Napoleon Dynamite, Trends 2005, and "Woulda, Shoulda, Coulda"

I have too often experienced the manifestation of one of "my" ideas later through someone who actually bothered to bring it into form. I guess discipline and craftsmanship are 9/10s of the law.

One of the DVDs scored this Christmas was "Napoleon Dynamite", which I would recommend to everyone, although I admit that much of my delight in it is that I grew up about 10 miles away from where it was filmed (Preston, ID) and I know far too many people like those portrayed in the film. I have always wanted to tell a similar story, but now feel somewhat trumped. Good for Jared Hess for just doing it!

Now, something that my intuition told me over a year ago was a good idea - according to trend mavens, live band karaoke is coming on strong in 2005. I love the notion of a more participatory karaoke, with others filling in on instruments, and backing tracks just covering some of the crucial holes and keeping the tempo where it should be. Something in between open mike/stage and full-on karaoke seems like a great idea. I worry that we are becoming/have become too much a spectator society vs. a participant society. Everybody should have a shot at the limelight, even one bathed in cheese. I have always wanted to do this, and will in 2005.

So, Timmy, the moral of this post is that "woulda, shoulda, coulda" sucks. Trust your intuition, try it, fail at it if necessary (and if you absolutely need to label it so), but get out there and make something.

Hmmm...

The temerity. The cojones. The naivete. Just what is it that makes me believe that anyone else will get anything out of this blog? The act of formulating thoughts enough to put into coherent entries (ideally) and organizing the all-too-random synaptic firings for my own benefit should be enough. If anyone else does happen upon this and can contribute...well then cool!

So what is Integral Creativity, anyhow? Is it, as Ken Wilber suggests that some people might overcompensatingly argue, always incorporating all quadrants/ levels/ lines/states/types into every facet of a creative endeavor - an overwhelming Wagnerian sense-arama at every turn? Is it simply any creative act perpetrated by any integrally informed person? OK...what the hell does that mean? Is it skillful means applied to any creation, so that more might jump in and play along, coming from whereever they are psychospiritually? Maybe it can be all of the above.

What role does Integral Creativity play across the spectrum of human action - from art to commerce, from personal transformation to parenting, from spirituality to daily tasks? How important is it ultimately to be creative anyhow?

OK, enough questions for this introductory piece. Let's see where this experiment in hubris goes!

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night. I have a drum set to put together for the kids tomorrow...as if it were only for them!

Adam