Some small but different thing

[urstwile]

I thought, what with GDF being such a support network for so many things, that one of the many things that happens to us in the GD world is that we get into a rut (obviously, it's not just our industry that gets us into a rut, everyone goes through this).

Workaday woes, the grind, etc. they take us away from just doing some small thing that is outside of everything else we do as part of our normal routine. It could be taking a different way home from work, or making a detour to a bookstore, or going to a movie on a school or work night, or talking to a friend you haven't talked to for a very long time. Maybe it's just drawing or painting when you haven't picked up pencils or brushes for a very long time. Maybe a detour to the park (yes, Cornfed, you inspired me a little with your of necessity trip to the park because of the fireant bombing). Maybe it's just a random act of charity, or you picked up a piece of litter that someone left behind and put it in the trash. It's a whatever kind of thing, whatever breaks you out of your daily routine, makes you wake up, if even for the briefest of moments, and you see that you're a part of a constantly changing world, and you can contribute to it as you see fit.

As inspiration for all of us, I thought it'd be cool for everyone, as our worlds permit, to post one thing that they did in their day that was outside of their normal rut of going to work, getting the work done, coming home, eating dinner, walking the dog. Just that one thing, big or small, that was outside your normal routine. Hopefully it helped you feel a little bit alive as you did it, a little invigorated, and also, hopefully, it will inspire people with things to try so that we can see how it's relatively easy to break our routine with just a fifteen minute act of freedom that can invigorate us to be just that much more creative. Pictures are welcome if that works within your escape from the routine, but they're not required. Just a good description will do.

I'll admit that I have nothing to start this off with at the moment. I've been feeling a little stifled by my routine, however, and so I'm inspired to try to contribute to this on my next wakeup.

Have at it!

[Navian]

Hmm. You could even take a different route to work, a different route home, continue with a different route every day for a week. Change of pace, park in a different parking spot, walk the stairs (if you have any). I do that alot. Yesterday I was helping people who know how to work Microstation (a different cad) I had been (sh*tty) trained on it, but I know how to use it better than everyone else (except maybe 5 other people in the building, 3 floors worth). so I end up answering/tutoring people pretty much all day. never getting any normal work done. lol

[urstwile]

Thanks for the first contribution, Navian. :)

[cjoe]

set yourself a daily random challenge. e.g. make friends with a stranger, convince your boss to eat a banana for lunch, write a poem by 3 o'clock in the afternoon.

[urstwile]

Great ideas, Cjoe. :)

I hope to see people start posting their one small thing that was different about their day tomorrow.

I love the poem idea, I used to write daily, lately, not so much. This is inspiring me, I hope it will inspire others.

[Samakimoto Graphics]

Well for the first time in months I was able to get up away from my desk to get a muffin from the coffee station, usually it's a toilet break or a 40 minute lunch.

[urstwile]

Good for you, Sama.

I will post something tomorrow. I'm thinking I'll walk over to a local used bookstore, and just look at cool old books. Or maybe I'll just sit my butt down on my smoke break and talk to homeless people who randomly talk to me, and really talk to them. Or maybe I'll write a poem. Or (something I've wanted to do for a long time), draw a sketch of my gorgeous husband Sam. Actually, we're supposed to go to the last day of the Del Mar racetrack tomorrow, so maybe I'll bring some paper and draw some of the stuff I see, and scan it in and post it. Or maybe...the possibilities are endless! :)

[urstwile]

Here's a poem I just wrote:

I want to make an impression on the
Universe.

I am temporarily out of
The ink
That I need
To make
That mark.

[Red Kittie Kat]

hmmm... my days don't really have much of a strict routine... other than just starting today, having to be up by 6 am to get the girls on the bus for school.

But, when I do feel in a rut I always find a drive with no particular destination always helps. I usually end up in Lake George looking at the boats... or in Yaddo Gardens in Saratoga looking at all the beautiful sculptures and flowers.

[Samakimoto Graphics]

Nice Urst.

[Logo-Mechanix]

I will take a different route home sometimes or I will eat my lunch in the park near where I work. I love to read stories to my boys after dinner and every once in a while my wife will pick up a new one for me to read to them. Don't know if that one qualifies but sometimes I will throw little anecdotes into the story.

[Silence04]

sometimes when i am feeling frisky i will go to websites other than GDF...

[cornfed]

Ok, I gotta think here. What can I do, what can I do?!! Thanks for the suggestion Urst. I may go for a walk and let Sadie be behind the digital camera. Then we can catch the world from the perspective of a 3 year old - always refreshing!!

[morea]

I'm going for a job interview... does that count?

[patkennedy78]

sometimes when i am feeling frisky i will go to websites other than GDF...

LOL, nice one. :D

[Danger_Mouse]

Great thread!

I like making a routine of not having routine days. Sometimes its a struggle and you have to consciouslydo it. If you want to really push the boundries of routine ( and work out the other side of your brain), try brushing your teeth, shaving or combing your hair with the other hand. Make sure you have a towel handy (lol)...after a few days you will get better at it. Then switch back.






Some routines are good rountines.

[Navian]

Great thread!

I like making a routine of not having routine days. Sometimes its a struggle and you have to consciouslydo it. If you want to really push the boundries of routine ( and work out the other side of your brain), try brushing your teeth, shaving or combing your hair with the other hand. Make sure you have a towel handy (lol)...after a few days you will get better at it. Then switch back.

Some routines are good rountines.

All I can say is if you can brush your teeth, shave, and comb your hair at the same time. I want to see the video. then I have $10.00 down as you brush your teeth and shave, you slash the hell out of your face. ;)


I'm going for a job interview... does that count?

Of course it does. *crosses fingers* What job may I ask? Good luck btw.

[urstwile]

Yeah, Mo, best of luck! Keep us posted! :)

[reuber1]

It's hard to avoid routine around here. There's very little to do, especially with little $$$.

[urstwile]

sometimes when i am feeling frisky i will go to websites other than GDF...
http://www.planetsmilies.com/smilies/mad/mad0025.gif

[twogun]

i sometimes increase my exercise for the day, i park my car right at the end of my drive!!

[The_Black_Knight]

I'm not at work today, so that's something different right there.

[G-Man79]

Every now and then I'll leave a little early for work, pull into the parking lot, pop on a random CD and listen to a song or two with my eyes closed.

Gets me into a great parallel mindset.

[Red Kittie Kat]

I'm going for a job interview... does that count?

Oooh fingers, toes and eyes crossed for you :D

[cornfed]

We didn't get to do the picture plan. But, I did take Sadie for a nice little lunch at one of my favorite cafes in town. We usually eat at home for lunch. It was nice to sit and chat with her. She had pork roast with rice and gravy and green ball peas and corn and a roll. She loved it. Then we went and got a candy bar. I had pork roast/rice/gravy, some yummy beans and candied yams and a roll. We talked. She told me that when she gets big she want to be me. And a doctor. She also informed me that she has blood. I would have never known!! It was a nice little time we had!!

Here's where we ate:
http://www.roadfood.com/Reviews/Writeup.aspx?ReviewID=1971&RefID=1895

[Red Kittie Kat]

boy that looks good CF...... but I can feel the heartburn coming on just looking at those dishes :D

[keith1]

To break up the day I usually try a new drug. For instance today I tried sniffing peanut butter, it didn't do much though. No really, a thing I do the most is (someone already mentioned) is take a different way to work or listen to a new cd instead of morning talk radio in my car.

And good luck morea on the interview.

[Exodus]

I didn't curse when 16 art requests were thrown in my inbox 30 minutes ago...

[urstwile]

Went to the last day at the Del Mar racetrack today. Lots of fun, and a very nice break in my routine. While waiting for the train to go home, Sam and I got into a conversation with another person also waiting for the train, and he happened to be from my old neighborhood in New York. Small world! Fun night.

[morea]

it's a job as an outside sales person in a print shop an hour from my house. Not my ideal, but whatever puts food in the cat bowls, you know? Thanks VERY much for all the well wishes - I think that the interview was promising.

Also had the first potential buyer for my home come by last night. What an odd experience.

OH wait! I did something different. Somebody left a shopping cart in the corner of my front yard, and I walked it back to the store. LOL.

[Samakimoto Graphics]

Way to go Mo!

[Red Kittie Kat]

Good luck on everything Morea. :)

I am breaking out of my routine right now in a way .... I'm awake at this ungodly hour of 8:30 ;)