Thank You

It is nice to get a little attention for your work. I sat down with Jaris English, a Renton-area writer, and she captured my feeling about theatre in this article that was featured in the RENTON REPORTER.

Click HERE to read it!

20 Minute Brain Dump

Brain dumps are as random
as this photo!

I didn't blog yesterday. Instead, I spent my writing time with my 89-year-old Auntie who is a joy to be around. She's the most positive person I know!

Today, during my blogging time, I decided to join my husband and walk our little man to school.

It doesn't mean, however, that I haven't had a bazillion creative ideas bashing about in my head!

Each day, my goal is to encourage others to think creatively, explore their creativity and unleash that creativity on the world.

So today I'm doing something that is part "Morning Pages" and part "talk to the wall" exercise. Basically it comes down to the same thing, dump out what's in your brain -either verbally or on paper or on computer- and see what "sticks". See what creative ideas might work. What might stick and then just letting go of the rest. Quantity NOT quality is the goal of this exercise.

As an example, here's my dump:

Tried to write a post on "rules" yesterday in the afternoon. I hated it so I dumped it. But, I did love the Pee Wee clip I added, so I'll put it here. 

I wonder what would happen if no one shopped on Thanksgiving or black Friday? Wouldn't the stores just have to make those sales on a different day? I worked 7 Thanksgivings (and Christmases) in a row when I performed at DisneyWorld and it was weird at first, I enjoyed being a special part of other people's holiday celebrations. Stores aren't creating special family moments. Stores are just trying to get us to spend money on stuff we probably don't need. I am closing my Macy's card account. I won't be shopping at Kohl's, JCP, Wal-mart or Target. After I made that decision, I went to my locally run drugstore and bought all the stuff I needed like TP, etc for less than I would've paid at Target. Kind of a lovely little, "it'll be okay" reminder. I lived without those stores before and I can live without them now. AND I saved money on gas. I'll have to get creative but I think that cutting those stores out of my life might actually be fun and freeing.

Maybe the key to getting rid of "sexy" costumes for females is to teach our sons to NOT react or give attention to women dressed that way.  On a separate note, the husband is planning a backlash on the sexy trend. He's going as a beer keg and plans to wear short-shorts with it. To be a sexy beer keg. I love my husband.

Debra Trappen of d11 consulting was right (and I knew she would be). She challenged me to get more involved with LinkedIn groups. I did. I started a conversation and some lovely people responded with some great things. It all happened faster than I expected. I love community. I love people who are smarter than I am and share their wisdom.

Times up. The little man is home from his 1/2 day at school. Yesterday, he built a car out of a cardboard box. He's been driving around the house from room to room. Kids are the best creative idea generators out there.

Now, you try! Do a brain dump. No filter. Just write what's on your mind. Doesn't even have to make sense!

Let's Get Physical

I am slipping into my alter-ego tonight and performing a PechaKuchu. Typically, I improvise, but, in this case, the "rules" of the PechaKuchu (pronounced Paw-chaw-kaw-chaw) require 20 images/20 seconds per image.

I'd known about this since JULY and had been kicking around ideas but, finally, it was time to get my ACT together and PRODUCE -build my speech and slide show- I had to get PHYSICAL.

I think a lot of people forget that the act of CREATING is often a PHYSICAL endeavor. Yes, I sat at the computer and started building the slide presentation. (Tip: always save often when you are building ANY type of presentation!!)

But, the CREATION of the slides, came to me FIRST while I was walking, driving, showering and working out at the gym!

I went about my day and did my stuff and ANY time my idea CRYSTALLIZED, I came back to the computer and dropped in a finished product. I went back and forth and probably threw OUT as many ideas/slides as I created but, I came up with a passable first version in this way.

I was happy with the results as I sat at my computer and rehearsed.

THEN, I went to the gym with an outline of my presentation in my Evernote (thank you, whoever invented this wonderful app.) and walked on the treadmill. Hard. I sweated it out and talked the presentation in my head.

This act of getting the presentation on its feet -literally- showed me the awkward spots. The slides I'd spent the most time on were the slides that were the ones that ruined the flow of the piece. So, I sweated and thought and worked.

Then, I came home and re-built the slide deck.

I'll walk it out again today, before I leave for the venue and make any necessary last minute tweaks. Then, it'll be showtime, I'll perform this piece and then drive home . . . thinking of all the ways I could do better next time.

Have you ever tried getting physical when you need ideas? What form of physical activity helps you think best??