Composers, authors, and inventors have credited their dreams with the inspiration for some of their greatest creations. Thomas Edison, Charles Dickens, and Robert Louis Stevenson (among many others) have all created works from ideas that came to them in dreams. I keep a notebook by the bed to write down my dreams, not because I believe any of my dreams will inspire a Pulitzer- or Nobel-prize winning creation, but because my dreams are so often hilarious.

But then, a couple nights ago, I woke up from a vivid dream, and shining in my mind like a sparkling jewel was the Wu Yen Marketing Idea. It was an idea so fresh, so innovative - so good - that it could surely change my life, nay, the world forever.

For a few moments, I lay basking in the brilliance of the idea, with the dream fresh in my mind. "This is a dream worthy of your notebook!" I thought to myself. And I hugged my pillow closer to my face, listening to the soft whispers of Jay's sleeping breath.

"You better get the notebook and start writing," I prodded myself, feeling the soft, cool cotton pillowcase against my cheek as the dream's luminescence began to dwindle.

Sensing that the dream's memory was going to flicker out completely if I didn't act, I finally sat up and reached for the notebook. I pulled the pen from the spiral binder and began to write. The room was pitch-black, but I pressed the pen to the page, faithfully recounting the dream as its memory began to fade even more rapidly.

The next morning, the page (below) awaited me on my bedstand.



Click here for a larger image.

There's quite a bit even I can't read, and an equal amount I don't remember writing (or dreaming) at all. I will, however, attempt to translate the scripture for you here.

Wu Yen (illegible) viral mktg idea

I think we are (illegible) in an open market area. Sheehan, I think it was called. We had no money, but I had a little. The girl said I should get more money... I think. Anyway, I passed a certain point, almost feeling as though I had reached a new skill level. My computer (blackberry, etc.) automatically begins downloading an application (P2P file sharing music software similar to LimeWire). A dialog box appears along with the download, called Wu Yen, that reads: "You meant to do that." with 2 buttons: "I know" and "No I Didn't." Take it from there - I'm falling asleep again. - Matt

P.S. Argue w. the dialog box as the software din't know. A lot of people don't know.

And there, my faithful readers, you have the Wu Yen Marketing Idea. The odds it will change the world... perhaps a bit slimmer than I originally speculated in the excitement of my slumber the other night. I'm not even betting on it changing my life, to be honest. But I'll be damned if it won't at least change our lexicon, if only slightly and briefly.

So please, beloved Anarchestra-teers, join me in using Wu Yen Marketing Idea in daily speech, and help add it to our vocabulary!

Wu Yen Marketing Idea
Pronunciation: 'wü 'yen 'märketi[ng] i-'dE-&
Function: noun
Etymology: North American English, from scanning 1000s of Chinese Business Cards and lack of sleep, derived from dream, early 21st Century.
1 A brilliant idea that can not be remembered.
2 Any idea that seemed good at the time, but is actually crap.
3 (archaic) An idea with the potential to change the life of its creator, if not the entire world.

I challenge you to use "Wu Yen Marketing Idea" at least once in the next 24 hours! Starting...... NOW.

Get your friends and co-workers to use it too! (You can tell me where and when you used it by commenting on this blog entry.)

 

  I've been wanting to write, but have had nothing to say, for several days now. So today I've decided finally to give in and just write about the mundane. Then perhaps I'll run across the street to Flax, the overpriced art supply store, and browse their selection of journals because I fancy that I might find more frequent inspiration if I have an expensive book to store my brainspew in. And then, of course, I'll upload the brainspew here, resulting in a more frequently updated Anarchestra.

But first, the mundane.

I ordered a camera last week. My excitement is nearly uncontainable. So excited was I at the time of ordering that I paid extra to upgrade the shipping method and ensure that I receive it speedier than I would have otherwise. Then, later that evening, I ordered a 1GB Compact Flash memory card for my new camera. I ordered it from the same source, hoping I could combine the orders, but I couldn't. However, I did get free shipping on the memory card, so there was nothing to complain about. Both items would be shipped FeEx.

Moments ago, the doorbell rang. It was a FedEx delivery boy (shaved head, hairy muscular calves, but a pug-like face, slightly freakish) with a package I immediately recognized as the memory card, not my camera. So here I now sit, staring at my new 1GB Compact Flash memory card, with visions of 7.1 megapixels jeering at me, unnatainable. I hope it comes tomorrow.

Last week I received an email from a guy in Kuala Lumpur, inviting me to be a collaborator on a new Blog he'd created called Death Be Not Proud. Curious, but skeptical, I went to look at this new Blog, and doing so inadvertantly accepted his invitation. Suddenly, there I was listed as a co-author. So I posted an entry - why not? I emailed him, asking how and why he'd decided to invite me (among many other people, mind you). He responded that he thought it would be fun to create a collaborative Blog, and that the invitations were pretty random, but that he'd invited other people who had listed "Advertising" as their professions in their Blogger profiles. It will be interesting to see if anyone else participates. If you have thoughts of your own on death (the topic of the Blog), I will have him add you to the co-author list. Let me know.

So - I've decided I don't like my Blog template. Since I started mine, they've come up with newer, more attractive formats that I like better. I want to change mine. Change is hard for me - surprising to hear from a so-called liberal. I don't oppose change, but I find it difficult to upgrade the old and outdated. I'm one to start over, rather than retrofit.

I don't have a problem heating up leftovers, though. In fact, I sometimes prefer them to fresh dishes. I wonder if anyone's ever thought of opening a restaurant that just serves leftovers. I would eat at Leftover's all the time! They would serve all the dishes that, for whatever reason, are always better as leftovers: Leftover Spaghetti. Leftover Chili. Next-day Macaroni and Cheese. (Certain) Pizzas. Turkey Sandwiches. Mmmmmmm.

What other foods are always better as leftovers?

 

  I have always thought that if evil were to exist, pure and true, it would have to be innocent and oblivious of its own nature. Evil wouldn't be self-conscious – that would make room for doubt or hesitation – not qualities of purity. True Evil would never pause to question what it was doing. Evil deeds would simply flow from it as beautifully, naturally, and fluidly as water tumbling over stones in a stream. Pure Evil would exist fully in each moment – BE evil in each and every moment, filling every moment with its evil-doings. Evil would never consider that what it was doing was wrong, or that it is bad. In fact, to Pure Evil, all that is evil is good and right and wonderful. That is why Pure Evil must be innocent. To find Pure Evil, one must first find the face of innocence.

With no self-doubt, Pure Evil would be confident. In its innocence and confidence, Pure Evil would be filled with joy by every one of its evil deeds. Thus, Pure Evil would be playful in its actions. Pure Evil would be happy. To find evil, one must look to the children. This is my theory.

I now have a case study with which to test my theory. Exhibit A.

I'm just thankful that Evil takes a nap once in a while.