Give Thanks...Creativity

 Around 2007 or 2008 my job where I worked was eliminated. I was given another job within the company--thankfully--but that decision was a tough one. Within the organization, I was in a sense banished. It took me a while to get over it, to realize that a person is "not just their job." 

What does that story have to do with a used pair of Vans shoes I bought at Tremonton's newest thrift store for $5 yesterday?

Interesting question...

The ending of a job more than a decade ago began a series of events that ultimately led me to finding and exploring a creative side of life. Had the job not ended, I wouldn't have been placed into another position--one I didn't choose exactly. Had that not happened, I probably wouldn't have made the decision to return to school and get my master's degree. I didn't want to get an MBA or an MPA...no I needed to study something else.

Something creative.

I chose English. Not the most profitable of concerns, but it's a decision that changed my life. Because I earned that degree, I started writing. I was eventually published and came to know dozens and dozens of other creatives...writers, artists, editors, performers. Since that decision to end my job was made, I have experienced amazing things, met amazing people, and produced some stories that have hopefully made others happy.

I noticed something on the pair of shoes I bought at the thrift store. A previous owner wrote a message...simple, using only symbols. I wondered if it was something "the kids" said, something hip those in the know used. Then again, it could just be a clever way to convey a message. "I love you to the moon and back...Heart, letter U, back and forth arrows, and the moon.

Creativity. 

There were so many times I cursed (not really...) those who decided to end my job back then. But, had it not happened, there's so much I would have missed out on. I'm grateful for being able to see that creative side. I'm grateful I chose to join them.

Give Thanks...A Sense Of Humor

The way things are going these days, Lord knows we can all use something to lighten the mood. And thanks to the internet, there are plenty of people out there trying to do just that. Of course, some take things a little too far, but that's okay--best to just ignore those.

I have a few friends who like to download funny memes and pictures on their phones and send them to me via text messages. Because they do this, I must reply in kind. I am constantly amazed at how creative many of you out there are.

Humor, the things that make you laugh, chuckle, snort, giggle, and smile are as important in our daily lives as love, pain, heartache, joy, and everything else. I can't imagine a world without humor. True humor brings people of different countries, cultures, religions together. There are things that are universally funny.

We need more funny in our lives.

I'm grateful for those with a sense of humor and those willing to share. This week, I'm going to try and look for more of the funny, the hilarious, the things that make me smile. And I'm going to share them, because we need more funny. 

Creativity...And The Toilet Paper Roll Cardboard Tube

What does a toilet paper cardboard tube have to do with writing and creativity?

That's a good question. 

I was working on my script yesterday. It's a science fiction story and it was time for me to understand what the spaceship looks like. In the first draft, I skipped over the details of the ship--I didn't want to take the time to explain it all when I wrote the story during NaNoWriMo. But now, as I go through it again, I need to explain things to the readers and just because I see it in my mind, I need to make it sound believable.

The spaceship has a spinning section to create the artificial gravity the astronauts needed to survive the multi-year mission to a distant planet. Everyone's now onboard and the mission is about to begin. I need to describe the inside of that spinning tube, the rooms, hallways, storage compartments. I need to see it in my mind so I can let everyone else see it too.

I started jotting down some ideas of how big the spinning part of the spaceship needed to be. My artistic abilities just didn't cut it. I needed something else. That's where the cardboard tube helped. It gave me a visual aid I needed. The tube on the ship will be about as long as an American football field, 300 feet long and 160 feet wide, except the ends of the field will connect.

I should probably blog more about my writing. Truth is, I should probably write more in general. It's amazing the feeling that comes when the ideas flow. It's difficult to describe. Working on that little problem, designing the layout of the kitchen, living quarters, hospitals, and laboratories, it's one of the cool parts of writing, one of the things that makes it worth the time and effort, even if the book never sells. 

This writing thing--full of surprises!

Ed Catmull's "Creativity, Inc."...A Book Review

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There are some people--like me and my wife--who, if we really like a movie, will search out and watch the director's comments, or additional comments on the DVD (if one is available...). Just listening to those "in the know" as they discuss the film we find fascinating.

That's only one reason why I LOVE this book!

Of course, there's many reasons why I enjoyed Ed Catmull's Creativity, Inc. (with Amy Wallace) so much. Getting a behind-the-scenes look at some of my favorite movies was a lot of fun, but what's most impressive about Catmull's book is the dedication he and others at Pixar have toward making, not only the best product possible, but the best place in which to make that product.

In short, I was blown away! 

I'm going to be starting a new job in a few days, a job that until I begin, doesn't exist. Maybe that's why the book affected me so much. Maybe it's because I--like many of you--work for an organization that is blocked from creating a similar work environment. Maybe it's because they made a conscience decision to be the best. Maybe it's all these reasons and more.

If you're a fan of Pixar, and by extension, Disney animated movies, you'll enjoy learning about the company's evolution. If you're a manager wondering how to foster a more welcoming atmosphere at work, you'll appreciate this book. And if you're creative, you'll devour this book and wish you could work for a company like theirs. But then, I believe Catmull wrote the book in the first place to try and let as many people as possible know what it's like to work for a company like Pixar. 

Ed Catmull (and your amazing team...), thank you for the movies, the book, the feelings, and the memories.

* Photo used without permission from: https://www.goodreads.com/book/photo/18077903-creativity-inc