Well folks, my laptop has officially conveyed its sincerest urge to dissipate into the beyond like a firework fading to dust in the dirt. After doing some investigating and getting considerable advice from my husband, I have concluded it's time to clean my computer.
Many of us forget to clean our computer out. We're too busy cleaning house, organizing bills and trying to locate important, but always elusive, pieces of paper that are imperative to our existence...(like proof your cat got his/her rabies vaccine so you can take them to the groomers!). Unfortunately, because we don't care for our laptops as we should, we get slower than slow web browsing abilities and on occasion, we get BSOD'd (Blue Screen of Death).
Don't even bother with your Word.docs, because those aren't the problem. (Though I do suggest labeling all your document folders by year. It's very helpful with archiving. For instance, my current writing projects are labeled.. 2011_Summer_Writing_Projects.) What's going to get you is your picture, movie and music files.
I, regrettably, have a horrendous to-do going on with my music files. I have duplicates, spares of duplicates and bonus extras of songs I mislabeled on mixes given to me by friends in my younger years when a gift of true love or friendship was symbolized with a mixed CD of your favorite crooning or dancin' tunes. I need to tackle it, but the truth of it is... it's time consuming and frustrating.
So, I started with something more manageable: home movies. These are random clips here and there that I've taken over the past five or six years on my digital camera. They take up considerable space on the hard drive and aren't necessary for me to store on my computer. I've transferred the files to one backup, an external hard drive, and I also plan to burn them all to data DVDs so I have two copies of these home movies. This should clear up a good bit of space.
I should note that to make my hunt for home movies easier, I had already undertaken the project of organizing all of my photographs and movie files by date. I started in 2005 and worked my way up to present day. It took forever, but it has made finding files and managing my files much more manageable. Now when I upload my pictures/movie files, I immediately label them as so: 08.03.11_Picnic_Erie_Pennsylvania. I do the specific date, followed by an event description. In some instances my pictures require me to create a text file to explain the images. This is namely the case when I do ancestry research and need to list specific locations or people for each photograph. I do a general label to all photographs, and then according to the number they are assigned, create a text file with a brief description of each image. I then save the text file in my picture folder and I go on my merry way.
With back logs of photographs it's harder to do a specific date or event. In those instances I try to guess the event and at least get a specific year.
Now back to my endeavors...My next step was to review all my photo folders as well. When you take digital images you tend to do overkill and click away, taking pointless pictures of fascinating looking leaves, muffins, straw hats and light fixtures that catch your fancy. Delete them. You do not need ten pictures of a pretty orange leaf. One will suffice. Go through and clean house, delete blurry images and ones with bad lighting or where your family and friends look less than fresh and would not appreciate images of them with triple chins, droopy eyes and leering lips circulating through the holiday photo albums. I suggest every time you upload photos from your camera you label everything, file it away under the appropriate folder and then review all the images and delete the less than stellar ones that do not need preserved.
Once you've got everything organized and trimmed down, back it up!! A flash drive works fine for smaller files, but for larger ones I'd say go with an external hard drive. The prices have come down generously over the years and you can get into one terabyte of storage space for under $100.
Before you go deleting anything off your computer, make sure you have two working backups of all your files. Don't trust one backup alone. I've made that mistake and lost hundreds of hours of work and a tiny part of my soul. I'm a tad paranoid, so for my truly irreplaceable documents I have at least four digital backups and one hardcopy (if applicable) at any given time.
I'm also keen on the notion that all important documents that can be digitized should be digitized and placed on a flash drive to put with your emergency preparedness kit. (The pack you have in case a natural disaster strikes. And no worries if you don't have one, I'll be doing a blog on this later in the summer once I've cataloged the contents of both of my emergency kits.)
My point is you can't treat your laptop like it's your tower. It sits on your lap. That's its big appeal. But there is give and take with such grand technological advancements: your storage sucks big time and you have to maintain your files to keep your computer running smoothly and efficiently.
Now go out there and tackle your comp cleaning too!
Happy digital trimming!
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Likeable Things
The notion of riding a bicycle on the moon.
Eating dinner on top of a rain forest canopy.
The idea of speaking a language that approximately 127 people can speak and approximately 212 can write.
Tap dancing up a staircase with my hair in pigtails.
Flying (without wings) in a purple sequin suit with the soundtrack to "Wet Hot American Summer" blasting through the sky.
Fuzzy cats that don't have pink eyes.
The fact that the "My Little Pony" cartoon now does Lady Gaga song remakes.
Neon blue spandex.
People that say "Cheers" instead of "thank you".
Tea sets.
People who call a shed a shanty.
Crayon factories.
Pineapple upside down cake.
Jane Fonda's workout video from the '80s.
Gummy worms.
The idea of brunch, but as dinner, not a hybrid of breakfast and lunch.
Wooden spoons.
Julia Child's "The French Chef" episode with Bertha, the mega lobster.
Chalkware roosters.
Radishes.
Top Gun sunglasses.
The fact that I can do a blog about random likeable things.
Eating dinner on top of a rain forest canopy.
The idea of speaking a language that approximately 127 people can speak and approximately 212 can write.
Tap dancing up a staircase with my hair in pigtails.
Flying (without wings) in a purple sequin suit with the soundtrack to "Wet Hot American Summer" blasting through the sky.
Fuzzy cats that don't have pink eyes.
The fact that the "My Little Pony" cartoon now does Lady Gaga song remakes.
Neon blue spandex.
People that say "Cheers" instead of "thank you".
Tea sets.
People who call a shed a shanty.
Crayon factories.
Pineapple upside down cake.
Jane Fonda's workout video from the '80s.
Gummy worms.
The idea of brunch, but as dinner, not a hybrid of breakfast and lunch.
Wooden spoons.
Julia Child's "The French Chef" episode with Bertha, the mega lobster.
Chalkware roosters.
Radishes.
Top Gun sunglasses.
The fact that I can do a blog about random likeable things.
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Conneaut Lake and Pymatuning State Park
It may not be the biggest amusement park in Western Pennsylvania or offer the most rides, but it's been a favorite of mine since I was a kid. My grandfather worked for the Cooper Bessemer in Grove City and every year he'd get tickets to Conneaut Lake. My whole family would make the journey up 79 and across 322 to the home of Pennsylvania's largest natural lake and the amusement park that made it's home along the lake's banks in 1892.
I have memories of riding the park's lone wooden roller coaster, the Blue Streak, though it took me years to get there. I spent most of youth trying to be taller than Connie Otter, the character who decided if you stayed in Kiddy Land or got to go out on the adult rides. One of my favorites was the Devil's Den, which for some reason I thought was called the Devil's pitfall, but I was probably thirteen the last time I was there so I wouldn't be surprised if it's always been called the Devil's Den. Either way, it's fun!
In addition to the park itself, there are several golf courses in the area and you're just down the road from Pymatuning State Park, which happens to be the largest state park in Pennsylvania. It also boasts the largest lake in Pennsylvania, with it's reservoir coming in at 17,088 acres in size. You can go boating, fishing and swimming and check out the park's fish hatchery.
For those of you planning to stay local this Memorial Day Weekend, but want to get out of Pittsburgh, I highly recommend a day trip to Conneaut Lake or Pymatuning State Park.
Enjoy the long weekend folks!
I have memories of riding the park's lone wooden roller coaster, the Blue Streak, though it took me years to get there. I spent most of youth trying to be taller than Connie Otter, the character who decided if you stayed in Kiddy Land or got to go out on the adult rides. One of my favorites was the Devil's Den, which for some reason I thought was called the Devil's pitfall, but I was probably thirteen the last time I was there so I wouldn't be surprised if it's always been called the Devil's Den. Either way, it's fun!
In addition to the park itself, there are several golf courses in the area and you're just down the road from Pymatuning State Park, which happens to be the largest state park in Pennsylvania. It also boasts the largest lake in Pennsylvania, with it's reservoir coming in at 17,088 acres in size. You can go boating, fishing and swimming and check out the park's fish hatchery.
For those of you planning to stay local this Memorial Day Weekend, but want to get out of Pittsburgh, I highly recommend a day trip to Conneaut Lake or Pymatuning State Park.
Enjoy the long weekend folks!
Monday, May 16, 2011
The Windsors
The Royal Wedding is over (cue wailing peasants) and some of us have been left a little restless and in need a royal fix. Might I suggest the in depth wonders of two excellent documentaries, Windsor Castle: A Royal Year (just got in the mail today from Amazon)and Monarchy: The Royal Family at Work. In celebration of the royal wedding I rewatched Monarchy for the third time and took in the slew of specials on BBC America.
But if you are looking for a true look behind the fortress of the family firm, I suggest renting (both are available on Netflix) or buying the two documentaries mentioned. Windsor Castle boasts extensive interviews with the Duke of Edinburgh (ie Prince Phillip, ie the Queen’s husband) and a thorough look at castle living from a vast amount of Her Majesty’s employees, a group of remarkable and intriguing people in their own right. Monarchy also features interviews with Queen Elizabeth’s children, Prince Charles, the Princess Royal (ie Princess Anne), Prince Andrew and Prince Edward. You’d be surprised at how humorous they all are, really.
I also caught an excellent special recently on the National Geographic Channel, of all stations, called Royal Wedding Revealed, which covers all the royal weddings to take place within the past century. It was well done - no fluff, as many of these specials tend to have. I also enjoyed the special on BBC America, Memories of a Queen, which was an insightful look in the Queen Elizabeth II reign and what a long one it has been. Some speculate that she will outlive Charles, given her mother lived to be over 100, it is possible she may. She’ll be celebrating her Diamond Jubilee next summer, which means she’s had a sixty year run on the throne.
I know we're all endlessly intrigued by the new generation of royals and the future of the monarchy truly rests upon their very well known shoulders, but the history of the family itself is fascinating and in my opinion, if people could be wonders of the world, then the Windsor family would be one of them.
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
All Things Royal
Well folks, tis the season for all things themed British!
Aside from the plentiful specials with "expert" point-of-views on things like wedding cakes, gowns and tiaras that have been popping up on TLC, ABC and BBC, there remains one resource that I've visited time and time again over the years : The Official Web Site of the British Monarchy.
Did you know the Duke of Edinburgh will be celebrating his 90th birthday this June? Ever wonder just how many realms the Queen is the Head of State for? There are links to historic speeches and broadcasts, an archive of images that covers the modern royal family, and a link to the Monarch's official Youtube channel.
If delving in to the entire monarchy doesn't interest you, then you can just check out the official web site for the royal wedding: http://www.officialroyalwedding2011.org/.
And just in case you were wondering how you were going to watch the royal wedding live, well the Monarchy has that covered.
Aside from the plentiful specials with "expert" point-of-views on things like wedding cakes, gowns and tiaras that have been popping up on TLC, ABC and BBC, there remains one resource that I've visited time and time again over the years : The Official Web Site of the British Monarchy.
Did you know the Duke of Edinburgh will be celebrating his 90th birthday this June? Ever wonder just how many realms the Queen is the Head of State for? There are links to historic speeches and broadcasts, an archive of images that covers the modern royal family, and a link to the Monarch's official Youtube channel.
If delving in to the entire monarchy doesn't interest you, then you can just check out the official web site for the royal wedding: http://www.officialroyalwedding2011.org/.
And just in case you were wondering how you were going to watch the royal wedding live, well the Monarchy has that covered.
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Pittsburgh Pirates Concert Series
Pittsburgh Pirates Concert Series for Summer 2011
Saturday, June 11th 7:05 pm
Pirates vs. New York Mets
Skyblast featuring Zambelli Fireworks and Huey Lewis and the News
Saturday, July 9th 7:05 pm
Pirates vs. Chicago Cubs
Skyblast featuring Zambelli Fireworks and .38 Special in Concert
Saturday, August 6th 7:05 pm
Pirates vs. Sand Diego Padres
Skyblast featuring Zambelli Fireworks and Train in Concert
Saturday, September 24th 7:05 pm
Pirates vs. Cincinnati Reds
Fan Jam featuring Steve Miller Band
For more information on all the 2011 promotions, check out the Pittsburgh Pirates schedule.
Friday, April 8, 2011
What to Watch on Netflix Watch Instantly
I started off the year watching That '70s Show on Netflix Watch Instantly, but about a month or so ago I moved on to the wonderful, mysterious and goofy world of The X-Files. I was just a little kid when X-Files first came on the scene, so I never watched it when the series ran its course on television. I do have flashbacks from my childhood of "The Host" episode, which I caught parts of when my aunt was babysitting me. The star of the episode, a frightening half-human/half-worm with a big suction-cup mouth, gave me nightmares for years. Though after recently watching the season 2 episode again, my memories were slightly off. The host never sucks on to a human that is using a public restroom and eats him/her alive.
Admittedly there are some rough story lines to work through in the early seasons, but David Duchovny (Agent Mulder) and Gillian Anderson (Agent Scully) are actors who play off each other so well you can tolerate episodes like "Firewalker". I love you Bradley Whitford (the guest star of that episode), but my goodness...killer spores that lunge through the victim's throat and shoot out evil diseased green powder? It's a tad much.
The fashion is fabulous. The 1990s for FBI gals meant snazzy big buttons and snappy dress suits (the ones with the super long jackets). And for those wilderness adventures? Over-sized puffy winter coats that snitch at the waist, in happening hues of teal and fuchsia are a must have. Now that's just Scully's wardrobe. Mulder? He's got some wide paisley ties and is always (regardless of the weather conditions) wearing a long trench coat. Ah yes, '90s garb was magic.
One of my favorite things about this show is Scully's narration as she types up her case notes. Anderson has such a perfect voice for narration and she executes the scientific lingo in her lines like a pro.
Another nice touch... not every episode starts the same way. It isn't the staple setup where a crime happens, Scully and Mulder get the call and they go investigate. There is a good bit of variety in the layout of how each episode unfolds and I think that is a great strength of this mysterious crime driven series.
The show also appeals to a wide variety of the unexplained. Yes, aliens and extraterrestrial life are a huge component of this series, but there's also religious phenomenon, superhuman abilities, telekinesis, government conspiracy, scientific experiments gone array, killer insects, voodoo and countless other bizarre happenings.
There is also a good spread of deep emotional material and light-hearted humor. A hysterical episode from season 3 is "War of the Coprophages". Killer cockroaches? Yes, please! Just the idea of it can literally kill people.
Best scene from the episode when Mulder calls Scully from the town infested with cockroaches:
Mulder: I think you better get up here.
Scully: What is it?
Mulder: It appears that cockroaches are mortally attacking people.
Scully: I'm not going to ask you if you said what I think you just said, because I know it's what you just said.
This episode also comes at a good point in the season, because it's a break from the more serious, dark material. As any good literary writer knows, you can't bog down your reader with a thousand pages of heart-wrenching drama. Life has humor in it, even in the darkest of times, and you have to include a light side to your work. Clearly the writers for The X-Files knew that and they wrote gems like "War of Coprophages" to even out the horror of abductions, death and human test subjects with carrot-stick-long fingers.
I realize it is April and warm weather is around the bend, so most of us will be leaving our televisions off in the evenings for enjoying the great outdoors. But for those rainy or lazy days, I recommend making yourself a bowl of stove-top popcorn (it's so much better than microwaveable) and dimming down the lights in your media room, because it's the perfect time to take in The X-Files.
The X-Files Season 1 Preview.
Admittedly there are some rough story lines to work through in the early seasons, but David Duchovny (Agent Mulder) and Gillian Anderson (Agent Scully) are actors who play off each other so well you can tolerate episodes like "Firewalker". I love you Bradley Whitford (the guest star of that episode), but my goodness...killer spores that lunge through the victim's throat and shoot out evil diseased green powder? It's a tad much.
The fashion is fabulous. The 1990s for FBI gals meant snazzy big buttons and snappy dress suits (the ones with the super long jackets). And for those wilderness adventures? Over-sized puffy winter coats that snitch at the waist, in happening hues of teal and fuchsia are a must have. Now that's just Scully's wardrobe. Mulder? He's got some wide paisley ties and is always (regardless of the weather conditions) wearing a long trench coat. Ah yes, '90s garb was magic.
One of my favorite things about this show is Scully's narration as she types up her case notes. Anderson has such a perfect voice for narration and she executes the scientific lingo in her lines like a pro.
Another nice touch... not every episode starts the same way. It isn't the staple setup where a crime happens, Scully and Mulder get the call and they go investigate. There is a good bit of variety in the layout of how each episode unfolds and I think that is a great strength of this mysterious crime driven series.
The show also appeals to a wide variety of the unexplained. Yes, aliens and extraterrestrial life are a huge component of this series, but there's also religious phenomenon, superhuman abilities, telekinesis, government conspiracy, scientific experiments gone array, killer insects, voodoo and countless other bizarre happenings.
There is also a good spread of deep emotional material and light-hearted humor. A hysterical episode from season 3 is "War of the Coprophages". Killer cockroaches? Yes, please! Just the idea of it can literally kill people.
Best scene from the episode when Mulder calls Scully from the town infested with cockroaches:
Mulder: I think you better get up here.
Scully: What is it?
Mulder: It appears that cockroaches are mortally attacking people.
Scully: I'm not going to ask you if you said what I think you just said, because I know it's what you just said.
This episode also comes at a good point in the season, because it's a break from the more serious, dark material. As any good literary writer knows, you can't bog down your reader with a thousand pages of heart-wrenching drama. Life has humor in it, even in the darkest of times, and you have to include a light side to your work. Clearly the writers for The X-Files knew that and they wrote gems like "War of Coprophages" to even out the horror of abductions, death and human test subjects with carrot-stick-long fingers.
I realize it is April and warm weather is around the bend, so most of us will be leaving our televisions off in the evenings for enjoying the great outdoors. But for those rainy or lazy days, I recommend making yourself a bowl of stove-top popcorn (it's so much better than microwaveable) and dimming down the lights in your media room, because it's the perfect time to take in The X-Files.
The X-Files Season 1 Preview.
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