What I did today - for small achievements and cheers

[Azalea]

I bet we won't even recognize you.

[BritishPeace]

Started the second year of my MRes, I was early for once too. Talked to a lecturer in the staffroom and the convo went alright without much stuttering, not talked to any of my new classmates yet though as I don't know what to say.

[Azalea]

^ You've made a good start.

[BritishPeace]

Thanks

[Focused]

Originally Posted by BritishPeace

Started the second year of my MRes, I was early for once too. Talked to a lecturer in the staffroom and the convo went alright without much stuttering, not talked to any of my new classmates yet though as I don't know what to say.

Maybe you could start with talking to someone about the class subject and the work your doing.

[Olly.]

Sounds good, BP, good luck

[Freespirit6]

I've been offered a Part-Time job to start week after next.

[thaigreen]

Well done! ^

[Z.]

Did photography today, which is a part of the illustration course and I liked it.

Not so sure about the "rule of thirds" though. I think when you follow "rules" like that, it can easily become myopic and restricting.

[Freespirit6]

Thanks! I'm really scared, but sort of excited too, just spending the time trying to get into a really positive mood and doing relaxation things ect.

[bluefairy]

I'm happy I'm able to do some things alone, like order at a restaurant or go to the town. I'm still nervous while doing these things but the fact that I succeed in doing something makes me feel like I have some sort of control and freedom.

[Olly.]

Originally Posted by Kley

Did photography today, which is a part of the illustration course and I liked it.

Not so sure about the "rule of thirds" though. I think when you follow "rules" like that, it can easily become myopic and restricting.

Well its not that you absolutely have to follow the 'rule of thirds' in photography and I remember my photography society at uni having a saying of 'rules were meant to be broken' when it came to some rules in photography.

But tbh, I don't really see it as a 'rule' as such (like you say, calling it a rule does seem a little myopic and restricting), more a principle for any photographer. Though I still think its one of the most important principles for anyone interested in photographic composition to remember and I always make sure I keep it in mind when out and about or on holiday as it very often just simply looks better if I've placed the object using the 'rule of thirds', rather than just sticking it in the centre. And a quick google says that it 'stems from the theory that the human eye naturally gravitates to intersection points that occur when an image is split into thirds.'

[Z.]

^ Yeah, he did say that rules can be broken to be fair. I guess it's just a guide, or a tool that you can use for your own purpose.

We also learned about shutter speeds, which I knew nothing about. A lot of photos makes much more sense to me now. I know how you get that blurred effect now.

[Olly.]

^ Yeah I love taking motion blur shots, especially of waterfalls or those traffic trails you get in some nighttime shots, it can be a beautiful effect. Just a shame the slowest shutter speed my relatively basic camera can do is 8 seconds Some of the high-end DSLRs (I nearly typed ASMR there ) can do minutes, if not even longer to get star trail photos and things like that.

[Z.]

^ Someone was saying that you can even get 10 minutes (you'd probably be able to get much longer as well). I just want to experiment with them now and see what they look like.
I also tried to take a photo with it on 1/8000 but it was just black.

We were given DSLRs and they were great, but honestly, they're nothing compared to the high-end ASMRs you get nowadays

[Olly.]

^ The high-end ASMRs are my favourites

But yeah, I'm not sure what the slowest shutter speed possible is, but I know to take star trail photos you need at least 10 minutes to get even a half-decent effect, I think I've heard of a 45 minute shutter speed before.

[Z.]

^ The star trail photos look amazing. If I tried to do it here though I'd just get a light pollution trail.

I chose to do photography (you get to choose 3 8 week courses to do on Fridays) because of its obvious emphasis on composition, which is also obviously very important in illustration. I've found that I'm looking at things differently even now. I'm looking forward to learning more about it.

[Custard_cream]

Ran the local 5K in 29 minutes, 51st out of about 130.

[Olly.]

^ That's great, CC, bet you're tired! Well done

[Abacus]

I survived my first week of week, met around 20 - 30 new people and had to chat properly with maybe 10 - 15 of them. Felt like a lot of acting and was all very exhausting, this weekend I've been feeling quite blue perhaps because of it, but I did it.

[pheys]

this seems so minor I wasn't even sure if I should put this here but whatever, a small win is a win.

absently dropped my can of energy drink in Euston station and it flew about five foot across the floor, spilling everywhere.
luckily nobody got wet but there were over 200 people there and most of them must had seen me drop it.
however I do not feel bad or stupid and I don't care if they did see me, nor what they thought about it. shit happens is my way of thinking here

[Silent Ninja]

Just replaced the jockey wheels on the rear mech of my bike myself, everything seems ok at the moment, hopefully will hold up on tomorrows ride.

This is only a small victory though as I should really have contacted the bike shop who allegedly fixed the bike earlier this week.

[Bad_Buoys]

Originally Posted by Soulful_ear

Went to a self help Social Anxiety group for my first time.

That's great, well done I feel group therapy is such an ideal way to help with SA.

[Azalea]

Originally Posted by Zippie

I made one of the phone calls I was avoiding and now I have an interview tomorrow with a supply agency
YAY

Well done Zippie

[Sunshine Recorder]

Awesome, Zippie! :thumbpur

I filled out a job application form, very intimidating stuff, and I don't know if anything will come of it, but I'm happy with myself nonetheless.

It's not for the most glamorous job either, but any change from my job is a good change.

[Azi]

^ Applying for jobs is fecking tough - leaves you feeling so vulnerable! Well done, Mister - hope you get it.

Today I taught my 12 year old son the basics of IPA as a way of helping him get to grips with French pronunciation. He loves codes and whatnot, so we had much fun writing messages back and forth that other people wouldn't be able to read. Happy days.

[spaceface]

Had a productive conversation about my S.A and feeling much lighter now that I coherently got my point across.

[Tom Morello]

Pissed myself

[spaceface]

Finally went to the GP and got referred to psychotherapy.

Called the local gym and set up an induction for next Wednesday. Pumped!

Mastered the F chord...now onto B.

[Amplexor]

I had an interview, I got to the door and then bailed - was far too stressful. So then I went into W H Smiths and some fit girl that works there started chatting to me, like in a flirty way (I think haha). I wasn't brave enough to ask for her number but we had a nice chat