Work generates energy - not the other way around

A couple of years ago I was invited to Nintendo's event to unveil the Wii price and release date in Manhattan. It had been YEARS since I had last been to the Big Apple, a city I have always loved. It was a long, tiring flight, and I arrived there with no sleep whatsoever at around 6am. By 9am I had dropped my things at the place I was staying... and started walking toward B&H to pick up some photography material my mom had asked me to bring her.

You know, I was like 25 blocks away, which in NY terms is quite a bit. I figured I'd walk a bit to get onto bigger and more lively streets and take a taxi. Before I knew it, I was there. The energy of a place like New York City just flows into you, and if you are sensitive enough, you can pick up on it and just assimilate it. And that's just what I did. It felt awesome.

So today I had a meeting on Paulista Avenue and I felt something similar again. I have always loved Paulista, but today was special. While I am taking my sabbatical I had some time to think a little bit about the things I want to do, and working on Paulista sounds kind of like a dream. Part of me would love to work at home and do my writing at my own pace... but I don't know that I could entirely give up on that energy. It would be great to marry both, however I can't see that happening.

I am also getting a better understanding of the so-called "ozio creativo" that Domenico de Masi described. I know that companies like Google are standing firm ground on that with their 20% time policy, but actually experimenting that full time has been a real eye opener to me. I am seriously considering studying and reading more while I work on personal projects and being a consultant to others for a little bit.

So, while no major announcements arrive, I just wanted to share this a bit. I have a STACK of cool books about game design and psychology just waiting for me, and I drool just thinking about them. I have also been sketching some story ideas and game designs that stayed way too long stuck in my head for me to ignore any longer. And while it makes me no money right now, it's doing WONDERS for my morale and mind.

Hopefully my business cards will be ready soon and I will get a chance to give those lectures I am so looking forward to...