Yesterday the classroom officially opened on my newest class and it felt like something of a victory to proclaim it done. Looking back at my last post for this section of the blog I’ve dubbed “The Daily” it hit me afresh, how fleeting time is and how off my perception of it can be when I’m in the midst of a project with any sort of deadline.
Best laid plans. I’d intended to pop in here and post updates throughout the process, but instead, I’ve been sucked into the vortex of getting the job done while sick with some sort of respiratory virus from hell. Limited reserves of energy and stamina already impact my days living with chronic illness. It occurs to me that I was this sick the last time I filmed a class as intense as this one was.
Coincidence? Possibly, but I’m taking it as a necessary reminder to continue to seek ways to pad these physical work days with plenty of downtime. This simple sentence makes it sound like it’s a choice—getting to choose to relax and take extra time between projects. Simple statements do not always equate to easy when it comes to having the means to manage that. Still, it is a goal. A necessary goal. I won’t bore you with the myriad ways the health issues are impacting my life today.
Be all that as it may, I came here to write a bit of a recap of the last 17 days since I last recapped the schedule. That was the point of The Daily. Not to post every single day, but to have a place to record the minutiae of the life of a working artist. I keep calling it that. The life of a working artist. We are all different, of course. Resources and goals, and genre and all of that notwithstanding.
But I digress. Again and again.
Whence I last recapped, I was heading to the city for an open meeting of a group geared towards artists with the intent of joining. Which I did.
The week following I spent in production mode, filming and creating work for the class. Nothing gets my idea wheels and desire for unstructured creative time rolling more than filming classes and being under a deadline for some reason.
Creativity begets creativity.
I really enjoyed connecting with the other artists at that meeting the previous week, so last Saturday I spontaneously went back to the city to attend an opening. Another very enjoyable social experience under my belt. I forgot how good it feels to be among my peers and fellow art appreciators.
Awkward, yes, always I feel a bit awkward, but I came home motivated to stay open to participating more.
Sunday was spent with the grandkids. We had a blast. We wrestled and read and giggled and made smoothies, and snuggled on the couch and read some more.
Monday last week more filming, and by end of day I could tell I was getting sick. Was it the grandkids, whom I’ve dubbed walking petri dishes? Kids have been hit especially hard with viruses this past year and they really like to share. Was it the very very crowded gallery event I attended? Who knows.
Either way, this one has been a doozy. There was a very notable difference in my voice the last few lessons I shot. And no small amount of necessary edits to remove the snuffling, sneezing, wheezing, coughing, and foul language sprinkled throughout as a result.
Best laid plans. A few of those lessons didn’t make the final cut but by last night I could not have cared less. I’d inadvertently left the mic off when I filmed one segment, which effected a whole series of segments that didn’t make sense without the one. My attempt to do a voice over was a joke. So I made the executive decision to let it go. There are 30 videos in the course, culled from over 90 segments I filmed, edited, stitched together. It is finished.
Today. Ahhhhh today. I’d planned to spend the whole day in bed in recovery mode. Got the really big mug out for my coffee, this one I won in a drawing from ceramic artist, Michelle Ettrick. I cherish it. I’ve coveted her work for several years and you could have knocked me over with a feather when I won. It only comes out on weekends and special occasions.
Best laid plans. Today is the day my coffee maker decided to give out. It’s been showing signs for months now. Sigh. I’ve created a whole playlist of songs for the eulogy I’m giving it in my mind.
Morning Mourning. If you’ve stuck with me this far, you might be the type to appreciate this . . .
You picked a Fine Time To Leave Me, Breville (it was actually a cuisinart, but . . .)
The Day the Coffee Died
I Will Survive by Gloria Gaynor
At first, I was afraid, I was petrified
Kept thinkin' I could never live without you by my side
But then I spent so many nights thinkin' how you did me wrong
And I grew strong, and I learned how to get along
I’m sure there are plenty more songs that fit the theme out there. Taking suggestions.
Also, I’m looking for a coffee maker that will fulfill all my morning musing dreams for less than a hundred dollars. Is there a dating app for that?