Monday 8 September 2008

Laced with creative fervour

It's okay, you can stop worrying - I have decided upon my next creative venture by not deciding at all. Instead I have set up a new blog in which I will spend one year posting a new creative effort every day - whether I feel like it or not - with no parameters whatsoever in the hope that forcing myself to try as many things as possible will show me what I do best. If some of you were to comment on things that you like, that will also help me decide what works and what doesn't. Essentially it's going to be a year long brainstorm, probably starting next week. Being a daily thing, most of the posts will probably be in the form of rough ideas rather than fully formed pieces but I'll complete them if it seems worthwhile. Watch this space.

In other even less interesting news, my new trainers have finally arrived. I had forgotten what springy footwear felt like. It's... springy! I haven't managed to go jogging yet though. Don't rush me. Also on a footwear theme, I have learned how to tie my shoelaces properly after 31 years of misery and tears. My laces have historically always come undone if I do them in a single bow, so for years I've been using a double bow to prevent this happening. The trade off, of course, is that occasionally they become knotted when you try to undo them, resulting in a frustrating two minutes of trying to pick apart said knot with (as sod's law usually dictates) recently cut fingernails. Just when I was seriously considering velcro shoes, I discovered... the reef knot. All those years I'd been using a granny knot! Why did no one tell me? WHY DID NO ONE TELL ME?  Anyway, I now tie my laces using a single reef bow and they never come undone. It's no exaggeration to say that this has changed my life for the better, and it's all thanks to Ian's Shoelace Site. Thanks Ian - you probably have no friends and your own family must choke with shame every time they think of you but you have my gratitude to keep you warm tonight.

4 comments:

Josh said...

The guy has a book which you can lace up which, in it self, is quite cool but I still don't think you should in anyway validate or fan this guy's obsession.

Left over right then under, right over left then under....

Sofi said...

i have deep admiration for people who have a natural inclination to their creative side.

I have to buy Nike trainers for a younger brother's birtdahy. i have no idea which to buy - after spending a few minutes searching, i am still in shock at the sheer variety of nike trainers. how confusing for my poor brain.

>>hanks Ian - you probably have no friends and your own family must choke with shame every time they think of you but you have my gratitude to keep you warm tonight.

thankyou graham, you genius. i laughed so hard at that!

Graham said...

Thank you Sofi. I hope my creative side proves itself worthy of your admiration! It could be a struggle.

Ariane said...

Aw, c'mon Gray - Ian's "just a friendly Aussie guy trying to contribute to the internet"! I think I am in love with him. He even has an alternative solution for the disposal of nuclear waste:

http://www.shoe-lacing.com/ian/rants.htm

Back on the subject of your creative fervour, however, I think it's a great idea, and look forward to seeing what you come up with. Whatever it is, it can't be worse than Ian's efforts...