Creativity Tips: Give Yourself a Break

This is a photo of my basement. This was my secluded haven away from the open spaces of our house. It is now a basement with a huge, extremely expensive hole.

I won't go into the home repair nightmare -- but I will use it as a lesson.

I don't have a creativity tip for today, and that's OK. I've got a guy with a jackhammer in my basement, and workers with a backhoe outside. I can't be expected to be creative 24/7, no matter what the circumstance.

And neither can you. There are times when you won't feel creative. Don't fret. When you exercise your creative talents as much as we do, the mojo will be back tomorrow!

Hmmm. Did I just disprove my "I don't have a creativity tip for today" comment? And is "disprove" a word?

Creative Inspiration: Steve Wozniak Rocks. So Does Eva.

Laugh if you want, but I love Dancing with the Stars. And Steve Wozniak, who was voted off last week.

Wozniak isn't a great dancer, but he is a great competitor -- and sets a fine example. Here's a quote from professional dancer Derek Hough, on Wozniak's goodbye:

"For a guy who pretty much invented the computer, he hand-wrote us all letters, which is amazing. A little over two pages for each person," Derek says.

Steve Wozniak is now the apple of my eye. Put your pen to paper, pals. It really makes a difference.

P.S. Happy birthday to Eva!!!! The best sister in the world!!!!
And, yes, I have sent this wish to her in handwritten form, too. You all are such cynics. No wonder I love you.

Creative Inspiration: National Poetry Month

Sorry, T. S. Eliot. The world may feel like a waste land these days, but April is not the cruellest month. It's National Poetry Month! Let's celebrate with the New York Review of Books.

Thanks to JP for the idea!

Friday Fun: If a bear ...

Another Look

Here's a different look at Mary's ketchup painting. (Original is in the post below.)

Perspective is an amazing thing. And editing ain't bad either.

Creativity Tips: Admire Your Work

I've been told modesty is a wonderful thing. I wouldn't know. I've never been afflicted with it.

Apparently, this is a genetic trait. My daughter Mary "painted" this with ketchup, and insisted that I stop what I was doing to come over and admire her art.

This is so cool, she said. It looks like fire.

It does, doesn't it? And Mary's right about something else -- ketchup art is very cool. So is she. And so are you. So, beginning today, really appreciate your own talents. And don't be afraid to welcome someone else into your artistic glow!

I Quit

You know what? I'm out of ideas.

Got nothing creative left.

No tips. No exercises.

No inspiration.
I'm done.

(April Fools! And now let's all go put sugar in the salt shakers ...)