Nature, Fish and a Cast of Characters

Lovely!

Back with a Bang

Long hiatus. Luckily I've got a beautiful set of meeting doodles to post over the next weeks. The contributor says these are the "tip of the iceberg." That's bad in terms of meeting insanity, but look at these gems! Amazing.

Stencil

This meeting was a "repeater." No new info, just a meeting for the sake of the illusion of progress. These are bizarre: even sane people just start repeating previously stated info, and "recapping next steps" profusely, myself included. Jargon usage goes to an all-time high, as everyone reviews the "net-net." Using my keycard slot as a stencil, I buried my boredom in a little pile.

Rooster Drawing!

This came in from A in Chicago, who says she wasn't even bored in the meeting! Just clearly inspired. Lovely drawing, A!

Doodle as Team-Building

Let's be clear: it's not a good idea to get caught doodling. At least, not by the MIPIR (Most Important Person In the Room) or whomever is talking. But doodling can be a subversive catalyst for camaraderie, a little spy code among like-minded coworkers. My friend C was recently stuck in a meeting that turned into a 30-minute argument between two high-ups. While they were defensively sparring, everyone else was stuck awkwardly listening. Suck-o-tash. C's neighbor saw her doodling and knew immediately that they were feeling the same thing, and added her own comment. Out of a crap meeting, an alliance is born!

Arts and Crafts

I took this photo 30 seconds ago and, yes, I'm in a meeting. But there's a special magic to the all-day meeting: trainings, workshops, seminars, webcasts and the like. In these meetings, particularly large ones where you will not be interacting with the teacher / leader / MIPIR, it is nearly acceptable to occupy your hands while you attempt keep your ears alert. So go for gold, knit a scarf, cut out a skyline, embroider a pillowcase, revive the camp art of friendship bracelets.