Catching Up . . .

Just thought I'd post a bit about everything that's been going on over the last 2 - 4 weeks. It's been a busy time as I'm sure you can imagine. My dad was kind enough to come BACK up from California last week and help me work on the trim at my old house. I've JUST ABOUT got that ready to go on the market. Teri and I will basically get it finished tomorrow. About all I'll have to do after tomorrow is a quick remodel of the 1/2 bath. I'm hoping to be able to put it on the market by Thursday of next week. I think it'll sell fairly quickly.

A couple of weeks ago, I purchased a video camera. I bought a Sony HDR-HC1 High definition video camera. It's pretty cool, it shoots in 1080i ... of course to actually watch it in 1080i, you either have to view it on your PC (assuming your video card supports that resolution) OR connect the camera directly to your HDTV to view it. BUT eventually that problem will be solved with some manner of High Def DVD or the like. As you capture the video, you can downsample it to standard definition for making DVD's, distributing via the web, etc. The second day I had it, I composited this video:

http://johnhurlbut.com/comforthomes.wmv

I basically just shot some footage out here in Yelm, captured it on my laptop using Premiere Elements and arranged the final piece you see there. Nothing fancy, just getting used to the camera. And I know Van Halen is a bit cheesy, but hey, you use what you got right?

Here's a picture of the camera so you can get an idea of what it is.

It's very compact and fits in my hand rather nicely. I will need to buy a few accessories for it to do what I really want to with it, but that will come in time. I bought this one because Sony released the HC3, the successor and I was worried that the HC1 would start to disappear. The HC1 has more options for external mics, etc. My goal is to start shooting scenes around the sound for incorporation on my website. Maybe a tour through point defiance, the Seattle Center, Tacoma Glass museum, that sort of thing. Trying to expand my community information. Although I can't wait to get my copy of Premiere Pro so I can capture and edit in HD. That will be COOL!

Work has been busy. It's really just that time of year. My assistant has been picking up more and more responsibilities too, so that's helped a lot. I think between June and July I have 5 or 6 closings. Perfect timing now that I have to make my larger mortgage payments. :-) I've been lax about going to the gym and I've been back in the drive-thru and Coke is coursing through my veins once again. I've got a goal to get back on the bandwagon though. As soon as my house is on the market, it'll free up a bunch of time. (I hope?)