Curry Shrimp BB-Q Kabobs

I got this out of an old grilling recipe book.  It’s easy to make and tastes amazing.  Great for any occasion.

Sauce

1 large clove garlic, minced

1/2 teaspoon finely shredded lime peel (use a grater)

2 tablespoons lime juice

2 teaspoons curry powder

1/4 cup cooking oil

1/8 teaspoon salt

Dash onion powder

In a small saucepan, cook garlic, lime juice and curry powder in cooking oil for 1 minute.  Stir in shredded lime peel, salt and onion powder

SHRIMP

1 pound fresh jumbo shrimp in shells

1/2 of a 6 ounce package frozen pea pods, thawed

1 papaya peeled, seeded, halved and cut into chunks. (Mango works great too)

Thaw shrimp if frozen.  Shell and devein and set aside

On four 9 inch skewers (wood or metal) alternately thread shrimp, peas and fruit.  Brush kabobs with sauce.  Grill on an uncovered grill over medium-hot grill for 10-12 minutes or until shrimp is pink turning often.  Keep brushing kabobs with sauce while cooking. 

Side dish recommendation:  fruit salad, rice, fresh mango.

50 Phrases That Kill Creativity

“Creativity is a renewable resource” 

Biz Stone, co-creator of Twitter, sticking to the 5-word limit on acceptance speeches at the Webby Awards.

What a clever, appropriate and timely thing to say - particularly in an age where effective and creative resilience is in large demand to help pull us out of these economic doldrums.

But it also reminded me of a document called “50 Phrases That Kill Creativity.”  

These are the phrases that cynics and naysayers use to suck the life out of good ideas and creative team building.  Read ‘em, avoid ‘em and acknowledge ‘em for what they are:  creativity killers!

What do you think?

50 Phrases that Kill Creativity

1. Our place is different
2. We tried that before.
3. It costs too much.
4. That’s not my job.
5. They’re too busy to do that.
6. We don’t have the time.
7. Not enough help.
8. It’s too radical a change.
9. The staff will never buy it.
10. It’s against company policy.
11. The union will scream.
12. That will run up our overhead.
13. We don’t have the authority.
14. Let’s get back to reality
15. That’s not our problem.
16. I don’t like the idea.
17. I’m not saying you’re wrong but…
18. You’re two years ahead of your time.
19. Now’s not the right time.
20. It isn’t in the budget.
21. Can’t teach an old dog new tricks.
22. Good thought, but impractical.
23. Let’s give it more thought.
24. We’ll be the laughingstock of the industry.
25. Not that again.
26. Where’d you dig that one up?
27. We did alright without it before.
28. It’s never been tried.
29. Let’s put that one on the back burner for now.
30. Let’s form a committee.
31. It won’t work in our place.
32. The executive committee will never go for it.
33. I don’t see the connection.
34. Let’s all sleep on it.
35. It can’t be done.
36. It’s too much trouble to change.
37. It won’t pay for itself.
38. It’s impossible.
39. I know a person who tried it and got fired.
40. We’ve always done it this way.
41. We’d lose money in the long run.
42. Don’t rock the boat.
43. That’s what we can expect from the staff.
44. Has anyone else ever tried it?
45. Let’s look into it further.
46. We’ll have to answer to the stockholders.
47. Quit dreaming.
48. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
49. That’s too much ivory tower.
50. It’s too much work.

I’m trying to enjoy the music…..

I don’t dislike Greenpeace.  Nor the homeless guy pitching ‘The Voice” newspaper for $1.  I don’t dislike the petition signature gatherers or the social movement concerns, the cross-carrying bible thumper or even the free energy drink giveaway guerilla marketing guys.  They are all part of the urban theater we call downtown Denver. 

But what I do hate is being harrassed and being followed for five steps as somone yells, “Jeez, don’t you care about the environment?”

Here’s an ingenious tactic that was created by Wieden and Kennedy, a creative agency out of Portland.  They too were sick of being ambushed by the good-doer activists in downtown Portland.  So they printed simple business cards for pedestrians to hand out to the harrassers that read:

“I know you’re just doing your job, but the methods you’ve been asked to use are manipulative and make me less trustful of friendliness in general and that, not indifferent towards your cause, is why I’m not going to talk to you.”  You can read more about their strategy here: http://blog.wk.com/2009/03/i-know-you-are-just-doing-your-job.html

It reminds me of a jazz concert I was performng at one time.  It was an intimate jazz club and as most jazz fans know, talking during a jazz concert is frowned upon.  As we were performing, sitting in the middle of the club was a particularly boisterous table.  They were laughing, talking loudly and carrying on.  Everyone in the club was annoyed. 

Finally an elegantly-dressed, grey-haired woman who was about 72-years-old stood up and handed them a card and then returned to her seat.  The table read the card and IMMEDIATLY became quiet and everyone around them was able to enjoy the rest of the jazz performance.

Afterwards I saw the elegantlydressed woman and told her I saw her from the stage and appreciated her taking a stand to quiet down the loud table. 

“What was on that card you handed them?”  I asked.  “Oh that,” she said with a smile.  “Works every time!”  She reached into her purse and handed me a card. 

This elegantly-dressed, 72-year-old lady had given them a card that read,  “I’m trying to enjoy the music.  Would you kindly shut the fuck up?”