50 posts tagged “imac”

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Christmasy stuff continues

We were going to go the movie, but it rained and we decided to stay home. Filled my address book on the card site so I could send some electronic cards.  That was a bit of a pain because I had to go thru Firefox instead of Safari, and my cursor was jumping all over the place.  Anyhow, I did it.


Also called Apple Care to find out if I have an Adobe Flash player.  I'd read in my weekly email newsletter from Kim Komando  'America's Digital Goddess' that Adobe Flash player had six critical flaws.  Kim said to download the latest update to get the patches to the vulnerabilities ASAP.  I know I have Adobe reader, but Adobe Flash Player....??????
Apple tech said my MAC has a built-in flash player so I don't need the Adobe one.  The Adobe reader I have is for PDF files.  

Brought some more decorations down and put some candle lights in the window.  I still have my gold candelabras (each with 5 candles) for the 3 downstairs windows.  I bet some folks think they're weird.  I bought them in the early 70s, and I like them.  Upstairs windows have the single non colored candles.  I even have a spiral tree and you know what...I really like it.  I'll take a picture of it at some point so you can decide.  I don't think I'll string any indoor lights this year...will decide later.  

Did the treadmill for 32" and had oatmeal and Mrs. Snow's clam chowder for supper.  I used most of my points at breakfast and lunch, so this was my attempt to stay within bounds.  

Back to electronic card sending.  

2 comments Tags: imac

Today (12/9) my Dad would be 117....Happy Birthday Daddy.

 If he was 20 when I was born, I'd be approaching my 98th birthday in February.   I was of course his last child. I'm sure glad he didn't marry at 19 which many folks did 'way back then'.  


This year when I hear the Academy Award announcement for 'editing' and 'special effects' I will share in the praise of these folks.  It's a lot of work to edit a film.  I never gave it much attention prior to playing around with MACs iMovie and iDVD applications.  I enjoy it, but I now appreciate what must go into making a professional film.

In between cleaning the bathrooms and vacuuming I worked on my latest DVD...'Trevor'.  I haven't begun to edit yet; I'm still sequencing the many photos and video clips I have.   I think it'll be finished by Christmas and I'll wrap it for him as one of his gifts.  He's probably wondering why I did one for Brooke and not him.  So, this'll be a surprise.

The two Rich's met for lunch and apparently enjoyed the time together.  Neither Rich sr. nor I slept well last night.  We were both feeling some anxiety regarding my discussion yesterday with our Internist about his kidney function tests.  I'd hoped his kidneys would function better following placement of the renal artery stents in July.  I was dismayed to see his two tests...BUN and Creatinine have both gone up.  Plus his B/P is creeping upward.  Dr KF said it may be stabilizing at these levels, but we might have to consult with Nephrology (kidney docs)....and of course worst case scenario....dialysis.  We can't risk his B/P getting elevated too much because he has an inoperable abdominal aneurysm near the one that was repaired in '02.  So, we both were feeling anxious.  We discussed it and actually, there's nothing to do at this point.  His lab work will be rechecked in March.  It might be good for him to get off the Lasix (used for his leg edema).  Lasix is hard on the kidneys for someone with CKD (Chronic Kidney Disease).  He's in the process of getting the appliance for assisting him to apply his compression hose.  He says he will wear them.  Now that we want to do all we can to conserve his kidney function, he will.   Our anxiety has abated and  we'll deal with this just like everything else.  I told Rich no one gets out of this life in perfect health.  Heart disease, Stroke, Cancer, Dementia, COPD, Diabetes are the major chronic illnesses facing all of us.  Our bodies wear down and we simply manage the changes.  
I think we're in pretty good shape with the available health care in our area.  Right now, we both feel good and have no outstanding symptoms that impede our lifestyle.  So that's where we are.

I talked with Cousin Helen earlier today and she is getting somewhat anxious with the demands of Christmas.  I suggested they scale down the decorating and use only the ornaments they love. They have a big house and it always looks beautiful, but it's a lot of work.

Got a nice note from nephew Peter that he finally got the e birthday card I'd sent.  Apparently it went to his junk mail.  He said they had a party for baby Colin the other day who is now the big 1.  Pete says he's walking all over the place.  Now, the fun escalates with Colin exploring all the things he couldn't quite get to when he was on all fours.

Weird weather here...right now at 7:45PM it's 73.  I had the windows opened for a good part of the day, but it got windy and I didn't want sand (we live on a sandpile pretty much) blowing in while I was trying to clean. Tomorrow it's supposed to be 52 and then down to the 40s for the rest of the week.  I'm sure glad I don't live in the land of blizzards and wind chills below 0.  You really need your snuggies in that kind of weather.

5 comments Tags: imac, trevor, rjrhealth/meds

Rainy day in VB

Spent most of the day finalizing my 2nd movie 'Brooke's Movie'.  I learned how to add sound effects and use the Ken Burns effect to show off still shots. Loved adding script.  It's too big to put here on Vox so I'll add it to You Tube tomorrow.  Takes too long to add it right now.  The whole movie is less than 5 minutes long, and I think Lissa will be quite pleased with it.  She wanted something to house the many photos of Brooke to give Brooke when she gets older, and I think Apple has made this a fairly easy thing to accomplish.


Because of a recent update from Apple I wasn't able to use the scanner function of my All-in-One HP scanner, printer, copier.  I called HP, but I'm out of warranty and he told me I could pay to renew the warranty or go to HP.com and look for support and drivers; I would then be able to download a new driver for free.  

None of the above meant very much to me, but heck, I played with it and after some time I now have a functioning scanner.  I'm not really a techie...most of these things just take patience, and I can easily see why some folks would say "let someone else fix it".  On a rainy day I was happy to be 'too busy' to clean the house, I chose to work on my movie, and it was a good feeling to finalize it.

Tomorrow I go to pottery and Rich sr. will meet Rich jr. for their weekly lunch date.  Rich sr. also met an old Navy JAG Corps friend for lunch yesterday.  They'd served in Japan together, and Don D. is now retired and also living in VB.

Got a letter from the endocrinologist who said my timed cortisol test (24 hour urine test) was normal and he is considering this tumor on my adrenal to be benign requiring no further follow up.  Yes. I like that.  No one seems to know why my hair is thinning so I guess I'll just live with it and adapt as needed.  The endocrinologist thought perhaps my thyroid was the culprit, but that test came back normal too....so, all the more reason to simply adapt.

What's my take on Tiger Woods and the WH intruders...I couldn't care less.  I'm just not interested.

Post a comment Tags: health, imac, lissa

Day after yesterday and day before tomorrow

Title sounds dull, right?  Well, not much excitement to report today.  Stayed home and that was just fine.


I was on the phone again for quite a while with the Apple folks.  I've viewed the tutorials and read my resource book for making DVDs and Movies, but I'm not pleased with my productions.  Oh, they're OK, but I have questions regarding labeling etc.  As usual the tech was polite and tried to help, but it wasn't enough.  Talking to someone about technical issues on the phone reminds me of telling a blind person how to drive.  I did learn a few things I've been doing incorrectly and a big one is uploading my videos from my digital camera to the MAC.  I should have the iMovie application opened when I start the upload, and that will place my pics/videos right into my events library.  I'm writing this here because sure as shootin' I'll forget to do that little trick, and now I can simply check my blog tags here on Vox, and I'll be OK.  

While doing the treadmill I watched last night's 'Dancing with the Stars' which I'd dvr'd.   The model who got eliminated was a superb dancer, but I was so happy to see Kelly Osmond go to the finals.  She's done quite well and seems genuinely humbled by the experience.  Sorry cynics...I don't think it's staged.   I love Ballroom dancing ...in fact I always loved any kind of dancing so this show is a stress reducer for me.  I like the music and costumes also.  
I always wanted to take dancing lessons as a kid, but my father said I'd never make a living out of it, and that I was too skinny.  I used to watch through the window of the  'Mary Silk's' School of Dance on Massachucetts avenue wishing I could be in there.   Dee, I bet you remember that place.  I made up dances at home and performed in the living room.  I think I was pretty good too.  I guess I've always been a performer....tap dancer, baton twirler, actress in all the school plays...I loved it all.  In case you missed me twirling my baton...here ya go.  Seeing this video was a big motivator to do Weight Watchers.  I'm going to do the video again at some point now that I'm shedding some adipose, but I'm afraid I have quite a way to go.
How's this for a 70 year old
4 comments
  

I still dance around the  house.  If a guy wasn't a good dancer I didn't want to go out with him.  Rich was very good and we had fun at the Philadelphia Officers' Club in those long ago days.  He took social dancing in college just to meet girls he told me.  

Well, I must go back to my film making.  Pottery class tomorrow.  


Post a comment Tags: imac, baton

Something different...Pat playing with photobooth

Movie on 2009-10-27 at 16.38 Movie on 2009-10-27 at 16.40
Did you click on each of the short videos?  You need sound too.  I wasn't sure how much I could post on VOX...they have a 50 MB size limit.  The video on the right is just a little over 6 MB so maybe in the future I will do a VLOG i.e. video log....instead of a WEBLOG which has been shortened to simply 'blog'.  Your feedback is requested.

It sounds like a cliche to say 'this computer has opened a whole new world to me', but it is true.  Hopefully my brain cells are staying intact from all that I am learning.  The old 'use it or lose it' applies big time here.  I find when I don't use iPhoto, PhotoBooth or iMovie for a long time, I forget how to make them work.  Fortunately the MAC has simple tutorials for each program.  There are many things I will probably never use...Garage Band won't have me composing music in the near future....I don't think...but you never know.  

Exercising my brain is something I do most days, but I need to be a bit more physically active.  Vacuuming isn't enough, but it does count.  So with that said, I think I will go play with my Wii and do a little boxing while Rich is taking a LLD ....i.e. little lay down...or is it little lie down? I think it's ...chickens 'lay' eggs and people 'lie' down, right?  Who cares, you know what I mean.  Have a good evening.
Post a comment Tags: imac, wpat

Saturday...Happy Birthday Richard jr.

Due to several rainy days the soccer field was too soggy for Brooke to play this morning.  Hopefully I can get over there next Saturday to see her.


I went over to WHRO to help answer the phones for their semi annual fund raiser.  It was as always an enjoyable experience.  I missed the last pledge drives, and now everything is done on computer so I had a bit of a learning curve.  I also spent some time calling/recruiting volunteers to come to the studio to help take calls on other days this coming week.

I got home around 4PM and Janice was here.  We'd decided it would be too hard to 'talk' at the restaurant so she came over early and we left from here.  

I took some video of her interviewing her Dad (Rich), but the video is too grainy.  I have to work on the lighting.  Here is a still shot of Janice asking Rich a question about his childhood.
JTR reads story corps questions to her Dad
JTR reads story corps questions to her Dad
We celebrated Rich (the younger's) birthday at Burtons Grill.  Today he is 48.  The food at Burtons was soooo good.  I'd saved WW points so I could have a delicious filet mignon, baked potato and asparagus plus a roll with butter.  I also had a bourbon manhattan which wasn't all that good.  I didn't finish it because I could feel the effects and would be driving home.  I think the next time I'll just get a regular manhattan.  My uncle Bill always made what is called a 'perfect manhattan' and I thought that's what this would be.  Rich sr had delicious flounder, Janice had a vegetarian dish.  She's not a vegetarian ...she just didn't want the chicken and Rich jr had scallops.  It was a most enjoyable evening.

While on the computer this evening a pop up appeared saying there is a software update...and guess what it is...iDVD.  hmmmmm.  That's the program I've been having problems launching and have made several calls to Apple as well as sending troubleshooting reports.  

I took the upgrade and guess what....it looks like iDVD is now working.  Really glad I didn't do the 'erase and install' or go out and purchase an external hard drive over and above my off site storage hard drive with carbonite.  I wonder?   Did all my complaints get someone's attention?  I still have to read the tutorials to learn how to make an iDVD, plus I need to get Rich into better lighting for the interviews.  Then, I can continue with the story corps type project.  It would have been neat to have Janice doing a portion of the interview.  I may keep the video where she has done this and save it simply for the audio.  


Post a comment Tags: imac, stories

Thursday

Big rain all morning until about 2PM.  Rich was supposed to go over to Portsmouth to meet Rich jr for lunch, but they decided the weather is not in their favor.  Besides, they'll see each other Saturday evening when we go out to dinner when Janice is here. 


I had a pottery class and made two bowls today.  My skill is improving and I'll be taking orders pretty soon.  

Before I left for class an Apple Rep called ....supposedly for Nate.  He read Nate's notes and wanted to have me try a few things.  I told him I'd be back home around 5PM and asked him to call me then.  He said he had a few call backs, but he'd get back to me then by phone or email.  Well, it's after 6PM and I have not heard from him either way.  He called about 6:45PM EDST...3:45 where he is...California.

You may as well stop reading here because the rest pertains to my discussion with 'Patrick' the product specialist who took over for 'Nate' who allegedly has been out sick.  Maybe so.  

Patrick, like Nate, was very personable and patient trying to explain to me what we now must do.  We already have done an 'archive and install'  to no avail.  Now, the only thing left is 'erase and install'....that's like a heart transplant.  I will need an external hard drive.  I have an off site hard drive via 'Carbonite', but Patrick says he can't guarantee Carbonite will have everything for me when I wipe out all my files etc.  I purchased Carbonite because it required nada from me.  They get my files etc at night or when I am not online.  I got it in case of a fire or some other disaster left me with no computer or external hard drive.  Carbonite stores everything safely offsite.  

Now, if Patrick/Nate wipes out all my files etc I have to hope Carbonite will re install everything.  I asked Patrick if I understood correctly that the Apple Care program sends someone out here when we can't fix it on the phone.  Yes, they do, but they come out for hard ware problems not software.  

Now, I need to check with Carbonite and find out what I need to do if I stay with them....I've already paid for a year of backup.  I also can get a couple of flash drives to hold my 'stuff'.  I don't have all that much.  So, I will do some more background work here...checking out my options and make a decision.  There really is no hurry.  I can use the computer for everything except for creating an iDVD.  

2 comments Tags: imac

Wednesday

'Blogger's block'....just made that up.  Can't think of anything about which I feel like blogging.  I thought I'd better put something here, or you may not come back.  You are there, aren't you?  


Still have not heard back from the 'product specialist' at APPLE.   I emailed 'Nate' today....'hey Nate, what's goin' on...did you forget me"?  Well, not exactly in those words, but similar.   Anyhow, my iDVD of Rich's stories about his life is on hold at least until I can use the iDVD application on this iMAC. 

Last week I was in a site about old trolley cars.  It offered a free calendar with trolley photos and I ordered it because it had the Brilliner trolleys which used to be in Atlantic City.  Someone at the company emailed me to say my calendar is on its way. 

The person also suggested I check out 'Atlantic City Trolleys' on their site.  I did, and it has a video of all the old trolleys ...those that started at the car barn very close to where I grew up going all the way down to Longport.  It also features the Shore Fast Line with trolleys going off shore.  Dee, if you're reading this, I bet you rode the Shore Fast Line. I remember you talking about going to Pleasantville on the trolley.  I took that Shore Fast Line over Virginia Avenue and across the meadows to the mainland where it continued on to Northfield where my cousins lived.  I had to be there to supervise the sale of the lilacs.  Just checking Helen to see if you comment on that last remark.  The Shore Fast line continued all the way to Ocean City.

Anyhow, I called my brother Frank last evening thinking he'd love to see the video.  I would order it for him, but decided to first check with SiL Pat.  She immediately said "No".  I said "wouldn't he enjoy all that nostalgia?" and she replied "I don't want him to get any more nostalgia....the kids have gotten videos for him and he doesn't watch them".  I think he'd love to see this video, but she's in charge and the gatekeeper too.  I may order it for myself at some point. Here's a photo of the video cover.  I bet you NJ folks recognize a few.  The website has videos of trolleys from around the world. CLICK for site
I remember being scared stiff when the 'Toonerville' ( as my mother and aunt called it) would cross the meadows and we'd be on some kind of a track on a bridge .....no land on either side that I could see.  I would have to put my head in my mother's lap so I couldn't see the water on both sides....I was sure we'd fall in.  I guess I was about 7 or 8 at the time.  This photo may be the trolley going over to the mainland...not sure.  I clipped it from the photos in google.

Post a comment Tags: memories, imac

Monday

Never heard back from the 'Product Specialist' at Apple.  Not a good sign.  Guess I'll have to call tomorrow.


Spent too much time on the phone trying to get the billing office at our primary care office to explain to me why we were billed for the 'shingles' shots we got in August.  Apparently Medicare does not cover the 'shingles' shot and we must pay.  I could not decipher the billing statement from the office and the billing person persisted on telling me I had to pay.  She could not explain why and referred me to Medicare.  Calling Medicare is like calling a giant box in the sky.  However, I was pleasantly surprised to find they have made inroads into their robot answering machines.

Medicare referred me to Tricare4U.  I told that person I was looking at an EOB that said on the bottom that our balance was $0.00.  She then said it was a computer glitch and we did have to pay. I called the primary office's billing person back to tell her she indeed was right.  There was a glitch in Tricare's computer.

I was ticked that no one in the doctor's office told me Medicare did not cover the shingles shot.  Maybe the doctor did....but I don't remember it.....and I think I would remember $194.00 for a shot of vaccine and then $31.00 for the LPN or Medical Assistant to give me the shot.  Now that is a major rip off.  I realize we always sign a financial statement when we sign in, but it's part of several papers we must sign.  I think someone should tell the patient...'Medicare will not cover this and it cost $225'.  They should have you sign another form so it would ring a bell..'hey I'm going to have to pay this'. 

I noted on the caller ID Ken and Rosie called yesterday. I called today and enjoyed talking with my former Pensacola neighbor now living in Illinois.  She said they had a dusting of snow yesterday ...oh boy.  Winter is on it's way for them.

We went over to Rich and Lissa's with our gourmet cupcakes for everybody to sing Happy Birthday to Rich sr, Rich jr and Lissa...all of whom have birthdays in October.  Brooke insisted on giving GrandpaBuck(Rich) some little animal figurines.  He didn't want any gifts, but she persisted.  GrandpaBuck made a big fuss over the cards she designed and made for him.  She told us she made all the cards and shopped for the gifts and cards.  I told her Trevor will have her doing that from here on in.  

The kids were delightful.  Trevor told us about his campaign for Treasurer.  Here he gives a glimpse into his 'schtick'.  
Trevor's campaign poster
Some of the letters on the above poster aren't visible--the V in his first name and the E in the last name are missing.  I thought the fake money on the poster looked like real money.   He lost by one vote.  He said he broke up with his girlfriend because he found out she didn't vote for him...What?  She told him she did, but one of his friends saw her vote and said she voted for 'Charley'.  Hmmm.  They talk about 'going out' with so and so, but Lissa said they don't go anywhere...they just use the language.  I thought 10 year old 5th grade boys thought girls were yucky.  I guess I'm getting too old to understand these modern times.  

The cupcakes were super good and a big hit.  It was different than a cake.  Choice of flavors made it special too.  

When we got home Brooke called to tell me she forgot to give me a gift she made especially for me.  She wouldn't tell me what it was.  She suggested I come to her soccer game Saturday and she'll give it to me then.  She knows I don't get up til late, but she thought 11AM should be OK for me.  I'm supposed to be at WHRO to help with the October phone-in fund raiser, but I'm sure I can change my day.  We'll see.

Post a comment Tags: imac, brooke, trevor, things that irritate me

weekend

Wow!  I can't remember what we did yesterday....Saturday.  That's says a lot about our exciting life, doesn't it?  

OK, I remember.  The big part of the day was pottery class.  Lindsay (instructor) had emailed me that our pieces were finished, but a few were damaged in the kiln due to some of the clay that was used.  Apparently one particular type of clay was not able to keep from melting at the temperature required to bake it.  There was some confusion on the part of the studio owner as to what kind of clay must be used for the kiln we're using.  

Fortunately several of our pieces were made with Lindsay's clay.  Here's a photo of my first two pieces before 'firing' and 'glazing'.  
My First pieces before firing and glazing
My First pieces before firing and glazing
The one on the left was done using a technique called 'hand building' .  You make big circles out of clay that you've rolled out like tootsie rolls.  Then you simply put one circle on top of the the other.  I liked this piece and called it 'my primitif' (sorry spellcheck, I like that spelling).  It's the very first pottery/ceramic work I had ever done.  However, the next week I broke a big chunk from the top by picking it up before it had been 'fired'.  So here it is in it's purest state.  I love it and am keeping it.  The next piece was done using 'slab' technique.  You use a rolling pin to roll out slabs, and put them together.  The base is cut out first from rolled out clay and then you stand the sides around it.  I pushed in the sides because I liked the wavy look.  I thought it could hold huge pieces of bread.  When this went into the kiln for the second firing after it was glazed, it totally melted.  I'll try to make another.   Brooke made something similar shaped into a big heart that she wanted to give to her mother, and it too melted. 

The pieces below did not get harmed ...they were made with the proper clay for our studio kiln.  These were done using a pottery wheel.  
Very first pottery pieces completed after approx. 6 weeks of weekly classes.Brooke's finished pottery
On the left are my pieces and Brooke's are on the right.  Not bad eh?

Yesterday I got to meet all of Lindsay's family including some extended family visiting from Boston.  

Last evening Rich called Helen and Jack to thank them for their card and singing.  He enjoyed talking with them and they enjoyed him.  Earlier he talked with cousin Marn too.  

Yesterday was also the birthday of my bestest friend's daughter, Shay.  I would want her to be my daughter, but God gave her to SKC.  Today she reminded me that 16 yrs ago she spent the night at our house in Pensacola, and it was her 21st birthday.  Her parents were out of town and Rich was visiting his sibs in Kansas City.  Shay and I got a carvel ice cream cake and celebrated her big day.  Here's a picture of Shay with her husband.  She's back living in Fl with her three little girls while her husband is in Afghanistan for a year.  
January must be a good time for snuggling etc because there sure are lots of birthdays in October....at least among my family and friends.  

Today, Sunday I spent hours on the phone with Apple techs...three different 'first line' techs and then I was connected with a 'product specialist'.  We 'archived and re installed' everything and I still can't get iDVD to launch.  The product specialist will call me back tomorrow (Monday)....hopefully with a 'fix' that'll work.  I bet they'll have to send someone out here.  I am soooo glad we paid for the Apple Care support contract ...I think it was $130 for three years of coverage.  I call them for all kinds of things and they have been very helpful.  I asked  one of the techs today how much it would cost without the Apple Care contract.  $49/incident.  You get 30 days of help for the same incident for the $49, but if you have a different problem...it's another $49.  I've easily gotten my money's worth, and I still have 18 months left on the contract.  They do provide support for 90 days after purchase at no cost.  Then, you are on your own unless you pay for each incident or purchase the Apple Care program.

Post a comment Tags: imac, pottery