THE LONG GAME VOL. 15 - LEAPT OVER TECHNOLOGY HURDLE

After around three years without a laptop, I recently updated my technology and now I have full accessibility to this website, full functionality on iMovie, and complete access to my music video encyclopedia (MusicVideoPedia). I had forgotten that I can sort music videos for hours on end. I’m now learning all of the mediums of creation on my new laptop and flexing my imagination to fit its new constraints.

This is one of the first images I created to highlight MusicVideoPedia.

While combing YouTube for music videos not yet entered into the MusicVideoPedia system, I found a nineties Trip Hop song that I’d somehow missed. I fell in love with both the song and the video immediately and now I’m trying to recreate how they made the music video. The song/video is “Underwater Love” by Smoke City and it is one of the hightlights of the Backwards/Reverse scenes category of MusicVideoPedia. I believe these video directors pioneered the multi camera semi-circle system for recording special effects that was later used in The Matrix. I’m flexing my brain trying to figure out how to use opacity, reverse scenes, and video speed to make my creations even weirder. Stay tuned for that.

I also added a few new categories to MusicVideoPedia lately including Music Videos Featuring Neon, Denim, Dragons, and Gum. The list of categories is now well over 300 and I’m highly aware that this project may never end. There will always be more music videos to sort and I love that… MusicVideoPedia is my Sagrada Familia.

Day 60 Of Delusional Optimist's Guide To Achieving The I'mPossible

Day 60

I’m happy to say that I completed all of my goals yesterday aside from the water… the easiest one. The September playlist has already been released and I’ll be posting my latest @TheRingOfDOOM video shortly. I kicked off #100DaysOfStickersWith206LizPartDeux yesterday and today will be the first day of #100DaysOfTheRingOfDOOMvideos. These 100 Day projects help me to stay on track on the days when I wonder why I’m doing all this. I already have 100+ sticker photos so that will be easy but the video one will be my big challenge. Looking forward to seeing how my videos evolve over the next 100 days. I don’t think I’ll be uploading them to Facebook anymore cuz they are d-bags.

Day 2 of #100DaysOfStickersWith206LizPartDeux

Today I’ll be working an extra long shift (Only 8 hours! Usually the shifts are 4 hours.) at the pizza spot so I’ll rake in even more dough. Looking forward to seeing the first direct deposits come through so I can pay my bills weeks before they are due like a boss. The gig economy is rough to say the least and causes all of us to say yes to jobs that aren’t paying us what we’re worth because every penny counts. In the past month, I’ve turned down three great gigs (two of them tours) in favor of health/dental and some form of stability. I’m prioritizing this creative work now so I will have something to come back to when I return from the many tours I plan to go on in the future. The post-tour depression is too real when you’ve worked yourself into solitary confinement and have been returning “home” to squat in your 10x10 art studio for the last 11 months. I’ll figure this shit out eventually as long as I keep on doing, working smarter, working harder, and hanging out with actual people who want to see me succeed.

Someone asked me on Reddit if they could use my flamingo sunset collage as their Soundcloud song image and I’m not sure what to say about it. I know I should get paid if someone wants to use my art but this is my first time in this situation so it’s tricky. At this point, I’m thinking about dropping my PayPal link in the reply and saying yes with the condition that I will use the image myself someday… fuck it, I’m going to say no. This artist only has three songs and no other social media presence so I don’t think I want to open the door to random Reddit messages from this person. If someone did want to use the image in the future (myself included), I’d rather it be someone I know… or would like to know. I’m not going to be that nice anymore. I still have 20 Organic cotton blank black tote bags that are in need of an image and maybe that is the one.

Today I did things in a different order so I’ve already completed a few of my goals. It helps to have some sort of structure to the day when you’re trying to get a lot of things done… duh Liz. I’ve abandoned the 90 minute work blocks for a bit and just keep on working when I feel so inclined. I may get back into it but first I want to see what I accomplish over the next week without the blocks.

The September Spotify Playlist has arrived!

TODAY’S GOALS

1.     Drink 64 oz. water

2.     Eat three meals

3.     Stretch at least 10 minutes

4.     Finish this blog

5.     2-3 Instagram Posts Per Account @206liz @TheRingOfDOOM @MyDefOfCool

6.     Go to work and kick ass

7.     Work on next @TheRingOfDOOM video

8.     Start November playlist

9.     Fold laundry

10.  Post September playlist and promote

11.  Post Day 1 of #100DaysOfTheRingOfDOOMvideos

SONG OF THE DAY

Jessie Reyez “Apple Juice” 2018  She’s so rad.

Day 43 Of Delusional Optimist's Guide To Achieving The I'mPossible

Day 43

Today was the last day I wake up in this 10x10 box; I’ll be housesitting until I leave next Monday. I am so lucky to have found a place to create and gather my thoughts for $295/month but this is a terrible way to live life and I couldn’t be happier to be moving on to my next adventure. When you wake up in a place you’re not supposed to be, you start off the day trying to be invisible. I’ve been trying to go unnoticed for as long as I can recall so even though this living situation seems (sort of) ideal for someone who is hoping to spend all their money on travel; the cheap rent and isolation ultimately served to steer me further from those I admire the most. As the late, great Mac Miller said in this Fader Documentary, spending too much time alone can be toxic and I feel like walking proof of this statement most of the time. Because I am the Delusional Optimist that I am, I can easily perceive this era as me taking the time to figure out exactly what I wanted to do without letting others influence me and staying away from a vice that could easily overtake me if I allowed it to. It is okay that I am terrible at drinking; I do not want to get better at it even if it means I get to hang out with the cool kids. I’m too old for that shit and my stomach has already told me that whiskey is the devil. I have not quit drinking forever because I plan on drinking wine in Italy, delicious beer in Belgium, and Guinness in Ireland (etc.) but spending money I didn’t have on a beverage that hurts my stomach and risking DUIs is dumb.

Yesterday, I filmed more than sixty minutes of footage of myself addressing the camera. I learned a ton about myself in this hour and also in the multiple hours I’ve spent since editing the video (like sixty minutes of footage for a three minute car commercial might be too much). The most valuable thing I’ve learned so far is that when I’m holding back or thinking about how I look, it shows. Reading the script for the video I had written looked and sounded like it was scripted but I will still use some of it. I MUST FINISH EDITING THIS VIDEO TODAY! Time is running out fast but I believe so strongly that selling this car and going to Europe is what I am supposed to do at this time that I must keep going. I also got some footage of what will be my new Patreon video and the video I’ll send to DOOM and his team to ask again if they’d like me to stop using his mask in my videos. After about ten minutes into editing the footage last night, I realized that I’m going to be really good at this once I get going. Every fear I face along my way will make a better story while also helping me grow as a person. There are wins at every turn of this path.

I learned a lot my last solo trip to Europe and I can’t wait to do it better this time. I mostly overextended myself last time and stayed in hotels but this trip (until my yet-to-be-formed crew and budget arrives and we stay in Air Bnbs; delusional optimism at its finest) I’ll be staying in hostels to save a ridiculous amount of money and to meet people from all over the world. Sadly, even though I feel younger than I did ten years ago, I’m too old to stay at a lot of the cheapest European hostels ($8/night) but the lowest priced situations have truly terrible reviews anyway. Even if I ended up paying $35/night for a hostel room, it would still only cost me just over $1000 a month on lodging. Most of the hostels I’m looking at are around $25 so I’ll likely spend even less. The lodging costs for this trip strangely equal the price of my storage unit, my car payment, car insurance, and the art studio I’ve been squatting in. When everything goes as planned, while in Europe I’ll only have to pay for my storage unit, phone bill, Squarespace & Spotify fees, student loan, and the large payments on the credit card debt I acquired while attempting to maintain a solo residence in Seattle while owning a car (approximately $875 total). This trip is 100% doable when I figure out how to make money remotely. I already know HOW to do it, I just need to choose a few of them and JUST DOOM IT. Finishing and posting this car video is a step in exactly the right direction and I will be posting it today.

I've just never done anything that's turned out to be valuable that I wasn't just scared shitless to do it. -@BreneBrown pic.twitter.com/WaEdKuUk1u

— Chase Jarvis (@chasejarvis) September 12, 2018

After I complete this blog and post my soon to be finished video I know will help me sell my car, I’ll be taking another load of stuff to my storage unit. Without traffic, I can be there in 20 minutes but Seattle isn’t really rolling like that these days. My Smart TV has been in my trunk for almost a week because I want to sell it but I’m still hesitant to meet a stranger from the internet to actually sell the TV. It is now in the way and it must go so I can move the large items. Keeping the television so that I can come back to the US and watch it goes against everything I’m working towards at this time. We’ve reached the time on my daily blog when I must finish it so I can do all the things I’ve just told you I’m going to do. Stay tuned…

TODAY’S GOALS

1.     Drink 64 oz. water

2.     10 Minute Stretch

3.     Go For A Walk

4.     Blog Posts On Website… Shared (post on all blogs on Medium also)

5.     2-3 Instagram Posts Per Account @206liz @TheRingOfDOOM @MyDefOfCool

6.    Finish car sale video and post!

7.    Take at least one load to my storage unit and rearrange it so more stuff can fit.

8.    Actually go to Everyday Music so I can take the box of mediocre CDs out of my car for good.

9.   Eat a healthy dinner with vegetables involved; bean burritos are good and cheap but they’ve been my last four meals.

10.   Work on Patreon and DOOM videos.

SONG OF THE DAY

B. Cool-Aid – “Cocoa (MNDSGN RMX)” 2017  I have no idea what this song is about yet but I love it and it will be on my upcoming September playlist. When everything goes as planned, I’ll get to see my first Hip Hop show in another country, Mndsgn and Kiefer in London, in a few weeks (if I don’t find one in Bristol sooner). I’ll be reaching out to local musicians to see if they want to show @TheRingOfDOOM around their city but it would be totally awesome to have a chance to talk to two of my favorite Stones Throw artists also.

Day 42 Of Delusional Optimist's Guide To Achieving The I'mPossible

Day 42

After typing Day 42 just now, I’m reminded about The Meaning Of Life as written by Douglas Adams that I must either put in a box, sell, or bring with me to Europe. On this 42nd day of writing about pulling the courage to live my best life out of the large steaming pile of bullshit I’ve been peeking from under, I must finally open all the doors around me and experience life on the other side. I must make the damn videos to sell my car and truly launch my Patreon today. As with most, I’m worried that I won’t make a good video so I’m procrastinating. No one starts out as Michel Gondry, even Michel Gondry didn’t start out being good at what he does. If we’re not afraid to grow and learn new skills, we will be stuck doing the same thing forever. It’s easy to find excuses not to do but that only serves to prevent us from living.

I did not take a load of anything to my storage unit because I wanted one more day to take deep breaths before I begin this adventure. That is the truth. I am terrible at relaxing because for as long as I can remember I’ve had such a long way to go to reach financial security that it seems irresponsible to relax. Throughout my music career people would ask me why I wasn’t content where I was. If I was content to pay my bills with a credit card indefinitely so that I could work in the music industry, I’d be a fool. Yes, change is difficult and yes, there will be those who make fun of me for being a 40 year old woman who wears rap shirts and travels with a fictional character but I’m not doing this for them. I’m doing this for me and the brand new @TheRingOfDOOM figure I made last night.

Those who are paying attention may have noticed that in addition to documenting the steps I’m taking towards my biggest dreams, this blog is evidence of the great battle going on inside my head and how on a daily basis, I must convince myself to keep going. I’m getting a mental picture of myself up to my neck in my own bullshit, attempting to pull myself out using the vines surrounding me that are actually the power cords of all my devices. I have the entire universe to gain if I wrangle this technology and turn these power cord vines into the Intergalactic Art Bridge I know it can be (cue animation team I hope to be in a position to hire someday). Of course it would be easier to allow myself to stay in this Amazonian jungle of media and scroll through others lives forever but I haven’t been able to find what I want to watch. I want to watch a show where a tiny alien travels the world and talks to artists and helps transmit their messages to the universe. It will be hilarious and inspiring while also showing people beautiful places and alternate ways to live their lives; it will be the best show I have ever seen.

I always wanted my life to be a good story and it already is but I have been letting others write my script for me. Waiting for someone to hand you an opportunity, like an offer to work 40 hours a week to not make enough money to live alone or go to the dentist, will keep us exactly where we are. If we work as hard for ourselves as we do for others, the possibilities are truly endless but I must stop writing about what I’m going to do and JUST DOOM IT. So today on this 42nd day of writing about wading through my own bullshit, I recognize that the meaning of my life is to stop allowing other people to let me feel small and to see that I’ve already built the bridge I must find the courage to cross. It’s easy, I just need to use my brain and my phone to its maximum potential; today.

TODAY’S GOALS

1.     Drink 64 oz. water

2.     10 Minute Stretch

3.     Go For A Walk

4.     Blog Posts On Website… Shared (post on all blogs on Medium also) – LISBON!!

5.     2-3 Instagram Posts Per Account @206liz @TheRingOfDOOM @MyDefOfCool

6.     Mail off the recently sold eBay items

7.     Take load to storage unit and film footage for car sale video

8.     Stop at Everyday Music to sell CDs

9.      Just keep swimming

SONG OF THE DAY

Mac Miller x Prodigy x Alchemist Freestyle On Toca Tuesdays 2013  In the spirit of letting artists know how much we appreciate them while they’re still here, I want Alchemist to know that I think he is one of the greatest musicians of our time and I want to give him a big hug because he probably needs it right now. We do have mutual friends and acquaintances but I probably won’t get to hug him anytime soon. If you’re reading this and you have a chance to hug Alchemist, will you please hug him one more time for me? If you could pick him up and swing him around in a circle too, that would be perfect.

Day 41 Of Delusional Optimist's Guide To Achieving The I'mPossible

Day 41

The best thing I could have done yesterday was listen to my brain and I couldn’t be happier that I took the time to do so. Over the next few days, I will be moving out of the 10x10 foot box I’ve created some of my best art in and releasing many of the material possessions that have been difficult to both keep and let go of. One week from today, my life will have changed dramatically because I took many steps to not only figure out what I believe will help me live my best life but to also take steps directly towards it. In 2018, there are opportunities that our 1998 selves would perceive as unfathomable and impossible. We now live in a time where we can literally reach people all over the world in seconds by just tapping our fingers on a screen. Those who have studied this technology as it has emerged have figured out how to wrangle social media into a means to break themselves out of hourly pay struggle mode and create careers based around the things they love the most. Since 2009, I’ve been utilizing social media and the rest of the internet to show the world the music, art, and people that inspire me the most. My internet footprint led to experiences light years beyond what I once felt was possible for me and changed my life 1000%.

Me on the day I tied myself to this beautiful Subaru six years ago. I'm a completely different person now. 

You can believe whatever you want but yesterday’s New Moon brought great change to all of our lives, myself included. One of the lessons I’ve had to keep relearning my 40 years on this Earth is that the first and easiest option that presents itself is usually not the best choice. Three great examples for you; 1) It would have been very easy to stay working at Whole Foods as a cashier and move my way up to financial stability slowly with health insurance and a 401K but I chose to cash in that 401K and start working in the music industry instead. It was the best move I could have ever made. 2) The first guy that wanted to be my boyfriend was a total douche and it would have been easy to remain stuck in his bullshit but I chose to move back to Alaska by myself and take my life in a completely new direction. 3) I married the first person that asked me because I didn’t want to hurt his feelings and say no. Saying yes was the easiest option but I could have made both of us happier by taking the hard road and saying no. Happy to have this message cemented in my brain because it has helped me to choose to take @TheRingOfDOOM to London to film a miniseries on my iPhone. There is no path directly toward this goal but I’m going to make one because every step I take on this path will bring me closer to the people I admire the most. It took me 40 years to figure out that I think I can help both myself and millions of others by taking my clay fictional character around the world to highlight artists who are changing the world for the better with their art. It is because I’m sure that no one else has this exact goal that I will succeed. When I finally stopped being a follower and started to lead myself toward my own interests, I ended up right here… packing up all my art supplies and heading to Europe to change the world in the way that only I can.

I won't be packing up @TheRingOfDOOM's cardboard box apartment today so I can get some more footage before it sits in a storage unit for months.

The easiest thing I could do right now would be to keep the car that has been choking me with convenience for the last six years. I could figure out how to earn the $800 I’d need to pay for it while I am away and return to where it has inconvenience people by being in their way in two months; that would be the easiest option. To me, the beautiful car is the last relic of a life that I allowed someone else to choose for me. Last night, I wrote a script for the video I’ll make in the next couple days to sell my car. In the video, I’ll tell both the story of the car and all the opportunities it has provided me and also why it is time for me to let it go. My goal is to travel around Europe for as long as possible and I’d really love to live in New York (or in a Sprinter van en route all the places I have yet to see) when it is time to return to the US. I will not need a car in either of these places and continuing to pay for a car I don’t need will not help me get anywhere. When I worked at an Alaskan resort in the late nineties, most of the senior citizen tourists that came through would tell us that they wished they had traveled when they were younger. My time to travel is now, I’m leaving a week from today and I cannot drive to the places I want to go.

After I move all the belongings I love enough to keep in a storage unit indefinitely (LOL), I won’t need the car anymore. I will film the video that will both highlight the car’s value AND introduce people to the direction I am taking with my life. To do this, I will face one of my greatest fears and get on the otherside of the camera. Getting over this hurdle I’ve created to prevent myself from reaching my infinite potential will lead me directly toward the long journey that is my destination. I created this timeline for myself because I always perform my best when there is a deadline. The time is right now for me to move all this stuff to my storage unit and live out of a suitcase and a backpack for months; it will be the most excellent adventure I will have had so far. If I continue to hide, my progress will stop right here and this blog would need a new name. There is no more time for procrastination, it is time to do.. right now. I'm leaving a week from today. 

TODAY’S GOALS

1.     Drink 64 oz. water

2.     10 Minute Stretch

3.     Go For A Walk

4.     Blog Posts On Website… Shared (post on all blogs on Medium also) – LISBON!!

5.     2-3 Instagram Posts Per Account @206liz @TheRingOfDOOM @MyDefOfCool

6.     Mail off the recently sold eBay items

7.    Take a load of stuff to my storage unit so I can show the world where I’ve been living while I figured out my life’s mission with a car load less clutter.

8.    Prep my car for a goodbye and start making it pretty for whoever buys it.

9.   Finally release my Lisbon post into the world so I can move onto Barcelona.

10.  Take the box of CD’s I’ve prepped to sell to Everyday Music

SONG OF THE DAY

Paul Simon – “Kodachrome” 1973  I cannot wait to share the photos I take in Europe and to see how my crazy project develops. There are at least a dozen Paul Simon songs that send me directly down memory lane when the first notes play. All of these memories became more vibrant after working with Paul Simon’s team a few months ago. Whenever I begin to doubt my vision or feel that my dreams are too big, I remind myself that by following my own path, I have evolved into someone who has disappointed Lauryn Hill by having the audacity to smile at her when driving her around, shown Dave Navarro where his makeup table is, driven world famous rappers around the country, headnodded Eddie Vedder and didn’t look back after I realized who he was, worked for Tom Petty’s documentary team, made some of my favorite musicians laugh, had Robin Williams yell “Hi Liz” to me from across a parking lot, turned my music blog into a roster of artists I’ve worked with, and had some of the most famous people in the world in the backseat of my car. If I was meant to work a regular job and follow a more traditional path, I would not have had these experiences… but I did choose to run towards my biggest dreams, and the opportunities keep getting bigger. Contemplating what may happen next has all the hairs on my arms standing at attention and the only way I will find out is to keep moving forward. It's time to pack.

Day 37 Of Delusional Optimist's Guide To Achieving The I'mPossible

Day 37

Today I woke up and made my plan for the day before I looked at my phone like all the best people recommend. I already went to my studio, the post office, and I’ve eaten breakfast like a boss. These days, the only urgent business I typically have is to make a few bucks on eBay but I know that is temporary. There was a time in my music career in which I could fill an eight-hour workday answering emails and promoting music and events that wouldn’t earn me any money so this is great progress actually. As the day for my departure creeps closer (11 DAYS!), I’m realizing that I’ll need to narrow my focus and prioritize what really needs to happen before I leave. Even if I do all the small stuff to make money before I go like sell my unneeded belongings and work hourly jobs, it still wouldn’t be enough to fund my Europe trip so for the most part it seems like a waste. I must figure out how to earn money while I’m traveling to make this adventure work. Thus lies the I’mPossible. I’ve already let the catering company know that I’ll no longer be working for them because while the money does add up, it’s only enough to keep me squatting in Seattle and the mindstate of those who work there poisons my soul. There are many examples of people who have made a living while traveling and I WILL be one of those people.

@TheRingOfDOOM at the site of the Banksy/Robbo feud in Camden, London in January 2017.

Signs that I am on the right path are coming from all directions. I still am reveling in my good fortune about the random opportunity to work alongside some of the most successful videographers and producers in the world in the weeks before I head off to make my own video series on my iPhone. It was a déjà vu from when I was blessed to work on Tom Petty’s documentary team last summer about a week before I left to drive solo across the country to make tour documentaries about @TheRingOfDOOM. The most encouraging out of all the messages heading my way from the universe are the people whose attention I’ve been able to capture in the last few months. I am the first to admit that overanalyzing Instagram likes could be a pretty silly hobby but when the Creative Director for VICE shows up in your notifications (as he did yesterday), you know you’re getting somewhere. Beyond that, I still smile in wonder when I remember that the Security Guard at Beyond The Streets in LA already knew my travel itinerary before I even said a word to her. The seeds I have been planting on a global scale are 100% intentional and it is working. By photographing @TheRingOfDOOM alongside some of the most famous and talented Street Art AND inside some of the most prestigious museums and galleries in the world, I have placed myself on the radar of all these people and it feels like they’re all waiting to see what I do next. I plan to go to all the galleries in France and the UK that follow me to ensure they’ll keep watching and it is only a matter of time before it all comes together. Rewatching Jack Conte (CEO of Patreon etc.) share his advice about sticking with it has become a daily ritual and I couldn’t be more confident that this trip will change the lives of everyone I know. If I’ve ever shown an interest in your art, know that I’m knowing this to create opportunities for you.

A little pick-me-up from @JackConte 🌟🌟🌟. The full episode is gold. https://t.co/ClJch8aa86 pic.twitter.com/vZo7dA1q9X

— Chase Jarvis (@chasejarvis) September 3, 2018

I’ve always known that when I narrow my focus and work directly towards one goal, I’ll make it happen faster than anyone thought possible. As of today, I will make the creation of @TheRingOfDOOM series and all it’s promotion my number one goal and create my own visual art as my after hours hobby if I have time for it. I love making collages and I can’t wait to make art with found items all over Europe but the long term reality of me going all in on being a visual artist is spending thousands of hours alone gluing tiny pieces of paper. By going all in for my fictional character who is intent on saving Earth by way of inspiring its artist community, I’ll be out in the world on a daily basis and also potentially change millions of lives for the better. Knowing that I am so close to making this happen that the Creative Director from VICE would show even the tiniest bit of interest in my work helped me sharpen my focus and put this all into perspective. To be clear, I’m flying to London for a two month trip in 11 days and at this moment, I’ll run out of money by the end of the month. I believe so strongly that it will all work out that I’m going anyway and will have no place of my own to come back to (unless you count my car).

People that take risks like I am about to take are the ones that win. One of the best parts about this is that my idea is truly unique and no one has attempted it… at least I believe it is. That said, if you know someone else who is trying to start a Street Art/History Joke travel show hosted by an alien fictional character made of clay who wears an MF DOOM ring as a mask and is intent on saving the world via art, please send them my way. They’re likely my soul mate. It has taken me forty years to focus in on the thing I believe will help me make my best mark on the world and I couldn’t be happier to realize that I’m already this far along my path. As I write this, the hairs on my arms started reaching for the ceiling. This is it. I finally found my thing and it is as weird and awesome as I am… now I just need to focus my energies on communicating my idea with the masses.

TODAY’S GOALS

1.     Drink 64 oz. water

2.     10 Minute Stretch

3.     Go For A Walk

4.     2 Blog Posts On Website… Shared (post on all blogs on Medium also) - LISBON

5.     2-3 Instagram Posts Per Account @206liz @TheRingOfDOOM @MyDefOfCool

6.      Finish collaging purple coaster set.

7.       Study 4Culture site and other grant options

8.      Watch too many Patreon videos so I can learn how to make mine better

9.      Work on Lisbon post.

10.    Go to Art Walk and talk to at least two people.

SONG OF THE DAY

Madvillain – “Accordion” 2004   It is time for me to reach out to DOOM’s team again to check in about continuing to use his likeness. If he’d like me to stop, @TheRingOfDOOM may transform into something else once he drinks the water in Bristol. If DOOM and his team want to be part of the story, we all win.

Day 35 Of Delusional Optimist's Guide To Achieving The I'mPossible

Day 35

Today is the first day of housesitting at my sister’s place so my daily routine will be challenged by a new location. I’ve already benefitted from the joys of having a kitchen and this is looking to be a truly delicious five days. I’m able to breathe financially for a few days thanks to my sister and brother-in-law being so classy and paying me to stay here and watch the house. Still in awe of my Bumbershoot experience and hoping I’ll get to work with that team again soon.

The post office wasn’t open for Labor Day yesterday so I’ll be mailing off the eight eBay orders today. Still have a bunch of items on there but it’s remains to be small change. My DVD bundles sold pretty well but I have so many more CDs that I’m pretty sure taking them to a store to see if they want them is the best bet. The biggest challenge of housesitting will be to remain productive when not surrounded by my art supplies. I have infinite laptop/phone projects that I love working on while I’m traveling but I have less than two weeks to work on physical art AND of course making some actual money, so I must use the time wisely. I got a bunch of my favorite photos printed out through an app called FreePrints and I have a retro style photo album to compile into a portfolio of some of my best shots. It’s been years since I’ve seen my photos printed so it’s pretty rad. I can already see that there is a limit to how large the prints can be when using an iPhone but one step at a time. Upgrading to a new camera is one of my Patreon goals but since I don’t have any patrons yet, I’m pretty far from that one. There is still so much to learn about the art of making a photograph so it is not a priority for me at this time; I love having a camera that fits in my pocket that also plays music. I’m not really pushing the Patreon yet because I wanted to make a better video for it first on a day when I’m fully rested but since I got up at 6:30am to take my fam to the airport, today may not be the day.

I’ve been waiting to walk into the 4Culture office until I had both my photo portfolio completed and cleaned up the edges of more of my art… it is almost time. I want to ask them which of my creative endeavors would be best suited for a grant. It is possible that I have too many creative hobbies but is that really a thing? The edge cleanup of my collages is proving to cause me more physical pain than I thought. Grinding down the sharp edges with a file takes forever and the resulting epoxy resin dust is most definitely not good to breathe in so I’ve been using pliers to break off chunks or whacking it super hard with the file instead. This has led to bleeding on multiple occasions so I’m feeling more inclined to make new art instead of cleaning up the old art OR wait to clean it up until I can use someone’s belt sander. That said, my first big 3D water collage with @TheRingOfDOOM in it is already sanded and ready to go. Pricing one’s own art is already hard enough but when I need money it gets trickier because I don’t want to sell myself short. I shouldn’t expect much because I haven’t sold any art yet but I WILL SOON!

I decided I’ll bring some collage projects over here to work on; currently working on a set of six purple wavy coasters that I pretaped so if I pour too much resin, there will be nothing to sand… love this revelation. I do have 3-4 smaller wood blocks I can tape off and make into art as well but I love making big pieces. It would be wise for me to use the rest of my resin before I leave so it doesn’t go bad. I’ll likely end up making more of my freestanding @TheRingOfDOOM lights made purely with resin and el wire with a battery pack. I haven’t photographed the one I finished outside at night yet but I know it’ll be hilarious to make the photo.

TODAY’S GOALS

1.     Drink 64 oz. water

2.     10 Minute Stretch

3.     Go For A Walk

4.     2 Blog Posts On Website… Shared (post on all blogs on Medium also) - LISBON

5.     2-3 Instagram Posts Per Account @206liz @TheRingOfDOOM @MyDefOfCool

6.     Mail eBay items

7.     Make photo portfolio

8.     Finish purple coaster set so it’ll be ready for resin tomorrow.

9.     Study 4Culture site again so I know what questions to ask.

10.    Reunite all of my clothing, wash it, figure out what I want to bring to Europe or storage

11.    Watch a bunch of successful Patreon announcement videos so mine will be even better

SONG OF THE DAY

Mali Music – “Gonna Be Alright” 2017   I love this song so much but I can never seem to mention it without also bringing up the Damon Albarn side project from 2002. Mali Music is actually from Mali though so I should quit that… next time of course.

Day 34 Of Delusional Optimist's Guide To Achieving The I'mPossible

Day 34

Last night when I got home from working the last day of Bumbershoot at 3am I drafted what would be today’s blog if it wasn’t so viciously honest. Instead I will summarize the 760 word passion filled rant by saying that the people in my work history who know they’re not following Spiderman’s uncle’s advice are visibly shook when they see me. The ones who are genuinely good people who just happen to work for the corporation had nice things to say and I think they're awesome. My greatest discovery since I double backflipped off the corporate ladder into credit card poverty is that when you work for well-intended leaders who are truly good at what they do, they’ll literally starve if you don’t have what you need to do your job well…  in addition to paying a livable wage and providing you with ample tools to reach your infinite potential.

SZA's image in the fountain at Seattle Center.

Thankfully, the fact that I was working at the festival helped me to rise above my social anxiety and meet some people I’ve been too intimidated by to speak to. I got to spend time with an artist I’ve been inspired by yesterday because I simply said hi and told him how much I admired his work. The half an hour or so we spent walking around the festival woke me the fuck up and I realized that I’ve been neglecting my superpowers. As always seems to be the case, the universe brings people into my life when I need them the most… and I needed to speak with a lot of people to feel the way I do today. Spending so much time in solitude over the last year and a half was exactly what I needed at the time but some of the people I met this weekend reminded me that I have already proven my ability to change people’s lives for the better in a 10 minute conversation or less because I see only their infinite potential. This is why I must wield my superpower on a global level and pursue this trip to Europe as if it is my only option for survival.

Terrible image of the amazing SZA onstage at Bumbershoot. 

On that note, I have seven sold eBay items to ship out today if the post office is actually open for the holiday (Google isn’t sure). I am releasing sixteen of my favorite DVDs so that I can ensure my own life will be movie-worthy. Unfortunately, most of the items I own are only important to me and don’t have much value in a seller’s market so the money I’m earning is not adding up to much. I now have TWO WEEKS until I leave for Europe and still lack the fundage to even pay for my monthly bills because I’m so optimistic that this will work out, I’ve mostly abandoned hourly wages. I have accepted four shifts for a catering company next week purely for the money; it will add up to very little but every dollar counts (as I write this I’m remembering that if I think hourly, I’ll get hourly; if I think large chunk of money, I’ll get a large chunk of money… shit, LOL).

Sadly, @TheRingOfDOOM has not been photographed in more than a week and The Vulcan Of Amazonia project has been procrastinated for over a month. I do have some footage of he and Eddie’s cardboard box apartment under Bezos’ Balls but I realized that I’ve likely been neglecting it because my whole schtick is to shine light on the good things. It could not be more important to raise awareness about the damage Amazon and Vulcan have done to the city but it hurts my heart to spend my time seeking out and highlighting the effects of villainous capitalists; they get enough press (because they own it). I have more than a few photos to make of the best parts of Seattle before I leave and it is a beautiful day outside (and inside).

TODAY’S GOALS

1.     Drink 64 oz. water

2.     10 Minute Stretch

3.     Go For A Walk

4.     Blog Post On Website… Shared (post on all blogs on Medium also)

5.     2-3 Instagram Posts Per Account @206liz @TheRingOfDOOM @MyDefOfCool

6.    Prep and attempt to mail eBay items.

7.    Brainstorm new Patreon video

8.    Take at least one photo of @TheRingOfDOOM with some Seattle Street Art

9.    Collage clean up session

SONG OF THE DAY

Tom Petty – “You Got Lucky” 1982   Following the trail of the happiest people in the music industry has repeatedly united me with the video team. My last day as a Runner when I met the blissed out traveling videographer of a famous rapper, my shifts with the documentary team at the Tom Petty show last summer, and working with the LiveXLive team this weekend has been a triple message from the universe that I have loved the combination of music and video since I first as exposed to MTV (in it’s actual music video era) as a child. This Tom Petty music video was the impetus of my long-running themed music video list addiction. While watching these visuals, I realized how many music videos I’d seen that take place in the desert; this led to hundreds of music video lists on my old Blogger site grouped together by random thing instead of genre. The thousands of videos I posted on my website were my foot in the door of the music industry that got lucky when I found it. My goal continues to be to create a path around the mainstream corporate vultures for truly talented, socially aware artists that make music I love listening to. Upon further reflection, I’ll say that it is the musicians/artists that got lucky when I found them; the music industry’s luck is running out.

Day 33 Of Delusional Optimist's Guide To Achieving The I'mPossible

Day 33

Yesterday’s “work” shift for the video team filming Bumbershoot was another truly wonderful day. Once again, the people I reconnected with brought joy to my caffeinated heart and learning from professional ass kickers is always wicked awesome. I maintain my stance that I have one of the best jobs at Bumbershoot and couldn’t be more excited for what today will bring. I completed one 90-minute work block of daily blog/Instagram before work and was able to show some rad people how great of a worker I am.

J. Cole sharing his soul on stage at Bumbershoot.

This morning, I officially let the keepers of my art studio know that I’ll be moving out before I leave for Europe. Feels weird to know that I won’t officially have my own place to go when I get back in two months but my world will then be too large to confine myself in a 10x10 cube anyway. I’ve had zero contact from Carter Subaru in Ballard where I bought my car after reaching out to them and I’m more than disappointed that they did not respond at all. When you spend $36,000 somewhere, returning your email is kind of expected. I still love that damn car even though I’ve never been in a position to own it but whatever happens with it I’ll never spend another dollar at their dealership again. Still maintain that if I could somehow monetize that Ariana Grande has been in my car, all my financial troubles would be over. Mostly, yet not really kidding.

King Of Ballard AKA Grynch On The Mural Stage

In the month of September, I completed 158 ninety-minute work blocks. This works out to be 237 hours and/or 7.6 hours per day (no weekends when you must create a career for yourself). The progress I made on my art in this time amazes me and I can’t wait to see how it evolves over the next few years. I spent the least amount of time on things I was doing just for the money; in hindsight it was foolish but I maintain that playing it safe is a terrible idea (as I write this I can almost hear The Don Gary Vaynerchuk telling me to be practical). One of the epic waste of time surveys I did on Swagbucks recently that earned me a whopping one penny asked if I had gambled in the last 30 days. I answered no but really I’m gambling on myself every day because I know the odds are stellar.

I’ll be housesitting a bit over the next two weeks so my routine will be different but it will be nice to have a whole kitchen for a while. I plan on using the time to strategically repack my storage unit with only the things I love enough to keep in boxes for years (such a ridiculous statement), releasing the rest via sales/donations, and seeking out ways to fund my trip. The reaction I get when I tell people about my storyboarded @TheRingOfDOOM miniseries that starts with him drinking the water in Bristol reinforces that I’m attempting something truly unique that can bring joy to so many people’s lives. I couldn’t be more confident that I am the ONLY person trying to do this exact thing so technically I have a monopoly on all things @TheRingOfDOOM related but it’s 100% on me to learn to communicate my ideas so others can get a clear view of what I plan to accomplish. Communication has never been one of my strengths but as with everything, one gets better with practice.

Stoked for these guys that they got to go to perform at Red Rocks as their trio with Grieves, Greater Than, a couple days ago with Atmosphere and Evidence. These are some great humans.

TODAY’S GOALS

1.     Drink 64 oz. water

2.     10 Minute Stretch

3.     Go For A Walk

4.     Blog Post On Website… Shared (post on all blogs on Medium also)

5.     2-3 Instagram Posts Per Account @206liz @TheRingOfDOOM @MyDefOfCool

6.    Remember to eat.

SONG OF THE DAY

Rhye – “Open” 2013   Still having a moment with all things Rhye. I first posted this song back in March 2013 in a compilation of Music Videos Featuring Confetti and it has maintained currently overplaying status to this day.

Day 32 Of Delusional Optimist's Guide To Achieving The I'mPossible

Day 32

Until last night, I had forgotten the feeling one gets when they watch one of their favorite artists purely as a fan. The last five years of working with musicians has been a beautiful experience that I plan to continue but the heartbreak of working for those who cannibalize music, musicians, music fans, and their own employees left a mark on my soul that won’t go away. Watching Rhye’s performance at Bumbershoot yesterday reminded me why I dove headfirst into the industry and why it’s important that I stay on my wonky path. Even though I was technically working the festival, for most of Rhye’s set I was able to stand in the fan area and get all swoony about a band I truly love. Mike Milosh has chosen his team well and I could not have been more impressed by the man himself. Here’s hoping I’ll get to tour with them someday soon. Since someone on the Rhye team liked my Adult Contemporary playlist promo image on Instagram a few days ago, we’re practically already best friends (LOL). That said, if you’re reading this Mr. Milosh, I’m actually very qualified to go on tour with you and I will no bullshit be one of the best tourmates you’ve ever had... or we could just date instead if you prefer.

Rhye onstage at Mural Amphitheater at Bumbershoot.

One of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned throughout my entire life is the importance of knowing when to say no. Had I said yes to the first opportunity to work Bumbershoot, I would have worked at least a 16 hour day if not more and been a stressball. Oddly enough, I do strangely enjoy those long days but because I was patient and because I’ve kicked so much ass in the past, I ended up with less than twelve hour shifts in which my main task is to go to the photo pit in front of the stage and hand fans hats, shirts, and bags. Fortunately, this only takes a few minutes because fans want everything that is coming from the stage area, I am free to take photos right next to the damn stage, catch up with friends I haven’t seen in awhile, and watch Rhye.

A clown doing his thing on stage. Not a fan but it would be stupid not to photograph the dude.

Other than meeting and working with a team that travels worldwide to video events, making actual money, and reconnecting with some of my favorite people in the world, I did not do anything I could count as a work block. Since I didn’t post anything on Instagram yesterday, my first work block wasn’t a full 90 minutes. I did not bring @TheRingOfDOOM with me yesterday but he was with me in patch form on my sweatshirt. Even though I’m pretty sure no one cares and some of my most popular @TheRingOfDOOM posts have been created while flexing the power of my credentials working music events, it seems tacky to photograph my fictional character while working. It is exactly this morality that keeps getting in my way but I’ll keep running with it. I haven’t even posted some of my most epic @TheRingOfDOOM moments because I worked too closely with the artist and their team to post a photo taken of them without asking their permission specifically. I have at least fifteen minutes of footage of @TheRingOfDOOM sidestage with Kaytranada and a few photos of him sidestage with Tyler, The Creator. Kaytranada once held @TheRingOfDOOM in his hand in the front seat of my car and told me that Madlib gave him the DOOM ring right off his finger (one of my favorite memories ever). I would only want to post a photo of @TheRingOfDOOM and Tyler if he was seriously fucking with the idea; oddly enough I do believe he’d think it was dope because he’s also a DOOM fan. These are the experiences that prevent me from settling on a job purely for the money. That said, I did let the catering company I sometimes work for that I’m available to work for the next two weeks so I can be guaranteed some fundage for my trip.

Ludacris doing his thing onstage at Bumbershoot.

TODAY’S GOALS

1.     Drink 64 oz. water

2.     10 Minute Stretch

3.     Go For A Walk

4.     Blog Post On Website… Shared (post on all blogs on Medium also)

5.     2-3 Instagram Posts Per Account @206liz @TheRingOfDOOM @MyDefOfCool

6.    Remember to eat.

SONG OF THE DAY

Rhye – “The Fall” 2012  Like most of us, I incorrectly assumed that the older woman in this video was the singer of Rhye but seeing the magical intro of this song coming out of Mike Milosh’s mouth woke me the fuck up and instantly made me a superfan as written above. This song will likely always make my heart feel funny and I love that.

Day 24 Of Delusional Optimist’s Guide To Achieving The I’mPossible

Day 24

 @TheRingOfDOOM with his new ramen bowl, spoon, knife, and chopsticks.

Yesterday I beat my former record of eight 90 minute work blocks in a day and completed nine; that is thirteen and a half hours working toward my big goals. I did not go for a walk so that meant I was able to maintain focus on tasks and spend zero dollars. I did not do any analog collage but I did finish three Photoshop work blocks in which I completed a bunch of new Spotify playlist images. My latest addiction is seeing my own art all up in the Spotify; I’d love to make album art someday soon. Finally posted another playlist on my website this morning. I started the Make Something playlist back in 2015 and have listened to it while creating ever since; it has the most followers out of all my playlists (12 whole followers!). My bag is packed and ready to go on a photo expedition to get more footage for the next TheRingOfDOOM video as soon as I gather the energy.

One of the other things I completed yesterday was the photoshopped promo image for the writeup of my Porto adventure. It would have been slick to write about my European adventures as they were happening but I wasn’t ready yet. I have way too many great photos and weird stories yet to share and I’m looking forward to seeing how my travelogues evolve. Still mulling over my decision not to apply to work with Rick Steves, the job was selling tour packages over the phone but it still would have been great to learn from that Jedi Master. Can anyone name ANY travel show guides that are women? We may need someone to step up (raises hand).

The collage on the left was made before I learned the pro tip used on the collage on the right. The left collage needs to be cleaned up with a metal file and sandpaper and the one on the right only needs the tape peeled off to be "perfect." So glad to learn this new skill.

 Even though the smoke over Seattle has cleared, I’m still feeling the urge to be a hermit. This is nothing new but now that I work five days a week and have some daylight left when I complete work, it’s easier to justify staying in and being productive. I can always take pictures tomorrow after work. While I am 100% confident all the best things will happen to me outside of this tiny box; when I’m inside it I’m usually working towards my goals and not spending any money. I WILL MAKE AN ANALOG COLLAGE TODAY or at least start one. Every new image I make blows my own mind so I must keep it up. One of the best things about working on my Spotify lists is that I have new music to listen to while making stuff so today is gonna be a good day.

TODAY’S GOALS

1.     Drink 64 oz. water

2.     10 Minute Stretch

3.     Go For A Walk

4.     Two Posts On Website… Shared (post on all blogs on Medium also) – 2-3 blocks

5.     2-3 Instagram Posts Per Account @206liz @TheRingOfDOOM @MyDefOfCool

6.      Analog collage block

7.      Spotify work block

8.      Instagram work block to prep for work days

9.      Free Photo Book work block

SONG OF THE DAY

Sevdaliza – “Hubris” 2017  Since I heard “Human” last year, I’ve had a steady flow of new favorite Sevdaliza songs and today it is “Hubris.” Wishing there was a video for this gem but “Human” is worth your time as well.

Day 19 Of Delusional Optimist's Guide To Achieving The I'mPossible

Day 19

Yesterday’s long walk rejuvenated my excitement for my camera roll and also made me feel extra 40 (ouch). It’s been weeks since I went on one of my ridiculously long walks so I tried to keep it mellow but still ended up walking 6.5 miles. When traveling overseas or exploring a new city, I typically walk an average of 9 miles a day but confining myself to my art cubicle has made me out of shape. When I was at the bottom of Capitol Hill looking up, I suddenly remembered how hungry I was and felt the irresistible draw of the food I’d already purchased in my mini fridge. The photos I got amaze me and I have more than a few places in Seattle I plan on photographing in the very near future.

Almost completed 3D Aquarium collage. iPhone doesn’t know which layer to focus on. 

I may have finished my large 3D water collage. I’d love to keep adding layers forever but it is getting heavier and more expensive to create with every pour. Very excited to flex my newly acquired knowledge about how to keep the edges pretty but I have a ton of work to do to fine tune the pieces I’ve already completed. Grinding down epoxy resin with a metal file turns out to be one of those things best done outside so I’ll likely be sanding edges at a park near you soon.

There were five work blocks completed yesterday because I don’t count walking and taking photos due to loving it too much. I spent at least an hour rolling around on my foam cylinder willing my back to realign itself which likely will help me more than anything else I did yesterday. I was blessed to remember that I have an envelope of photos of flamingos so I’m a little more excited about my sunset collage. For the most part, I’m not into the dusty pastels of sunset photos but when flamingos are added, my genetically caused bobblehead of approval sets in. Since Sundays mean nothing to me, I have every intention of kicking more ass today than for the last five days.

Still under construction sunset collage...

TODAY’S GOALS

1.     Drink 64 oz. water

2.     Stretch at least 10 minutes

3.     Go For A Walk

4.     Two Posts On Website… Shared (post on all blogs on Medium also) – 2-3 blocks

5.     2-3 Instagram Posts Per Account @206liz @TheRingOfDOOM @MyDefOfCool

6.     Add another layer to small resin projects and work on sunset piece

7.     Use my new Target Gift Card to purchase last of supplies for filming storyboarded video.

8.     Put at least five items for sale on ebay.

9.     Spotify work block

SONG OF THE DAY

Quantic – “Time Is The Enemy” 2001  I discovered this song way too late but it has recently made it’s way into my currently overplaying rotation.

DID YOU KNOW

Did you know I made a @TheRingOfDOOM coaster set? The infinite possibilities of epoxy resin has me looking at everything in a new way. I have a few more coaster sets ready for art but I’ll always love my first (this does not apply to every situation) the most.

First @TheRingOfDOOM Coaster Set

Day 15 Of Delusional Optimist's Guide To Achieving The I'mPossible

Day 15

After 14 days of writing about and working towards making my biggest dreams a reality, I have completed 79 ninety minute work blocks. That works out to 118.5 hours and almost eight and a half hours every day. Sure would be nice if I got paid for those hours but that is sadly not the world I have created for myself yet. Yesterday served as the get real portion of the blog (and my year); in addition to enrolling in a debt relief program, I also applied for 10-12 jobs. I now have two phone interviews lined up for today and one in person interview tomorrow. One of these jobs perfectly aligns with my long term goals and the rest would help me to fund my journey to achieving my goals. It will be interesting to see how that works out… stay tuned.

 @TheRingOfDOOM Collage For Sale In My Shop

The reality of attempting a trip to Europe without credit cards has slapped me upside the head. Now that I’ve set myself on a course to be out of debt in 18 months, I’m feeling more inspired to spend the next year and a half building a strong foundation of self-sufficiency instead of photographing Europe from a metaphorical broken ladder hoping it works out. I have one remaining credit card issued by a credit union that I plan on using to buy food and finish planting the seeds I’ve already sprouted. For example, I’ve already purchased 20 black organic cotton reusable bags ready for printing whatever design I eventually settle on. I also plan on getting some stickers made for @TheRingOfDOOM because my Mom said she wanted to put one on her car. I’ve been wanting to print out some of my Street Art zines and leave them around the city for others to find but I should probably pay my bills first. Even though I haven’t brought any money in for over a month now (yikes), it feels good to know that I’m not multiplying my debt today for the first time in 3-4 years.

In yesterday’s four completed work blocks (I didn’t count applying for jobs or my long conversation with the debt specialist), I finalized two posts for my website, added more items to my webstore, and spent 90 minutes working on my resin art. I failed on both drinking enough water and Instagram posts; today is another day. I’ll be sending my August playlist out into the universe today, pouring resin, and also hopefully finalizing a Best Of Museum Crashing post for @TheRingOfDOOM to be released shortly. I’ll also send my Adult Swim series proposal on its way without the pilot because I have to at least try. I already have a twelve episode series I can send them, this pilot could be so much better if I could pay my talented Seattle friends to do their magic on it. My plan was to bring my cardboard box full of props to the foot of Bezos’ balls for filming but I’m scared of 147 things that probably won’t happen.  

TODAY’S GOALS

1.     Drink 64 oz. water

2.     Stretch at least 10 minutes

3.     Go For A Walk

4.     Two Posts On Website… Shared (post on all blogs on Medium also) – 2-3 blocks

5.     2-3 Instagram Posts Per Account @206liz @TheRingOfDOOM @MyDefOfCool

6.     Send series proposal to Adult Swim as is with links to work I’ve already completed.

7.     Pour resin on current projects and work on sunset piece.

8.     Have two successful phone job interviews in one day.

SONG OF THE DAY

The The – “This Is The Day” 1983   Every single time I hear this song, I get all explodey inside knowing that it could become true if I finally just go for it... but I'm still mostly just writing about finding the courage to just go for it. I was blessed to work at Tower Records in the years following the release of Empire Records, most of us felt this was pretty damn close to our reality. There are so many days of my music career that seemed like Rex Manning Day.

DID YOU KNOW

Did you know that the first large collage I made back in 2012 is 30”x38” is made from thousands of tiny pieces of paper on a piece of a broken IKEA shelf? This was where I first came up with the idea to use handcut photos of water to make large bodies of water etc. The sand is made of photos of sand, the tree trunks are made of wood photos, and the mountains are made of photos of snowy mountains. I do not like the end result of the piece and have treated it like shit over the last few years but I love that I experimented with so many unique collage styles while making it. While making this I was working full time at Whole Foods and was posting daily on the music blog that would soon change my life in the best way.

Day 14 Of Delusional Optimist's Guide To Achieving The I'mPossible

Day 14

I did complete eight 90 minute work blocks yesterday! That is 12 hours of working towards my biggest life goals in one day. I spent at least six of those hours finalizing the music video post I released into the world earlier today. Photoshopping the promo image complete with a handdrawn logo and figuring out what I want to say about each video are what took most of the time. Now I’ve got a psd file with a completed logo to use whenever. I didn’t add any more items to my webstore or work on any props for the series because I’m not actually a superhero… yet. The resin collage projects are looking great but I’ll need to focus on small art for awhile so I can keep my resin costs down.

What I did do since I last wrote is something that I believe actually saved me $15000 in interest on credit cards. If everyone I spoke to on the Americor team for the last two hours was on the level and they haven’t just stolen my identity, I’ve just signed up for a debt relief program that will help me to actually get ahead of this debt. When all goes as planned, I will have paid off my credit card debts in 18 months. (I will let you know how that works out, it would have taken 15 years at the rate I was going). In case my Instagram gave anyone the wrong idea, I have been subsidizing my income with credit cards for the last four years and have not actually been able to make enough money to live in Seattle OR travel anywhere. In the last year, I have both lived in my car and have officially been a squatter for over 8 months. My goal of getting paid to travel was a thinly veiled attempt to not need a place to live and hopefully make enough money to chip away at the debt while seeing the world. I have been paid to travel for four months over the last 18 months but that did nothing for my debt. I honestly figured it would be easier to pay for a two month trip to Europe than to make enough money to settle into a life I’m not sure I want in Seattle… which still may work out to be true. My dreams to achieve the I’mPossible are so lofty because if I even get close to achieving them, I will likely have already earned myself the things I actually need to live a healthy life… like a stable living situation and health/dental. While 100% relevant in Seattle at this time, this blog would not be even the smallest bit interesting if my goal was to save myself from homelessness and go to the dentist. The lessons I have learned this process are uncountable, uncomfortable, and priceless.

One of the conditions of my debt relief are that I no longer use the credit cards on which I have acquired this much debt. This makes my trip to Europe officially even more I’mPossible as of today. Since I’ve been using credit cards to pay for food over the last few years, the feeling of having my safety net removed is uncomfortable to say the least. There are still ways to make the trip happen but I’ll need to start earning actual money like three yesterdays ago and/or being much more aggressive with reaching out to those who can actually help me with my cause. Do not be surprised if I retreat to the woods for a few years, the Alaskan job opportunities with employee housing are calling to me again… anything is possible at this point. I remain optimistic that I'm somewhere along my own rocky path to achieving the I'mPossible.

TODAY’S GOALS

1.     Drink 64 oz. water

2.     Stretch at least 10 minutes

3.     Go For A Walk To Contemplate If Strategies Have Changed

4.     Two Posts On Website… Shared (post on all blogs on Medium also) – 2-3 blocks

5.     2-3 Instagram Posts Per Account @206liz @TheRingOfDOOM @MyDefOfCool

6.     At least one 90 Minute Work Block Of Actually Putting Items Up For Sale On The Internet

7.     More work on resin collages.

SONG OF THE DAY

R+R=NOW – “Reflect Reprise”2018   I was blessed to find this song while researching Taylor McFerrin of Brainfeeder. It was instantly added to the August playlist coming your way tomorrow.

DID YOU KNOW

Did you know that I’m selling @TheRingOfDOOM patches on my webstore? I’ll likely be moving away from using DOOM’s likeness in the near future so these patches made locally in Seattle by Knotty Fox are LIMITED EDITION so they’ll be worth $$$ when all goes well.

Day 6 Of Delusional Optimist's Guide To Achieving The I'mPossible

Day 6

I completed all of yesterday’s goals aside from stretching. It’s too easy for me to get all caught up in starting the next 90 minute work block instead of taking care of myself because I know how much can be done in one day when I really try. I could definitely move a bunch of stuff to make it happen but my studio is so small that there really isn’t a place to lay on the floor in here so it never really feels like I can stretch all the way out. That said, I always feel lucky to wake up in this 10x10’ box (that I’m not supposed to wake up in) because even though I’m more in debt than I’ve ever made in a year, I’m in a better place than most of the people on this planet.

3D Aquarium Collage just before adding another layer of resin. 

As each day passes, I’m loving the progress happening on all of my projects. I finally tapped into the self-discipline required to get up every day and make my own work schedule. Even though I can see exactly how few people are reading these blogs, documenting my process helps motivate me on a daily basis. Still considering trying to get a job or becoming available for the catering gigs again but the system is broken; working these jobs feels like treading water in one place forever. The knowledge that even if I work every day in a “safe” job, I still won’t be able to pay my bills and would remain in debt is less than inspiring. Prove me wrong! There are lots of people in Seattle I’d love to work for but I respect them too much to run off to Europe for two months after they’ve spent time training me. When a single piece of art can be sold for millions of dollars, spending eight hours a day doing anything else at this time feels pointless (delusional optimism at its finest). My blind faith in my own potential is causing me to make some very interesting choices these days.

Yesterday I storyboarded @TheRingOfDOOM pilot for Adult Swim, fleshed out the dialogue, made a list of props I need to make, and a list of places I’ll shoot. I’ve only storyboarded one other video (shown below) and I still think its one of the best things I’ve ever made. Most of my other videos were made with random iPhone footage that I weave into a story during the editing process. Pretty sure I’ll be doing all the dialogue in my own voice because I’m terrible at reaching out and everything moves faster when I do it myself. Definitely nervous about that but I’m nervous about a lot of stupid things. The process of making this video will be hilarious and the end result will have infinite potential to reach everyone I hope to reach. Hoping to finish it this week so I can send it to Adult Swim and DOOM with my series proposal. How many people do you know that have written a series proposal after reading a how-to guide and sent it to a TV network with a completed pilot episode? If I’m not just gonna taco about dreaming biggest, these are the things I must do.

I’ve been thinking a lot about the improbable questions I should be asking and I now realize that I should be asking more than ten (or even 100) people A DAY instead of just one if I really hope to make something happen in the next forty something days. Still haven’t added it to goals for some stupid reason. At this time, my legit plan to get my art in front of people who can help me is to walk right into museums and galleries with my best work and ask them what they think about it. Most of my favorite pieces are still unrefined because I haven’t tackled the mission of figuring out how to make the over-resined edges pretty as shown below. Any guidance on that one is welcome.

Unrefined edges on resin projects needing a solution.

5 Ways I Could Potentially See This Europe Trip OR Getting A Real Place To Live Actually Happening (roughly same amount of money): I'M ATTEMPTING THE TOP 3 FIRST

1.     I sell enough of my own art at a good rate to make it happen with my own money.

2.     I get a series offer and they pay for the trip.

3.     I pitch the idea to publications and they pay me to document my journey

4.     Patreon and offer actual vlogs to people who contribute

5.     Get a loan or another credit card (WORST POSSIBLE OPTION)

Today’s Goals

1.     Drink 64 oz. water

2.     Go For A Walk

3.     Stretch at least 10 minutes

4.     One Post On Website… Shared (post on all four blogs on Medium also)

5.     2-3 Instagram Posts Per Account @206liz @TheRingOfDOOM @MyDefOfCool

6.     Resin pour on all projects and start some new pieces while it is drying

7.     Make the villain required for my pilot episode out of clay and other props

SONG OF THE DAY

Bjork – “Human Behavior” Directed by Michel Gondry 1993 

So many ways to be a human…

Day 5 Of Delusional Optimist's Guide To Achieving The I'mPossible

Day 5... 

I completed almost all of yesterday’s goals but I failed to drink all the water (one glass short) or spend any time stretching. I am still surprised that I got so much done yesterday in six work blocks even though I didn’t do the easiest things. While on my walk, I wrote an entire Seattle-based pilot episode for my non-existing Adult Swim show to send along with my series proposal. It’s such a lofty goal but it is Plan A at this time so I at least have to try. If I don’t shoot my shot, I’ll always wonder. The show could potentially help ALL of my favorite artists have sustainable art/music careers so it’s a damn good ask.

Poorly lit set of @TheRingOfDOOM & Eddie's cardboard box apartment in Seattle.

The pilot starts out in @TheRingOfDOOM’s cardboard box house in Seattle with his roommate Eddie The Eight Headed Mink Snake who was the costar in my Sun Ra Tribute video I filmed in the desert (as seen below) last summer while attempting to figure out what I most want out of life. I completely realize that my iPhone videos are pretty terrible but I am learning a ton while also shining light on art, music, and doing the stuff that makes me smile. I’ve given up on the videos so many times over the last year because I know I’m bad at it but I gotta start somewhere and they are hilarious to make. When everything goes as planned, I'll be able to pay my ridiculously talented peers to make the videos pro-style.

Since the only Monday-Friday 9-5ish job I’ve ever held was a summertime camp counselor job in Lake Tahoe about fourteen years ago, all seven of the days of the week are work days. I’ve heard that Sundays are supposed to be for relaxing, showing your allegiance to organized religion, and/or watching sports but I’m gonna glue more water onto my 3D aquarium while half-watching movies from the library and YouTube videos about people who kick ass… again.

Current Library Score; love that you can leave the library with everything you want for free.

I keep reading things like, “the answer is always no if you don’t ask the question,” so I’m feeling inspired to start asking at least one improbable question every day. At the encouragement of @garyvee @timferriss and @chasejarvis podcasts, I’ve already asked some crazy questions. For example, I asked D*Face in an email if I could interview him while he was in town or when I go to London in a few months (no reply of course), I asked MF DOOM’s team if he’d like me to stop using his likeness and if it was okay to sell @TheRingOfDOOM zine I had just made (they asked me to send them the zine via email, no reply cuz it was my first zine and it sucked, still haven't printed), and I reached out to JR of the Faces & Places documentary etc. if he thought I should make a documentary instead of a series via DM on Instagram (no reply). The funny thing is that I remain afraid to ask the people in my own city who I already know to do the same thing. I 100% believe that interviewing local musicians in the woods and posting on YouTube could lead to bigger opportunities than getting paid less than $100 to play a small show in Seattle but I still haven’t reached out. The possibilities are truly endless if I dare to ask ALL the questions. *Note I have not added it to daily goals cuz I’m still scurred.

Could not be more inspired by Bobby Hundreds ⬆⬆⬆

My previous experience as a show booker under the guidance of a Superhero Talent Buyer taught me that you can make truly epic things happen just by tapping your fingers on a keyboard. The questions I have asked others via email in the past have brought thousands of people together. I couldn’t be more proud of the events I curated and the people I brought together via typing questions. It’s kinda funny that we can be afraid to tap our fingers on a keyboard. I’ve mostly worked with musicians in the past so reaching out to visual artists is new to me. Every to do list and/or collection of ideas I’ve made over the last few years has interviewing people written right at the top. I’ve circled back around to the idea of filming interviews with artists in nature on my iPhone every few months for the last five years but have still only interviewed one person. Maybe I’ll do it now because I told the internet about it… we shall see.

Today’s Goals

1.     Drink 64 oz. water

2.     Go For A Walk

3.     Stretch at least 10 minutes

4.     One Post On Website… Shared (post on all four blogs on Medium also)

5.     2-3 Instagram Posts Per Account @206liz @TheRingOfDOOM @MyDefOfCool

6.     At least 2 x 90 minute work blocks on big water collage & others

7.     90 minute work block storyboarding Adult Swim pilot I’ll film shortly to send with my proposal

SONG OF THE DAY

Aim – “Cold Water Music” 1999 – I’ve been addicted to this song for weeks now.