INT 310: Discussion Five, Story Corps and TedTalks!

"You know how to open a can of tuna fish, you know how to shmear it with mayonnaise..." 

The student will post 3 paragraphs analyzing a chosen Ted Talk in relation to one of the other forms of communication associated with this module (Op-Ed, Moth Radio Hour, or Story Corps), while explaining how complementary and competing perspectives contribute to the ongoing discussion about information, innovation, or technology.

I chose "The Art of Misdirection" TedTalk. Apollo Rollins was engaging, entertaining, and shared sage lessons about our what captures our attention, all while performing sleight of hand magic tricks while engaging the audience. He used humor, personal interaction, storytelling, and tricks to entertain. His first lesson: that misdirection doesn’t happen off to the side, but often in front of us. Also: attention controls your perceptions. If you can control someone’s attention, what would you do with it? It’s more than balancing a poker chip on someone's shoulder, slipping a wallet out of a pocket, or unfastening a watch from someone’s wrist. I would respect my audience and make sure what I was sharing with them is valuable, informational, and entertaining. 

I LOVE STORY CORPS! Their shorts have been shown on PBS for years, to the point I looked more forward to them than the show I was actually watching. They are short, only 2-3 minutes snippets giving the viewer a glimpse of their lives. Story Corps gets right to the heart by simply stating a good conversation starts by asking great questions. One of my favorites is "Two by Two," the story of two sets of twins who married in the late 40s, as told by Elliot and Hunny Reiken. Their story of meeting and the joke of them marrying twins evolved into them talking about their 60+ year marriage, where Hunny relishes the man Elliot is, and how he "doesn't have a phony bone in your body," and holds her fantastically when they dance.  In "No more questions!" Kay Wang, a cantankerous grandmother, was interviewed by her son Chang and granddaughter Chen on her courtship with her husband and her job as a detective at a Bloomingdale's in NYC. Kay passed away a few weeks after the interview, and Chang explains how he still talks to her ashes, and misses her spirit, "balancing between independence and stubbornness."

The joy in this lesson is relational storytelling that is compelling and heartfelt. For StoryCorps, Kay's story was told from competing points of view: she saw herself as grouchy, selfish, confrontational, but her family remembered her as caring and strong-willed. The Reikens' stories complemented one another: it evolved from the story of two sets of twins marrying in a double wedding, to celebrating the longevity of their union. This also goes back to what Rollins said about controlling perceptions. My favorite StoryCorps are the ones animated by The Rauch Brothers. I find this design commands my attention and enhances the storytelling. To tie it to technology, I have seen the shorts on PBS, YouTube, and Facebook: they are accessible. Innovative? They are committed to telling the story of everyone who perished in the 9/11 attacks on NYC; that is a tremendous task and an extraordinary feat. 

INT 310: Why Art Matters: Happy Birthday Dave!

I've got a present to make! 

My husband is impossible to buy for since he's a "if I want it, I get it" kinda guy. He likes creating memories, so what better than to gift him with my Tool Trash?

So first, I went to find a poster frame to encase the pictures and confetti. It was an easy find really. I didn't like any of the papers there to mat the project, so I relied on my inventory of papers at home. Lunchtime was the World Figure Skating Championship rhythm dance and adventures in present making. 

Choosing a mat. All I had were these small pieces I had to string together. 

Did I like purple and blue together? No I did not. 

Did I want to highlight the confetti I had that linked together? That didn't work either. 

I had to have that piece in a place of honor! 

Thanks for your help, Ace. 

Putting it together. 

Mock layout #17. Still not happy, but closer with the purple background. 

Trimming it up. I have exacto cuts all over my kitchen counter. 

My base. 

Are we getting closer? I think this might be it. 

Using the detail in the confetti as a corner for a photo.

The end! Perfect timing too, he just rolled into the driveway. A quick save and I'll post for his birthday! 

INT 310: Discussion 4, Unleashing Everyday Magic

Now that you know who you are, what do you want to be...?

Hm, the title of this book's not very nice.  

I fell in love with the title of this passage, and then the reality of the lesson hit: the concept of creative tension in relation to emotional tension is more practical work than mystical magic. 

I've heard the phrase "mind the gap" before, and didn't know what it meant until I realized it can be used to explain creative tension, the gap between vision and reality. It's your goals, your hopes for the future set in contrast to what you're dealing with today. It may be the dream of graduation while struggling in a class. For me, the goal of passing my gold moves test while not being able to skate on a regular basis. Emotional tension is worry, fear, anger and sadness, which  are all normal, healthy emotions that must be managed before it interferes with your ability to do the things you want or need to do.

The real artistry of leadership comes not from creative tension alone, but from understanding and working with its inevitable companion, emotional tension. (Senge, p. 295) Senge further explains that negativity and fighting may be powerful tools to motivate people towards change, but once a threat goes away, so does motivation. Similarly, demonizing other creates tension, but does not create a sense of responsibility towards a solution. All you get is "us vs. them." Between masks, vaccines, gun control, politics and more, we've had quite enough of that. The phrase that struck me the most was that profound learning processes are driven by aspiration, not desperation. (p. 294) 

What did I gather from the readings to strike a balance between creative and emotional tension?

• Face reality which means tell the truth to yourself
• Allow focus to return
• Manage your visions
• Emphasize opportunity

For a real life example, I will go back to my creative goal, which is to pass my gold moves test. My reality is a lack of training time and coaching. My emotional tension is fear that my skills are deteriorating. Sadness that I have faced numerous setbacks in achieving this goal - cancer, illness, scheduling conflicts. Anger that is seems so much easier for other skaters, why do I struggle so much with skills on my left side? So I need to focus on how to resolve this.  Readjusting the calendar from April to November, when I know I will have more time to train in the future. Finding a coach who is willing to work with me in spaces where we can both be present. Managing my time wisely when I am at the rink. Focus on what needs to be done to accomplish what I want. Commit to the goal, capitalize on the momentum I am creating, and set a realistic, attainable goal. 

INT 310: What's Right in the World: Buy Nothing, Freecycle Sites

Do I go for it?

I have too much stuff, yet I like to get new stuff. What I don't like is throwing away stuff or contributing to the problem of our ever expanding landfill issue. So I like to give stuff away. 

So I belong to a freecycle site here in my community. 

What's right about it is others' generosity. The effort it takes to post items to the facebook group, then packaged it up for people to pick up. 

I first started freecycling back when my son was a baby and I was underemployed. It really helped out when I needed a exersaucer or containers for homemade baby food. And the mini food processor to make said baby food!

The givers and receivers come from all walks of life, and truly some of the kindest people you would encounter. If they had a sandwich and you were hungry, they'd give you half. Searching the posts, there are indeed people posting full canisters of baby formula, food truck information, and extra tomatoes from their garden. 

Wondering if documenting the process of freecycling would be a good second project for class. It's sustainable. It's creative, the way people post sets of items and ways for people to pick up. Results are trackable. 

INT 310: Creativity Rocks! Playlist

Of angels... 

Woo boy, how to define a playlist for being creative. Again, another stream of consciousness to connect music to thoughts. 

Eurythmics, There Must Be an Angel - this one is for Jennifer Callaghan, and her cooking inspiration. I remember a story Dave Stewart told of Annie Lennox's prowess in the kitchen in the early days of the band, when there wasn't much in the cupboard. "She could create a feast with a bag of flour and a bit of lard." Plus, she sings like a songbird. Bonus points for the dude in the video who is sporting John Deacon's unicorn costume from the Queen video for It's a Hard Life. Because it's been a while since I've said something about John Deacon. 

Spread Your Wings, Queen - Oh, let's just go there then. John Deacon's song writing for the band Queen, if it's not about how much he loves his wife, is about the everyman wanting to break free of whatever is stopping him from his dreams, even if they are self inflicted. I see that struggle in creativity as well, the desire to spread your wings and dream big. Sammy boy, who'd you think you are? 

Two of Us, The Beatles - One of the joys of listening to the Beatles Channel is hearing some of the stories and the creative processes they developed. Paul McCartney said this of their early days, "You'd be invited to play in the clubs, and you'd put together a set list of popular songs. Then the band playing in front of you would play what's on your set and you'd look stupid. Then you'd seek out the American bands, and learn their songs so you'd have something new to play. Then you'd learn the B sides. It was exhausting, and John and I just said, well, why don't we write our own then?" Two of Us, while on their last studio album, was a song they wrote in the early 60s when they were just starting out. 

Take Me Home Tonight, Eddie Money and Ronnie Spector - This song is on the list for exactly all the emotions and memories and wormholes that happened while listening in the car on the way home last night. Startling at all that happened in the brain in three minutes. It could be a blog post all on its own. Let me see if I can recapture it...

• Eddie and Ronnie, I can't believe they are both gone. 
• I remember seeing Eddie in concert at the Jackson County Fair. All my friends were there. Perfect Saturday night in August. That was fun.
• Theresa! Huge crush on him! Stormed the stage and was arrested. Wonder what she's up to now. 
• 1987, music was everything. 
• That reminds me of a short story set in that time, a black girl living in Watts, her boom box was everything. She was trying to make a living working at at a call center, while mourning the death of her best friend; story ended with her stealing back the car that was stolen from him, in an attempt to drive to the beach where everything was all right. Bass, no treble. Pushcart Prize. I wonder if the author ever wrote anything else. 
• I love short stories. 
• Ronnie's "oh, oh, ohhhhhhhs" just gave me shivers. 
• Ronnie was married to Phil Spector. Jerk. 
• Ugh, Phil Spector and I have the same hair issues. 
• I rock it better, though.
• Remembering everyone's hand claps in unison during the chorus. That kind of connection among strangers makes everyone feel like they know each other. 
• I need to reread that short story.
• What was his other hit from that time? Shakin'. 

The name of the short story was The Box by Susan Straight, a Pushcart Prize XVI winner, 1991. The story is from Aquaboogie: A Novel in Stories. Straight is a professor at University of California Riverside, and writes extensively about relationships between white women and POC (we should do better), and women and daughters.  

...and aliens!

Daft Punk - I'm a figure skater and love the creative process of telling a story on the ice. The World Championships are currently being held, one month after the Olympics, and two months after the US national championships. Chock and Bates, the American champions, have a program where it is an astronaut falling in love with an alien. It's completely bizarre and awesome. 

INT 310: Week 2, Creativity Circle

Who's zoomin' who?

The student will post 4 paragraphs reflecting on the process of designing the Creativity Portfolio.

What is inspiring you?
What has inspired me is the process of exploring the art I discover in everyday life and "writing it out." I'm going to admit that my motivation for attending the Tool concert with my family was to get out of the house and enjoy the VIP accommodations by being in the suite. Instead, I was inspired by the visuals, the music, the relationship among the audience of strangers, and the confetti. I love the confetti. If you collect enough of it, you can put together a while poster.  I already know one of my future posts will be creating the birthday gift for my husband using photos taken from the show and creating a keepsake with the before mentioned art falling from the sky. 

I'm trying to catalog things that I like and why: shoes, poetry, music. Little things in life that are artful, like the little pot of lip cream I got free with the purchase of a moisturizer. I know it's a promotional product meant to generate more sales, but I am charmed by the word "gift" and treat it as such. I'm in marketing and fall for my own tricks... 

How are you documenting your creative process?
Right now, I am blogging instances where I have discovered art either through problem solving, out in the wild, a precious discovery, and including photographs. I've used some of or professor's suggestions to "warm up" the brain, such as the "like list." I haven't figure out quite how many blog posts will be needed, so I hate to think more is more, but that's where I'm going with this. 

For some reason, the blog host isn't accepting video clips, so I kind of spread my inspiration out, and will post some of these to Instagram. Find me @runningwithskates

What activities from Conscious Creativity by Stanton and course materials are you including in your portfolio?

The most important aspect from Conscious Creativity I am using is structure in order to see this class project through. And of course documenting. I'm also reflecting on giving myself the time to allow creativity to happen, and allowing my mind to wander when bored. Oh, and resisting the electronic devices! As for what to muse about, well, what worked for me in the past? Prior to 2015 when I was writing my blog on a consistent basis, I posted entries with reoccurring themes: 

• Why Art Matters: Spotting those little moments when art happens in life, why it matters to me personally or why is matters in general.  
• Typing Out Loud: Musings on things in general, seeing where the thought goes, and why it may eventually matter. And it doesn't matter if it doesn't. 
• What's Right in the World: Things kinda suck right now. But in the midst of all of this, people are still holding open doors, volunteering for food trucks, surprising one another with small acts of grace. These are moments that should be applauded. 
• Monthly Playlist: Everyday life requires a soundtrack, and I'm here for the remix. 

What did you learn from students in your collaboration?

Well, so far we have quelled one another's anxiety by assuring each other that there are no wrong answers in designing a creativity portfolio! I was initially shy about sharing - I've worked on this blog on and off since 2008 - but the reaction from the team was supportive and enthusiastic. To whoever said "this is great, really cute!" I thank you. We marveled at how others record and create. It's also comforting to know you have a team to bounce ideas off - was continuing the blog after slacking off a good idea? I mean it is challenging and means more time in front of my computer. I was encouraged to know the team supported me. I was also stimulated by others talking about their efforts, knowing I could draw inspiration when the well was getting a little dry. Kirk's talking about a passion for cooking certainly helps! 

INT 310: Typing Out Loud, Art in the Wild

What can I play for you?

Driving this weekend to judge a skating competition, I reflected on creative inspiration and finding art where I could. This may be nothing more than a collective, stream-of-consciousness glimpse of brilliance.

Bare trees in the fog, few pale orange leaves still clinging to branches.

Eight songs a week on the Beatles channel - the theme is Girl in the title or lyrics! I was expecting the song Girl to be number 1, but it's number 3. Huh.

Yeah, I’d like to meet Paul McCartney.

What would I say to him? Thank you, for one. How he could put Here There and Everywhere and For No One on the same record?

I picked up a rhinestone in the bathroom that had come off a competition dress. Out in the lobby, another. Before long, I had a pocket full of stars. 

I was heartened to run into some of my adult skating friends who invited me to skate with them since I’m struggling to find ice. It was nice to be included. 

On the first day of spring, I want flowers. 

Announcers Sue and Dave were in officials' hospitality and told me the story of when they began courting. Sue had two Dave suitors, but only one who dared give her a Valentine. Is it wrong to say as a couple, they are charming, adorable even?

I grant you grace and compassion, novice women. The teenage years are hard on skater bodies.

My fine lines have gotten a little deeper on my face. Damn.

I watched Austin City Limits going to bed last night and discovered the artist Jackie Venson, a black girl with an electric guitar. I need to know more. 

I got a new songbook for guitar, pop standards. Copacabana looks to be an entertaining challenge. 

I played my first Temptations song, and it was Just My Imagination!

Was just asked to judge the collegiate national championships. I'm stoked to be getting good assignments. 

Was also invited to the AOPi sorority all-you-can-eat spaghetti fundraiser. 

A guest at the cottage, when shutting it down after use, cut all the power last week. FIVE DAYS AGO. We feared the worst and ran up to the cottage with a trash bag. We still had ice cubes in the bag of ice, the freezer was saved! The pie filling had thawed but was still icy, so I made a crumble with the last of the apples last night. We had to throw away all the stuff in the fridge though. New season, a new pickle relish. And ketchup. And mustard. And salad dressing. But that coffee creamer was new, I only had one cup out of it... 

I read one of the week's assignments on burnout, and man can I relate.

INT 310: Week 2 discussion post, Collaboration with Kelly

The student will post 3 paragraphs explaining the importance of collaboration in the creative process as explained by Robert Kelly.

This one kinda hurts to relive, just a little. 

One of the happiest moments from my synchro years - an example of collaborative teamwork. 

One quote resonated with me from the reading on collaboration in the creative process, what Andy Smallman of the Puget Sound Community School stated on page 32: The imperative of a collaborative educational culture is that if you do not have a space for which people feel safe, secure, and supported then students will no be enabled to collaborate. 

I have been in positions where group work was comprised of a self appointed leader, leaving the rest of us out of the decision making process. For this example, I will reflect on the years I was a member of a masters level synchronized skating team. D appointed herself our team manager, assuming leadership apart from our skating coach. While H picked our music and created the choreography, D alone made decisions on dresses, team uniform, competitions, and makeup, right down to the shade of eyeshadow and lipstick. More than half the team went along with D, happy to have her make the decisions. The other half the team wanted more input: styles chosen for others on the team were not flattering for others; other family and work commitments that conflicted with competitions; and more control of how we operated as a team. At that time, I was struggling with my weight, and was often the target of mean comments and blamed for mistakes the team made. 

Things came to a head competing at the ISI Adult Championships in 2004. Several of our friends, who were freestyle skaters there for the competition, joined the team so we would have the required number of skaters for the team to compete. It was supposed to be fun. Instead, D berated several of these new team members for small mistakes, especially A, who was a left-handed skater who struggled with the choreography that came natural to right handed skaters. A continued to train; the others continued to drink wine. She won her event, so did I. When it came time to compete, we won the gold medal! But at what price? Several held their medals instead of wearing them proudly, shrugging off our hard-won victory. A week later, at the victory picnic, D and half the team quit unceremoniously, blaming others for ruining their fun. 

Kelly says on page 33, "In supportive, collaborative environments, this capacity can be grown to enable engagement in more complex and sustained creative initiatives." What we had then, was half a team. But then more skaters joined us BECAUSE D was no longer bossing the team around; suddenly, we had a culture of collaborative creativity, where all members were valued, validated, accepted. We felt we had more infinite potential because instead of one leading, there were now ten of us able to collaborate. As a skating team, we definitely exhibited the power of interrelatedness, as we had an impact on one another within the program. And because of this, we were able to adapt and thrive in a environment of perpetual change: we didn't want to buy new dresses, so someone bought a bolt of hot pink chiffon and made over a dress from two years prior; someone couldn't take time off from work, so we did a competition closer to home; we voted on and chosen our new music. It was the best season of the four I skated with the team, and we were undefeated for the year, claiming gold medals at four competitions. 

People need to feel their contributions are valued, their efforts supported, and their membership into a collaborative space is safe. A team must indeed be a team. 

INT 310: What’s Right in the World: Talented Friends

I know her!

In the journey towards completing the Leadership degree, I’ve done a lot of work alone, online. But that doesn’t mean I haven’t made friends. 

Let me introduce you to badass Emily Haines Lloyd. She and I met in the first Leadership class, where we competed to see who would post homework assignments first. Lead a group discussion. Offer support. We were classmates for three classes in a row, and I desperately hoped to see her in this last class, but she took a different route toward completion. Then she pulls the ultimate, killer move: oh hey, Amazon has my book for sale today for $5.

Yeah, I bought it.

Titled “Pep Talk Poetry,” it’s positivity without being toxic. The prose within acknowledges your struggles, imposter syndrome, exposed bra strap, the extra pounds, the speeding ticket, and your frustrations to simply say, “girl, you’re good.” 

Some of the poems are long, riding an inspiration for one or two pages. Some, a line or two. It’s all that was needed. 

Today’s poem made me laugh, and I can hear her voice in one of her response threads saying, “Heyyyyy Melissa… not an option: you cannot fail. You can only fuck things up a little.”

INT 310: Why Art Matters, Tieks shoes

Go ahead and ask about the peens...

For context, I grew up with corrective shoes. From age 6 to age 13, my choice of footwear was reduced to black, brown, or saddle shoe, purchased from Miller's Shoes in Jackson. I typically chose brown.

At least the sign was cool.

I'll be honest, I don't even know who prescribed the shoes. My pediatrician? I don't remember a podiatrist. The only explanation I ever got was that I was knock-kneed, flat footed, and double jointed, one step away from the steel braces the kids wore pictured on the Lions Club charity cans next to cash registers. 

And only one pair per year, because they were Very Expensive. At least the cashier gave me a token to get a prize out of the Red Goose, which presented oversized gumball machine prizes for the mortified children who were unable to sport more fashionable attire. 

The ultimate fashion consolation prize. 

When I reached high school, I was freed from the shackles of the orthopedic shoe. I wore moccasins, boots, booties, ballet flats, Nikes, jellies, clogs, slip ons, flip flops, huarache sandals, wedges, heels, boat shoes, oxfords, and if I felt like it, I went barefoot. 

I definitely upped my shoe game. 

So imagine my joy as an adult when, after having made 400 masks at the beginning of the pandemic, the Tieks company gifted me with a $100 gift card towards the purchase of a pair of their ballet flats. 

These too, are Very Expensive. 

But colors! Comfort! Fashion! FUN! They are beautiful Italian leather shoes handmade and delivered in blue gift boxes, with drawstring pouches for storage, and blue totes for your other things.  

My first pair was mustard yellow, a sunshine choice at the beginning of COVID. "These are too much, I couldn't possibly..." 

My salute to the Ukraine.

Then I got another gift card for completing a year of health coaching. "It's better than buying a box of chocolates..." So I purchased cobalt. 

Happy birthday from my mom and mother in law, plus a gift card for judging a skating competition. "Well it IS my birthday..." and then I owned the Aquarellas, at top, inspired by Italian watercolors. 

Part of Tieks Anonymous culture: Tieks in the Wild. 

More skating gift cards and a job promotion! I got cotton candy.  

The shoes create their own mania among fans. Each box is delivered topped with a festive flower or limited edition box topper such as a crown. They will randomly send a gift to clients, like a teal blue mask as a thank you to those who participated in the mask making initiative. They create excitement by teasing the next release over the course of a week or so, with a release at midnight that has many fans sleeping with a credit card under their pillow. Right now, fans in facebook groups are exclaiming about getting a free sheet of stickers, igniting the 11 year old in me to say I Need Those Stickers. 

The facebook groups have turned into curious support systems of shoe lovers who see each other through life's little troubles, especially if they can trade for a pair Seafield checks. 

If they are well cared for, aftermarket resale value remains high. I don't want to defend my purchases by saying they are an investment, but one shoe - ONE! - can easily sell for $75 on Poshmark, a lonely shoe looking for a partner after the other was unceremoniously chewed by the family dog. 

I have judged two skating events this month and have two more coming, so I anticipate more gift cards. The question is, what's next: Poppy v. Tangerine? Or is it Olive v. Clover? But I don't own any metallics... yet. 

INT 310: Experiential Learning, results

She's not much to look at now... 

How did the experience relate to my creativity
Seeing the art of everyday life.

Making lists of chores that need to be done to make this more our home away from home, like putting together the deck furniture, planning where to plant the roses, and setting up the beer fridge in the barn.

Witnessing nature storylines unfurl before me:

When will the ice break on the river?

Who’s winning the war on corn - turkeys, squirrels, or the birds of flight?

Watching the colors begin to change from grays and white to yellowish-greens.

How did the project relate to the course
Curiosity - what would I see?

Engagement - I had to be present for 30 minutes at a time to observe and discover

Reflection - making notes on what was important to the project

Develop - worked on my patience and power of observation

Explore - I spent a lot more time looking at things I hadn’t paid attention to in the past

Commitment - I enjoyed the process, and consider continuing this record of seasonal changes


What did I learn?
I am an impatient person when it comes to doing projects, and I’m eager to get it done and over with. By stretching the project out over two weekends and three different times of day, for 30 minutes at a time, I forced myself to take the time to listen, observe, and record.

I learned Mother Nature goes by her own time frame. My hopes were to record winter giving way to spring, when the end result was more winter and spring fighting for seasonal supremacy.

Winter is my least favorite season, but by giving it some time and recording the nuances, appreciate the beauty of the season.

Cold medicine is the worst.

By staying still, I became more aware of myself: the sound of my breathing, the crunch of my boot, the smell of my own perfume.

And by the looks of it, I became obsessed with capturing the perfect furl of the pink flag on the surveyor stake.

INT 310: Experiential Learning project part 3, Morning at LHOTR

 

It looks like the evil tongue of winter saying "not yet."

Winter wasn't going anywhere when I logged in my last day of the project on Sunday, March 13. I was hoping for more activity to log, more drama. 

I always feel like, somebody's watching meeeeee. 

Sights
icicles
neighbors’ renters packing to go home
light snow falling
lots of paw prints
branches down in the yard
how dirty the north side of the house is
the dormant three-season garden

Can you find beauty in the ripple of a surveyor's stake? 

Sounds
woodpeckers
dogs barking
ice on the river creaking and groaning while lurching up the bank - this is the first time I’ve ever heard this!
crows up above calling to each other
cars hitting the potholes and ruts on 50th Ave
Sirius XM Discovery channel
turkeys running squirrels from the corn patch

Not an addiction, a necessity.

Smells
cold medicine
dish soap from breakfast dishes
coffee
the smell of breakfast clinging to me after feeding the family

INT 310: Experiential Learning part 2, Evening at LHOTR

Cottage, sweet cottage. 

Second entry for my experiential learning project was on Friday, March 11 when we headed north to the cottage for... what? I had anticipated more spring-like weather, but Mother Nature had other plans.

Now that's a sunset! 

Sights
the start of visible river flow
the neighbors’ security light illuminating their lonely glider
animal tracks
solar lights
the last bit of the sunset lighting up the sky
my reflection in the window
the moon high in the sky

Crunchy snow.

Sounds
whir of the heaters
slosh of the water heater refilling
crunchy snow
wind in the trees
flowing water
the dogs, again
geese honking - they’re back too
my cough - I have a cold
steam escaping my cooking pot
snow sliding off the roof

What's the slogan - one pan, one pound, one happy family?

Smells
the oily-metallic scent of heaters warming up the house
cinnamon churro pudding, a treat for my sore throat
meat cooking on the stove
nothing outdoors, it’s very cold out

INT 310: Experiential Learning Project, part 1, An Afternoon at LHOTR

That squirrel is lookin' at me funny!

Since the cottage is one of my favorite places to be, and the transition from winter to spring is so fascinating, I chose from a list of options to "find a particular place in nature and visit three times for 30 minutes. Identify sights, sounds, and smells."

The first day was March 5, in the afternoon.

Sights

yellow corn by the bird feeder
grass poking through the grayish-white snow and ice
leaves
brown bark
black, red, and gray squirrels
blue shutters
pink flag from the survey done in the fall
pink granite rocks
blue-gray rocks
the wood of the stairs to the river
sunlight
black earth
field mouse dead in the snow

Sounds

dry leaves skittering across the yard
branches rubbing against each other
the pages of my notebook getting flipped in the wind
bird calling out to each other, namely the crows
squirrels eating corn by the bird feeder
Aerosmith playing inside the house
water dripping off the roof
barks of a dog echoing upriver
cars crossing the bridge
water from the wells flowing into the river
a chainsaw
squirrels again skittering on the trunk of the tree

Smells

diet tangerine lime pop I had for lunch

mustard from my sandwich

the faint smell of manure from the farm down the hill

wet earth

river water

wet bark/wood

my own perfume

INT 310: More with Stanton, page 19; Reflections on week 1

Pardon me, MelissaG needs to style a look.

Review the question on p.19 and review my own aesthetic and creative preferences. 

Reflection and notes on week one: 

Since answering the first introductory question on where I would like to be, my first experiential project will be at our cottage by the Muskegon River and record what is going on in nature for the course of a half hour. The plan is to write and record activity morning, afternoon, and evening over the course of two weekends. It will be a fascinating time, as the seasons change from winter to spring.

Creative learning goals - consistent contributions to this blog for the creativity portfolio. Tap into the creativity of the most mundane of activity. For example, one of my biggest time wasters is the gaming app Pocket Styler. The gist of the game is to dress your model for various events throughout her city, be it a Private Art Lecture at the Met, or a Financial District Tour on Stone Street. As a result, it has made me turn a critical eye to my own wardrobe. I am putting aside my tired covid wardrobe, and digging into my closet for fun things that haven't been worn in a while, as well as repairing items that I would have otherwise thrown away or sent to Goodwill.

My goal for my creativity portfolio is to record my activity for the class here, and summarize what creativity means to me. When I get too busy or feel like I'm having a lapse, I'm just going to write it out. 

INT 310: Reflecting on Creativity with Taika Waititi

 

Former stand up comedians are determined to save the world. 

Can I relate to Waitit's confusion on what to talk about in relation to his own work? Yes, because many times when you are compelled to create, there may be no reason, no how, no why, just that it had to happen, the idea had to come out of your head. 

Many people use humor as a coping mechanism to handle fear, disappointment, stressors. I used it as a means to get through cancer treatments. 

I have not thought of possible social and cultural norms for creativity. I can tell you that when deciding on a major, my father insisted that if I wanted to be creative, at least get a business degree that was geared towards making a living out of it. 

The phrase "all I have is creativity" doesn't really resonate with me, because at least for me and for the people I would consider creative, they have life skills that make creativity applicable. Examples around me: my husband, who is a storyteller when he speaks at business meetings. My mother in law, who created a Mardi Gras necklace out of green tissue paper and candy for my son't birthday. My sister, who can create a feast out of kitchen leftovers. Our exchange student son, carefully journaling his exploits for his mom back in Germany. My son, who creates games using a 2-liter bottle and some reflector tape. 

INT 310: Why Art Matters, Tool Rock Show

The band.

VIP is the way to be. Me, Greg, Dave, and Will. 

Last night, we went to see the rock band Tool at the Van Andel Arena. I know two songs, so I’m outing myself as a non-fan. But it was VIP in a suite, and a rock show, so I couldn’t pass it up.

Not knowing the set, coupled with the band’s no recording policy, I focused on the performance. I have owned an iPhone since 2009, so it was definitely an exercise in restraint; smart phones have collectively become an extra appendage in our society.

Candid of dad and son taking it all in. 

The band opened on a half circle stage, surrounded by a fringe curtain, which allowed them to be seen while video was projected on the curtain. As a Gen-Xer familiar with their video work, it was their trademark stop motion animation and a mesmerizing swirl of psychedelic imagery. 

Last song of the night, we were encouraged to take photos after all. 

The music was hypnotic, loud, and deeply melodic, I called it moody indie metal; John Sincovics calls it psychedelic prog. The whole band was intense. The drummer had to be one of the most precise, thunderous players of his craft. The band’s music is heavy on bass and watching the bass player, looking like an indie Amish farmer was something to behold. The guitarist played on the far left of the stage, so I wasn’t able to observe him as well. The lead singer, who grew up in West Michigan and went to Kendall, sported a red mohawk and powerful vocals, all while admitting “I’m 57, acting like I’m 27, and feeling 47.” 

Lots of pot smoking, including the enthusiastic pair of kids sitting directly in front of us. I nicknamed one of them Jesse Pinkman "yeah, bro!"

Even though the Tool sound is gloomy, the crowd was joyful, jubilant even. There were people in the crowd applauding my husband for bringing our son, a present for his 13th birthday. “Dad of the year!” dude with big beer shouted while pointing at him. This man also helpfully collected Tool Trash.

Will capturing confetti, a.k.a., Tool Trash.

Tool Trash? During the second half of the set (there was an intermission), large pieces of confetti rained down on the crowd, gentle flutters of silver, gold and printed tissue paper. I was trying to catch the slips of paper as they floated my way. Noting the art deco design, I slipped them in my clutch to examine later. 

What it's supposed to look like if you collect enough of the pieces.

The confetti is actually a poster! My husband said, admiringly, "These guys are on top of everything." 

What I caught.  Dave's birthday is coming up, what can I create with this?

So it was a great night, and I learned a few artistic tricks from some masters.