Excuses, excuses, excuses...

[bop_radar]

Wah! I'm not exactly on top of things at the moment. So profuse apologies for kind of sucking at fandom life right now. I had all these grand intentions... but I'm rapidly running out of 2009 time to do them in. ;) So I'm thinking a clean slate in 2010 is going to be a great relief.


Apart from completing my festivid and doing Ledger duties, I've been totally out of things fandom-related, including vid chats, but I hope to get them up again in 2010. Sigh. I have various other vidding-related organisational duties to perform as well, none of which have been forgotten about but again, they're looking like jobs for 2010. :( Where did the year go?

Freelancing is fabulous except that it's apparently compounded my uncanny ability to let everything else in my life slide into chaos while working. So the work side of things? Going swimmingly! But I think I'm in danger of being a workaholic. When I'm not working, I feel really jittery and anxious, and I can't really relax... which means very little in the way of cleaning, cooking, exercise, socialising, relaxing or personal projects (inc. vidding) gets done. :( I'm trying to turn that around.

I've also got a new hobby eating up my time and energy, in the form of Bollywood and Indian Fusion dance. Somehow a couple of months after taking it up, I'm facing a dance performance on Sunday night! This seemed like a BRILLIANT idea about a month ago but now seems terrifying, especially as my costume does not fit, I haven't the faintest idea how to put on make-up having not done so for several years, and I've never really performed *anything* before. Except an extremely traumatising karaoke experience once. I am sure the ensuing mess will make a hilarious story, but why I thought I needed MORE anxiety before Christmas, I have no idea! On the upside, I get to fulfil my dream of wearing a sari (some girls dream of wedding dresses, I dream of saris...).

The dance is helping with the health side of things though, which had slumped rather badly in the first months of freelancing. Now I'm losing weight and getting onto a healthy eating program and hope to continue to improve in this in 2010. 2010 is going to be my year of concentrating on the Things That Really Matter. I need to learn that work can take care of itself, and that it is not just permissible but preferable to spend time on the other things that make life worth living... like friends, health, fun, creativity...

Part of that is going to be accepting when I'm just totally overwhelmed and getting help with it or taking steps to manage it.

In fandom, that is sadly going to mean cutting my friendslist down substantially. I have this rosy idea that I'll one day have time to read it in full and get to know everyone but you know what? That's never going to happen--its too damn large. And probably more than two thirds of my friendslist barely ever interact with me. So what the hell is the point? Trust me, if we actually converse, you won't get cut, and if we don't but you want me to keep you friended, feel free to pipe up. I'll still be surfing around LJ and nearly all my posts are public, so it's not like anyone will really be losing out. I just hope that cutting my friendslist will mean I can really focus on the people that actually give a damn about me. Quality over quantity, yes? :D Of course anyone is still welcome to friend me and comment in any of my posts, especially the very obviously public 'chat' ones like vid chats.

Christmas time is hard for me. My family is tiny and stressful. I generally have a lot of spare time around Christmas, my birthday and New Year. I didn't put up a wishlist this year because I was feeling too guilty about not doing enough in fandom this year to warrant it, and about the fact that I have zero time leading up to Christmas to fulfil anyone elses's wishes (festivid is my one contributing act), but if there was one thing I would love it is company at Christmas time. I know absolutely no one is online, but if you find yourself with a few dead hours to kill (perhaps while the relatives are sleeping?!), wave hello to me! I'll probably be here, vidding, catching up on shows or vids, commenting on posts you've long forgotten or generally lurking around aimlessly. It always seems like the one time I *have* time is the one time of the year in fandom that no one else does. So forgive if you receive random comments from me during the holiday season, and please don't think badly of me. Not everyone has family.

As I say, I kind of can't wait to start 2010 in a new frame of mind (even if I'm beginning some of those changes now). I hope to be a better Bop then (and not crash out of so many fandoms!).

If anyone still wants a card, you can pipe up here. If not, have a safe and restful holiday season! xx Bop

PS. Oh! Oh! I do want something else! BADLY! Recs. Vid recs by preference (assume I've missed everything because I've been so fail this year). Fic recs if its really exceptional and will not set me off into rages. :D Then I shall have holidays filled with joy. Self-pimping totally advocated!

Comments

[legendsinlove.livejournal.com]

Somehow I forgot that you freelance. Which I have to say I admire greatly as it's an idea I've toyed with. That's great that you have lots of work! :) It sounds like you find it fulfilling!

Finding a balance between work and the rest of your life can be hard but I know you can do it. I think it's something everyone has trouble with. And good luck on your upcoming performance! Sounds exciting. I've seen some Indian dancing before but this sounds different.

Can't wait for more vid chats! I don't participate since I haven't actually vidded anything but I like reading them in the hopes that someday I will. lol

*hugs* I'm sorry the holidays are stressful. Knowing me and my tendency to be a loner during family events, I'll probably be on the computer Christmas day. So hopefully we can chat! If not,
it goes without saying that I hope we can stay friends! I've enjoyed getting to know you!

Let me see what I can dig up in the way of recs. I haven't watched a lot of vids lately.

[bop-radar.livejournal.com]

I do honestly recommend freelancing if you are a disciplined worker, it's fabulous. It's always been the other aspects of life that I've struggled with and it turns out that my starry eyed idea that I'd be more relaxed and have more time for them when freelance was a bit of a myth. ;)

good luck on your upcoming performance! Sounds exciting. I've seen some Indian dancing before but this sounds different.
Thanks! There are many styles. One of my dances (the Bollywood) is very lively--lots of jumping around--to a very modern song. The other (classical fusion) is slower and more rythmic, we wear bells on our ankles and there are lots of complicated hand positions. ;)

I'll keep an eye out for you! :) I should have put my chat details in my post too--bopradar on gmail chat or kirstieaiw on Yahoo.

If you find anything to rec, that would be fab!

[norwich36.livejournal.com]

Good to hear from you. The Indian/Bollywood dance thing sounds fabulous--any chance you can film it? I'd love to see it. (And I too dream of saris).

I too am crazy busy--a good friend of mine's house burned down at the beginning of the week, and I offered to let her family stay at my house the two weeks I am away for Christmas, but of course my house is a disaster area, and between trying to get it liveable and finish up several big work projects that must be completed before the holidays, I'm kind of frantic. (And the prioritizing is kind of hilarious: like, do I spend more time scrubbing floors or hiding the porn so her kids don't actually stumble on it? Hee!)

Anyway, I was taking a housecleaning break and saw your post and just wanted to say hi. So HI!!!

[bop-radar.livejournal.com]

HI!!!

Housecleaning SIGH! Wow, I'm so sorry about your friend. And of course that must be chaos... I know we both have the cleaning WOE. I just hate it! And wow, with work projects on to... yuck! I had a big work deadline and dance rehearsals last weekend and it was just manic. I was going out of my mind!

I hear that, *ahem this is going to sound so dodgy*, some dude films the concerts every year... for free. (I actually think it sounds like he wants the filming/editing experience), so I should be able to get something... or at least some photos. Hopefully before my costume falls off or my jewellery impails some audience member as it flies off me! *paranoid*

[yamakasi.livejournal.com]

freelancing sounds great, but i can see how it would push the rest of your life (like relaxing!) to the wayside. :P i'm glad you're getting a lot of business, though. at least that's something.

indian fusion dancing! how exciting. :D i hope you post more about this. maybe even include pictures~~ :3

i am looking forward to 2010, too.

[bop-radar.livejournal.com]

Yes! It is very gratifying to be able to make a living on one's own, but I just need to relax a bit and keep things in perspective now. :)

I do love my dancing, I've been hesitant to post about it in case people think I'm nutty, so you really shouldn't encourage me... ;)

[asta77.livejournal.com]

I, too, had plans for the holidays that didn't come to fruition. Maybe I'll get to them in the new year. Everyone is in a rush to get things accomplished before Christmas so maybe it will be refreshing if we do stuff at the beginning of the new year? People need good tidings in January, right? :)

[bop-radar.livejournal.com]

Yes! Surely! *clings* While everyone else is lazily slumping into the new year I will be all fired up. That's the plan! ;)

[talitha78.livejournal.com]

You don't suck, Boppy. In fact, you are mighty awesome, and no one can convince me otherwise, especially not you. :P

I'll be around all Christmas long, vidding like a crazy woman. I just changed songs and directions on my Festivid, and I'm not panicking. Not panicking at all...

[bop-radar.livejournal.com]

LOL!hippo! :D Oh! I got your adorable card! Thank you! *hugs*

Your questions are like TOP of my 'to do's. *facepalm* So dreadful! But I am having a very productive work day so maybe I can kick work over and get on to other things soon...

And man, my festivid has been giving me much angst! It's a little... out there... for me. But I'm determined not to be downcast about it. It will get FINISHED and that is the main thing, right??!!

[taragel.livejournal.com]

Aw girl. I've missed you but I hope you can find some time for yourself to relax and enjoy things with your upcoming free time. I'll be online over the holidays week. I am out of work (woo hoo!).

Also, I don't think it'll incite your rage, so you should go check out queenofthorns' Cyllon High BSG/FNL crack crossover series. (The Tighs are Boosters at Dillon, Six is their daughter that gets involved with Landry, and oh everyone shows up and it's so much fun!) She's written Part One (http://queenofthorns.livejournal.com/451394.html#cutid1) and Part Two (http://queenofthorns.livejournal.com/452144.html#cutid1) so far.

[bop-radar.livejournal.com]

Holidays--woo hoo! *rubs hands gleefully*

Yay, ok, that sounds MAD but wonderful! I shall check it out. :)

[daybreak777.livejournal.com]

Time is going way too fast! I feel like the white rabbit! I'm late! I'm late!

You finished your Festivid? What? I haven't even started. Oh, goodness. I do have a handle on Yuletide, though. That's it!

I still have Christmas shopping to do, goodness. :-/

I hope you have a lot of fun at the performance! It sounds like a lot of fun. :-)

[bop-radar.livejournal.com]

You are very good at reading things I haven't actually said into what I said! I am working on my festivid, I certainly haven't finished it. ;) And I have tons of shopping to do too... I went out yesterday but the shops did not cooperate. *kicks them*

[feliz581.livejournal.com]

I too got caught up in work and CPA exam and practically disappeared from fandom for upwards of two years. I'm just now getting back into it (literally like a week ago!) so I don't have any recs unfortunately. But I do have good wishes to send your way for your performance on Sunday! I'm glad you have that outlet for stress, which is necessary for workaholics!

I'm sure you will be amazing!

[bop-radar.livejournal.com]

Oh, thank you so much! Is it weird getting back into fandom after all this time? (And congrats on having your exam out of the way!)

[brokenmnemonic.livejournal.com]

There is no sucktitude, ok? All of this freelancing is still relatively new, and it takes a while for things to reach a state of equilibrium even without things like crazy families. You've had lots of change this year, and it's often natural to put work first - that's one reason for you having such a good reputation as an editor to begin with.

Don't stress about keeping up with everything, because that's impossible - you'll just drive yourself into fits of anxiety that you really don't need. When things have levelled off, you'll be in a better position to decide how and what you want to do :)

[bop-radar.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I really need some 'me' time these holidays (which aren't totally holidays for me... *eyes the work that just arrived*).

[boom-queen.livejournal.com]

I am totally with you on the 2010 being the year of things that Really Matter, particularly the quality of life--both in fandom and otherwise--rather than the business/running around like a headless chicken that I am seem to be prone to.

Vid recs? talitha78's recent ones are the JOY of my life right now. And I really enjoyed both of sabaceanbabe's recent-ish True Blood vids. A couple of good BSG ones too, but I'm thinking they are not emotionally advisable.

[bop-radar.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I'm still headless-chicken-ing over here, but I am really determined that that has to STOP in 2010!

Awesome, I don't believe I've caught sabaceanbabe's TB vids yet and I'm definitely there for more True Blood vids... THANK YOU!

[fleegull.livejournal.com]

Way to go with the dancing! If you get a chance, get someone to help you with the make up, often department stores with make up counters offer free make up lessons or they will give you instructions on how to achieve a certain look. Youtube also has lots of make up tips all demonstrated by folks who know what they are doing.

[bop-radar.livejournal.com]

Thank you for the smart suggestion! I did check out some tutorials on eyes in particular (which I am not good at) and actually all the other girls backstage were really great at helping each other. That was one really lovely thing I found about the experience. It was no problem to say 'I'm bad at eyeliner, can you fix me?' :)

[skuf.livejournal.com]

Clean slates are so lovely - then it's two months down the lines, and you still haven't written anything, and the bareness becomes more and more intimidating, and you start thinking, "forget this slate, after summer I'll start a NEW clean slate, and this one will make all the difference!", and blah blah ;oP

But heck, even just making the decision to start with a clean slates takes a lot of the stress away, and that is not to be scoffed at one bit!!
_ _ _ _ _

Since I never pass up the chance to talk about defriending and the awesomeness of quality over quantity: While always fraught with much guilt, I've never regretted cutting people who never comment on my journal - life is too damn short for one-way interaction! Best of luck with it, and as per usual never feel guilty about defriending me :o)

Here, let me give you a great tool if you don't know it: http://katewillaert.com/ljstats/ - cf. instructions here (http://skuf.dreamwidth.org/13109.html) on checking only recent stats, instead of overall stats - someone may have commented a fair amount in the past, but has only commented once in the past year, so do you (really) want to keep them?
_ _ _ _ _

I actually have a vid recs posts in the making - a "top-7 (or whatever number it ends up being) favourite various (as opposed to Buffyverse, SV, SGverse, etc. where I could compile a list just from that fandom) fandoms vids". Eh, tracking down vidders and links, not to mention writing something remotely related to intelligent about the vids, takes time, so so far I only have two recs formatted. But one day!

[bop-radar.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much for the tool!! That is brilliant. :) I certainly won't be defriending you but I really appreciate your honesty about the process. Life too short, life too short!!

I have many 'one day' vid recs myself!! I used to be so good at getting them up. It is time-consuming though, definitely!

[diarmi.livejournal.com]

Sari!!! Yeah, you have to post some photos if you happen to have one!
Good luck with your performance! (What music will you dance to? Some original or from any movies maybe?)

Vid rec! I watched one vid that recently is for me the perfect example of vidding joy and is sooo mind blowing with tempo, quick cuts and general editing. It's an action video for X-Men Trilogy Explosive (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ffl9VrktALk) (It won some awards at recent CJA round).

[bop-radar.livejournal.com]

Yes, sari was very exciting!! :D Unfortunately they switched my dances back to back with each other so I had 3 minutes to change out of my sari again and so got no real photos (though I'm hoping some will show from other people in my group in the new year--and there was someone filming the whole show).

Ohh, that vid sounds great! I will totally check it out now i am on holiday. :D :D thank you!

[cosetteferaud.livejournal.com]

Oh dude… freelancing! I know a great deal about that (it’s not that I am a freelance myself, but my hub was some years ago). From my experience, it is something greatly rewarding and fulfilling, but it’s important to drawn some boundaries between work and personal life too. It takes a while to find an equilibrium, so just take it easy –and try to relax a little bit! But I am glad to hear this new professional path you’ve chosen is going so incredibly well! :) Oh, and don’t stress out with fandom and your flist –I know the feeling! :) My conclusion after a year in LJ is that it’s just impossible to keep up with everything/everyone –especially if your RL is busy.

And OMG, this dancing project of yours sounds so much fun! I wish I had more time to do things like that… Lately I feel my life has been reduced to work, work and more work, and I feel like I missing something. Sigh. I guess I should adopt your “Things That Really Matter” motto for this New Year :).

Take care!

[bop-radar.livejournal.com]

Thank you for your words about freelancing... it's true, it seems to be taking a while to find the equilibrium. I think overall I've done alright with it in the first year in that I am definitely less stressed than when I worked in an office, and the work keeps on flowing. Now I just need to relax a bit more and put some other good life practices--like regular exercise routine, cleaning, etc. in place.

I love my dancing!! It's been a real bright spot in my life at the end of this year. It's great to have something that genuinely takes my mind right off work. (There's no space for anything but concentrating on the steps!) I hope you find something like that in the new year! :)

[kassrachel.livejournal.com]

All I have to offer is a virtual hug, and hopes that Christmas doesn't suck too badly -- or, if it does, that reading Yuletide fics proves to be a useful counter. :-)

[bop-radar.livejournal.com]

Thank you! That is very welcome! I hope you have happy holidays too!

[ciaan]

That's how I feel about my own friendslist. It is stressful. :(

This is the first Xmas where I will not be roped into doing family things, and I think it will be relaxing. I plan on watching the Sherlock Holmes movie and getting restaurant food.

[bop-radar.livejournal.com]

OMG that sounds SO GOOD. *jealous*

[thrace-adama.livejournal.com]

I hear ya on the stress thing. And this is LJ, so it should be fun time! I have a pretty small f'list and even I have lots of trouble keeping up. Do what you gotta do, girl!

I had been wondering how your freelancing is going! I'm still a relative newbie to the professional editing world, but I've had some offers to do extra proofreading that way. I'm just afraid I'm NOT disciplined enough when I'm not in an actual office, you know? And, uh, even now I'm in my office and yet checking LJ, so... Heh.

[bop-radar.livejournal.com]

Hee! Yes, it's really not for everyone... I knew I was disciplined enough mainly because sadly work is the one thing I've always managed to do efficiently (and prioritise) no matter what personal catastrophes around me I should really be dealing with... (a bit like Lee that way, I guess!) But the rest of my life can get pretty off-kilter in the meantime. ;)

[duskwillow.livejournal.com]

Glad to hear your work is going so well, even though you are crazy busy!

Good luck with your upcoming dance performance! \o/

And you're not the only one online during holidays. :)
I'll probably be a bit busy until Christmas, but on Christmas and after that I fully plan to be online all the time. Not much else to do.

[bop-radar.livejournal.com]

Thank you, thank you!! Excellent to hear other people will be around. :D I am on holiday from today until (hopefully) the new year, so I'm very excited! Whee!! Catch up reading and viewing...

[bofoddity.livejournal.com]

It's great that the freelancing is going so well for you, and I can sympathize with troubles finding balance between work and everything else. I hope you'll be able to work out that balance, whatever it takes. :)

I see 2010 as a year of change too, and frankly I'm so done with 2009 that I wouldn't mind fast-forwarding over there already. Hopefully it will rock a lot!

Best of luck to the dance performance! \o/

[bop-radar.livejournal.com]

Heee! Yeah, I'm totally done with 09 as well. It brought good things for me, but I'm over it!

The dance performance was a crazy whirlwind but it happened and I think it went well, so yay!

[hazyshade.livejournal.com]

I'm really glad you're beginning to find some balance in that tricky work/life equation. I can certainly believe freelancing makes that all the more difficult.

I hear you about Christmas. I'm planning on spending mine writing about a billion reports and essays for the Masters course. Which I don't mind actually, as it means less time for the moping I usually do during the holidays. I'm also trying to psych myself into vidding again over the break. I've downloaded some new editing programs to see if that helps. It's like you say, though - it's so damn time-consuming!

p.s. The dancing sounds fantastic! Let us know how you get on. :D

[bop-radar.livejournal.com]

Ohh, yeah, an activity over the Christmas break can be a good thing. *nods* And eeee, viiiiiiiiiidddddddddding!! :D You should play!

The dancing was chaotic but rewarding. I guess I'll post about it since people are interested. *surprised*

[voldything.livejournal.com]

I'm always online during christmas/new year because I enjoy feeding my addictions CONSTANTLY and without SHAME. I'll probably do a party post like last year so feel free to come by and hang out!

Vid recs, I can give you that! Any fandom in particular?

seemed like a BRILLIANT idea about a month ago but now seems terrifying, especially as my costume does not fit, I haven't the faintest idea how to put on make-up having not done so for several years, and I've never really performed *anything* before.

It's STILL a brilliant idea!! There's always a solution for costumes that don't fit, can you add or remove things to make it work? About the make-up: youtube tutorials? Or maybe ask a fellow dancer for tips! And the most important thing: you having fun is the basis of every performance, so relax \o/

[bop-radar.livejournal.com]

Wheeeee!! YAY! I like this CONSTANTLY and without SHAME. Party post here I come...!!

Vid recs: anything except SPN. :p :p :p (Oh! comedic SPN is ok! I also prefer comedic Merlin to SRS Merlin.)

You were SO RIGHT about the costumes. There was much pinning, adding, removing and re-sewing, but in the end it worked out! And yes, my fellow dancers ended up being the saviour with the make-up (and partly with costume as well, since we all needed pinning into ours).

[chaila43.livejournal.com]

You don't suck, life just happens! Also word on the lack of balance. I have the same problem; I seem to either want to be working all the time, or I want to be playing all the time and neither one feels healthy. Someday, I say, I will figure it out. :/ Let me know when you find the magic key!

And I come bearing a couple of recs! You've probably seen all the TSCC vids, but on the off chance you haven't, here are a couple, dare I say, slightly more obscure ones that never got a lot of attention that I really like a lot.

Speeding Cars (http://ana-jo.livejournal.com/20655.html) by ana_jo. An overview of the series that focuses largely on the intersecting emotional connections between the characters rather than the plot, with a particular focus on Sarah and John (obvs). It seriously gets me every time, and I've watched it, uh, a lot. Oh everyone. *wibble*

Dirtywhirl (http://twistdmentality.livejournal.com/46729.html) by twistdmentality This is just a cool little vid. Absolutely perfect song choice for Cameron and I love the use of everybody's else's reaction to her to show her creepiness and strangeness.

And one to make you laugh!

It's Raining Men (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jtoI029sKIk&feature=related). Period dramas, with a heavy focus on Jane Austen. I haven't seen several of these movies--though it's funnier for the ones I've seen--but it doesn't matter because the whole concept is hilarious crack!

I hope the performance goes fabulous! :)

[bop-radar.livejournal.com]

either want to be working all the time, or I want to be playing all the time and neither one feels healthy.
That is me, EXACTLY! I am not good at managing two large life 'fields' at once! I am a very efficient worker, for instance, but I think that is because I block everything else out when I work... whereas other people seem to be thinking about their friends, fam, hobbies, etc, still as well. The downside is that I tend to look up after a month of work and realise that my friends and fam have buggered off in a huff and my hobbies are down the toilet. ;)

I'm totally behind in all vidding fandoms... but now I have catch up time! \o/ So thank you tons for the recs. :D

[siljamus]

Very late to the party here, but life is kicking me hard at the moment. Just wanted to let you know that I will probably be around for most of the holidays in one way or another, so I shall look in on you?

(And do I hear you on the "what happened to my fandom life in 2009?" front! I'm thinking about what to do with it all and a clean slate sounds like a smart idea. *ponders*)

[bop-radar.livejournal.com]

I'm late to my own comments, so there is no shame at all here! And thank you so much--I got your lovely card yesterday, it's one of the few that made it through the mail strikes. :)

I'm around from now pretty much constantly until early Jan. ;) I will be posting so do yes feel free to drop by! :D

[mahaliem.livejournal.com]

How did the dance performance go? And tell me about your sari as I think saris tend to be absolutely gorgeous.

*hugs*

[bop-radar.livejournal.com]

Thank you! I popped a post up about it--saris are indeed gorgeous and mine was a gold and burgundy which I love. But wow, they are also a lot of work. ;)

[ebbingnight.livejournal.com]

Hi Bop Radar,

I don't know you and am not on your f-list, but I just wanted to thank you thank you thank you for whatever you're doing as beta on the amazing "Captive Prince" for Freece.

If I could beta like that, I would be on top of the world. So I hope that 2010 will be "top of the world" for you in everything that matters for you.

Happy holidays, and enjoy the dance!

[bop-radar.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much for this very kind comment! It is a great pleasure to beta for Freece, and I feel lucky to be part of the creative process around it. I wish you well for 2010 and thank you for reading 'Captive Prince' and leaving this kind message!