You don’t have to be a Ghostbuster to realize Halloween is my friend.

Some of my own favorite homemade costumes in the past have included:

-          Team America outfits (complete with the soundtrack blaring from car en route to party)

-           Dirty Martini drink with a olive hat that you could actually sip cocktails out of with a giant pixie stick straw (my best friend, the Cosmopolitan drink, had an equally cute outfit, complete with a cherry-on-top hat).

-          Rainbow Brite, with my old school colorful shoe-lace ribbon clip

-          I tried to pull of a cute Transformer costume last year, but didn’t have the time to prepare. Can’t win ‘em all, I guess.

Making creative, crowd-stopping costumes is an art; but thinking of them is a science.

I thought I’d put my creative costume brainstorming powers to good use and share some fun ideas for this year’s Halloween festivities. Consider this my good deed, since I am not giving away candy to Trick-or-Treaters this year. My motives are purely altruistic and have absolutely nothing to do with the fact that I am sick of seeing the same “sexy [insert nursery rhyme character here]”’s flouncing about every single year. =)

New adage, courtesy of moi’:

Give a friend an idea, they will be a stupid nursery rhyme character again next year.

Show them how to think of these ideas on their own, and they just might pleasantly surprise us next time!

1. Beyond Blockbusters: What are your favorite movies this year? Think deeper than the #1 Blockbuster that has a hot couple everyone will try to imitate.For example, if you are into animated movies, try imitating Coraline or better yet, a cloud with meatballs.Into cheesy comedies? Give a nod to Ben Stiller in Night at the Museum with a security outfit, and staple bunch of animals on your outfit.If you are four guys and can play it off perfectly, try being the guys from the Hangover. Don’t forget the chipped tooth and baby doll in the pouch.Show your love for the recently deceased in a respectable way. For example, this would be a nice year to not leave Baby in a Corner…My rule is: avoid prepackaged nylon versions that are being sold for $100 at a party store. Unless you want to run into your twin all night.
2. Television Break: As much as you might clear your social calendar to watch Grey’s Anatomy or Entourage, it might be tough to re-enact – unless you happen to have an extremely diverse-looking group of friends. If someone doesn’t “get it’ within ten seconds, it probably isn’t that distinctive of a character. Props can make or break a posse as well. I’ve seen four striking ladies – 2 brunettes, a redhead, and a blonde – totally pull off Desperate Housewives outfits. Mostly because of the red apples or muffin baskets in hand, a “dirty laundry” basket, bright lipsticks and flawless character mannerisms.Taking this a step further would be a very memorable commercial or SNL skit you think would be fun to re-enact. i.e.) Dirty Mouth? Clean it up!
   Kristin Wig’s Target Lady, anyone?
3. Ball is in Your Court: Famous Athletes are fair game. Don’t they say imitating is the best form of flattery? I am not sure exactly who they are, since I have a feeling we’ll see some ref-shouting Ms. Williams’s in a tennis outfit, just like we saw a few stoned Michael Phelps’ performances last year.
4. Current Events CAN be fun!: Whether you are playing off the Octo-Mom or creating your own little political satire, 2009 brought plenty to parody. What better way to lighten the news then to poke fun of it in costume-form?
5. Gauge Your Audience: If you can further play off the theme of your audience or location too, even better. For example, if you are attending a co-worker’s party and you are all in the advertising business, it might be fun to Mad Men-ize a few colleagues and show up with red ties and cigars.
   

If you are hosting your own party and want to get even more creative, you could ask everyone to bring their own carved pumpkin. The best / scariest / most creative wins something. Scariest edible treats are always a good time as well.

Hope my creative costume ideas helped! If nothing else, we are giving Bo Peep a much-needed break this year. High five.

Well, I know about energy, passion, and brainstorming.

I also am one of the few people that recognized what they loved to do at an early age, with my first published literary masterpiece* printed in the 4^th grade.

*By masterpiece, I mean a compilation of my schoolwork that my teacher loved so much that she found a printer to sponsor a beautiful rendition of my compiled essays.

However, there is a double-edged sword in having a profession where you love what you do every single day.

Entrepreneurial spirits tend to have a handful of other inventions or blooming companies you “moonlight” (stay up late working on your own projects) every single night. When you ask this type of person, “So, what’s new?” the answer is almost always a laundry list of projects and sites and books and blog and classes and new organizations and…are you still reading? I would have dozed off by now with my eyes open. You are probably one of these go-getters yourself. Good for you.

In a regular workday, I stare at the computer screen for hours on end, swapping syllables and cutting/pasting sentences so much it looks like a fridge magnet game. Then finally, everything just fits perfectly, and the perfect article or story gleams back at me. I barely have time to pat myself on the back when my momentary satisfaction is stolen by another sales letter or advertisement tapping my shoulder, waiting impatiently for me to write in time for deadline.

I know many creative designers and social media activists feel the same way. While I can’t fathom the notion, I imagine that is also how it works for other people passionate about other occupations (like number-lovers adding up budgets).

The problem with these kinds of people in an office or work environment where they actually love what they do? The moonlighting fades.

Since the passion is lit all day in the office while you are hammering away at your favorite tasks for your company, you can be burnt out by the time you get home. Ready for activities or creative outlets or god forbid, to relax.

Instead of spending time cultivating you big-money, game-changing idea, time goes by and you get comfortable working for “the man.” For some people, security and benefits are more important. For others, getting in this rut is dangerous and will ultimately make them unhappy if they don’t at least ATTEMPT to move forward with their lifelong goals.

• Take time out for yourself and soul search.
• Stay involved with activities outside of work that make you happy – whether it’s sports, or a more obvious form of networking. You never know who can help you take your dreams to a reality.
• Don’t make the office your new home, if you don’t plan on being there forever. Offer to take on a wider variety of projects. Take advantage of lunch breaks and office hours/holidays. Leave work at home when you can. Make one night a week a day for your projects only, and hole up to cross items of your to-do list.
• Timing is key. Bad economy is a bad time to start some businesses, while others are finding a niche market and finding it the perfect launch time. Perfect your business plan to incorporate timelines and profit margin comparisons.
• Dive in, don’t just dip your toes. If it’s worth doing, and you feel that strongly, starting out will always give you anxiety and make you nervous. Whenever you decide to move forward, as scary as it may be, don’t. look. back.

Creativity cannot be rushed. Yet for it to be productive, it must.

What music helps you “put blinders on” so that you only see your canvas / screen / notepad / sketchpad?

“Creative Mood Music” that helps stir creativity:

-         Film scores like Carl Orff: Carmina Burana

-         Soundtracks from your favorite movies

-         Slow Jazz, Instrumental, Environmental

-         New Age

-         Techno/electronica / dance / house (whatever this genre calls itself these days)

Perhaps there is a little coffee bar or jazz place on the water you can check out during lunch to breathe in the music.  Your mood music should change depending on the creative endeavor, because music effects emotionally.  I like to listen to smooth, sultry yet upbeat music from artists like Regina Spektor, Mandy Bergen, John Mayer, etc.

An artist trying to depict a dark message should probably listen to a different channel/track than a public relations professional trying to catch their bearings before coming up with new story angles.

Music that helps you focus and wrap out creativity before deadline time:

-         Golden Oldies

-         90s alternative

-         Classic Rock

(Psst: Sensing a pattern? Sometimes when you know the words so well you subconsciously sing along, or completely ignore the song altogether. Either way, it’s not getting in the way at your task at hand.)

I am one of those freaks that prefer silence during deadline time.

Not by choice, exactly.

My embarrassing lack of song lyrics knowledge makes for an interesting karaoke night, but not a fun working environment. My brain starts to get distracted and sing along, but since it never knows the proper words, it turns into a multitasking disaster.

The competition is fierce out there, no matter what your industry.

From designing an illustrious billboard or scripting a masterpiece of a press release, to innovatively cutting [the right] corners so you stay “in the black” this quarter… one thing remains certain: creativity is a must-have these days, not a luxury.

Creativity block?

Ever leave a brainstorming meeting in the morning, only to have your mind flooded with great ideas later that day, when you are cruising with the windows down and music blasting? It’s just as inevitable as thinking of the perfect ‘comeback’ to a bully an hour after he leaves. Sometimes, it’s unavoidable. But other times, you may be able to tinker with fate by psyching yourself out long enough to plan a preemptive “creativity block” attack.

Try this:

When a client or supervisor requests a brainstorming appointment, request a meeting agenda prior to discussing the project at least three days in advance. Think about the basic project goals for a few minutes, stew over the concepts, and then force it out of your mind. Chances are, random yet relevant ideas will creep their way into your head a day or two later. Whether you were triggered by a song on the radio, the latest reddit post, or a snide comment your barista spewed this a.m., you’ll still have plenty of time to structure your thoughts and prep for the meeting.

While I want to save some good stuff for later, it’s been way too long since I made a lovely list. And I love lists. So, below are a few classic creative quickies:

- Poem journals
- Dream notebooks
- Visual storyboards – Joe Duffy-style http://www.duffy.com/
- Making a home made gift for someone you love (extra points if you have never attempted that particular item before.) I am trying a blanket right now, and so far it’s me: zero, needles: 57. But it will be worth it.  And also recently, created my first YouTube-esque video that is a spoof of a favorite spoof. Just think of the thing that person is very excited about at the moment, pop culture or otherwise, and see how you can “make it your own.”
- Balderdash or Scattergories. These games get your mind going like no other. Don’t knock ‘em til you’ve tried ‘em.
- Reading Shock Therapy. If you typically swoon over Nicholas Sparks romance novels, try to get a thirst for Twilight. If you usually dig humor books like Stephen Colbert, see how quickly you can solve a mystery novel. Switch it up as often as you switch shampoos, and you may be pleased with your shiny new ideas
- Attend those cocktail hours or movie nights that are slightly out of your inner circle. Before declining, ask yourself “why not?” You can learn something new and inspiring every day, if you pay attention. Often in the least likely of people.
- Take a mini notebook attached with a pen with you everywhere. I mean, everywhere. Recently, I captured an idea while cycling at the gym. Had I not recorded it then and there, it may have escaped entirely, since we tend to second guess ourselves about what is “worth” saving or repeating. If you keep your random ideas in this little notebook, you can refer back to it from time to time.

Intimidated that you won’t be able to top your last victory? Thanks to Zen Habits, I found this insightful video on Elizabeth Gilbert, author of Eat, Pray, Love. The last half is my favorite:
Elizbeth Gilbert on Nurturing Creativity on TED, Zen Habits

Ironically, a little bit of insomnia and this post topic inspired the concept of a regular AMUSEing Fridays ~ Weekly Creativity Ideas piece. Here’s to hoping it’s a good omen!

I have pages, doodles and post-its filled with creativity musings, but please feel free to share your own comments, thoughts and musings on the subject.

But the two in the limelight, the two we are so sick of hearing about, but the morbid curiosity can’t contain us…the two candidates for Presidency this year. In the universal archetypes of literacy, there is always a hero and a trickster. I hope for everyone’s sake, both McCain and Obama are both heroes in some regard.

There are so many platforms, issues, debates, and loaded questions. I have to admit this is the first election I have been actually interested in researching in, and fortunately I’ve found that seems to be the trend with a lot of young voters these days. At least with all the chaos comes a sense of obligatory research, pride in one’s beliefs and genuine attempt to pick someone who will do what is best for them. I mean, best for the country moving forward, right?

I found myself thinking this morning, which candidate INSPIRES me the most? And others? Not just our country, but is presentable, determined and congenial enough to BEST represent me and the US when overseas? We always tell others, “fake it til you make it.” But do we mean it?

People can complain all they want about what party they are, blah blah. I choose based on the person. And what I think their mindset, energy, passion can bring to the position. More and more, CEOs across the country are getting younger, start-ups are being driven by younger people with a fresh perspective, and even the Internet gurus are becoming experts at an increasingly young age. Why should the candidate for Presidency be any different?

Also, I had one more thing I wanted to get off my chest but “my diary was busy.” Feel free to argue me on this, (I truly am trying to get a grasp on all the information being thrown my way), but in regards to McCain being called a War Hero in every story…someone tell me if I have my facts right (I can never tell which media is giving false info!)

1. McCain graduated almost dead last in his Naval Class (which I am sure it’s still insanely difficult – just saying…).
2. Shot down five planes, was captured.
3. Tried to commit suicide twice when in imprisonment, finally rescued.

I just want to make a comparison. Just because I was a student at a University for several years but barely graduated, does that make me more qualified to be President of the School then someone who DID NOT attend the University, but instead started their own successful business or organization?

I was just wondering what other people thought of that analogy, because that is how I feel people are comparing these two. Appreciate others thoughts on which candidate inspires them (or neither?)