Creative Ask: Click a photo of a pattern you find in your house, and caption it with a hashtag.
Creative Ask: Write a story or a sequence of events based on an audio recording of a rainy day.
Ever Wondered What it's Like To Have Sleep Paralysis?
You are startled awake today by the jarring sound of a car alarm going off near your window.
You put your feet in your slippers, and leave for the washroom. Wanting to be rid of the pre-caffeinated haze you’re in, you grab a coffee, a raincoat, your car keys and wallet as you make your way to your main door.
It is pouring, and your poor raincoat has nothing on the unforgiving rain. You curse, and your feet slap against the tarmac as you hurry towards your car.
It is pouring, and your poor raincoat has nothing on the unforgiving rain. You curse, and your feet slap against the tarmac as you hurry towards your car.
You make a few calls now that you’re settled into your car. The caffeine begins to hit, and it puts you in the mood for some country music- maybe The Coasters. It pours even harder, and before you can feel it, you hear the tires screeching painfully against the slippery tarmac. Your heart falls into your stomach and you feel the impact from the truck that never saw you approaching that turn.
*
You gasp and struggle for breath as you feel tied down and immobile. You’re still in bed. The pulse in your neck beats so erratically that it reaches your ears. Why can't you move? You panic. You hear your phone go off, but you’re unable to reach it. Once you tire of struggling, you close your eyes.
*
You are startled awake today by the jarring sound of a car alarm going off near your window.
You put your feet in your slippers, and leave for the washroom. Wanting to be rid of the pre-caffeinated haze you’re in, you grab a coffee...
Creative Ask: Weave a story around a picture you took from somewhere inside your house.
An excerpt from ‘Memoirs of a Mongrel’
Don't you assume that I was born into my golden years, because I was not. I see snouty, old money dogs all the time- they only yip or squeal, and they’re about yay high, that is not my scene. Sure, puppy farms are rough, but have you ever had to deal with ticks all by yourself? It’s nasty.
I must say I’ve done well in this capitalistic world. If you’re a closet commie canine like I am, you must listen and listen closely. The day I entered the corporate world, I stashed all my Marx and Foucault essays under my mattress like they were dirty magazines. I was an outsider, you can tell that by the way I look, but everyday I would wear a bow tie and socks, and fit right in with the rest. During my second job, I met a group of executives who were reluctant to accept me into their circle. But I remembered that Alexander Pope was only 4 foot 9 inches, and a keen party animal- so, he never left his chair during parties so no one would know how short he was. Channeling Pope, I made myself a part of all executive get togethers but never let them figure out that I was a mongrel. As I ascended the ranks, bought this beautiful house, a couple cars- I also got sloppy. One day, my senior caught me sharing a post that read, “Boss earns a dollar, I earn a dime. That’s why I poop on company time.” on my LinkeDog profile. I was fired immediately.
But today, I have a company of my own. On Fridays, we wear Che Guevera t-shirts and bop to some Prince music. The contact details of my HR executive are on the back of this book cover. You can mail us if you’re hunting for jobs!
Creative Ask: Stream of Consciousness while listening to a Beethoven piece.
Thoughts while listening to Beethoven’s piece.
My father is not a very animated man on his best days, but growing up I only ever saw him in a state of absolute delight when he blared classical music from the speakers we had and did his best impression of being an orchestra conductor in the drawing room. Listening to this Beethoven piece instantly transported me to Sunday mornings when my dad would enjoy the music that we’d hate. Another thing that struck me as I listened to more of the piece was that I could predict what the next note would be, so it sounded like a piece which would appeal to the people who expected a specific melody and tone from the piece. Since the visuals that accompanied this piece (the Youtube video) featured shots of an eclipse, I thought of the movie ‘Melancholia’, which made me settle on the conclusion that this piece is a melancholic, if not a slightly haunting one.
Creative Ask: A Manifesto for BMW 8-Series
[MANIFESTO WRITING] BMW Series-8
You've been missing out.
For far too long, you've resigned to fate.
It's now time to tempt it.
Drive Success. Drive Passion. Drive Life.
It's colder here, on top of the ladder. But the view is worth it.
Allow them to gaze longingly,
At the ultimate driving machine.
The BMW Series 8.
For the Mighty.
Creative Ask: Convince a visually impaired man that you would make the perfect partner for a hike.
Before I begin telling you about my personality, I think I must mention to you that I am incredibly unfit, so if you could give me a month to prep for this mountaineering trip- that'd be great.
I'm not very adventurous, though I'm uncertain whether that is a static trait of mine, or whether I could be adventurous with the right people or in the right situation.
I do know I have a great survival as well as protective instinct. I’m an obsessive planner, especially when I know I won’t have too many people to depend on- so in all probability- we won't come face to face with any predictable trouble.
I can assure you that if you’re cool and if we click, I’d give you about 30% of my supplies if we’re running out of them on the trip.
I’ve been told that I'm a great story teller, so if we’re both prepared to climb a mountain, you wouldn't have to worry about the entertainment aspect of it- I would have it covered.
My presence of mind kicks in immediately when I feel threatened or trapped, so you wouldn't have to worry about me freezing mid crisis.
This is dark but it must be said, if I die- you can totally use me as a blanket for warmth. I’m very giving that way.
The mountains can be lonely, but fear not, I'd like to believe I'm incredibly emotionally available when I have to be.
I've travelled a lot, almost all over India, so you’re welcome to talk to me about where you’re from and reminisce.
