Ever notice how when you want something, I mean REALLY WANT something, everything gets in your way?
I wanted so badly to enter the Sony Alpha Creator in Residence Grant.
It took me weeks but I had my essay finally done after about 4 or 5 redos. The budget was done after a handful of refinements. I was finally somewhat ok with the results.
Then an unplanned trip came up which took me away for a week. Unfortunately, it was a week filled with headaches, migraines, anxiety and depression. That was a tough one to get through but I did.
I knew I’d need to get the video done while on my trip so I took my mini video camera with me so I could record, fresh batteries and all and yes, I checked it before I left. Somewhere between packing it and getting to my destination, a 6 hour drive it decided to die. I pulled it out, hit the power button and nothing.
I changed out the batteries and nothing.
Needless to say this got me all frazzled, now what was I going to use? Nobody else had a video camera I could use and even if they did, I didn’t have a laptop or anything to take the file home with me.
OK, so that’s that right?
Nope, not going to happen.
I grabbed my sister and my cell phone and recorded it that way. Not the best option, in fact, it’s probably the worst option ever but it would be a video vs. not doing one at all and being eliminated immediately for not having completed all the requirements.
Fine. At least, I had a video I could work with.
So after the week away, I got home and had less than 48 hours to edit my video, upload it and complete my online application.
I opened my video program and uploaded my video. Yay progress!
Nope.
My video program decides it doesn’t want to cooperate. Have you ever had your video editing program just decide it’s not going to cooperate? It isn’t fun is it? Especially when you are on a time crunch?
OK, Finally my video program takes my video. Progress!
I got it edited. Progress!
Uploaded it to YouTube. Progress!
Yes, finally things are starting to turn around here.
Or so I thought.
Watched the video before I submitted it just to make sure it looked ok and nope.
My volume was too low and there was just no way to make it loud enough.
I feel like Charlie Brown yelling at this point, “AAAUGH!!!”
I even texted my husband, “that’s it, I’m done. I give up”.
I’ve got less than 36 hours now before the official deadline.
I can’t give up. I have to do this. I have to finish what I started.
“Just one more time. Don’t give up. Just try.” That’s all I kept telling myself over and over again.
So I got my cell phone out, stood by a window, grabbed a teddy bear to hold just to get me through it and recorded it again and again till I got it all in one shot. I don’t have time to fight with the editor again.
Uploaded it and the volume was fine.
It’s time, time to get that online application done. I entered my essay, my budget, my images and my video and then I did what I have been wanting, needing to do – I hit submit!
UGH, life just had to throw every stinkin’ monkey wrench it could find at me. But it’s done.
I did it and I’m proud of me.
Win or not, I’m proud I pushed through all the hard stuff and did it!