Day 28 Of Delusional Optimist's Guide To Achieving The I'mPossible

Day 28

I feel like I got a lot done yesterday even though it didn’t fall exactly in line with my goal list. I didn’t go for a walk, drink enough water, or stretch because I was too excited about finishing up my travel video for Lisbon. I ended up spending four 90 minute work blocks editing, uploading, and fine-tuning the video. I had no intention of making the footage into a travel video so it ended up looking like a fan video sandwiched in between the only footage of myself speaking to the camera. I did not grind away at my finished collages with the metal file or work on any new collages. I did list one item for sale on eBay but I’m gonna have to kick way more ass to make this happen.

Detail of my Giant’s Causeway collage, can’t wait to see it in person soon.

Three weeks left until I depart and I have so much to do. Most of it isn’t that fun but it’ll be worth it when I’m getting on that plane. Now that I’ve opened up my world on a global level, Seattle seems way too small for what I have in mind for myself. I feel so strongly about making this adventure happen, I’m willing to give up everything I have to see it through. I hope to have everything I own contained in one storage unit by the time I leave. This includes letting go of my car… the big one. The blue book value is the closest it’s ever been to not being an upside down car loan so the time is now. Even if I end up coming back to the US, I hope to live somewhere in a city where I don’t need a car… like New York, somewhere along the light rail in Seattle, or somewhere else I haven’t considered yet. If/when I decide to get another car, it will have tinted windows and most likely it will be a van so I can better use it to go on adventures.

I’ll be creating a Patreon account over the next week or so and I can’t wait to share all the rewards I’ve come up with. One of the rewards will be access to watching my vlog, a big step for me because I’m camera shy but facing my fears has worked out well every single time so far. Documenting my daily excuses has proven to be very eye opening and I would recommend the threat of public humiliation as a motivator to anyone (may not work if you’ve stopped giving too many fucks).

One of my favorite things I learned yesterday is that once I get to 400 followers on a Spotify playlist, I can apply to get paid to be a curator that filters through new music via Playlist Push. At 68 followers on my Hip Hop playlist, I still have a long way to go but since most of those appeared overnight, I have faith I can make that happen slowly but surely if I focus my efforts. I fell asleep halfway through my sixth work block yesterday while adding new songs to playlists. My favorite thing about making playlists is that it makes my life better so I’m scratching my own itch (something my heroes say will get me everywhere).

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.     At least two blocks of listing items on ebay first before I work on fun stuff

7.     Collage cleanup

8.     Lisbon post...

SONG OF THE DAY

Alex Da Kid, H.E.R., Rapsody – “Go” 2018  This is one of my most overplayed tracks so far from my upcoming September playlist still under construction. 

Day 27 Of Delusional Optimist’s Guide To Achieving The I’mPossible

Day 27

Waking up knowing it’s time to prep to leave the country feels good. I know there is a lot of work to do but I love that stuff. Every time I go through the many items in my storage unit, I look at it through new eyes. Like most of us, I have tons of stuff just sitting in boxes in storage because I like them just enough to keep them. For me this is mostly media; aside from kitchen stuff, the bulk of my belongings are boxes of CDs, DVDs, books, and magazines. Previously, I made a rule for myself that I must either use it or get rid of it. This is how I ended up starting to collage so it has been working out well. I do love my book collection but I’ve already read all those books. They make me smile when I look at them but when everything goes as planned, I will not have a bookshelf in the US to put my books on. When you move as often as I have, it really makes you question why you’re keeping all this stuff. I still need a few more days to consider letting go of my CDs even though those have been boxed up since before I moved most of my belongings to a storage unit. The books and CDs remain in my storage unit for now but I have started to put cassettes and DVDs up for sale. I’ll be bringing them somewhere local to try and sell them if eBay doesn’t work. If you're interested in seeing what I have for sale, HERE's the link to my shop.

I'm selling a 5x7 canvas print of @TheRingOfDOOM's first photo on eBay. I've posted over 700 photos since this was taken. 

Speaking of moving, I’m the type of person that only owns items that fit inside my Subaru that I can carry myself. I did this on purpose so I could move from place to place without the assistance of others. This is a metaphor for my whole life which is why my plans for the next few weeks are so scary. I’m hoping to sell some of my large pieces of art to help fund my Europe trip but I also have plans to start a Patreon. I’ve been researching what works and what doesn’t and I think I have some ideas on how to make it work for me. It’ll be an interesting process throughout which I will learn a lot about myself, but I will get that going in a few more days.

It’s looking like I’ll be moving out of my studio in the days before I leave for Europe so I don’t have to pay for it while I’m gone. If I do that AND release my car, I’ll be in a much better position to not only pay for my trip to Europe but to potentially stay for longer. The more things I let go, the freer I feel.

R&B cassingle six pack for sale on eBay.

Yesterday, I completed 7 ninety minute work blocks. I did not go for a walk because I felt inclined to just keep going. Three of the blocks were spent listing items for sale on eBay, two on website/Instagram, half a work block on sanding resin collages, and the rest on Spotify. I quickly learned that grinding epoxy resin down isn’t something I’m yet able to do for 90 minutes in a row. Right now it’s basically sawing at resin with a metal file for long periods of time. Here’s hoping that by the time I get buff enough to do that for 90 minutes straight, that I’ll have already finished cleaning up all my collages. The tape method I learned from Reddit will save me too many hours to count. I’d like to polish up my big collages before I bring them somewhere for evaluation so I won’t be heading into town until that is completed.

Since I turned off the Instagram notifications and deleted the Facebook app from my phone a few weeks back, I’ve been better at using my time wisely. Now that I have items for sale on eBay, it’s hard to stop myself from looking at what is selling. Out of the 40 items I have listed, two have bids so far. If they don’t cancel their bids, I will have made $6 so I’m totally crushing it.

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.     At least two work blocks of listing items for sale on Ebay

7.     Collage clean up session x 2

8.     Block of Lisbon travel write-up

9.     New collage work block on ugly striped canvas

SONG OF THE DAY

Everything Is Recorded, Sampha, Ibeyi, Wiki, Kamasi Washington – “Mountains Of Gold” 2017  This combo of artists amazes me.

Day 26 Of Delusional Optimist's Guide To Achieving The I'mPossible

Day 26

I couldn’t be more excited about my renewed decision to make this trip to Europe happen. One of the things that changed my mind was the realization that the credit cards I wanted to take to Europe were maxxed out anyway so it shouldn’t have affected my decision in the first place. The credit union card I still have will work just fine once I pay it off with funds I’ve earned selling my art and surplus stuff. One of the jobs I didn’t get would have me working for the dark side of the music industry again so not getting that job is a blessing in disguise. The job I did work for a day and a half was at a weed store. Part of me was excited to have my foot in the door when vape lounge/music venues eventually come to fruition but mostly I realized that I do not want to be high enough to be good at that job or stay in Seattle at this time. While I do enjoy weed, I’m not enough of a smoker to be helpful to people searching out expertise. I did love the idea of serving marijuana instead of drinks because weed can cure cancer and alcohol causes whole lives to be ruined but I still don’t think its for me. The bottom line is that I did not like waking up knowing that I was part of the fixed system of minimum wage jobs even if it would eventually get me where I want to go. In the end, I just can’t see myself doing anything but getting on that plane in 23 days.

Clay utensils and cups/bowls for TheRingOfDOOM and Eddie, his eight headed roommate. 

 On Monday, I plan on actually getting out into the world in person to speak with people who can help me sell my art and guide me in the right direction. I’m very much looking forward to getting feedback on my creations (good or bad) and can’t wait to see the look on people’s faces when they look into the water.

Thanks to yesterday’s visit to my storage unit, my studio is now filled with stuff I’m ready to exit my life. A lot of it is sentimental but owning it will not help me get to Europe. Yes I love my DVD collection but if it has been in a box in a storage unit for a year and a half, do I really need it? Will I even miss my copy of Romancing The Stone when I’m photographing castles in France? I really don’t think so. Those of you that know me well, know that I’ve been talking about getting rid of my car for years. Owning the car helped me to get a ton of great jobs that led to the best opportunities of my life so far but they never paid me enough to actually own the car. I even went so far as to live in it so that I could afford to keep it. Knowing that some of the most famous people in the world have been in my car does not help me make the payments. Even if it ends up costing me money to get rid of the car, it’ll be worth it. Of course I love it but the places I want to go these days are not reachable by car. My current plans for that are to research the pay off amount and then email the Subaru dealership and tell them my story to see if they want the car. If only some of the people who had been in the car could be used as selling points, it would be gone in an instant. An example of who has been in my car… Ariana Grande, Mac Miller, Logic, at least half of the Rhymesayers roster, Tour Managers of your favorite rappers, etc. This close proximity to fame is part of the reason I am unable to settle for a normal life. Would you want to get a 9-5 if the last jobs you had were touring the country spreading love and driving around the team of one of the most famous rappers in the world at a music festival? I’m more than willing to give up my Earthly possessions to grant myself the opportunity to follow my internal compass to Bristol and beyond. 

Owning Heathers on DVD won’t help me get anywhere in life. 

Once I start setting up my life to depart the country, there will be no other option than to go. I do not want the things that most people want and I am in a position to do things and go places other people can’t because I lack roots at this time. My pursuit of enough money to stay in Seattle has distanced me from the community so it feels like I have no reason to stay even if that’s not true. At this time, I’m feeling the irresistible pull of the world and freeing myself of stuff to make it happen feels awesome… even though I have literally sold nothing yet, not even art. Over the next few weeks, I’ll be facing my biggest fears to set myself up for success and I know it will be a much better story than if I had gone to work at a weed store five days a week.

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.     At least three work blocks of listing items for sale on Ebay

7.     Collage clean up session

SONG OF THE DAY

Ibeyi - “Transmission/Michaelion” 2018   It takes me awhile to know what songs are about because I’m too busy loving the sound of it. Only later once I know all the words and find myself singing them aloud do I finally realize what it’s about. This song is just so damn beautiful, I had to share.

Day 25 Of Delusional Optimist's Guide To Achieving The I'mPossible

Day 25

First of set of six purple wave glass coasters pre-resin.

The best decisions I’ve ever made in my life were made around 4am with my eyes wide open. Last night was to be the night before my first real Monday of my recently acquired 9-5 but instead it turned out to be the night I decided to quit being scared and dive all the way into life headfirst. The only thing I’ve ever been sure about was that I wanted my life to be a good story so I quit the 9-5 and constructed the plan to make this trip happen at the crack of dawn. This two month adventure in Europe will be the best story I’ve ever told and the photos I will make will be some of the most beautiful my timeline has ever seen. I’ve heard that giving up on your big dreams happens more than a few times along the journey to success so I’m right on track. The six work blocks I completed yesterday were mostly spent on Spotify, my website, and collages.

Now that I have only 23 days until I leave for Europe, it is time to get down to business and start liquidating all the stuff that’s been sitting in my storage unit for a year and a half. Today I’ll be venturing to sift through my unnecessary belongings and put them up for sale. I have barely worn shoes in there I haven’t worn in over five years and endless other items that can help me to make this trip happen if I get them on eBay and someone actually wants to buy them.

VHS for a bundle deal on eBay.

 So on this day that would have been my Monday, I plan on focusing at least two (if not four) work blocks to listing stuff on eBay for a big sale that’ll end next Sunday. I won’t be writing about the big steps I take beyond eBay until after I do them so I can be sure I’m being about it and not just talking about it anymore. There are infinite ways to make money and I’ve hardly tried any of them. This is when things will start to get interesting, I leave in just over three weeks for two months in Europe and I can’t wait to show you how I make it happen. Stand by while I actually attempt the I’mPossible…

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.     2-4 blocks of ebay

7.     Collage Cleanup Session

8.     Travel Section Website

SONG OF THE DAY

Heart – “Straight On” 1978  I’ve had more than a few moments with this song over the years but now it is time to make it my anthem. It took me just over 40 years to figure out what I wanted to do with my life and I the only option I have at this time is to run directly towards my biggest dreams. The fact that the song was released the year I was born is a lucky coincidence.

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 23 Of Delusional Optimist's Guide To Achieving The I'mPossible

Day 23

I have yet to work a full week at my new 9-5 but today is my first “Saturday” in years. While there is a lot to learn, my new job is very low stress and the kind of job you can release after clocking out for the day; an ideal situation for someone working toward a larger goal. It does feel good to speak with humans on a regular basis again but I can't help but wonder if I’ve given up or have gifted myself a more reasonable timeline. The last two days I worked 12 hours and sadly only completed four 90 minute work blocks; factoring in eight hours of sleep each night and transit time, I wasted at least 12 hours doing nothing. It is embarrassing to not complete my goals and write about it but I still just watched movies when I got back to my spot after work last night. Maybe I needed to relax but when I have so far to go to become a financially stable adult, relaxing feels irresponsible.

Shortly before the purple piece at the top was accidentally resined to the table. 

For the last five years since I quit Whole Foods, I have never been sure if I’d be able to pay my bills every month. As of two days ago, I now know I’ll be able to make those payments if I just keep going to work every day and remain frugal. That said, at this rate I won’t be able to afford dental work for at least a year (way too long when fillings came out months ago) and I still wouldn’t be able to pay for a real place to live (Bezosian Rent Warfare). Starting this new job clouded over my plans for the next few months and I must fine tune my trajectory if I hope to accomplish anything. In the past, I would have gone on a spacecruise to the ocean to mull over my next moves but I’d have to spend money I don’t have to make it happen. Thus lies the curse of the upside down car loan; can’t afford to get rid of the car and can’t afford to drive it.

Since I’m not working today, I hope to accomplish the goals I did not complete the last few days and to make some new art. I must strive to remember every day how good it feels to cross an item off my To Do list, even if it’s something so ridiculous as film scenes of your cardboard box movie at the foot of Bezos’ Balls (check!). Trying to decide if I should get up early to write my blog before work or will myself to do it every day when I get back…

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.     Collage work block

7.      Spotify work block

8.     Finalize list of outdoor shots for TROD video and gather/create props

SONG OF THE DAY

U2 – “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For” 1987  I would never call myself a U2 fan but some of their older music still pulls me in. In addition to creating a beautiful song, filming this video on the streets of Vegas made thousands of people smile. I hope to be able to make the kind of art that can affect people the way this song/video affects me and I’ll never get there if I don’t create art on a daily basis. Knowing that the world needs creators more than they need cogs in a fixed machine keeps me on my path when I feel like giving up.

Day 22 Of Delusional Optimist's Guide To Achieving The I'mPossible

Day 22

Even though I only worked a half day, yesterday was my intro to the empty feeling one has after working 9-5. Needless to say, my original goals were pushed aside. I had previously forgotten I had added yoga to my to do list but I still have only just stretched. I didn’t drink enough water, or work on T-ROD movie, or work on a Spotify list, or post twice on Instagram. Lame. My first work block of the day is gonna be a little wonky for a bit. My goal will be to post my daily blog before I go to work so that when I get back to the studio, all I’ll have to do is work on my craft.

Today is already my Friday so after work today, I’ll be experiencing my first “weekend” in years that I’ll work all the way through. At this time, I’m realizing that I need to fine tune what my new plan is. Still gonna dream of a cash windfall (and take steps toward) so I can photograph the art Indian Giver is blessing Paris with as we speak and utilize the French I’ve been learning on the Duolingo app but in the meantime, I’m going to keep slowly building my foundation. Knowing that all my bills will be paid with one job (if I remain in this “living” situation) feels mostly good but I can almost visualize the photos I’d get to take in London/Paris/Copenhagen/Rotterdam and my heart hurts for everyone who would’ve seen them. Technically, I still have two years to accomplish my five year goal of getting paid to go to Europe.

Looking forward to developing a routine but it may not be time for that just yet. My favorite thing I DID do yesterday was to sign up to potentially make money with Medium and post a few of my best pieces on Reddit. It was super easy to make the change so we’ll see what happens with that.

TODAY’S GOALS

1.     Drink 64 oz. water

2.     30 Minute Yoga YouTube Video

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.    Finalize plan of footage to capture in Seattle, gather props, pack bag

7.    90 Minute Collage Block

SONG OF THE DAY

Ama Lou “Wire” 2018  The video Ama Lou released for this song is a three pack with "Wire" as the last song. 

Day 21 Of Delusional Optimist's Guide To Achieving The I'mPossible

Day 21

Yesterday while cleaning the Cheeto rain out of @TheRingOfDOOM’s cardboard box apartment, I learned about another cheese poof metaphor. Even when the Cheetos have been cleaned up, they’ve left a permanent grease stain on the box itself, I’ll go ahead and directly relate that to the grease stain Trump/Bezos is leaving on our country and then move on to something else.

Resin El Wire Creation

I poured the resin on the three small pieces I’m currently almost finished with and also poured the first layer of my weird resin, el wire, creations. Recently, I made my first free-standing (battery pack attached) @TheRingOfDOOM lights because I felt so inclined. Once I get some batteries, I’ll be able to leave them places at night for lit up photo ops and it will make me smile. I didn’t start any new collages because I spent two full work blocks making tiny bowls, cups, chopsticks, spoon, knife, and big serving bowls out of polymer clay and baking them in my toaster oven.

Once I finished with the polymer clay, I realized that I have moved into a phase in which I must be an early bird again and that a sixth work block would have me staying up too late. Today is different than the rest will be but without going into detail just yet, I will say that I do now have a 9-5. It’s not Monday-Friday but I’m excited to only work eight hours in a day and to see what it’s like to be done working at 5pm. Since I will be working today, I’ll have to reevaluate the number of goals I set for myself because most of the day will be spent making money. Excited to be able to breathe again (due to having a steady flow of money coming in but also the smoke from the fires has Seattle wheezing).

TODAY’S GOALS

1.     Drink 64 oz. water

2.     30 Minute Yoga YouTube Video

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.      Spotify work block/ Collage

7..     Finalize list of outdoor shots for TROD video and gather props

SONG OF THE DAY

ABRA – “DIAMONDS AND GOLD” 2014  Every few months I have a new favorite Abra song, happy to have arrived at “DIAMONDS AND GOLD.”

DID YOU KNOW

Did you know that the first music video list I published was a collection of Music Videos With Famous Actors and Actresses back in January 2013? The boring name turns out to make it much easier to find my posts on Google for the win. This is one of the best music videos ever made.

Day 20 Of Delusional Optimist’s Guide To Achieving The I’mPossible

Day 20

The only goal I did not reach yesterday was to put any items for sale on ebay. My weak excuse is that most of the items I have at this time have failed to sell on ebay multiple times and that my attempts to flip stuff online ended up as a plastic tub of shit no one wants… like an R. Kelly cassette, or an Alaska commemorative spoon, or an eight headed mink stole. It should come to no surprise to me that I choose things (music, thrift store items) that do not make a profit but are awesome (Underground Hip Hop). Example, not a fan of Bieber or Grande but I love Taylar Elizza Beth and 10.4 Rog. Instead of eBaying, I spent time at the Laundromat and under Bezos’ Balls with @TheRingOfDOOM’s cardboard box apartment.

The sunset collage I almost didn't finish because I don't love the colors turned into one of my favorite pieces. I plan on turning it into a Spotifly playlist image so I can see it often.

As I reach the end of all my big collage projects without any more large frames in my possession, I’m reminded that I still have around 50 small and imperfect thrifted frames leftover from #100DaysOfTheRingOfDOOMcollages. I much prefer making large pieces but as I say to myself all the time, I must use what I have. There’s lots of things I prefer to do, like eating at delicious restaurants and spacecruising to the ocean whenever, but if we always did what we prefer to do, we’d just be laying on the couch watching Netflix in a diabetic coma from too much ice cream and chocolate. I still would prefer to take photos of Street Art (and everything) in Paris than building a solid foundation out of hourly wages but if I don’t take actions towards large sums of money, they will not arrive.

Over the next few months, I hope to become as addicted to finishing stuff as I am to coffee. Sometimes when I find myself leisurely gluing tiny pieces of water, I think about the sense of urgency that kicks in when I’m working for others and I start gluing faster. I currently have 201 drafted blog posts on my old blogger site, a fully drafted Hip Hop Crossword/Activity Book, way too many hours of @TheRingOfDOOM footage, 80 belt buckle blanks, 50+ tiny frames, 20 blank reusable bags, 800 button blanks, 147 uncompleted To Do lists, thousands of photos to sort into books/zines, and more than one storyboarded iphone movie (among other projects). When I finish all this stuff, I get to see what I’ll do next but the procrastinator in me wonders if all these projects should be finished. For someone who got many A’s on papers written the night before they were due, it is way too easy to put things off when there is no deadline. The time frame created by my plane ticket to Europe (I still have it) on September 17 may have been permanently replaced with an 18 month timeline (at least) so the sense of urgency/panic has turned into a marathon instead of a sprint. I keep thinking about where I should be as a forty year old but then I remember that I must not give a fuck about shoulds; I must fine tune my goals so I can work my way through them.

TODAY’S GOALS

1.     Drink 64 oz. water

2.     30 Minute Yoga YouTube Video

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.     Pour resin on current projects.

7.     Make at least one small framed collage and start next coaster set.

8.    Clean Cheeto rain out of cardboard box movie set and gather props needed for rest of the             scenes.

9.    Make tiny bowl of ramen out of polymer clay, resin, and actual ramen.

10.   Spotify work block

11.    90 Minute block sorting photos by city/artist for books/zines

SONG OF THE DAY

Seinabo Sey – “Younger” 2014 Until Death Becomes Her turns into our reality, none of us are getting any younger so we may as well just DOOM it.

DID YOU KNOW

Did you know I have a YouTube playlist with almost 100 animated videos on it? I’ve had Animated Videos Part VII drafted since mid 2017 so it’s no longer fresh but like I’ve said before, one of the best things about music is that the first time you hear it, it is new to you. I will be finalizing a new post of more current animated videos soon. Here’s one of my favorites from the playlist that is best consumed on SmartTV or whatever device you have close to you.

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 18 Of Delusional Optimist's Guide To Achieving The I'mPossible

Day 18

Looking back over the previous days goals and seeing what I did or didn’t do is always a little uncomfortable when you have a strange aversion to finishing stuff. It’s a little too easy to finish the first five goals and feel like I’ve done something when that stuff is supposed to merely promote the rest of my endeavors. The truth is that it is extremely difficult to see the vision I had when blissfully rewriting fables for my yet-to-launch new fictional character at McCarran Park in Brooklyn a little over a month ago. Inevitably, what people want for themselves will evolve as they learn, grow, and get over their own bullshit but this fog is caused by my lack of money, all the reasons why I don’t have any money, and my unwillingness to face my social anxieties head on.

One of the biggest lessons I learned about myself over the last few years is that as much as I love touring with musicians, the ups and downs of tour life are extremely difficult to deal with. The camaraderie and love vibes of tour are so beautiful and amazing but then I get back to Seattle and remember that I have been working too much to be present in the lives of the people I hoped to be in the position to help. Then comes the realization that even though I’ve been studying how to best develop, promote, and support artists over the last five years, many of the artists I love the most do not want my help because I haven’t been part of their lives over the last few years. Going out on tour with such high quality individuals changed me more than I could have predicted and it immersed me into a world I want to be part of for the rest of my life but I need to learn how to make it sustainable.

I won’t be going into the details of what is happening with my job search for a bit but I did say NO yesterday to an opportunity to jump into a Tour Manager position that would have started today and lasted until mid-September. As much as I know I would have loved every minute of it, Underground Hip Hop tours don’t correlate with making actual money. There are exceptions (mostly where merch cuts and Square tips are involved) but it is time for me to figure out how to make a living so I can continue to work with artists who are focused on building a legacy instead of a bank account. Me being too broke to go to the dentist or have a permanent residence helps no one and this tour would have merely put off the inevitable. Typically, toward the end of the tours, panic about what will happen after the tour rules my thoughts and I’m not as nice of a human as I was at the beginning of the tour. Starting this debt relief program is definitely a step in the right direction but there are many more steps I need to take to be a healthy, financially stable human being. As I stumble to write this paragraph, I wonder if this decision will be added to my list of regrets. We shall see…

Detail of hand cut 3D paper collage waiting for its 7th layer of resin.

I could write about my internal debates all day long but it would get me nowhere. That said, now seems the best time to tell you that I only completed four work blocks yesterday because I went to my sister’s place to re-watch Encino Man for the 111th time and spent too much time checking in to see how many people are looking at what I’m creating. I must try to care less but all three of my Instagram accounts have gone up an average of 50 followers since I started writing about my journey 17 days ago. The two work blocks not spent on my website consisted of gluing yet another layer of water onto my collages. They’re finally getting close to being finished and I am simultaneously excited/nervous to see what I’ll choose to finish next.

Since Seattle is no longer smoked in, it’s not way too hot outside, and because I need it, shortly after I send this blog out into the world, I’m heading out on a ridiculously long photo walk. So many photos I haven’t taken yet…

TODAY’S GOALS

1.     Drink 64 oz. water

2.     Stretch at least 10 minutes

3.     Go For A Long Walk and take tons of amazing photos

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.     Apply last layer of water to large collage and pour resin.

7.     Make final preparations for cardboard box movie so I can film it TOMORROW

SONG OF THE DAY

Charlotte Day Wilson – “Work” 2016 Cuz it's gonna take a bit of work...

DID YOU KNOW

I didn’t know this so I’m pretty sure you didn’t either but writing stories about beings becoming friends who love snacks is not new to me. While looking through my collage paper collection, I found this story I probably wrote in elementary story about a rabbit that makes friends with his neighbors. My favorite part is that Hoot The Owl brought custard and Ted The Bear brought popcorn; I was so not into custard.

Day 17 Of Delusional Optimist's Guide To Achieving The I'mPossible

Day 17

These days my focus is all over the place because the money issue keeps delivering itself into my mental mailbox. At any time, I could become available to work the catering jobs again but my morality/ethical issues with alcohol are holding me back. Alcohol ruins peoples lives and I have never felt good about bartending even though it has helped me to pay my bills (sort of). I have zero desire to be a good Bartender but people keep offering me jobs doing it even though I still refuse to learn the exact differences between an Old Fashioned and a Manhattan. Despite my lack of knowledge about cocktails, I’ve still become a pretty good bartender. The gig economy of the music industry has forced me into doing so many things at once to stay afloat that I haven’t had the chance to master anything. If you’ve worked with me in the past or was paying attention to my five year journey through the music industry, you already know how much I (and the rest of the world) would benefit if I were able to focus on getting good at one thing that could actually help people. I know that it is up to me to decide what I want to master but money MUST come from somewhere.

 @TheRingOfDOOM in Brooklyn w/ Squad Last Month

I found out today that I have another job interview on Tuesday. This is a job in which I would actually be able to utilize my music industry knowledge, my decades of customer service, and learn from people who’ve successfully worked their way through the startup world. Looking forward to meeting the team and seeing if they’re smart enough to see my infinite potential and aren’t intimidated by it.

The only goal I did not complete yesterday (only got four work blocks again because I spent too much time actively loving the new music I’ve found) was looking through my bin of items I failed to sell on Ebay and re-listing it all. What’s with this aversion to tasks that actually could make me money? I already know the answer (I just want to make art, eye roll) but this video that YouTube wanted me to watch explained it to me further.

I am 100% aware that my anxiety over reaching out to those who could help me the most has halted my progress towards getting to Europe completely. Knowing that I’ll keep getting better at making art every day makes it too easy to put off reaching out until tomorrow… every day. I have already learned that the best things happen when I leap out of my comfort zone but here I sit, alone in my tiny studio, writing about how I’m scared to ask for help instead of figuring out exactly what to ask for. I think too often about a Melinda Gates quote I’ve seen on a wall that claims we all have the same dreams. It would be nice if it were true but if you’re homeless you dream of things like a solid meal, a long term place to live, and regular use of a toilet. Only when all of one’s basic needs are being met can they dream of changing the world with art or being a travel photographer. If I can dream this big as a squatter with a mouthful of cavities and a heap of credit card debt, I can’t wait to see what I come up with when I have a significant balance in my savings account. I know I already have all the pieces of the puzzle, now I just need to put them together.

Above video created last summer while solo road tripping for over a month with a brand new credit card.

My favorite thing I did yesterday was spend just over an hour reorganizing and cleaning my studio. It’s like a whole new room. Deleting the Facebook app from my phone also felt pretty damn good (DEATH TO THE SCROLL!). Every time I write these I wonder if I’m releasing too much of myself into the world but then I remember that the people who inspire me the most have not only shared their truths publicly but also embraced them in awe-inspiring ways. Only by being 100% myself will I find those who will also embrace my weirdness. One of my favorite people I haven’t met reminded me yesterday that since I’m still unclear about what I hope to accomplish in this world, the rest of the world has nothing to invest in. Thanks to this wise man, I’ll be turning the homepage of my website into a declaration of what I would do if all of the sudden I had the funding to hit the ground running. Cue Arcade Fire’s “Keep The Car Running.” Stay tuned…

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 layers to resin projects.

7.     Work on photoshop images for upcoming playlists.

8.     Spotify Block – Loving the slow build of using Reddit to promote playlists.

9.     Spend time getting to know my new metal file and 2000 grit sandpaper while polishing up the over-resined edges of my recent artwork.

SONG OF THE DAY

Elements Of Music feat. Anderson .Paak + Blu – “Get Along” 2015

DID YOU KNOW

Did you know that I put together a Street Art music video last year? I made it with photos from my Europe trip (and a few US shots) and a song by Paces Lift & Ben Bounce called “Sol Walk.” I’m still amazed at how well the photos match the song but in the year plus since I made the video, I learned about disabling Ken Burns effect (brushes shoulder like a dumbass). The constant zooming throughout the video actually adds to the uncomfortable feeling you’re supposed to have when thinking about the state of our world today (DELUSIONAL OPTIMISM). The only stupid reason I haven’t made more of these is that I’d really love to be able to pay artists to use their music. It would be nice if I could pay the Street Artists too but I’m too busy arting to make enough money to do that.

Day 16 Of Delusional Optimist's Guide To Achieving The I'mPossible

Day 16

Yesterday I failed to drink enough water and I didn’t touch my collages at all. I did gaze into the water on my big collage but that doesn’t count. I did send in my series proposal to Adult Swim via the Contact Us link on their site. Then, as expected when stumbling through new things, I discovered they have a whole process for submissions. There’s some lingo on there I’ll need to research before reaching out again. Trying to stay on their radar via social media because Jason DeMarco has made the kind of mark on the work I appreciate the most. Most of yesterday was spent researching artist grants, music, and thinking about what my plan should be. As much as I don’t want my life to be the pursuit of money, I need to start making some. So hard to know when thinking turns into overthinking, especially when your whole future will be determined by your decision.

Loved releasing a new playlist into the world yesterday with an image I created myself. It’s so awesome to see my own art all up in Spotify even if I put it there myself. Plus, the playlist is awesome. I make these playlists for myself but I’ve gotten some great feedback from others as well. Discovering new music still makes me as happy as it always did. It got tricky there for awhile when I became acquainted with some of my favorite musicians both in and outside of the Seattle music scene. I’ve posted a lot of music I didn’t like in the past (I’ll never tell which ones) because I felt obligated to but now that I’m an outsider again, I only post the music I actually enjoy listening to. I believe that I can help my favorite local musicians the most by placing the best of their music alongside great music from all over the world. If the underground music communities were connected on a global level, it would lay the groundwork for world tours and fans from every corner of the planet. There are already many talented people who write about the Seattle music scene specifically and for the most part, I have different tastes than all of them. There is more than enough room for all of us on the internet. As the title of my website declares, the stuff I post is what I think is cool right now; I don’t really care if you don’t like it.

I did complete two job interviews today, both seemed to go well but one of the jobs seemed like a better fit AND it has health insurance/401k. We shall see what they decide. That’s the hard part about job searching for me, waiting for someone I barely know to decide if they want me to work for them. If they could see the future, they’d already know I’ll be the best employee they’ve ever had. It’s looking very much like I’ll be building a strong foundation for myself over the next 18 months and staying on this continent. It’s not I’mPossible to use credit cards to fund another photo vacation, I can do better… it will just take more time to do it right.

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.    Pour resin and work on collages

7.     Look through bin of items that I’ve failed to sell on ebay in the past and try again.

8.    Spotify/Music work block

9.     At least 20 minutes of cleaning the studio

SONG OF THE DAY

Aretha Franklin & George Michael – “I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)” 1986  Aretha gifted us with so much music in her life and it will always be part of who we are. Thankfully, we can press play at any time to feel the connection to the artists we have lost even if we've never met them. This song will always make me smile even if a tear comes along with it.

DID YOU KNOW

Did you know I have a YouTube playlist called Street Art Universe with almost 200 videos that I half-watch while gluing tiny pieces of paper? I’ve learned so much about the journeys of artists by watching these videos and the playlist grows every time I head down the rabbithole.

One of my recent favorites:

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 13 Of Delusional Optimist's Guide To Achieving The I'mPossible

Day 13

While I did get a lot done yesterday in six 90 minute work blocks, I was all over the place with the goals. Failed on the water goal but I did have tea and juice (lame). No actual walk or ten minute block of stretching; I prefer two minutes at a time in between work blocks but my body would likely prefer more. Completed all the website and Instagram posts and shared on Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, Medium, Pinterest, and Vero (not sure if Vero is working out for anyone). I spent more time than I thought I would working on an upcoming music post; once I start down the rabbithole of internet digging for music, I seem to find better stuff the longer I look. Still trying to figure out how to package 40+ music videos for easy consumption but they’re all too good not to share. It may or may not be The New Hotness Vol. 13 as a continuation from my old website; time will tell. I did not pour resin yesterday because I spent two 90 minute work blocks gluing water on the big collage instead. While it would be nice if it was already done, if I pour the resin earlier in the day, I get more done on the next set of collages (sunset) while it is drying. I’m in full procrastination mode on filming the series pilot. I prefer to work on video projects when I don’t have the option to make resin art. Since I have a little over a month until I leave, collage time is precious… <--- Excuses. No official Spotify work block but I was able to add some songs to the new playlist that I discovered via YouTube. My food situation is currently on point though (brushes shoulder).

@TheRingOfDOOM shortly after surgery; scarred but recovering nicely in his cardboard box apartment.

So far this month I’ve completed 67 ninety minute work blocks. That is 100 and a half hours of work towards my biggest life goals in twelve days. That works out to be only 8.375 hours per day. It may seem like a lot or a little, depending on who you are, but I know how much time was wasted in between work blocks so I plan on doing even better this week. Still not officially hustling. I made a few potential daily timelines to see how short my breaks would have to be to fit in more work blocks. I’m shooting for 8 work blocks (a new personal record) today so I will try skipping the walk and actually doing a short yoga video instead. My food restock yesterday has made it so there really isn’t anywhere I need to go today... unless of course I get crazy and leave to make the video.

As of today, I’ve only sold two pieces of my own art. Both were zines and one was sold to my sister and the other to a friend. I’ve got a long way to go if I hope to have a sustainable art career but I know I’m on the right path… just gotta keep creating and sharing. Finishing stuff and putting it out into the world feels more awesome than procrastinating; must cement this into my brain.

Today’s Goals

1.     Drink 64 oz. water

2.     Stretch at least 10 minutes

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

4.     2-3 Instagram Posts Per Account @206liz @TheRingOfDOOM @MyDefOfCool

5.    Pour resin on all projects and work on sunset piece -1-2 blocks

6.     Add more items to website store – 1 block

7.     One work block organizing studio to make room to stretch

8.     One 90 minute clay work block to make props/new character etc.

SONG OF THE DAY

Snoh Aalegra – “Sometimes” 2017  She released a video for the track a couple weeks back but the song originally appeared on her album FEELS last year.

DID YOU KNOW

Did you know that this show with Astro King Phoenix, ZZ Top’s Drummer’s Drum Machines Manager’s Band, and Dex Dynamite Saga (Dex Amora, J’Von, & Zuke Saga) is one of the achievements I am most proud? It was one of the first shows I booked for The Crocodile Back Bar in 2014. The large version of Mad Max’s poster was stolen out of the light box, it was that dope. While small shows are fun and a great way for artists to work on their live performances, I don’t want to book shows until I can offer the musicians large amounts of money.

Day 12 Of Delusional Optimist’s Guide To Achiving The I’mPossible

Day 12

I did pretty damn good on my goals yesterday but did not complete them all. The one goal I did not even attempt was to go for a walk; I got more done as a result. I had a few false starts on 90 minute work blocks in which I got distracted researching the people who are liking my work on Instagram and other social media sites. Once I realized that I actually had some followers on Spotify that weren’t related to me, I felt the urge to spend more time making playlists. These days there is such a thing as getting paid to be a pro-style playlister.

One of the videos my inspirators posted lately reminded me that it is more than okay to go all in on the things I’m already good at. Still wanna finish this damn video but I should not neglect the things that come easily to me. I’ve been making playlists since dubbing songs from the radio onto cassettes in the 80’s and making collages feels more like putting together a puzzle these days. Thanks to my decades of playlisting, my Mom can recognize Phife Dawg's voice when she hears it; priceless. Whether you know it or not, my good taste in music is likely why you even know who I am. Sending the music blog I started in 2009 to the right person eventually led to working alongside the most famous musicians in the world and curating events in which artists are able to perform in front of an audience for the first time. Even though filtering through new music can be painful, it is always worth it when gems are discovered. Finding a new favorite song is one of the best feelings in the world.

I did get five products for sale on my now fully functioning website shop yesterday. It makes the most sense to cut out the middleman early if it works out (I just don’t feel like an Etsy person). Squarespace does charge a 3% transaction fee but I don’t see a way around that just yet. The process inspired me to unearth the zines I’ve completed and print some out. They’re just awesome enough not to be too embarrassing and I’m more than okay with showing my progress. I’ve completed three 100 Day Projects over the last couple years which would also make great zines/books if I actually put them together.

#100DaysOfBridgesWithTheRingOfDOOM

#100DaysOfStickersWith206Liz

#100DaysOfTheRingOfDOOMcollages

Today I’m going to make resupplying myself with healthy food my number one priority. I tend to go the cheapest route possible but that usually ends up being pasta. Creativity will get me everywhere when it comes to that one.

Since tomorrow is another Monday, I’m gonna get back into using my alarm clock. I’ve been allowing myself to sleep as much as I want but I can sleep on the plane to Europe on September 17. My natural bedtime is around 4:30 AM so eight hours of sleep has me waking up after noon. Feels weird to set an alarm when I’m my own boss and I have nowhere specific to go but self-discipline will get me everywhere… plus I love weird stuff. Not sure yet what my wakeup time will be but there’s no reason I shouldn’t be able to work on my projects for at least 12 hours a day if I use my time wisely. I definitely spend too much time checking all my social media sites in between work blocks because I love researching what posts people like the most.

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 blogs on Medium also)

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

6.     Resupply Food

7.      Finish water layer and pour resin

8.     Get everything ready to film pilot tomorrow

9.     Another 90 Minute Spotify work block

SONG OF THE DAY

Charlotte Day Wilson – “Nothing New” 2018  Her song “Work” from 2016 is the cut too. This will definitely be on my upcoming August playlist but it has also been added to my Give Slow Jams A Chance playlist; linked below.

Charlotte Day Wilson - "Work" 2016

DID YOU KNOW

Did you know I have a thing for time lapse videos? One of my favorites is this video captured while driving across the super long Astoria-Megler Bridge in Astoria, Oregon.

Day 11 Of Delusional Optimist's Guide To Achieving The I'mPossible

Day 11

Detail of 12 layered @TheRingOfDOOM 3D water collage.

Completed almost all of yesterday’s goals; I failed to drink enough water and didn’t formally stretch even though it’s easy. I’m loving the resin projects I have under construction but I can’t wait to see what I make next. While I do love the end result of multi-layered water, gluing tiny pieces of paper on the same board does get a little tedious. Since I’m using what I’ve got and trying to not buy more art supplies, the art I make over the next week will likely go through a few phases. For example, I absolutely love making art with space striped skies but I’m almost out of space stripes so I had to move onto moonscape skies. I love the way the moon sky art is turning out but I only have a few photos of the moon left. Currently in possession of just enough sunset photos to make one piece so whatever I make next will likely be something completely new. I will probably always come back to the water and will continue to search through the many boxes of old magazines I have to make it happen. It’s definitely time to reach out to a local art professional to ask if my art is as good as I think it is; I’ll love it no matter what they say but reality must rear its head eventually.

I’m not loving these colors but every piece is hand cut from a magazine photo from a sunset. Had to see what it looked like... detail of a piece still under construction.

During my research about selling art, I came across a video that said the biggest mistake artist’s make is not having a shop/store on their website. Seems like a no brainer but I realized I do not have my art for sale anywhere. While I do have an Etsy page for my water belt buckles, patches, and zines, none of my non-wearable art is for sale anywhere. I’ve wanted to have an art show for quite awhile but reaching out is hard these days (even though it’s really just tapping fingers on a screen or having a conversation). I’m also still making the art I’d want to have in a show… excuses.

Today Sub Pop is having a 30th Anniversary concert at Alki but I will not be in attendance. I love what they have built and overflow with respect for the artists performing (Shabazz Palaces is #1 in my book) but I much prefer to work at these kind of events. I know my time would be better spent working towards my lofty goals and taking care of myself.

I did reach out to two Seattle entrepreneurs about working for them yesterday and I would sincerely love to see that happen. I let them know about my Europe plans so they’d know in advance that I plan on leaving for two months. Even though I must work towards an art career right now, I also must eat and pay my bills; it’s a thing. There are more than enough hours in the day to work for another and to work for myself. Few things are better than working with a great team toward a common goal, here’s hoping that works out.

MY LINKEDIN PAGE

Throwing this out there… if I received a job offer that would allow me to live alone in Seattle, keep my car, have health/dental, pay off my debts, finally buy some new clothes, and still be able to afford food, I’d seriously consider putting off the Europe trip until a later time. It’s kind of crazy that those things are extravagant in Seattle for a UW graduate. Even when I worked every day for others, I still didn’t make enough money to live and prosper in Seattle because I have chosen to work in the low-paying music industry. I am fully aware of the mistakes I made that kept me from being profitable and would do (almost) all of it over again the same way cuz I learned so much. I would 100% go on tour again (with the right artists) at a moment’s notice because that is the end goal of all this selling art business anyway.

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 blogs on Medium also)

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

6.     Work on resin projects

7.     Set up the store on my website with at least five pieces.

SONG OF THE DAY

Stimulator Jones – “Soon Never Comes” 2018

This song is also on the Stones Throw playlist I created to pair with the S.T. word search you haven’t seen yet. My love for all things Stones Throw runs so deep that I’d drop everything to move to LA at a moment’s notice to work on their team. I once drove all the way to LA from Seattle to attend a Release Party for their documentary, Our Vinyl Weighs A Ton because they’re that awesome.

DID YOU KNOW

Did you know I made a macro music video for Damon Albarn’s “Everyday Robots” with footage of an ant hole I captured on my iPhoneSE? It is my second most popular upload to date because of a Reddit win. My most viewed is the footage I got of @TheRingOfDOOM up front at a Joey Badass/Schoolboy Q show.

Day 10 Of Delusional Optimist's Guide To Achieving The I'mPossible

Day 10

Yesterday’s goals were not met because I opted to live life instead. I was able to reconnect with some family I hadn’t seen in too many years, see my 18 month old nephew walk across a room smiling (very new skill), and connect with some friends on Capitol Hill. It was a good day, pretty sure I didn’t drink enough water, my walk was only back and forth from my car, I did not stretch,  and I did write the blog post but have yet to share it on Medium. I did fit in two 90 minute work blocks when I got back to the studio which were spent gluing water. Still want to glue some more water onto the big collage before adding the next layer of resin. Every time I wonder if I should just call it done, I glance over at the 12+ layered water collage I finished a few weeks ago and keep gluing. Can’t wait to see how my art evolves.

Leaving a trail of handcut water confetti everywhere I go...

My first 90 minute work block is usually spent making my first Instagram posts and starting the blog. The second block is typically posting the blog, adding the links, posting it on Medium, and sharing the post on all my social media sites. I usually have time in the second work block to tackle some of the many drafted Music, Travel, and Photography posts. If I actually completed everything I’ve started, I’ll get everywhere I want to go and beyond. I’ve been procrastinating the filming of the pilot because there is so much potential with the story, I don’t want it to suck. I must make it anyway because I’ll never get better if I don’t actually make videos. My plan is to bring the entire cardboard box apartment with all the props inside out into the city to shoot the video because that’s the kind of stuff I do. 

No further responses from the auction houses but maybe they’re reading this now trying to research the individual who dare reach out to them directly. If so… hey guys, I’d really love to help the world be a better place with my art and you have it in your power to make it happen very quickly. Since I know you specialize in secondary art sales, I’ve sold the piece to my friend and bought it back again so it’s ready for auction. I’ll happily split the profits of my biggest 3D water collage with the ACLU when it sells for more than a million at your auction. With my half, I intend to help artists get out of struggle mode by investing in their creativity and paying them what they deserve to create art that will inspire others to work towards their dreams as well. Since I’m lucky enough to wake up in the morning and choose to do anything, I may as well try to help the most people possible in the shortest amount of time.

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 blogs on Medium also)

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

6.     Finish water layer on collages and pour resin/ start new sunset piece

7.     Go to Vermillion for The Jam

SONG OF THE DAY

Suff Daddy – “Pattern Select”  After finally watching this video for the first time, I just added it to my list of Music Videos with Mercedes so today is going very well.

It’s also on my severely overplayed but always enjoyed Inner Spacecruise playlist.

DID YOU KNOW

Did you know I started @TheRingOfDOOM project as a stop motion video project? Technical difficulties and the figurine falling into the sand turned it into a photo project. I still have this original soft clay figurine (although it remains smooshed from sitting on it too many times) and also a large canvas photo of this photo from when my ring still had the rhinestone.

One of the first @TheRingOfDOOM dioramas.

Day 9 Of Delusional Optimist's Guide To Achieving The I'mPossible

I completed all of yesterday’s goals in six work blocks but I still need to acquire/finalize a few of the props for the pilot. Can’t wait to finish it so I can move on to the next thing; which will be either finalizing my fully drafted Hip Hop Crossword/Word Search book or laying out a photo book to get internet printed… in addition to making more art of course.

Art under construction in my studio today.

So far I’ve gotten 20+ auto replies and 1 actual response from the Christies/Sothebys teams. A woman from Christies kindly let me know that they only deal in secondary art sales so they’re unable to work with me. Two things about that, that 100% sounds like they are rich people trading money who see that artists do NOT get paid for their art AND what if I sold it to a bunch of people on the street and bought it back a bunch of times? Would that work? My research has shown that an artist named Damien Hirst sold his art directly to buyers at a Sotheby’s auction so maybe they’ll go for it. I remain hopeful that someone will take the bait; at least I’m trying. It makes all the sense in the world to start at the top when possible. Even though I’m currently in financial straits, I love the idea of selling the art for the ACLU or a Seattle-based charity (but Pearl Jam is crushing that game right now) to raise awareness for the cause instead of getting paid. Even if I didn’t get a penny for selling the big piece, I’d hopefully be able to pay for some dental work with the smaller pieces. Anything is possible because I choose to believe it. We shall see what develops there.

Heading out into the world today to see some family and to check out Specs Wizard’s Art Show so I may not get as many work blocks in as I would like. My extreme night owl nature has me waking up late in the day but also working til 4am on my art. I’m on a different schedule than the rest of the world and I’m okay with that; working jobs in which you finish around 2:30-3:00 AM will do that to you.

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 blogs on Medium also)

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

6.     Finish water layers on all projects and pour resin.

SONG OF THE DAY

Sade – “Flower Of The Universe (No I.D. Remix)” 2018

DID YOU KNOW

Did you know that I spent four summers living in Alaska? I worked as a Barista/Busser at a Princess Cruise lines resort that drew people in with the view of Denali. My fourth summer, I lived in Talkeetna and worked as a pubtender at the bar the climbers would come to first thing after summiting Denali. I got to meet so many great people who had very different ideas on how to live life. I was never the same in the best way. 

Me behind the two room tent I lived in for a few weeks with a friend by the river in Talkeetna.

I realized I lied when I said I’d never left my mark. This was written under the bridge at Mile 133.1 of the Parks Highway in Alaska circa 1999 with a tipless can of spray paint. I’d love to go back and see if it is still there.