Hello there - I hope everyone is doing well. Here are a few things I thought were cool this week:
1. Mystery Machine Spotting
While out for a run, I ran pass a sight that I did not quite expect to see. Sitting in the driveway of a house, was a pretty convincing Scooby Doo “Mystery Machine” van.
I grew up on a steady diet of Scooby Doo cartoons. It was the tv show most commonly on at my babysitters house and I loved every moment of it. The creators did an excellent job of balancing the mystery and villainy with the humor of Scooby and Shaggy.
I wonder what other well known vehicles would be cool to see out and about…
2. March On
I am glad that March has arrived. January and February, are not my favorite months and I am glad they are over - maybe it’s the cold. Here in Texas, we are just starting to see signs of Spring appearing. I know it’s not “officially” Spring yet but one can’t help but see that something is underway.
Nature is waking back up, returning to life, and growing again. It’s like the gallery of growing things is opening back up. Reminds me of the Dante Alighieri quote:
“Nature is the art of God”
Also, it is the start of our Spring Break this week. I am looking forward to enjoying the slow onset of Spring.
3. Ignore Everybody
I recently finished Hugh MacLeod’s; Ignore Everybody & 39 Other Keys to Creativity. The book is chock full of advice and wisdom on creativity and especially on the dynamics it might create with others.
For example, he shares a lot about how having an original idea or “good idea” is often met with resistance by others. A good idea can suddenly change the power balance in a relationship and not everyone will be excited about this change. Which is why new ideas are resisted and as Hugh says;
“Good ideas have lonely childhoods”
While living in New York, Hugh started doodling on the back of business cards. His doodles are intended to be humorous, edgy and commentaries on the ups and downs of the creative artist’s life. Eventually, after 1000’s of business card doodles, they morphed into this book.
Other creative advice from the book I thought worth sharing:
Everyone is born creative - everyone gets crayons in kindergarten. As we get older, our wee small voice of creativity gets overtaken by our louder, logical voice of “adulthood.” Some people manage to stay in touch with their wee small voice of creativity.
Make stuff because you want to make it. Not because you think others will perceive it as “art” or “good.” The more you try to make something that other people might like - the less they will like it.
Everybody has their own personal “Mount Everest” they are called to climb. You can ignore it or you can start climbing your mountain. The choice is yours.
Thanks for reading and following along. Have a great week and be on the look out for anything interesting, creative and cool.