SOMETHING NEW

Most artists seem to have an innate talent to appreciate food. Many of my friends either love to cook or love to eat (or both). This prompted a desire to join www,menuism.com and write reviews of some of the cafes, coffee houses, and restaurants in the Orlando area. I hope you will travel with me to some of these places and enjoy our new adventure.

PS. Think I'm going to pass on the cannibal restaurant above though. :)

Recession Art and Deliciously Nerdy!

new kind of art done for a few dollar app on your iPhone. How cool is that?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJ4C9zmStjU&feature=player_embedded.

Hook up those speakers to your computer!

This is the amazing Venezuelan Youth Orchestra conducted by Gustavo Dudamel, a graduate of El Sisteme which was started to help all talented kids learn the language of music,no matter what their class.

Be sure to click on the talk given by its founder Jose Abreu. He came up with this inspirational idea.

Beautiful music played with such enthusiasm is such a joy. Enjoy the music and peace.

Happy Friday the 13th with Jill Badonsky

JILL BADONSKY

WHO SHE IS: Author, Humorist, Creativity Coach, Corporate Drop Out

WHY YOU SHOULD KNOW HER: Because her book on creativity will keep you happy for at least a year and it only costs $19.95!

The first time I met Jill was at Urban Think Bookstore (our favorite cult bookstore in downtown Orlando. I had just finished reading her first book The Nine Modern Day Muses and a bodyguard. When I got my newsletter from Urban Think announcing her book signing, I had to run down to meet this Creative Goddess. Jill did not disappoint. She was charming and most of all-dare I say-very cool. It was one of times that we have here in Florida in the rainy season that her signing was preempted by the downpour and almost no one dared out. She was so calm and unassuming even with the spare turnout, that it blew my mind. I love writing and belong to several writing groups here in town and do struggle with my writing-not enough time, not enough ideas, too many pressures etc. so unbeknownst to me, writers must also face the challenge of the weather with stoic ease as well. Told you she didn’t disappoint me.

Since that time I joined her Creative Coaching and became a Certified Muse Coach. She joined with Dr. Meurer to establish the Kaizen-Muse Creativity Coaching and also began her Body Blissmas (and a happy new rear) coaching.

So my initial meeting has blossomed into a real friendship with Jill and continued admiration for her continuing project to guide other artists of all kinds with their stumbling blocks. Many of her clients include well known artists, lyricists, song writers, poets, singers and other writers and also struggling artists like me J. So I was so excited that she agreed to include my blog on her blog tour (who doesn’t want to be a VINA (very important nerdy artist)?

BLOG TOUR INTERVIEW:

Jill, we are so pleased and privileged to have you visit us here in Orlando again, but this time it is something totally different. This is not a book tour. It is a blog tour! I do have some questions for you, if you don't mind, about this tour for my readers.

Questions:

Who do you think is your primary audience for your new book, THE AWE-MANAC?

Anyone who likes to laugh, think creatively, discover joy in the small things and is tolerant of my quirky style.

What do you think is the most important barrier to creativity and how will the Awe-Manac address that?

I think fear is a huge barrier. It masquerades itself as procrastination, overwhelm, perfectionism, and even staying comfortable in routines that don't serve us. The Awe-manac is designed to nourish people's creativity a little each day. Small steps side-step fear. If people at the very least, read the creative prompts, the quotes and explore the illustrations, there will be a subliminal response of being more creative without really trying. It's a very manipulative book.

What is the best way to read this book?

The best way varies according to the day, the mood, and your intuitive. For most people I think it would be just to read a page a day. For others in need of a little adventure outside of the rules, just open the book to any page and see what message the book is trying to tell you.

Do you think people other than writers should dive in as well to the suggestions in the book?

The prompts are also for artists, musicians, and anyone who wants to "create" a more joy-filled existence.

Have to ask, what gave you the idea to write this which is very different from your first book, THE MODERN NINE DAY MUSES?

Actually, I got the idea in the same way as the Muse book in that I took something already existing, (the nine Greek Muses in the first book and The Farmer's Almanac in this book) and reinvented it to deliver my message of creative joy. I had lots of creativity prompts from classes and workshops I've done for the last 20 years, so having a daily place to supply them inspired me. Both books are filled Kaizen-Muse Creativity Coaching Priniciples.

I first met you when you were on your book tour for that first book, here in Orlando at Urban Think Bookstore for your book signing. Will you miss being at Urban Think this time? Why did you decide to do a blog tour instead? Are you having fun doing the blog tour as it is an innovative move on your part to do your new book this way?

Urban Think is a way cool bookstore and I will miss going there. In this economic climate, I'm saving money, time and resources by visiting people in cyber fashion. this is lot of fun too because there's so many wonderful blogs out there. My readers and their readers are cross-pollinating in the interest of new inspiration and discovery.

What other innovative things can we expect from you in the future?

Thanks for having faith in me in that way. I am planning a documentary about choreographing complicated performance-art dance with mid-life, non-dancers using very small steps. I'm also developing products to go with the Modern Day Muse book and The Awe-manac. Another book seems to be yanking at my skirt as well.. this one even more quirky and less of the self-help genre. I'd really like to write a novel about a self-help author who is a basket case, but I'm still collecting the information for that one.

Thanks for these wonderful questions Margie!

You are most welcome, Jill.

For more information go to www.themuseisin.com.

Here's Jill's gift especially for you readers for today:

Thanks to all of you for visiting.

WATCH THIS SPACE

The long awaited interview with Jill Badonsky is coming in a few days.
I am very excited about this as we are the only blog in the area chosen outside of my community blog which will also feature this interview.


KEEP WATCHING AND YOU MAY GET A NICE VALENTINE'S DAY GIFT!

INTERVIEW WITH JILL BADONSKY

Coming Soon!
Jill is doing a blog tour for her newest book and will be on Orlando Creates. I have sent off some queries about this new book, so that you will have access to her thinking processes about AWEMANAC. In case you haven't seen it on the book shelves yet, you can order it at Urban Think Bookstore and Amazon.com. Hoping you are as excited about this latest book of creative ideas as an adjunct to her THE NINE MODERN DAY MUSES. Keep checking back for this interview!

writer's workshop coming up

How many times have you thought about writing and never did? well I know I am one of those creatures who needs to be prodded and encouraged. Taking chances is part of creativity. I am going to take the plunge and be a member of Philip Deaver's workshop which begins Sunday, January 11. I will keep you posted or maybe some of you will be members as well. If you want more information to get you writing go to www.madaboutwords.com.

Retro Game Night

Hey dudes,
Friday night is retro game night at the Orlando Regional Historic Museum downtown. Have fun playing your old board games and video games. They have it scheduled from 7 to MIDNIGHT!!!
hope you can make it.

Billy Collins, former Poet Laureate for US

Tuesday, September 9th and the 11th at 7 PM,Rollins College, Winter Park, Florida, Billy Collins will be reading some of his poetry and it is free to the public. Thought I would pass that on to all you other muses.

RED CHAIR EVENT September 7, 2001

Last evening at the Bob Carr Performing Arts Center here in Orlando, over 2000 people turned out for the fourth annual Red Chair event. There was every kind of art imaginable, inside, outside and in the lobby. Our meetup group K.A.T.N., led by Sara Ashton, had 43 members turn out (we took up a good part of two rows). Everyone had a blast. The support for the arts here in Central Florida was very much in evidence. And some restaurants are offering special discounts for this month if you go before or after one of the shows. Where else could you see so much talent in one place at one time? I hope some of you were also there and enjoyed it as much as we did. Afterwards we all floated happily for dessert and coffee at Cheesecake Factory to finish off the meal we began at Brio's before the show.

Songs in the Night

Had to pass this on...Check out the FREE concerts they have at Crane's Roost in the Rose Amphitheater in Altamonte on Friday nights. It is a beautiful setting on the river bank. They have all kinds of different music. Bring a blanket, sit back and feel the beauty all around.

Beauty in Retro

http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2008/04/21/celebration-of-vintage-and-retro-design/

Just came across this site honoring vintage and retro posters, ads, album covers etc. I am an admirer of the Colourist School so had to give you this link. There is even a YouTube video to watch. Enjoy my musings.

Painterly Muse

FILM FESTIVALS OPEN ALL KINDS OF DOORS

For the past 10 days, I have been totally absorbed in seeing as many movies, documentaries and forums for the Florida Film Festival as possible. One of the many reasons I chose Orlando was the fact that there was a film festival organized by a movie house which showed only foreign and independent films. The Enzian. Although I only managed to see 28 films and 3 forums out of the 150 films shown, it got the creative side of brain spinning in an eddy of ideas. Who wouldn't? The place was filled with celebrities, film makers, producers, writers, critics etc. What a high!
One very special thing happened this year. I joined a local meetup group in February (Independent Film Group, started by Christine) where new friends were made and found that when alone, I began chatting away with people in the queue before we were allowed in the theater. Everyone was so open and friendly. There was so much to talk about as well.
Many discoveries were made during my 10 day journey. I found where people had lived before coming to the area, their likes and dislikes, what films were a"must see "and all kinds of things. Of course, I ran in many of my friends coming and going that I hadn't seen for a bit. It is a bonus to make new friends who enjoy many of the things I like. The future is now filled with invitations from some newly found and from some old friends...and all it took was to start a simple conversation and to be there.

Thoughts from Painterly Muse

AN INSPIRING THOUGHT FROM WWW.PAINTERLYMUSE.NING.COM

Sometimes trying harder is easier

Posted by Jason on April 9, 2008 at 4:40pm

Previous Post View Blog Posts

Recently, I decided it was time to run a marathon. I just turned 40, and it's not going to get any easier. You learn a lot about yourself, and about life trying to do something like this, and last weekend was one of those times.

Last Sunday morning, I ran the Carlsbad 5K, which is widely known as the fastest 5k run in the area, if not the US. And now that I'm in the "Masters" category, we run at 7:05am. (I love the euphemism. I suppose they can't call it the Geezer's race.) Just to make it perfect, my marathon training routine had us running 16 miles the day before. I did well, but the inside of my knee was very stiff all weekend.

Last weekend was also my dad's birthday. So I had concert reservations at a local Jazz club, including dinner before. We all drank our first absinthe, and enjoyed a great concert, and good food. I was a little stiff in the legs when I got up, but it did not feel too bad.

The problem is that my dad also wanted to catch a movie that was only playing in San Diego that week. So after all that, we go see a 10:30 movie. As you can guess, I did not get home until after 1am. And I have to get up at 6am to make it to the race. And sitting through the movie meant my legs were even more stiff.

So finally, I'm at the race, on probably 4 hours sleep, with a knee that is too stiff to extend fully. We do a little warm up run waiting for the race to start. Everything is moving, just not well. We line up with the 8 minute/mile flag, thinking I'll be lucky to keep that pace. Everyone starts crowding towards the front as the race is about to start.

Once the race starts, it's so crowded, it's hard to move at first. The crowd is moving slow, so I start passing people. As I run faster, my knee starts feeling better. Pretty soon, I'm running the fastest pace I've ran since I started training. Instead of 8 minutes per mile, I'm under 7.5, and getting faster. And everything is loosening up as my body comes awake. Somewhere along the line I dropped my GPS cell phone, so I'm not sure how fast I ran at the end. But it read 6:57 pace for the last .15 miles.

Running was actually easier running harder, because I got my body going. I wonder how often things would get easier in life if I actually tried a little harder to get past the obstacles and really get things rolling?

New Event

The first online short film festival with the best international women's short films will be on February 8th. Don't forget to watch other creative people and their work. Go to glamourfilmfest.tv.

Isabel Allende at the TED conference 2007

http://www.ted.com/talks/view/id/204

Novelist Isabel Allende video relating tales of some wonderful women who manage to live in a sometimes unjust world.

I think you will find this an inspiring talk for either gender. So I thought I would share this with you.

Happy Hogmanay to all and make your dream collage come true this New Year!

Your Muse,

Margie

Things to do around town

Here's to getting into the holiday spirit now that it's Advent already!

While wandering through the Altamonte Mall, I discovered a wonderful shop to please the child within all of us. It is called Pinocchio's. Not only do they sell puppets and toys but they also give shows during the week beginning December 12th. For information and reservations (recommended) call 407 677-8831 or email www.Richard@Pinocchios.net. for more information.
I made sure to pick up a brochure so I don't miss any of their fun. They are featuring The Little Drummer Boy for this holiday season.

Seminole County College is showing the one man production of The Christmas Carol tonight, tomorrow night and Sunday for the holidays.

Big Bobby Blackmon is performing tonight at 7 PM free Crane's Roost. He is a great local blues impresario so don't miss him. First saw him open for Buddy Guy at HOB last year.

And I see Orlando's own Amy Steinberg is singing here December 23rd.at the Paramount. Welcome back Amy.

Signing off for now to get back to decorating my tree.

Painterly Muse

Happy Birthday Knute is one today!

To View this cuddly one year old polar bear go to http://www.guardian.co.uk/news/gallery/2007/dec/04/photography.wildlife?picture=331453705

Something Heart Humming to Share Today

This was an article in today's Scotsman. Hope it brings a sweet smile to your wonderful faces.

http://news.scotsman.com/index.cfm?id=1885182007.

Holidays

Holidays and I'm scattilated!

Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving. I soaked my turkey overnight in water and 1/2 cup of salt and some hot spices and it was the best ever, I must say.

The stores have plenty of great bargains for shopping right now so it helps get me into the holiday spirit.

AND I see Rick Springfield and Foo fighter tickets are on sale. What could be better?
There are several Nutcracker performances in today's paper as well.

To keep my creative thoughts flowing, I am going to take a long walk around Lake Eola and simply listen to sounds of BeaSilly muse chatter. Take a walk with her sometime. You will smile through the entire afternoon or evening after.

Painterly Muse