Blocked Blocked Blockedy Blockedy Blocked -and a Song

I am struggling.

My book about my experience with chronic pain just isn't coming together. In fact, the effort I am putting into fermenting it has caused a total drain on every single creative aspect of my life. I've never felt so...dry.  I can't even knit. I can't even COOK.

I never understand my own creative process, and each project seems to have it's own gestation period but, as with yoga, I keep practicing on faith that I will have some kind of break-through.  Or break-down.  Something will HAPPEN.  I am ready.  I know what I want to say--I just can't find the plumb line.

Meanwhile, though, my lack of production has not been mirrored by my amazing children.  Here's Ana singing the Periodic Table of Elements, set to the music of Sir Arthur Sullivan by the immortal Tom Lehrer.



She learned it over the past ten days on a bet with her science teacher. (I actually learned a little bit of it myself as she was practicing.  It's an odd experience to find yourself walking through the aisles of the grocery store singing the Periodic Table of Elements but there ya go.)

(Plus, um, not to brag even MORE, but isn't she just so beautiful?)

Comments

Ann in NJ said…
My daughter's class just watched that! It's been one of my favorites forever.

And BTW, there is a video on YouTube of Daniel Radcliffe singing it a capella on a British talk show. Not as amazing as Ana, of course.
Barb Matijevich said…
I've seen that Daniel Radcliffe video and found it most impressive. Now that I've heard the song about six million times, though, I think he skipped a verse. Still for ANYONE to learn it is really a huge feat.

I particularly love the Mike Stanfill version here: http://www.privatehand.com/flash/elements.html which has Tom Lehrer actually singing the song. (Sorry I can't link to it --I need an html lesson.)
Barb Matijevich said…
That Smurf-like "YES!" at the end? Totally me. (Sigh.)
LaDonna said…
LOL!!! I SO love the video! And yes, I will agree with you...Ana is becoming such a gorgeous young woman! :)

So the creative process thing... I can identify. Not that I've tried to write a book, but up until a few years back, I was an avid scrapbooker, specifically digital scrapbooking. I make hundreds of intricate layouts just because I wanted to. It was such fun, and I was really getting good at it.

One day I was approached to be on the creative team for a new digital scrapbooking site. This was such an amazing opportunity! Free digital kits, backgrounds, alphabets, embellishments, and I got to try all the new stuff first (again...FREE!) because my layouts would be used to promote the kits for others to buy. Wellllll....

It all went great for the first few months, but after awhile, I found that the pressure of HAVING to scrapbook was completely sapping all the creativity out of me. I dreaded sitting down at my computer with my photos and beautiful new kits because I couldn't take the pressure of having to come up with something to stun and amaze EVERY DAY!

I abruptly quit the creative team and haven't scrapbooked since. That was 3 years ago. I keep thinking I should go back to it,I want to go back to it, but I feel the pressure to create every time I try.

I'm not sure what my point is, and since I haven't figured my way out of my own creative block for 3 years, I can't really offer much in the way of advice. What I can do is offer a virtual hug, and admire the beautiful Ana right along with you...again! :)
shaatzie said…
Your book is not ready to hatch! Let it talk to you gently without causing you to block on everything.

When it's ready, it will flow—or you will find something else that's ready to be born from the tips of your fingers.

When the muse is sleeping, get something you LOVE to do.

There is a season for all things...
Sarah S said…
Barb, re your book. What is it currently about now, and what SHOULD it be about? Can you summarize each in 25 words or less?
Kathy Ireland said…
She is so like you. Jessie does that finger cracking thing too (drives me crazy, even though I do it as well).

Aren't you so glad you're not in school anymore? Whew! That's alotta work!
kim said…
I could watch that video all day! :)
Barb Matijevich said…
I've watched it about 30 times myself. Every time I find myself holding my breath during the last verse--and y'all, I KNOW HOW IT ENDS.

I'm such a mom.
Yay Ana! That's an incredible accomplishment! I memorized the books of the Old Testament when I was young, and I can still sing parts of it (especially the last 12 - rather obscure, and best sung very fast). Funny how putting something to music makes it easier to remember...
Tiny Tyrant said…
Love Tom Lehrer, love that song. Ana is amazing. (Jane is too).
Tenna Draper said…
Gee...hmm...there's really that many elements? It's grown a bit since I was a kid, I guess. Hate to date myself that way, but well...hmm.

I think I need a drink.