Inspiration

I just read a really good article called "Where do ideas come from" and it got me thinking. Firstly, that there are a million people out there that can write waaay better than me, and secondly, it has given me inspiration that I can actually have a part in creating that "aha" moment.

I already possess all of the elements that can lead to inspired ideas: I'm prepared, pay attention, I'm curious, put in the effort, and latch on to serendipitous moments. My Achilles heal, so to speak, is my Virgo nature. I let my analytical side, or left-brain if you will, get in the way.

Ideas may come, but then I pick them apart and shoot them to bits before they have a chance to fully mature and grow. 

Yikes! A conflict between anatomy, astrology, and psychology. Say it can't be. I think I shall coin a new dysfunction: Astral-physiology Disorder. I've even taken a test to prove this theory: 

Brain Lateralization Test Results

Right Brain (50%) The right hemisphere is the visual, figurative, artistic, and intuitive side of the brain. Left Brain (62%) The left hemisphere is the logical, articulate, assertive, and practical side of the brain

As you can see my left and right brain active sides are almost equal. I'll be searching for a specialist to help me recover from this ailment. Or perhaps acupuncture will help. In any case, I've at least come up with a valid excuse for my inability to be creative. It is amazing that I can even blog.

All bottled up

 I have felt all bottled up. Like a stopper of some sort is blocking my creativity.  Okay, my definition of "lately" is about 20 years or so. It's just that somewhere along the line I became an art appreciator rather than an art-ist.  So, for the last 20 years I have been trying to find my way back.


I've tried every medium within my means: basket weaving, pottery, knitting, beading, soapmaking, carving soap stone, oil painting, acrylic painting, watercolors, wreathmaking, sketching, sculpting, welding, candle making, embossing, macrame, casting, flame work, and many more I can't even remember.  Nothing seems to "fit" right. Nothing gets me into the "zone", channeling the creative power; becoming one with my art.


I am like a barren mother. Loving her adopted children, but never getting to experience childbirth.  What will it take to make this breakthrough? I need some Art Therapy, stat! Wouldn't it be disappointing to discover that once I have my breakthrough, there is nothing but junk to offer? Become uncorked just to find out I have nothing creative inside of me? Oh, woe is me. Maybe I'll start playing with my food.


I'll keep waiting for the miracle of unstoppage while I craft with my fingers on this keyboard for now... At least I have a nice MacBook Pro to keep me company while I bide my time in this dreary waiting room.

Best invention of 2009

"A child demonstrates the PediSedate, which gently sedates youngsters by administering anaesthetic nitrous oxide gas through a headset as they play handheld consoles."


Okay, I admit it. When I saw this one I thought, "Shoot! I could have used this 20 years ago! I'd have it strapped on tight on all four of my little darlin's! Granted, maybe it was designed for pediatric surgeons or grade school teachers, but get this into the hands of an average stay-at-home mom and there would be no need for alcohol, anti-depressants, daytime soap operas, or even day-care.

Our little loved ones would sit peacefully in a corner, happily observing mommy actually having time to do housework. And, at the end of the day when daddy gets home, mommy can sit peacefully in the corner having her turn with the PediSedate.

Oh, sure, in the wrong hands this device might not be the safest pacifier on the market; but hey, we all need a little help every once in a while!

Shoot it!

So, I just got off the phone with my internet provider. Granted, it is 9:30 pm on a Saturday night, so conversations may not be as formal as ones being monitored during the day; but this one was hilarious. Also...this is Hawaii.


I made the call because my internet is giving me fits. It is sporadic and has been working whenever it bloody well feels like it, not necessarily when I want it to work. Anyway, the technician was running tests on my line, so, just shooting the breeze I mentioned that I had on my wall a giant black moth measuring about 6 inches across.  Without hesitation he said, "Shoot it!" Then he asked if I had any hairspray. When I asked him what for, he said I could get up really close and then, while spraying it, light the spray on fire (essentially torching it). Thoughts of a giant flaming moth fluttering around my head while standing on an  8 foot ladder went flickering across my vision. He then launched in to how harmful the dust of those moths are and how it could seriously blind me. I love it here.


Well, my internet is working, but the mammoth moth still lurks in the corner waiting for the opportunity to impair my vision while I'm preoccupied on the internet googling ways to kill moths... (by the way, my moth looks bigger and scarier)

Explore the native around you

Wow, my titles seem so misleading sometimes.  I actually don't mean that you should get in touch with your "inner self" or go streaking naked through your local mall. I was meaning that most communities have a Native Plant Society and they are often worth exploring.


Ours, the Kaua`i Native Plant Society, just had an outing last Saturday that was out of this world fun and enriching. We got to visit a project on the south side that is growing over 90 species of plants "inter-situ". After a few hours of removing weeds from a scenic restoration site, we then got to tour the Maka`uwahi Cave, the famous "sink hole" at Maha`ulepu. It was a fantastic day; educational, enriching, and just plain fun (here are pictures of the event).


Get out there and see if there is a Native Plant Society near you!

Domesticated savages

Brutal, primitive, threatening and dangerous beings who live very near, but outside the metropolis and its regulations. Hmmm. Sounds like King Kong, big cats at the zoo, or Cruella De Vil. But, no, I am talking about my landlord's three huge dogs.


This morning I witnessed something so gruesome I had to blog about it. During these dog's normal patrol of the neighborhood I observed them calmly lying in the sun chewing on something. Then, one of them (having finished what he was eating) got up and strolled into the tall grass and came out with something dangling from its mouth. Two little legs. It sauntered over to a cleared area and proceeded to tear it apart and swallow it down.


Now, I am not a strong advocate for feral cats, but this was appalling to me. These dogs are allowed to wonder at their leisure all over the neighborhood. They even have a history of killing another small dog at the end of my street. And yet, no effort is made to control them! They run up on people's (read mine) decks in the middle of the night. They chase cats under my house while I am trying to sleep, and they try to bite my car tires as I attempt to pass by them on my way out of our dead-end street.


What will it take to make this behavior stop? Even the savage in me comes out as I fantasize about one of them getting their teeth stuck in my tire and I snap their neck as I continue to drive away.  I seem to be stuck on a dog theme lately; but really, people should not own dogs if they can't be responsible for them. Dogs are a domesticated animal.  They need more than just being fed and let loose. Otherwise, they become savages; tearing apart garbage cans, barking incessantly, and killing other "domesticated" animals. Come on people.

Mobile blogging. Wow. Now I can spout my opinions from anywhere! How exciting. More to come.