The Creative Nest

I don't think anyone is truly prepared for what happens when they watch footage from a POV camera. We all have a version of ourselves that exists in our heads. In our minds, we're efficient, focused, and moving through life with a reasonable amount of dignity. Then we watch the footage and realize we've been living with a completely different person. One of the first things a POV camera will reveal is that you apparently have your own soundtrack. Maybe it's humming. Maybe it's sighing. Maybe it's random little noises that seem to serve no purpose whatsoever. Whatever it is, the camera picks it up. Suddenly you're watching yourself perform everyday tasks while sounding like a coffee maker that's trying its best. The truly shocking part is realizing you've been doing it for years without a clue. Another discovery is that most of us are far less organized than we think we are. You may start the day with a simple mission: put away laundry, grab a screwdr...

Have you ever noticed that the people most convinced something is broken are sometimes the very people who haven't read the instructions? I was reminded of this recently when a new website was rolled out at work. Before most people had even clicked around or explored it, one coworker became deeply concerned that everyone needed immediate training. According to him, if we didn't all learn the system right away, mistakes would be made, confusion would spread, and chaos would surely follow. It was a dramatic prediction. The website had barely been introduced, and already it was being treated like a dangerous wild animal that needed to be handled by trained professionals. Training sessions were discussed. Warnings were issued. Concerns were raised. It was all very serious. Then came the plot twist. The same coworker who was sounding the alarm downloaded the wrong data and confidently announced that the website was incorrect. Not "I might have done something wrong." Not ...

There are few things in life that will make you feel as popular as owning a bag of dog treats. I don't care if you were the homecoming queen, captain of the football team, or the person who always brought donuts to work. None of that compares to the level of fame you achieve when your dogs hear the unmistakable crinkle of a treat bag. One minute, I am just a regular person walking through my house. The next, I have a fan club. Suddenly, I can't go to the kitchen alone. I can't go to the living room alone. I can't even stand up from the couch without being escorted by a team of furry bodyguards who are convinced I have treats hidden somewhere on my person. The truly impressive part is how dogs can hear treat-related sounds from incredible distances. I can whisper a bag open in another room and somehow they know. Yet when I call their names because I need help finding a missing sock or want them to come inside, they suddenly develop hearing problems. Apparently, dog heari...