Twittering - what's it all about?

Ahhh, to Twitter - and what does that really mean? I'm sure many of you have heard about it (so sorry if this is a repeat), but for all of my other wonderful blog readers, here's the quick 101 on Twitter.

Basically Twitter is like a micro blog. It gives me a field of just 140 characters to get my point across. Every time that I type my message it will instantly appear on the screen of other fellow twitter users (only those who have decided to follow the things that I write about).

I just joined two days ago and I'm still trying to figure out the best way to use it, but I've heard it's a great way to share the word about your businesses too. So I really hope Oprah's producers are on Twitter too! =)

Have a great weekend - come see me on my Twitter site: Rory's Twitter Page

Today I was twittering about an article I read that predicts the eventual downfall of books made of paper. Does that mean all of my biographies will become digital? I know for one that Jer will never give up his collection of zombie and Koontz book! Here's the article: http://tinyurl.com/b6a2la

Ninja Squirrel & Communication Problems

I would like to share two, count them, two stories with you today. One involving a ninja squirrel and the other involving me being a little to ambitious with my spanish skills. (P.S. Never taken Spanish in my life).

So here goes.... for the past month I have noticed a major problem with putting the garbage out on our doorstep. The squirrels will undoubtedly want a midnight snack, and I wake up in the morning to a decimated garbage bag. So yes, I learned my lesson - no more leaving the garbage out overnight. But what about ten minutes? ...Come on! I should be able to set it outside for ten minutes....wrong!!

Today I set it on the porch, grabbed a few things, and headed out, only to find that again the ninja squirrel had struck...and this time he had a fascination with my empty starbucks cup and our dryer sheets. He must have binoculars in the nearby tree - and I imagine him very stealth like and with an expensive taste for Starbucks coffee and soft clothes. I hope I learned my lesson this time!

The second story involves some of the painters that have been around our apartment complex for the past three weeks. They decided to paint the entire complex, so it has been a massive undertaking. I always smile and wave at the guys and usually ask how they are doing. I quickly noticed that they don't speak english, and so wouldn't really answer me when I asked how they were. So today, I came up the stairs and using my best spanish said "Hola!" The guy smiled and replied back to me, "Hola!" Then I decided to take it one step further.."Como Estas?" .....and then came his answer, which ended up lasting a couple of minutes, and I think involved something about paint, the weather, and probably something about my ninja squirrel!

Unfortunately, all I knew to say back was ,"Muy Bien, Gracias!"...with a big wide smile! I think it was just about that time he realized that I don't speak Spanish... Maybe I'll just stick with "Hi," the next time I see him!

Top 10 List

Sorry for the long delay... it has been crazy since we got back from the cruise! I know, sounds like I'm rubbing it in for all of you who didn't get to come on the cruise... but hey, I've got to live it up while I can!

I would like to report back on some of the memorable moments on the trip. Here's a Siefer Top 10 List if you will:

10) Hearing the phrase "Recalculating" coming from my GPS system as we were heading down to Galveston to catch the ship. Let's just say it didn't look like we were going to make it in time, since the highway was shut down to one lane! If that thing says "Recalculating" one more time..

9) Arriving on the ship just in time for the emergency evacuation drill - Jeremy trying to go to the restroom while our stateroom attendant tries to come into the cabin and get the enormously large life jackets on us!

8) Ahhhh, the captain's daily address - if only we could actually understand what he was saying. Somewhere between his German accent and the unfortunate ship acoustics, he sounded like the Charlie Brown's parents....."Muww, mmmm, hummm, muwww...goodbye." Hope he wasn't ordering an evacuation or telling us we were being boarded by pirates!

7) Making conversation at our first breakfast in the cafe - a nice elderly couple came and asked if they could share a table with us. We moved over and exchanged pleasantries. They asked me if this was my first cruise and I smiled and said, "Well, it will be the first one that I will remember!" ... "Wait! That came out wrong...I mean, not because I drink. No, oh, I mean, I was only 6 years old last time..." Then the nice couple smiled, but I could tell they didn't believe me! Ahhh, one of many interesting dining experiences!

6) Ordering room service and the woman asking, "And so how many people will this be serving?" Then my meek reply, "Just two!" =)


5) The taxi ride in Roatan, Honduras - when our non-english speaking taxi driver pointed at the tourists on motor scooters, shook his finger back and forth, and said, "Muchos Americanos Muertos." I'm pretty sure he said something about dying, but I just hope it wasn't us!

4) Cool sun burn patterns - Jeremy had a distinct hand print on his right shoulder - yep, that looked very cool the entire week!

3) Finding the photos they took of us on-board - we finally came across the area where they posted all the pictures that they took around the ship and at dinners. In 2 of the 3 photos I have my eyes closed and a very bad smile/grimace. Well, someone has to be the un-photogenic couple! Whoops!

2) The missing magic show trick - One night they had a magician perform. While waiting for the show to start they made a big deal about this large silver trunk with locks all over it. You were allowed to go up on stage and inspect it and even sign your name on it....all for some trick later in the show. A few hours later, when we were both in bed, Jer turns to me and said, "Hey they never did anything with that silver box!" Guess we will never know!

1) And our very favorite memory would have to be the towel animals every night - our favorite was "Ronald" the bat...don't ask why he got that name, but it just seemed to suit him!

"Ronald" the cool bat

What appears to be a rabbit..

Pretty sure it's a dog!

A runner-up for first place - an elephant!

Valentine's night - the swans! Almost sickeningly cute =)

Bermuda, Bahama, come on pretty mama!

Yes, that is right! Jeremy and I are headed out on a well deserved vacation this Sunday! We have both been "burning the candle at both ends," as my Dad used to like to tell me when I was in college!

We will set sail aboard the "Voyager of the Seas," for a 7-day cruise. This was an amazing gift that my parents gave to us for our wedding. We were supposed to go last year for our first anniversary, but someone broke his leg....not pointing any fingers here!

So we rescheduled last year and decided on this February...then someone broke their hand....again, no finger pointing! Needless to say, broken limbs and all we're definitely headed out on Sunday. And I can't wait! Looks like there is an ice skating rink, climbing wall, a half dozen pools, and most importantly ample space for some R&R.

On a side note my biography business has been going really well! I just got back from four different projects and have been on the road for the past 4 weeks: Shamrock, TX - Mineral Wells, TX - Austin, TX - and Hot Springs, AR! Next month will include Houston, Austin, Fredericksburg, and Atlanta.... so hopefully will have some fun stories to share with you soon!