Creatively Making a Bad Situation Into a Great Day

     I consider myself more creative in the arts than in innovation. So I was pleasantly surprised when I ran into a pickle and found myself able to do this creativity assignment in a practical way.  I went to the football game this Saturday in a t-shirt and shorts, expecting a very hot day. I only brought my cell phone with me. When a mass of clouds and buckets of rain bombarded the stadium, I was unwilling to abandon the first row for a big game. I decided being painted into a corner was a great time to do the assignment and be creative in an unexpected way. My goal was to stay warm, keep my spot, and protect my phone. After arriving at the stadium I received a free inflatable football and a rally towel. Using these objects I didn't have an hour before I created part of the solution. I wrapped my cell-phone in the deflated football and then in the towel. To avoid the cold wind and rain we huddled under an advertisement tarp hanging in front of the seats in the end zone. With these two forms of creative problem solving I was able to stay warm, save my expensive phone, and retain great seats for a great game. This was spontaneous and likely better than my planned art project. Saturday we sang, cheered, and got as wet as we've ever been, creating a fun time out of a bad situation. Even more creativity!