Bundle of Nerves

I really was!


On the morning of the seminar, all of the mp3 files I had lovingly found, downloaded, spliced and inserted, quite bizarrely disappeared out of my presentation. I had absolutely no idea where they had ALL gotten to. Luckily, I have eventually gotten into good practice and keep all of my media in a file specific to that project. Even I was impressed at how tidy my desktop was.


The next thing I decided I had to amend (at the final moment) was converting a new film clip from my last film "Suffer" from widescreen to ordinary format. I had looked at the footage and thought it was bad enough that the camera adds 10lbs, but widescreen adds triple that. I was feeling a little bit precious, so thought it best to export another clip into a different file format. Not such a big deal, I hear you say, but as anyone with any knowledge of Final Cut Express will know that rendering is a nightmarish, extended, and far too long a process to be stress-free.

By the skin of my teeth! In and looking perfect. Comments were made as to the identity and strength my film-work has. (Hurrah!)


And onto the show...in all of my years of performance I have never been so nervous and I could hardly get my words out in a coherent manner. What made it worse was the fact that my Website assessment that was to happen prior to the digital kiss seminar was cancelled at short notice which gave me a slightly flumuxed feeling.


Anyway, back to the seminar. I had fabulous assistance from Mr Pete Lancaster who set all of my levels and helped me tremendously with my technical run. However, when my examiners came in, they fiddled with the central control panel to adjust the lighting which altered all of the levels including my sound which got lost. I re-ran the first slide twice and then pressed the poor little volume pad so many times that it would have become dented had it not been touch sensitive. The sound was minimal and there was nothing I could do to rectify.

The next hitch was that my Mac decided it was going to ask for a software update right in the midst of the presentation. Did I wish to continue was the message on the screen. Of course I bloody well wanted to continue! I apologised and had to laugh to myself. What else could possibly happen?


Answer: The questions at the end. Oh. My. Goodness. 35 minutes of questions. As you can probably imagine, they were deep, searching, personal, some intrusive and in all honesty, quite draining. I felt like a startled bunny in the headlights. A cold one at that. I ended up leaving a little hat and scarf on (black to compliment my business black) just to feel moderately comfortable. Fingers were shaking from nerves and cold but I was particularly careful not to inadvertently press forward on the dinky remote for powerpoint. I made full use of the red laser on one slide only, just to show my skill and adjustment to all things technical.


And then straight to the coldest bar in town for a couple of cocktails. Needed and enjoyed.


I will let you know of anything when I hear myself. Also, I would like to say thank-you to everyone who has sent me messages of good luck, congratulations and requests to keep the blog alive. (smile) You are all so lovely!


And as always, my fondest regards,


Ms Digital Kiss


Ps. I launched the image. I think it was well received(?!)

68 Hours & Counting!

(smile) I am committed to the cause. I intend to go out in a frenzy of digital overload with an all-bells-and-whistles seminar that will leave the attendees with an insight to the bizarre journey that has been digital kiss at the very least. I am hoping for more, but at this stage of the proceedings, I will just be happy to present the deepest and most integral parts of my paper with visuals and sound to animate and articulate the particularities of cyberspace and all those who frequent it.


I thought it would be easier. I have been diligent to the last fraction of a second, opening up time-lines of film, sizing, resizing, importing, compressing, meticulously selecting exactly the right image, audio, placement, timing, effect, transition. Apart from one slide that was shown at the close of both The Launch and 28DaysB4. I intend to close with it for my seminar too. Simple font that gently fades from white to orange and so forth. The words are A Moment on the Lips under a bold, strong white headline of www.digital-kiss.com and the music is divine (upon request!). It just works.


And there hasn't really been much of anything else. The usual: yoga, to calm my noisy mind, X-country to say Hello to the sheep (that have moved?!) and playing chicken with the traffic on my bicycle. Sleep and dreams are once again quite erratic, but I have discovered that Valerian, (although it stinks) works very well but leaves an odd sensation the following morning possibly akin to a loose canon-ball rolling around inside one's skull. Nice, in a dense sort of way.


Oh yes, the flyer. I forgot that you probably hadn't seen one. Better late than never I suppose. The paper quality is quite something else. Smooth and just heavy enough to fold with an audible and satisfying squeak. Mmm. I chose it because I like the sensation of assured presence when placed in a person's hand. Amazing that I paid so much attention to the tactile quality, almost as much as is presented on the face!


And now I must leave for hot chocolate and Valerian. I will try and get back to post before Wednesday, really I will.


Fondest regards,

Ms Digital Kiss

Almost Done Now.

"Girl In A Pretty Dress." (2005) - print, mixed media.
Self-directed photo shoot with Mr S Jennar.


I am pleased to tell you that at lunchtime today, I forwarded my completed MA paper to my Head of School, Course Director and one other. I say completed, but not quite so as I only remembered this afternoon that I required a digital copy of the Ethical Review Application I had to make at the nth hour in October to be included. I think I remember sharing my increasing stress with you about that particular segment. I will only say that it was horrible. So close (24 hours) to the public launch of digital kiss and those mentioned above telling me that I hadn't as such been given the go-ahead. Even yoga didn't touch the sides. I feel it should be included as comment was passed upon it from the governing/decision makers "never seen such a complete and well answered form."


I haven't been able to clear my head from all of the words, thousands of words about what it was to sell a kiss in cyberspace. It is well documented and I hope able to offer clear and clean insights to digital kiss in order that a good understanding of what the past (nearly) 14 months have been for this work. I present the last element on 10 Feb 2010. All parts, the website, the kiss, the paper and the seminar will be marked as a whole. I hope that all support and enhance each other.


And there is one other piece of news which I am longing to share but because of academic protocol, I am afraid to say, I cannot. In conversation with a Dr at a neighbouring University, it became apparent that I possibly should not have been privvy to the droplet that has quite delightfully come my way. He suggested that I keep it to myself and lucky for all concerned, I really am the best person to keep a secret!


Finally, with reference to the image. This was the first artwork I made that was costume, character and digital image. I needed to remind myself how far I have come since this piece (nicknamed "Legs" - I wonder why?!) but more so, how much I adore how gracefully this has aged...



Fondest regards, as always


Ms Digital Kiss

Biggest Pile Of...

...books!

I have been hard at it, studying my socks off in an attempt to reassemble my MA paper to some point of intelligent coherence. I have learned so much in the past five days that it's a wonder that my brain has space to store it all. I wonder what useless junk has been discarded, covered over or just self-combusted in order to make way for new and not-so exciting information. It has to be said in defence of my geekiness, I much prefer reading technical manuals and absorbing newness than reading about "ism's."


(sigh) So, here I am with 88 words over my allowance, including my 10%, appendices and bibliography with two more appendices to write on topics that make me frown before even touching hard copy. I have saved the worst to last.


I'm the same with a box of chocolates. I leave the soft-centres and white ones until my sweet-toothed guests visit. I have, since discovering my chocolate habits, avoided buying any type as I would hate to be termed "chocolate selective." Imagine the shame. I can't help liking what I like but I shall refrain from fueling my addiction to dark, smooth and slightly bitter...


Back to more important things, I have been given the dates for my final assessments. It's looking like 10 Feb is going to be the day but as yet is to be confirmed. I will be celebrating big-time that weekend. You are more than welcome to join my friends and I as we reminisce of all things digital-kiss.


I have already been asked what will become of this blog. In all honesty, I have no idea. I am open to suggestions (nice ones)! But for now, I shall return to my books. Gosh, I am sounding like a broken record! Sorry, but needs must...


Fondest regards,


Ms Digital Kiss

Flying High.

I'm back!! (again)


Well, first thing worth mentioning is that I have been so incredibly poorly with swine flu that getting anywhere near my blog was just not a possibility. I thank all for the kind words and messages and am pleased to tell you that I am definitely on the mend. Hurrah!


Not so pleasing news is that as a direct consequence of being so poorly, I am now very behind with my re-write of MA paper. I have kept my Course Director well and truly informed of news and we are due to meet on Thursday on campus. I am reading tonight and tomorrow in an attempt to get back on my academic track.


Other news, I have had so many questions about the kiss. Really, lots and lots. I'm not sure what else to say that I haven't already mentioned in previous postings. I have not kissed again. I intend to but recovery and study might keep me hidden away for a few weeks more. Such a shame but at the same time appropriate and sweet. I think so anyway.


I will also be contacting the radio and press that asked me to contact and review when the kiss had been given. I am anticipating the same questions..."what was it like?" "where did you travel to?" "will you be seeing him again?" "what did you learn from this experience?" "what is your next piece of work?" (please feel free to ask any that I have missed - miss@digital-kiss.com)


And also, I shall be getting the image printed this week. It still needs to be "passed" but the more I look at it the more it I like it as an artwork just to be viewed without even what preceeds it also being in it, in fact, I don't even see myself in it anymore. Maybe that is as a result of years of practice in editing myself but I honestly think that the image is so engaging, peaceful, compelling that it draws the viewer in. Yes, I just checked and it really does!


So for now I shall be indoors (for the most part) with books and no interruptions. I am very pleased that I am able to post again and I shall do my best to update later this week.


Fondest regards,

Ms Digital Kiss

Germ Warfare.

What a week.


I have been so poorly that it has not been possible to even get near a computer to post. I have been told it is not swine-flu but am just starting a course of antibiotics to get this horrible virus away from my tender body. I am guessing that it is something that I picked up on the flight last week when I went to deliver digital kiss as most of the passengers were coughing and spluttering in amongst their hangovers!


I only hope that the receipient of the kiss is well and not riddled with the same illness I am. That would be a terrible state of affairs.


Other news. Snow. Books. And a forgotten USB lead which means no pictures to accompany this posting. I am very sorry. I think I have quite lost my memory, or at least attachment to all things technical. Maybe I am just losening my grip on my geekiness, which will be such a shame as I have come to wear the title rather well. (It has been mentioned in polite circles.)


And really, with regards to digital kiss, there is not much more to tell. I have edited the image and think that it hides the winner's identity very well. It will not be published until it has been seen by my Head of School and Course Director. They shall have the first peek, make the first comments and contemplate the visual outcome of this conceptual artwork.


Me? I love it. I feel that it is a strong image depicting the very moment a kiss is exchanged as a commodity. It has tenderness, intimacy and intrigue. I am glad that I am now one step closer to finality and digital kiss is soon to be behind me.


So, for now I shall try and get some study done. I have been struggling with frozen brain-cells made defunkt by painkillers. Wish me well...


Fondest regards, as always,


Ms Digital Kiss

Digital Kissed.

Dear one and all.


Please let me begin by apologising from the bottom of my heart for not posting before this moment about digital kiss. I would like to tell you of some fantastical worldwide adventure that kept me busy, mesmerised and devoid of human contact, but the truth be told, I forgot to pack my UK currency adapter and had no power in my trusty Mac with which to update. I really am sorry.


Anyway, this is what you wanted to know of....


I have been and given the kiss. Digital kiss is concluded. Well, the practical part has happened!


The moment I was kissed it felt like my first kiss as a teenager. My head went dizzy, my pulse quickened and I was completely absorbed into the moment. It was quite wonderful. Exceptionally romantic. Almost all that I had envisaged it to be...


However, a part of me cannot help thinking that my next kiss will have to be so much more than I knew them to be before I embarked on the journey of digital kiss. In the time that I have abstained, (384 days) I have thought about the emotional content as much as the physical aspect and now I am pleased to say that I know I will only be kissed when I feel the perfect balance of both is being offered to me. Suffice to say, I have broken the habit of random kisses, of randomly kissing, especially of kissing randoms.


And on Wednesday, I meet with my Head of School, Course Director and additional tutor. I hope that my paper submitted last Thursday has stood up as adequate defense for such a long, fascinating, and deeply emotive piece of work. I will let you know how I get on.


Tomorrow, I will post a cheque to SmileTrain® along with my best wishes and thanks for allowing digital kiss and some kind and lovely folk to donate to their cause. The gift of smiles have been given. Not as many I would have liked, but plural none-the-less!


So, now to unpack and get a little bit organsied for the next few days. Thank-you for your patience which is greatly appreciated, as much as your continued interest and support. And to conclude, the big question, "what comes next?" I am working on it!!!


My fondest and sincerest regards. Oh, I nearly forgot to wish you all a very, very Happy and Wonderful New Year!


Ms Digital Kiss