You May Say I’m a Dreamer

Last month, my boss sent me home with Imagine: How Creativity Works by Jonah Lehrer. It’s a book I’ve had on my reading list, but wasn’t in all that of a hurry to begin. While my reading habits lately include more nonfiction, they’re usually in the way of memoirs or biographies. For some reason, I’ve never been all that jazzed about industry books and tend to really labor through them.

Not the case with this one.

Lehrer breaks creativity, the creative mind and the enabling environments in a wondrous, storytelling way. From Bob Dylan’s songwriting ways (or lack there of) to the way Pixar studios places their bathrooms, Lehrer somehow manages to engage senses and parts of the brain that are dormant while reading.

The chapter about urban living really struck a chord. I never paid much attention to why I feel like I’m more “creative” in Chicago, I just chalked it up to the fact there’s a lot going on…there are a lot of resources to explore…and the people watching is stellar. I never even gave much thought to what all of those components contribute to the way the mind works.

When contemplating a fascinating and engaging read this summer, imagine Lehrer.

“Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up.” –Picasso

Ad of the Day

I love board games. I love words. And I love pop culture. Naturally, I love these. via I Believe in Advertising

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Night With The Sir

This past Sunday and Monday, one Sir Paul McCartney graced Wrigleyville with a concert at Wrigley Field. After a fun-filled birthday weekend, me and a few gals decided to cap off my entry to the 26th year with the Sir.

Emily and I headed up to Wrigley early and were greeted with Sir Paul’s caravan. As soon as he emerged from the car, 60-year-old women were seen jumping up and down, screaming at the top of their lungs and in tears. Most even had signs holding up. Grown men were running down the streets trying to catch a glimpse of the man himself.

Once we got a table, we weren’t sitting inside Wrigley, we ordered some beers and heard Sir Paul’s sound check. We immediately got goosebumps and didn’t talk to one and other as we didn’t want to ruin the moment. It was amazing.

It was also hot. Insanely hot. Thankfully, the sun hid behind a building and Sir Paul hit the stage right before 8:30. He played over 30+ songs, which is just insane. And he played every song you would ever want to hear. I must say, “Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da” brought tears to my eyes. Being with some of the best gal pals a girl could ask for in a city that I absolutely love while singing along to such a carefree song on a hot summer July night was so fantastic.

I learned on this night, that I sincerely hope I’m rounding up a gang of gal pals for a night in Wrigleyville where we just act crazy when we’re over 50. While the throngs of people were quite diverse, I found myself pulled to those groups of 7 or 10 women who clearly, came in from the suburbs and left their husbands and children at home to fulfill this lifelong dream.

We will be them. And if Sir Paul’s performance was any sign of his stamina, he’ll be there too.