This isn’t really a post.
But I wanted to share some non-post postiness with you.
And excitement and glee!
Because:
First thing.
The monster coloring book (and manual) is here!
Sent out last night to the lucky people who pre-ordered.
I just talked to the First Mate, and his inbox is full of happinesses from those of you who have been patiently waiting for this. Mwah!
And, apparently, several people thought that when I said coloring book, I was just being silly.
But no, there’s totally a coloring book in there too along with the manual. That noise you hear? Intense scribbling combined with drawers of colored pencils, crayons and magic markers being dumped on the floor.
Coloring is maybe the most unexpected way to distract your monsters while still engaging with them.
And as a favor to people who asked for extra time, the pre-sale price of the monster manual + coloring book is still on. Maybe for a week?
Second thing.
At The Playground! With me and Selma. This is a brand new thing.
How new? This program doesn’t even have a name yet.
But it’s about:
- getting over fear of biggification
- sneaking past the whole “I think I want people to see me but I don’t actually want them to see me” stuck
- accessing your superpowers
- coming up with a really good plan (that you’ll actually use)
And since it will probably fill up before I can a. come up with a name or b. officially announce it, you might want to at least take a look.
Third thing.
A one-day Shiva Nata teacher training.
For a few lucky Shivanauts.
I haven’t taught a teacher training since the one I did in San Francisco a few years ago.
This will be amazing. Seven spots left.
If you don’t know what I’m talking about, visit the Shiva Nata site. And if you’re interested in the training, here’s what you want to know.
Fourth thing.
I’m kind of exhausted.
Man. I forgot that editing four ebooks for the Extra-Destuckifying version of the monster manual + coloring book also meant checking every single link.
So that was yesterday.
And then the HATs for all this new stuff.*
* HAT = Havi Announces a Thing. Because of my inability to say “sales page” without throwing up a little.
And all the brunching.**
* Brunching = launching. I can’t say that either. Took this (much better) word from Tara the blonde chicken.
Not that I don’t love the fun-brewing, because I do.
I know that my beloved tiny, sweet thing is on its way. And The Playground is for us. Even those of you who are on the other side of the world.
You’re part of it too. Because everything that happens on this blog is infusing that space with good.
Anyway, it’s been a helluva week. And now I’m tired. So I’m calling a nap day.
Fifth thing.
Some completely non-Playground-related stuff to look at.
I imagine some of you might be a bit tired of hearing about my mad obsession with the new studio and everything that goes into that process.
So a couple of actual items (Item!) …
- A terrific post from Janet about getting it wrong before getting it right. Very useful.
- From McSweeney’s: The only thing that can stop this asteroid is your liberal arts degree. Via my friend (and fellow history major) Nathan.
- You realize, this means WAR! I could not be more in love with Brewdog’s hilarious Sink the Bismarck campaign. The story, the beer, the video, the penguins, Scotland. All of it.
Hoping most of my German readers will forgive me for that one (ich hab euch doch wahnsinnig lieb!)
Sixth thing.
The thank-yous.
My designer and illustrator is so awesome I can hardly stand it. Those monsters are exactly what I wanted. And no, you can’t hire him. I keep him very busy.
Everyone who is helping me with the Fun Brewing.
Especially Hiro.
And everyone in my Kitchen Table program for cheering me on at the Deguiltified Chicken board.
And, of course, you for hanging out here.
All the commenter mice and the Beloved Lurkers and everyone who is even sometimes part of this whole thing.
Cheers from the pirate ship. I’ll be here for a bit and then I’m going to a class (not mine!) and then taking the rest of the day off.
Thank you!
What I want now.
Be happy with me!
Celebration is welcome. We’ve been going full speed ahead for a while now and the cheering would help.
Also, a nap room would be nice, too.
When the Playground is ready, I’m definitely putting in a nap room. In the meantime if you want to whoosh over some symbolic imaginary blankets and cushions, that would be much appreciated.
xox
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Do I get to leave the first cheer? Awesome! It might even come with pom-poms.
I’m off to read the monster colouring pack – seriously, could not have arrived on a better (well, worse) day. Thank you! 🙂
Havi, I’m so happy for you! Huzzah for getting the coloring book ready, and for the Playground event, and for the Shiva Nata training, and for everything else that is wonderful and positive in life.
I cannot wait until I can spend $1950 and meet you in person. A three-day retreat with you and a gaggle of other like-minded people sounds wonderful, and I wish all of you who can attend the best. ♥
.-= Chris´s last post … The Persistence of Memory =-.
I wish I could come to see this Playground when it’s ready. Sounds like a lot of fun 🙂
Eeeeee!
I was really, really feeling low yesterday and it eventually occurred to me to wonder, “Monsters? Monsters yet?” And here it isssss!
Downloading attachments at work isn’t such a workable thing but “tomorrow will get better” is already working out to be the case.
Celebrating, celebrating! 🙂
Happy birthday, Monster Coloring Book! Hooray for Biggification-at-the-Playground! And yum-Om, ShivaNata teacher training!
Hooray, Havi, for creating up a Shiva-esque storm of goodness for everyone
Love, Hiro
.-= Hiro Boga´s last post … Playful Discovery: The Cure for Internet Hangover =-.
I was very happy to get my Monster Stuff in the email today! Had a read-through and a ponder — definitely some good stuff in there 🙂
And congratulations on all the many good things!
.-= Juliet´s last post … Round-up =-.
YAY Havi,
I’m not surprised that you are exhausted . You have been on a major creative roll!! And doing so many amazing things.
Huge, huge congratulations and sending you much love and fairy dust and hoping there will be many long and delicious naps in your future.
Adoring you madly as always,
Chris
.-= chris zydel´s last post … POSTER PAINT, CREATIVE PLAY and TAKING A BREAK FROM ADULTHOOD =-.
Woooooooooooooo! That was me jumping up and down, clapping, and just generally being so excited for you that you can actually see the joy spurting from the top of my head. I got a little weepy reading through all the wonderful things you’re sharing with the world here. I also resolved to someday be able to come and participate in some of this beauty right there at the Playground. As if I needed another reason to visit Portland.
.-= Kylie´s last post … time, cargo and setting sail =-.
Wanting and yet also at this very exact moment, hiding from
.
WOOT I was just talking to one of my newest noticed but with me since childhood monsters this morning before checking email. The coloring book came just in time. Just the awareness of being able to print a page from it …sahhhhh (as in a big totally contented to let that be exactly enough for the moment) sigh
Oh and yes, tossing a wonderfully chamomile infused neck pillow and pirate double patch your way…
Havi!
I can help you with the link-checking. There is a tool that does it for you, yeah!
Here it is: http://www.validator.w3.org/checklink
Take Care,
Amy
Web Designer/Developer Mastermind
.-= Amy´s last post … Hello world! =-.
Yay Havi! Your productivity is so inspiring.
One of my gifts to myself when I have more cashmoney is to go on a retreat. I hope it’s yours, but if it’s not, I hope it too has “Introvert Recovery” built into the itinerary.
Awesome!
Congrats on all the brunching. I was thrilled to get my Monster manual and coloring book today. This weekend, I’m breakout out the crayolas.
.-= Dawn´s last post … The Briefing: It’s(me)! =-.
Yeah for the monster coloring book! I’ve downloaded mine. But first I have to shower to see my psychiatrist. It’s just the polite thing to do. But I can’t wait to get started coloring.
Congratulations on the Playground! I won’t be able to make it in June, but I will be out!
.-= Shawna R. B. Atteberry´s last post … New post up at The Scroll =-.
As a longtime lurker i have to jump in to say “YAY” and “SUPER CONGRATULATIONS!!!” All of those things are great but I am so happy about the Playground, it just seems like something that should be in the world somewhere and you made it happen! Huzzay!
I have a question that may or may not be answerable without knowing me and my stuff. Would it be beneficial or make more sense to get The Procrastination Dissolve-o-Matic before the Monster Coloring Book? Does the dissolve-o-matic lay groundwork that would be best to have before addressing the monster stuff or….?
hm.
Monster Coloring Book? That sounds like fun!
And a Shiva Nata teacher training? If only I could attend. Would we get a certificate?
Carry on!
Eric
.-= Eric Normand´s last post … Pyramid power! =-.
No wonder you’re kind of exhausted – so many exciting things! All at the same time! Wheeeee! *clapping excitedly*
*quieting down a bit, in case you need the celebration to be nap-room appropriate*
Big love to you and your baby Playground
xo
.-= Josiane´s last post … Middle of the night musings =-.
Havi!
Congrats on all you’ve accomplished! I love, love, LOVE the monster coloring book. I mean really, what could be better than a thing that is beautiful and helpful AND a coloring book?!
You totally deserve a break after all this mad productivity. Sending you a big fluffy virtual comforter to cocoon yourself in while you celebrate with a Nap Day.
~Rachel
ps — Are there more Shiva Nata teacher trainings in the works? Because that sounds awesome, and I’d love to catch one at some point in the future.
Congratulations! And have a wonderful nap day. You deserve it.
(also, I wanted to report because this is new and shiny for me and I have the urge to share. I had a delicious little moment this morning after dancing… I realized that the source of my stuck lately is the exact opposite of what I thought it was. it’s making life so much easier to deal with I can hardly believe it. yay! thank you!)
So much work, Havi! Offering you my soft, quiet, comfy home-made living room tent of blankets and sofa cusions where you are welcome to sleep utterly undisturbed for oh I dunno a week (!) if you want! YAY!!!
.-= Barbara Martin @Reptitude´s last post … Creativity can be so Messy =-.
What an awesomely busy Pirate Queen you are, Havi. So many exciting new things going on.
I’ve happily coloured in two monsters already while my monsters are hiding. They think I can’t see them if they stick their heads under pillows and their bottoms in the air.
Oh, and if you ever wanted to put the colouring book part out as a freebie, I have it on good authority that the pre-school crowd would love you forever!
Celebrations galore! And I am about to go to bed myself, so I am sending you a pillow and very soft blanket for a nap.
.-= Elizabeth´s last post … ready, set, go =-.
Oooh — nap room! Friendly mattresses! (I have a vague memory of a friendly, good-natured mattress who appeared in one of the books in the Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy series.)
Sorry; I’m a little punchy this evening. I’ll say more about it in this Friday’s Chicken, but may I quietly tell you now that I passed my preliminary exam?(!!) I am very much in the mood for celebrations, and playgrounds, and yes, definitely nap rooms!
It’s wonderful to be sharing the excitement of the Playground taking shape. Yay!
.-= Kathleen Avins´s last post … Liberation =-.
You’re adorable Havi. I love your way of looking at the world and how you share it. I will be coloring my monsters, and talking to the too!
*delurks very quietly*
I love love love the sound of your Playground programme. Also the fact that you have ducks rather than bullets.
The idea of wanting to be seen and yet not be seen -ooh my, that hits a chord.
Congratulations to you, congratulations to you, congratulations dear Havi, congratulations to you!
Sounds like time for a breather. That’s a LOT of work you’ve done.
Is it weird that I was thinking, “Oh, I wish she’d do a teacher training thing in the UK” when I haven’t even done Siva Nata? Probably. Still, good idea, I think. Especially if it was somewhere like, oh f’rinstance, Manchester (which is a very groovy city and within easy reach by public transport from my home). This idea is clearly a winner. Definitely. Might have to actually buy the Siva Nata materials now…
Super big sparkly congratulations, Havi!
I send you the symbolic imaginary version of my ultra soft Alice in Wonderland blanket with lots of soft, squishy pillows!
And now I am going to go outside and hop up and down on the balcony and cheer for you. The birds outside are doing cheering, too.
<3 <3 <3 <3 <3
Congratulations and yippee! I celebrate with you from this lovely spring day in the Midwest! Here’s a bouquet of daffodils and tulips for you from my backyard . . .
I printed off the ebooks and sat right down and dove into them yesterday . . . wonderful! Inspiring! Deeply heartening and opening . . .
Havi,
Congratulations on the coloring book and the playground! I just want to say that in following the progress of the playground, I’m kind of floored at how fast the whole thing came together…truly amazing and wonderful.
Thank you so much for sharing the process from the hatching of the idea to announcing your first event in the space and for being a shining example of all that you teach.
I hope to someday experience the playground in person.
So very, very, happy for you.
.-= Cathy´s last post … Would You Like to Dance? =-.