Battle flu fatigue by finding inspiration 

I have officially slept through the entire first week of November. And, like the child who falls asleep on the car ride home only to wake up hours later in her own room, confused, I find myself groggily preparing to jump back into life. 
 
Having been diagnosed with what I can only guess is swine flu (my official diagnosis is “influenza A or B”) this week, I have been quarantined since Tuesday. I haven’t actually functioned at 100 percent since last Wednesday (Oct. 28 if you’re keeping track). No work, no class, no human contact. When I haven’t been feverishly sleeping or stalking my friends and co-workers on Twitter, frankly, life has been pretty boring. 
 
After 800 mg of ibuprofen and a couple teaspoons of codeine laced cough syrup (prescribed, of course), I have decided that my addled brain needs stimulation. Let it be read as a sign of how bored and lonely I truly am — I find myself ready to tackle some of the homework I need to make up due to missing class all week. 
 
Unfortunately, “the swine,” as I have dubbed it, has sapped not only all of my energy and most of my motivation and will to live, but also my inspiration. What is a designer without inspiration, you ask? In my case, the answer is a DVR-loving couch potato. 
 
Seeking inspiration, I turn to the bookshelf and dig out an old friend, “Inspirability” (LINK PLZ http://www.amazon.com/Inspirability-Designers-Speak-About-Inspires/dp/1581805551) by Pash. 
 
Its green, fuzzy felt cover warms my heart a little these days, but I must confess that I found it offensively ugly upon first discovery. It’s a cover that grows on you, especially as you delve into the content. 
 
“Inspirability” contains words of wisdom (and, of course, inspiration) from 40 top designers. In-depth interviews dig into what inspires each of them — I’ve found that each interviewee draws inspiration from at least one thing I can relate to; whether it be travel or deadline pressure. 
 
Pash’s genius move, though, is the questionnaire. 
 
By asking each designer to fill out a sheet of paper with the same 12 questions, he brings them all back to the same level. Your inspiration, summed up on a single sheet. 
 
I’ve included my answers for you to chuckle at below, but what I really want to know is what inspires you.
 
 
——
 
Questions stolen directly from the book. Printed here for your benefit.
 
Name: Andrea Zagata
 
Hometown: Manton, Mich. 
Turn ons: Deadlines. Newsprint. Dance Parties. Café con leché. Travel.
 
Turn offs: Graphics involving the state of Michigan or the budget. Egos. 
 
Favorite toy as a child: My dog, Ranger. 
 
Favorite toy now: Typography.
 
Languages you speak: English, and a little French.
 
3 of your favorite movies: “Edward Scissorhands,” “Fight Club,” “How to Deal”
 
3 of your favorite books: “The Time Traveler’s Wife,” “Where the Wild Things Are,” “Water for Elephants”
 
If you could have any super power, what would it be: Teleportation.
 
If not working in design, what would you be doing: Superhero.
 
Most inspired statement, heard or said: “Honey, I would hire you in a second.”
 

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