Fluent Self Item!A somewhat goofy mini-collection of stuff I’ve been reading, stuff I’ve been thinking about and oh, some completely random crap.

Basically the stuff that never gets mentioned here because I’m not the kind of person who can just make some teeny little point. Not into the whole brevity thing, as the Dude would say.

Actually, I’m under the strict compulsion to write ten pages about anything on my mind. So this is me. Practicing brevity.

I did a lot of reading this week.

Probably because I wasn’t answering email. Good stuff.

Item! Post No. 8 in a series that has no specific point other than letting off steam and sharing stuff I get excited about.

Item! This is absolutely inspiring!

This post from Amy Mommaerts about art as mental therapy was really touching. One of the lovely things I read this week.

She’s @AmyMommaerts if you’re a fellow Twitterite. If not, argh. Come and play!

Item! What’s wrong with this article?

First time I’ve ever linked to an article about a brothel.

I love how they get divorced because she was working at one and not because he was going to one.

Also, note that it’s Poland. This is the country where I got stuck in an elevator. Still haven’t forgiven them.

Item! This is the best description of blogging that you will ever read ever!

Emma’s post about the joy of blogging knocked me over with how great it was.

I mean, of course I knew this was yet another blog that got started thanks to my Tuesday Blogging Therapy series, and that I was getting midwife credit.

But I had absolutely no idea how tingly and powerful it would be to read about blogging from someone who really, truly gets the thrill of possibility in the medium.

Everyone who hangs out online — even if only occasionally — needs to read this post at least once.

And not just because a. she uses the phrase “may heavy breasted women sing her name down the ages” and b. is referring to me.

Item! Sometimes you will be less than excited about blogging!

And then if you’re feeling slightly less enthused than our Emma about blogging … you’ll want to read Amy Derby’s terrific piece which asks the question, Ever felt like divorcing your blog?

Answer: oh goodness me, yes. Thankfully we’re over that now.

But seriously. Great post. Watch her video there too. Amy tells it like it is.

Item! If you are an artist or otherwise creative you NEED to read this!

This is actually something I’ve been wanting to write about.

How people ask us questions that completely trigger our stuff, to the point that we can’t even understand why anyone would be such an insensitive insulting meanypants.

And then it so often turns out that their question came from a misunderstanding, a lack of knowledge, a lack of confidence, a desire to be kind or whatever.

Their stuff. Not our stuff.

So I highly recommend that you read this terrific explanation of how this process works with one specific question that drives artists and designers crazy.

Item! I am flattered by your title!

How could I not click on a post entitled Havi got me unstuckified?

Pretty great. Also: hilarious.

This guy Rob hadn’t updated his blog in over six months … found our Blogging Therapy series and gave himself permission to stop feeling guilty about it.

And whaddya know … he’s back at it. And he’s really funny. I’m his newest fan. Maybe I’ll see you guys there.

Item! I cannot wait to take this class!

I have a huge secret crush on Cairene MacDonald from Third Hand Works.

And I’ve been really wanting to do something with her that would involve soaking up some of her coolness and also getting a bunch of stuff done.

Also, it drives me batty that she’s not insanely famous. Because she should be. You guys should be beating down her doors. In fact, I’m really going to have to (gently, yes?) biggify the heck out of her this year.

Anyway, she’s doing a class. Called Bite the candy. Because she’s cool like that, like I said.

It’s three and a half hours of concentrated knocking stuff off your to-do list.

With support and smartnesses. It’s only $25 which is so low that I’m going to have to insist on paying more.

I am completely serious. Sign up for her class before she reads this and gets a restraining order or something.

Item! Jennifer Louden is so ridiculously amazing that I can’t stand it!

Did I mention that I’m teaching at her comfort retreat thing this weekend? As in, the night after tomorrow? It’s me and a gazillion super famous people … and I’m giddy with excitement about getting to learn stuff from all of them.

I’ll talking about techniques for working with fear. And Jen will spreading her uniquely non-annoying sweetness and light.

Should be a really powerful weekend.

That is all.

Alas, no more goofy. No more pouncing on objects. No more exclamation points. I’m all out.

Until next Wednesday.

Tomorrow we’re back to our usual programming (patterns, habits, stucknesses, biggification and stuff that I say to myself). See you then!

The Fluent Self