10 Great Dates for Introverts (Part 2)

Weekend is coming up! Not that you have to wait for the weekend to do something special--do it now, I say. But if you need the excuse of a weekend to get you going, I'm here for you.

I proposed finding 10 fun activities to do with your favorite introvert, or if you're the introvert, suggestions to show your friends or significant other. Look here for the first 5. Today's post will give you 5 more great ideas.


Just to recap: 1.) listen to music; 2.) read to each other; 3.) go stargazing; 4.) watch Jeopardy; 5.) take a hike.


6.) Flea Markets. I know I said I didn't like shopping, but for some reason flea markets are different to me. It's the opportunity to find some rare or unique item, an old treasure that's passed hands for generations, or something you can fix up or personalize if you're so inclined. Plus you can usually find good deals, make connections with the vendors, and get inspired for new creative projects. Find some flea markets in your state here.


7.) Museums or Galleries. Museums are nice for introverts because they usually provoke thought and they're quiet. Galleries are a great way to support local creatives. You can see what local artists are doing in photography, sculpture, painting, or textiles, and you can get involved by buying something you like and supporting them. You don't have to go into a big city to find museums and galleries, either, although those are good for getting a bigger picture of the arts or sciences. Check yahoo directories or just google "museums and galleries near [your town]" for some close-to-home artisans, or local history museums.




Autumn weather is on its way, at least here in Georgia, finally, so here are three more ideas specifically suited for the chill air and holiday spirit.


8.) Fireside Picnic. It starts getting dark earlier now, so I feel like winding down as soon as I get home from work. You could have a fireside picnic in the middle of the day, I suppose--in fact, that could be the "fun" version of this idea. But if you wanna go and get "romantic," wait until sunset, or, 5:00. Spread a flannel blanket on the floor and lay out trays of fruits, cheeses, and olives; keep a bottle of wine close by; light a fire in the fireplace; relax. 


9.) Hayrides. I grew up in central Illinois, where every harvest season there were guaranteed to be about fifty farms offering tractor-pulled or horse-drawn hayrides. Now I live in Georgia and I've been on a couple hay rides in the last few years. It's probably not too hard, no matter where you live, to find a farm within twenty or so miles that offers harvest-time hayrides. Bundle up, take a blanket. The farm will usually offer hot chocolate or cider. The bliss of hayrides is being out in the middle of the country where you can see all the stars, plus the biting cool air and the spreading warmth of a hot drink. Plus you get to cuddle with your significant other while the gentle jostling of the trailer lulls you into a peaceful state of mind. Most hayrides I've been on, everyone remains quiet, just enjoying the clean smell of country air and the sound of crickets or cicadas.


10.) Neighborhood walks. In the season between halloween and New Year's, neighborhoods and stores will be lit up with decorations. Take a cue from Lorelai and Rory and enjoy a stroll in the brisk air with your favorite friend, admiring creative decorations, privately mocking the cheesy ones, and generally enjoying the holiday spirit.

Stars Hollow in Autumn (photo courtesy of WB)

Feel free to chime in with more ideas. Introverted or not! I hope these 10 have at least given you some fresh incentive to try something different.

10 Great Dates for Introverts (Part 1 of 2)

For the introverted individual; for those with an introverted significant other; for those with introverted friends:

Hear, hear.

Too much of American dating culture revolves around activities dominated by extroverts: dinner & a movie, bowling, miniature golf, dancing, cocktail parties, sports events, concerts, bars, even shopping (according to LiveStrong.com Dating Ideas--no joke!). Most if not all of these require you to be talkative, funny, and on-your-toes socially. Not that the introvert doesn't enjoy these activities from time to time, but let's face it. There are more dating activities well-suited for the gregarious, outgoing extroverts than for the quieter, contemplative introverts. 

I happen to be an introvert married to an introvert. We go to the occasional sports event. We've been to a couple concerts. We've been shopping together (although neither of us would call those times "dates," more like the "for better or for worse" times we vowed we'd love each other through). But when it comes to date night, time and time again we've faced these options, looked at one another, and said, let's just watch a movie. Now, introverts, let's get creative. We don't always want to watch Netflix for every date night, do we? As much as I love my movie nights...

I propose 10 fun activities to do with your favorite introvert. Or if you're the introvert, suggestions to show your friends or significant other. Here's the first 5.

1.) Listen to music. Share an artist, album, or song you've recently discovered, and let your friend or special someone share one with you. Spend time listening to the songs all the way through, then talk about what was unique or innovative. Talk about what you each enjoyed about the music. Don't be afraid to say what you didn't like, as long as you do so respectfully. Differences are what make relationships interesting (in a good way, usually...hopefully).

2.) Read to each other. There are a few ways to do this. My husband doesn't particularly like to be read to. But if neither of you mind, take turns reading chapters of a good book together. Or, like we do, you can find a second copy at the library, read them simultaneously, and discuss what's going on. If it's fiction, what characters do you like or not like? What kind of tension is going on? What do you think might be cooking up behind the scenes? If it's non-fiction, what are you learning? What kinds of information or anecdotes do you relate to? If it's poetry--way to go! Talk about the imagery that struck you as original. Talk about the feelings you felt as you read the poem. Did you hear sadness coming through? Anger? Loneliness? Did you hear joy? Pride? Humor? Since this is particularly my cup of tea, pick a novel to start with from the New York Times 1001-books-to-read-before-you-die list. (http://www.listology.com/list/1001-books-you-must-read-you-die) I suggest fiction because I think good fiction takes us somewhere in our understanding of the world that all the self-help books in the world can't get us to. Of course, I also strongly believe poetry and well-wrought essays can do the same thing. Enough from my soapbox.

3.) Go stargazing. On a clear night, take a blanket or two, find a patch of ground clear of the trees and the lights of civilization, and look at the stars. The American Meteor Society (http://www.amsmeteors.org/showers.html) has a whole page about upcoming showers, so you can plan a date around wishing on some shooting stars if you want. Even without nature's fireworks, it's quiet, contemplative, and very romantic. This is also fun for a group of friends to do together. Take some hot chocolate in thermoses, some quiet tunes, and enjoy.

4.) Watch Jeopardy. This great suggestion came courtesy of a friend who enjoys this date activity with her husband when their two little ones are finally put to bed. It's not just watching TV. Oh, no. It's interactive. You can even make a little competition out of it as long as you don't get too heated and end up sleeping in different rooms. I don't think this has ever happened to my friend. Just sayin.

5.) Take a hike. Together. Find a state park nearby and spend a day or afternoon enjoying some nature. Go at your own pace--it's not the destination, it's about the journey. If you're allowed to take food in the park (always check regulations), pack a couple pbj's and apples, take a thermos of wine, and have yourself a merry little picnic under the trees, or on the beach, or in a swamp. Whatever your local habitat affords you. Just make sure you pack your trash out and leave no trace of your visit. My husband and I recently took a whole day to hike at some beautiful state parks nearby. You can read about that here.


Check back later in the week for 5 more fun things to do with introverts. I hope this is getting some idea wheels turning! If you have any other introvert-oriented date ideas, add them in the comments section! There's way more than 10 good ideas. To be continued...

Poetry in Web Video

The other day I wrote about the innovative power of web video, especially the potential for writers and other creative voices.

"There's something electric about hearing the author's voice in the words they wrote. There's something intimate about publicly sharing words that were written in private."

You can't listen to a well-wrought story without being engaged.


I proposed that more emerging writers should record themselves reading their work and share the videos on the web, reconnecting the written word to the stream of our oral story-telling past.


My good friend Georgia has already done just that. This is just one way to share words, but I love the way the rhythm and pacing and tone of Georgia Pearle's poem, "Lil' Allen," falls in step with original music by Marcella O'Connor. Visit Project Words and Music for more videos like this. But first, sit back, listen, and enjoy.

Web Video Revolution

Web video is nothing new. People have known how to post their home videos to YouTube, Vimeo, VideoEgg, etc. for years now. But what if we look at how web video can fuel innovation? I love TEDTalks videos. You could say I'm a junkie. The curator of the TED Conference himself, Chris Anderson, shares what he believes is the force for positive change behind video sharing. (FYI: It's nineteen minutes long, but worth every second.)



Some highlights:

• Cisco estimates that in four years, 90% of the world's web data will be video. 
• Video is more powerful than text or pictures because of our innate connection with face-to-face communication.
• Potential innovators in developing countries can feed their ideas from the web and share their ideas through the web. 
• "The dark side of the web is allergic to the light."

As a writer I asked myself how I can use video. Traditionally speaking, a writer's medium is print. There's beauty to that--the one-on-one exchange when the reader sits down with your book. But there's also the public side of a writer's life, when they travel and read selections from their work to an audience.

I've been to several readings, and I've even read once. There's something electric about hearing the author's voice in the words they wrote. There's something intimate about publicly sharing words that were written in private. Now, there are such things as poorly done readings, but in general, I can't leave a reading not engaged with the author's story, even if I wouldn't have engaged had I read it.

What if more emerging writers recorded themselves reading their work? And shared it with the world? There's less risk of someone on the web copying and pasting the work as their own (unless they went through the effort of transcribing every word). And there's more chance that the stories and poems would reach the souls they were meant to touch. Plus you've added that spark of face-to-face communication, the relic of our oral story-telling past.

You might see me try it--though I need practice with video making and editing before I'd post anything. Why don't you try taping yourself sharing something you are passionate about, something you want to put out in the light? Just make sure it's coming from a true place inside yourself, and you'll do it excellently, and the world just might be changed.

(Related Post: see Taste Life: Poetry in Web Video)