12/11/24 07:19 

I’m sat, at a kitchen-esque table, in Clapton, early morning, starting before the day begins.  I’m starting the final countdown to three things; my probation at work is coming to an end, my trip to Paris is looming and Season 2 is approaching The Best Bits.  I’m listening to episode 2.9 as it has been released for about 20 minutes. 

It’s still amazing for me to see how far I’ve come with the podcast.  Fluctuating popularity (a few days back I was back in the UK charts at 181 whilst still lingering in the Macau charts).  We recorded 40 minutes and I took it away and reduced it.  You’d not really know what bits I’d edited out.  There were a few starting points that I haven’t included.  I love the banter between them and also the cohesion they have.  Their knowledge of Paris – they’ve been three times – impresses me and I’m so pleased they allow me to indulge myself in my whim.  They’re growing up so quickly, playing rugby and doing well at school.  Rory was actually with me for a few days last week as his throat infection took hold.  Jasper then caught the tail end of it at the tail end of the week so they both missed rugby whilst I went and reffed for the U12s.  Then Saturday when I picked Jasper up and brought him back to mine (he hadn’t seen Rory since Wednesday morning), they simply played the XBox together for a few hours.  That shizzle makes my heart beam with pride. 

With 16 days remaining until my Eurostar departs, I’m looking at how many pages are remaining in this notebook.  At present, there are 15 but I’ll be leaving maybe two or three extra, so I can continue writing down the hotels and apartments that I’ve stayed in.  Out of the 15 places I’ve stayed in, 4 were im the beginning, then 6 have been with Nev and 4 with Nev and the boys (2 were in one visit).  I’ve also been by myself as an overnight trip for one.  I’ve ran 4 times in Paris and in total only have 11 more arrondissements to spend a night in.  I’m sort of hoping I can an episode out about choosing a hotel in Paris as I’ve yet to book one.  It’s part of my preparation, not only to try and get an episode, but for when I take a random moment and do a Eurostar ‘Snap’.  I give them the dates, they give me a discount for a randomly timed ticket.  I just hope they don’t give me a 5% discount off a £275 ticket.  I’d not be happy.  I also hope it’s not the last train out and the first one back.  Or even the first one out.  That would mean possibly trying to catch the Elizabethan Line and fight through early morning first tubes, asking Nev for a lift or simply catching a cost-adding cab. 

And whilst this Vert Phe green Herbin ink is running out – although it’s meant to be in my blue fountain pen and not my red one – I noticed as I turned the page that the last one was a complete paragraph.  I can alter that when I type it up but that doesn’t help reduce the number of remaining pages. 

New paragraph here. 

That’s a bit better.  Whilst I can waffle on paper and for interviews or Coffee Pot Conversations, I honestly struggle with talking as a narrative narrator.  I have problems with that in my writings, too.  I don’t show, I tell.  And I’ll have to change that when I’m out in Paris.  There aren’t many people that want to hear me spouting on about nothing or even not spouting on.  That’s what the videos of me walking is for – to envelop the conversation.  Once I break the seal, I’ll be okay.  Or maybe after the first coffee.  I just want to get going.  And then keep going.  I also want to be able to drop my bag off and walk lighter.  Next time it may be for longer than a one-night stay to maximise my time there.  Especially as the nights draw in early. 

Nev is going away a few times next year; with family, friends and work.  It’s these times that I’ll try and maximise my Parisian efforts if time and money allow, hence the Snap.  Or I’ll simply book up early and try to save before the tickets escalate in price. 

I figured out why I’m struggling to get recording practice in.  That’s because Hackney isn’t the greatest place to walk around like a tourist.  I may need to head to Leicester Square, Greenwich or even a quick jaunt to Westfield in Stratford.  I’ve worked out how to tap a hidden lav mic as long as I wear a vest.  I suspect the t-shirt would be the same.  Videoing isn’t as bad, I guess, as I’ll merely be walking down the streets, filming.  Nothing in terms of cinematography.  That’ll be subsequent trips.  Talking to myself at dinner and in cafés will require an earphone in so I can pretend I’m not mad.  Unless I’m talking to camera.  That may entice strangers to enquire. 

Or lead to staff ejecting me from their premises. 

I’m starting to use Adobe Lightroom for my photo editing.  Nothing majorly spectacular but it adds a little flair to the photos that will be used for my non-Parisian based blog entries.  Everything is a new learning curve for me at the minute.  I love soaking up new knowledge.  Retaining it can be a problem at times. 

I’ve been watching the growth of Chat GPT and am excited by it.  Yet, whenever I ask for assistance, I don’t always get what I’m after.  Which isn’t a bad thing, in the slightest.  It allows me to take a response, tweak it and then use it.  If I don’t get these Season 3 episodes nailed in Paris, I’ll be looking at panicking to complete more monologue episodes.  I have a few that need to be recorded, still.  And then spreadsheets updated.  And planning boards to be completed.  Life was so simple in the olden days. 

I also want to have a few more interviews lined up which means both in-person and attempting distance video-calling – more research and costs involved for these. 

I know I’ve been over it many times already, but the more I think about this Paris trip in 16 days, the more I start to worry and over-think.  I need to film, talk, photograph and then edit in December.  At least I have a new outro – which I wrote with the Chat GPT process. 

The hints and tips given haven’t provided me with an extra engagement, but it’s not been a year, yet.  And being brutally honest, if I can nail Season 3, I’ll be doing this for a lot longer.  I could use a teleprompter to assist with my Parisian monologues that I feel I’d want to include.  That does mean more prep work in a shorter space of time but imagine if I get Season 3 wrapped up before it begins.  That leaves me 6 months for the next season.  My videos would be 6-month old, incorrect seasonal footage but it would also allow for impromptu visits and special episodes.  Also, if I’m good at what I do, I could get ahead and be prepped as the seasons begin.  No pressure, then.  I’d have a dry run first.  Check the batteries, memory card storage and ability to chat about nothing whilst possibly engaging with strangers going about their day.  Or I’ll wing it and see how to improve upon it as I go.  Like I do now.  9 notebook pages to go… 

Oh, and the 40-minute Coffee Pot Conversation became a 22-minute, 32-second one after the edits.