sewing updates

Severely underestimated how long it takes to plan and sew even a thrift flip. As a recap, this is what I wrote in my previous post:

Sewing Goals:

1. Crop 3 Tops – Only completed 2, one of which I was more ambitious and added drawstring features

2. Clone 1 Top – Done with tracing the patterns but I realised I didn't have enough fabric and would probably have to use 2 shirts. Might end up as a reversible top!

Anyway I realised these goals are not very well written because they don't follow the SMART format. Because what ended up happening was I got side tracked with other projects...

Projects that I've completed:

1. Mended a hole in denim overalls

2. Replaced a spoilt elastic in a dress

3. Started on an embroidery kit

4. Built a home for my scrunchies

5. Fixed curtain hooks

6. Changed a window UV filter

7. Assembled a new shoe cabinet

8. Completed a 72 Hour UX Challenge

In the perspective of the sewing goals it would look like I've failed but I still take it as a win though. In that time I've worked simultaneously on other projects that were also relevant and interesting to me.

SMART Goals Recap

• Specific: clear and well-defined, leaving no room for ambiguity. It answers the questions of who, what, where, when, why, and how.

• Measurable: quantifiable metrics that allow you to track progress and determine when the goal has been achieved.

• Achievable: realistic and attainable given your current resources and constraints. It should be challenging but not impossible.

• Relevant: aligns with your overall objectives and values. It should be meaningful and contribute to your broader success.

• Time-bound: a specific deadline or timeframe for completion. This creates a sense of urgency and helps you stay focused.

motion before emotion

Dipping my toes back into my sewing adventures. After decluttering my wardrobe for CNY, I find myself face to face with a pile of clothes that I've been meaning to rework but could not find the motivation to start.

"I feel like sewing today" has escaped the better part of me in 2024. It is mostly emotion led, where I'm waiting for my eureka of motivation to bestow on me the momentum to start. And that has not come often enough...

Which brings me to my 2025's guiding phrase "Motion before Emotion". We act first, then we see how we feel about it later. Versus we feel a certain way than we act. I've actually been using this phrase on and off to get me into the gym. It works well for exercise so fingers crossed to applying this as a guide for the whole year!

Sewing Goals

1. Crop 3 Tops

2. Clone 1 Top

learning javascript for telebot

I used to log all to read/watch stuff in an app called Soon. But it was either shut down or became incompatible with my phone. As a result, I LOST ALL MY DATA. Tragic. Relying on one ecosystem is never a good idea. After going through the stages of grief, I was back on my feet to find a telebot that works similarly as a replacement (mainly to compile film, series and book titles).

Somehow, it doesn't exist. Couldn't find it anywhere, even on Reddit. The functionalities sound straightforward and I thought why not let this be an exercise to ask Chatgpt to spit out the code out for me. I brute forced it for a day, not knowing a single word of JavaScript, and sorely gave up. 

The next day I came back refreshed, Sunk Cost Fallacy in full swing, and decided I no longer wanted this bot, I needed it. Did I spend the next 2 days learning JavaScript just for this? Yes, because Chatgpt can't be used wholesale (yet), it's powerful only when you have some basic idea of the language structure. For any aspiring bot coders with no code background, the key is to test everything bit by bit. Resist the urge to copy! everything! from Chatgpt.

80+ deployments later... A semblance of what I want it to do. Albeit missing a search book title and deleting entries feature. No guarantees the thing is stable and I will most definitely break the code when I update it. But feel free to play with it for now: https://t.me/capturetool_bot