NO WAY, I just mean NO WAY

Ok, some of you are horse fans, or fanatics.
So, someone on a web site I check out posted this.....

FREESTYLE DRESSAGE

There are some more horses on the side of the same page. I haven't watched any of those yet..

What is it you ask????

This is the COOLEST thing I have ever seen. Ok, I have done dressage, it is cool and I found it fun. But If I had known that other countries were this cool, I would have demanded to travel to see it. Speaking of which, if you find out they are doing Freestyle in Toronto at any of the competitions, I want to be there.

Can you believe that our television is soooo lame that they don't air it. Ok, probably somewhere on cable or Satillite now I could find it, but WOW.
I hope to see this 9 year old mare out there dancing for a long time.

Music and Lyrics

Ah yes, I said I would do a movie rating....

Naarah, Rob, Tom and I went to see Music and Lyrics and we totally give it 4 thumbs up. Naarah and I laughed out loud quite a few times, and Tom claims that he smiled the ENTIRE movie.
Now if that isn't a great review I don't know what is. If you lived in the 80's at all, OR are addicted to any of the VH-1 I love the 80's shows, you will LOVE this movie.


Videos we rented -
Beer Fest - Tom wanted to see what it was about. And- it was sort of funny. It had some good parts, but it was filled with sophomoric humor (duh) and had a really dumb plot twist. Did I say dumb plot twist, oh yeah - someone's twin brother appearing. Yeah, really dumb. The end was really funny with Willy Nelson making an appearence. Don't spend money on this, catch it on cable if they ever let it get that far.

Thank you for Smoking - I really wanted to see this movie. Basically because the premise was pretty good. AND, I wanted to see someone with all the right answers about Tobacco. You always wondered how they got so far for so long. The guy was great - I don't know who wrote it, but they did an incredible job. Just a reminder - the story takes place BEFORE Big tobacco has to settle and start paying the states for Health problems...

Hope you have a great week...

Where is your family from....?

I just learned something new today.....

As most of you know, I am adopted, and am very grateful for that. But, as we all know, you want to know where your ancestors are from. (Or someone is always asking that very question.)
Today I learned something new. Due to the fact that I have High Cholestral - it is very likely that my ancestors are from somewhere in Northern Europe.

Do you want to know why?? Well, our bodies need Vitamin D. There isn't enough sun in the Winter to collect enough, so our body uses the cholestral to covert and I guess I just need a lot more of it.... Ok, so where are my vitamins....

So, what have you been doing???

Ok, I have been trying to work on some DVD's for the last 2 months.

I got the original footage in December. The person and I agreed it would take a while and they were willing to wait for life to settle in January.

Ok, so January comes and I load all the footage for one person. (There is footage of three different people and I'm making seperate DVD's for each one.)

I edit and get it all done and think - WOW this is great. New version of my software and everything is totally cool. THEN I think - hey I should stick this in the DVD player before I mail it. AAAAAAHHHHHHHH
Ok, it looks GREAT - but there is no AUDIO.

So I try to reburn the DVD's like 5 times to get audio on them. I just kept making lovely coasters for the furniture. AHHHH. I finally get on the internet and go to the posts for the software I use.
GEE, it seems I'm not the only one with this problem.

I figure, go back and use the old version of the software and just get through this stuff. Ok, try to reload stuff, and unload stuff from the machine. Ummm, didn't work right.
So, I decide to reinstall the whole machine. If you know anything about computers - a FIREWIRE input is not how you connect to the internet, someone needed to Tell WINDOWS XP professional this. I finally find the driver for the motherboard internet connection (after 3 hours of screaming and crying.) and get it up and running again. (This was Friday um 2 weeks ago?)

Ok, so I RELOAD the footage, cause the stuff I loaded before does not work with the old version.
I chug through the musical stuff and really feel like I'm getting stuff done. Two DVD's down and mailed. Now time for the gymnastics stuff.
Ok, FOUND way more footage this time and need to get it in there. Tell the people, this may take a little longer.
Last THURSDAY - yeah the 15th. I get all the footage loaded, and edited so that it looks decent and before I went to bed I told the machine - be nice and render all this so I can make DVD's tomorrow morning.

HA - the computer hates me. I tried 3 or 4 times to get it to render. It would just HANG UP in the middle. Just decide - opps not gonna finish.

I think about crying on Saturday. Sunday I go the desperate route. I start chopping big time and tell the machine to make little AVI files that I will peice together to make the final over an hour DVD with all the cool menus.

By Sunday night at 11:30 pm, I finally had all the AVI files of what was left of the footage. Some of it I just could not use.
This morning I asked the computer politely to use the OTHER harddrive and make me a DVD.
I got home from work to find - LOW AND BEHOLD a finished Render of the DVD with Menu's.

5:30pm - threw in a DVD and burned a final copy. 6:30pm - checked it on the DVD player attatched to the TV. Picture and SOUND....

7:30 pm - 2 more copies of the DVD spit out of the machine - now I have to print the labels on the DVD. (I now have a printer JUST for this job.)

So, to recap. The studio 10 software does not make the audio available for a regular DVD player to play it.
The computer thinks that a firewire plug is used for internet connections.
My second hard drive is probably failing and putting more footage on it is a bad idea.
And I have TWO more people worth of VIDEO to load, edit and burn DVD's for.......

And what have you been up to lately..?.....

(Tomorrow I may review Music and Lyrics.)

Sorry Forgot - Tammy on News

Hi, Well I added to my 15 mintues of Fame this week.
So, I have what about 10 minutes left.... This was about 5 seconds of it.

(Yes, I have had a least one friend call and say - I think I saw you on the news.)

I was on Channel 7 evening news (11 o'clock) on Monday night.

I forgot to warn people because a - I did not know what time. b- I figured it would suck. c- been busy editing... Don't ask...

Here is where you can see me on TV. Ok it is the internet version. Uses Windows Media player to run. Won't run on this machine. I will try to run it on the others in the house....

Tammy ON the News...

Let me know if it does not work. Or if I am FASCINATING....

I have burned it from the TiVo on to DVD if we must share it that way...

How normal am I??? HA HA HA

You Are 45% Normal

While some of your behavior is quite normal...Other things you do are downright strange. You've got a little of your freak going on. But you mostly keep your weirdness to yourself.

How Normal Are You?

Tired and Cold

Ah, the end of January. We think we are going to do so much when the New Year begins and then it turns out to be tooo cold to even think of doing anything.

Ok, so the beginning of the month wasn't too bad, but it certainly has moved it's way to the 'Oh my it's cold", and it will get worse this coming weekend.

I think I have some more auto show pictures... But that was so last month now.

Work, lots of work...
Took the training class to be able to give the classes to the people who buy our cameras. WAY too easy... But then that is me... Trying to go watch someone teach the classes this weekend.

Some other stuff has been going on, people meeting here and there, and I just haven't felt up to going - or I am stuck working.
So, I apoligize to those who thought they would see me this month. Too much work in December spilled the illnesses that everyone had over break to us in January.... The whole store was basically sick.... Joy

Autoshow day 4

Here is another car from the Auto Show.
I think this one was in the GM area.
Ok, bad name on this one - EFIJY - Yup that is one weird name.
Tom liked that the dash had the same paint job as the out side of the car. Obviously that is not an easy thing to do.
We liked the shape and the tires were cool, but getting them on and off the car would have to be a pain in the but.
Oh yeah, did you notice, wheel on the wrong side, some crazy from Europe designed it.
Ok, so that was a nice car to look at with horrible lighting around it. I wasn't the only one struggling to get that shot.


Then we looked at some normal cars. Ok, it is still a convertable and probably a pre-production car, but here is the 9 3 convertible from Saab. Could not touch this car, so it is probably a prototype also.

Have a great day.


PS - Piggie news. If you haven't heard, Tuesday night Winslow ripped a toenail off his front left foot. I had a bit of a wig out - but I properly took care of him. He is recovering nicely. I took him to the vet today and they were more worried about his labored breathing than his toe.
He is back on a few anitbiotics and I hope it makes him feel better. I know he is sick of medication.

Sorry, been sick - more Auto show

Day 3 of Auto Show pictures. Sorry I was sick and then yesterday (Monday) we had no power in the house from 6:30am until about 4 pm. Thank goodness I keep the basement warmer than the rest of the house, the piggies seemed to survive just fine.

Ok, the first car on the list today is the SMART CAR. Yes, the scary little two seater from Europe that you hear about getting stuck in the grill of a bus.
Actually the car sits up much higher than I expected. It is not quite as tall as sitting in a minivan, but you do not sit DOWN in the car. It keeps you at almost standing height, more like getting into a chair and not a car.

Anyway, it is adorable, starts about $15,000 and the biggest use they think there will be is people with Busses or huge RV's who need to drag a little car with them. No more Jeeps, you just open the back of the bus and drive the smart car up into a tiny space just for them.
I would not recommend them for Highway driving. Just not a good idea. Someone also said, no on Woodward, Hmm - I don't think Woodward is that bad. Parts of Telegraph are much worse than Woodward.

Anyway, that is the SMART CAR.
The last picture is of the Scion line up. I liked the wall of cars. We were looking for a couple specific cars and forgot to stop and take a look at the Scions. It didn't connect to me that it wasn't just a pumped up display of car Art, it was their lineup. They had a few on the ground, but I didn't get to look at any of them. Guess I might go back on Thursday.

Auto Show Day 2 of Pictures.

My last post was eaten by the evil Blog gods...
Anyway, here are some more pictures from the auto show.

These are pictures of what the Sebring looks like with the top down.
I like the look, yes that is one car. I hate silver it always looks funny. The show opens to the public on Saturday...

The second car that I have today is called a Maybach. I had never heard of one before Tom had been to the Auto Show in Los Angeles. They only had one at the Detroit show, as we don't have as many celebrities that want to be chauffeured around all the time. People in Detroit want to drive their own cars. Although I hear it is as cool to drive as it is to ride around in.
The car is about as long as a F150 truck. It has really awesome back seats. They fold out like first class airline chairs. There are LCD screens on the back of both front seats and probably separate cconnections for each. There are tray tables that fold out and lots of room for drinks in probably cooled holders between the seats.

Also the back door is probably 8 inches longer than the front door, making it really easy to get in and out of the car. Sorry, no price listed on that one...


Last but not least today. A picture of me sitting in a Mini. We did a test drive of them a week ago and really enjoyed ourselves. But I don't think we can afford one this year.

Auto Show

Hello and welcome to Detroit International Auto show. Yes, I got to hit the preview.....
Tom picked up tickets and we went for the afternoon yesterday.

Here is the car that Tom has been working on for over a year. Karmann makes the convertable hard top that is on this car. Since the Auto show is not open to the public yet, the models are not there to talk about the cars or show how they work.

Some of the other companies had people there, for some reason we did not see anyone from Chrysler hanging about to talk about the cars.
Tom talked to a couple people about the car. We ran into a couple guys who work at Karmann, one is a paintball buddie. So they spent their day wandering around taking measurements and all kinds of notes on the different cars.

I hate to say it, but I was dissapointed in Ford. They had no notes on gas milage or even price on any of the cars.
Over the next week I'll share a car or two a day. I got some decent pictures. I need some more practice on using my new flash.... Enjoy..

MERRY CHRISTMAS to me....

FINALLY-

My present from Tom arrived in the mail last night.

Nikon SB800 flash....... OH YEAH...

HAPPY NEW YEAR....

Ok, so I am finally getting around to posting everything......

Got a couple pictures.

New Years Eve was even more insane here than ever.

Got up in the morning, cleaned the piggie cage.

I got ready and worked most of the afternoon.

While I was at work, Tom ran to the grocery store to pick up the wine that eveyone ordered. (Oh dang, I have a check to cash.)

Once I got home we delievered the wine in the RAIN. Oh what rain. So, yeah, we saw Carrie for a hot second and then drove to TOLEDO in the rain.

Got to the place about a 1/2 hour late. Mike's phone had no service and we were sort of lost.

I drove on guessing that my instincts would take over and they did.

The Food was ok, not great, the drinks were good and the band was very entertaining.

Actually they really enjoy what they do and overall they sound good. Need to go work on their sound for them. I don't know that I am up for that. It would be cool if I could get my friend Nick or even Kurt Thoma to drop by a show and fix the sound....

Anyway, here are the pictures.

On the way home, the weather was much better. There was an insane game of Trivial pursuit going on at Carrie's house, so we drove over there.

Even with Tom and My help it still took till 2am to get the game done.

Hope all of you had a great and safe New Year's Eve and a very Happy New Year.

Merry Christmas

Yes, I'm late.

I worked a lot of hours the week before Christmas. Let's just say it was finally a nice check for too much work.

This year, like others we spent Christmas eve (after I got off work) traveling to my aunts house in Lincoln Park. This is Aunt Pat and my cousing Joe.

Then we drove to Monroe to visit Kathy and the 4-H crowd. It was a lovely evening. Especially since Raymond flew in from Germany without telling Kathy that he was coming. It was funny, they managed not to tell my mother also.

Here are a few pictures from the evening. Kimmy is now dating a guy that was in my class at SMCC- Eric. Um yeah, you figure out the age difference. Ok, it's not tooo bad..

Raymond had found the whip that used to be the beating stick when he and Trina were young. He carried it around all night. I have some rather incriminating photos of Eric, but I thought would be nice and not quite post them here. I will find another way to share with those who were at the party. Then they can share them with others....

Then Christmas day, we started at Mom's house. She made all kinds of breakfast food and my Aunt Cathy came over. It was great to see her.

I got Tom some slippers, he wears size 13. Everyone was trying them on. So he tried on Mom's shoes. Now that was funny.

I got some more cool ornaments for the tree, more in the blue and silver vein and then Tom got me a couple of kitchen things. Mom is getting me some storage for the kitchen...

The afternoon and evening was spent at Tom's parents.

They added a lot of Ostrich feathers. It was really cool. No they didn't kill a bird. Friends of their's have birds and they shed them.

We also found a horrid hat for Uncle Tom.

On Wednesday, Schawna and Mike made their way over to our house. We haven't seen them for probably a year and 1/2. Last year we just didn't connect and this past summer they did not make it to Michigan. Everyone was going to Alaska to see them.

So, we sat around and played with Piggies. Then we made lunch, venison- hmm did I mention we had someone bag us a deer this year??? Anyway - then we took them out back to shoot up the trees. Yup, have to share the paintball guns with everyone. Now we are out of paint and air.

I hope that everyone had a great Christmas, or what ever holiday you celebrate there...

New Years is next..... Sure I'll get to it...

Casino Royale

Sorry, been working too many hours.

For those James Bond die hard fans. I have to tell you this was a really good movie.
I wasn't sure I was happy about changing out James again, as you know I ADORE Pierce Bronson.
The new guy - I should really learn his name - is HOT. Not that oh he is sooo cute and soo British that just looking at him makes me crazy. He is the "OH MY GOD" when you get some clothes off of him Hot. They have a nude scene, ok you don't see any equipment, but oh does he have some awsome bicycle rider thighs....

Overall, the story line was good. It wasn't an easy give away and they did a good job of moving the world forward, but keeping the essence of Bond alive.

It was the new beginning for Bond. Sort of the first big job that he took on. So we see the birth of a 007 agent. I liked it and so did Tom, sooooo go see it.
Althougth you might have to wait for DVD now.

Funny Picture

Ok, So I talk and hang out with people who like Guinea pigs too much and well, one guy on our website made a great picture.

My Winslow and Squiggy made it into the picture.

Hope it gives you a little laugh in your day.

Holiday Weekend

Hope your holiday weekend was full of fun, food and rest.
I on the other hand worked the whole time.

Too many hours in the store trying to get people to just decide on something to take with them or to order.
I have to admit that lots of people were nicer about ordering cameras and the free stuff than I expected. I totally planned on them being all mad that we didn't have it, but when they could get it at the same price by ordering it, they were fine.

I left work early on Monday to get some of my lights up. Especially the outdoor lights. It is cold out there today and the rest of my sub had there lights up on Sunday. We came home from the movies and the street was completely lit up.

Three more actual classes to attend and I have officially finished my Masters in Teaching.
Just have a couple more papers to write.
And finish paying them.

Tell you about Casino Royale later.

Emotional roller coaster

The ups and downs of the last week or so.

Tuesday last week - Down - Tom left on a road trip for the new cars they are building.
Wednesday - Up - school was nice and realized I have next Wednesday off school for holiday.
Thursday - Down - Giant shipment and so much work to do.
Friday - Up - Paul and I polished off the crab legs I bought and Tom called from New Orleans telling me they were having a great time.
Down - crappy pay check.
Saturday - Down - Dropped car off for Oil change and they tell me - oh hey - your car is now leaking coolant all over the place. YOU can't drive it home. (Thank Goodness for Gordon - drove me home.)
UP - Tom came home at midnight.
Sunday - Up - Mom finally cut and colored my hair - much more natural this time.
Down - Pet Expo at the rock Finacial showplace wasn't what I was hoping for. Though I was impressed with the number of animals up for adoption. Almost anything your heart desired. I managed to go home empty handed.
Up - Boston Market with Tom and Paul and watched TV. All the stuff we missed all week.
Monday - Up - Got my eyebrows waxed - was looking a little bushy.
DOWN - Told it would cost $1100 to fix my car.
UP - Shop I like better quoted lower and even went to rescue my car.
Down - couple of very cranky shoppers in the store.
UP - Got the call for our Deer. Yes, we asked someone who gets deer on his farm to bag us one. Tom and his father are currently skinning and cutting it up to get it in a fridge at the moment. I guess when it has chilled enough, he will cut it into appropriate sizes and cuts for cooking. After 5 years of asking, FINALLY found someone to get us a deer.

Tired, whipped and not looking forward to working the day after Thanksgiving. Well, I might get some decent sales.
Hope you have a great Holiday, if I don't get back here before then.

"Stranger than Fiction"

We don't go to the movies much anymore.
Mostly because I am working Retail and things are busy for Tom making new cars.
But Sunday we decided to get out and see something.

"Stranger than Fiction" is playing and we LOVED it.
Yahoo, or whoever gave it like a B- and the only reason we can come up with is that there are no explosions, no car chases and it has really good writing.
Will Ferril plays a regular tax guy, who starts hearing a voice narrating his life.
Turns out it is Emma Thompson, playing a writer, working on a book in his city.
Dustin Hoffman is an English Professor at a local University and Will goes to see him to figure out what kind of story or insanity he is in. They have great interactions, and I loved watching Emma Thompson just tear herself to pieces trying to finish her novel.

I think the movie was an A+.
Someone in the audience sounded like they were sobbing, so I warn you - bring the tissue.
If you can't handle a little literature in your life, than don't see the movie.
For those proliferate readers - you will love the 24 questions Hoffman comes up with the figure out what kind of story Will is in.
Enjoy

GO VOTE!!!!!!

Now that I got that out of my system, I certainly hope that everyone gets out there and does their civic duty......
I just want to party that the PHONE CALLS WILL NOW BE OVER......
Two years of phone free from Republicans.. (and Democrats..) HURRAY..

What else...
Work sucks- still in the hole after a week - had a return on the 1st of Novemeber....

Went to Court on Monday - we are done. Now the lawyers have some crap to do, we have to pay for the transcripts and umm then maybe in March the Judge will decide the case.

Also, it looks like Naarah and Rob found a home for Monti and Mortimer. I can hardly believe it. I have become a tad attatched. Now, I am going to give them up, because I really can't give them the time they need. I don't have enough time for my own piggies.
They are cute and I will really miss them.

Hope you have a good week.