So, it’s no secret that my fiance and I don’t celebrate Valentine’s day. We really believe that romance and love should be celebrated all year round and that we shouldn’t need special reminders to do a special something for the people in our lives.
However, I realize that a lot of people out there are emotionally invested in Valentine’s Day and whether or not you want to celebrate, there’s a lot of pressure to do something special, regardless of what it is.
In talking to my good friend Deanna Lohnes, we decided that we should offer an alternative to Valentine’s day – but not the usual self love stuff that amounts to doing what you’d do normally on a Valentine’s day, just without the date. So we thought, why not get in touch with your creativity? And, hence, Museday was born!
In addition, we’re going to release a photo scavenger hunt on the morning of February 14th – take a photo and upload it to Facebook or Instagram and use the hashtag #Museday!
We suggest that on the weekend of February 14-15th, you celebrate your creativity by doing one activity for each of the nine muses. Here are our suggestions:
Erato
Listen to a classical composition and REALLY listen to it. Don’t surf the web, don’t read a book, don’t do your nails, don’t watch TV, don’t do anything else but just LISTEN (okay, maybe you can pet your furry friend, but that’s it!). People just don’t seem to have the attention span to get through the classics anymore, and most of us can only identify bits and pieces of a composition. So, expand your horizons or listen to an old favorite, but just take the time to listen. Here are some of our favorites:
Flight of the Valkyries: http://youtu.be/3YOYlgvI1uE
Night on Bald Mountain: http://youtu.be/iCEDfZgDPS8
Waltz of the Flowers: http://youtu.be/QxHkLdQy5f0
Melpomene
Sing one of your favorite song OUTLOUD and PROUD! About four minutes of happy fun! If you have to climb into the shower or car in order to this, go right ahead! We won’t judge! Extra points if you sing with a friend! Here are some of our favorites:
Bohemian Rhapsody: http://youtu.be/fJ9rUzIMcZQ
Freebird: http://youtu.be/np0solnL1XY
What Does the Fox Say? http://youtu.be/jofNR_WkoCE
Kalliope
Listen to your favorite poem recited out loud. Does NOT have to be a love poem! Recite it out loud yourself or get together with friends for this one! Discover some new favorites this way! Here are some of our favorites:
Daffodils, by William Wordsworth: http://youtu.be/EK9UWpYuZiE
Somewhere There is a Poem, by Gina Loring: http://youtu.be/mmCxC0RnzQM
Dance, Monkeys, Dance, by Ernest Cline: http://youtu.be/O5vmHjJ7LYE
Ourania
Find and identify a constellation! Just look at that night sky! Of course, we’re all partial to Orion, one of the easiest constellations to identify. You can find him, or you can learn to identify a new constellation! Try this site for help: http://stardate.org/nightsky/constellations
Polymnia
Try out a church service that you’ve never tried out before! Don’t worry, there are some non-denominational services out there, and even some secular ones as well! Of course, visiting a church service that is different from your own beliefs can be gratifying, too. Check out:
http://www.uua.org/
http://sundayassembly.com/
Terpsichore
Dance it out, my friends! Get wild with yourself and break a sweat! Shake it, shake it, shake it – you can even break it if you really want! Just feel that stress melting away! Here are some of our favorites:
Macarena: http://youtu.be/XiBYM6g8Tck
Just Dance (cover): http://youtu.be/AHLBpmlc7zY
Poker Face: http://youtu.be/bESGLojNYSo
Thaleia
Take an artistic picture of a blooming plant. That’s right! Flowers! In the middle of winter! If you’re buried under snow, indoor plants will do. (Hint: try Home Depot or Lowes)
Cleio
Pick a famous person, living or dead, and create an art piece representing what an afternoon with them would be like. Stuck for ideas? Try a painting, collage, wordle, Pinterest Board, photograph, or anything else you like! DOESN’T have to be visual – if you prefer a poem or music, absolutely go for it!
Euterpe
Do something “childish”! Embrace that inner child fighting to be free and get silly! Jump rope, blow bubble, finger paint, color (outside the lines?), cats cradle, spin in circle, play tag, catch snowflakes on your tongue – whatever you like! You get points for every activity you do! Go for it!
Points
I’ve mentioned points a few times. What are they? Well, you get 1 point for each activity you engage in, and bonus points as noted. You also get bonus points for any associated pictures you post online with the tag #Museday. At the end of the day, compare your point totals with your friends. Whoever wins gets a special prize! -OR- The points are made up and the prizes are imaginary. Your choice how you want to play the game!
#Museday
Remember to use the hashtag #Museday for your updates on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter! We’ll be sharing our favorites somehow (we’ll figure that out later).
Have fun everybody!
