I love play. You might not know this about me, but it’s been a foundational truth to my very existence. I believe that play (doing things that relate to diversion, amusement, etc) is a vital element to innovation. For those of you who’ve known me a while, you know I have a thing for grasshoppers. One reason is the whole “grasshopper and the ant” story. I am, most definitely, the grasshopper. What’s on my mind is play.

A year or so ago, in the company of Jeff Pulver (who also loves play), I met an amazing group of people for dinner. The dinner was part of Hubert Burda’s DLD Conference experience. I was there by chance, and because Jeff is that kind of guy.

At this event, besides running into Jeff Jarvis again (I love what Jeff does), I also met Kevin Slavin of Area Code, creator of “big games.” Fascinating. I could have talked with him for hours (and I kinda did). You might know his company. He did things like organize a giant Pac Man game in Manhattan.

In this space, someone I’ve yet to meet is Jane McGonigal, who has a body of work that’s drool-worthy, it’s so full of fun and inspiration.

And most recently, by way of turning this story all over the place, I met Austin Hill. He’s one of the guys behind Akoha. Austin and a team including Mr. Alex Eberts are doing something really interesting up there in Canada. And he shared a bit with me.

Now, the nail biter. I can’t share a single thing about what I saw. Yet.

Well, I can share a bit, if you don’t tell anyone.

It’s about play. And it’s the kind of thing that you’ll read about all over the place in not too long. And after that, you’ll see it on TV or in a magazine or something. And after that, you’re going to be one of the wink wink nod nod people playing.

Innovating requires play. Some of us know this, embrace it, and find ways to sneak the play into our otherwise grown up life.

One last thing. I will have parts of the story WITH me at the next few events I attend. I will not just hand them out. There will not be a contest. The right caller won’t get the prize. But I will be handing certain people parts of the story.

And when I’m done delivering those, I will also dispense with 50 very special gifts.

I’m not trying to be secretive to be coy. I’m actually under a FrieNDA for a while more.

But in all my not-exactly-related-to-my-job work, this is one of those things that excites me. And if I share it with you, it should get your mind turning in neat ways, too.

In the mean time, do you find ways to play?

Photo credit, Meagen’s Photos

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Okay, I’m going to BlogWorld Expo in a few weeks, and if you’re going, I’d love to see you and connect (not for lunch or dinner - let’s just say hi and check in). BUT, and this is a big but, you should forget about meeting me. It’s easy to meet me. I get around a bit. I throw my own events all the time. You know who you need to meet, REALLY, is Glenda Watson Hyatt.

Glenda’s a published author, an acclaimed advocate for accessibility rights and reform, QUITE the blogger, a joker (see the bottom of this post).

If you’re a business looking to understand the power of the online world — plus the sheer frustration — for bloggers and web citizens with accessibility concerns, and you don’t meet Glenda, you’ve done your company a disservice.

Finally, bring an extra $20 and buy a copy of her book, I’ll Do It Myself. I’ve read parts of it at least a dozen times. When I feel sad or lazy or down in the dumps, I read about Glenda’s personal strength, her conviction, and her family’s love and support, and I find myself giving my efforts an extra push. If you don’t leave Blog World Expo with your own copy (she even signed MINE), then why’d you come?

You can meet me any old time. Make SURE you meet Glenda at Blog World Expo.

Photo credit, Glenda Watson-Hyatt, used with absolutely NO permission.

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People don’t read print any more. Oops, unless they’re rich. People don’t watch TV. Except for the people watching TV. People all use Macs. Unless they are trying out Google Chrome (which released for the PC first). PR and Marketing are the most important part of building a business. Unless…

It’s up to us to keep our thinking open and expanded. Are you watching sources outside your little bubble? How are you challenging your thinking to make sure you’re not contributing to the merry-go-round?

Photo credit, Monroe’s Dragonfly

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