Entry 14 - Well, well, well... Looky Here

Years ago, my sister in law and I used to sprawl out on the beaches of Long Island near her home and talk about our lives. She was always an amazing cheerleader and encouraged me to continue writing NO MATTER WHAT. In HER mind, there already existed "The Book". A fiction/non-fiction memoir hybrid the size of the NYC phone book. Every time something very good, bad or note-worthy would occur, we'd look at each other and mouth the words: "The Book". as in : "that action is going right into the book....".

As time passed and I was blessed with the ground-shaking eruption of art in my life, I started to notice that my observational skills were being subtlety sharpened. It was as if someone had tweaked the camera lens and everything came into focus. Raising a child and running a business can be distracting, but these things were happening during that time. I started to vacuum up details, bits and pieces of the cultural landscape. Having brilliant and diverse friends helps a ton, lemme tell you. 

Anyway, data was not necessarily for The Book exclusively anymore. It became the fuel of Creative Inspiration. Had enough of THAT phrase? okay, then lets call it : "Fascinating Crap-ola that leads you down one Rabbit Hole of Coolness to the next Level"

Not only do we love seeing what's new, old, head-turning, innovative, creepy and stunning, we see that most of it is somehow connected. Music? Art? Literature? Food? Textiles? Photography? on and on and on.

 Getting a little too weird? Let's knock it back a rung or two and use my favorite tool, bullet points!

• Observing your environment  from a Reporters Perspective allows you objectivity while making way for enthusiasm. You can take a good, close look and make a mental note. Use it or toss it.

• Your medium of choice makes no difference. You know within seconds when you are talking to a Fellow Observer. As Heidi K. would say: "...either you're IN or you're OUT....".

• Observational people tend to be very Open Minded. They are curious and have no desire to accidentally miss something. They tend to be less guarded and have fewer walls.

• I am a talker (BIG surprise) but I find myself blabbering less and asking more questions. Old dog, new trick?

• What better use for those 15 unused journals (you KNOW you have 'em) than converting them into a visual/written document of what you learned today? A traveling file cabinet-notebook.

The Book is still a work in progress in my head. Maybe I'll throw it into the podcast sometime...   Lisa

Comments

[JeriAnn]

Was that you I passed as I shot down the Rabbit Hole of Coolness on my way to the Land of What If?

I'm a big believer in filling journals in whatever moves you that day. They may not be pretty but they sure do inspire. And they let your muse out to play since she/he doesn't have to worry about what the neighbors will think. Another great entry -- and I love the caricature in the Book of Lisa.

[Erin Perry]

Only 15 empty journals? heh heh. I remember when I first starting indulging in the visual arts - suddenly everything was seen through new and observant eyes, like planning a photo shot or framing a view with your hands. And it dawned on me - EVERYTHING IS ART!!!! I've never looked back.
Erin in Morro Bay

[Michelle Ward]

I love your observations on observing.
I love that every day we have an opportunity to shift our perspective and SEE in a new way.
I love the thing within us that bridges the gap between seemingly unconnected things....and to have the special people in our lives that *get it* without rolling their eyes.
I love that you suggest we take notes in the plethora of journals within reach.

[Marylinn Kelly]

At my house the word we use is "noticing." It can be the means of dodging hard looks after pointed comments ("I wasn't finding fault, I was just noticing") or the silent observation that finds its way into a journal, or at least notes on envelopes. The Book (or The Script, The Play, The Story) can be the carrot on the stick we're holding...a reason to keep lurching forward.

[Seth]

A visual/written document of what you learned today? Now that just might be the best "prompt" I have ever heard.

[Stephanie]

no empty journals here...but gathering LOTS of curiosities to fill up with those visual aids.

wonderful to catch up with you guys here...talk about inspiration!
x..x
s

[Chris]

I didn't understand any of this, but it has really gotten me ready to tackle my new journal!

you rock!
well, that's kind of cliched, too.

you opera!

[bonddi]

So happy to hear that someone else is still compiling "the book." I have come to realize that journals are for thoughts, not censored, and writing is about taking out all the adjectives and adverbs. Love your blog!

[Margot]

Defintely do THE BOOK! You're a terrific writer and an entirely idiosyncratic observer and enjoyer of life. Need any cheerleading on it, let me know!!