Audrey Strickland

Audrey Elaine Strickland

Wife had some complications, and had to have a “C” section, but the baby (who is 3.5 weeks early) is doing well. She was 7 pounds and 1 ounce. And both Mommy and Baby are doing well!

more pictures here.

I was tired of using the web forms that my webhost provided to convert video to .flv format.  So, I wrote this script which works fine and dandy:

#!/bin/bash
##############################
# VIDEO CONVERTER  (FLV)                     #
# gi_james@strickstuff.com                     #
# www.strickstuff.com                           #
############################## 

# all files that start with .m (eg mpeg mpg mod) 

    # change to whatever you want... 

for file in ./*.mpg; 

# encode files and rename them to FLV 

do ffmpeg -i $file -ar 22050 -ab 32 -f flv -s 320x240 -aspect 16:9 -y ${file%.m*}.flv 

# all done! 

done

This makes it a little bit easier…
Now, since my camera shoots in 16:9 format, I decided to keep that aspect ratio, this can be changed to 4:3. We’ll see how it looks.

In an attempt to get an MP3 player that is more compatible with Linux, I decided to get rid of my Microsoft Zune.  With the Zune, you have to use the Microsoft Zune software.  Obviously Microsoft don’t support any operating system other than Windows. Since I run Linux on all of my computers, I need an MP3 player that will work seamlessly with my operating system.

At the BX there was an iAudio M5 (20 gig) mp3 player on clearance for $127, so I picked it up.  It is compatible with linux, windows, and mac.  So, if you use an Operating system other than Windows, perhaps you should consider purchasing and iAudio product.  The only downside is, this product don’t play video, but, when I had the Zune, who want’s to watch a video on a 2 inch screen anyway?  Not me.

Since that I have been on night shift, I have been missing my Aikido Classes.  I feel bad, that is good training which is just as good for your mind and spirit.  I’m going to try to get back into going next month.  For some reason I feel guilty.  I could actually go atleast once a week.  Since I work weekend duty, I could go on the Wednesday class.  But the problem is, I would never get any time to spend with the kids.  Since I work nights (actually swings… we don’t have a nite shift), when I leave for work, the kids are not home from school yet, and when I get home the kids are already in bed.  In the morning, I’m sleeping while they are getting ready for school.  So I don’t even see the kids until Wednesdays, my days off are Wednesday and Thursday.  I need to get in the gym and practice my ukimi before I get back into the class.

HAPPY MARCH!  March is the month of my anniversary.  10 years?  I can’t believe it.  someone has put up with me for 10 years… or I have put up with my wife for 10 years.  Man… time flies when you’re having fun…  So be sure to wish us a Happy Anniversary.  I bought Cathy a nice diamond ring, I figured since I’ve never really bought her a diamond, I would do it now.  I certainly couldn’t afford a diamond ring when we first got married.  Anyway, March 3rd was our Anniversary.  Enough about that.


Changed the theme again, for the blog.  I’m sure you’ve already noticed.  I’m working on changing the looks of my main site as well.  I changed my wifes sewing site around already.  http://www.stricklysewing.com.  Let me know what you think; I made it look all perty with butterflies and such.  I’m thinking about going with a darker look on my main site.  Anyway, it will be about a week or so before you see any changes, if any.  I have to get off my lazy butt and actually write some code… but, don’t feel like it right now.  That’s ok, I’ve already accomplished the easy part by talking about it. 

That will be enough for now.

A script I wrote to re-encode videos for use on the Zune.

    #!/bin/bash

    ##############################
    # ZUNE VIDEO CONVERTER       #
    # gi_james@strickstuff.com   #
    # www.strickstuff.com        #
    ##############################

    # all files that start with .m (eg mpeg mpg mod)
    # change to whatever you want...
    for file in ./*.m*;

    # encode files and rename them to wmv
      do ffmpeg -i $file -deinterlace -pix_fmt yuv420p -g 15 -qmin 3  \
-maxrate 628000 -bufsize 628k -async 50 -vcodec wmv2 -b 500000  \
-r 29.97 -s 320x240 -ar 4x3 -acodec wmav2 -ar 44100  \
-ac 2 -ab 128k ${file%.m*}.wmv;

    # all done!
    done