What's Old is New Again

Strangely enough, I've been struggling with coming up with a name for the new project. It hit me at work, last night, as I was putting away peas- that I already had the name.

I've had the name for eleven years. In my college days, I had written a short comic about the adventures of me and my friends. It was the summer of 2001, and I still have those papers.

My art style has grown, changed, and developed since then, but it remains, something I had come up with myself and did not have any pre-existing companies or properties attached to it. A quick Google check shows it's still mine, basically.

So I'm calling the project "Knormalicy." I'm re-claiming the brand. Mine. Mine. Mine. Mine. Mine. Mine. I've licked it.

Everything that was old is new again. The answers you have to look for the hardest, are the ones you've already answered, but just have forgotten.

So, part of the process?

About four days ago, I decided to design a new project, this was in conjunction with me starting a new resolution (they aren't just for New Year's Folks!) I had been using an online calendar to keep track of my work schedule- and a couple of other things- but I was always using it on the Month view. So I switched to keeping it on the week view, which allows me to see my hours.

So I made the schedule more inclusive. I have a sleep spot (2am is my curfew, so I can get up at 9 with Aaron... generally.) And I decided to have a number of daily tasks that are on my schedule without time slots- so it reminds me to do them, but I don't freak if I don't do them the same time every day. Things that don't get done, don't get a time slot- duh. I also decided to do hourly art practice, daily, without it being to a set goal.

And then I started organizing for the project. I want to start a new "closed world" for a website. I think I'll have a 3 panel web comic that updates thrice a week, and gallery art for the characters (twenty-four designed so far!)

Since I have so much free time, and it's been killing me for a while (have you noticed?) I decided to 'self-employ' and use my illustrative skill, for me. I can't pay myself right now, so I guess I am my own intern. 

I'm excited about this- I think it has potential. More to come.

Steady now.

Yesterday I wrote a short paper on suggestions for my department at work, and in doing so- I felt a change in my attitude. I think the crux of the matter wasn't money, or worry over job security- but, rather, feelings of helplessness and a lack of self-worth. Writing, and the positive reception that I received from those who read what I had written- made me feel better, more inclined to try again with my art, which is another talent that I have bouts of crippling self-doubt with, as well.

I know what I want. When I feel dis-empowered, I find myself using my desires incorrectly- framing them as an escape plan- instead of realizing that I need no such rationalization. It's not healthy to marry your natural passions to the extenuating circumstances that pressure you into unhappiness.

"If you don't stop treating me badly, I'll run away and do what I *actually* want to do."
 -Ridiculous.

 "I'm going to do what I actually want to do. You play no part in this decision."
-Apt.

More Progress, and Providence.

So, I've pretty much started the journey to achieving my goals. I replaced my old lap top, which had given up the ghost and we had done everything possible to fix, bought new sneakers to replace my old worn out ones, replaced my messenger bag which was broken...

Do you sense a trend here? I can't help feel like making the feng shui five element vase (well, a cigar box equivalent... but the intention remains) and learning about abundance versus money has helped. It's difficult for me to justify replacing the things I need to replace, because I get sticker-shocked easily, or feel somehow guilty for having a brand new whatever.

But the universe seems to like it, as I returned to work (where, despite the problems with getting enough hours scheduled, and the reduced pay and a thousand other paper cuts to the ego, I still genuinely enjoy working there) from vacation, I received a gift card for $100 for the company. I know their intention was probably for that same money to go back in the company coffers in exchange for food, or small houseware purchases- but I wisely used it to buy a $100 gift card to Amazon.com, where my wish list has been waiting patiently.

I decided to take out the dehydrator set, some reusable bags (that fold down into cute animal shapes I can easily see wearing on my belt), and some seed pots. I had looked at my wish list, and a lot of things are for things I don't have yet. I was tempted to by the metal detector, but can't see myself using that until I've purchased my van.

(Another thing... which I think we've pretty much decided is going to happen... and is a step forward in it's own right, to have it be a given at this point.)

But with the dehydrator, I can start building my dry store pantry *now*, and start growing produce *now* since I know when harvest time comes, I won't have to worry about waste, and at worse will maybe have to buy a set of mason jars. In the mean time, I'll continue to try to make sure the grocery purchases I do need are packaged in either mason jars or glass bottles.

It feels good, especially knowing that this will open up the door to better health anyway, since I already plan on growing sunflowers, for instance, for oil, and knowing I can make an alt milk with them as well, and a thousand other things. Can't wait!

Ask me, I won't say no- how could I?

So, I haven't been posting here in nearly a month. It doesn't mean I haven't been busy. Oh, boy I have. Work's picked up a little, which is good, and I'm also working on art commissions, which is better... and the rest of the time I've been trying to learn all I can about self-sustaining systems.

And, as time progresses... we'll see if we can make the plan happen.

Savings Plan

I'm not much of a saver. Not at all. The greatest innovation I've had in my adult life is having my credit card be paid on a weekly basis of $50. Which was good- it did save me enough for my upcoming trip to NYC to see family; but, generally... if I have cash money on hand, I tend to spend it. So instead, I would use my credit card... which is, nice... but I find that it doesn't *really* translate to having money.

Having even a thousand dollars on a credit card isn't *having* a thousand dollars, it's the ability to BORROW a thousand dollars. I'm not making money by paying my credit card, I'm making an existing debt smaller by paying my credit card.

I had considered opening up a second bank account to save money, but the interest is so paltry at 4 percent (on a good day!) that it barely makes sense.

So I'm going to go old school. I'm going to still only make purchases with the credit card, but try to cut back more by not buying lunch or snack at work, by only buying things I need on a list, only after a 30-day period, and if it's costs less than it did when I initially put it on the list.

In addition, I'll cash a check for $50, twice a month to put into savings, and take the loose change and small bills I've accrued and change the coins to their dollar equivalents, save those to $20 dollar increments and change them to twenties- and then save those to $100 amounts, and seal those off in $1,000 amounts. (Oh, gosh, if I can get to that point!!)

My goal is $20 grand. This might take a while. But at least I have a system. My first nest egg!

When an idea gets caught in your brain...

Yesterday, at work, my last customer was a bright, well-dressed woman who pulled aside a manager to complain about the cashier as I was doing her carry-out. She began to apologize for doing that in front of me, and I politely replied that when I am a customer, I want good customer service as well. We made fast friends, and I asked her what she does for a living. She brightened, visibly, and proudly announced she was a PR firm of one. She asked me what my dream was, called me a bohemian, and recommended a book; The Power of Intention. We laughed as I remarked "There are no coincidences." (I'm very familiar with the concept of conscious manifestation of intent.)

I really, really am attracted to the idea of vandwelling. Neither of us are near the point where it'd be direly necessary (thank Gods), but we are both getting worn from our mundane and stressful jobs. And while my love gets a very diplomatic "I love you and am tolerating you" smile when I showed him the drawings I've been doing of how I'd do the layout of our hypothetical van-converted-to-stealth-camper... he's does admit to the tempting romanticism of it all.

I capitulate to reason, say at the very least perhaps I could write a comic book about it as an Alternate Universe, and compulsively continue to try to figure out how to engineer this.

Things we could do for money if we became vandwellers:
For Him.
-"Telecommunicate from home"- At honey bunny's job, they did mention something about him being able to do his IT support job from home. I could easily envision him doing that from a van office during the day when we weren't traveling. He could keep schedule regular hours during which I'd go off to do... well, leave that for the list for me.
-Day Trade- Again, a dream for him. He's got a knack for WoW's auction house to the point where we think this could be a marketable skill. With wifi and a good laptop, there's no reason he couldn't do the research. And if we could make enough and save enough a year to put a stake in the Market- why not do it?
-Write- At heart, Honey Bunny is a writer, and just never has the time.
-Metal-Detect/Beach Comb- Depending on where we were in the country, and their beach regulations. But since he's been a crotchety seventy-year old man since we met at age 19, I love the idea of him wearing a ugly hawaiian shirt, and shorts with black socks and sandals.
-Drive- This is the main thing. I don't know how to drive. Honey Bunny *loves* to drive. Talk about the right job for him!

For Me.
Cook- More as a money-saving than a money-earning event. But if we could only shop for the bare minimum of necessary ingredients and take the free-time made by not working a conventional job to produce our own food. I'm excited about the idea of using a solar oven and dehydrator and making healthier and inexpensive meals for two.
Metal-Detect/Beach Comb- Again, the idea of finding gold jewelry (even though in this market the bubble has burst, it's still a large sum of money for a little amount of gold), collecting coins, etc... does have it's appeal. At the very least, vintage is in, and would create a supply of things to sell.
Hand-paint textiles- I love beautiful hand-painted scarves and handkerchiefs, and can see selling a small array of one-of-a-kind pieces that were inspired by locales in our travels.
Salt-gathering. Again, depending on the beach and the cleanliness of the water, this is more of a money-saving thing, since it doesn't take a lot to create a year's supply of sea salt to use in cooking, etc. Perhaps an excess could be sold. Another romantic idea.
Fruit-Picking- At several times of year, in different parts of the country, there are events where you can pick your own produce at orchards and on farms for an obscenely small amount of money. Combine with dehydrating for easier storage- and that's a goodly supply of nutrition.
Commissioned Illustration- At conventions, or online, I do take commissioned work on occasion and that is a valid source of income.
Photography- Going all across the country- perhaps I could take photos to sell for stock images?
Paper-Mache Sculpting- A good way to recycle- and make a variety of decorative items and sculptures to sell.
Painting- I *am* an artist, you know. And am researching how to make my own paints. I'm thinking small scale, "hotel bathroom" hanging. Keep it Simple, Stupid.
Sunflower Seed Harvesting- Depending again, on time of year, but why not if there are stalks gone to seed in an appropriate area?
Oil making- From the sunflower seeds, coconuts, etc. Another money-saver rather than money-maker. A little goes a long way, and it'd be nice not to have to spend money for it over time.
Yarn-Reclamation- I could go to flea markets and Salvation Army stores to scout out good old sweaters with 100% wool in white or cream, suitable for dyeing, and get enough yarn out of it for selling.
Loom-Knitting- Or making custom projects myself with, now that you mention. Projects that can be sold seasonally.
Seed-Bomb Making- Not so much a money making venture, as something to do with the seeds from the produce I've picked. Paying it forward- chucking one or two vacant lots in urban areas- doing some Guerilla Gardening for good old Mother Earth.
Jewelry-Making- Reclaimed wire can be a good place to start, and I have a ton already saved from old sketchbooks that I've reclaimed already. I need to get better at it, or buy better tools for it- but why not buy the fasteners and earring posts, and then get creative on some inexpensive fashion?
Sew- One thing I really want to become proficient with machine sewing for is to make leather spats to create customizable boots from the shoes I already own. I love boots, and I have far too big calves and thighs to ever find boots that fit me comfortably. No more, I say! Also, this would go over big with keeping storage optimized as they would take up less space than the million pairs of shoes I want, in my heart of hearts. But I don't have to *own* a sewing machine, necessarily, since I wouldn't be sewing all the time, I could perhaps find places that rent them out, and only sew in areas where it'd be available.

I can imagine having a bicycle on the back of the van just for me, so that I could travel within urban areas, going to and from places on these many side-quest crafting adventures. I envision using the skills I have learned from working in retail, to sell my own goods at craft fairs, and conventions, and flea markets. Assuredly, I bet you that it would beat out what I'm taking in right now.

Things we could Enjoy.
Tourism- Oh, gosh, to go to every off-road attraction that caught our eye. Caverns. Museums. National Parks. All the beauty and all the kitsch in this country. Mesa Verde, New Mexico. I'm getting a little optically greedy just thinking about it.
Sun-bathing- What, I can slather myself in a good sunscreen first- but there's a pleasure to baking out in the hot beautiful sun on a beach that I never want to wrest myself away from. I promise not to over-indulge.
Picnics- When you prepare your own food, you get to choose where to eat it. Any place you want! Romance!
Relax- When what you owe is just car-insurance payments, a P.O. Box and forwarding service, money on necessities (real necessities, not mindless consumerism masquerading as necessity), and a phone bill for two phones... how much money do you really need? We can work when we need money, and sleep in.
Reward the Righteous and Punish the Wicked- Well, maybe not punish the wicked, that might attract attention. But with abundance, with prudent saving and investing, there's the opening of kindness. We might not go to restuarants but once or twice a year, but oh how we'd TIP! I could be friendly to whomever I choose, and spread love and healing through positive action. Help old ladies across the street and thumb my nose at the haters.

When an idea gets caught in your brain- you have to think about it, or go crazy.