Shop in new, different or weird stores. I am unlikely to buy Camel Milk, but running across it while exploring a relatively local specialty market did make me think. People from varying cultures see food, drink, and the world differently. Thinking differently allows my mind to be creative. What would I use this for? I wonder if it makes a rich custard. Maybe I should experiment with different custards - custard tart anyone?
Take a different path through the same store. If you always go right when you come into the store, go left, view the store in a different direction, you will see things you normally walk past. Go shopping without a list - look and figure out what you need when you see it.
Take a different route to places you always go. So what if it takes an extra ten minutes, the novelty will feed your beast.
Get out of town, and see something new. Find new places to travel to. Try different ways of getting there. I have three conferences over the next 20 months in Chicago, I have promised myself to take the train at least once. It will cover the same route, it will take longer and probably cost more, but I will see things I never see when I fly or drive the same route. Onward!
I had a friend who became obsessed with camel milk. He said it was the closest thing to human breast milk. That was NOT a strong argument. So, you have 3 conferences in Chicago. Retirement conferences? You ARE retired aren’t you?
ReplyDeleteOld Lawyer meetings in Chicago.
DeleteAnd he is old and a lawyer... 🤣🤣🤣
DeleteI don't have an issue with camel milk, but I don't know of a reason to buy it. We see so much more of the world around us when travelling by public transport. I think there might be a rather nice Amtrak train to get you from home to Chicago, just not if you are in a hurry. It's all about the journey.
ReplyDeleteThe Train from DC to Chicago averages being late about 4 hours in each direction,
DeleteWhat would you use camel milk for? To feed James - your baby camel . He's always got the hump.
ReplyDeleteOne hump or two?
DeleteGood one, Sweetie!
DeleteYou're absolutely right -- novelty feeds creativity and routine stifles it.
ReplyDeleteVariety is the spice of life?
DeleteOh, I always have a list but I also travel up and down most aisles to see if there's anything new.
ReplyDeleteAnd I learned from my father that if you drive a certain route to get somewhere, take a different route home.
A good lesson learned from Dad.
DeleteI grew up in Quincy Illinois in the western most part of the state. When I was working in Chicago, several times I went to Quincy for a weekend visit and I always took the train. I loved seeing all that lovely countryside.
ReplyDeleteI have never done an overnight train ride.
DeleteYou are going into Chicago more than I do and I live in a suburb of Chicago! ;)
ReplyDeleteThe American Bar Association is going to hold the winter and annual meeting there for the next couple of years.
DeleteI loved taking the train down to DC when I lived in New York. I would never think of flying! I think I'll pass on the camel milk, though. :)
ReplyDeleteI flew home from Newark once, but all of my other trips have been by train.
DeleteIndeed! When I go shopping it is nearly always towards a specific goal with the point to get in and out without distraction. You approach is so different.
ReplyDeleteSomedays I just go walking in stores to see what I have not seen
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