Recharge...
From the original Analog Industries archive. Some links and images from that era no longer resolve.
It was a fairly hectic couple of weeks ’round these parts, and I’m about to have another hectic week soon (my 40th birthday occurs simultaneously at a family reunion; I’m not sure which I’m less excited for, but the lack of excitement seems to go down exponentially, trending to dread, when you combine the two). These things, among many others, have conspired to lower my creative output to what could generously be called “nil.” So I took the opportunity yesterday to go recharge my batteries.
For me personally this has, for the last couple years, involved going by myself out to the desert in Central Oregon and either taking pictures, looking for interesting rocks, or both. I don’t know why this works for me, and I was surprised to discover that it did, entirely by accident a couple years ago.
So, not-so-bright-and-early yesterday, I took off for the sprawling BLM-managed Prineville District area and climbed some small mountain-type-things, found some nice picture jasper and moss agate, and generally admired the planet. (The picture above is on my way home. I live on the other side of those mountains.)
So, magically, I wake up today full of motivation and creativity. I’m sure there’s a lengthy treatise somewhere on L-Dopa levels and self-adjustment thereof, but the simple fact of the matter is that if I take a day just for me, and that day doesn’t involve making plugins or music, when I come back I feel much better, ready to work. Today and tomorrow, I’m taking my office/studio down to the bare walls, cleaning, and re-wiring. Whee.
How do you recharge your creative batteries?
10 comments
Fishing has always worked for me. If I'm feeling especially un-creative, I'll duck out of work early, grab my kayak and fishing rod, and get a couple hours in before dinner. I've actually taken to bringing a small recorder with me, as I always seem to come up with ideas when they are the least convenient to record.
These days, pretty much the same thing as you: Going out with a camera and taking pictures.
Oregon is great for that, but a bit too far away. I recently went hiking in Joshua Tree and that served its purpose, for sure.
- Jeff
I'm going prospecting for gold on Saturday. I've never been but I assume I won't find any gold but the hike will be rather beautiful. Sunday I think I'll ride my bike from Venice to Ventura on the PCH hauling ass past all the beach traffic. Stay out of my beach community Lebowski!!!
Acid.
The shower is where I tap into the void
Also, I get a charge from and feel most creative when forced to endure banal situations like a courthouse, the DMV, a hotel lobby with souless art, etc...this hysterical torrent of energy starts to whirl, resonate, and explosively zip around the room.
Objects explode as if struck by an immensely powerful kinetic force - Debris raining down like snowflakes.
Leaves me with a shit-eating grin.
I used to love internal suspension in school-they would force us to sit bolt-upright and stare at a blank wall the entire day-an infinite canvas.
Excellent post Chris!
Local downtime usually involves a camera, a convertable and cruising the rolling hills of the midwest; sometimes a trip to horse country in Kentucky (bourbon country too!). Music creativity seems to increase when I take the studio apart and move it. It moves from Studio A (spare bedroom) in the winter then out to the larger Studio B (detached garage) in the spring.
1. For some reason, seeing a big, special effects laden movie in the theatre always recharges my creative batteries. My local theatre has a great sound installation and the way the subs rattle my seat remind me how recorded sound can be more than just emotive. Plus, I love good sound design.
2. This is crazy, but I watch crappy YouTube videos of DJ's I respect playing in a live setting. My primary income is electronic dance music, and while I have a good imagination, it's still difficult to put myself in the "big crowded club" state of mind in my 10 x 11 studio with windows looking out to the serene lake. When I watch a grainy, distorted cell-phone video of a club going off, I get reminded of how this music can shake some asses. Funny thing, I think the fact that the audio is soooo completely distorted adds to my excitement - the distortion tricks my brain into imagining how massive it must sound over a proper system. Please don't laugh at me on this....
Mountain biking or kayaking works for me. I guess it's the physical exertion that releases the mental flow. I usually have a camera with me too.
a couple ways to recharge my batteries:
goofing off w/friends and going to get some good eats and a few beers or checking out one of the typical portland things like the velvet painting museum.
wandering downtown portland aimlessly - downtown is not huge so it doesn't take long but is good enough to let the brain drift off and just keep the legs moving.
when i lived in san diego we'd just drive an hour or so east and turn off the highway and find a good place to camp in the desert. or just make a fire on the beach/bay somewhere. i need to do that more here.
i have to say though.. as soon as i saw the pic CR posted i wanted to go there and sit and stare and wished that kind of thing was just out my door.
It is. It's a 2.5 hour drive from downtown PDX to that very spot where I took that photo, about 2 miles east of Sisters. Drive another hour to the Ochoco past Prineville, and you've got the world at your doorstep.
Frankly, if I lived in PDX, I'd take 84 to the Dalles, then head south. A little longer drive, but you've got the Gorge to start the day out right, then the same thing at sunset on the way home. That just can't be beat.
-CR
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