H.I.T.S.
Last week had a bit of a depressing edge to it when my new camcorder battery that I’d ordered online abruptly died during the filming of an hour- long lesson with Mickey, one of my students. Luckily, we got most of what we wanted before it unceremoniously bit the dust.
Of course, whenever you’re put in this position, you think, “Should I waste time trying to go through the hassles of contacting the place I bought it from and attempt to get some satisfaction through some kind of warranty?”
It only cost $20, in the first place, and I suppose that should have warned me. As there are a lot of other online companies offering similar deals at that price point, I’m also second-guessing how good those batteries may or may not be.
On the upside, I was really pleased with how the lesson looked in its finished form. I powered up the camcorder, using its power supply/charger, and transferred the footage over a FireWire cable to my computer.
I then used the iMovie software that comes with all newer Apple computers to edit the video.
Finally, iMovie transferred the digital video to iDvd. The process is rather like an electronic assembly line that moves your “vehicle” along toward the final product.
A shiny new DVD popped out of the slot on the side of the computer and after quickly checking it by playing it in our home DVD player, I happily gave the project a thumbs up.
It really is a simple operation, as the computer does all the work.
Speaking of shiny new things, check out this Web site at a href=”http://www.scion.com/ http://www.scion.com/ end
. While driving past our local Scion dealer last weekend, I saw the latest version of my “Toaster” and we even stopped for a quick look. I was really impressed with its lower roofline and much bigger engine. Take a look online at them or any other new car you might be considering, as it’s the 21st century way of “kicking tires.”
You can even find your used car’s value online without unleashing a salesman on you at a href=”http://www.kbb.com/kbb/UsedCars/default.aspx http://www.kbb.com/kbb/UsedCars/default.aspx end
.
Another good site for vehicle research is at a href=”http://www.edmunds.com/ http://www.edmunds.com/ end
. Edmunds lists vehicle features, virtual test drives and reviews from current owners. Feature-wise, it’s amazing how many new cars are coming with adaptors that let you use your iPod in your car. This isn’t that surprising, considering Apple announced in April that they had sold 100 million iPods.
In case you think I’m kidding, check out this article at a href=”http://www.apple.com/pr/library/2007/04/09ipod.html http://www.apple.com/pr/library/2007/04/09ipod.html end
for details — that’s a lot of iPods.
We’ll also be seeing more GPS systems in some 2008 vehicles as well. You’ll find them in certain Honda, Chevy and Subaru models, among others. Although Mrs. Schulze’s dream is to have GPS, I think the fact that we never really go anywhere kind of makes GPS a little impractical for us.
My students are still telling me about Guitar Hero 2 for PlayStation 2 and now X-Box 360, which proves how popular playing the guitar is. Having played the game briefly at a recent H.I.T.S. taping, I still have to say that it’s not the same as really playing guitar.
I also think that, by this time, Doren will have gotten his hands on Guitar Hero, as he was mumbling something about getting the game during the taping. He was watching me play, all eagle-eyed, and I’m sure you’ll enjoy that show when it airs.
I’m a bit disappointed that I’ve not yet been able to try out my high-tech oil-change pump due to our recent rainy “British” weather, but, at least, its good for the grass.
I still have not personally used our battery-powered weedwhacker either. One thing that I have been getting more and more into is texting on my cell phone, as it’s a really convenient way to send a message to someone when time is limited. I’m actually getting faster on it, although I’m not up to the flying fingers and thumbs of some of the younger texters. It’s a great communication tool, once you get used to it.
Finally, one of my older students was telling me this week how he posted a song he wrote and played online at myspace.com, so check it out at a href=”http://www.myspace.com/mattlancaster81 http://www.myspace.com/mattlancaster81 end
.
Maybe one day you’ll see him on American Idol — you never know. Many of our local musicians and songwriters are putting their songs online, so check them out.
And, check us out on the H.I.T.S. show and in this weekly column. Don’t be shy in contacting us.
Until next week, happy surfing!