Since this is a commission-based income, it’s similar to freelance. I make my own hours, which is 100% of what I need. This does however mean I’ve had to rethink how I work. When I work and how to keep on top of those that are looking to book travel with me. I am proud to say that I already have 2 clients and absolutely love this new path.

The answer to the question “What do you do for a living?”

Travel Agent, YouTuber (yes I’m back), Etsy shop Owner, Craft/Artisan Vendor, Amazon Merch Designer, and Freelance Designer.

When I lost my 2 part-time contract jobs a year ago, I made the choice that I was going to work for myself. I was going to devote all my energy, and my money back into doing something I love. I was going to put me in the front row. After my life as a photojournalist, I moved into the workforce that helped others build up their own businesses. I was the “go-to” person. Meaning I was the “go-ask” person in companies. I improved infrastructures, built SOPs, and developed a back-end e-commerce platform that skyrocketed a division of a company and increased revenue 400%. I was the creative mind behind advertisements, website designs and the backend brain in SEO development.

This time instead of watching someone else succeed off my knowledge, I chose to hop into the driver's seat. 

This is not easy path. I’ve had some very hard lessons over the last year. Lots of breakdowns. Moments when I just really didn’t know what direction I was heading. Wondering if I was actually making or creating something that people wanted. Everything clicked in December. Inspiration started and I found that what I was creating for Etsy was unique enough that, many times I am the only one with items like mine at events. 

Since 2019 my world has changed. I do not go to work every day to an office. I don’t have 50+ colleagues to say hi to, catch up with, or share stories. It went to phone calls, zoom meetings, text messaging, and learning 5 different apps that all “state” productivity but seem to add more work. This small change has had a significant impact to me socially and I have found that attending 2 craft events a month helps give me that same feeling. Talking with those who stop by, sharing stories, and laughing is honestly 1000% why I don’t think I ever want to stop attending events. 

What I have learned about being an artisan at Craft events.

Every show is different.

Local community events are amazing. (4H Clubs, Boy Scouts, etc)

Marketing is key to a successful event 

If it shows 1K+ interested on Facebook the event should be good.

Be different than everyone else.

Food ALWAYS ALWAYS sells

It’s a perfect place to display my Travel Agency gig.

I’ve pretty much got my craft fair business honed in and have learned quite alot. Especially when determining the types of events I plan on attending. Will my crafts ever make me a multi-millionaire? No. That is not my intention or goal. My intention is to create something that people will treasure and keep a lifetime.

My main goals for attending events:

• Make something no one else does

• Keep it focused around travel.

• Earn enough to make back my table fees.

• It needs to fit in one wagon (almost there)  — table and tent will never fit, but my items do.

• Meet new people

Book your next getaway and Travel with Joy!

Fill out this form for a free consultation: https://forms.gle/HT4epY17JnnQHbXe9

I unprepared, I was unpracticed and during both times, I had issues. I won’t go into the problems because they are my own demons, but what I’ve taken away from these two event. The eclipse and the Aurora Borealis; photography requires maintaining practice. Photography requires maintaining that skill to understand how to use it. It doesn’t help that 2 years ago I sold all of my other gear and switched to Sony. While I love Sony, the gear is more involved and has a greater menu. I haven’t used it on a daily basis as I once did. My best improvement hack — use it daily. Continually gain the knowledge on settings and how to quickly make adjustments based on photographic situations. I’ve mentally promised myself to head out at minimum 2x a month to take on a photographic challenge.

I already know what my first is going to be. Follow me on Instagram to watch that journey.

I was once a fantastic photographer. 

I can honestly say, I am no longer that same photographer.

I’m not saying I do not know how to capture a photograph, or tell a story and I know I am very good at being a photographer. However,  I no longer have the knowledge or understanding of the gear I once had. 

Working for the largest camera company in Los Angeles and one of the largest camera manufacturers in the world, I can say my knowledge on how to use a camera and cameras from multiple manufacturers was vast. It still is for the most part. If you give me a camera I am unfamiliar with I will figure out how it works and how to take photographs with it.

I however feel like my knowledge working in the field of photography has shifted. 

A good example of this.

When I was a photojournalist, we covered all local sports; Basketball, Football, Soccer, Volleyball, Pro, High School, and College. Each sport and each level of sport requires covering the action differently.

When a specific season begins, most of the time, it feels like you are learning to use the camera again for the first time. It’s not easy at first but as you continue you get better. These beginning-of-the-season photographs were not photographs you’d write home about or would submit to any competitions.

As the season went on, however, the skill to cover that particular sport improved. I would begin to understand the movement of the players, angles would improve, reaction times improve, seeing the entire image, not just the action. Learning when I need to press the shutter to stop the action at just that right moment. 

Every single sports photographer understands this feeling and concept. 

This same theory can be put into every other aspect of life. Nothing is just understood. It takes time, practice, and continued maintenance.

I am 100% unpracticed in the skill of capturing night sky photography.

Did I get some photographs? Yes.

Am I happy? Yes.

Can I do better? Heck Yes.

Just need to practice.

…and with that I give you my compilation of time lapse photographs form both the Sony and GoPro10. Enjoy!

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]]>A Once in a lifetime Photographic Momentjoy@joynewcomb.com (Joy Newcomb )Travel Agent LifeTue, 16 Apr 2024 13:00:00 +0000https://joynewcomb.com/seeking-the-joy-blog/travel-with-joy6233e8306213d521d94b8c5f:6233eed85662d173fdc1f586:661ae972420b87505f3b1959Finding Remote work that Fits.

Over the last 2 years, I felt like my head was just above the water line. 

I’d kick and get nowhere. 

Over the past month, I have been training to become a travel agent. Something I didn’t plan to do but something that regardless landed in my lap, it fit. It made 100% sense. 

If there was one thing my parents taught me, it was how to pivot. How to find ways to work, pay bills, and live. How to survive. Since I decided to make travel a priority, life was turned upside down. Lots of “stuff” hit the fan. It did not go the way I thought it should. Some good, some better, some not so great.

My parents always said to love what you do. My passion is travel and art. I had never found a way to blend the two so it would and could pay my bills. 

One of the many downfalls of my education was the lack of teaching me how to adult. Things like balancing a checkbook, how to pay taxes, how to work for yourself — what I think of as the necessities to survive in this world. 

Last year I decided to put forward a 100% effort to build up my Etsy store and vendor business. I have no real experience running a company. I do not understand all the logistics, so it’s a massive learning lesson. I continue to develop products and design ideas. I test ads, I redesign. I do everything I can to make everything as perfect as I can. I finally have my vendor event set up and established and the last couple of shows have been fantastic. It’s just not enough. It’s secondary income at this point. Not sure if it could be anything beyond that. However, now that I am a travel agent. I can combine the two businesses to sell both. Work them together. Make and meet potential travel clients.

• I can sell my art.

• I can sell travel. 

I have been slightly overwhelmed by the amount of content, packages, services, and training that needs to be completed. It’s significant and a ton of respect to all the current travel agents. I equivalent this training to that of the Cheesecake Factory training. My menu however is multiple cruiselines and their policies, not just the entire menu.

Currently, I’m working my way through the Princess Cruise line training. As an independent travel agent, my success is based 100% on my marketing, my messaging, my blogging and my posting of all things travel. My hope is that my friends, or those who know me, use my services to plan their trip.

It’s also greatly dependent on word of mouth. So feel free (and I would love it) to share, comment, like, follow, friend, message, and book with Travel with Joy!!

Please contact me when you are ready to travel — there is no additional cost to you to use my service as a travel agent. 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/travelwithjoy330/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/travelwithjoy330/

Website: https://joynewcomb.com/travel-with-joy

If you are interested in also becoming a travel again, please contact me and I will provide all the details.

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]]>My Next Adventure as a Travel Consultantjoy@joynewcomb.com (Joy Newcomb )Small BusinessTue, 05 Mar 2024 22:00:00 +0000https://joynewcomb.com/seeking-the-joy-blog/burning-the-candle6233e8306213d521d94b8c5f:6233eed85662d173fdc1f586:65e7603b82b87e50bb9fc945Late nights. Long Days.

In my 20s I was often warned not to burn the candle at both ends. 

I never listen. 

My mind can’t take a break.

I thought this past Saturday was Friday. It wasn’t until 1 pm that I realized that it was an actual weekend. Trying to find a balance has been a struggle. It seems time slips between my hands and I have no way to stop it. Part of it is relearning a skill I haven’t used in decades, the other part is trying to build a business. My camera roll once filled with places, is now filled with product and photos of product and video of product.

The truth is this business was created out of necessity, I was let go from 2 jobs within 2 weeks of each other. It was a BIG wakeup. I was relying on these to pay bills and cover expenses. I was 6 months away from having almost no debt. I had been working very hard, putting in long hours for other businesses and diligently to pay off one credit card at a time, wiping as much debt as I could. Now back in the American dream — Surviving on the minimum, living in debt, not spending any money on anything other than bills & food and hoping that the trailer sells so I can remove that “factor” from the monthly budget. This led me to decide that my next rig, is cash only. No financing. 

Amazon has allowed me the ease of purchasing anything I needed to begin my business. Supplies ordered on Amazon. Delivered. I had a ton of maps. I have all the “things” needed to make many of my custom orders. However, making sure I have the inventory and being prepared for potential orders is a different story. A lot of upfront expenses. Trying to find that “thing” that everyone must have. Still working on it. Still trying to find the right events because as I have quickly discovered not all events are created equal. 

The maps are a hit, but since groceries have become stupidly expensive. People are not buying. Not really. Nothing like trying to create a business in the midst of an economic breakdown.

I’m loving it but also doubting myself in many aspects of the development. Normally, when I am frustrated, I can’t seem to walk away, stop, or move on to something else instead of setting something down. I hyper-focus on completing that “one” task. Over the past month, I’ve improved quite a bit.

In January I began a night class to learn how to make jewelry. This added a project and creative adventure, allowed me to reset. Weird, I know, but it disrupted the nightly routine. I was doing something that was teaching me a new skill. I loved it.

I’m also trying to make sure that I perform specific tasks on the same day each week. Build a muscle memory regarding becoming productive but also understand that taking breaks is needed. Now, if I’m tired, moody, just not feeling it, or amped, pumped, and overfollowing with ideas. I go with it. 

• Monday — write the blog day.

• Tuesday — post the blog.

• Wednesday — handle appointments/explore

• Thursday — create

• Friday — create

• Saturday — create

• Sunday — house chores/explore

When I’m not doing the above, I’m working on listing products on Etsy, building my Amazon Handmade store, researching keywords, processing orders, working on client projects, helping my mom, and still applying for part-time remote work.

Today started great. We went for our morning walk. Checked emails, and I had finally completed two watercolors of the famous Pixar house. Quickly got frustrated with math ( not my forte ) which put my mood in a bad direction. I’ve figured a few things out, but I didn’t want to stop until I was done with the first concept. I’m already changing it. Learning from what I did today and tweaking a few of the steps to simplify the final product. I was hoping to have it ready for the next event ( Sunday ) but I don’t think I’m going to make it. I need to have the product listed on Etsy, built out with photos, a description, and information on how to order. I can then display my samples, so potential customers can custom order the product through my Etsy Store.

My plan, have a wall where the samples hang, with a sign that states how they can order. At each show, and each event, I learn a new way to display my products and have figured out that less is more. Over crowded tables are chaotic and look unorganized. Having the display stand custom-built by my friends' husband, has allowed me to simplify the magnets. 

My next show is in 5 days. I will not be ready to add this really fun idea to my custom orders - I’ve scoured Etsy / Amazon Handmade / Pinterest — absolutely no one has done this or at least posted it. So it needs to be perfect before I will offer it to customers.

This show I will be selling my photography, reproductions of my paintings, map magnets, keychains and push-pin maps. If you are local, stop by, it’s free to walk through and see what local artisans and crafters are making. I can guarantee, there will be food, 3D dragons, tumblers, crocheted something, and jewelry. Those are the top 5 items that always seem to be sold at events. While my travel maps and magnets are unlike any other items at events, it’s been very interesting to see “what” is bought. 

Lake Cable Women's Club Spring Craft Show

@seekingthejoy 🏠 🎈 Can you guess what im painting in 2 seconds? This was my first attempt, the second one I want to paint it with brown/earth tones. #watercolorart #paintingart #pixarmovie #upmovie ♬ Married Life (From "Up") - Geek Music

Lake Cable Woman’s Club 

5725 Fulton Drive NW 

Canton, OH 44718

Sunday 10:am to 3pm

Happy Spring and hope to see you there!

How would you react? Am I the ass for not laughing or finding it funny? It’s me right?

In my head I heard “You know, you don't even count. If you disappear forever, it wouldn't make any difference. You may as well not even exist...”

My go-to reaction is to get quiet. I get quiet when someone is being unnecessarily cruel about me or to me. If someone picks on me, I shut up. Feel like being mean, I will sit there and take it. It’s a response decades in the making. Apparently, that is me “over-reacting or being dramatic”. Growing up I was taught, that if you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything. Doesn’t mean I’m not thinking anything, just means I’m keeping my reaction to myself. 

Unfortunately my face, since developing Ramsay Hunt Syndrome, looks like I have a permanent resting bitch face or that I’m somehow “making a face”, which to be honest I really can’t help it. I think if I were to try and “fake-smile” it would be like Sheldon on Big Bang Theory when he’s trying to be “happy” for Koothrappali.

Everyone jokes, everyone teases. It’s a learned behavior we pick up in kindergarten. Most kids tease in harmless ways. There are moments when teasing, and joking turn into bullying and go too far. Bullies that troll online or hide behind a screen name, seem to think it’s ok because social media platforms have zero consequences. The verbal assailant can get the twisted attention they seem to crave.

Being unjustly mean to someone and then falling back on the —

“I didn’t mean it” 

“It was just a joke”

“You take things too seriously”

“Stop taking it personally”

“Geez, learn to take a joke”

These responses make the bully the victim because the butt of the “joke” took it personally. Instead of owning up to being an ass, the bully now gets offended. It’s messed up. 

My Middle School Hellscape

My parents were lower-middle class when I was growing up. In 1972 when I came into this world, they lived on a chicken farm in Indiana. My dad’s job at the time was working that farm. In turn, it provided a house. They then met the Arnolds. On a whim, my dad and Len decided that they were moving to Ohio. My mom was given 30 days to pack up the house and they moved to Canton, Ohio during a massive blizzard.

My family lived in an apartment, rented 2 houses, and finally purchased a home when I was 12. During that time I went to 3 different school districts in Stark County. This last move meant I was going to a brand new middle school. I knew one person. The fear I had was palpable. I remember walking into choir class, the piano was against the chalkboard, and on the opposite side of the room were bleachers. That first day, that first class, I walked into the room and saw two groups of people sitting and chatting with each other.

It was 1980 and yes race was still very much divided. Coming from a city school, it was a very awkward moment.

In the back upper corner of the bleachers were a group of kids and closest to the door were another. At that instant, I made a choice. This is when I met my middle and high school best friend.

Middle school is what I like to reflect back on as my personal “hell”. There was a defining moment that determined who I would become as an adult. During my 2 years at this school, I became friends with another core group of girls, I will call them “lunch friends”. Lunch times were divided, so I never really had lunch at the same time as my best friends. Everyday for most of my 7th grade year we all sat at the same table together. I had other friends that had lunch at the same time, but I choose to sit at this table. Why, because where you sat defined who you were, right? Every tween movie since 1970 depicts this scene. EVERY SINGLE ONE! I honestly do not remember why I choose that table.

Many middle schools provide an extended field trip for a weekend, where we as new teenagers get to leave our home without our parents for a weekend. It’s a big deal and while most schools go to Washington D.C to explore the country’s capital. Our 7th-grade trip was to Dearborn, Michigan and the Henry Ford Museum. Exciting? umm…

This field trip required sharing a room with 3 other girls. Since there were 7 other girls that made up the “lunch” friends, I was the “she can be our 8th” during this field trip. It was during this trip when I realized that these friends, were using me as a joke. I was the laugh. My shoes, clothes, and everything was a joke. I tried to brush it off and laughed but I got quiet. I withdrew into myself and at that moment felt lost. I remember finding a different seat on the bus ride home.

Lunchtime rolled around the following week and still sat at the same table and the jokes started again. The teasing started again. I was over it. I stood up and said “That’s it, I’m done — I’m going to sit with my real friends” and I walked away and sat with two other friends. I don’t remember but according to my mom, I came home from school that day extremely upset and wore black a lot after that. Makes sense. It’s a great color to wear when you don’t want to be noticed by a bunch of assholes. I never did talk to those 7 girls again.

High School was a blur of figuring out who I was, and what I wanted to do, spending the majority of my time in the choir room or art room. 

I’ve spent most of my adult life trying to please everyone, trying to become the best at what I did, trying to be accepted for who I was. I had always put others' feelings and wishes ahead of mine. I worked hard, I went above and beyond helping others with their businesses, and their passions, and the moment I said, I’d like to chase my own dreams — I became selfish. 

I’m selfish for moving.

I’m selfish for staying.

I was selfish for abandoning them.

I’m selfish for going.

I’m selfish for not sharing.

I’m selfish because I didn’t have kids.

I’m selfish for staying single.

I’m not worthy of an opinion.

I’m not worth it.

I’m not good enough.

I don’t have kids and can’t understand.

I’m not thin enough.

I’m lazy.

I’m not talented enough.

My ideas are not valid.

I’m being overdramatic.

I’m loud.

I’m annoying.

I’m a martyr.

I’m not smart enough.

I’m not good enough.

Each one of the above statements has been made to me over the years. Should I consider it all a joke? 

Those who constantly tell someone “you’re not worthy” through actions and other comments are not worth the tears, or the energy given them. I have walked away from friendships that were the one-sided “I want you around because you will/can do things for me” friendships. Once they have what they wanted you are of no value. It’s the equivalent of unexpectedly being slapped in the face.

Somedays I get into my own head, worry I’m not good enough, not worthy happiness, that I shouldn’t take it personally or over analyze EVERYTHING. I should just be quiet and fade into the background.

Those days I relate to the Taylor Swift song; “It's me, hi, I'm the problem, it's me.”

Then I put on my “GenX cap” and try to smile like Sheldon.

Today, I sat down to take my meds and had to refill my weekly container. That led to cleaning my bathroom, which led to almost reorganizing the bathroom. It took me an hour to finally get around to refilling my meds.

I have to tell myself often, to stop and re-focus on what I was doing.

It’s the equivalent of feeling like I’m swimming against the current.

I then mentally beat myself up and wonder why I’m not making sales or the money I should for the work I’m doing. I wonder why no one is buying my designs or paintings, and think, am I doing what I should? I feel like I’m in a constant state of trial, error, and failure.

Some weeks are harder than others.

I then find myself in a state of a moody mindset that I can’t seem to get out of or change.

The video I watched discussed developing your cheer squad. A group of people that you trust and know that you message when you are feeling like this. You send a message, and they then reply with everything they value about you. They send words of encouragement, love, and joy. 

I think this is a brilliant idea for everyone not just people who work in the creative industry but for anyone who needs encouragement to push forward so they can get out of their way. It is a great tool to prevent self-sabotaging because let’s face it — EVERYONE does this.

EVERYONE self-sabatoges.

This idea is brilliant. I highly recommend you do the same.

Tales of Craft Fair Life

I worked my 4th event this past weekend and it went much better than the previous two. Gaging what people are going to buy, and how many people show up for the event is largely based on the advertising, posting, and sharing of the event of those who attend and by the event creator. What I’ve noticed is the $30-40 table events don’t seem to advertise or get the word out sufficiently. Kathy and I were lucky and 3 of our friends showed up and supported our businesses at this particular event and while I did make some money, it was really not great.

Kathy’s husband has been designing me a display rack specifically for my map designs and this show was it’s debut. It worked well and I’ve since purchased rechargeable lights that can clip onto the sides so it can be easily seen. In fact, a couple of ladies I had met at a different event loved the display stand.

I’m going to be tweaking the name tags for each slot to help identify each box a bit better. Each show I’m getting closer and closer to how I’m going to set up my table.

It can be very frustrating as a vendor when the show flops, obviously I think we all would like to make money. While I love doing this and I’m meeting some great people, it helps when there is a constant flow of traffic. Earning back my table expense is great but making 10x that is preferred. There is no prediction or gage as to how many people may show up. Since this is my 4th show, I’m not quite ready to drop more than $100 for a table, but events like what the 720 Market is doing in Canton, are busy, money-making events. I will be attending on of these 720 events this summer as a vendor.

Spring and summer events are always going to be busy, especially if it’s a farmer’s market. Starting this spring I will be attending the Hartville flea market as a Vendor. I think - I’m going to dedicate a couple of days a week. I just have to determine that process.

This means I need a tent and 2 tables instead of 1.

Am I ready for that?

I don’t feel ready. I don’t have a tent, yet.

I’m still trying to fit and organize what I’m selling on one 6-foot table. I’m also trying to make what I’m selling fit in one wagon. One trip in, one trip out. It’s about being efficient. Understanding my audience. Taking less and selling more. I do think my push pin maps will sell. I also think, having them framed, with pins, ready to be hung is the way to go.

My thoughts are always overwhelmed with new ideas and changes,

Eventually, I’ll figure it out, I’ll research, and overthink my way into the next idea. The next challenge. My next spark of creativity will occupy my mind until it’s completed. 

If you are interested in attending a craft event be sure to follow my facebook page, Events I book, I share on my page. Hope to see you there.

Mext major event for me is the 43rd Annual Lake Cable Craft Show on March 10th.

Until next week.

(then back it up again)

Not doing this cost me $600.

In December my external photography hard drive stopped working. It contains all of my photos (well most) and to be honest, my hard drive storage needs to be more organized. My external drives were once sorted by year. It was chaotic on the inside but each one was full of video, photos, and files from each year.

After this last failure, I believe I will be investing in an external drive system that stays plugged into my desktop. Something that does not travel but becomes “my cloud”. The scary aspect of that, what if that breaks? What if that fails? If you’ve experienced this, what system did you go with?

The biggest benefit of negatives, while not currently with me. Are safe. They can’t fail, they can however curl if not properly fixed or cared for. Mine have always remained in an archival quality folder and sleeves. They are tucked away at a friend's storage unit until I can get to LA again, pick it up, and bring it back to Ohio. I should just fly there, visit friends rent a car, and drive it all back. Hmm… That just may happen. I’ll wait however until the rainy season is over in LA. I need to go meet a new member of the world and hang with her parents.

This hard drive failure however panicked me. So many memories locked away with no access. I did everything that was recommended. Left if plugged in, because sometimes the drive has to rebuild the hierarchy. I tried disk utility, but the drive never showed up. Not even as an unclickable icon. Nothing. No sound of the internal system thinking/working. On the drive I have photos that back in 2004 were considered “large” and are now considered thumbnail-sized. Years of newspaper photographs I had captured. Vacations. Moments with friends — EVERYTHING. Thousands of photos, unedited, RAW, iPhone memories. Videos of Charlie, photos of my dad, my grandparents, and people that are and were important to me, could be lost.

I received an email from the company I used and they indicated everything could be saved. I’ll know when I get it back. While it was costly, I don’t think it mattered, I would have paid to get everything back. I did go with the less expensive option, which means it takes about 6 weeks to complete. Once it arrives back the unorganized mess will have to be dealt with in about 1 month when the new drive and files are shipped back to me. 

The technology today is the equivalent of being handed a paper plane versus flying a commercial jet. It is vastly overwhelming and technology-driven. Many people are falling behind and quickly get lost and frustrated — ESPECIALLY when companies like Apple, Amazon, Samsung, Sony and more make updates to software and do not provide information on “how-to”. 

This speed at which tech is changing is mind-blowing. 

Are we moving too fast? Is tech advancing before the world or people are ready?

The struggle of art.

I’m finding myself in a situation, I’m unsure how to get out of. I know that to survive, I need to get craft shows booked 2x a month (minimum). I started this plan late last year. Taking my Etsy business into the world of craft fairs. Not the best time to start if you need to make money to pay bills. However, it’s a great time to see what people want (especially during the gifting season) and it allows you to fine-tune the items you craft, make, perfect, change, and widdle down the items that sell. It’s February and I don’t feel like I’ve done enough. 

I also had to figure out my display setup at shows. I like white (blank) space. This is a term used by artists, newspaper designers, magazine editors, and anyone who needs to provide a visual representation of a product. Blank space or white space is needed. Overcrowding a 6-foot table, people will not engage, unless you are selling EXACTLY what they didn't know they wanted.

The show this weekend, I am sharing a space with my friend who is now also getting into crafting events. So we have a 12-foot space. She got a Cricut for Christmas and has been making items and learning the process. Since the bestie and I are now exploring this world, why not learn together?

My work days (which is Sunday through Sunday) days quickly slip away. I have a dog that adamantly lets me know at 5 pm, I need to be done working. I’m however never done working. I’ll have nights when I need a break, however for the most part, I am drawing, sketching, working on SEO, writing captions, researching, planning content, and shooting EVERYTHING. Getting orders made, packaged, and shipped. Burning the candle. I get burnout. I call it exhaustion. 

My issue — my biggest issue. Socials.

I do love the creative process, I just wish that my content was actually seen by people who engage in content similar to mine, who like and comment. Who actively “double-tap”. I have a very small and dedicated fan base that I 1000% appreciate. If I were to believe Instagram, TT, and YouTube, the more you post, the more you are seen. No shit. That’s like telling someone, “can’t win the lottery if you don’t play”. However, when the algorithm does whatever it does and you look for hashtags that have under 10k, you produce a 7-second (or is it 5 seconds?) video that provides the attention span of a gnat-content that makes them somehow respond.

How does one handle that stress? How can one person, just succeed? There are only 24 hours in a day. The majority of it should be spent on creating but if I don’t share what I create, then I’m not seen. If I don’t make sure I spend hours doing keyword research, making sure I also include “b-roll”, and various angles, the must-have hero shot, oh and tell a story while also making sure I post it at the right time of day. There is a reason the majority of these that have success, are in their 20s. They have that kind of chaotic energy.

It’s exhausting. If I can’t even get my followers, people who said, yes I want to see what you are up to, to engage, how can I as an artist, succeed? 

I’m also fed up with the idea that I as a person can not just have one social account. I tried eliminating the excess before. I closed accounts, changed the name, and started from scratch. I built a following based on travel, photography, and art. According to the big three, that needs to be separate accounts because, in their odd world, it’s 3 different things. It’s me however, I am one person who does all three. I am an artist, a photographer, and a traveler. These are all things that make up my life and I HATE the idea that I should keep them separate.

I think I’ve decided to cut off the excess for the last time. This means, combining everything. One place, where you find my art, my travels & my photography. I’m mentally banging my head on my desk.

Crap.

While my name is not that common, there is more than one Joy Newcomb in the world. My website, joynewcomb.com, will always be the main source of information, my portfolio of work, and where I focus my following, my social accounts can not have the same name. Despite the accounts are not even active! If only I knew what I know now.

I’ve been thinking about ways to make my life easier and I think this is it. This will prevent me from becoming so overwhelmed and stressed.

Now how do I do it?

Flip a switch? Can I merge my Instagram accounts? Man, that would be amazing. Just mash everyone into one place. I need to dig into this and figure out my best solution. 

Here are my current socials:

Facebook

Personal Page (limited to friends & family)

Wanderlust and Wit - Business Page

Seeking the Joy - Life Page

Instagram

Seeking the Joy - life driven

Wanderlust and Wit - art business driven

Photography by Joy (pretty sure this needs to go)

TikTok

Seeking the Joy - life driven

Wanderlust and Wit - art-driven

YouTube

Seeking the Joy - currently posting shorts.

I have Pinterest, LinkedIn, and whatever Twitter now is, but I don’t really use them, not like the other platforms.

Welp…my brain hurts; off to research.

Have a great week and catch you next Tuesday. 

Welcome to 2024. A year when “things” are supposed to magically change. Right?

Yea, not really. It will only change when efforts are made to actually change. This is me — changing. You will see a big uptick oin posts on my Wanderlust and Wit IG and page. It’s all about growing my business, increasing the revenue and creating something that is 100% me.

I’ve allowed myself an unintentional break. No blogs, a late newsletter (oops). I’ve however not actually taken a break from creating and in fact I’ve got a lot of ideas, I started painting again and have dove head first into the art world. It feels like home.

December was a hectic, quick, get organized, order supplies, make my inventory, figure out trade-shows & events, create products, ship orders, work on SEO, pay for advertising, make more products and create new ideas. It was a busy month.

I loved it.

Every time I had an order I did a happy dance. The magnets, push-pin maps and map ornaments were my biggest sellers. I was blown away and ecstatic. My personal christmas list was maps and things needed for shows. Not gonna lie, I was stressed a few times. My entire goal was to make sure any custom orders were shipped within one day. I was striving for quick shipping and achieving the “star seller” status on Etsy.

This meant alot of late nights, which is fine — because as I’ve said before, I’m a night owl.

Sleep is very much still required but this means I’m not moving fast or early in the mornings, which is the complete opposite for working events. These are early rising, back breaking and set up mornings. I have yet to find the “right” way to tear down. It always feels like I’m just throwing chaos into boxes, hauling them to my truck and dealing with it later. The process to set up is definitely more organized.

I have also determined that December shows need to be booked way in advance and I should literally be booked from November 1st to at least the 2nd weekend in December. January is no longer going to be a month when I do any events (unless they are $40 and under) and the few associations in Ohio, will only take check or money order payments. I no longer use checks, honestly haven’t for the past 6 years. Bills are paid online, debit/credit cards are used at stores and let’s face it, most of my shopping is done via Amazon. 

And that will be something I try VERY hard to change in 2024.

There was a time when I didn’t buy things until I had the actual money. Not credit. Money. I’ve got to get back to that process. It’s definitely not going to be easy. I currently have the supplies I need to create my product and I’m working on getting the inventory made, staining frames, printing maps, finding better way to display my items - which thanks to my friend’s husband, I will have a gorgeous, easy to see new set up for my tables. Excited to get it, and try it out for my next show in February.

If you are a vendor and need something like this, he can provide that service, just send me a message.

I’ll be back into the swing of things again in February. If you haven’t already please follow my Insta: instagram.com/wanderlust_andwit/

Goals for the 2024 Year

• Work on developing a watercolor series for Etsy

• Tackle a 16x20 Watercolor Painting (extremely intimidating)

• Grow my Wanderlust & Wit IG.

• Increase Sales

• Post everyday.

• Share tips.

• Sell the trailer

• Buy a truck Camper

• Head West.

• Find that one product, that I can make, perfect, travel with, sell and allow myself the freedom to pursue travel around the US like I wish.

• Create and finish a scene specifically for photographing small items.

It’s a habit, I think I’m going to start. Posting my goals at the beginning of the year. Not with the intention to make sure I check off everyone, but with the intention that it will direct my path. I’m stating it and actively making it happen. This is a very short list. If my life goes the way I think I want it to go in my head, this list will inevitably become much bigger.

I feel like Christmas happened and my brain took 2 weeks off, despite the fact that I’m in grind mode for 2 weeks. I had a great time watching my nephews open gifts this year. We played games and just took it easy. It was very chill. However it literally just dawned on me that today was Wednesday and I completed spaced writing a blog.

The week before Christmas, sales took off, so I was going to the post office daily to drop off orders. Lots of long nights trying to get orders made and shipped the next day. Lots of communication with customers. One conversation from a customer inspired an idea. The stories I’ve heard, the places I was able to research and to be honest the most sincere and friendliest customers I’ve ever experienced. I’ve even been told to contact them when I visit! That right there is the why. That is the reason working for myself, while stressful and puts all aspects of running a business in my lap, is why. Every time I got an order I did a mental happy dance. Every conversation was phenomenal and the interaction I had one-on-one with customers was fantastic. Etsy has made a huge impact on how to get products completed, understanding what people like, but still making products I want in my own home.

Many of my items are custom made, places customer hold very close to them, they are personal places and making sure I bring that same feeling into what I provide them is extremely important. I want that customer to understand that I will go above and beyond what they expect. No matter what you order from me, now matter how much you spend, I will put the same amount of care and perfection into my work as I would do from someone paying thousands of dollars. 

That’s the artist in me. It’s my name on it, if I’m going to create something, I’m going to make it as perfect as it can be.

I’m very excited to see how the beginning of the year will fair. Will I maintain? Grow? Fail? Yes, failure is still an option. It always will be.

If you are reading this, I would love a share, copy the link → and share to your socials (stories, FB posts, etc)  and share with your friends. Doesn’t cost anything but 2 minutes to post. Use #wanderlustandwit and tag me in the post. 

If you want to add any info here’s an example — (copy and paste it)

Would love it if my family and friends would show some love and support for my friend’s business — Wanderlust and Wit. 

Give Joy a follow, a like and a share. #wanderlustandwit

https://www.etsy.com/shop/WanderlustandWit 

I now officially have a PO Box for my business. Step 125 out of 10,000. Right? 

It’s been something I’ve been wanting to do but honestly didn’t like the parking on Cleveland Ave. My truck is much bigger and parking in this narrow area I now stick out almost 2 feet.

Last week while getting my plates, I was on the hunt for used books stores that might have old maps of places outside the US. During my adventures I discovered a smaller post office with easier parking, next to a Goodwill bookstore. Two birds, one stone. Drive home and got online to see if they had any openings and paid to get that address established. Biggest benefit, it’s next to a grocery store, a Walgreens and a gas station, that can all accommodate my larger vehicle. It’s also roughly the same distance away on a wider and much less potholed filled road.

Lots of pluses. 

Considering I received a letter that almost every Rite Aid close by is shutting down, I have to establish a pharmacy that can be available all over the US. Walmart would be a good option once I begin traveling again, however the Walmart near me now is too close to everything else and much more of a pain-in-the-ass to get to.

So finding this smaller sized post office in the ideal location was perfect.

Gearing up for 2024, and beginning to plan attending two events a month (if not more) means I’m in perpetual research, creative, and trial and error mode. 

In 4 days, I will become a star seller on Etsy! In 9 days, I have my 3rd event. My grind is now about making products and finding new ways to sell online. I have also developed 2 new, pre-framed push-pin maps. One is 5x7 and perfect for a desk. The other is 8.5 x 11 and perfect for a shelf. I’m going to see how they do for my next event and what doesn’t sell will become pre-made etsy inventory. 

The push-pin maps and map ornaments became my item to sell this holiday. This sparked an ideas to create sports maps for all the pro stadiums, ballfields, arenas and rinks. It also grew the idea of smaller charms for cars, keychains and ornaments. Many have been premade.

Another idea Inspired by my friend is a smallish map that can potentially show every amusement park in the US. That’s 571 parks!! I’m keeping the fingers crossed.

Unsure if this is even possible, but you can bet I’m gonna try and make it. I have an idea of how, I just need to map it out and see how these parks are spread out and then determine if I can. Does the map exist, yes, but it’s much larger than I can print. The largest I can print is 13 x 19 and this is something I want to make. Who knows, the roller coster idea is down the road after I map out each and every pro sport location!! Make more framed maps, create the next product,  and develop the new thing. Work on the next state. Yes, I will eventually have all 50 states hand drawn and each county created. 

As it was once stated in a movie, “If you build it, he will come.” I’ll keep building til I complete my work.

Happy Wednesday and share away!

My hope was that December was going to be a big month for my Etsy store. I have literally done nothing else but make products, prep, pack up, photograph, stamp, write key words, work on SEO, edit, upload and design. 

Ask my friends — I’ve not had my margarita night with my girls in a few months!! The guys at El Camps are probably wondering what happened.

Making the choice to put 1000% of everything into creating this mobile, and online business has been a whirlwind of panic, frustration, sheer joy, happiness, chaos and just blown away by the response and the connections I have made with buyers.

Since many of my items are custom, I’ve had lots of requests to confirm what they wanted was available. I finally — FINALLY got the National Park Map designed and made exactly as I wanted. I listed it and the orders began to pour in, I actually ran out of the canvas paper I use. It’s now thankfully back in stock, but the rush is done. Cause if you haven’t ordered, or plan on ordering tonight, well let’s just say — it’s not gonna arrive on time.

I know it’s the holidays and it will probably significantly tank but… as of January 1, 2024, I will be a star seller on Etsy. It’s really not supposed to do much other than indicated to buyers that I am a reliable seller and checked off a series of boxes to achieve this goal. Is it paying for all my bills. No, but it’s a lot closer. I’ll take it. My current conversion rate is 4.4%!! According to Invespcro.com: The latest survey and studies in 2023 show that the global average website conversion rate is 3.68%. The average conversion rate in the e-commerce market decreased by 0.91% from 1.65% to 1.64% in February 2023 compared to February 2022.

So I’ll take that 4.4% and know that I am definitely heading in the right direction.

Wanderlust and Wit — If you haven’t browsed yet, you really should. After January 1st, expect to see new work and one-of-a-kind paintings. 

Remember when I said, I’m diving back into my art roots? I’m really getting back into those roots!

Getting ready for 2024.

I have 2 weeks until I need to be ready for my next show on January 5th in Canal Fulton. This time, my space is bigger and I’ve already got plans in mind for how I’m going to fill it. I’ve always been the one that set up event tables for other companies I worked for, making sure that what people are looking at stands out. Since there are always multiple vendors and others selling their wares, most people and customers quickly glance at tables with out “really” seeing the table. Unless it has food. If it has food, especially breads — it sells quick.

Engaging customer as they walk by is key. Saying hi, smiling, be the approachable seller. Someone that can make you laugh. I’ve seen at events I attended as a vendor and a consumer, tables where the seller’s look tired or unhappy and seem unengaged. If I’m buying something, I want the person, I am buying from to be friendly and someone I feel we could have a great conversation.

My mom has told me a couple of times, that my brother and I have this ability. She says we got it from our dad. I say, they both pushed us to chase our dreams and when you do that, when you encourage someone to create, work and chase something they love. It comes naturally.

On that note:

If you are over that hangover from New Year’s or recovered from the Christmas chaos, stop by and see me in Canal Fulton on January 5th (5-10pm) and check out 50+ vendors and their passion.

A New Year Shopping Gala

Elm Ridge Party Center

469 Elm Ridge Ave

Canal Fulton, Ohio 44614

Honestly, as a vendor I’m not expecting much, I’m hoping but it’s right after the holidays. Having grown up with a January 7th birthday — I am painfully aware of the lack or desire of people wanting to shop or really do anything.

That’s ok, every show I do, I figure out how to make things easier for pack-up, how to carry, what to take, what to leave. How to set it up. How to display my work and designs. Each show is a massive learning lesson in making it easier and less a pain in the ass. I say that with the fact that I'm out of shape, the back hurts, and most times everything hurts. I love it though and the only way I know how to get through it; is just by doing. 

Yesterday and today, I am in the middle of rearranging my room / studio. Making it work for the chaos I just experienced before the holidays. I have an entire built in shelf system that I need to use, so I’m moving books, and rearranging EVERYTHING. I’m making my room work for how I get orders, package and ship product.

It’s what I do. I constantly re-arrange my space.

Sometimes I can’t, so I’ll change the decor. Sometimes it’s happens at midnight, or 10pm, or 5pm. Sometimes I can’t sleep until it’s all put away and organized. I have learned what I can physically move and when I need help.

Anyone know if there is a support group for people like me?

If you’re like me, hi, my name is Joy; I will now contemplate everything that has happened over the past year. The good, the bad, the not so great, the stress, the worry, the fantastic moments, the memories, the highlights, the low lights, the laughter, the tears and the fears. No, I will not write in detail. These thoughts are in my head.

They say not to look back but it’s nearly IMPOSSIBLE not to do so as the year winds down and a new one begins. In my world and a few close friends, our birthdays are close to Christmas, so it’s kinda like getting all the gift-giving and well-wishes done in one month. Two of my close friends have December birthdays. I’m after. There is a debate; is it better to have your birthday before while people are feeling generous? Or after, when people are recovering from hemorrhaging money the couple of weeks prior, and now all they can afford to do is work?

Growing up, birthday parties for me were very much weather-dependent. Blizzards were a common issue. Not so much anymore. Snow storms, while I remember experiencing quite a few as a kid, not so much as an adult. It’s a hit or miss with the snow. It seems to happen more now after the 1st. Now, if it snows (significantly), if I can live without it, I do. I will also wait until 11 am after the salt has time to melt most snow or ice.

I know they say as you age, your mind shifts and I often find myself saying as I’m driving — “moron, asshat, dumbass, WTF, ok then, that was brilliant (aka dripping in sarcasm), and now that I have the beast - just simply laughing at people’s stupidity. Now, I’m not saying I’m not or have never been stupid…

buttttttt…

I’m also not in a hurry, not trying to run red lights, not trying to die driving to the grocery store or the mall or get hit by a car (which just happened last week), or otherwise just being an idiot. I’m past that stage of my 20s-30s. I still have a life I want to lead and things to do!

Yes, like many places people in Ohio drive drunk, or text on their phones, or fall asleep late at night while driving, and cross a center line into oncoming traffic, and sideswipe a massive black truck with lights on the top, the side, etc and then just keep going. Yes. They. Do. Just another asshat and to that all I can say is Karma is a b!tch. 

Thankfully, I took very little damage, a small scuff that can be buffed out. Not so sure about their car. They clipped the back corner of my passenger door, and hit the steel running board, which caused them to fishtail and swerve all over the road. By the time I could pull over, get out of my truck, and assess the damage — they were gone. 

Another year, another goal, another plan.

I’ve already booked a local event after the first of the year. I am trying to get 2 booked a month. There are a few craft / art events here in Ohio that I’d like to book for next holiday season, my goal is to have the product locked in for shows over the first few months next year. I’ve been fine tuning how I will carry, haul and otherwise pack the product and take it with me. Once I get the camper I want, I can then begin the travel plans. I can plan my route based on craft fairs throughout the states. Yes, there is a database for that. In the meantime I need remove the back seat, plan and build out the storage, get new tires, get the truck ready to go and maybe take trip east for a long weekend.

I haven’t worked out all the kinks, but I am hoping to get the trailer sold before camping season begins. If you know anyone looking a small trailer with an amazing set up — send them my way or better yet send them this link — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uQK4V3gF03Q

I may have to trade it in, but really hoping to just eliminate that expense from my budget. I would rather pay cash for my next RV. Fingers crossed.

Answers to questions I’ve been asked:

What kind of RV are you getting?

A truck camper 

When will I get on the road?

I hope soon.

Where will I travel?

No idea, I will point my truck in a direction and drive but eventually west.

How long will you travel?

The plan is 6-7 months each year.

Will you travel full-time?

At this time, no. I will come home for the holidays.

How will you fund your travel?

My Etsy Shop, selling my art, freelance design and photography work, and craft fairs.

Will you post on YouTube?

Yes, but a bit differently.

I’ve learned that the planning process is always changing. I know that eventually I will be back in California to see my friends, that I plan on spending a bulk of my time in the mountains and exploring back roads and BLM land. Until then I am here, in Ohio, dreaming of the day, I once again hit the road. My focus now, is getting me there.

That means focusing on my business Wanderlust and Wit and developing my product line. Coming up with something not only creative but uniquely mine. Uniquely my art. I’ve got 2 ideas in the works.

1. Selling paintings created by me using a painting technique that I’m excited to spend some time learning.

2. Creating a product that utilizes my skills as a photographer and a designer which makes a custom-made travel-inspired design that is about you, the customer.

I just need more hours in the day, and the ability to once again survive on 4 hours of sleep.

Christmas season is finally upon us. Now that I’m staying in the house, over-decorating it seems like a fantastic idea. Last year, we really didn’t do much. This year however, one of the many projects is cleaning up and purging the house. Mom needed to go through all of her christmas decor to really determine what she wants to keep and what she wants to donate. So why not pull everything out, decorate every aspect of the home and leave the rejects on the table? (TBD)

Upstairs in my room, are 2 doors that lead to attic crawl spaces. The biggest issue, remembering what you have in the crawl space. On one side, we have luggage, keepsakes, and furniture. The other side is the doll house and rocking chairs my grandfathers made and the household decorations. 

It’s a perfect place to store everything not really needed on a daily basis. It’s also the perfect place to find out how well you bend or how often you will smack your head on ceiling slats. 

Just before Thanksgiving I carried down all nine 18 gallon massive boxes and ½ a tree. I am adamant about not decorating before Thanksgiving. Let me enjoy one holiday before I have to think about the next!

Please.

I love fall. I’d rather not give it up that easily. 

I ONLY love winter when the world is forced to slow down. Those days when the snow blankets the earth and it feels like someone stuffed cotton in my ears. Not a fan of driving in it — more because most people drive like it’s 72 and sunny when it’s 27 and blizzard like conditions.

Due to weather, my mom’s shoulder, my show deadline, It’s taken a lot longer to finish the  house decor. Inside — done. Outside — not. I still have to cover the bbq, put away the chairs and disconnect the hoses.

Winter is coming.

Show and Event Prep, planning, (and to be honest perfecting)

Since this is my first year, really diving into the world of craft fairs, attending the events is a priority. Checking them out, seeing how people have tables set up, getting inspired, looking at the creativity and work of others - it’s all about making sure that I’m not walking into things blind. I like to be prepared and know that not only will I have enough inventory, I will also have the “right” thing.

This past weekend, I went to two events, one was learning how the make snow globes at Boomdyada In downtown Canton.

I’m also trying to find the easiest, most compact and transportable solution. My backseat, and some storage in the truck camper will be dedicated to holding everything I need to set up at an event. I am also making sure I have all the licenses I will need to sell at events. There are a lot of check boxes and a lot of things to get done. I love it, it propels me toward an achievable goal. I have a greater understanding of never feeling like I have enough inventory!

This Saturday is my second show. 

I’m trying to get to 3 shows a month. I believe that is doable and something to work my way towards. I’m also looking at becoming a vendor at a few more permanent locations or events. It’s finding the right one at the right cost.

This means developing a product or one handmade item that does a few of things.

1. It must solve a problem for someone. 

2. It must be something I can handcraft, design or photograph.

3. It must inspire.

4. It must provide me with an income.

Am I there yet, no.

Is it improving? Yes, but 16 sales in 30 days is far from paying my bills.

Starving artist is the truth. I really want to be able to take my experience as an artist and create, all I can do is put 1000% of everything I have into this for the next year. Really dive in, sell the trailer, cut all expenses, get the business loan, determine my path and really put everything I have into this dream.

Only I can do that.

There’s a lot in that statement, so much riding on this goal of becoming an artist I was meant to be, developing a business model that takes everything I love and making it. This also means embracing how people are advertising, using multiple platforms, live videos etc.

I’ve gone live a couple of times during the day, it was always random but I’m changing it up and scheduled one for tonight. If this works, then I may do this once a month for each platform, Insta, YouTube, TikTok and Facebook. 

However…

Expect the unexpected, some random singing, stories about photography, I will answer questions, and most of all, it would be a pleasure to see and here from everyone. So if you see this today (aka the next few hours). 

Join me during my Live on Instagram!

Have you ever googled yourself? If you haven’t you really should. Honestly, I would check at least once a year.

When I have time, I’ve been sitting at my computer and tightening up information about me, my businesses, and my data online. I’ve been going through apps, programs, emails and making sure everything has been updated or deleted. That I’ve unsubscribed to endless spam emails. There is a significant amount of information that I’ve got to update and it takes time, While I do have an online presence, some of my life is private and will always be that way. Making sure of what info I want visible is important.

Last year, I took Facebook (my personal page) to the bare minimum, I actually took a 30 day break and never missed it. I whittled down my list of friends. Most are now family and people I have always had a deeper connection. I now see more of what’s going on with more of my friends, so it was two birds with one stone. Facebook has become the unneeded program. However to have an specific type of IG account, you have to have FB, which is notoriously hacked, compromised and really just a obscene amount of ads, “sponsored” content etc. The platform is confusing, and overly technical for businesses, and really the scammers just don’t stop.

Going through the security features on Facebook again (because they are always changing things) I noticed the tab on Facebook called—Places I’ve lived. It got me thinking about all the places I’ve lived.

• 5 states

• 13 cities

• 8 houses

• 14 apartments

I MOVED a lot. 

I really feel like I’m forgetting a place or two, but it made me realized, It’s kinda my MO. Which means this idea of part time travel is right up my alley. For kicks, I’ve also had 12 vehicles, which averages a new car every 2.91 years. Here’s the thing, for me once a vehicle starts costing more than $1000 a month, it’s time to move on. Not that I’ve ever really had a POS, but only 1 car was ever new, the Jeep Renegade. All my other cars had some miles. I’ve had friends that have driven their cars until they are un-driveable and really hoping this truck is it for awhile.

My ever changing book collection.

When moving I get really good at separating what’s important and what’s not. Second hand furniture can be awesome. Making a place mine was always a priority. Dishes can be replaced, furniture changed, I really don’t need a lot..but…I LOVE making my home cozy. I love designing my space, which sometimes can get costly. IKEA was my favorite place in LA.

Books were always hard to part with. Like CDs, or tapes (which I still have) and now DVDs. I only really buy online versions. It’s taking up non-physical space, which is perfect. I gave up cable in 2018 and have zero regrets. My book collection has definitely shrunk and now since I have an audible account, I really don’t buy any physical books. I still however have a small collection of Stephen King, and all the hard copies of Harry Potter. I once had a collection of Janet Evanovich, which my friend got when I left California.

Now while I work, I am currently listening to, The Hobbit and Bren'e Brown’s - Dare to Lead. It’s taken me a bit to really dive into my collection of titles (38 so far), many, I’ve read before but are favorites. Fiction favs: King, Grisham, Tolkien,  and Evanovich are a few.

The biggest benefit to having my audible account is the ability to listen to a story while I work on creating, drawing, and making products. It has been the best way to lose myself in the work and the story. The hours melt away. I used to mindlessly play Big Bang, Friends, Parks and Rec, The Office, etc, but diving into the books have been refreshing.

Leave me your best recommendations!

Which titles should I add to my collection?

What books do you love?

What should I listen to?

Are there are podcasts?

There are a few reasons to not like this week and only one to love it. Thanksgiving unfortunately now, will be a reminder of my dad, maybe someday I may not cry, but not this year. 

Like my dad, I’ve never been a fan of getting up early to go out and beat the crowds, and get the “deals” — in fact, I’m of the group that would prefer to spend the day in pj’s, decorate, sip spiked hot cocoa (salted caramel baileys) and listen to John Denver and the muppets sing their felt-lined faces out. 

Outside of having to work (worked for a photo processing company in the mall), or cover events for the newspaper and just one time with friends, I avoided the mall like it was the gates of hell on Black Friday. Amazon is both a blessing and a curse; I can now quickly get presents ordered, have them wrapped and shipped around the World. I can also spend money much easier and much faster! 

A day designed to spend ridiculous amounts of money AND force me to get up before the ass-crack-of-dawn is just not something I enjoy or have ever enjoyed. Black Friday — is the how-cheap-can-I-get-this 70-inch LED 10k, ultra-ultra-super-def-FX 1-trillion color TV and that’s not the holidays. That someone is spending their money for them, and that’s perfectly fine, I just don’t like that this day has turned into a shoving match at multiple stores, to see humanity fight over something that in 5 years (or let’s be honest; less) they replace? Having spent a large part of my career in the retail industry, I’ve dealt with customers, I’ve heard the complaints  — the how dare you run out? 

When I shop for family and friends, no matter the celebration, gift giving has always been about finding that person the right present, not something they want but something that when they open, makes them smile or laugh. Sometimes it’s a need, sometimes it’s on their list, sometimes it’s not. Seeing the surprise in their face as they open something they know was meant just for them is everything. I am also a massive proponent of screwing with someone. 

I once wrapped a present 7 times in 6 boxes, on the outside of the last box was a #10, the next box was marked #9, then #8, and so on. I also once added bricks to a present. I’ve wrapped paper plates. The best one however was wrapping my friend’s (ex-roomate, wifey, sister) daughter's present extremely well, then sealed every single fold or potential opening with tape. That’s the fun, those memories and moments when utter happiness and laughter occur.

Thanksgiving is also my favorite day.

It’s not the food, while that is an added bonus, it’s the time spent catching up, playing games, laughing, and talking with family, friends, kids, cousins, grandparents, pets. It’s simple.

Gathering. 

Whether it’s with friends, old and new, family, or even co-workers, it’s the gathering of people.

I was lucky in many ways growing up. We had a decent size family; all together, I had 3 uncles and 3 aunts between the 2 sides. Every one of them had multiple kids. Sadly we didn’t spend much time in Indiana while growing up, but my biggest memory from that part of my family (dad’s side) was a white farmhouse in the middle of fields, spending the night at my cousins in town, building snow forts in the massive amount of snow, and riding a part of a wall being towed on the back of a tractor as we sledded through acres of corn while it snowed. We played King of the Hill and the last man standing won.

I was knocked off in the middle of a cornfield, unsure which way back to the house. I think I was about 9 when I realized, you can get lost in the middle of a cornfield. If you’re thinking, just look for the sun, then you’ve never lived in the Midwest. The days are just gray, like actual months of zero sunlight. I’m not talking about polar nights, I’m talking gray, there is no color in the world gray. The sun looks like it’s been placed on a massive Hollywood-style softbox. The sun is simply just gone. There’s light one moment, you sneeze and it’s just dark.

Obviously, I survived being tossed from a moving tractor, you really do learn quickly how to tuck and roll. I also don’t think anyone was worried about a kid getting lost on a few hundred acres. It’s survival training at its best. I even spent my 3-week trip across the country with my grandparents mostly in the bed of his truck (he had a cap) while my grandfather checked off mile after mile as we drove to and from Casper, Wyoming.

Was that legal? No clue. 

Did I love it? Most Definitely.

I didn’t care, I had my sleeping bag, pillow, a few books, snacks, and a map. I spent hours looking out the side windows of the cab. If I got bored, I’d climb through the center window into the front seat.

We spent almost every Thanksgiving and Christmas driving to Clayton, Ohio (mom’s side). Dad took on blizzards and clear days, just for the few days we spent with family. It was the time my cousins, aunts, and uncles gathered at Grandma’s house. Don’t know why, but I only ever referred to it as her house, even though Grandpa was there.

The heated garage was the “kids” room until it got close to bedtime, then it became the poker room. We played board games including the vintage “Careful” game, pick-up sticks, but Monopoly was the tired and true option until UNO became the game. We pulled a sled with the small lawnmower my grandpa had, made snow forts, and drank hot cocoa. All of these moments were caught on film and video by my grandfather. My grandfather spent decades documenting his life. Moments from his time before he met my grandmother, trips to Chicago to see family, trips west to see more family and birds, lots and lots of birds. There was also lots of distant antelope sprinting across the landscape. Watching our parents riding horses, throwing tinsel, celebrating birthdays and past holidays. We’d watch these silent movies in the small kitchen, with the kids sitting on the floor, and the 10+ adults crammed around the table. 

This feeling of gathering is something I always crave during the holidays. I think it's something most of us crave in a small way. I hosted my first “friendsgiving” in the late 90s and I carried on that tradition in LA and would host it at Tahitian Village. I opened my doors to anyone in the complex that wanted to celebrate or like me, not heading back home.

Yes, there are a few things I do not like about this week, but this one day, the few hours of gathering make up for it all. If you know someone spending it alone, invite them over to join you, text them, or better yet call. Connect. Make plans to gather. 

Happy Thanksgiving. 

I’ve been an adult now for 33 years and could vote for the first time. I’ve lived in 4 states and was called once in LA and now once in Ohio for Jury Duty. The moment you get that summons in the mail, your shoulders sink your head lowers and you close your eyes and say…crap or in my case fu*k!

It’s disruptive, throws off plans made months ago or in my case, 6 months ago to see my doctor. When I was a photojournalist I’ve covered national cases, and multiple local cases that were significant and had a grand jury. I’ve even been in this courtroom quite a few times. I’ve sat there to wait for verdicts and outcomes. It was a strange feeling. Flashbacks of photo assignments, cases and trials and when I used to the “waiting” periods during trials I was photographing to hang out in the sheriff’s offices at the courthouse with the Major (my friends dad) or aka my second dad.

When you are a photojournalist, the courthouse was a often frequent assignment.

However this time, sitting on the other side of the box is a vastly different. There was a thought in my head, instead of trying to find a way out, just go with it, if I got chosen, do my part and spend a couple of days; listen to both sides ask the same question (multiple times), look at photos taken, listen to audio and make a determination on innocence or guilt. 

It seems easy. Right? At least they make it seem like that on TV or in movies but there is a heavy weight that comes with making that decision. No it’s not Law and Order. There is no intro music 🎶. There is no entertainment value or drama. 

I will listen to closing arguments, listen to what others say and make a choice. That choice or decision will ultimately change the course of someelse’s life. I was exhausted mentally for a few days.

The wild world of craft fairs!

In outstanding creative news, I attended my first craft fair as a vendor and it went extremely well. The event was packed, and was amazed at the number of people that attended. It’s interesting to see what sells fast, what other people create and the uniqueness of each display. 

I put my years attending events for a company I worked for in LA to good use. However, this was my first craft event as a vendor which is a completely different crowd than I’ve experienced. It did spark ideas and ways to increase revenue, new product and better ways to display the magnets. While the Cookie sheets work, fifty states and cities = a lot.

The couple weeks prior to the show, I put up the table in the living room to see how I wanted to set up the table which allowed me to know exactly what to do once I got to the event. Finding ways to carry, set up, design, what to include, not include, what people are drawn to, what they like, suggested, requested and wished they could see was fun. I love challenges. 

In regards to table layout; I’m not a fan of overcrowding a table to fit more products. Tables that have too many things with no “white space” or empty space are overwhelming and personally I tend to ignore them. While most standard events provide a 6-foot table, if you have big product or alot, you can pay for the space. Since this was my first time and event, I had no idea what to expect.

People began to filter through the room, one moment it’s 10:06 and then it’s noon and it’s packed with those that had spent their morning attending Veterans Day events. At one point I look up and see a familiar face as my friend Kathy showed up and hung out the majority of the morning. 

As people walking by glanced at the table, I would ask them if they had a favorite place they lived or visited? Listening to their story about a memory they made while traveling was wonderful, they smiled, laughed and it brought back that moment they remember. It was fantastic — I talked, smiled and laughed so much, my face went crooked. Over talking tends to make the RHS / Bells issues show up. I’ve now gone back to doing facial exercises for my Ramsay Hunt, just to help.

Now, with this small success, I begin the work to sign up for more….and…create more inventory!

I’ve already booked a show for Jan 7th (my birthday)!

I hope to see as many of you as I can at future shows (and yes, I will be posting a calendar as I get shows booked.

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]]>I got the dreaded letter.joy@joynewcomb.com (Joy Newcomb )PhotographyTue, 07 Nov 2023 22:00:00 +0000https://joynewcomb.com/seeking-the-joy-blog/can-you-be-raw6233e8306213d521d94b8c5f:6233eed85662d173fdc1f586:654a60dd3b25822b280bfbe6Can you be unfiltered, un-manipulated, and unaltered?

Apps, filters, and ai…it’s creating a future of Alzheimer’s patients. Our memory is a tricky thing. I can remember lyrics from a song 30 years ago, but forget where I put my keys. I can remember the name of my 3rd grade teacher ( Mrs. Graybill ) but can’t remember the name of my college professor that helped me hone my skills as a photographer. 

I do believe there are benefits to these apps, programs, and AI technology, however I think in the future it’s going to impact our memory. Have I used it? Yes. I used chat GBT to help me write copy for a few of my pages for my website. I also used chat GBT to try some prompts to find keywords to fine tune my SEO. I attempted once to have it write a blog. I hated it and spent more time rewriting everything. There are some apps that I believe are wonderful. I love Grammarly. It’s the best thing to happen to an “ok” high school English student. 

Filters are fun but there are already known side effects from using filters for social media. There is even a word for it, body dysmorphia or catfishing. I enjoy the filters that make you look funny. Why? No other reason than it makes me smile and my nephews enjoy it. Do I have the “touch-up” filter on? Sometimes. Depends on the day. Honestly I’ve never been a fan of OVER-manipulated/touched up photographs.

I don’t know of one person who isn’t critical of their appearance. It may not be something they openly share but absolutely everyone doesn’t like something about themselves. Growing up, I heard the words fat, lazy, and stupid. I was actually called these - yes, out loud. At the time, it hurt and I would walk away. I never said anything. I wasn’t really any of these things growing up and in fact until I hit puberty, I was a stick. Shit went downhill from there and my entire life has been a constant battle with my weight. Little did I know, it was due to a crap thyroid. 

I was never lazy. I had 4 jobs one summer. FOUR. Not recommended. As far as stupidity, well I may have done “stupid” things as many teenagers have done but my intelligence was never an issue. I’ve come to understand now that if I don’t get challenged, then I get bored. If I get bored, I stop listening. Once I stop listening, I zone out. Once I’ve zoned out, then I’m ready to move on. 

A future with Alzheimer’s 

I don’t know if you’ve ever gone through Alzheimer’s with a loved one. It’s happened to me twice. There is a deep fear that at some point in my future, my mom’s memory or mine will no longer exist. I do believe that music will be my savior. That I will be able to recall and sing songs from 30 years ago but also knowing I have a slight photographic memory helps relieve some of that anxiety. 

During my stint as a photojournalist, I would be sent on assignments. There were often those moments when I knew I had captured the photo I wanted to tell the story. In my head, I knew. In fact, I am certain that if you lined up three other photographers, and told us to all capture a photo of what we saw in front of us. I would know which one was my photo.

Have I used Ai in my photography? No. Have I played with the software to see how it functions and works? You betcha. My job, my skills come from understanding to some extent the technology that shapes my jobs, my skills and my knowledge.

Prior to digital, it was film, prior to computers, it was darkrooms. Manipulation, looked like manipulation. It was clear and could easily be seen in photographs. I have used a clone tool, to remove spots from a dirty sensor, small blemishes on a headshot, sometimes even used it to change a minor aspect of a photo. Have I ever used the clone or Ai to remove a whole person or building? No. I use what’s called the crop tool or the better option when taking the photo, I frame the image to include what I want to see in the final image.

The first one, not real, well half of it is real, most of the image created off of prompts I provided; the second is the actual photo I captured in Antelope Valley, CA

A while back, I had a conversation with somebody on Instagram (they had a big following) and they were using the latest technology to erase things that they didn’t find appealing i.e. other people, buildings to create a photo that made it look like they were the only ones on the beach. They were also sharing how to accomplish this.

Manipulating and erasing things in the photographs captured while traveling, using filters to change your appearance and modifying those moments we want to remember; will ultimately hurt us and those you love. 

ANYTIME you modify a photo by removing a person, adding a mountain, changing the sky, basically creating an entirely different image — it is no longer called a photograph. It’s now a composite or digital illustration. In photojournalism, it’s unethical and will get you fired.

Journalists are supposed to report and document life as it happens, not make it up for clicks, likes or to be the first. While I am no longer a journalist, I still hold these values. There are no photos I have shared on social media, that I did not capture with my camera. I will always be authentic and if I ever share one — it will be noted. If you’ve never seen the short-lived and one of my absolute favorite shows; binge The Newsroom. It was intelligent, smart, and covered events that occurred IRL, also doesn’t hurt that the acting was phenomenal and the script was well written.

Yes, there are ai apps and filters that allow you to create a professional-esh looking photo. They can even make it look like you have a senior photo from the 80s. Why this is a thing — I don’t know. Trust me the hair is not something that needs to come back!

Ai can never capture the “real” you, it will always be a version of what the Ai thinks you should look like based on a ultra-wide angle lens from your phone. If you want to see what you look like, use a 50mm lens, there is no distortion, no warp, “the nifty 50” is the truth. Also, save yourself the grief and just hire a professional photographer. We know how to get your personality, and the real you, the one people like to show in a photograph.

In regards to socials and sharing; while those manipulated photos, altered and distorted views of you are fun, in 30-50 years, will you remember that you used a filter? Ai will never be able to capture the truth.

Life is messy and flawed and no AI tool or filter can replicate that.



Note: I did not use AI to create the photographs, I used a tool called portrait professional. It’s been a part of my arsenal for clients since I started doing headshots. I only use it when need it and very sparingly.

Most mornings I wake around 5 am, head to the bathroom, and then crawl back into bed. I’m 51, just a part of life. I typically fall quickly back to sleep and many times dream. Sometimes I remember them, sometimes they are a weird mixture of images that make no sense. 

Today, well, today was one that made me cry, more when I woke up than the actual dream. In the dream, I was walking to catch a train in an unknown foreign location. I had a massive backpack, slung around one side in a bag was Sawyer, the other arm held my camera and somehow riding on the top of the backpack behind my neck was Charlie. Obviously, this is a feat I can not accomplish. Charlie was 30 lbs. 

I felt a tug on my backpack, two unknown guys were stealing things from my pack, including my phone. Attempting to chase them down, (backpack now magically lightweight both dogs safe, somewhere? I have no idea, somehow the dogs are no longer with me. I caught up to the would-be thieves and tripped one, I then proceeded to sit on top of him, grabbed my phone, and then grabbed him by the collar lifting his face to mine and screamed.

Intense. My eyes flew open.

The dream was odd. I’ve never caught a train in a foreign country, I wouldn’t carry my dog or my gear that way and my phone would have been in my purse or bra. 

What made me cry was that as I woke, I remembered that today (30th) was Charlie’s birthday. He would have been 16. That realization and that it’s been just over a year of having to say goodbye made me cry. 

Coincidence? Did my mind remember a picture? Did Facebook show me a memory and somehow it became a dream?

I can’t recall but it made me think of odd coincidences, or moments in my life when something has happened. Moments of near misses. Seconds of split decisions that could have gone the other way, where in my mind I can see with extreme clarity, and recall every visual detail in slow motion.

My brushes with death.

Here are a few times in my life, when a different choice would have changed my future. (in order of occurrence)

Blue Pill or Red Pill?

I spent 4 and a half years at Akron University. The first year I lived on campus, Gallucci Hall. It was the only co-ed dorm at the college. It was also an old Hilton. Which meant EVERY dorm room had a bathroom. It also happened to be next door to Folk Hall, which is the art building and where I spent most of my college career. It was a highly sought-after dorm.

While my mom’s job paid for my tuition (Thank you NEOUCOM), my art supplies, and costs of living were not. This meant I needed to work. I had a job in ticket sales working at EJ Thomas Hall to cover some of my expenses, but it wasn’t enough and I knew that I needed a job that would allow me to work later in the evenings.

My freshman year also coincided with my mom’s attendance at the same college while she was obtaining an associate’s degree in commercial art. Those days she was up at campus and had classes, I used (borrowed) the car. I would run errands to the art store and grocery store with my friends and college roommate. I would also use the car for photoshoots and assignments. 

It was a 1989 white Ford Escort, with a red interior. Literally looked like the color of blood. It was “my” first car. My dad, not wanting me to have a POS car that could potentially break down, chose to finance a newish car while I was in high school. I made the payments, they covered the insurance. It wasn’t really my choice on the make/model, it was economical and efficient with gas. It was the deal he could get through a friend who had a car dealership in North Canton.

Deciding that having my car and more vehicle independence was more important (freshmen were not allowed to have cars on campus) I chose to move off campus for my sophomore year. This meant commuting from my parents to classes. 

While 77 North is a pretty straight shot, it’s also known to always be under construction. Even today. So I found an alternative way to get to class and events. This typically meant I was taking Highway 91 (aka Cleveland Ave) all the way to Akron. It wasn’t a bad drive, somewhat scenic-ish. No sidewalks, mostly farms, homes with lots of land, and businesses. It’s a total of four lanes and very few lights as you get past some of the small towns. Two lanes north, two lanes south.

The speed limit for most of it is 55mph. I was probably doing 60mph. I’m on the outside lane, closest to the grass. There are quite a few driveways that are along this section of the road. One moment I’m trucking along the road in my escort probably singing a song, the next a driver decides to back out of his driveway, 25 feet in front of me. I watched in slow motion as his head turned towards me, mouth open in surprise.

I had two options. Hit him and really find out how airbags work or take my car into the ditch, miss the mailbox, the light pole & the telephone pole on the left, and the line of 10-foot-tall bushes on the right. 

I chose the red pill and I jerked the steering wheel to the ditch. The mailbox and poles flew past me on the left. The massive bushes on the right. The car bounced up and down through the ditch, over their driveway, and past another pole. I jerked the wheel left when I saw an opening and drove between two apple trees. The car landed back on the road and I finally smashed the brakes. Slamming the car in park, I unbuckled, jumped out the car and screamed, WTF and a few other explicatives.

He sat there. Didn’t move. Didn’t even get out of his car. His mouth hung open.

I was livid. In that moment when you think you are going to die, you don’t see your life flash before your eyes. You see in absolutely vivid, colorful detail EVERYTHING around you.

Surprisingly, I had no damage to my car. No marks, dents, or scratches. The tires were fine, bumpers were still attached. Not a mark. I screamed FUCK — got back in my car and continued my drive to campus.

Greenbay Packers vs a Photojournalist

In 1993, I was working for the small local newspaper, the Massillon Independent. I covered mostly local stories and events as a part-time photojournalist. During the summer one of my assignments was the Pro Football Hall of Fame game; Greenbay Packers vs Los Angeles Raiders. In the early 90s, the HOF was nothing like it is today.

The stadium, which is a part of McKinley High School and The Pro Football Hall of Fame, sat inside a hill. One side of the stands was originally built into a hill, this was connected to the high school. The other was an actual stadium which was somewhat connected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Parking for the press was at the top of the stadium. A small utility road circled the back section behind the goalpost and led from the top of the hill to the bottom to the football field.

The grassy section of the hill was also where you would find most of the high school students during their games. The other end and goal was open and you could see a view of Interstate 77.

This was not my first football game, it was however my first Pro football game. I loved it. I’m in my early 20s, had two good knees, and somewhat agile. The sound when you are in the bowl and field of the massive football stadium can be deafening and the intensity can be felt in your chest. It’s a deep vibration. 

In all football games, photographers have designated areas they are allowed to stand, behind the players is off limits. You can be to the left or right of the team. If you are the only photographer covering an event, you are also following the action. Meaning you will be walking back and forth as the plays advance the field. Lots of back and forth. The reporter is typically above in the box so they can have a view of the entire field.

Needless to say, I got my steps in when I was a photojournalist.

Many times, unless required, you are not needed nor do you have to stay for an entire football game. Sometimes, you may be required to cover a couple of games.

I had another assignment later that day, so I was provided a couple of hours to get to the Hall of Fame game, find parking, get into the stadium, get the updated stat sheet, get on the field, and get ready to cover the first part of the game through halftime, then leave and head to the next assignment.

It’s about 30ish minutes into the game. During a timeout, one of the players (not playing), comes over to ask me a question about my camera. This was not uncommon. I have a friendly face I guess because it also happened once in the pit next to the dugout at Jacob’s Field. Bartolo Colón used my camera to find his family in the stands.

The game starts back up. I say goodbye to the player and get back into position. Most of the time I watch the game through the long zoom lens. One eye watching the action while the other is closed so I can focus on getting the shot. 

The ball is snapped, the quarterback takes a few steps back to look for an opening, his arm falls back and with skills that still amaze, jettisons the ball towards a player I don’t see. I snap a shot.

I was shooting film, this was not a digital camera. Knowing the exact moment to press the shutter, takes skill and practice. It always required a couple of games before I felt like I was ready for the season. Resting on a monopod, the camera requires me to advance the film to the next frame, so I can quickly grab the action as it’s happening. I never needed to move my head to do this, so my eyes never had to leave the small eyecup and window. 

I pan the lens and zoom back to try and follow the ball as it lands in the open extended arms of a player in the air 5 feet in front of me. My head pops up and I jump to the right as he lands on his feet in the exact spot I was standing. 

Ever get hit by a freight train? 

I’m fairly certain it would have felt like that. 

Patience and a Green Light.

I needed to pick up my car before work at a service center in Canton. Dad picked me up at my apartment and dropped me off at the business we’ve always used to service our cars, Getting in my car (a forest green Honda Civic), I drove around the block to get to a light that would allow me to turn left onto Market Ave and head downtown to the Canton Repository, a newspaper where I was a photojournalist. I worked the later shift that day. It’s the beginning of spring, slightly gray and rainy. Civics while fantastic on gas, sit low. There are bushes to my left that block the view.

This neighborhood is one of my favorites. Colonial Heights, not only are the homes brick, some are old with fantastic architecture, and many of the streets were also brick. I spent a large portion of my childhood in this neighborhood. My parents' best friends had a home here and we spent most weekends/evenings at their home.

At the light across from me is an off-ramp for Route 62. There is one car waiting. The light I’m patiently waiting for has no arrows, no indication that I can turn left without the oncoming traffic impacting my turn. The light turns green. I wait for the other car, expecting it to drive straight (it has no turn signal on). They don’t move. I then realized they still had a red light, which meant I should have turned left when the light turned green.

I remove my foot from the break, lightly press the gas pedal and as the nose of my car gets to the street, a car going 40ish mph flies by my windshield in front of me. I slam on the brakes and my heart skips. I watch them as they continue on to the highway entrance without once pressing the brakes. Shaking, I make my turn.

I would have died. That was my first thought.

Any other choice, I and probably the driver of the other car would have had a really bad day.

Is it luck?

All I know when it happens, each and every time, I probably swore. 

It takes a lot to scare me. I don’t jump at loud noises. Unless I think someone has fallen. Horror movies as of late - are crap and extremely predictable. What scares me, is not much. Spiders I can kill when needed (aka brown recluse, widows). Ask my friends, many used to call me to come over and handle it.

When it’s one-on-one, me vs spider. I’m bigger than it is. Even tarantulas I find fascinating. What scares me is when there are multiple or when one crawls down on its web in front of your face while you’re driving. Or when a massive bee flies in your open window and lands on your shirt and you have to flick it off with a shaking hand all while saying, “please don’t sting me, please don’t sting me”. 

The only reason I will go to a haunted house is to watch my friends react and I am always the one they shove up front.

Life has been challenging and there have been some slightly scary moments in which I thought I was going to die, but I didn’t.

I’ll chalk it up to luck.

Hope everyone had a fantastic and happy Charloween as it was once called among friends. I miss my sweet boy. He was a good dog and if I could I would have carried him on my back anywhere we ventured in my dreams.

Yep.

I failed. My goal was to be consistent on many things. The first was this blog. While I have an “excuse” — really I don’t. 

Last Monday, my mother had shoulder surgery. The day I normally tie up the grammar, spell check, re-read, get graphics and post, was her first day after surgery. Needless to say it was not an easy day. She did not react well to the pain meds and couldn’t keep food down. She was also very weak and my worry and nerves were fried. I could do nothing but constantly worry about her and focused on trying my best to help. I was annoying. She won’t tell me that, but I’m SURE.

Shoulder surgery, unlike knee replacement, is widely different. Recovery for a knee replacement requires walking an hour after you wake. You must move, must bend and use the knee to prevent stiffness and bending issues. You are also (minimally) kept overnight — average is a two night stay at a hospital.

When you have rotator cuff surgery they do not want you moving your shoulder in anyway, as it could tear the muscle they repaired. It’s also out-patient. The at-home exercises force you to rely on gravity. Dangling the arm and moving the booty to get it to sway on it’s own. They do not want you to lift, carry, or use the arm/shoulder. While the pain meds are significantly better for shoulder surgery (I was provided ibuprofen for my knees), the strength in which they help the body heal can be harsh on a system. After some advice from the pharmacist, I cut the pills in half. This helped significantly.

She is very much set in her ways regarding daily activity (like we all are) and this experience I don’t think has been enjoyable for her in anyway. She’s most of the time comfortable, but not being able to use her right hand has been very hard for her to accept. It’s been exhausting for both of us.

While this is a reason for not posting a blog last Tuesday, it’s not an excuse. Honestly I could have written the blog over the weekend, but my habit or “routine” is typically to sit up stairs after coffee on a Monday and write out my thoughts of the previous week and what’s been going on. That was failure #1.

Failure #2: I’ve not been exercising / walking / hula-hooping like I had intended. It’s a stupid, vicious circle of getting caught up aka lazy and not actually making it a habit. I often wish I was back to 2019 when the weight was melting off because I was swimming everyday and walking 10k steps a day. Actually if I were going to wish for anything, I wish for my HS body weight back but unfortunately the genie is not real and Wil Smith ISN’T going to knock on my front door and grant any of them.

That’s on me.

On this Day 10/12/23

In taking the next big step towards a truck camper; I have officially upgraded the truck. I found my needle in the haystack. It’s a gasser, crew cab with an 8 foot bed. Now unlike most people in America that believe the truck manufacture says something about the person you are; that’s not me. I need the truck to do two things — work and carry a camper. I do not care which manufacture. It needed to be the right price, length, side steppin’ (because your girl is short), roomie back seat, lowish mileage model. I had a Dodge Ram 1500, the interior looked identical to a Jeep, so I knew it. I understood it, it felt comfortable.

That being said…

This big old girl, yes girl, is a beast. I do feel like growlin’ 🐯 or making that Tim-the-Toolman grunt when I see her. It feels big, but I also drove a massive 12 foot tall, 24 foot box for a couple of years, so I just need to get used to the length and watching the ass-end until I learn the vehicle.

I just haven’t named her.

Just like Sawyer, I will wait until her personality shows up.

She will be able to handle some of the back country and mountain roads I plan on exploring.

I’m still learning her ins-and-outs and while I could (should) read through the manual, so I can get to know her. I’ve not had the time, in fact a few days after having her, I plugged in the phone and was surprised to see Apple Car play pop on the screen. I did a mental happy dance. Having this upgraded feature will makes it easy to get to Apple Music, Audio books and other apps. It also has on-star and wi-fi connections. This may lead to the research of Starlink and how best to set up this connection.

I do miss the dash I had with the Ram. It had the perfect place for the phone and the Garmin Nav system, which I will still use when I get on the road.

The truck I got is a 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 LT Z71 Midnight Edition. The bed has already been spray lined, it is not a diesel, which I honestly didn’t want to deal with the headache of def. This truck for now is perfect and should last quite a few years and seasons as I move towards the goal of traveling part-time. I have no intention of ever having a truck camper that weighs over 2000lbs. In fact the two different models I want weigh under 1700 lbs and are priced over 25k but for now, I will settle on a more affordable and reasonable truck camper; which means it’s gonna need some TLC.

The space though with a crew cab is — WOW🤯 and this particular version of the truck, I will be able to easily remove the back seats so I can create the garage space — this will be the place I store most of the things I need for shows & events, products, where I store my kayak and hang my coats. It will become the junk drawer / closet space. The front seat can quickly become a bench seat, which provides a secondary spot for Sawyer or second dog/cat?

The goal is to build and create a drawer / storage system that will work in the back seat. This is something that I need to research, ask friends and determine the best way to create. I also need to measure, and research ideas. My idea (very rough idea), I’ve drawn out.

I will create a base that will level the floor behind the seats. From there a front and back wall for support, a dividing wall that will run the center — perpendicular to the back of the cab. It will also become the support for the top which needs to be no higher than the armrest on the back door. 

What I’ll need to store. 

• Camping chairs

• Folding Tables

• Pop-Up Tent

• Kayak

• Dog

• Coats (on a bar)

• Backpack

• Hiking Shoes

• Other essentials

I still have the trailer for sale. My goal is to get it sold for what I owe. Camping season is over and most people are not really looking, so it will stay until I sell it. I did confirm that Camping World will buy it back, but I am going to assume it will be nowhere near what they financed it for and what I owe.

So it’s listed in a couple of places and a few friends have shared it and it’s still sitting in the driveway. I could trade it in on a truck camper I want, but…. I really don’t want a payment. Not right now. 

Right now, I just want to enjoy what remains of fall, learn my truck and help my mom with recovery.

Until Next Time.

Yes. Did not know this until today.

Normal Monday, woke, sipped coffee, and caught up on YouTube while Sawyer had his breakfast. After his fill, his bathroom break, and my brunch, we headed upstairs to work for the day. While talking to a friend, I got another call from my previous landlord (and friend) from Los Angeles.

Taking his call I found out that I had received a letter from the San Mateo Sheriff’s Department regarding a violation from this August. 

I don’t live in California. Haven’t since 2019, also haven’t been back.

Odd, right?

Considering I sold the car in question to Carvana.

So my work day quickly became multiple phone calls to California, the Sheriff’s department and then dealing with Carvana via their chat service, because there really is no way to actually call the company. Which I find strange and a bit shady. What major US company doesn't have a customer service phone number? 

Even I provide a phone number on my website.

Turns out, the “proof of sale” was never submitted, and in the state of California, if you do not provide a Notice of Transfer and Release of Liability (NRL) you could be held responsible for parking/traffic violations or civil or criminal actions associated with the vehicle after the date of sale.

Did I know this? No.

Was I informed of this when I sold the car to Carvana? No.

Have I EVER had to file this paperwork? No.

Previously, I had a Wrangler, a Honda, and a Compass during my 15 years in the state. I always traded in vehicles to dealers and they typically handled that aspect of the sale. I assumed that Carvana handled this since they are “considered” a dealer.

They apparently didn’t.

Is this sold car still “legally” mine?

It’s been 5 years. FIVE.

My thought now, the Renegade was stolen and never actually sold. Carvana being a company that probably has insurance to cover this, never really filed a case or if they did, never really cared regarding the outcome.

Why do I think this?

The DMV provided the San Mateo Sheriff’s Office with my information, which stated I was the owner of the car. If that was the case, I never received the registration, if I had, my friend and previous landlord would have called/texted to let me know I had mail from the DMV.

So my question is, do I have a paid-off car, sitting at an impound or on a street in California? Could I legally be able to fly to California, pay the $80 ticket, and drive the car back to Ohio? If it was impounded and if the keys were with the vehicle?

I mean it’s not something I would do, I have no idea who purchased, owns, stole, or otherwise has used the car for whatever purposes they have. How was it NEVER registered to a new owner?

Should I call the California DMV and find out?

I know the title is no longer in my name, which means the car is not mine. I do however find it very odd.

How far down this weird rabbit hole do I want to travel?

What would you do?

So that was my Monday, how was your first day of the week?