This Post Is Slightly Different For Me, As I've Deviated From Writing About Things That Aren't Work-related
this post is slightly different for me, as i've deviated from writing about things that aren't work-related over the last couple of years. however, the image above is related to what follows, so there's a connection to my usual blogging.
christmas 2011 was simultaneously my best & worst christmas (in fact, i think christmas 2012 has trumped it as best as nothing bad happened). alongside all the good stuff on the day, my left ear randomly started ringing later in the evening & it continued to do so as i lay in bed that night. dealing with the unknown when the unknown is something i can't control is quite the catalyst for my becoming an anxious wreck, so when i woke up on boxing day & the sound in my ear was still there, i began my decent into a week or so of fretting, not eating & basically solely looking forward to going to sleep, which was the only time i didn't have to listen to the constant noise.
i could go on about the situation (the doctor's predictively dismissive tone; on how i found comfort in sounds that aren't usually enjoyable, such as the washing machine, the extractor fan in the bathroom and the humming of my computer at work), but after a while i realised that the best way to deal with the noise was to keep busy & listen to lots of music & podcasts. i'm not sure whether i simply got used to it or if the ringing did actually get quieter, but for the greater part of the year i thankfully didn't really notice my tinnitus. in fact, it was mostly only audible when i was stressed out about something unrelated, & it usually quietened down again once i'd chilled out. i feel like i've been pretty lucky with the whole thing.
so why has it come to the forefront of my thoughts again? well, the last couple of days have seen the sound of the ringing being dialled up & the noise is also now available in surround-sound - joy! alongside the original ringing in my left ear, my right ear is now emitting a variation between two tones that are less likeable than the original (& i didn't even like the old ringing to begin with). however, the increased ringing has coincided with (what i think is) mild tonsillitis that i've had since mid-last-week, & i'm hopeful that the sounds will fade along with my other symptoms.
anyway, since the start of last year i've wanted to illustrate my tinnitus somehow, but i've not been sure of how to approach it without just doing a drawing of me feeling sorry for myself. then, earlier today, i listened to the latest episode of this american life, entitled mapping, that had a story about mapping ambient sounds (the kind of sounds that i originally found some solace in when my ear started ringing). you can listen to the segment here.
throughout the piece, a keyboard is used to demonstrate the notes that are emitted from objects. & i realised that the noise in my head sounds a bit like a little keyboard, constantly playing the same note. & so, the above image formed.
the concept of the story - that sounds can affect the mood of a person - is a little disturbing to someone who has no control over the noise they're subjected to. however, i'm focussing on enjoying the piece as an interesting story, rather than something to worry about. plus, i got a drawing out of it, so it's not all bad.
More Posts from Jen-collins and Others
travels
this lil' fox i spied at my local train station is living life on the tracks, & i feel like i have been this month too. we got back from our trip to brighton/london on saturday morning, & i've been enjoying a few days at home (nipping outside occasionally to soak up the BEAUTIFUL weather) before i go off adventuring again.
i just started packing my bag for the most spontaneous trip i've ever decided to take; a few days in maastrict in the netherlands, visiting my sister who's working there for a few weeks. having never flown/travelled out of the country by myself before, i'm feeling nervous as well as excited, but i'm glad there'll be a friendly face at the end of it, & my time away will also provide the content for the third & final installment of the silly trilogy of zines i've been working on this month. said zines will be finished within the next few weeks, & i can get started on some new things (as well as enjoy staying in one place again for a little while).
okay, so if you're outside of scotland you actually might have some sunshine today, but after a weekend of glorious weather we're back to rain clouds. that doesn't mean a sweet little discount ain't welcome though, right? in a bid to clear out of a few older items plus raise funds for some new things i'm making, i'm offering 15% off everything in my shop until 1 june with code HELLOSUMMER (enter at checkout). aaaand i'm also going to throw in some freebies to all orders over £13/$20. it's always summer in our hearts u guys. have at it.
more bones
hey, remember that new postcard set i mentioned? well, this is it. you can snap one up here.
today, for me, as illustrated by my friend ian.
rainy day today
earthly delights
if you're anywhere near minneapolis then you should probably do yourself a favour & visit light grey art lab; as well as it sounding like a pretty great place, they've got an exhibition on at the moment featuring a ridiculously good selection of artists & illustrators, including some of my favourites (somehow i snuck in there).
the garden of earthly delights is curated by ms tuesday bassen & mr pete gamlen. it just opened on friday & runs until 13 july. as someone who currently spends twelve hours a week commuting through the scottish countryside on a train, my piece (above) is inspired by about how much i'd prefer to be out in the forests and fields rather that headed towards an office at 70 miles per hour.
i'm a pretty optimistic person, but i'm a realist too. life is good, but there are some days when positive vibes can just get the heck out of here. for those days, i suggest the above alternatives. full blame goes to kaye & lesley. now i have the word 'WANG' in large black caps in my sketchbook.
last posting dates
oh man, i can't quite believe how close we are to the end of the year already. i feel reasonably organised (so far...) regarding the festive season for a change, so figured i'd help you, dear reader, feel the same (maybe) by letting you know the last posting dates for my shop:
tue 4 december: anywhere not listed below mon 10 december: canada, eastern europe & usa tue 11 december: western europe mon 17 december: uk
you'll need to order by 4pm GMT on these days to ensure i can hit the post office before it closes. if you order before these dates & need things posted out asap then just let me know & i'll do what i can. okay? okay. GO.
welcome
this drawing is three years old but the sentiment rings true once a year. oldie/goodie.
pushpin bookmark
i was pretty happy to find an email in my inbox last week from marceline of asking for trouble, querying whether i'd like to produce an artist's bookmark for her new zine distro, pushpin zines. of course, i said yes. above you can see some detail from my image, a girl engrossed in nick hornby's high fidelity whilst curled up in a cosy reading nook. you can get one of the bookmarks from pushpin for £1 or free when you spend £6 or over on zines.
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