Update 2

Much of my work this Easter was slowed due to ill health. This always happens the moment I slow down and normally I would just ignore it carry on and end up in a much worse state. This time I tried something that I have never done before and that was to stop, relax and give myself some time to get better. I need to be fit and well until August so that I can dedicate myself to my work.

For the 1st week I couldn't really even think much so I just concentrated on the NucaMA network. This week I have been more inclined to do my work so I have eased myself into it by starting my 'Black Book' and catching up on my dream journal. My dreams had 'dried up' for about a month. I would wake up most mornings unable to recall my dreams from the night before. This was frustrating as I feared I might never be able to write down another dream. I think I might have just been a little drained because when I gave myself a little time to relax I found that my dreaming was more productive.

I have been thinking about how to organise my workload. Of course my main aim is to produce an animated installation but alongside that I will need to;

• Document my processes
• Apply theory
• Evaluate my progress

The process is already being documented via this blog, I also use paper based resources like notebooks and sketchbooks. The blog is probably the most important form of documentation as I can use it to share multimedia resources. I like to have a notebook too so that I can just jot things down quickly away from my computer. I am also using notebooks for my 'Black book' and my dream journal as they contain personal information that I don't wish to share with people online.

The application of theory is much more difficult for me to document. Previously I have had problems with referencing theory in my work. I find it difficult to keep track of what I am researching as I have a tendency to absorb the theory but lose track of what I have looked at and where I have got my ideas from. Writing the Masters proposal gave me an idea of how theory should be referenced and although I produced the proposal as a Word document I feel that I work better when using Powerpoint. This is something that became apparent when I used Powerpoint during the presentation for the self negotiated unit. I found it easier to use slides to present information as the format requires the user to use short concise chunks of text. It's not that dissimilar to breaking up a body of text using paragraphs, headings and subheadings but it works better for me as there is a more distinct visual separation.

I have had the opportunity over the last 4 years to work on my written work as I have had to apply it in my job at City College, while undertaking a teaching diploma and during my MA work. While completing my BA I neglected the written element of the course, this was partly because didn't investigate my own learning issues despite previously being given advice to do so. Now I have had time to work on my written work I feel more confident and better able to tackle this aspect of my work.

It is my intention that this blog should consist of casual posts (much like this one) and those that are more like essays like this one:

Development of Technique

This will allow me to update my progress as well as addressing the theory in a formal manner.