Week 1: Detox

On January 1st, I started my quest to simplify life, re-establish focus & be 'more actively present'. One easy way for me to start on this journey was to silence one of my favorite things--social media. I blocked out both Facebook and Instagram, and haven't peeked, posted or checked anything for 8 days now. Not easy.

Facebook was a way for me to easily connect with tons of people from acquaintances to family to my besties. Everydayhour I could see what they were up to, reading, where they were traveling to or what mischief their kids and pets were into. On Instagram, I could look at their artful photography, gourmet meals or cute self portraits. I also used it as a creative outlet to post about the most photogenic, funny, best parts parts of my life and share it with others. I will admit--I love am addicted to social media. As a visual person, and extrovert--I'm drawn in.  At the same time, I need some space and time apart to re-balance.

So what has happened? Projects to fill the void

The offending cord-spaghetti

It's January 8th and I've found a few projects to fill the void. I really miss seeing what's happening, and feel myself wondering what I'm missing...how many likes or comments I would have posted or gotten to the New Years' parties or birthdays I've missed. But every day it's less and less.

Since 2008, I've had a bag full of mini-videocassette tapes, only playable using the archaic Sony camcorder we bought before Wally was born. In the move to our new house, I've lost the unit-to-PC cords in the spaghetti of "Miscellaneous" which is our basement. Rather than do the smart thing pay someone to do it for me, I was going to take this on.

I've spent upwards of 30 hours looking for the cords, trying this-and-that solution to hook it up, or watching YouTube videos from 2003 on "how to transfer mini DV tapes to digital." I even went into Best Buy with the camcorder, looking for any help. When I showed the twenty-something store staff the unit & explained the plug-in I was looking for, he looked at me like I had 3 heads. "Yeaaaah, we DEFINITELY don't have that here." I talked to friends, who so kindly gave their advice & even sent me cords to try--with no luck. Every system is different--Mac, PC, TV, VCR--some with DVD ports, some without, different operating systems, different plugs, different software. Now 8 days later, I am no further, more irritated at the bag of mini DV tapes--precious memories that will probably be reel-to-reel forever.

What I've learned so far 
1. Technology & Hardware has a lifespan of 3 years, and converting past history of data prior to that is a massive effort. Use it while it's current, quickly convert history within that time & know that you'll be moving it all again (and re-purchasing) in a few years time. No matter how good that 'top of the line' camcorder we bought in 2005 was--it is utterly useless in 2015.

2. After 3 years, convert the stuff you have and dump/recycle it. The cord spaghetti in our basement is yet more clutter occupying physical & mental space, that will go unused. The sooner you convert, the more likely it is you won't have to 'pay an expert' to do it for you later.

3. Sometimes it's just better to pay an expert to do something. Wish I did this January 1st and could get my 30 hours and frustration back. Especially with video, there is a massive effort & amount of memory required to get it right.

4. If you still have old technology / projects and you are a neophyte like me--DO NOT GO INTO Best Buy. It will make you feel incredibly old & out of touch. 

5. I'm impatient, and really bad at letting things go or waiting until there is a plug-and-play solution available (especially the stuff I suck at, like hardware). Once I have the basics on the same platform, I'm really great at putting things together and doing creative stuff with it. I need to remind myself of #3 and also be able to walk away from projects more gracefully.

To summarize
My first week was a wash. I reallocated my time in a project that went nowhere. Is "Project Analog 2016" failure? We shall see.