As the coronavirus pandemic has forced us to break out of our normal sports and fitness routines, these innovators -- and professional athletes -- are making the most of their time at home with creative takes on the games and workouts we know and love.

It's a new month, and that usually means I'm supposed to write a monthly update on the progress with Kandria. Thinking about that though made me feel very depressed because I realised that I hadn't really done anything at all for the game, all of April.

I can blame however much I want of that on the quarantine and university stress, or whatever else, but it won't change the fact that there has not been much progress on any front. While I have been slacking a lot, it's not like I haven't been working at all - plenty of time has gone into Courier, after all.

When I had this realisation yesterday, I tried my best to push myself to work on the game any way I could, but I failed to find anything that I could actually convince myself to do. That isn't to say that there aren't things to do; god forbid there's a tonne of things! Tuning combat, drawing animations, writing the UI, fixing dialogue, starting on enemy AI, optimising performance - just to name a few. And yet, despite the breadth and depth of things to do, there was absolutely nothing that looked appealing to me.

This kind of feeling is nothing new to me. It's a creative block, and happens more often that I'd like to admit. It's also why I often don't like to start long running projects, because I'm afraid of a creative block that would ruin it. The worst part about the creative block is that there's no remedy for it. You just get stuck in a rut, and it sucks a whole lot for a completely unpredictable amount of time. Often what I end up doing, whether consciously so or not, is switching to another project and just working on that.

So far that project has been Courier, but that's at its end and I'm also starting to feel burnt out on it, too. I don't have any other projects queued up that I'd like to tackle, or new ideas on what to do at the moment, so I'm just... stuck.

I suppose the right thing to do in this situation is to take it easy and not fret too much over it, since that's often one of the many factors causing the block. I've never been good at actually doing that, though. Maybe I should try to take a break from programming in general? I don't know.

You may be wondering why I'm writing this all to begin with. Well, partly I feel like I promised to do monthly and weekly updates, and I really hate to break that promise without notice. Another part is that I just feel like I owe you the discretion to tell you what's going on with me. I'm very thankful for the email replies and general responses I've gotten for Kandria so far, I really am! Because of that genuine interest, I feel all the more pressured not to disappoint. Since I have nothing to show though, I thought the only proper course of action is to just be open and direct about it. So I'll just say it again: aside from updating the public demo, no progress has been made at all.

Maybe it would help me to have a more open discussion about this topic in general, instead of just it being me telling you that I'm in a bad place. So please, let me know: have you been in similar situations before? What helped you deal with them? Is there something in Kandria I could try to focus on that you, personally, would like to see?

You can reach me at shinmera@tymoon.eu.

Power outage? Grab a length of steel automotive brakeline tubing, the straw from a box of Yoo-Hoo, D-cell batteries to make a 6V. Also may require generous amounts of duct tape, electrical tape, bell wire, and boredom.

The CC Certificate aims to increase our global community’s expertise in open licensing and awareness of our shared, digital commons.  Our first goal is to train at least one person interested in open licensing in every country and territory, around the world. So far, we have CC Certificate graduates from 44 countries and counting! One … Read More "Creative Commons Welcomes Our 2020 CC Certificate Scholarship Recipients!"

The post Creative Commons Welcomes Our 2020 CC Certificate Scholarship Recipients! appeared first on Creative Commons.

The Short Breaks Fund helping to make breaks better and brighter for unpaid carers and cared-for people in Scotland. Launched in 2010 for one year, the fund has now been running for five years and has proved to be a lifeline for many carers. During the past five years the Scottish Government, through Shared Cared Scotland has distributed 12,547,409 to 697 projects to deliver innovative, tailor made breaks to groups and individuals.

In Northwest Portland, two former industrial structures have been given a new lease on life as Redfox Commons, a light-filled campus for creative, tech and retail workspaces. Local design practice LEVER Architecture led the adaptive reuse project that spans 60,000 square feet and is split between a west wing and a larger east wing across two floors. The architects reclaimed over 6,500 linear feet of timber and combined the salvaged material with new industrial-inspired elements — such as weathering steel cladding and ribbon windows — to pay homage to the building’s history. [...]

Creating furniture is an age-old art form that has incorporated standard materials such as aluminum, wood and rattan. However, one artist has perfected a way to use another prolific material, cardboard, into furniture designs, and he'll show you how to use it too. [...]

What’s keeping YOU from being creative? Discipline? Scheduling? Good old fashioned “writer’s block”?

Todd Brison has made a name for himself by tackling these problems head-on and discovering how to make the most of your muse. In his extremely popular posts on Medium and his two amazing books The Unstoppable Creative and The Creative’s Curse, he breaks down strategies for doing creative work whenever you need!

This episode is like one of the best creative coaching sessions you’ll ever get. Tune in!

Today’s links: 

• https://www.toddbrison.com/
• https://medium.com/@ToddBrison
• https://twitter.com/ToddBrison
• https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01GGPDLY4
• Theme song by topmen.bandcamp.com!

–

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Belgian designer Raf Simons will share the design spotlight with Miuccia Prada at Italian luxury brand Prada.

Jared Ingold wanted to help his laid-off freelancer friends. He and his design partner ended up creating a collection of T-shirts, sweatshirts and caps inspired by the coronavirus pandemic.

A tent city for homeless veterans? It should not have taken a deadly pandemic for local leaders to come up with that solution.

As coronavirus shutters cookie booths in Indiana and around the country, Girl Scouts take sales online and embrace an entrepreneurial spirit.

My pal Jake has been taking regular "cigar walks" (as he calls them) here in our lovely island city of Alameda, California. On those walks, he started spotting some creative flyers...

(I saved the best two for last...)

photos by Jake Schaffer, used with permission

Thanks, Susie! Read the rest

In 2020, when information is literally glued to our fingertips, technological innovations fill the stratosphere, the economy is reeling. Under the catastrophic effects of the coronavirus pandemic, one has no choice but to be creative – be creative...

With more than 3 million Venezuelans having fled their country in crisis, this event features the release of an MPI-OAS report that examines the creative responses that host countries in Latin America are providing. These include the opening of legal pathways to residence, access to formal labor markets, and greater use of forms of ID for recognition.

There are more than 1 million children in the U.S. whose parents are active duty military. This video explores some of the ways school leaders can work to meet these students' needs.

NHL fans have to stay busy somehow, right? Their HockeyAtHome videos are almost too good to be true. By Brooke Destra

'Creative Music Making' Documentary to Air on Nine Network - MPress  Maryville University News

The post Using SOLIDWORKS for New Creative Purposes appeared first on SOLIDWORKS Education Blog.

The post Apps for Kids at Home: Give Kids a Creative Outlet with the Print It App! appeared first on SOLIDWORKS Education Blog.

Even if things don't go quite to plan, the kids' craft sessions at OM Montenegro's Lighthouse centre result in wonderful presents for families.

Long-term OM workers organize weekends of intercessory art, helping community connect creativity and prayer.

Alan Scott, creative director at Johnstons of Elgin

Teachers unleash a flood of creative responses to one of the Most Persistent Teaching Questions of All Time: How do you get ever-chatty middle schoolers to quiet down and pay attention?

Penn State Abington faculty are using the current situation as an opportunity to enrich students academically and support them personally during this period of remote learning. "What may be most inspiring of all is the deep-seated concern for our students that faculty efforts expose,” said Friederike Baer, division head for Arts and Humanities.

Penn State professors are bringing creativity into remote learning environments: from unique virtual backgrounds to costumes and props, they are finding novel ways to engage with their students. Their efforts, welcomed by students, are an attempt to connect on a human level while providing laughter and compassion.

Not exactly an impulse buy but priced well below Wacom pen displays like the Cintiq 16, the Wacom One is a fine product for students, doodlers, and casual artists who'd like to write and sketch digitally.

There is a saying in the property world: find the deal and the money will come, says property investment expert and property wealth coach Andrew Walker.

Marc Tucker discusses the consolidation of the American textbook industry and its impact on the quality of the instructional materials publishers now produce.

He will report to Simi Sabhaney, CEO, Dentsu India. In the past, Malhotra has worked with agencies such as Bates CHI & Partners and Ogilvy.

Great marketing doesn't have to mean breaking the bank

Tips from executives on how to inspire creativity in the workplace

Tips from executives on how to inspire creativity in the workplace

Some creative hashtags on social media have come to the rescue of netizens, offering distraction as well as solace in these trying times.

Creative Zone suffers from a remote SQL injection vulnerability.

Mayors from cities across the U.S. are stepping up and committing to broad and inspirational action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and decarbonize local energy systems. This leadership is especially critical given lack of federal climate action, but translating a mayoral commitment to reality can be a challenge.

The government has advised people to make homemade masks using capulanas – a traditional Mozambican cloth generally worn by women – and other readily available materials.

Title: Will a Jolt of Java Get Your Creative Juices Flowing?
Category: Health News
Created: 3/9/2020 12:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 3/9/2020 12:00:00 AM

Television can fake it, movie audiences can wear masks, but a live theatre performance like "Romeo and Juliet" needs real actors kissing and fighting rivals in front of real people.

An Australian couple has discovered a novel way to meet up with neighbours and enjoy the good weather, despite the coronavirus lockdown.

Coronavirus crisis has forced musicians and others to adapt, says founder of platform

Musicians, artists and writers have turned to crowdfunding sites to make up for lost opportunities in lockdown, and their audiences have followed them, leading to a rise in contributions through platforms such as Patreon.

Since mid-March more than 70,000 extra creators have joined Patreon, which allows fans to give monthly payments to artists in exchange for exclusive content or simply out of a desire to support someone whose work they appreciate.

Brighten up your new WFH space with some fragrant florals

Sometimes being creative involves getting burnt. It's a lesson two gay podcasters in Sydney learnt the hard way.

An entire wing of the school is being taken over for three weeks including "art bombing" of the halls with bubble wrap and transforming classrooms into discos and caves.

Australia's largest organic edible hemp crop is being harvested in Victoria's north west with agronomists talking up its food and fibre potential.

From “Animal Flow” to “Move Like an Avenger” and kids Muay Thai, the city’s many shuttered fitness clubs and studios are offering creative online options to keep you moving.

The closure of gyms and fitness centres across Australia is taking a massive toll on the industry, but trainers are utilising new apps and running classes online to connect with clients in a bid to remain viable during the coronavirus pandemic.

Feb 10, 2020

Realistic, creative vulnerability assessment and testing are critical to finding and fixing nuclear security weaknesses and avoiding over-confidence. Both vulnerability assessment and realistic testing are needed to ensure that nuclear security systems are providing the level of protection required. Systems must be challenged by experts thinking like adversaries, trying to find ways to overcome them. Effective vulnerability assessment and realistic testing are more difficult in the case of insider threats, and special attention is needed. Organizations need to find ways to give people the mission and the incentives to find nuclear security weaknesses and suggest ways they might be fixed. With the right approaches and incentives in place, effective vulnerability assessment and testing can be a key part of achieving and sustaining high levels of nuclear security.