I had an idea for another blog. It's not very original and surely the writing won't be so hot. Plus, there's probably not anything you can do with this other idea, but I want to put it out here anyway. The other blog is hosted here on blogger.com. It deals with the events surrounding my mother's recently discovered ovarian cancer. The blog will go into my dad's bladder cancer, which was diagnosed just a few weeks earlier.
It's a personal topic in a way, because these experiences are real, but it occurs to me at the same time that cancer is about as public of a health topic as there is. Ask six people right now and tell me how many degrees you are from connecting with this mother of all diseases... See? We all know someone. The older we get, the closer cancer gets to us all, via the people we love, work with, live near, go to school with, and care about.
The blog isn't holding back on emotions, and therefore, since it's me and mine we're talking about, it isn't holding back on the occasional swear, either. In fact, it's titled "F*** You, Cancer" (even though it's not reminiscent of an episode of The Sopranos or anything, I thought I should send out a bit of a warning, for those who are sensitive to R-rated language.)
If you want to know what's up with our family's days and condition in the midst of parental cancer diagnosis and treatment, you can click on my profile here, and that will lead you to the second blog. If you know of anyone who needs support or empathy or commiserating in the face of a similar situation, please send them on by. I'll be back soon to start updating it with the last week of news--from my trip down to Florida for the surgery to back home again Friday night.
Monday, March 31, 2008
One Track Mind
You know how there are cookbooks that focus on just one specific food or ingredient? Say, burgers or pie or chocolate. And there are cable channels that focus on one specific interest. History, travel, food, sex without full frontal nudity, etc. And there are records that are specific thematic compilations of songs. I personally own a Songs for the Open Road (for when we want to take a "Free Ride") and Songs of Summer (oh, it's "Hot Hot Hot!") Of course, there are band cover albums, too. Those tend to sell well. Plus don't forget my Pure Funk Gold and The Golden Days of Doo Wop.
Okay, so you're amply primed for the idea now. Take the above specificity and apply it to music, but instead of a theme or a genre for albums, do just one song. All styles and covers and manners of sin., applied to just one song, over and over. Like reference albums.
I can't tell you how many times I've heard yet another cover of the same ol' Beatles song and wished I had it. If I had "Don't Let Me Down" as an album, then I'd have that old Phoebe Snow version again without buying the whole Best of Pheobe Snow. Because it was way better than "Poetry Man." Then there's all the times your kids hear a "new" song and you start singing along and they're all like, "Hey, how do you know Diddy Daddy Puff Brush, mom?" And you're all like, "I don't, but I know Sting."
So there you have it. I hope the record execs will start with a couple of classics. For my first two, I pick "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" (I want the ukulele version and the Judy Garland version all in one handy place) and "Across The Universe" (Rufus Wainwright, oh my). They can contract out for some new covers to go with the best of what's already been recorded, and we'll be good to go. I think both Jack White and Gwen Stephani could do something really cool with "Three Little Birds."
Gosh I love that song; add that one to my list.
Okay, so you're amply primed for the idea now. Take the above specificity and apply it to music, but instead of a theme or a genre for albums, do just one song. All styles and covers and manners of sin., applied to just one song, over and over. Like reference albums.
I can't tell you how many times I've heard yet another cover of the same ol' Beatles song and wished I had it. If I had "Don't Let Me Down" as an album, then I'd have that old Phoebe Snow version again without buying the whole Best of Pheobe Snow. Because it was way better than "Poetry Man." Then there's all the times your kids hear a "new" song and you start singing along and they're all like, "Hey, how do you know Diddy Daddy Puff Brush, mom?" And you're all like, "I don't, but I know Sting."
So there you have it. I hope the record execs will start with a couple of classics. For my first two, I pick "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" (I want the ukulele version and the Judy Garland version all in one handy place) and "Across The Universe" (Rufus Wainwright, oh my). They can contract out for some new covers to go with the best of what's already been recorded, and we'll be good to go. I think both Jack White and Gwen Stephani could do something really cool with "Three Little Birds."
Gosh I love that song; add that one to my list.
Friday, March 14, 2008
Color My World
Here is a bright idea that has business, personal and/or manufacturing applications.
In its original appearance, this idea struck me as an arts & crafts product for children, which would have been manufactured by a crayon-maker (and probably marker-maker, as they often are companion products). It came along at the time when Crayola® was holding a contest for naming four new crayon colors. “Macaroni and Cheese” was one of the winning names. I loved that name, and I thought, “They should pull out other colors, and rename them as as needed, to make a whole set of 24 crayons using food colors, and then market them along with coloring books featuring those foods.”
My thoughts went on to include how they could produce related stories, even “primary readers” in coloring page form, to reach the education market. I imagined there would be colors like “Corn on the Cob” and “Licorice” and “Iced Tea” and “Dill Pickle” -- it’s mostly about repackaging, really. What I envisioned was:
A line of crayons and/or markers, packaged in sets, according to themes… along with accompanying coloring books and posters featuring images from the same theme(s).
Themes (and sample colors) I had in mind:
Circus (Clown Nose, Elephant, Cotton Candy)
Beach (Sand Castle, Abalone, Seaweed)
Birthday Party (Frosting Flower, Donkey Tail, Fruit Punch)
School (Chalkboard, Chalk, Eraser, Gold Star)
Planet (Ocean, Goldfish, Koala, Eucalyptus, Hot Lava—and good ole’ Periwinkle)
After manufacturing/repackaging, some promising business applications were soon to follow on the idea train. Mainly, product placement. How much would it be worth to Kraft® to be associated with a beloved color (or two, considering their recent emphasis on the blue of the box)? When I think about brands, and the importance of their logos, and how some palettes are sooooo recognizable, I find this portion of the idea to be, well, gangbusters! What about a color named after the McDonald’s Arch? What about Dunkin’ Donuts® Pink & Dunkin’ Donuts® Orange? I’m talkin’ the NASCAR® of coloring, here. Could be a big avenue to explore. It has a certain Happy Meal® vibe to it, right? Plus, you've got an entire adult world of colors to explore... like, the cocktail pack: Margarita, Bloody Mary, Tequila Sunrise, Blue Curacao, Grasshopper, Scotch on the rocks, etc. Wouldn't that make a great 21st b-day gag gift? Speaking of gifts...
This idea has some fun possibilities when it comes to crafting and gift making, too. Why not make your own labels for crayons and package your own personalized sets to give as gifts or sell in craft fairs? For example, the Color Faith’s World set might include standards such as Forest Green and Sky Blue, plus new shades like Blog Green and Joni Mitchell Blue. How about White Tuna, Crème Brulee, Bare Feet and Red Stilettos? And don’t forget the family aspect: Sam’s New Flats (purple), Kim’s Big Hair (auburn), Kevin’s Red (it’s really green) and Dean’s Beware of Darkness. Oh, and Cleo’s Aging Cat Belly (it’s apricot).
In its original appearance, this idea struck me as an arts & crafts product for children, which would have been manufactured by a crayon-maker (and probably marker-maker, as they often are companion products). It came along at the time when Crayola® was holding a contest for naming four new crayon colors. “Macaroni and Cheese” was one of the winning names. I loved that name, and I thought, “They should pull out other colors, and rename them as as needed, to make a whole set of 24 crayons using food colors, and then market them along with coloring books featuring those foods.”
My thoughts went on to include how they could produce related stories, even “primary readers” in coloring page form, to reach the education market. I imagined there would be colors like “Corn on the Cob” and “Licorice” and “Iced Tea” and “Dill Pickle” -- it’s mostly about repackaging, really. What I envisioned was:
A line of crayons and/or markers, packaged in sets, according to themes… along with accompanying coloring books and posters featuring images from the same theme(s).
Themes (and sample colors) I had in mind:
Circus (Clown Nose, Elephant, Cotton Candy)
Beach (Sand Castle, Abalone, Seaweed)
Birthday Party (Frosting Flower, Donkey Tail, Fruit Punch)
School (Chalkboard, Chalk, Eraser, Gold Star)
Planet (Ocean, Goldfish, Koala, Eucalyptus, Hot Lava—and good ole’ Periwinkle)
After manufacturing/repackaging, some promising business applications were soon to follow on the idea train. Mainly, product placement. How much would it be worth to Kraft® to be associated with a beloved color (or two, considering their recent emphasis on the blue of the box)? When I think about brands, and the importance of their logos, and how some palettes are sooooo recognizable, I find this portion of the idea to be, well, gangbusters! What about a color named after the McDonald’s Arch? What about Dunkin’ Donuts® Pink & Dunkin’ Donuts® Orange? I’m talkin’ the NASCAR® of coloring, here. Could be a big avenue to explore. It has a certain Happy Meal® vibe to it, right? Plus, you've got an entire adult world of colors to explore... like, the cocktail pack: Margarita, Bloody Mary, Tequila Sunrise, Blue Curacao, Grasshopper, Scotch on the rocks, etc. Wouldn't that make a great 21st b-day gag gift? Speaking of gifts...
This idea has some fun possibilities when it comes to crafting and gift making, too. Why not make your own labels for crayons and package your own personalized sets to give as gifts or sell in craft fairs? For example, the Color Faith’s World set might include standards such as Forest Green and Sky Blue, plus new shades like Blog Green and Joni Mitchell Blue. How about White Tuna, Crème Brulee, Bare Feet and Red Stilettos? And don’t forget the family aspect: Sam’s New Flats (purple), Kim’s Big Hair (auburn), Kevin’s Red (it’s really green) and Dean’s Beware of Darkness. Oh, and Cleo’s Aging Cat Belly (it’s apricot).
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Destination Dining & Cool Carry-Out
FYI, I won't be posting a new idea every day. I'm thinking about one a week. Extend the anticipation a little. Keep everyone on their toes. Make my ideas last. (It seems like there's a million of 'em but maybe there will only wind up being thirty-something. I don't know, I never counted.) But this week, to kick things off, I've decided to put out three ideas in a row.
This one is recent--it came to me just last week, actually. It's a VERY BIG idea...meaning costly, time-consuming, requiring lots of know-how, etc. Know any retail developers, famous chefs or wealthy food business execs? Anyone from Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises, Inc. out there? Consider:
An International Food Mall with a Central Carry-Out Station
If you've ever been to the countries at Epcot in Disney World, you'll get the general inspiration for the International Food Mall part. I imagine a U-shaped or L-shaped strip center turned into a collection of restaurants featuring different ethnic foods. Also, little shops attached to or housed within each of the restaurants could feature gifts and food related items from that culture.
At the center of all this should be a central carry-out station, where carry-out customers could call in orders from any or all of the restaurants and pick up in one location. Dad wants a burrito, mom wants a spicy tuna roll, daughter wants fettuccine alfredo and son wants egg rolls? No problem. The carry-out station will expedite all the orders and have them ready for pick-up all at once.
We could make this a day of shopping and dining, like a cultural smorgasbord, especially in pleasant weather. Cafe tables and umbrellas, a wide walkway with street planters and a few courtyard dining areas would be added attractions. And on weekends, what about some featured entertainment with folk music and dance from a few of the regions represented? Maybe a little karaoke after hours at the lounge in the Korean barbecue place?
P.S. Fashion Corner in West Dundee, IL: now that anchors like Michael's and Pier 1 have moved on, this idea is perfect for you! Signed, Your First Regular
This one is recent--it came to me just last week, actually. It's a VERY BIG idea...meaning costly, time-consuming, requiring lots of know-how, etc. Know any retail developers, famous chefs or wealthy food business execs? Anyone from Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises, Inc. out there? Consider:
An International Food Mall with a Central Carry-Out Station
If you've ever been to the countries at Epcot in Disney World, you'll get the general inspiration for the International Food Mall part. I imagine a U-shaped or L-shaped strip center turned into a collection of restaurants featuring different ethnic foods. Also, little shops attached to or housed within each of the restaurants could feature gifts and food related items from that culture.
At the center of all this should be a central carry-out station, where carry-out customers could call in orders from any or all of the restaurants and pick up in one location. Dad wants a burrito, mom wants a spicy tuna roll, daughter wants fettuccine alfredo and son wants egg rolls? No problem. The carry-out station will expedite all the orders and have them ready for pick-up all at once.
We could make this a day of shopping and dining, like a cultural smorgasbord, especially in pleasant weather. Cafe tables and umbrellas, a wide walkway with street planters and a few courtyard dining areas would be added attractions. And on weekends, what about some featured entertainment with folk music and dance from a few of the regions represented? Maybe a little karaoke after hours at the lounge in the Korean barbecue place?
P.S. Fashion Corner in West Dundee, IL: now that anchors like Michael's and Pier 1 have moved on, this idea is perfect for you! Signed, Your First Regular
Monday, March 10, 2008
52 Permission Slips
It's an uncanny likeness, I know. I just mentioned the 52 Projects site and all in one day I'm posting a project and the first idea I post is 52 of something. I want to say great minds think alike, but I'm a tad more modest than that. I will say this about this idea, and its origins: true story. (All these ideas I have are authentic and true. Though I haven't researched to see if someone else has thought of them since I did. Fair warning.)
Here's this one:
Back in the 80s, when my kids were small and I talked on the phone a lot more with girl friends that also had kids, I realized we were starting to be in danger of being swallowed up by marriage and family life. Parenthood was turning us into.... adults! And sometimes neurotic, cranky adults, at that.
Indulgences were few for us. Something as simple as a brief evening of greasy gluttony was confessed to me by a friend: Kids are at grandma's, they don't go out, but instead get in jammies and order a large pizza, and eat the whole thing right out of the box, in bed, while watching TV, and they fall asleep like that, without brushing their teeth, pizza box over there on the floor.
OH MAN that sounded glorious! She said it was, but it was totally a guilty pleasure. They even lied to grandma and the kids about what they did. That's when I thought to write a manuscript for a gift book. I thought it might be called 52 Permission Slips. Because that's what I envisioned--a book with permission slips for adults....52 of them.
I even had an attorney/agent look at the first draft and he said it was a good idea, but maybe not enough for a book. But wait, it was meant to be a small concept book. Like, a little checkbook from which you could rip out the permission slips and give them to yourself each week, as a reminder to feel free to be human and have fun and not feel ashamed.... or to give to a friend. So,
"You have permission to:
Eat a meal in bed, in your pajamas, and fall asleep without cleaning up."
was the first one.
I accompanied each "permission slip" with a quote, song lyric or poem line that suited the overall theme of that particular "sin" -- but I'll admit, I started to wane after writing about 30 of them. They lost their luster, and I had the little kids and the job and all, plus the agent/attorney guy wasn't too sure....
Well, I still think it's a good idea, isn't it?
They have all those standing tower displays near the checkout aisles at bookstores, and more small gift books on display on the counters, so I think this one could really sell.
There could be different versions, too, for different types of people (like chicken soup, there is a certain flavor of permission for all different sets of souls) and holiday versions, and so on.
So there you have it. One of the original big ideas that I meant to do something with, but never really did follow through on. If you're looking for a clever little book idea such as this, please let me know what you might do with this concept. I think there could be plenty of offshoots as well, so I hope some of you will have at it in your quest to get published, maybe even make some money.
And more important, with your permission slips you just might free the world from hang-ups based on propriety, dogma and artificial rules of etiquette. You have my full permission to do so.
Here's this one:
Back in the 80s, when my kids were small and I talked on the phone a lot more with girl friends that also had kids, I realized we were starting to be in danger of being swallowed up by marriage and family life. Parenthood was turning us into.... adults! And sometimes neurotic, cranky adults, at that.
Indulgences were few for us. Something as simple as a brief evening of greasy gluttony was confessed to me by a friend: Kids are at grandma's, they don't go out, but instead get in jammies and order a large pizza, and eat the whole thing right out of the box, in bed, while watching TV, and they fall asleep like that, without brushing their teeth, pizza box over there on the floor.
OH MAN that sounded glorious! She said it was, but it was totally a guilty pleasure. They even lied to grandma and the kids about what they did. That's when I thought to write a manuscript for a gift book. I thought it might be called 52 Permission Slips. Because that's what I envisioned--a book with permission slips for adults....52 of them.
I even had an attorney/agent look at the first draft and he said it was a good idea, but maybe not enough for a book. But wait, it was meant to be a small concept book. Like, a little checkbook from which you could rip out the permission slips and give them to yourself each week, as a reminder to feel free to be human and have fun and not feel ashamed.... or to give to a friend. So,
"You have permission to:
Eat a meal in bed, in your pajamas, and fall asleep without cleaning up."
was the first one.
I accompanied each "permission slip" with a quote, song lyric or poem line that suited the overall theme of that particular "sin" -- but I'll admit, I started to wane after writing about 30 of them. They lost their luster, and I had the little kids and the job and all, plus the agent/attorney guy wasn't too sure....
Well, I still think it's a good idea, isn't it?
They have all those standing tower displays near the checkout aisles at bookstores, and more small gift books on display on the counters, so I think this one could really sell.
There could be different versions, too, for different types of people (like chicken soup, there is a certain flavor of permission for all different sets of souls) and holiday versions, and so on.
So there you have it. One of the original big ideas that I meant to do something with, but never really did follow through on. If you're looking for a clever little book idea such as this, please let me know what you might do with this concept. I think there could be plenty of offshoots as well, so I hope some of you will have at it in your quest to get published, maybe even make some money.
And more important, with your permission slips you just might free the world from hang-ups based on propriety, dogma and artificial rules of etiquette. You have my full permission to do so.
Dibs on This One
Hi. Thanks for popping in! I'm excited. I started this blog today in order to manage a project based on an idea that's been entertaining and inspiring me for about 20 years. An idea with that kind of lasting power, in my mind, must be a big one. Cuz I'm a girl who has had an awful lot of ideas coming in and out in and out, all the time. Based on longevity and perseverance alone, I figure this one is true love, and it's mine. My big idea.
My big idea is to give away all of my other ideas, so they can perhaps do someone else some good. I'm referring to all these ideas I always seemed to be blessed/cursed with, no matter how unrelated they are to my life, my capabilities, my talents. Ideas that might really fly, if they could be taken up by someone with the right tools, or contacts...enough money, or time...proper knowledge or finances. More energy or more courage. Fewer debts or fewer fears. Someone who is waiting, ready. Bored, even. Whatever. I kinda want to do a Rodney Dangerfield thing here. You know, "Take my ideas, please."
I want to make it clear that I am pursuing this project with pure, honest intentions, but this is not an entirely altruistic undertaking, either. While there are no tangible profits to be gained, no products to advertise, etc., I do stand to gain something wonderful, something huge, via this project. I want to give away all these ideas so I can be rid of them. It's not that they're bad, but they do take up a lot of space in my psyche, you know?
So many ideas, lurking in the shadows, down the dark corridor under the sign that says:
"The Hall of No Return. For What May Never See the Light of Day."
Okay. That was a little dramatic. But I seriously believe everyone is connected and every action exists in a place and a way that matters somehow, to someone, and therefore, to others. It's difficult to believe all this, and then at the same time be blessed/cursed with ideas that just sit there, unable to connect anyone or exist in a place or a way that matters.
So, no, this project isn't selfless.
(It's not a cheap trick, either, but) I want you to want my ideas.
To finish up the background, my big idea started out as just some ideas, followed by a few failed attempts at putting my ideas into action. But I kept them nonetheless. It seemed like they were good ideas, just not good for me. Time and life marched on and the ideas kept coming. I kept notes and told a few people and heard a lot of, "You know what? That's a fantastic idea!" until one day many years ago, I said to my husband, "What the hell am I ever going to do with all these ideas? I should just give them away."
At first that idea was more along the lines of a newspaper column that would feature my ideas. Then it became an idea for a whole book--wait, a series of books, a new one to be published every other year or so, like a published idea market. Several years later, it became an silly idea about getting on Oprah and having a contest for people to bid on the rights to my ideas and give the proceeds to charity. (Don't worry, that particular idea isn't indicative of the quality of the other ideas comprising this project. It's just that I'm honest about my Oprah dreams.)
Years later it became an idea about a website, where people would try to win chances to snap up my ideas with essay contests about what they would do with them. Then along came blogs, and now a few years later, I've started one today, after looking into a site called 52 Projects where plenty of productive, inspired people frequent. I saw a link there, that asked What's Your Project? and as I tried to write a few words on this big idea of mine, I thought, "Geez. I really should have my own blog. Like the 52 Projects author, Jeffrey Yamaguchi, did. A space where these ideas could be posted and shared for free, and just maybe acted upon by someone who needs an idea such as one of mine." I have long thought-talks with myself like that.
Free blog + free ideas = freeing storage space in Faith's mind. Plus maybe something awesome for someone else who connects with one idea, and makes it matter in their life, in the world.
Post number 2 will offer the first I decided to share.
P.S. I was thinking, people could read this blog not only for ideas they can use, but to follow up on what other people do with ideas. So, if you decide to take an idea, would you mind commenting on that, perhaps telling us a bit about how you'll proceed or why you're inspired? That would be cool--open adoptions for these ideas--wouldn't it?
My big idea is to give away all of my other ideas, so they can perhaps do someone else some good. I'm referring to all these ideas I always seemed to be blessed/cursed with, no matter how unrelated they are to my life, my capabilities, my talents. Ideas that might really fly, if they could be taken up by someone with the right tools, or contacts...enough money, or time...proper knowledge or finances. More energy or more courage. Fewer debts or fewer fears. Someone who is waiting, ready. Bored, even. Whatever. I kinda want to do a Rodney Dangerfield thing here. You know, "Take my ideas, please."
I want to make it clear that I am pursuing this project with pure, honest intentions, but this is not an entirely altruistic undertaking, either. While there are no tangible profits to be gained, no products to advertise, etc., I do stand to gain something wonderful, something huge, via this project. I want to give away all these ideas so I can be rid of them. It's not that they're bad, but they do take up a lot of space in my psyche, you know?
So many ideas, lurking in the shadows, down the dark corridor under the sign that says:
"The Hall of No Return. For What May Never See the Light of Day."
Okay. That was a little dramatic. But I seriously believe everyone is connected and every action exists in a place and a way that matters somehow, to someone, and therefore, to others. It's difficult to believe all this, and then at the same time be blessed/cursed with ideas that just sit there, unable to connect anyone or exist in a place or a way that matters.
So, no, this project isn't selfless.
(It's not a cheap trick, either, but) I want you to want my ideas.
To finish up the background, my big idea started out as just some ideas, followed by a few failed attempts at putting my ideas into action. But I kept them nonetheless. It seemed like they were good ideas, just not good for me. Time and life marched on and the ideas kept coming. I kept notes and told a few people and heard a lot of, "You know what? That's a fantastic idea!" until one day many years ago, I said to my husband, "What the hell am I ever going to do with all these ideas? I should just give them away."
At first that idea was more along the lines of a newspaper column that would feature my ideas. Then it became an idea for a whole book--wait, a series of books, a new one to be published every other year or so, like a published idea market. Several years later, it became an silly idea about getting on Oprah and having a contest for people to bid on the rights to my ideas and give the proceeds to charity. (Don't worry, that particular idea isn't indicative of the quality of the other ideas comprising this project. It's just that I'm honest about my Oprah dreams.)
Years later it became an idea about a website, where people would try to win chances to snap up my ideas with essay contests about what they would do with them. Then along came blogs, and now a few years later, I've started one today, after looking into a site called 52 Projects where plenty of productive, inspired people frequent. I saw a link there, that asked What's Your Project? and as I tried to write a few words on this big idea of mine, I thought, "Geez. I really should have my own blog. Like the 52 Projects author, Jeffrey Yamaguchi, did. A space where these ideas could be posted and shared for free, and just maybe acted upon by someone who needs an idea such as one of mine." I have long thought-talks with myself like that.
Free blog + free ideas = freeing storage space in Faith's mind. Plus maybe something awesome for someone else who connects with one idea, and makes it matter in their life, in the world.
Post number 2 will offer the first I decided to share.
P.S. I was thinking, people could read this blog not only for ideas they can use, but to follow up on what other people do with ideas. So, if you decide to take an idea, would you mind commenting on that, perhaps telling us a bit about how you'll proceed or why you're inspired? That would be cool--open adoptions for these ideas--wouldn't it?
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