A REMINDER OF WHY A SIMILAR CONCEPT TO ASMR COULD BE IMPORTANT:

Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response’: ASMR

‘A pleasant tingling sensation that typically begins on the scalp and moves down the back of the neck and upper spine. This feeling is triggered by specific visual and auditory stimuli, such as whispering, tapping and gentle movements. It is often associated with a state of relaxation and well-being, and many people seek it out for stress relief and sleep’.

Yes. I would love to ‘tap’ into giving a gentle ‘relaxation’ presentation of all that exists in Summersville. Music, hobbies, philosophical self need. It is basically escapism of a transient nature. Never full commitment in that specific belief is all important. I love to amble through life currently. By jumping into the VeeDub Bus driver’s seat and trundling to a place that is perfect escapism, it becomes the equivalent of finding peace from the chaos of life in general. It’s akin to many others escaping the daily grind. Popping down the pub, going to watch a football match, going to the gym, etc.

I watch a fair few YouTube videos which contain deliveries of genuine humble approach to ‘van life’. The wonderful vibe of getting out into nature and enjoying the day or nighttime experience. The result, after watching these videos, is one of quiet self calm. The people who show the calm approach in basic ‘activities of life’s simple preparations’ obviously enjoy what life can offer within a realistic achievable framework. People drive or hike to a spot, get out a backpack/haversack bag or a box from the car boot, put the kettle onto a gas fired single burner and simply sigh with contentment.

Some, however, manipulate what life offers in camper van life and turn it into a self expression of ‘our earnest lifestyle in escapism’. Sometimes an emptiness exists in these videos. Their presentations honed to perfection in order to increase viewing numbers even though they are committed to living the rough experiences of van-life full time existence. Nomads in essence. There is a weird juxtaposition of portraying the professional alongside the easy going. It all looks so very stilted at times. And yes. I know I am planning and seeking similar. And I truly feel I need to question my aims. Find deeper relatable answers to the purpose of intent. When discomfort in this project comes back at me, and wondering if I am doing this selfishly to promote my songs? Possibly I am. For gain? Not really. I am old now and comfortable in my skin and shoes. This is really just fun times when it boils down to the reality. I am doing all this because I need to seek something that allows getting to quiet spaces in my head? My mind and brain cause havoc at times. Pursuit of crazy ideals. So, once this whole planned craziness calms into normality, my brain will stop whirring on a sixpence.

Using my love of writing music and the VeeDub Bus together, both have become useful for application to a general alternative ‘activities of living’. In order to seek and cement useful activity with both on the agenda, there is hope for my well being. Yes! It’s been a weird year health wise. Time to break free. Sharing on YouTube could be considered having an ego. But inherently in my mind, nothing could be further from the truth. At base, I have returned to being a musician. A musician who wants to share the songs he writes. So the VeeDub story unfolded and developed over a year and a half of deliberating and reflecting upon ‘Is it really all worth it?’.

Actually. In truth, I would love to be a simple travelling nomad. Taking music out and about like a wandering minstrel. However, I live in a house! With my wife. Permanently. And of course, she also has her own business, with 12 staff to look after. For myself now in retirement for the past four and a third years? It’s great to simply escape every so often to find calm amongst surrounding nature in the VeeDub which, on many past occasions, has provided Nirvana. However. There is no immediate dedication to massive lifestyle change. No dedication to becoming an internet success either. Just to presently enjoy future moments in time. Albeit with some ambition for a crazy project to be realised too.

I believe a video of how calmness and embracing my local beautiful Wales offerings, can give others the possibilities to just enjoy a single moment in time. I remember coming to Wales often on holidays, getting away from the city life and the wishful thinking that I would live here one day. It took 22 years since our first 1973 holiday visit. But we eventually arrived in 1995…and as a full family. Angie and myself have both contributed to local needs. She with her amazing Wholefood Shop which the community of the town absolutely adore. And my Staff Nurse role. So our humble offerings have hopefully given positivity to local community, well being and culture.

A well presented video can still house truth in earnestness. That is really important. A quirky vibe, with a deeper meaning for others’ watching to consider further. Like Angie and myself did over the two and a bit decades. Meeting people who had moved here with their own stories to tell. And bringing our two children, at a very young age, to a place where they found peace and calm. That’s what they have told us anyway.

So I suppose all this Cloud 9 malarkey is going to be quite a weird up-taking. Maybe it will all go Heath Robinson. A conundrum of chaotic, over complicated YouTube thematic invention. In order to supply a simple presentation of what is in essence…..a sit back, relax and chill out vibe. But it will be fun to tread the various pathways and see what evolves. Just need this consistent rain to stop.