13/01/25 07:22 

The first entry of the year and it looks like the ink is stuck in this 3D-printed fountain pen.  But I know it’ll loosen up shortly. 

I’m now less than 24 hours away from the launch of Season 3 of the podcast, which is the first video season.  I’ve released the Christmas episode and it sort of went seamlessly which is good.  However, because of the way my mind works, I’ve done so much research for the actual video editing of the season, I’m only just about to finish the second episode. I was meant to have everything under wraps by now.  I’m not actually worried, though.  

I know what to do and how to do it (albeit, using CapCut on the PC but I have enough of a basic understanding of Davinci Resolve to get by).  It’s getting the format constant that is my concern.  The transitions of the video at different stages are a little problematic.  I believe it’s solved, now. 

I also launched my second podcast.  Or blogcast.  An Englishman in Paris is the audio version of my blog.  I’ve tried it before with Anchor but with their changes, it became a lot more difficult.  So, I’ve started again in a different way.  This new version is letting me run it as a video and as long as it’s in 16:9 format, YouTube shouldn’t be giving me any problems. 

I’m looking at trying to streamline processes, but I don’t think it’s going to be as easy as I thought it would be.  Not that it slows me down.  I have a few tools left up my sleeve that I’m waiting to use, should the need arise.  Once everything is in place, it’ll be full(ish) speed ahead.  Although that’s still only if I’m using video.  I’ve yet to work out the interview side of things.  I think that’s what Nev will be helping with over the next few months.  Quite possibly for Season 4. I have another trip planned for February and whilst I want to do some actual coffee pot conversations with locals, confidence simply won’t allow it.  But I’m not saying never.  Who knows what will happen.  I’m wanting to record a real-life intro and outro – I’ll work out when to start using them – in an actual Parisian location.  I think that’s my main focus for February.  As well as another random set of events in Paris.  I want to collet some proper b-roll transition film clips for future episodes – I think Season 4 onwards, which is what February is mainly for; Season 4, not just b-roll. 

I also need/want to get more actual factual episodes written up.  These are always good for back-up episodes.  As long as I remember where I put then.  The 3 Musketeers is dragging out so much, it’s annoying me.  I was doing okay on the whole, but these new video clips have sent me a little off the beaten path.  I’ll attempt to straighten these out in my head, first, then comes the lengthy OneDrive process.  I keep looking at getting a 5TB hard drive but I’m not sure it’s either enough or worthwhile.  Once I’ve filmed the videos, I ‘need’ to store them.  Finally, after upload, they’ve been ‘stored’.  What about the path not used?  It’s the same with my vocal recordings.  Where do I put the unused recordings?  Do I still need them?  How much backup is required?  How much unused data do I need to save?  And then where do I store all of this?  Digital, cloud-based or hard saved hard-drive?  On-going payments or a one-off?  Constant size increases or reduce my requirements and risk the loss of nostalgic swear words? 

Another thing on my mind, is my writing.  Not for storage; the blog isn’t an issue at all, but the actual writings.  I was listening to some early blog entries on my way to work this morning and I may have been taking a less creative approach to what I put down on paper. I spent £10k on a master’s degree and I’m literally keeping a journalistic diary online. That’s not how I started out.  I think that come February, I’m going to find a café and do what I’d intended to do in November.  Sit, write, record.  I like this concept and with a whole day – from morning to night – I’ll be in a better position for it.  That said, I still need to get enough material for Season 4.  Maybe my podcast-led researched writings?  That sounds quite good, actually.  Showing my view en terrace whilst reading my words.  I can voice-over once I’m home, which is good.  I just need to find 9 episode’s worth of material.  And also get back to my creative writing roots.  Whilst starting my training for the Hackney half-marathon in April.  Editing video clips for 2 seasons.  Coaching children twice a week for their rugby journey.  Tidying up the house.  Saving money.  Getting the car fixed. Finding new notebook titles (and where to store them).  Planning more date nights.  Going away with the boys. 

These longer blog posts are very cathartic.  Even though I need to think of titles, find a relevant photo of Paris and hope to record in only a few takes.  Yet this entire process, not just the blog, but the podcast, is amazing.  My brain is being used more outside of work than inside which I’m sure is a benefit to my mental health.  And now I’ve taken my first Metformin tablet, hopefully my weight will be able to be more controlled.  I started my cholesterol tablet two days back.  Too soon to say if there are any side effects or benefits, but at least I’m now on free prescriptions until the mortgage runs out. 

And as I approach an hour’s worth of writing, I’m going to take these next 40 minutes before work to sit on my phone and conduct storage research as well as sub-consciously plan my February assault of Paris.  And start to pay attention to the news, again – I didn’t cover much for the first episode as I wanted to make sure it was complete rather than relevant and up to date.  This will all change now that I’m sort of back in the swing of things.  And finally, the Orange Indien Herbin ink breaks through the nib.  Gently.