Onward Thru the Fog…

06-01-19 Journal entry re: ed2go class

I’m struggling here. I’ve been really hesitant to try to learn how to podcast, but I’ve listened to a few, as part of an assignment, and now I really want to be able to make them. To be perfectly honest, a big part of my problem with doing it is that I’ve always really hated hearing the sound of my own voice when I’ve been recorded in meetings and such. I sound just like my sister, and we sound like such hicks! (That’s what happens sometimes when you grow up in the South…) Is that how I sound?  Like most people, I guess, I assume I sound like the trained voices we all hear in the media all day. It will be even worse when I try a make a video! I don’t even take selfies because I’m shocked at the old woman who’s looking back at me! Who is that? Is that what I look like now? And add to that my total lack of confidence with all this techno-talk.

But onward thru the fog…

So, I downloaded Voice Recorder Pro onto my (very old) 5C iPhone. Because I don’t understand computer/tech jargon, I’m not sure at all what I’m doing. I did record a small snippet just to hear how it sounds. It was kind of fun. (And I didn’t gag!) Loved how easy it was to convert to MP3 and email to myself. Not sure how to access it on my PC, though, except through the download list. 

Then I remembered that I have an old iPad that I was given years ago through a grant from the local Autism Foundation. I never learned how to use it (surprise!), but every once in a while I charge it up and turn it on and look at all the things it could do and play with it for a minute, until I get overwhelmed and set it back down. Now I’m wondering if it might record and/or video better than my old iPhone? (Crap! Something else to learn?! At 68, I’m feeling like an old dog, not so good at new tricks.) Then when I’m forced to look at apps (there are so many!), I see that some are speak-to-text. I think I would like that feature. One podcast I just found offered a transcript that could be downloaded. Sometimes I would rather read at my own pace than listen.

So, for now, back to the Learning Path>>>>>

P.S. I wrote this over a week ago. My online class will only be available another week, and I’ve been taking screenshots of everything so I can have more time to figure it all out. (At least I’ve learned how to do that…) Since the introduction of podcasting, I haven’t made any more real progress in the class. I still haven’t attempted to make an actual podcast, nor have I written any more blog posts. I’ve been having a really hard time making myself learn these things that I don’t know how to do!  And I don’t understand the explanations! Fear of screwing up is giving me panic attacks! I feel anxiety tightening my gut at just writing this. Agh!!! Self-condemnation is telling me I can’t do it. But I say: it can’t be that hard; plenty of people (millions?) —some of whom are no smarter than I am — are doing these things every day. (Please help me, Lord! Thank You. I know You will. All I have to do is trust and obey and get out of the way. I’m trying. Probably sometimes very trying…) If you’re personally so inclined, say a little prayer for me and maybe send me some encouragement.

In the process, I’ve learned that procrastination definitely has an upside: I’ve gotten all my ceiling fans cleaned instead!

So click here for today’s song that has become my theme song lately: Jason’s Gray’s “Glow in the Dark”– TURN IT UP AND DANCE WITH ME!

The Journey Begins… Again…

Sunset at Bands on the Beach

Hello, fellow earthlings! This is my first attempt to communicate with y’all en masse. (Technically, this is now my second or third try – very necessary do-overs! Am I ready now? I think so. I hope so…) I want my blog to be a variety show of different topics that interest me, and I hope to stimulate discussions and exchanges of ideas with all y’all. (I often show my Texas roots. Wanna see my boots?)

I’m originally from Podunk, county seat of Redneck County, deep in the Piney Woods of East Texas. Most Likely to Succeed in the Class of 1969! “It was the summer of ’69” when I got outta there as soon as I could and spent the 70s grooving in Austin. As the middle child (and oldest girl) of a large lower-middle-class family, I carry my scars with a mixture of shame and pride. My family tree has so many dysfunctional roots and branches that it’s amazing any of us came out alive and well! But we have produced some amazing fruit!

I now live in beautiful Pensacola, Florida, transplanted by choice in 2005 to this incredible piece of Paradise. I traveled extensively prior to settling down here, and I’m SO thankful I found the Emerald Coast! For the first time in my life, I’m not wasting my time wishing I were somewhere else, doing something else, with someone else!

So who am I? First and foremost, I’m a born-again Jesus-Follower (but not a conventional Christian!) and an eager Worshiper (I’m known by many as “The Tambourine Lady”). I’m a single mother of a boomerang “special needs” grown son (named Austin); a 4:20-friendly Baby Boomer peace-and-love hippie chick; a mixture mindset, both liberal and conservative, depending on the topic; a mostly-retired Licensed Massage Therapist advocating for natural alternative remedies; an intentionally healthy nature-girl organic gardener; a straight ally to the LGBT community; a certified Aspie (Asperger’s Syndrome —  I’m not quite as “quirky” as Sheldon, but I’m so sad TBBT is over!).

As a child-abuse-survivor, I am a longtime seeker of Recovery support (CoDA, AlAnon, ACA, SLAA, LAA, EFT tapping, as well as personal and group therapies). My many bookshelves are filled with self-help and how-to books, whether of my spirit, my psyche, my body, my relationships, my house, or my garden. Our house is full of rescued fur-babies, and my yard is full of beautiful plants. My favorite “God-Place” is swinging in my Sky Chair that hangs on the porch of my backyard she-shed. Sunset on Pensacola Beach is also on the top of my favorite places to just BE. Dancing in the breeze under the stars to the oldies at Bands on the Beach is my favorite entertainment — and exercise!

If you know me very well, you know that I’ve been wanting to do some more writing for a long time. I’ve struggled with all the blocks that a writer can have! I’ve tried different methods with all the various how-to choices and am currently working on setting up a blog (and pod cast!?!?) on WordPress, using an ed2go online course through Continuing Education at Pensacola State College. This is my second time to take this class. The first ended abruptly when I fell and broke my right wrist a few weeks into the class. It’s been 2 ½ years since that fall. Followed by severe anxiety attacks –> more writer’s block! But “In the Name of Jesus, I don’t have to be afraid anymore!” Can I get an Amen? And did I tell you I have a Masters in Procrastination? (Still praying for that deliverance!)

Because music, especially contemporary Christian, is such an important part of my life, I will often share music videos, which I hope bless you as much as they bless me. Click here to hear Plumb singing “Lord, I’m Ready Now” — I think I am!

Thank you for joining me in my virtual living room. Please post a comment and make my day! (Looks like you have to go back up to the top left and click on Comments.)

Peace and love, naa-noo, naa-noo, Namaste, Shalom, and all that goes with it!

Katy

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