(via 37signals.com)

Fascinating talk from the legendary John Cleese. One point that hit home with me was that ideas and creativity do not come from a laptop. Admittedly I’ve sat with the laptop waiting and hoping for some great idea to be born. As Cleese pointed out, most good ideas are born away from the laptop. Stimulating conversation or, as Cleese says, sleeping on it or meditating, are much better ways to create and solve issues.

Momentum is another factor that Cleese didn’t mention. When you’re away from creating for a time it’s challenging to just start generating ideas. However, once you do start again it’s much like riding a bike. Another sub-text in Cleese’s speech is that of discipline, which also interfaces with momentum. He talks about working through the obstacles he faced in creativity. That requires discipline.

Check out the speech. What do you think?

Digging into the crates. Zakk Wylde doesn’t do anything too flashy on this solo. He does gives us lots of melody. All the guitars on this song are great. From Ozzy’s 1991 record, No More Tears, here’s, “Mama I’m Coming Home.” One of my favorites from Ozzy.

You know that I started a new project this year, WorkingInMusic.com. From now on all music related posts will be there. Please add that site to your reader.

Here on JamSmooth.com I plan to continue focusing on dating, relationships and other JamSmooth adventures, but also exercise. In 2005 after the distribution company I worked for relocated, I decided to become a personal trainer. I got certified by the American Council on Exercise. I trained over 50 clients of all ages that year. It was a very rewarding job.

Fitness, health, nutrition and exercise are some of my greatest passions in life. So I am going to share that passion and enthusiasm for you. Who knows, maybe we can create a community who gets fit together, sharing our victories and encouraging each other? I think so.

Here the answers to Ask Me Anything.

Megan asks:
My new question is to wonder when you are going to answer your questions?

Right now.

Anonymous asks:
1. What were the details of the blog ‘inside my mind and soul’? It sounds really intense, but I can’t tell if it has to do with women, greed, drinking, or demon possession.

At the time I was under a major attack. I believe there is a spiritual world that we cannot see in this life. I believe there are angels (good spirits) and demons (evil spirits). I believe that you give power to one or the other. That day the demons were in control. My thoughts were completely dark and negative. When I was in Colorado on the Adventures of the Heart trip they showed that Saving Private Ryan clip to symbolize spiritual warfare. I related to it then and remembered it that day.

2. Is your list of qualities you require in a woman really requirements? Would you really refuse to go out with a woman just because she has $5k in credit card debt or doesn’t tithe? Seems overly strict. I went with the ‘would she sleep with me’ and ‘would i sleep with her’ method. That narrowed it down to 4 people. From there I looked at the normal stuff of which one is interesting / smart / creative / fun / intelligent. That worked out pretty good for me.

They are not requirements but definitely qualities I’m seeking. I’d still go out with a woman who has debt and doesn’t tithe, sure.

3. Now that you are back on the dating scene, why don’t you go back and ask out that Indian woman at the coffee shop where you did some open mics?

I’m not sure if she works there anymore. That last open mic she mentioned she was leaving to travel overseas. For the record, after you asked the question I e-mailed her but I haven’t heard back.

James asks:
what are you doing about the environment?

My environmentalism is reflected in how I eat. I eat organic foods 98% of the time that I prepare myself. Organic foods help the environment because no pesticides, herbicides or other chemicals are used. Thus no harmful chemicals get into the soil or water table. I also recycle glass and plastic. I use the same paper bags at the grocery store week after week. When I have the cash I’m going to buy a diesel car and use bio-diesel.

Anonymous asks:
1) Why the name Red Shirt Freshmen?

First off, it’s Redshirt Freshman. My brother came up with the name. We were watching college football one day and he said it would make a good name. I agreed. That’s it.

2) How do you know that Jesus is the only way to spiritual salvation?

In John 14:6 Jesus says, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” Since I am a follower of Christ I take that to mean there is no way to salvation except through Christ. I believe there are countless paths to Christ. However at some point one must come to terms that Jesus is the only way to eternal life. I’m not bashing any other faiths, I would never do that. If you don’t agree with me that’s your right. It’s not that I know Jesus is the way, I simply believe He is the way.

3) What’s your favorite movie, album, TV show, and why?

It depends on the day and my mood and what I’ve seen lately. Favorite movie? I’ll go with The Empire Strikes Back. Many argue that is the best of all the Star Wars movies and I tend to agree. I like the others too but that film has so much depth.

Favorite album? This is a tough one. One album that never seems to get old is Big Star – Live. I’ve listened to this record countless times. From the first notes of, “September Gurls,” I am hooked. Alex Chilton’s guitar playing is a master class in rock/blues/soul fusion. There is not one bad song on it. In the middle Chilton does 3 acoustic songs that are mind blowing. Just listen to “Motel Blues,” (A Loudon Wainwright cover) or “The Ballad of El Goodo.” Pure Brilliance. Jody Stephens’ drumming is also great. You can hear a lot of Keith Moon’s influence. And for only being in the group for 6 weeks at that time, John Lightman does an outstanding job on bass.

Favorite TV show? I’m gonna go with Seinfeld. The writing, the acting, the characters and situations were one of a kind. I read that Larry David is worth $500 Million because of the show.

Megan asks:
Are you going to really move out west?

Hopefully. I still want to. It snowed here yesterday. Snow. I’m built for surfing, water skiing, beaches, t-shirts and palm trees, not snow, coats, scarves, hats and gloves.

Ginny asks:
Do we not get to see the answers to other peeps questions? Yes.
Are you still stroke free? Yes.

Tomas asks:
1) Have you and Ginny ever done it?
Yes, many years ago.

Ginny asks:
Will you and Joey EVER get along?

Sure we get along fine. Even more so since we don’t live together anymore.

There it is. I hope you enjoyed the read. I may do another one of these again. Thanks for your questions.

This year I did some things for the first time. Some highlights were/are:

1. Running the ING Half-Marathon in March.
It was brutal. I injured my knee a few weeks before the race and wasn’t able to run during that time. I saw a sports medicine doctor and got the go ahead to run. It was rewarding but physically demanding. I’m not sure if I’ll do another.

2. Leading a small group.
My small group formed at the end of August. We’re still getting to know each other. Yet, the encouragement and accountability I get from these guys is outstanding.

3. Went to Colorado.
In May I went to Colorado for a week long retreat. The weather was beautiful and I definitely had an encounter with God. I learned many truths about myself and was shown clearly that condemnation does not come from God. Romans 8:1.

4. Not Date.
In November of 2006 I decided to not date for an entire year. That year has past and still I am dateless. So far jumping back into dating is harder than I thought it would be. I still have a lot of fear. Still, the knowledge and perspective I gained from not dating was worth the sacrifice.

5. Wrote, recorded, produced, mixed and mastered a solo record.
I’ve learned so much about recording, mixing and the D.I.Y. attitude. This album showed that when I apply myself, stay focused, ask others for help and do what I love, things fall into place. I’m anxious to see the reaction to these songs. I want to quit my job and do this full-time. That may be a little ways off but doing this shows that it’s possible.

6. Film a music video.
This past Saturday two friends and I filmed a music video for my album. It was so much fun and lots of work. Avril, the director, and Andrew, the DP, were great to work with. Avril has the lion’s share of work to editing over 2 hours of footage. She is excited about the video and I can’t wait to see the finished product.

What about you? Did 2007 bring new experiences into your life?