How many social interaction sites could we possibly need? Pause for effect. I realize the difference between needing and wanting is different, but honestly here, what’s going on? Now before I go pointing fingers, I’ll admit I just signed up for the new Google+ community. I think that’s the reason for this more-or-less rant. I don’t know, it just looked so dang cool. The colors, the plus symbol after Google’s perennial mark. So I guess my self-realization here was that I was taken advantage of or even victimized by… great design. Anyways, back to trying to make this blog post worth the space it takes up. My point (or maybe question) of this is when is enough…enough? When does the butter run out because we’ve spread it over too many pieces of toast? I understand the drive to perfect something. So in that sense, I guess I could justify there being this many social media sites. But if not in the name of progression, then what? Are we all really so insanely eager to share ev-r-ery-thing with ev-r-y-body on a multitude of platforms? Are we all that caring? How very kind of us. Now please, if you would tweet, share, post, blog, reblog, and like this post I’d appreciate it.

Let’s face it, as humans we tend to stick to our daily routines. It’s a relief that mostly lives in our subconscious. It comforts us. It’s what we’re used to and that’s generally easy to deal with. But with our routines comes ruts. Mental roadblocks that usually put’s everything on hold until we can get back on our self-indulged schedules. This is where the problem comes in. It’s not always as easy as flipping a switch. As a matter of fact, it can take a lot of energy, time and focus to get back in your creative zone. I have one solution for you. Whether you embrace it is your call, but I think everyone should do this. Ready? Go and spend some time in the woods. Get out of your comfort zone. Shake it up a bit. Go where there’s nothing to taunt you this way or that. No car horns, lights, concrete, advertisements or annoying people telling you what you should be doing. Go back to the basics. Spending a couple of days in nature is sort of a re-boot for your brain. It leaves you feeling refreshed and gives perspective on what you need to do. I think spending too much time in one place, particularly in the city, is problematic as it tends to shape who we are. In the same sense, doing the same thing over and over and over limits are ability to explore our inner selves and what we’re capable of. So the next time you find yourself looking out that window pouting to yourself because you don’t know what to do next, consider looking at your calendar, pick a campground, and take yourself out.

It’s one of my lifelines. It’s something that I try and bring with me everywhere I venture. I’m constantly looking for more. Drugs? No. Not unless you argue the properties of physics. I’m talking about music. Which one could probably argue has similar effects on the body. Personally, sound has the ability to alter my mood, outlook, energy and creativity (among others) in a moment’s time. So. Sometimes I try and use this to my advantage. For instance, right now, I’m listening to a band called Efterklang. Long drawn out tones with soothing notes, a variety of voices and a repertoire of instruments puts me in a state of thought and emotion. Something I think suits whatever it is I’m trying to ultimately describe in this post. But. If I was handed a project, say for 88Nine Radio Milwaukee (a hip, young, edgy client), I’d quickly sift through my library and find something like Miami Horror. With this bands uplifting melodies, steady beats, and a mixture of synths and electro-ism I feel better connected with the persona and clientele of 88Nine. It also gives me the energy I want in order to design something, I feel, would fit into 88Nine’s positive and edgy image.

Now this is just me. Your choice in music, depending on what you’re trying to achieve, could be completely opposite of mine. Or maybe you’re just not into music. But I think not only our work, but our outlook and day-to-day personalties derive from whatever was just emitted from our car speakers, our headphones, our computers or whatever that noise is coming from in the office next door. So the next time you’re having a rough day or feel like your creativity is stale, try searching for some new sounds.

Heres a few bands that immediately were adopted into my library (along with the two above):

Bag Raiders, Blackbird Blackbird, Gypsy & The Cat, The Head And The Heart, Stornoway