If you put gears on a mod, they would probably be nearly dragging on the floor. Also, you'd need a bigger chainring to use them, which would screw your clearance up even more.
My current chain is whack. It's snapped a few times, mostly from just coming apart. Recently, I painted the floor pink with my elbow, when it snapped in a gap. I've got a picture of it, if you want to see
I'd not touch my truss rod, but if you are going to, do it very slowly, is what I've gathered from reading about it. The wholeness of your neck depends on it.
If she keeps letting you down, you either need to say, 'look, do you want to have something or not?' or if you CBA, then assume she's doing it because she cba, and just stop inviting her out.
Pretty cool video! Gives me ideas for stuff I shoudl try for a video. Shame about the frame yeah! Maybe you could get one of the new ashton frames? It would ride similar, probably stronger, and definately within warranty.
Bum sex sounds.. not that great. Rather than the old rhyme, 'When the river flows red, take the dirt track instead', I prefer the version, 'When the river runs red, just ask for head'.
£200? You might be able to get a second hand DSLR for that, which for photography is, well, excellent. And on the plus, when you CBA, you can use it in auto mode. I can't see anything wrong with either of those cameras though.
Thinner strings are good for learning, as they're easier to bend. Careful you don't snap them putting them on though. Ernie Ball, D'addario, Rotosound, all do decent electric strings.