One busy afternoon

After getting home from work, I decided to cut the grass in the garden. Then I used the electric rake to clear up the cut grass. I was just about to get the strimmer out, when the phone rang...

It was my wife asking me to collect her from work. I said I would be there in 15 minutes. As this was at 16:45, I had a brainwave to prepare for the Mystery shop I had to do near where my wife works. As this survey had to be done between 17:00 and 20:00, it seemed sensible to incorporate this task into my journey across town.

As I was about to get in the car, my daughter decided she wanted to come along with me on the mystery shop. While I was waiting for her to change into different clothing (typical teenage psychology), the dog decided she wanted to come along too!

So after leaving home, collecting the wife from work, conducting a mystery shop, we all ended up at a nearby park and spent the next 90 minutes walking round the lakes in the afternoon sunshine. This was the first time I have visited this park in the 15 years I have lived in this area. There we're Celtic stones, a Peace Pagoda, and a strange maze (just marks in the ground) to wander around and see.

We all arrived back home worn out and hungry!
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Currently Reading... Again!

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Computer Gremlins finally beaten??

After spending nearly a month trying to get my computer to record VHS video, I think I have finally cracked it!

After struggling with problems of no video, then audio clicking noises, and lack of synchronisation between video and audio, I was getting nowhere fast! Every time I managed to sort one problem out, I created two other problems to fix! As you can see, I am not very good with finding a simple solution to my problems!

I finally found what actually works for me. I had to upgrade my sound card, and install a newer version of Pinnacle Studio. By upgrading from version 10 to version 14, I have at last managed to successfully transfer VHS video footage onto my computer, and burn a test DVD from it. It all worked!

My friend Warren has been pestering me, wanting to know when he can have his DVD! I could have simply given him a straight forward video transfer to him, but I decided that I can do better than that! I am now attempting to break the video footage into chapters, and create a menu for the DVD. This I have finally achieved, and as I write this, my other computer is busy preparing to write the video footage to disk.

When the computer has finished processing, I have one final task to complete. I have to create some artwork for the Jewel case inserts! I don't think I should have any major problems doing this, but judging from past experience, you never can tell!