We'll start with xenodocheionology. This bizarre word is something I can actually use to describe myself. It means a love(r) of hotels and inns. There's nothing more fun, as a writer, to check into a bed and breakfast and hole up for a few days writing.
Xylophone is a word that I can also get behind. One of my favorite jazz musicians played the xylophone and vibraphone like nobody's business. That guy was Milt Jackson. He played alone, with greats like Thelonious Monk, Wes Montgomery and John Coltrane, and with the Modern Jazz Quartet. Later, he formed the Milt Jackson Quartet. I had the privilege to see him in person up in Boston, and it made an everlasting impression on me. Sunflower is his best album ever.
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| Milt Jackson |
Lastly, Xi is the fourteenth letter of the Greek alphabet. It reminds me that I will be teaching creative writing in Greece in June! And then we'll hop over to Istanbul. Can't wait to hit the bazaar, see the blue mosque and hang out on the Black Sea drinking Turkish coffee. Xi, hah!
Where do you go to get away and write? If you could go anywhere on a writing retreat where would it be? Which jazz musicians do you like? Seriously, check out Milt Jackson's Sunflower.
Two more days for A to Z, oh my!
Xenodocheionology is one of those great words that I'll never have reason to use. Thanks for describing it though. It'll be fun visiting all the blogs just to see the strange words chosen for today's post.
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And to think, this whole time I had no idea that I was a xenodocheionologist. I'm going to put that on my business card!
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Xenodocheionology is such an interesting word, and it's new to me. I love discovering new words. Thanks!!
ReplyDeletexenodocheionology-I'll have to remember that one. I work for a unique B & B out here near my home. We have writers come all the time because ours is different than most. Very private. They're individual cabins. We leave breakfast items in each kitchen, so there is not disturbance. Most have hot tubs. http://www.scenichillvacations.com/ If you're ever in Southeast Texas, you should look us up. One afternoon, I could drive you around and peek into all the cool shops in town!
ReplyDeleteI'd love to go on a writing retreat to Cape Cod. I haven't been there in years, since I got tired of my parents always going there, but it would probably be nice to revisit it as an adult, and on my own timetable.
ReplyDeleteThe Blue Mosque! You're going to love it! Here's something you can try. Set your camera on a slow shutter speed, set the timer then lay the camera on the floor to take a picture of the ceiling.
ReplyDeleteLovin' the Milt Jackson!
Candy, wow that sounds absolutely wonderful! I'll keep it in mind. Carrie-Anne, the Cape is an awesome place to go to write. I actually go there, to a friend's house to write. This summer, I'm going to check out Rehoboth Beach, DE, and see if it lives up to its rep as Cape Cod South.
ReplyDeleteI can definitely relate to holing up in some hotel and writing to my heart's content. :) Greece sounds lovely.
ReplyDeletemy husband introduced me to some jazz, we used to love listening to it all the time--i can't think of the album i loved especially---what a wonderful experience you will have, teaching in greece and then to drink turkish coffee--i have always wondered what that was like--now you can tell us--thanks
ReplyDeleteLucky you - Greece in June! ahhh, how wonderful! xenodocheionology. Now how to pronounce?? I had no idea that word existed but I would love to hole up in a hotel room and write for days! Preferably one with a mountain view. :)
ReplyDeleteMy favorite part of touring (I was part of the road crew for a well known artist) was setting up my laptop and writing in the wee hours of the night. There was one hotel just outside of Philly that had the coolest office chair I have ever seen. I've been looking for something similar since.
ReplyDeleteHave fun in Greece and Turkey! I would love to see some pictures.
On the theory that the first thing that pops into your head is the one you should go with, I would choose Tuscany for a writers' retreat (although Greece, where you're apparently teaching a workshop is no sloppy second). Re: favorite jazz musicians -- don't even know where to begin. Fred Hersch and Bill Evans and Thelonious Monk first come to mind; then there's Stan Getz and John Coltrane and anyone who plays 'Round Midnight' as beautifully as Milt Jackson. Thanks so much for increasing my vocabulary by at least one word.
ReplyDeleteYeah, Milt Jackson! That is good stuff.
ReplyDeleteA while ago while searching for images to go with a blog post, I found this amazing apartment in Venice: pictures here. That is where I would choose to go for a writers' retreat. We could write all day and punt around Venice in the evening.
Greece sounds amazing! I'd love to write in France, Iceland or Italy.
ReplyDeleteAdrianne, yes write all day in Iceland, and then hit the hot springs! Elizabeth, that does look like a cute retreat! Deborah, I too, like Bill Evans. I have a couple of his CDs. Sort of like drinking good tea, calming, yet stimulating, and good to write to. Caitlin, where outside of Philly. I grew up there. May know the place. Your experience as part of a road crew for an artist sounds intriguing. And, yes, I will def take photos of the Greek island and of Istanbul. What I really want to do is but stuff from the bazaar-isn't that awful?!
ReplyDeleteGreat post! X is not an easy one!
ReplyDeleteIf I could, I'd drop everything right now and head to London for a writing retreat. There's just something about that city that inspires me.
Greece in June sounds lovely. Have fun! :)
Have a great weekend!
Jazz is great. I can't say I have a favorite. I just like the music.
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