reading

YOCR #4 – Sidetracked by Four Books

The Year of Creative Reading continues, although not quite as I anticipated. I have been sidetracked by four books that aren’t on my original list of creative books to read for the year. Strike that. As a creative soul, it should not surprise me that I’m getting sidetracked. Because, you know, the library. Because, you know, it’s hard for a creative person to color (or read) within the lines. What books have taken me away…

Continue reading

art

Unflattering Self Portraits

There is a long tradition of artists creating self portraits. It’s not because we’re all screaming narcissists, although I suppose some of us are. It’s because we can’t always find subjects to paint or draw or photograph. It was for this reason that my grandpa became a landscape painter. Jens Rasmussen was a naturally gregarious fellow who would talk to anyone. When he was younger, he’d periodically find someone to sit for him so he…

Continue reading

ideas observations

Making Hold Less Maddening

I have had occasion recently to be put on hold. Who doesn’t in this day of telephone menus, answering services, and spotty customer service? I hate being on hold. In order to avoid being put on hold, I will do whatever I can to figure out answers prior to picking up a phone. Usually, this involves extensive search on an organization’s website. If I can’t find answers, I begrudgingly dial a number, making sure I…

Continue reading

art inspiration

The Van Gogh Chair

I’m not sure what it is about this chair, but it reminds me of a Van Gogh painting. Perhaps it’s the slight lean or corded seat or general tattiness, but it looks like something Van Gogh would put in a painting. (I can even imagine it in thick brushstrokes and vivid colors.) Hubby and I were taking pictures of inventory for our business this morning. We purchased a great lighting set that came with 3…

Continue reading

ideas thought fodder

Zombies: Come for the mayhem, stay for the social commentary

I just finished reading “World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War” by Max Brooks. The book was not on my list for the Year of Creative Reading, but I chose it in order to see how the author presented his story as oral histories. Working in the history field, one of our primary sources of information is oral history, so it was interesting to see how someone adapted this form to fiction.…

Continue reading