This list is for any creative types out there who are experiencing a block, be it writer’s block, designer’s block, songwriter’s block whatever. Get inspired. I am going to be putting it up in sections right here and once it’s complete I may give it a more permanent home.
41. Annoying Tween culture. Those really bad tone deaf auto tuned tween stars who all look exactly the same and come packaged with tons of products done in hot pink and glittery vomit purple turn off 99% of regular people but if you can stand it maybe there is something to be gleaned from this unending trend being shoved down everyone’s throat. (Do not want!) You have to be careful though because in a month all of the stuff will be sitting on the shelves of the local Big Lots right next to stale boxes of High School Musical cereal.
42. Big Lots. Big Lots has totally replaced Kmart as the hipsters secret hangout. Especially since Kmarts are getting hard to find.
43. Products that fall under the category: Why do these products exist? Here is an example. The local Big Lots has Elvis coffee. I guess if you are that into the King you would buy one bag to put unopened in your Elvis shrine room (next to the Elvis guitar popcorn Big Lots also sells), but are that really that many 60somethings named Barbara, Linda, or Judy out there who are going to consistently buy Elvis coffee for their fix every morning?
44. Scrapbooking. There is a ridiculously huge scrapbooking subculture out there and people (more Barbaras, Lindas, Judys and a few Donnas I suspect) are willing to pay 10 dollars for 3 sheets of scrapbooking paper or 400 dollars for some fancy electronic deal that can cut your paper into fancy shapes. By the way I am not making fun of you if you scrapbook (or have a name from the 50s). I’ve done it myself but you have to admit a 400 dollar scrapbook paper cutting machine is a wee bit over the top!
45. Food. The bacon and cupcakes trends may be winding down but be on the lookout for the next hot food trend. Sausage, pepperoni, ice cream sandwiches, Otter Pops, Tandoori Chicken?
46. Past trends you either don’t know about or forgot about. Owls, Gay nineties, Australia, Here is a
link. if you can’t remember any.
47. Old viewmaster reels. They are in 3-D! Just like Avatar, only they don’t move and they feature pictures of New Orleans Square.
48. Crazy vintage sodas. Like Nehi or Moxie. I read somewhere that Moxie had a nasty bitter taste like rhubarb or something.
49. Your Hometown. If it is as lame as you claim then maybe you should be inspired by the lameness.
50. Nature. The trees, the waves, the clouds, the ocean, you knew this was going to be on the list somewhere.
51. Roadside culture. Giant dinosaurs, Teepee motels, route 66, etc.
52. Towns with really cool names. Like Twenty Nine Palms, Truth or Consequence New Mexico, and Rough and Ready California.
53. Black Lite Posters.
54. Murals painted on Vans! Unicorns, Vikings whatever get inspired.
55. Hot Rod airbrushing art.
56. Old Toys. Make sure they are cool old toys like vintage spirographs, sit’n’spins and big wheels. No Barney, No Dora the Explorer. Some vastly cooler kid brands include the Snorks, The Smurfs, The Groovy Ghoulies, and the 80s version of Strawberry Shortcake.
57. Art Museums. Make like Cameron in Ferris Buellers Day Off and get absorbed in the art!
58. The Muppet Show. Best Kid show ever but you probably knew that. Also Sesame street when it had cooler Muppets like Count von Count. Pre Elmo. I caught a glimpse of Elmo on the Today show and he is the most obnoxious thing ever. Why was he featured on an adult show?
59. Tiki culture. See if you can find some relics of 60’s era tiki culture that haven’t been torn down yet if not theres always the internet.
620. Googie culture. This was a mid century style of architecture primarily seen in coffee shops.
61. Multicultural Inspirations. Get inspired by vibrant street art, music, open air markets and parades, Mexican food, soul food, hip hop culture, low riders and the like.
