Trying Something New...Now, To Figure Out How To Record It

 It always amazes me, the incredible technology that surrounds us. For example, we're thinking about an artistic project that would require filming and posting the videos online. It's in the beginning stages, but if we do this, we've got to figure out the best way to record those videos.

The best camera we have--as far as compact--is our phones. The problem is, we don't have unlimited memory and the phones are relatively heavy. I'm sort of a camera nut and I've collected several (inexpensive...) digital cameras over the years, mostly from yard sales...

No surprise, there.

So, I dug out the cameras to see if they would work. The results so far have been mixed. Actually, less good than bad. It's the equipment. Had we unlimited funds, we could fix the issues, and if this little project proves fruitful, we might invest in those delicious examples of technology. But, not now. We're not investing just yet.

It's also fun to think about "what might happen." All this technology can turn a "regular person" into a healthy contributor in the local and worldwide economy. That would be nice.

We'll continue experimenting, continue the trial and error needed before any success can come. 

I'll keep you posted.

I Just Wanted To Watch The Soccer Game...

 The goal was a simple one, at least, I thought it was. I knew the US Mens National Soccer Team was playing a friendly match with Switzerland. I should say right here, that I've written before on this blog that we live in the most amazing time. The mere fact that I can go anywhere...almost anywhere...and watch a soccer game from anywhere on the planet blows my mind.

So, when the game came on, I picked up my phone and pulled up the app. I clicked on the option for the game I wanted, and I got...

Nothing.

A blank screen.

At first, I thought there was a problem with the app. It happens, so I tried clicking the screen. At first, no change--the screen stayed black, but eventually, the screen shrunk and I had a picture-in-picture thing going on. "Well, that's weird," I said. I was actually able to watch the game on the tiny screen. The small picture had an option to expand, so I touched the expand button...

The black screen returned.

I thought I'd ditch the app and try and find the game on TV. But when I chose the game, something else popped up...a college softball game. I couldn't figure out why a college softball game would be on instead of the soccer game. I found out later that it was a playoff game, so important.

Part of the deal we have by living in such an amazing time is we expect everything to work flawlessly. I'm sure the app not working correctly and the wrong game playing on the channel were just things that happen. There's got to a million things that have to work so that I can get my little game on my little phone and we only notice when something doesn't go exactly as it should.

Eventually, the softball game ended and the soccer game was broadcasted on the correct channel, so all was right with the world...

Except the US team lost.

Bummer.

Experiencing Technology...Through The Generations

 Over the years of writing a blog, certain topics seem to rise to the top. Stuff like family, sunsets, VWs, thrift-store shopping always find their way into a blog post. Another one is technology.

I just sit back and am amazed at the incredible time in which we live.

This afternoon my mother-in-law dropped in so we could participate in a zoom call. The purpose of the call was to introduce to everyone to my mom-in-law's newest great-grandbaby. Thanks to 2020 Zoom and teleconference calls are so everyday, we hardly think about what we're actually able to do. So much so, some of the younger great-grandbabies complained because of all the Zoom meetings they've had, and they're just kids.

During a lull in the video call, I brought up how wonderful it is to be able to watch multiple families spread across the country communicate in real time. I said to my mom-in-law that we used to call people and have a conversation--audible only when we needed to share information like this. She reminded me that for her generation, a phone call was an advancement. In her day, it wasn't being able to watch everyone on TV, or even over the phone, she said they used to read a letter with a photograph of a new family edition.

Times have changed, indeed.

When I think about what we can do today, I am reminded of my father. 2024 will be one-hundred years since my father was born. He only lived to see just under half of those years. I sometimes try and think of the way we live now and see it through his eyes...what would he think about our modern life?

Today, we were joined by four generations, three in our front room. And the miracle of technology allowed us to share the experience together. 

Amazing.

Incredible.

Apple Made Me A Little "On This Day" Film...

Everyday for the past nine, almost ten years, I've sat down with my computer and picked out a photo to post on social media. Tonight, my phone informed me that something happened three years ago today and my phone assumed I would like to see what happened three years ago today.

My phone was right.

I am constantly amazed how incredible the world is in which we live. Especially technology. I know, I know...it's going to one day rise up and destroy us all, but until then, I can't help but be amazed.

The phone showed me a pictures of what happened three years ago. It took a bit, but I finally recognized the photos and videos. On August 18th, 2017 my son and I went to a party thrown by Tobin's Elite Academy of Martial Arts. It was a carnival for the parents and students of the academy. Truth be told, it was a little corny, but also cool.

My son took part in the outside games, then went inside where he practiced his Jedi skills on a balance beam. He did defeat a very young girl, as well as took flight from other opponents. My phone compiled the pictures and videos I took on that day and created a nice memento that I'm now sharing with the world. The phone-created video came with several soundtracks that I could choose, everything from sentimental to dreamy to epic. I went with the default.

I guess we're just supposed to accept all this cool stuff that comes our way, like humans have always had phones that can not only remember what you recorded years ago, but create a video presentation as a reminder--like it's always been this way. No...we live in amazing times.