Monday, October 28, 2019
Friday, I decided it was time to record my first video for my seven-year-old, Mika, to watch after I pass. I have been trying to give myself the time to think about her life without me, without me tearing up. The video message could be a twenty-second clip -- if I stretched it out. I thought I could handle twenty seconds without turning into a sobbing mess.
Mika and I have a ritual. She will say, “Mom?” and I will say, “What!” (usually exasperated because she has just asked me tons of questions) Mika will reply with, “Do you know I love you?” (now I feel bad because I used a curt tone) I then say, “Yes, I do know you love me, thank you.” Then I reverse it. “Mika?” “Yes?” she replies. “Do you know I love you?” She always says yes, but never thanks me. If I forget to say thank you, she reminds me. Go figure.
I was finally ready to start the most important part of my exceptional exit plan, recording video messages for my family. I positioned my webcam, moved into a good position, and started talking to Mika. “Mika, do you know I love you? Because I do.” I blew a kiss and said, “I love you, baby girl.” Video message done. No tears!
I then pushed replay. I was a little too far from my computer for my microphone to pick up my voice well so I will need to record it again. I do have a Bluetooth microphone that I can use with my video camera. I bought it to get better audio when I recorded me speaking at events.
I do not know if I will be able to use the wireless microphone with my computer. My helper will be here Wednesday (unless we have a snow day, which may happen because we are currently being blasted with a super cold, snowy weather pattern for a few days) and we will discover if I have a port on my computer to plug in the microphone’s receiver.
If I am unable to use my wireless microphone with my computer, I will try to use my mini tripod and video camera. I could set the tripod on the table in front of my computer monitor, turn the viewfinder around so I can position myself, and the video camera microphone is strong enough I would not need to use the wireless microphone. This method will also require testing to make sure I can turn the viewfinder around.
The other possible problem with using my video camera is camera storage and battery life. I am not able to plug the video camera into my computer to charge it or download my files. Mika can plug the video camera in to be charged, but she does not know how to place the camera in download mode. Her sister can teach her once she gets back from her trip next week, however right now the only person who knows what to do to download files is my helper.
If I discover I am fighting with Mika for video camera storage, I can still use my webcam with my headset microphone. My headset microphone is my last resort, because I would rather leave videos in which there are not any distractions from my message. I should have a functional video message plan by next week (unless my helper gets snowed out both Wednesday and Thursday).
My piece of advice to you is go with the flow. My first method for recording my video messages struck out. I quickly came up with Plan B, Plan C, and Plan D. Plan D is my least preferred method; however, it is the message that matters, and I will use Plan D if necessary. Leaving an imperfectly executed message is so much better than not leaving a message at all.
Until next time,
Susanne
Please check out my GoFundMe page.
Friday, I decided it was time to record my first video for my seven-year-old, Mika, to watch after I pass. I have been trying to give myself the time to think about her life without me, without me tearing up. The video message could be a twenty-second clip -- if I stretched it out. I thought I could handle twenty seconds without turning into a sobbing mess.
Mika and I have a ritual. She will say, “Mom?” and I will say, “What!” (usually exasperated because she has just asked me tons of questions) Mika will reply with, “Do you know I love you?” (now I feel bad because I used a curt tone) I then say, “Yes, I do know you love me, thank you.” Then I reverse it. “Mika?” “Yes?” she replies. “Do you know I love you?” She always says yes, but never thanks me. If I forget to say thank you, she reminds me. Go figure.
I was finally ready to start the most important part of my exceptional exit plan, recording video messages for my family. I positioned my webcam, moved into a good position, and started talking to Mika. “Mika, do you know I love you? Because I do.” I blew a kiss and said, “I love you, baby girl.” Video message done. No tears!
I then pushed replay. I was a little too far from my computer for my microphone to pick up my voice well so I will need to record it again. I do have a Bluetooth microphone that I can use with my video camera. I bought it to get better audio when I recorded me speaking at events.
I do not know if I will be able to use the wireless microphone with my computer. My helper will be here Wednesday (unless we have a snow day, which may happen because we are currently being blasted with a super cold, snowy weather pattern for a few days) and we will discover if I have a port on my computer to plug in the microphone’s receiver.
If I am unable to use my wireless microphone with my computer, I will try to use my mini tripod and video camera. I could set the tripod on the table in front of my computer monitor, turn the viewfinder around so I can position myself, and the video camera microphone is strong enough I would not need to use the wireless microphone. This method will also require testing to make sure I can turn the viewfinder around.
The other possible problem with using my video camera is camera storage and battery life. I am not able to plug the video camera into my computer to charge it or download my files. Mika can plug the video camera in to be charged, but she does not know how to place the camera in download mode. Her sister can teach her once she gets back from her trip next week, however right now the only person who knows what to do to download files is my helper.
If I discover I am fighting with Mika for video camera storage, I can still use my webcam with my headset microphone. My headset microphone is my last resort, because I would rather leave videos in which there are not any distractions from my message. I should have a functional video message plan by next week (unless my helper gets snowed out both Wednesday and Thursday).
My piece of advice to you is go with the flow. My first method for recording my video messages struck out. I quickly came up with Plan B, Plan C, and Plan D. Plan D is my least preferred method; however, it is the message that matters, and I will use Plan D if necessary. Leaving an imperfectly executed message is so much better than not leaving a message at all.
Until next time,
Susanne
Please check out my GoFundMe page.