February 28, 2011

Party Party Party

See me? I'm the one sitting on the couch (next to lady in red)
checking out the book. Yeah, that's my head!
Besides laundering a hundred bath towels for people who wipe, wad, and wield them like toilet paper, I had a busy weekend. First I had lunch with good friends at Chez Zee, and then I went to my friend Bee Pedersen's book launch party at the W Hotel in downtown Austin. All proceeds went to CASA. Check Bee's site for a new murder-mystery.

After Bee's party, I hightailed it north to another party. A creativity party.

What the hell is a creativity party, right? Everybody, even your cranky/skanky Aunt Brunhilda, has something they're passionate about doing, like blogging, juice harping, naked-body painting, cherry stem tongue-tying, bearded-dragon juggling, and, of course, helium balloon sucking/rapping. The possibilities are endless. Hell, I know people who've elevated peeing and cursive writing (simultaneously) into art forms. Ditto for those who can burp haiku. Wait, did I say, I know them? No, no, no, I don't know them. Ga-ah.

So at a creativity party, people bring their passion and present or perform it. It's an "everybody fails/nobody fails" kind of deal, and it's super fun. If you like being the center of attention—and even if you don't—it's a real kick. I performed my blog post, "Yap-Yippity-Doo-Da," because it was clean and we didn't have to send the children out, as we have in years past.

After the show-and-tell, I made a dreamcatcher. Showing you the actual photo of it takes real guts on my part. Let me just bow and say, "I failed!" But it was fun—mostly because I met the most lovely women around the table who were doing a far better job of weaving the twine than I. They were from the UK, and since my new novel takes place on the Isle of Wight, they'll be terrific beta readers for me. Oh yes, I totally conned them into it!

Ever heard of a Theremin? Think of the eerie soundtracks from the old—and I mean old—scary movies, like Spellbound (1945), The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951), and The Thing (1951). A Theremin was even used in The Ten Commandments (1956). I guess trudging down a mountain with a bunch of I-am-that-I-am-engraved stone tablets or turning a staff into a snake that devours other snakes could warrant some eerie background music. I dunno. Anyway, we had a Theremin at the creativity party. Apparently you can buy a kit and make yourself one. One of the party-goers brought his, and I got a chance to experiment. It was fascinating, and I wanted to take it home. However, 20 amateurs hovering over it, one after the other, can make you want to stab your ear drums. If you're curious about what a Theremin sounds like, here's a cool sample of its modern use:



Speaking of creativity, my friend Carolyn, co-host of the creativity party, is a life and writing coach. She was recently interviewed about her very cool "book whispering" services:
"I coach people who have the desire to write… yet they are not writing. Some people have a novel, memoir, non-fiction book or even blog that’s been percolating in them for years, but they either haven’t started writing… or they start and stop and can’t get any traction. It becomes very frustrating because they really want to write, yet they’re stopped. I coach with them to discover what gets in their way and clear the path towards joyful, more effortless writing."
Carolyn offers her services by phone or email, so if you need to get that writing project off the ground, I highly recommend her! From personal experience, I can tell you she helps you sort through the brain clutter so you can make real progress with your book. Go check her out here, at Backyard Pearls.

Okay, off to fold and put away some more towels. Otherwise some peeps are going to have to drip dry and prance around naked after their showers tonight. I have seen naked butts running through the house more than once . . .
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25 comments:

meleah rebeccah said...

First of all, I would LOVE to see helium balloon sucking/rapping! HA!

Secondly, I am seriously considering contacting Carolyn. I could use some help with the novel I've been writing but I keep stopping, and I keep getting stuck.

Third, I'm glad you seem to be having so much fun despite all the towel folding!

Oh PS: I cannot even WAIT for the Bachelor tonight. I am CONVINCED he will pick Chantal O. And that Emily will be the new Bachelorette.

Stacy Hackenberg said...

Two things - First, I always forget you're in Austin. I work across the street from Chez Zee in the Bank of America building. Second, I just bought a Thundershirt for my crazy dog so it was kinda kismet that was the google ad when I read your post.

The creativity party idea sounds neat. I think I might even pay to see someone who can burp haiku but not the cursive writing/peeing. That's just too strange.

Out on the prairie said...

The theremin shows why I always turn down the sound and act like my guitar synth is on overload when someone cons me into letting them try it. It is nice in good hands.

Alexandra said...

Oh..I am SO calling your friend, the book whisperer.

Someone 's got to get my lazy blog butt in the chair.

thanks for this, Fragrant. xo

anon said...

I thought I'd embiggen your pic of the dreamcatcher so I could poo-poo your idea that it kinda sucked.

But that didn't really work out : )

I guess maybe you're more a dream haver, than a dream catcher maker. I'm sure you fold towels quite dreamily though : /

sounds like you had fun!

Irish Gumbo said...

Theremin! Very cool. Some of the musicians I like very much have used theremins.

That party sounded like a blast, although I don't know as I could have done anything...which may explain why a coach may not be a bad idea :)

Ain't nothing wrong with running around naked, either :)

Sausage said...

Damn I would love to be at a party like that, you should take it on the road. I wished I had dated a girl that had the cherry stem trick!!!! Imagine the possibilites.
Cheers, Sausage...

daisyfae said...

i think the theramin - in the hands of a hoarde of amateurs - is considered a torture device. but your link shows it can be nicely managed - and doubles as a sort of performance/dance when played properly!

Heidi-"Heidi in Real Life" said...

I like that--the book whisperer! Nice plug for her. I also like your dream catcher (not a failure at all).

Smart Mouth Broad said...

What in the name of all that is feathers and fiddlesticks is "juice harping"?

Is it dirty? Can you get arrested for it? I'm off to google. *sigh*

Midlife Roadtripper said...

Oh, how sad am I that I missed both parties. (Although, I always just sit on the steps at Carolyn's parties. Too chicken to get up there and share.) Sounds like most fun. So much to learn from creative types.

secret agent woman said...

There's a theremin in the Beach Boys song "Good Vibrations," too. Sounds like a fun party.

anon said...

Also, you have a very nice head. studious and blonde all at once, you don't see THAT everyday.

Unknown said...

What a fun filled post! Have you tried your dream catcher to see if it works, because that's what's important, not how it looks.

There's a couple who visits us that use a bath towel only once and I'm getting tired of that. What do they think, didn't they bathe before they used it?

I've been to the Isle of Wight so I can't wait to read your book.

Don't usually watch The Bachelor but I liked Brad so much for his honesty that I have this season and I agree with you. Chantel O!

Unknown said...

Theremin sounds like a pill containing theraputic vitamins.

The party sounds like fun.

I'm rooting for Chantal, but I think it's going to be Emily. It's strange that he didn't meet any of her family. (parents, sibs)

Jayne said...

Holy cow, that theremin is spooky enough on its own, never mind as instrument for a horror flick score!
Great info here. Looks like you are living it up in Austin. Good for you. ;)

Linda Medrano said...

Holy Cow! You have more energy than I. That's for dang sure. But all of this sounds like fun (except for the towel folding, that is).

I love being around creative people and feeling the creative energy. I just wish they would come to my house and do all this stuff. That way I could stay in my robe.

CkretsGalore said...

A creativity party is a wicked idea! Perhaps, when I have a normal life where I actually live at home, I'll get one on the go.

injaynesworld said...

Well, aren't you just the party animal. Sounds like a fun night. Does sucking back tequila and dancing on the table tops qualify as a creative activity?

squatlo said...

The Day the Earth Stood Still (the original, not that soulless pile of poop they just put out) was one of the most original sci-fi films ever, and the theremin was a big part of the atmospherics for that movie! Cool that you put one in this post...
On the other hand, I didn't make it through the vid, and she knew what she was doing. I can't imagine listening to much of that being manipulated by rookies.

Missy said...

I need to Party!

Liz Mays said...

I made one of those dreamcatchers before. I still have it and love it!

LOL to the naked butts!

Michelle Wells Grant said...

Yay for Bee, CASA, creativity, Carolyn and the wonderfulness of life! Love it!

Jimmy said...

...and what an attractive looking head it is indeed. Chic, beauty, intelligence and a wry sense of humour that would turn a man in the blink of an eye.

Ann Imig said...

Sounds like a great event! I first saw one of those invisible-magical-maphones on Yo Gabba Gabba and I thought it was special effects.

Really amazing.