness, for sure...and looks great in a beard. ;)
2. A solar powered radio
3. A solar powered light
4. Toilet paper!!!
5. Margarita mix and blender (let's call this all one thing). Of course, there's a magic cave filled with ice and limes on my island...
Helen, sending healing prayers and a hug your way.
Oh wow Anna, a cruise? Good for you and have a wonderful time with Richard. lol My 5 things would be :
1. The Bandita's of course
2. Antonio Banderas
3. Kilted Highlander
4. Kilted Highlander
5. Pepsi
maybe I won't need Antonio lol
Carol L
Lucky4750@aol.com
Anna, I have to apologize to you. I was reading your article and everything was fine until I came to the picture of Richard Armitage and my mind went blank. I have to apologize because, on seeing Richard, I completely forgot what this blog post was about!
Happy Holidays!
Margay
Oh, and thanks for posting the picture of Richard. I now go to dream...
Margay
Ah cruisin'! Sounds like great fun. I've been on the boy to take enough time to take me for ages but we haven't gotten there yet. He's still too much of a type A personality to chill out on something like a cruise. I think he'd end up feeling like a caged animal.
Have a fab time while you're away. Of course, we miss you over here.
What would I bring?
1. The boy - must have him around.
2. A small collection of my fav "inspirational photos" - Hugh Jackman anyone? Though my latest is my fav picture of a romance novel model called Jimmy Thomas ~ http://tinyurl.com/27hspyr (in case you're wondering)
3. My Kindle loaded to the hilt with books - it holds 3,500 books. I'd be set till the rescue comes around.
4. Lots and lots of sunscreen - SPF 30+ with zinc.
5. And the Banditas for company!
Helen, real sorry to hear about your DH. Hope he is getting great care and on the mend. Sing out if you need anything.
Fedora, congrats on the bird.
Anna, I'm not sure what I would take to a desert island. I'll have to give it some thought.
You would take Moby Dick. Really? Isn't it kind of a downer of a book?
Of course, if you had RA to console you . . .
Helen, praying for your husband--please keep us posted when you can...
Great post, Anna! We can't wait for you to return to the Lair. It's been lonely without your lovely smile!
And, honey, Armitage can do ANYthing!
Hi, Fedora, isn't a cruise a wonderful thing? I've only been on three, but I'm dying to go on another one, delicious food, wonderful sites, ocean, sun (maybe), my kind of vacation!
Hmm, I forgot my 5 things, too!
Let's see. I think I'd take my three daughters (do they count as one?) as among the three of them, they can do just about anything -- cook, entertain, medicine.
Then I'd take J.D. Robb's In Death series (that's one, right).
And, finally, okay, I admit I'd take MOBY DICK too, not because I want to, but because it's a classic and I want to figure out WHY!!
Helen, now I feel bad that I didn't put my husband on the list. Does this make me a bad wife? Tee hee.
Hmm, maybe I could substitue Moby Dick for Dr. Big. He's a lot handier.
Louisa, the laptop's a great idea. Why didn't I think of that? It'd provide endless hours of writing without interference. Good choice!
Oh, no, Helen! I'm sorry about your husband and wish him a speedy recovery. ICU is serious; hopefully they're taking good care of him and he'll be home soon.
Oh, good, Helen, I just read your comment about transferring your husband out of ICU to a ward. Good for him! It's a terrible time of the year to be sick. I was in hospital for my open heart surgery from Dec 22 through January 3 and it was NO FUN! I missed all the fun of the holidays!
Pat said, " We could name the island for one of our favorite places: Lair Island."
Oooh, I like the sound of that. Wouldn't it be fun to go on a cruise with the Banditas and Buddies. We'd rock that boat, for sure!
Donna said, "One thing I would NOT take is Moby Dick!!! (grin)"
Oh, what a wise woman you are, Donna! I must be a gutton for punishment, but I figure it'd take years on a desert island to understand what MD's all about.
AC!!! Have a wonderful Mexico cruise. What is this? Number eleventy-million? I'm sure you'll have sunshine and avoid all this northern Cal rain!
Christine, hasn't it been absolutely desolate without Anna in the Lair? She's such a sparkler!
PJ, I had to LOL at the toothpaste on your list. No toothbrush?
Have a wonderful time, Anna!
Five things I'd take to a desert island? Are we all going to the same island? If so, the Banditas/Buddies/ cabana boys contingent is already well-represented. I'd take my toiletries bag complete with sunscreen, a backpack filled with my favorite rereads, a huge container of lemon drop cookies, a signal flare, and George Clooney just offshore in his private yacht, ready to take me away when I signaled I was ready to return to civilization.
Helen, my thoughs and prayers are with you and your DH.
Hi, Carol L. With your TWO kilted highlanders, I'm sure won't need Antonio. Although, you can never have too much of a good thing, right?
Daz, tell me how much you love your Kindle. I'm seriously contemplating getting one for Christmas!
Wow, New Zealand - I've always wanted to visit there - the pics I've seen are of a beautiful, geographically diverse land - gorgeous! Have a wonderful time!
Desert Island
1. DH (this guy can survive anywhere)
2. Lots of chocolate
3. eReader loaded to the hilt
4. Fishing gear (DH and I both love fishing plus you need to eat something besides chocolate)
5. Lots, and lots of rum
I think I could have a pretty good holiday with all the above on a deserted island!
Hey Fedora! The GR's coming to you today! :>
I like that you're taking your DH. :> I'd do that too.
1. Knife (big one)
2. 5000 ft. of 30lb test fishing line
3. 1000 fishing hooks
4. Large, durable tarp
5. Wife.
Helen, your husband is in ICU!!???
Ohmygosh! Sending prayers and good thoughts!
p226 said:
1. Knife (big one)
2. 5000 ft. of 30lb test fishing line
3. 1000 fishing hooks
4. Large, durable tarp
5. Wife.
Nothing to read? Seriously?
Well....you know, you could combine all the fishing gear into a tackle box and make that one item. We're easy that way....
Do not bring Moby Dick lol. I can read almost anything and I rarely give up on a book but that was one book that I had to read in school that I just couldn't stand lol.
Thanks everyone for your prayers and thoughts he is getting there slowly fingers crossed he will be home for Christmas and he should be moved to a ward today
Have Fun
Helen
Catslady said, "Do not bring Moby Dick lol. I can read almost anything and I rarely give up on a book but that was one book that I had to read in school that I just couldn't stand lol."
LOL at your advice. That's the one book I DID NOT assign my students!
Five books from the Romance Bandits. Since it would be impossible to choose which five, I would put them all in a box and pull five out.
Well, maybe just one. Because I might need four cabana boys to wait on me.
P226, I'm totally NOT surprised at your list. The Banditas would all be in safe hands with your survival skills.
Cybercliper, you need to get your husband with P226 -- sounds like two survivalists!
Kim said, "Well, maybe just one. Because I might need four cabana boys to wait on me."
Oh no, you'd never be able to whittle your book list down to one Bandita book! They're all so great!
I hope you are having a wonderful cruise.
Since I live in cold, snowy New England I'd LOVE to be stranded on a desert island!
Most needed things to have:
1. Lots of books!
2. My medicine (okay so I'm old)
3. A bottle of wine (to take #2)
4. A solor powered radio
5. My husband - because after all these years he's still cute and sexy - even if I did list him last!
We miss you, Fo! Hope you're having a wonderful time *g*
My five items:
1. My husband (he's very handy and could take care of building a shelter and getting food *g*)
2. My TBR pile
3. A mega-sized bag of pistachios
4. Sunscreen
5. My laptop - as long as there was an internet connection so I could work AND still visit the lair :-)
Nothing to read? Seriously?
Survival tends to be a full time job. One would spend plenty of time reading the tides, the sun, the stars, and the winds to find a way off of the island. :D
Ok. Fine.
FM 21-76. I'd read that. :D
Have a fun cruise! I've never been on one, but my parents loved them.
As for a desert island:
- Lots of fresh water, if not provided
- Deluxe camping equipment - no lean-to for me!
- Nets/fishing tackle because I can't live on coconuts alone
- Lots of clothes so I don't get sunburned
- All the cabana boys! They can catch the fish, harvest the coconuts, do the laundry, etc. (okay, I'll bring my boyfriend and all the Banditas as well)
ironss[at]gmail.com
1) My brand new ereader loaded with books - I think the capacity is 1200 - that should last me for awhile :)
2) plenty of seeds to plant all kinds of fruit and veggies.
3) My laptop with satellite and solar power battery. We're dreaming, right?
4) My favorite blanket/quilt
5) Lots of chocolate!!
Anna, hope you're having a wonderful time on your cruise!! Can't wait to see the pics!
OK, I'm BAAAACCKKKKK! In body if not in mind! Had a marvellous time. I'll blog about it next month and include some of the hundreds of photos I took. New Zealand is amazingly photogenic! Thanks for popping into the blog - I'm just about to go through the comments! Hope you've all been good while I've been away - you know Santa keeps notes ;-)
Hey, Fedora, I guess the chook is moving on from you right now. Congrats. I did take TONS of photos! The digital camera sure came in handy.
Ha ha, I didn't even notice the crusing boo-boo. What's a typo between friends? Love your list. I'm kinda thinking at least six weeks on the island - unless I really have RA in which case, I'm not goin' anywhere in a hurry, honey!
Helen, looks like the Banditas are joining us on the island, courtesy of you and Fedora inviting us. Sorry to hear things aren't great in your house at the moment - sending you big vibes for better news soon.
Hey, Louisa, love your list! Another vote for the Banditas. Actually if all you want to do is LOOK at Richard, I think we could come to some arrangement. Thing is I'm not sure I trust you to stick to the deal! We'd better choose a coolish island or all that chocolate will melt. Must say it's sweltering in South East Queensland today. Makes me want to go back to lovely cool NZ!
Ooh, Pat, Lair Island. I LIKE it!!! Has a ring of pirates about it which will keep Captain Tawny Depp happy. She has a very soft spot for Jack Sparrow! Laughed at you wondering where the chocolate addiction comes from. Hmm, couldn't imagine! LOL!
Actually, Donna, while I was on the ship, I talked to someone who had actually read Moby Dick and she kinda made me think I'm not sure I DO want to read it after all. Sounds like it gets very bogged down in detail! Laughed at the idea of the Bandits having to make a quick getaway. That kinda comes with Bandit territory, doesn't it?
Christine, I missed all you guys too. Well, kinda, when I wasn't slurping cocktails or contemplating my daily excursion through the gorgeous countryside! Yeah, I know, low blow! Actually the internet on the ship was AWFUL!!!! Pretty much so bad it was nonexistent. It's nice to be back to my computer. I'm catching up with stuff - two weeks of emails have to be seen to be believed!
Hey, Aunty Cindy, happy cruising. We'll have to swap notes next time we're together - and you've been to NZ too! It's definitely a CRUISY way to travel!
Emmanuelle, seriously, I have about 600 pictures so I'm going to be slavering to share them with you all. Perhaps not ALL 600!
Dianna, you're with Madame on the vote for the internet! I hear you! Mind you, can a desert island have internet? Surely then it isn't desert? I hate to be pedantic! Ooh, shampoo! You're so right! Let's throw that in with the sunscreen as one item on my list.
Ooh, PJ, and to my list of toiletries, I'm adding toothpaste and a supply of toothbrushes (hate it when they get dog-toothed). Hmm, the toiletries are starting to turn into a major issue! Actually at the risk of verging on the far too practical, can I take a supply of toilet paper too? I don't think palm fronds are going to cut the mustard!
Ha ha, Gillian, I just ventured to suggest we take toilet paper and I notice you beat me to it. Actually can we have a ruined house that somehow miraculously includes a whole stack of self-cleaning, flushing toilets on this island too? Love your list - and the solar power thing would work. It means our internet fiends could power up their laptops. Oh, dear, we're such rugged survivalists here in the lair, aren't we? If ever the Apocalypse comes, we'll survive all hardships! LOL!
Carol, laughed at your doubling up of kilted Highlander. Does that mean you're going to share? What a lovely thing to do!!!!
Margay, Margay, Margay! How could you forget my article's topic? I mean, Richard isn't that distracting! My article was about...
Slaver, slaver, drool!
What were we talking about?
Daz, I love the idea of 3,500 books to keep us company. And wow, that's one hunky man you showed us there! Actually, I think the DH would cope with a shorter cruise - we had three days sailing each way and then a whole stack of wonderful port calls in NZ where there was plenty to do. And they've got lots of activities for active types. Mind you, I only report on this as hearsay! ;-)
Nancy, is Moby Dick a tragedy? I honestly don't know much about it. I remember as a kid trying to watch the Gregory Peck movie but it was all just a little grim for me then. Oh, dear, nobody seems to approve of my reading choice! Perhaps I should choose the collected works of Shakespeare instead and we can do amateur dramatics in the evenings. Yeah, right. Hugh Jackman, Richard Armitage and co on the island and we're desperate for something else to do!
Jo, hands off my Richard. If you're a good girl and eat up all your coconut, you're allowed to sit quietly with Louisa and WATCH him! Actually one of things I noticed about cruising is how easy it makes travelling. I'm used to schlepping around by public transport and unpacking every day or so. This was just so straightforward!
Jo, have you read MD? It's just one of those books people talk about and I feel I should at least try it. I did that with War and Peace and I thought it was a great read. Hmm, perhaps Melville isn't quite the crowd-pleased Tolstoy is! Wow, that's not a sentence you use every day!
Jo, aren't you a honey? And thank you so much for filling in for me so beautifully in my absence. I'd buy you a cocktail if I could just a find a darn waiter!
Janga, I rather like the idea of George kept in reserve for when our current hunks get a little bit tired! Mind you, if I get to that yacht first, all bets are off! ;-)
Cybercliper, NZ was incredibly diverse and it's really not very big for all that amazing scenery to fit inside it. The greens were so lush and wonderful, they were almost psychedelic and we had a wonderful day touring the fiords that was an absolute highlight. Pictures are coming!
By the way, I think the fishing gear thing is a GREAT idea!
P226, you always crack me up! Actually I think I'd definitely take you as our survival expect. And you'd keep all these rambunctious island residents in line - that large knife would definitely help!
Cassondra, I'm really, REALLY having trouble not commenting on the use of the words 'tackle' and 'easy' in one sentence. ;-)
Catslady, I met a really interesting couple on the ship.
The lady was a German teacher and a HUGE reader (and addicted to her Kindle, you girls will be interested to hear). Her husband was a German raised in America and he had to read Moby Dick (she'd read it too). Both of them reacted with horror at the idea of reading the whale book without actually HAVING to. Definitely having second thoughts on the great white whale. Speaking of which, saw lots of dolphins in NZ. Way cool! And albatrosses and seals!
Kim, I knew you'd weaken and include a cabana boy or two - by the way FOUR is just being greedy!
Jeanne, had a snicker about the order of your list. Perhaps it's ascending order of importance! Only ONE bottle of wine? Sounds like you'd be raiding my champagne before too long!
Beth, pistachios! What a great idea. Actually I'm rather fond of macadamias too. Perhaps we should include some nuts - I mean, apart from the Banditas and buddies!
P226, if you need a break from all this hard yakka (Aussie-ism for hard work, suspect it's foreign to you guys), you might want to curl up with one of the nice romance novels we're taking!
Sheree, love your list. Although you can have another item. On MY desert island, there's lots of fresh water. In fact, a lot of it comes out sparkling from a spa. I'm sure there are pre-carbonated springs on SOME desert islands!
Laurie, had a wonderful time! So many wonderful things to tell you all about! Laughed at you planting fruit and veg. I think we need to appoint P226 as chief gardener. He sounds like he'd enjoy the extra exercise!
Well, if fresh water is on the island, then I want an additional cutie: Hugh Jackman, one of Carol L's kilted Highlanders, Jimmy Thomas, or Paul Marron (my favorite cover model).
Unless I have to bring toiletries...
Snort, Sheree, I thought you were short-changing yourself in the hunk department! And it looks like we're going to have plenty of toiletries!
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