Five Ways to Expand My Imagination
For the week of December 12, 2016
The imagination cannot be allowed to atrophy. It's hard to imagine amazing places when reality dominates every thought. So that's my frame of mind. Reality is taking its toll on me but I'm fighting for my dreams.
I think I'm having another quarter-life crisis or maybe I just convinced myself I was done with my first one when I wasn't. So, I'm dealing with my probable quarter-life crisis through proactive efforts to change myself and my life. It's my only positive coping mechanism.
I did five things this week to expand my mind, flex my imagination's muscle and generally try to improve myself as a creator. Maybe it's less about expanding my mind but imagination life support but I'll try to keep The Rel Show's advice in mind and remember I can get through anything. These are five of the things I did this week.
1. Studied Ruby Programming
Derek Banas has a channel on youtube with comprehensive lessons on Ruby. Ruby is a dynamic programming language with an easy to understand syntax. Banas's videos were the perfect thing the watch while I did paperwork. He goes fast but I didn't watch the video expecting to remember every detail. His introductory video exposes the viewer to many concepts of Ruby and offers a strong launching off point.
Ruby has attracted me because of the sound of the language. Also Why's (Poignant) Guide to Ruby is just too cool for me not to want to know about Ruby. I am attracted to anything that can inspire such strange creative works of art.
My programming skills are non-existent but my aspirations continue. Next, I need to find good resources for learning the theories of programming and how to actually make something useful.
2. Watched Monty Python
I have had a long standing bias against Monty Python. I saw Monty Python and the Holy Grail once and I didn't get it. I swore off Monty Python from then on. Yes, I know I never gave it a chance. Now, I have and I love it.
Saturday before last, on a whim I grabbed 3 Monty Python DVDs when I was at the library. I watched all 3 in succession then last Saturday I got the rest of the DVDs for a binge.
It's mad, crazy, strange and I'm sure I don't understand all the jokes. The interstitial animations are fantastic. I'm sorry for doubting you for so long Monty Python. Forgive me?
3. Studied Puppetry
I received my first puppet this week. All part of a grand scheme of mine but not one of my larger grand schemes. I want to be a puppeteer and, like so many things in life, the way to be a puppeteer is to get a puppet and work with the puppet. Puppetry lead me to watching videos about how to work a puppet and practicing (because I don't want to just be a crappy puppeteer). It also lead me to number 4 on the list.
4. Watched Muppet Show
Can anyone name a more influential puppeteer than Jim Henson? If so, I want to know. I've seen a few episodes over the years but now I'm studying it to see what made these characters so iconic. (There are not enough hours in the day to binge everything. But I'm make progress.)
5. Listened to The Dollop
Shudder inducing and so funny. The Dollop is a podcast featuring Dave Anthony and Gareth Reynolds. The typical episode is Dave telling Gareth a story from American history (We are an insane country founded by lunatics and still chiefly composed of lunatics. Am I lunatic? Maybe. I'll own it, I might be a typical American lunatic.). I am a late comer to the show meaning I still have days of abject horror spiced with funny left to catch up on.
When I'm listening to The Dollop, everyone around me thinks I'm insane when they learn I'm laughing about the history of sanitation in New York. So, bonus.
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