Sun 15 Jul
2007
PULL THE HANDBRAKE
Was thinking a little of our flight home and it’s already decided that it’s coming is going to be met with a mixed bag of feelings. I was leaning towards how to make the flight a little more comfortable for Tiia. It’s very hard to keep a 16 month old occupied on a flight longer than four hours. So what to do?
She’s taken to The Wiggles, as The Little Man did. When playing The Wiggles’ DVD, Toot Toot, she stayed pretty fixed. I guess the songs and dancing are pretty involving for her. But I’m not too keen on pulling out my Mac only to have her bang away on the keyboard as the movie plays.
The solution, in hindsight, should have been more apparent, but it wasn’t. I was messing around with the video iPod when it dawned on me. Why not capture your DVDs and transfer them to it. Duh! Some things just fall through the cracks.
Doing this would allow The Little Lady to watch The Wiggle’s and I wouldn’t have to stress over wondering if my Mac would make it through her constant attacks.
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By the way, I don’t think I’ve mentioned Gorillaz here, but Demon Days is pretty good. I know, old news, but I’m throwing out there just so you know what I’m digging.
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So I go looking around for some software that will facilitate the ripping of DVDs and doing it so that I can optimize it for playing off of the video iPod. And along comes HandBrake. Sweet! Performs well, just exactly what you need it to do, comes for PC and Mac, and … the kicker … it’s free.
Screenshot of Handbrakes Video Settings Tab
While out and about doing vacation type things, I let the Mac do the dirty work. We now have The Incredibles, The Wiggles – Toot Toot, and Finding Nemo on the iPod. All set and read for The Little Lady, and another – through the use of the Monster headphone splitter – to checkout movies on a small handheld.
Screenshot of Handbrakes Video Output Settings Screen
Hell, it’s all just practise for the iPhone I aim to get .. hee hee.
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Also, thanks to ESPN2 coverage here, it’s been nice to catch up on the latest that has been going on with the Tour de France. Fabian Cancellara is wearing the yellow jersey. He rides for Team CSC. They ride on Cervelo bikes. Just thought I’d throw that in.
Vinokourov took a tumble today that left him 1’14” to make up. A little over a minute isn’t so bad, but this pretty much opens up his strategy to the Overall Classification hopefuls. He’s going to have to attack and attack often, when the first stretch of mountains comes. Should be interesting.
*Update - Cancellara has relinquished his lead in the first major stage involving the mountains. We’ll see how Carlos Sastre fairs as Team CSC will set up support for him.
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THINKING
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Spending will make you happier, but not in the way you think. Interesting read over at Secular Philosophy.
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Chrisopher Hitchens nails it yet again with this piece for Slate Magazine. After reading the piece, I’m inclined to agree with a lot of it.
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When flying 35,000 feet above land, I stare down at the natural landscape and marvel at it ... and every time I fly over a city, town, etc. ... I can’t help but to think ... so this is what cancer looks like.
I know, it’s harsh, but have a look, cities and towns just don’t blend very well with the natural landscape.
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According to this read over at Dailytech, the XBOX360 has a 33% failure rate! Like what?? Like how much? Like one in every three units will have hardware failure! I love my box ... and I’m touching wood it stays in with the other 66%.
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Old news for some of you out there, but “Demon Days” by Gorillaz ... not bad eh? Not bad at all. Nice tunes on that list.
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Yes it’s true .. i know Gorn and I also know ShoeGirl. Personally, I think he could have gone a lot more than 30 days.
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A 16 year old girl proclaimed she is an atheist. The reporter asked her why and she promptly replied, “I was born that way.”
Interesting ... she’s right, you know.
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CURRENTLY
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