Team High Five (71): Or How Hsifeng Got Her Groove Back....
So, every year I purchase a golden ticket to join in on an amazing event called GISHWHES (the Greatest Internet Scavenger Hunt the World Has Ever Seen). I’ve talked about *what* GISHWHES is before; but I don’t know if I have ever told you *why* GISHWHES.
Basically, adults are too damn serious. I mean, really: work, bills, cholesterol levels, chores, and finding jeans that actually fit. WTF? Who thought this was the great life we’d have once we all Got Our Own Places And Showed Our Parents How It Was Done.
Not me, that is for sure.*
So, once a year I check out and take a mini-vacation for my brain and creativity that is almost entirely booked by someone else (Misha Collins and Ms. Jean Louis, to be exact); first they introduced me to a group of 14 of the coolest people I will ever know, then they sent an impossible list of items to attain (check a bench in Wuhan, China for a note - are you &#$*ing KIDDING ME?!?)**, set a ridiculous deadline (six days, SIX?!?)***, and set us loose….
And that is when the amazing stuff happens.
What amazing stuff?
First, I connect with a whole slew of friends and family members online and encourage them to PLAY. Not like adults play, all serious and wondering if people are watching, but like kids play where doing The Thing is more important than simply Getting A Result.
And those friends and family? They amazed me with their willingness to participate, to create and to have fun in this completely ridiculous, manic, and joyful process. They jump in with both feet and don’t just swim in the stream of creativity and imagination - they drink it down and share it with everyone else they know too.
It’s like the best game of ‘Telephone’ ever invented, where everyone wins All The Prizes!
Secondly, all my artistic brain wiring comes to life. Like REALLY comes to life. Nothing like a deadline and a pair of squash shoes that will not make themselves to bring out the sculpting genius in someone. *grin*
What happens is Art, my friends. Art on a deadline, in the middle of a hurricane, with no electricity, and creators that are clearly BUG NUTS - but Art none the less.
Carve a Jill O'Lantern! Carve a pumpkin to look like a feminized Misha Collins. Bonus points for realism. - 61 points
(We aren't the only ones who think this is art, it made this year's GISHWHES Coffee Table Book! *cheers*)
Kilt made entirely of sliced cucumbers. Must be worn by a man. (From Xiomara Dilrosun) - 104 points
(ALSO IN THE COFEE TABLE BOOK - W00T!)
Wear cheese and wear it well. You cannot be wearing anything but cheese. You may use any type of cheese you wish. Supermodel it posed next to or on a classic car (a classic car is any car that predates 1980.) - 98 points
(And this one made it into the calendar - harmanhay has now been in the GISHWHES calendar every year!)
Fifteen children in Halloween costumes each holding up a sign with a different letter that, combined, say "GISHWHES or Treat" - 19 points
Table a motion - 18 points
Recreate the snake's seduction of Eve at a bus stop. Fig leaf, apple, snake, etc. - 41 points
(Best Apple Evah!)
Knit a scarf that is at least 12 feet long and is being worn by 3 people at one time. - 32 points
Knit a "GISHWHES" vest for a cat with matching booties. - 43 points
Draw or paint a portrait of Misha Collins and the Queen of England, both dressed in Steampunk, riding on a single stallion. - 28 points
A Yoga class in a yoga studio with at least 10 participants doing the same pose. Unlike everyone else, however, you must be wearing full skiwear including ski boots, skis, hat and goggles. - 56 points
Skydive while holding up a sign that imbeds, "GISHWHES" in a phrase. For example, your sign could say, "Lose your dignity -- join GISHWHES." Or "GISHWHES made me do it." - 168 points
(Dude, we got people to jump out of airplanes for us...)
There is a quote on a piece of paper stuck to the bottom of a bench in front of a massive LCD screen in Wuhan, China. Find it and follow directions. If the note disappears the points will be deducted from the last team to the last team to submit a link to an image. - 52 points
(For realsies, in six days we found someone in CHINA to do this for us. Holy. Crow. This may not be "art", but I am still impressed that we pulled this off!)
So basically, I want to thank everyone who helped us with this year’s GISHWHES hunt, and I want to encourage you to go out and play. Be silly. Be jubilant. Be open to the endless stream of potential inspiration that the universe is hurling at you every day (and duck occasionally, because it is important to keep the universe on its toes).
Don’t let the kids have all the fun… ;)
*In all seriousness, my life is pretty damn good. But sometimes all the damn lists of things to do get loooong and booooring.
**Per the terms of the contract that GISHWHES requires of all participants, This Is Not Whining. This is creative observation that includes the use of pornographic language for shock value. Really. Honest.
***Again, not whining. Just checking the number of days is all...