If it's any consolation it's exactly the same with art. I don't know about anyone else but I really, really struggle to get what's in my head onto the screen with any degree of accuracy XD Don't be disheartened, it sounds like you're still learning. Remember those phases of learning new things and it being hard, and then it's easy, and then suddenly you learn more and you get a lot better, and that will go til you plateau a bit? You'll find that elusive sound you're looking for, just try to remember to enjoy most of the process along the way :)

Good luck grabbing that mic stand! Do you have Gumtree or something similar where you are? Perhaps there's someone closer than another part of the city who might be selling one?