Polyhymnia Delivers

She promised us some intriguing recipes and she delivered last night.  Just in time for Christmas, she whipped up a lovely cranberry and balsamic vinegar salad dressing for a good old iceberg salad, just like in days of old.

Euterpe + Chromeo = good stuff

See Euterpe's influence:      Listen and Watch

Paparazzi Update

Euterpe has been spotted near an old warehouse wearing a black trenchcoat. Wonder what's up?

MuseForce Can't Find a Muse

Here we are. Touting the nine muses, and the muses incognito.  Can we find a muse when we need one? Nope. The MuseForce is patient, however.  We will wait quietly until we find out where the muses are hiding.  Any paparzzi out there could contact us.  Even sensationalism is better than no muse news. Thumb-twiddling should not be an option for the MuseForce. 

Classic Endurance

Literary classics, like Harper Lee's To Kill A Mockingbird endure because they tug at the basic human sympathies.  Because almost every human has suffered from some type of presumptions from others, it is imperative that we not only react to the plight of Tom, but also to that of Boo Radley.  Read it again, or for the first time.  It's a good holiday gift to give yourself, and if you hate to read, watch the movie with Gregory Peck. 

Poyhymnia Adds to Her Repertoire--and Ours

Since there is no muse assigned to cooking, we select Polyhymnia to oversee the rash of aspiring chefs that are chopping and getting chopped, wearing armor made of iron, and fighting to make it to the top. 

We find that Polyhymnia is the most appropriate one to inspire because, like cooking, she urges a combination of arts that appeal to several senses. 

Polyhymnia has agreed to share the best products of some of her proteges from time to time.  Look for recipes and experiences from her kitchen classroom soon.

She was highly instrumental in the Gumbo fest at Grand Isle a while back and found a new art to nurture.

Muse or Genius?

We have been reading definitions of "genius." Is it the muse who makes the genius, or is it the absence of a muse that makes a genius?  Think about it.  Should a genius (by a standard definition) require a muse?  Does having a muse negate the presence of genius? 

Wishing not to raise concern and/or controversy (but of course we will), the MuseForce presents these provocative questions. 

Life after high school?

Let us purport that the onset of "school spirit" and proms may have initiated many neuroses and/or maladjustments in America. There are so many instances where people with addictions, failures, and life-long trauma blame the modern high school atmosphere with ruining their lives (and by association--the lives of others). For instance, the slightly gangly guy of moderate intelligence might feel that he can't be classified as successful unless his girlfriend is a member of the Homecoming Court,or the "she" of the previously described, is less of a person if her "man" isn't a jock.

Clearly, the muses need to assign inspiration for the upcoming generations so that they can avoid such uninspired excuses for turning into sociopaths.

Thank a muse

If you are lucky enough to prepare or be presented with a truly unique dish for your thanksgiving dinner, be sure to thank at least one of the muses. Most of the world will be buried in family traditions, including meals. The muse of sacred poetry, must have been involved with that. We are not sure whether Polyhymnia or Melpomene should get the credit/shame for today's stagnant meal traditions. Polyhymnia may have mixed up the "sacred" part with "redundant." Oops, the MuseForce is spouting heresy.

Of course, we know that we must be thankful for any food, but we are a bit spoiled at the MuseForce.

Seeking Thanksgiving Muse

Some members of MuseForce desparately need one of the muses (maybe even Calliope) to inspire them. One of the least creative times of any year begins with this week. There are a mountain of Scrooge remakes, heartwarming remakes, tear-jerking remakes of old stories. Nothing new. Even commercials on TV are remakes.

Is it true that commercialism must take center stage? If so, we are all for that if it means good jobs, good money, good times. We will inspire creativity later . . .

Oyster lovers relax

Resting assured that their pre-gumbo appetizers, or their New Years Eve main courses will continue to taste like real food, the raw oyster lovers have pulled in a victory. Even with a slight risk, the muses know they are immortal.

Crazy Animation

The ultimate animation collaboration.  Not sure which muse inspired this one:  We watch this one over and over and over . . .

What inspires the muses?

Veterans.  

The muses salute you and your families, and thank you for allowing our imaginations to run free!

Muse Crafts

Sneaky paparazzi grabbed this photo. This is what the muses do during their gumbo weekends at Grand Isle. (We already knew about their passion for shoes as inspired by the Rustitilians).  If the common folk are lucky, they may be able to get some originals at the Krewe of Muses Parade in New Orleans this year. Nice work muses!

Paparazzi Update

Rumors abound that the muses and the MuseForce are holding a conclave. Deliveries of crabs, shrimp, and ingredients for the holy trinity have been arriving by pirogue since Thursday. Also noted, boats loaded with raw oysters have slid in and out of the landing near the muses' camp in Grand Isle. Some astute reporters smell a roux, too. Looks like the muses will be out of touch for the weekend!

Muse 10 is fond of numbers

Numbers can be quite inspiring when left to their own devices. For instance, the number 92 is the atomic number of uranium which is the only element named after Urania, who incidentally is also the only muse in charge of a science (astronomy). Needless to say, Muse 10 (also a number) is quite delighted with such ponderings. 92 should be inspiring to everyone. Is there any other significance to 92? Be sure to let Muse 10 know.

Blue Muse is Firey Red

Now that the Deep Blue Muse has surfaced, she if furious!! When she heard that the food police are considering banning the sale of oysters from the Gulf of Mexico, she was said to shoot fire over the waves. We think that's why she was last spotted off the coast of Grand Isle, Louisiana. The MuseForce is shivering with fury.

Terpsichore: The Diva Muse

An anonymous comment in the latest Muse Alert: Orange (most likely from Urania)chastises Terpsichore for being a little snooty about her mispronounced name. It seems that Urania has been in cahoots with Bacchus, and together, they have learned to "just chill"--at least that what the "anonymous" commentor says. Muses are moody.

Muse Alert: Orange

Both exasperated and enervated, Terpsichore is considering staying in on Friday night because she is sick to death of everyone mispronouncing her name: Say it right, please!

Paparzzi Update

The Deep Blue Muse was seen frolicking in the waves near Grand Isle, Louisiana.  Apparently the new shoes and hat have lifted her out of her funk.  Whew!  We can all wait for the next grand creation from the sea.  Now, it appears that Jimmy Choo has been seen sulking because he has come in second after Drake Glatter, a young genius, as the Blue Muse's new stylist.  

Muse Pundit Advises

Although we can read the following in the comments, The Board of Muses has elected to republish a comment offering sound advice in this post. Does designer, Drake Glatter, meet the pundit's guidelines?

Ok, this is important. As a muse of sorts myself, I take the design of party shoes very seriously and can offer a few rules of thumb. First rule of thumb - the shoes need not be limited to matching each other. Second rule of thumb -it is important to remember these shoes will be sought after by mere mortals lining the streets to worship the muse. Should the muse feel so generous as to share her shoes, the shoes will be transported to the mortal's home in the most difficult traveling conditions and eventually be proudly displayed for many years - thus durability and longevity are imperative. Think shellack. Zip lock bags are good for storing and transporting.
Third rule of thumb - good taste is neither necessary nor encouraged. Let the Deep Blue Muse's true brilliance shine. Think silver beads, feathers, ribbons, glitter, even fiber optics.

A note of caution: the Deep Blue Muse may fall to taunting and teasing the party crowd with her shoes, making them insane. Be prepared for Chaos. Although traditionally Chaos has been coming before the Muses' parties, the chariots always break down, making the muses late. And, Chaos never really gives the great gifts that we were promised. The muses have campaigned to get Chaos moved to another night or at least after the muses party.

Move over Jimmy Choo

Drake Glatter, associate designer for the muses, has inspired the most perfect shoe for a blue muse.  The drawing will be lovingly fashioned in silk and satin, with deep blue sapphires, for our own Deep Blue Muse.

Gift for the Deep Blue Muse

While her new shoes are being constructed, Muse 10 is sending the Deep Blue Muse this lovely hat.

Sunday Weather

The best time to have the best weather is on Sunday afternoon. Any good muse will advise starting a new poem, a new novel, a new painting or drawing on Sunday afternoon. Probably because work looms ahead, and most people want to try and fulfil the need to accomplish something personal over the weekend. Usually, however, most people spend Sunday afternoon getting ready for work (washing clothes, buying lunch fixings . . .). At least complete a doodle or hum a tune while getting ready for work.

Paparzzi Update

Muses are taking time out this week to host a party for the Deep Blue Muse. Rustitilians are promising to design some fancy new shoes (blue, of course) that are sure to get her swimming again. Please contribute any ideas about design, colors, and / or adornments for her new party shoes. you can do that by clicking on the "0 comments" following this post. The chosen design will be featured later in this blog.

Artspot: Sand Art Video

Artspot: Sand Art Video

More student episodes

This video done today, during lunch.

The Muses and Beyond

Students surpass even the muses. Think Monty Python

Out of the Hyperverse (via Oregon)

This is a really innovative approach to drama/literature/animated poetry. Somebody's muse is working overtime on this one: _Oregon Literary Review: online collection of literature, hypertext, art, and hypermedia_ Be sure to click around and explore!

Thalia and Melpomene: The Dueling Muses

Students employ Thalia (the muse of comedy) and Melpomene (muse of tragedy)to fuse their inspirations. Their video below displays what happens when comedy and tragedy vie for equal footing in a drama. Congratulations students!

What is Thespis doing here?

Your next assignment is to write a script for a short video drama, and film it. See the following video as an inspiring example of the use of sound, light, and digital effects. Note the cartoon-like coloring on the skin of the characters. That makes them a bit surreal, and adds to the meaning. This is an inspiring video. BTW, Who is Thespis? You could look it up:

Euterpe - Gone Wild!

We can always turn to Euterpe to lend sounds that might "soothe the savage breast," but here is one of her most wonderful creative inspirations--Tuvan Throat Singing. We should all explore our natural resources to explore her most exotic suggestions. At her best, she inspires one voice to produce multiple notes simultaneously--definitely a WOW moment.

Witness one of her inspirations in this video:

Muse Alert - Yellow

Disgruntled muses are rising in protest (see comments under the "Clio and Thalia" post). It has surfaced that a rogue group--The Rustitilians--is trying to be heard. It appears that they inspire pedicures. I'll bet the Rustitilians have something to do with the expensive shoes on _Sex in the City_. Maybe they are part of the MuseForce! Welcome Rustitilians!

Put a Muse to Work

Pick a muse, any muse. Go to Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muse#Muses_in_myth) or (http://ancienthistory.about.com/od/mgodsandgoddesses/tp/Muses.htm) or another internet resource to find information about your muse.

Now write a situation where the muse shows up to give the main character something. For instance, if I were the muse Multiplicia (there is really no muse by that name, but pretend that Multiplicia is the muse of math). I might bring the main character in my story, who is an accountant, a special gift. What is the gift? It's An old adding machine, owned by the wealthiest man in the town before he died, with a yellowed printout still in the roller. What’s the accountant going to do with that??

See, that’s the start of a story. Write an outline for your story or poem. (DO NOT use Multiplicia, she's mine.)

Paparazzi Update

It has been reported that the Deep Blue Muse has locked herself up in Davy Jones's Locker, imbibing giant squid ink as she literally sinks into the depths of the blues. Reliable informants report that they have heard strains of "Hey Jude" near the Bermuda Triangle. Really, someone should add a comment to "The Rise of the Deep Blue Muse" post below. Have a heart and save a muse.

Clio and Thalia: At it again . . .

Clio and Thalia work as a team to show how humans impact old structures.  Clio contributes inspiration with the historical structure, and Thalia adds the inspiration for the fun stuff -- as usual: Enjoy the collaboration between the muses and the humans in this video.

Fall of the Deep Blue Muse

She sinks below depths unexplored and mourns because no one finds her musings worthy of comment.

Why MuseForce?

The point of this blog is to gather the most creative thinkers and build inspirations for all of us who visit. Sometimes the news comes from a single muse, a human or two, the board of directors for MuseForce, and even from a stray visitor. The idea is to deliver spots of inspiration for all of us to use for a creative writing piece, a painting or photo, a new business, or a class assignment. Please join in and support our endeavor. All who visit and contribute are part of the MuseForce. No age limits.

Paparazzi Update

Respected sources have identified the Blogger Muse bathing in full 1920s swimwear, in Bath, England. Such uninhibited behavior suggests that this muse may be the famed Muse 10, who is actively trying to recruit a Muse 11. The search for Muse 11 has brought out unusual behavior in Muse 10 DATELINE: 9/12/09

Rise of the Deep Blue Muse

Someone sent us a photo of a dive she made in Bonaire recently, and there is a Butterfly fish in the center. We started thinking about how fish have (or have not) influenced movies, literature, TV, etc.

At first, we thought that fish have been poorly neglected as Muses.

The Deep Blue Muse surfaced to tout her successes: Moby Dick, Flipper, . . . You fill in the blanks. Add to the Muses's accomplishments through your comments, else she may rebel and withhold her inspirations.