Thursday, September 08, 2011

Jumping in without a net, Flying in deep water...

That's when I'm happiest- case in point (and why I will curtail this blogpost)

That sweater of Silky Wool? No pattern. Not one. Measurements, washed swatch, Sweater Design in Plain English, EZ's percentage plan. I've got the math worked out (with some gracious help from kmkat- who does math for fun?) up until I add the sleeves (it's a bottom up cardigan) then I'll have to start thinking again. It's the first project that has piqued my interest in some time- and mostly because I don't really know how it will end or what will happen next.

Nother case in point. I mentioned in an earlier post that we've got a teacher who is serious bad sick. Won't be back this year. She's not very old- 30ish- cancer is revisiting-it makes a friend feel helpless. It makes a faculty feel helpless. She's got a great support system so kids and household are well managed so there's even less for us to try and do.

Since her visitors are limited, I'm making her a video. I'm going to each person on the staff and asking them to do something ridiculous for the sake of cheering her up. They all mostly (well all except one) agree- at first reluctantly and then are stars once the camera is on. I've got the principal singing "Head Shoulders Knees and Toes." I've got two burly custodians singing and marching to "Hi Ho, Hi Ho." You get the picture. Little snippets of laughable and lovable moments for her to have at her side when a little bit lonely.

I did make sure that the recordings would transfer to my editing program before starting. As the week has gone on, clever little clips are coming to me at random moments (All the 1st grade and k-ers in the cafeteria raised their hands at the same time and when called on said "Will you open my ranch PLEEEAASSEE????") I am slowly accumulating clips that are cracking me the heck up. I got a bus driver to sing a verse of the Wheels on the Bus singing- "The drivers on the bus say LET ME OFF!"

Driving home today I had a vision as to how I want to connect these clips using Final Cut Express and Live Type.

Here's where the flying without fish and jumping in a landslide happen. I have NO IDEA how exactly to work those programs. I am not an experienced movie editor. I have Zero Skills other than reading the directions and trying stuff once or twice a few years ago. And yet, today while driving home from work, I was sure I wouldn't need a nap after school because I'm so excited to get started on figuring it out. I may not figure everything out the way it is in my mind but I can't wait to try.

For being such a rule following anxiety ridden person in most parts of life, it makes me happy to realize that there are times when I can just say to myself "here's an idea, let's see what can happen!" Which is where I'm going now- just to see what I can figure out.

7 comments:

JelliDonut said...

"Let's see what can happen." The best phrase EVER!

Yarnhog said...

Love your idea! I'll bet that really cheers her up.

My son's teacher's wife died of cancer a little over a year ago, after a 20-month battle. It was awful. They have three young kids, who were also at our school. It was terrible knowing that they were all suffering, and not being able to do anything to really help.

flutter said...

I love this, I think you are wonderful

Cindy said...

Becks. It's called artistic creativity and you gots it. What an incredibly wonderful kind and fun gift for your friend. These are the things that make it all worth while. Hugs!!!

Becky said...

You are an awesome friend, and I have no doubt you will edit an awesome video!

Anonymous said...

(catching up on blogs here)

You are Teh Awesome! What a great thing to do. And you and everyone else is having such a good time doing it.

5elementknitr said...

I adore you!