blank creativity?

You know those moods where you feel like if a blank parchment were set in front of you you could write the world's next best poem? Or draw the snazziest doodle? But then you go to create this masterpiece and it's blank? I'm having one of those.

I'm so inspired by the fire in our fireplace, the snow outside, the bright moon on this clear night, by cousin who's visiting and to whom anything literary seems to come so naturally and gracefully, by the childhood blanket I recently rediscovered in the basement, by the French music coming out of the kitchen speakers, by the clever cards in the coffee shop we went to yesterday, by the entrancing play my cousin's reading (god do I miss reading), by the pretty French tablecloth on our kitchen table, by the mysterious pinkish planet lingering in the sky tonight, or by the smell of a good cup of tea.

Sometimes I even feel creative when I make lists, like that one. Does anyone else do that? If i compile a witty or clever list of things I get very pleased and develop a sort of secret ego. Is that pathetic? I like to think that it's actually quite healthy, to toot one's own horn like that from time to time.

I like the phrase "from time to time". So much nicer than "sometimes" or the like. Coincidentally, my previous paragraph began with "sometimes". I think if I were to get slightly stoned and then come back and write in this journal it would sound a bit like this. Oh well.

Another boost to my ego: good playlists. I'm currently listening to my "sleepy chill". "Chill" meaning my definition of indie, off the beaten path music, and "sleepy" meaning mellow. Basically it's a lot of Belle & Sebastian, Iron & Wine, Sufjan Stevens, Rufus Wainwright, Elliott Smith, Zero 7, and Jump, Little Children all mushed together. I suppose these boosts are necessary, or else we'd all just walk around depressed all the time. I mean, we have to do something worthwhile every now and again. (Again, a more eloquent alternative to "sometimes".)

I love when I'm able to let myself write like this: following my train of thought wherever it takes me, not editing as I go along.

And now, after a few rousing games of rumikub with my sister, cousin, and sister's friend, multiple cups of soothing tea, and a good sisterly chat about life, I'm heading to bed. Adieu!