I heard someone took over the thread last night. I think it was probably evil influences from across the pond. Oh well, countdown to Frank Brown. Anybody got anything musical they want to talk about?
Hi MAB
I was wondering what it is you do when you just cannot seem to get a song together, other things are getting in the way and although you know you would enjoy it, just can't be bothered picking up the guitar?
There was a time I was even busier than I am now but when I look back and listen to what I produced for fun with other collaborators, there is a lot (guitar pieces on people's songs, providing melodies and musical ideas for others, right down to lots of own song ideas). As a designer, I know all about freeing yourself up from mental blocks, going for walks or good exercise, etc. But what are your tricks / self-motivators? Is it easier if your life is steeped in it? It isn't that easy in design to switch on again
Maybe it's just age or going a little 'mental' 
Having said that, I have been putting pen to paper. A lot of my time is taken up with the sale of my Dad's house at the moment and I am itching to get on the guitar. So maybe the 'ambience' is changing.
I think some people can push themselves out of an unproductive malaise but if I'm not in the mood, I'm not in the mood. Call me arty farty but the ambience has to be right. It annoys me when I do actually pick up the guitar I have a great time. It's strange because although this is the situation with design and music, I am rarely fed up as a person, for the simple reason I get bored of being fed up almost instantly!
On another subject. I had to give feedback to a student last Friday. She had asked for feedback although she had the highest mark in her year. They had done a small design project to design the Gel speaker technology into a product (she chose a box drum in the end). I said her drawing and sketching was fantastic (She's first year and this was fourth year standard). I asked if she did a lot of art at school - none. Almost instantly, she could pick up a marker pen and paper and produce work of a really high standard.
Years ago a guru in design methodology stood in front of a hall full of designers and said that he had changed his mind on his books on methodology. Design is like music, you have it or you don't. Surely that is right for some of the amazing talent we see but having taught mechanical engineers to draw and be creative taught me 1. It is an inherent talent and people do not realise they have it. 2. You can teach technique and develop people to a standard they never thought they could reach - so it's a bit of both ...
... or am I talking nonsense?
Cheers
Nod