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Oh Man, Here We Go......... Down The Rabbit Hole ..........

Posted about 4 years ago
If you know what's good for you, you would have hit the 'red button' already. My mind wanders, sometimes into scary places, some times into places I can barely figure out myself. I pick up things every where I go. Always looking for that 'teaching moment'. This may explain my personal want to be better than average. I have had a million hobbies and interests, all of them feeding the thirst. From radio controlled airplanes to large format photography, to religious history, to writing a blog. A constant undercurrent being the conscious effort to remain creative. I think that is paramount. Remain creative. So ... What are you doing to stay relevant and creative? What's your raison d'être or reason for being?I go where you go.


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Comments (15)

  1. Anonymous says oh man, i'm the same way. a "jane-of-all-trades" or something... great tune!
    Permalink posted 05/14/2008
  2. Anonymous says Somebody said only a fool waits for inspiration to strike in order to move. So: Quantity first, quality second.
    Permalink posted 05/15/2008
  3. Anonymous says Lately, it seems I've trapped myself creatively. I have so many projects I've started, or would like to start, that I feel overwhelmed. As a result, none of the work gets done unless there's some sort of externally created deadline (for my contract work). Currently I'm creating a website for a client, with two other clients in que, I have three people who have asked me to design tattoos for them (some have already gone through a few versions already), I need to relaunch my portfolio and personal sites, I have 2 animated music videos in my head, I've been talking about developing an online comic with a friend of mine, And last but not least, I'm almost halfway through writing a novel. Lately it seems when I get home from work, the last thing I want to do is any of these projects. I end up endlessly surfing on the net' or watching TV with my partner. It was a whole lot easier when I was single because I had more free time and my creativity seemed to thrive on my loneliness.
    Permalink posted 05/15/2008
  4. Anonymous says Chris, I am going to have to get back to you about this one...at work...can't devote the proper time and thought it deserves. You touched a nerve.
    Permalink posted 05/15/2008
  5. Anonymous says democlez, throw kids in that and see that margin of time shrink even more. I'm not complaining, but adjusting to family life as a self absorbed creative type, is definitely tough. I create because I have to. Because it pays the bills, and because I am fortunate enough to use my skills in this manner (whether or not my employers let me use them the way I want, is another story. I have always been a jack of all trades, a million unfinished projects. Perhaps it's the process of doing, that draws us into it...
    Permalink posted 05/15/2008
  6. Anonymous says I'm with Annie..... your posts always demand a proper, thoughtful, response... and I get stuck trying to respond....I'll try to get back to this tonight.... I agree with Tyler...."throw kids in that and see that margin of time shrink even more. I'm not complaining, but adjusting to family life as a self absorbed creative type, is definitely tough." ...... definitely. one thought though.... this seemingly compulsive expenditure of creative energy.... sometimes it feels like a burden..... as if I am mistakenly working toward some kind of an "end" or "resolution" that in fact will never arrive.
    Permalink posted 05/15/2008
  7. Anonymous says Great song! A few months ago I was feeling really creative, but lately I feel stuck in a rut. I knit, but I mainly just follow patterns. I substitute yarns and stuff, so I can put my stamp on something. I've never really designed anything, the closest I have come was to find a pattern for a piano scarf, and then change it so it was double knit because I saw one of the dudes from The Horrors had one and I wanted it. Doublke knit piano scarf I like photography, so I started doing Project365, but it has become a burden. What I like about it, though, is that it has me seeing the world in a different way. I notice small details around me more than I used to, which is really nice. I used to write more on my blog, but my text posts are very few and far between these days. I think this is for two reasons. First, I'm spending more energy on coming up with stuff to photograph, and really have nothing left. Second, after writing my dissertation, my desire to read and write has been nearly non-existent. My desire to watch serious films declined as well. I think I just needed to clear my head. I hope that's almost done, because I feel sort of stagnant over here!
    Permalink posted 05/15/2008
  8. Oatmeal
    Oatmeal says Funny, but I went to law school as a creative endeavor. Sounds like an oxymoron, but like you I have a bunch of interests, however I never felt like I had the tools to really do anything exceptionally well. Perhaps says as much about my own insecurities than any talents I have, but that is where it has taken me, to learn how to argue and marshal the facts, where these tools will lead me I don't know, but it is creative when it is done with ideals.
    Permalink posted 05/15/2008
  9. democlez
    democlez says Tyler - For sure. Adding kids into the mix undoubtedly cuts your free time to near-zero. I don't know why I procrastinate so much with my personal projects since free time isn't really a problem; I have more than most people (with or without kids). The only difference I can think of between now and when I was more productive creatively is that I'm in a relationship. Seems to me that when I had nothing but spare time, I was more inclined to get things done.
    Permalink posted 05/15/2008
  10. democlez
    democlez says Tyler - Boy, do I hear you with the "whether or not my employers let me use them the way I want, is another story" comment. I too work in a creative field (I do websites, animation, and video editing) but I don't even count these projects as my work because after the third or fourth critique and revision, it looks nothing like what I had originally envisioned (good or bad).
    Permalink posted 05/15/2008
  11. I am
    I am says Looks like I am not the only one rowing this boat. Just checking in, I too will get back tonight.
    Permalink posted 05/15/2008
  12. Groon
    Groon says What a great, thought provoking, time consuming question. As always, Chris, your posts deliver! As for me, well, my main creative output would be making music. I've been playing various instruments and styles for years now. Currently in two very different bands. A couple of years ago I decided to compose my own electronic music as well, which I've posted on MOG a bit about lately, as well. But I also have been trying my hand at writing a bit (the november contest, while a great way to start, didn't really pan out like I planned. I do have, however, some great ideas for this year, and I plan on actually preparing a bit!) I've decided recently to learn two languages, both of which I studied mildly in the past and enjoyed, but never continued, German and Uzbek. I also have been browsing sites and books about home electronics projects. I would like to try and make some synthesizer-type things and noise generators, and have found some great sites. I don't have room at the house, though, so that will have to stay cerebral until we move to a bigger place (hopefully in the next half year, money willing). I don't have much more time than that right now, but I do like to download new types of programs and fidlle with them. I tried to teach myself at least a rudimentary understanding of HTML, but I don't know how succesful I was with that. Basically, I just like to learn. Oh, and I've recently done some fossil hunting! (still haven't finished or taken pictures yet to send to you, but that's on hold now until summer when I have more time.)
    Permalink posted 05/15/2008
  13. Wade
    Wade says guitar, piano, tennis, work are all creative outlets in their own ways. the most creatively challenging thing though is trying to be a good dad and husband!
    Permalink posted 05/15/2008
  14. I am
    I am says Amen Wade, Amen.
    Permalink posted 05/15/2008
  15. Doomsayer2001
    Doomsayer2001 says I make lots and lots of beautiful noise!
    Permalink posted 05/30/2008

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