June 22

Exercise
Yoga and Chikung this morning and again tonight.


Trumpet
Long slow warmups
Reviewed several Brandt etudes
Played tunes tonight (runnin' keys)

Books
Pumping Ions - Tom Wujec
Did some visualization and random word exercises

Creativity Workout - Edward DeBono
Random word exercises related to some future photography projects I want to do.

Music
Listening to:
Samuel Barber - Piano Concerto Op. 38
Stravinsky - Firebird

Podcast
Alan Watt - Cutting Through the Matrix
June 19 Podcastra

June 19

" A student visited a Zen master to ask him about Zen. As is the custom, the master served tea. He poured the student's cup to the brim, and then kept on pouring. The student looked on with astonishment as the tea overflowed and finally he said, "The cup is full. No more will go in." The master stopped pouring, looked at the student, smiled, and said, "Like the cup, you are full of your own ideas, opinions, and speculations. How can I teach you until you empty your cup?"

Tom Wujec, "PUMPING IONS" pg 217

June 10

Over the years, I've enjoyed time and time again referring back to Tom Wujec's two great books, "Pumping Ions" and Five Star Mind." I have probably spent a lot more time in "Five Star Mind" than "Pumping Ions." "Five Star Mind" just gives a great perspective on the "creative process." As a teacher, I've been able to use so much of the material in the book in lessons, classes and even with ensembles. "Pumping Ions" is REALLY a book of games and exercises to flex the mind! Both are tremendously valuable books.

"Five Star Mind" contents:

Creative Kitchen

food for thought
the creative urge

appetite
hunger for ideas

gather
collect ideas

cut
analyze ideas

mix
combine ideas

cook
concentrate on ideas

spice
season ideas

taste
evaluate ideas

digest
assimilate ideas

in the stew
creative tension

Design
New issue of EDGE (Adobe's monthly e-newsletter) arrived today. Always a treat to see what they're are working on at Adobe. I've included a link if you want to see the June newsletter.
EDGE - June Newsletter


Also received "creativeprose"today, a great weekly newsletter full of creative tips and techniques.

Maker Faire Video Highlights