New project for 2020 - Citizen Scientist

EXXPEDITION

All-women voyages exploring the impacts of plastics and toxins in our oceans.

I first heard about it on CBC Vancouver Radio.  Yes, when I'm ironing or cleaning I listen to the CBC.  I'm Canadian after all!  

Back in February or January 2019, I heard on the Living Planet show, Ms Emily Penn speak.  She was talking about research on plastic in the ocean and how Exxpedition was launching a two year sailing voyage around the globe to study plastic in the gyres.  They were looking for 300 women to take part in the trip.

As I'm slowing down my work and thinking about retirement in a couple of years, I've been looking for a project related to the environment.  If you've read any of this blog up to now, you'll know that my concern about plastic in the environment is not new.  This eXXpedition sounded amazing!  So I applied.  I really didn't think I had a chance as I'm not a photographer, researcher, biologist, journalist,... or any one well known.  But, what the hey.  It's worth trying.  All they can say is no.  

After I applied, I received a response saying that they had received a lot of applications and to be patient.  In the same email they asked me to do a 30 second video talking about myself, why I should be part of the crew and why plastic.  In March I set about creating a video.  I've never done one before.  Big learning curve.  I think I spent a day figuring out how to get started.  Then, what should I say?  I'm terrible about talking about myself.   I have nothing important to say.  I needed help, so I asked my two terribly talented nieces to help out.  They had lots of good ideas for me, but I had to make it mine. I clipped together segments talking about what I do now, what my hobbies are and why plastic.  I thought what I had done was pretty good (for me).  BUT.... it was 2 minutes long.  Arggghhh... 
I couldn't see how to edit it and make it work.  

Now we were leaving for Scotland for 10 days.  I really wanted to get the video off as soon as I could to make sure my application was complete as early as possible.   I convinced my husband, who was not to comfortable with the task, to do some filming while we were there in several locations during our hikes and visits.  Finally, I had a video that was 1 minute. When we got home, I sent it off.  Fingers crossed.