sketchbook revisited

I've been so wrapped up in my computer project lately that I haven't been doing much with my sketchbook project.

Time is running out!

Because of the bleed through problem, I began gessoing pages in the book..  I learned that gesso isn't a very good medium to use for this and I began using regular acrylic paint.

Today, I began painting backgrounds for my future entries.  I'm using sample paints that I get at various talks and seminars. 

Soon it will be time to commit words and images to paper.

I'll keep you posted and put images on this blog, as well as on the art house website.

Mid-Stride

The computer is up and running beautifully.  Now I have to figure out how to get on the internet.  I have a double problem.  I'm having trouble configuring the computer and I'm in the dungeon (basement) where the wireless signal is weak.

When I get tired of working on the internet problem, I load software.  I've put on Office 2010, Sony Vegas Pro 9, SonicFire Pro SE, Adobe Creative Suite 2 (I'll up grade to CS 5 Master Edition when my budget eases a bit), and a few specialized programs.

As I was trying to decide which software to load, I realized that I have ton of stuff that I never use.  Why should I clutter up the system with this?  Time to weed out material and donate it to charity.  There must be someone still using Win 98.

Since I installed Windows 7 on the new beast, some of my old programs won't work, even if I think they're worth having.  When I get on the internet, I'll download the Microsoft application to allow me to use legacy software and hope it works.

Stay tuned for further adventures in the self assembled computer saga.

Baby steps

I finally got the computer to boot, sort of.  I had to change the video cable between the computer and the monitor.

Now I get into the boot menu, but cannot figure out how to configure the boot drive.  The system sees the drive, but doesn't enable it.  Hmmm.

Time to reread the manual and check some cabling.

I'll keep you posted.

Laundry Day

I entered my first video challenge today.  It was a 72 hour video project by the Art House Coop.  I view these as learning experiences more than serious endeavors, but I am getting better at video editing.  Anyway it's only 57 seconds long, so take a minute to view it.

For some reason, I am unable to upload the video to this blog, but you can follow the link below to youtube to view it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mPhBVccYuu0

55th Class Reunion

My West Pittston High School graduation class had 79 members. On September 4, 2010, 29 of us met to celebrate the 55th anniversary of our graduation.  Sadly, 21 had already passed away.  The remaining had other commitments that kept them from attending.  Several of my good friends from high school live in the area, but won't come to the reunions. I wonder why?  I would really like to see them.

 I'm always amazed, when meeting with a group of similarly aged people, how some seem either younger or older than me.  Of course, this is a subjective view.  And looks do not correlate well with how a person feels or what they can do.  Some of the youngest looking oldsters that I know are alcoholics and we know how that destroys your system.

The drawing above was done by Richie Irace.  He also wrote lyrics for the reunion songs.  Who would have know, when we were kids,  that he had such talents.  I'm glad that he developed them.

Well, we plan on doing it again in five years.  I hope I'm still the youngest in the class. :)

Windows 7 Upgrade

A few days ago, I updated my wife's computer from Vista to Win 7 Home Premium.  Everything went fine, except I couldn't log into the internet with the wireless connection.  My wife was really ticked.  "Now why was this upgrade necessary?"  It's supposed to make life simpler.  Uh-huh.

After 3 days of discussions with the cable Internet provider, the router manufacturer, my computer savvy daughter and her computer savvy husband, and finally Microsoft, I was able to resolve the problem.  It seems the Norton Internet Security software thought I was under a virus attack and refused to let me use the wireless connection.

It took an hour and a half of Microsoft tech time to figure that out, so I don't feel too brain dead about it.

Anyway, I deleted the antivirus software, got the wireless router to work, and reinstalled the antivirus software.  Everybody seems happy now.  I know I am.

The whole process was very educational and I have a better understanding of the operating system now. 

Not that I expect to do it again, anytime soon.

Just Looking

This post has nothing to do with Lady Gaga.  Nor Michael Jackson.

If you had to choose between Glenn Beck and Sarah Palin, who would you choose?  What are you choosing them for?

If your looking for Marlon Brando or John Wayne or Humphrey Bogart or Clark Gable, you're probably an old broad.

If your looking for Rita Hayworth or Lana Turner or Mae West or Myrna Loy, you're probably an old geezer.

If you're looking for 50 Cents, you're probably unemployed and out of wine

If you're wondering what this post is all about, join the club.