Open Mouth. Insert _______.
Once upon a time, I had a thriving management consulting firm. Before the crash. Before tons of people lost their jobs and decided to hang up the “I-Can-Do-Anything-She-Can-Do” shingle. Before I went for my dream, to make something that’s mine and write.
I still take clients, here and there, but back when I was billing exponential consulting hours per week, I produced an e-newsletter. The writing was sort of dry, but that was never really the point for me.
The pictures. They were what kept me producing the e-newsletter. How could I take a specific picture and build a whole management consulting newsletter – one that would actually be useful – around a single ridiculous photo?
In the coming days, I’m going to dig out some of these open-mouthed jewels, dust them off, and craft a story on the blog. Here’s the first installment:
She had a hard time. Climbing down the slick mound had worn her out, but she clung to it. Fiercely. And now, the ground was mostly level.
Mostly.
She thrashed through what remained to reach bottom. Things that tickled her face and stuck in her hair. A relentless downhill after the climax.
She’d done it all before.
Still, she didn’t expect it. In the waning hours of daylight, she found a package along her path. A gift. A thank-you for coming.
Too bad it wasn’t all tied up with a grizzly bear bow.
I love these open mouth pictures. You know that though. And you know that I have a full collection of them. Of you with your mouth open. Some with statues. Some with paintings. Some with food. Most without. But all of them fantastic. And all of them reminding me of how much I love to hear you talk. In speech, in writing, in pictures. But always your spark shing through.
I hope I can find all of them to do this series. I know I have tons. This was how I thought one smiled when I was really little, so it’s great to see that some things never change.
That is a hilarious picture. And I can’t wait to see where you take us in the story.
The photos will dictate it.
Wow, my old business newsletters never looked anything like that. No wonder I had to move on. Love it Andra!
When I started getting more corporate-type work, I had to let that style go.
Hate how they put the boring into corporate – however they do it. I still hate it.
It’s universal, isn’t it?
Dire Straits nailed it with “Industrial Disease.” Mind numbing nothingness that leads to the doctor’s office.
Excellent.
Ha. I’m glad you approve, Roger.
Sometimes you get the bear and sometimes the bear gets you….
http://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/animals/crittercam-animals/bear_brown_crittercam/
I cannot even click on that link, Lou. I am deathly afraid of bears.
It’s just a little cub….
Hahaha. That photo pretty much sums up why I like you, Andra. My go-to expression is one of Shock & Awe Hell Naw. Yours is a refreshing Shock & Awwwww.
This one was more shock and ewwwwwww.
I don’t know how you can make your mouth do that, it’s so expressive! I hope you’re feeling better today.
I had pep in my step at Rotary, but I don’t know how long it will last before I’m asleep again……… Thanks for the well wishes.
Creative, very creative. Nothing like finding fresh bear poop along the trail…unless you catch the bear in the act….
I’ve also found prints before. (I’m sure you have, too.) We were in the middle of a big valley when I saw the print, and I swear, I wanted to run all the way back to the car………..it was a long way.
The pics tell us why you were/are such a fine consultant: You aren’t afraid to say, do, discuss what is (to some) off the chart. You (split infinitive warning) boldly go…
I’ll probably have to boldly go again in the coming months, but for now, it’s been fun to have my writing diversion. I’ve got a project to complete while my book is out with my readers, and we’ll see what happens from there.
Speaking of wide open mouths…love this Betty Hutton clip and the line I have invoked a time or two in my life!
Mostly, the beginning of this series makes me think of numerous instances of sliding down some slope, unexpectedly; then picking up the pieces and starting over. So glad that when the bottom dropped away you decided to set a new course, follow that dream and write!
I just hope the dream will be kind to me.
Loved this!
Many thanks.
Fabulous punchline today
Why thank you, Kate.
You really can’t trust a grizzly. Us black bears, now…
MTM and I both got a big laugh out of this comment.
What a great idea, Andra. You always come up with best ones. I have to admit–got a kick out the the bear comment above mine! How funny!
Hugs,
kathy
We’ll see how it progresses, Kathy. The comments here are always worth reading.
We just watched Brave . . . based on the legend of Mordu . . . with lots of B~I~G Bears. Scat! Scat!
I still need to see that one, Nancy. I love those cartoon movies.
I love the photo, Andra! You are so expressive–that’s another part of your gift! I love the little story and think this could be a very enjoyable series. It was interesting to hear a little more about your consulting business. I think the recession did a real number on every consultant I know. I was talking to another friend the other day who told me she is beginning to get her clients back…depending on whether you’re personally ready or not, this could be good news. OR…maybe the time to write is precisely what you need most!
I have always had work, just not always interesting or enough to keep me busy. That restless energy went into my writing, which has not ended up being a bad thing. Well, except during those times when I have been super busy with work and still blogged every day. I hope those times weren’t obvious.
I love the idea of you producing a newsletter based around that! Too funny.
The official caption on the newsletter was “Don’t step in it. Call POSITUS!”
I should’ve been in advertising.
One of the things I like about Andra.