23/10/23 07:26

Sat in Costa Coffee at early o’clock in there’s so much that I have to do.  I have to prepare for podcast interviews, I have to add entries to my blog, I need to record the audio files as well as record me recording them.  That will be with my phone using a new app – a teleprompter.  The separate audio file will be on my new Zoom H1N that I treated myself to.  Just like this new mini, Kickstarter funded, Lotus 3D printed, laser-etched, limited edition, fountain pen with an Eclat de Saphir Herbin cartouche.  I’ve stopped worrying about learning French as Coffee Pot Conversations has taken up my spare time and also injected a much-needed boost of creative positivity back into my bones.  Although it suddenly feels like my wrist may have had too much of an injection as it’s already starting to ache and seize up.  But that could be a symptom of not writing for too long.

With only 21 days until I head back to Paris, the excitement has turned into anticipation as I still only have confirmed one appointment.  And that was a very unexpected one.  It’s with a lady from the Wallace Fountain society in Paris.  We’re meeting at La Petite Place in the 3^rd for a chat and I’ve no idea what to ask her.  I’m hoping that it will either come to me in a burst of inspiration or she’ll lead the way.  I’ve written down questions for other guests that I’m hoping to get interviews with, but I don’t want the conversations to be like interviews; I want free-flowing Coffee Pot Conversations.  I’m sure my researching mind will kick in and everything will be fine.  Once the nerves have dissipated.

I have Wednesday off work (today being Monday) as Nev is being a mace bearer for her class’s graduation and the office has done me dirty with asking me to swap a day so I’m in doing my 3 days, despite it being for childcare during half-term.  And now it’s documented, alongside the times I’ve been overlooked for attending award ceremonies.  Or being offered samples to test.  Soon, well, in 2 to 3 years, I’ll not have to worry about this sort of discrimination as I’m hoping to shoot through with the podcast and reach a very happy place whereby I get to do more for my brain and its mental wellbeing.  I’m looking forward to that side of things.  Truly, I am. 

So, for my day off, I’m taking the boys into Greenwich to see Nev do her stuff with a staff and then we’re popping into a café for a Coffee Pot Conversation.  I know I’ve not yet had a solo chat with Jasper but by doing a joint one with Rory, he may become more relaxed so that our own one is easier for him.  The thing that I like (and similarly dislike) is my preparation for this podcast.  I’m learning as I’m going, picking up hints, tips, tricks and ideas along the way.  As a result, I have a 4-sheet Excel spreadsheet, tons of folders on my OneDrive and a whole heap of arranged plans.  This allows me, because I’m already one season ahead, scope to alter as I go.  But then the rearranging will be a huge task each time.  If this is my main creative outlet, then it’s really no biggie to cope with.  As long as I keep in front of my tasks.  With the H1N (even though I can still use my iPhone) I’ll be more motivated as well as able to knock things about and make ‘emergency ad-hoc’ episodes.  These can either bump the planned episodes to a later slot – don’t forget I’m updating my Instagram once a week with blog posts – or slip it into the mix once they’re ready.  Using Podcaster for Spotify or Spotify for Podcasters, I can’t remember which, it’s rather easy  Podcastle is for more refined podcasting audio issues.

Even just thinking about it is getting me excited.  And more motivated to move this forward.  However, each episode is taking an age to research with only about 4 solid hours a week available.  Everything else is down to me grabbing spare time before work, like now.  Or during my lunch breaks in the office.  This is when I try to ease my mind so it’s not always easy to focus.  Once I’m having more listeners and followers, I’ll be able to monetise and from there I’ll be able to provide more time for better content, more trips to Paris, more English interviews, more famous people and then who knows where I’ll be.  But always with the focus on my relationship with Nev and the boys.  They are my world, my shoulders and sounding boards.  Why build a legacy if there’s nobody to embrace the results?

Don’t get me wrong, I’ve got some pretty high-level guests lined up already and this is before I’ve released an episode and only 272 Instagram followers.  A week or two ago, I was in the Top 100 Personal Journal podcasts in Thailand.  Last month, I was Top 50 in Slovakia.  Christmas Day saw me at number 21 in Macao.  I know things have changed on my Spotify podcast as I’ve now popped my blog audio behind a paywall.  This is to allow Buy Me a Coffee members some privileged content.  I’ll be putting more things into paid membership as the years roll by.  But the podcast will always be free.  Extra conversations and photos will be members only, though.  Any guests that I interview for more than 15 minutes will get free membership.  And I’ll occasionally run competitions to add new free members.  Like now.  As I’m using the blue “Tu Manges L’Orange” notebook (the one that already has a few book entries) I have decided that for the first 5 readers that email me at coffeepot@anenglishmaninparis.blog and use the phrase “Tu Manges L’Orange” on the subject line will be emailed an invitation to a free-paid membership.  And this is my first competition (edit: this is in debate as I’m currently working through things. However, you will get your name – plus a message – in the podcast. Updated 11/09/2024). Regardless of what happens on Coffee Pot Conversations, this will be the first.  Although by the time the blog is posted it could be 2024.  And possibly this time next year will see it on Instagram.  Again, simply thinking about it all gives me an excited nervousness in my body.  I mentioned to Nev t’other night it’s like doing my bachelor’s again.  Except with a constant 2-week deadline looming over my head.

Generally, brain-destroying 9-to-5 work aside, life is good again.  And I thank Nev and the Boys for that.  Wholeheartedly.