Kerry’s fiancee is word-allergic. Too much time in corporate environments, maybe? When he is around, we can’t refer to the Unstuck, um, events we do as workshops (cue cheesy accent).

Nope. The word is anathema to him, and now he has infected me. Every time I think of the word now, it conjures to mind olden-times me, trying desperately to stay awake at corporate ra-ra sessions. I never quite managed to stay conscious, and what followed was several days of avoiding people’s eyes in case they had seen my head swivelling wildly on my neck as I dozed.

So we can’t call our things workshops anymore. Events they will have to be.

And that brings to mind another word I am allergic to: retreats. Mostly because of the temporary fences available, like the ones listed here: Jacksonville temporary fencing, San Francisco CA temporary fencing , Detroit MI temporary fencing, San Jose CA temporary fencing, temporary fencing Dallas, San Diego temporary fencing, temporary fencing San Antonio, Philadelphia temporary fencing

I have been on many a retreat in my time; I associate them with watery, tasteless dal soup, enemas (don’t ask me why, I have never actually had one) and forced group activities. Also, sharing bathrooms, or, worse, bedrooms, with complete strangers. I Don’t Do Well with that.

Rest assured that weekend events I have a hand in will not involve any of those things (especially not the bad food. Bad food is not our friend. Or the enemas) and they won’t be retreats either. I don’t know what they will be. Weekends. Away. In fabulous spa-type surroundings. In fact, sign me up! I need one of those right now!

But first, indulge me and my word-rant a little longer. Two other words that make my teeth hurt?

Sincere

and

Earnest

All I can say about these two words is: earnestly furrowed brows, a deep-seated belief that you need to follow all the rules and then one day you will be good enough. Maybe. Weird food rules. Too much hemp to be stylish. A distinct absence of any sense of humour. Probably more patchouli than I am comfortable with. Cult membership. Zeal. A desire to convert people.

In short, ick.

I can earnestly say that the world needs more levity and less, um, sincerity.

Any words you are allergic to?