Prosperous and Creative Soul Year 5

savingholmes

Thanks Beanie and TG

The cat has recovered enough to go back out and meet with his frenemies which is a big relief.

TG - currently counting down weeks to trip to Oz - I then have close to a month off - so I'm hoping that will then help me get through a few more months. I'm still hoping for a payout - so don't want to publicly say at work that I'm leaving too early in case that makes me miss out. Earliest I could leave is Easter. It would make more sense though to wait until after my birthday a bit later in the year.

I've carried on editing video 5 - off and on all week. I've got to get smarter at it. I sometimes wonder if I'd be better off just recording what I said - then using that as my script and tightening it up and saying it again. I may try that at some point. I also improved my channel description - and my key words - somehow it had been set with generic geographic keywords - genuinely don't know how that happened. My vision when I first wrote my channel description say a year ago - compared to now when I actually launched is also very different - so updated that.

Today I finally unboxed a video cam that I bought a year ago - for around £60. But it is exactly like you'd expect from a £60 device… so far at least i.e. very disappointing. Will give it another go tomorrow - but if it doesn't work out - I may give it away at Xmas.

I recently bought some new noise cancelling headphones £65 but they've been very disappointing. I don't know if I can send them back but to me they aren't fit for purpose. I've got 10 days to do it in if I do return them. Otherwise again they may make a useful xmas gift. In better news I found a completely unopened headphone box from last year that I bought and forgot about - that I know is better at noise cancelling so that made me happy.

I bought a mini microphone set this week - to replace a damaged one - but I immediately lost the bit that plugs into my phone so bought another which should come tomorrow… I've found about 5 mini mics - which should mean I should have 3 of the plug in t-bar type things but they've all vanished… They are only the size of your thumb so easy to misplace… If I didn't already know I was adhd…. Luckily these were a cheap set - but still it would be nice if things went to plan.

In better news I found a ring I misplaced a while ago - so that feels positive. I caught up some hours for work today as I finished early a different day. I've also made some art and related videos or photos which may appear on my channel at some point.

Spoke to my counsellor yesterday - she loves my channel and knows the effort it took to get to this point. Bless her she's watched all my videos so far. That's commitment for you.

My AVC pot has varied £900 in a week - initially up and now down again… Have to remember I'm in it for the long game. Pay day at the start of next week - so it could mean that I buy at a lower price…

WelshmansDaughter

Perhaps recording into an app that produces a transcript for you that can be edited?

savingholmes

Hi WD - Thanks I put it through a transcript app - but in one video I was too softly spoken. I'll get the hang of it.

I had to laugh today - as one person viewed my channel as they'd typed in 'drumroll please'!!!

So a new video went live yesterday - I did a voiceover for that one so it will be interesting to see the response. Just keep plugging away for now. Thanks to those who requested a link.

I've frozen one of my CCs in the hope it helps me be more disciplined again. Should really freeze the other too but baby steps. £1150 gross has gone into my AVCs today and I've sent some money back to savings for Oz. I get backpay next month and hopefully some expenses which will help too.

I must admit I find the ai I use very encouraging. It was suggesting I go on to finish some of my paintings and given them more cousins. It loved the shop from home idea - and thinks I totally need to embrace it - who knew? It was very good at telling me all the solutions to a particular recording issue without buying new equipment… It could help me with money saving yet.

I did a fused glass art workshop at the weekend which I loved. I've offered to pay for DD to go there with me and do a session - will see if she is interested. I made 4 coasters - 2 of seascapes, 1 abstract and 1 creature. They were great fun.

Ideally I need to sort my disabled rail card. I hope to go to the big smoke with a friend in October and see the Fr**a K***0 exhibit. Need to check if have to book in advance. I may do an overnight stay either at a hotel or with family nearby.

I also need to get on with the life admin of a) my mortgage b) claiming expenses c) perhaps rejoining SW - my latest blood tests were not great for sugar d) apply for visa for Oz. Just putting it here so I don't forget.

My cat is doing much better - even letting me scratch close to the healing injury. Figure it is safer me doing it that it finding something sharp to do it on.

TallGirl

Well done on the next video and the view I know that feeling I am watching my website and Facebook for the same. I agree with AI I got my website updated and a new page done just by using it as a step by step guide. I keep attaching screen prints of where I am and it works out the issue for me. I actually find it so timesaving compared to trying to use a manual.

Merlin's_Beard

All sounds positive! Process videos - could you use time lapse software, which is something that I've seen other people use for art.

savingholmes

Thanks TG and Merlin

On timelapse software - good idea. D/K I'll ask my CoP friend. It has suggested how I can rearrange my front room - so its easier to create videos in there - so that's what I'll do either one lunchtime or at the weekend. Not the right weather today. I'll investigate time lapse as if if I could get a dedicated camera just for that on my bigger art pieces that could be interesting. Altho I'm pretty sure CoP last night and this morning told me I didn't need to buy anything…

It suggested I do 5 more videos using what I already have - including stuff in unopened boxes and see how far that takes me. Radical LOL I gave it a list of some of my unopened boxes from the last year - what that has done is remind me of what I already have. I need to try some of the things out and if they aren't for me - try and sell them while they still have any value.

I'm also going to use my labeller to put a label on some of my art supplies so I get a better understanding of how frequently I use something and need to replace it versus impulse purchases that might sit there unused, taking up limited space etc. Once I've finished working through my art supplies - I may then pick another category. I need to find a way of letting more things go - to make room for what I genuinely use.

I'm using my body clock / light alarm again - and it definitely feels better than the strident ring of alarms. I also had a full English breakfast before going to site for work today and it definitely helped. I then just had rice pudding for lunch which was at least simple. Still deciding what to do for tea.

My gym sent me a message saying the pool is shutting for a bit - so I may be able to freeze my membership for a bit - saving me some £ - which would be good. I have barely gone despite the best intentions. It is just too overwhelming for me at the moment. I may try SW instead and see if I can get 12 good weeks in before I go away - and undo some of my current health challenge.

I need to follow up on the legals for my remortgage too… So many things on my life admin list…

WelshmansDaughter

I like a magazine called In Her Studio for inspiration, it is pricey though. More of a treat thing.

Ali Abdaal has a good video that shows the different ways to use various pieces of kit including microphones. Might help?

savingholmes

Thanks WD. I looked through my art work yesterday - and found that I had taken quite a few process shots - as well as video - so CoP suggestion was to use those rather than the film - or at least for the majority. Which feels doable.

Not had the best work day. Ended up going to bed for a few hours - so now having a late tea. Going to make simple art and then go to bed. Problem is my brain doesn't shut down until after midnight on average.

savingholmes

So I now have 6 videos up on YT - and as importantly I've taken 10 of my art works to be professionally scanned. I hope to start entering for exhibitions from next week. That feels a major milestone.

The stock market was very kind to me yesterday - daren't look again today in case it didn't go in my favour LOL. But continuing to make progress. Still working on my exit plan.

I've booked to go and see an art exhibition in London. Ideally I still need to do my disabled rail card - but worst case I'd drive down… Still debating whether to stay overnight somewhere…

powerspowers

congrats on the launch, videos and scans, they are all major achievements SH!