Rottweilers Ate My Laptop

Rottweilers. Computers. Cameras. World Domination. Not necessarily in that order.

Rottweilers.
Computers. Cameras.
World Domination.
Not necessarily in that order.

Kittyweiler: video optional

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Last week, I told you about Oliver’s forays into the back yard for fresh air and bonding with his Rottweilers. I also posted a few photos to a Facebook album and got several comments about how everyone’s leash-trained cats didn’t want to actually walk, or even move, while on leash. This was our experience, too. Here, watch for yourself:

Of all of the video attempts, this one showed the most motion. I think it was caused by an insect. A still camera could have almost recorded it; video seemed totally optional with the lack of action.

I took a little time to search out some tips on getting your cat to actually walk on leash. I am not very hopeful at what I found. Most of the how-to tips suggest getting your cat to follow you for treats. Even a kittyweiler like Oliver is not the most food-motivated life form unless you’re talking some really gross and smelly food that will not be fun to use as a lure. But sure, let’s give it a try. Watch for more video… unless my hands are too slick from fish slime to hold the camera!

(NaBloPoMo | July ’10: 20 of 31)

I don’t like Mondays

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I want to shoot the whole day down.

I know I risk sounding somewhat psychotic, but that’s how my morning and evening commute made me feel. The parts of the day that didn’t involve the commute were fine. Nothing to write home (or sadly, write here) about, but nothing bad either.

The commute, however, started out in my own alley with a blindingly stupid bitch (human) walking three canines (I don’t know if they were dogs or bitches) singlehandedly causing a traffic jam by my garage. The only time all day that more than two living beings were even in the alley at the same time, and she turns it into a cluster. Good going.

The Cloak of Invisibility was also spread over my car at this time, so once I finally got to the highway, I was apparently invisible to people attempting to merge into traffic. Then once I got to the parking lot, I am behind an even more blindingly stupid individual who doesn’t realize that if she moves her car up just a couple of feet, it’s still approximately where the lot attendant wants it, and then the ass end of my van won’t be blocking the sidewalk and hanging out into traffic. But, no.

The commute home was just as bad. Since the Cloak of Invisibility had not blown off the car yet, two extremely large commercial vehicles, which to my knowledge are not even permitted in the express lines of the highway, seemed blissfully unaware of my existence as they drifted much too close for comfort. It was such a relief to finally get home and see my alley completely free of any human, animal, or inanimate obstacles.

I don’t want to stay negative, but there’s been a lot of sadness lately. I just want to send out some thoughts of love and care and hope to some of my friends who have very recently gone through the losses of some special canine and feline family members. The Rainbow Bridge has just welcomed some much-loved critters and reunited some long-separated pals. It seems so unfair that such wonderful spirits can stay here with us for only such a very short time, and yet we are stuck with some humans who are not wonderful at all for many decades.

(NaBloPoMo | July ’10: 19 of 31)

Unidentified Flying Objects: Axel and his frisbee video

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As promised a couple of weeks ago, here is the finished version of Axel’s soon-to-be-famous frisbee video, featuring guest appearances by Freya and Oliver!

I’m getting a little more comfortable with iMovie. I didn’t go out yesterday to buy the “Missing Manual” book, but I’m pretty sure I do want it. I know I’m not taking full advantage of the program and it seems like the fastest way to get up to speed would be to do some reading before and during experimenting. I’m still debating whether to get the printed version with one of my Amazon gift certificates, or order directly from O’Reilly to get the print + ebook combo package.

(NaBloPoMo | July ’10: 18 of 31)

Some Freya video and my iMovie learning curve

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I’m finally done with a short Freya training video that I started working on back in May. When we started having training issues, I lost some of my motivation for working on her videos. By the time I felt like reviewing video footage again, the magazine deadline had to take precedence.

But here it is, finally! It’s not really as informative about Rally Obedience as I had originally intended. It turned out to be more about me learning to use iMovie than about producing a good teaching video. I have a better handle on iMovie now, as well as some thoughts about how to structure a more educational and entertaining production.

I really like iMovie ’09. I’m not particularly creative or visual, so something like Final Cut or Premiere would be overkill for me. iMovie has a good variety of backgrounds, transitions, titles, and sound effects supplied with the program, enough for a beginner to use (and possibly overuse). I took only a short time with the tutorials and help files, and quickly had enough information to get started with my “production.” I guess I am a little old-fashioned as I do miss having printed or even PDF manuals. I’m definitely a easy sell for O’Reilly’s iMovie ’09 & iDVD: The Missing Manual and in fact I might head over to the bookstore tomorrow to buy it.

Although the iMovie tutorial videos on Apple’s site are helpful, it’s still a pet peeve of mine to find some information available solely as a video tutorial. Sometimes a written step-by-step is more effective, but those seem to be rare items these days.

In low-tech news, I’m still deciding whether to head back to class with Freya tomorrow, stay home and do some plain old dog stuff with her and Axe in the yard, or maybe all of us will just hide in the air-conditioned house avoiding the mid-90s temperatures. The third option really sounds best, doesn’t it?

(NaBloPoMo | July ’10: 16 of 31)