Fabbrication

A couple of months ago, I started loading all of my CDs on to my computer's hard drive. This process consists of inserting each CD into my computer which has been configured to automatically rip (extract) the digital music on to the hard drive, and then encode it as a very high quality MP3 file.

We have decent amount of CD's so the process had to be automated (well, except for inserting each disc). I use the GRip program (for linux), which automatically determines which CD I've inserted, and tags each MP3 file with the album name, artist, track, year, and so on.

I configure GRip to encode the MP3 files as very high quality (256 kbps bitrate or higher), because I don't want to lose any quality. The problem with this approach is that the very high quality MP3 files take up more space, which can be a problem when you load them on to a small personal player (Jocelyn has the
Rio Cali, I recently got a free Ipod Mini.)

To solve this problem, I wrote a quick program, the MP3 Downsampler, which makes a copy of your entire music collection, re-encoding at a different quality level (so you can fit more songs on your player). If you later add new CDs to your MP3 collection, just run the Downsampler again: It is smart enough to only re-encode songs you've added since last time it ran.

I've posted the MP3 Downsampler here.

As you may know, Jocelyn and I are going on a vacation to Europe in September. (The vacation became a honeymoon when we got engaged.) It is never too early to start preparing for a vacation, and lately I've been trying to decide what sort of camera I want to bring with me. I have a couple of somewhat conflicting goals here:

1. I want exceptionally sharp photos that can be enlarged to 11x14 and maybe bigger
2. A "fast" lens is important (big max. aperature), so I can take photos in low light, without a tripod or flash (built in flashes ruin many photos).
3. My gear must be as light as possible, since we'll be backpacking.
4. Multiple focal lengths (ability to zoom in/out) would be nice.
5. I will want to post my best photos on the web when I get back. It would be nice to be able to email some quick shots from abroad too.
6. I don't want to spend a lot of money, nor bring something too expensive to get damaged or stolen.

I currently own a Canon SD110, which is extremely small and light, has a 35-70mm zoom, and is digital. This solves my goals 3, 4, 5 and 6. The pictures are sharp, but not professional-enlargement sharp. Also, the lens is not that fast, and the CMOS sensor (digital film) isn't the best for low light.

I also own a Canon EOS Rebel 2000 with a couple of lenses. I have a canon 50mm f/1.8, and two cheap Sigma zooms (28-90 and 75-300 or so, max aperature around 4.5?). The 50mm "prime" lens is super sharp and weighs nothing, but it does not zoom. This 50mm lens also took some damage when I checked it on an Alaskan Airlines flight (they treated my luggage like Rodney King, which isn't funny). The cheap Sigma zoom lenses are actually pretty nice, but they could be sharper. Owning the 50mm prime lens really spoiled me for sharp pictures and low light shooting ability, but the zooms are nice because I have many focal lengths to choose from (wide angles are good for scenery and landscapes, telephotos are good for moving in on people, animals, small subjects. The Sigma also do decent macro (close focusing).

I've been into photography for a while, so I probably want manual control of exposure. I also want exceptional quality. Digital would save money and time (not having to get slides scanned), but I don't want to invest in a digital SLR yet. This means I should probably bring my Canon Rebel... if only I can decide which lens to bring.

Some ideas:

• Prime Lenses. Prime lenses are those that don't zoom. They are light, fast (low light), and most of all super sharp. I'll have to live with one, maybe two, of these if I'm going to travel light.
  1. Single Prime: Canon EF 50mm/1.8 II. This is probably the most useful focal length, as it can do some (somewhat narrow) landscapes, and still pull off portraits. If I plan on doing tons of landscapes I guess I could go for the Canon EF 35mm/f2.0 instead.
  
  
  2. Two Primes: I'd probably use the Canon 50mm/1.8 lens, adding either the Canon EF 24mm/f2.8 or the Canon EF 28mm/f2.8 lens. With my light Canon Rebel body, and these two light lenses, I'd still have a reasonably light outfit.
  
  


• One Zoom. The Canon EF 28-105mm f3.5/4.5 is a little faster than the cheaper f4.0/5.6 version, and is well rated. It won't be as sharp or fast as the primes, but its light and it would be all I need.
  

I started physical therapy in earnest today. From 8 to 10:15 I did a bunch of different exercises, targeting different muscles in the abdominal area, back, and legs. The physical therapist I'm seeing (Brad Jordan) specializes in musculoskeletal issues, especially the back. I feel somewhat better already just knowing I'm doing something about the back pain. I have some nice printouts of different exercises to do. I'm becoming less worried and more motivated about this whole thing. It will be good to get stronger. The three plus years I've been at this desk job (with long hours) have had a negative effect. Feeling better for now.

Now you can make your own church sign graphics, thanks to the church sign generator.

I may only be 29, but I feel like I'm falling apart.

Over a year ago, I had a foot injury which I thought was pretty bad. It kept me from doing a lot of things I like to do like running and hiking. Now that I've got that problem under control, my lower back starts killing me.

About 4-5 years ago I remember moving a heavy mattress by myself and messing up my back somehow. Since then my lower back has bothered me occasionally. Recently it has been causing me a lot of pain every day. I went to an OD, and (after guessing an initial diagnosis of Spondylolysis) he decided it is instead very likely a disc issue (herination/prolapse/rupture).

There are two things that make this hard. The first is just pain that lasts all day and makes me mentally/physically exhausted at the end of the day. Sitting through a day at work has been arduous. The second is the fear and uncertainty of what is going to happen to me.

I am going to be aggressively doing physical therapy and exercise to try and strengthen my
back, sides, and abs. I really do believe I can deal with this. I know it will probably bother me time to time for the rest of my life. I just hope it gets better, not worse. I'm willing to live with some pain and be thankful for all that I have (everything else in my life is great). I need to remain cheerful.

Jocelyn and I went camping for the New Year's weekend.

Pictures are here and here.


We spent New Year's Eve at Deception Pass campground. It was chilly, but we kept warm with a constant supply of warm tea and cold beer. When midnight arrived, we popped a bottle of chapagne; actually the bottle popped its self (I had removed the wire from the cork). Our little-truck camping system worked well. We got a cushy 3" foam mattress that folds up, along with down bags and a DVD system (our laptop plus a power adaptor).

On New Year's Day, we hiked around Deception Pass, then drove to Fort Ebey(also on Whidbey Island, in the San Juan Islands area). Fort Ebey was less popular, and the campground and hiking trails were really nice. As soon as we arrived at our secluded campsite, a bald eagle landed on the tree right above our truck. (S)he hung out for a couple of minutes then pooped, narrowly missing our truck. We hiked along the bluff trail, overlooking Strait Juan de Fuca (the ocean/Puget Sound). This had to be one of the nicest parts of the Washington coast.

The next morning (1/2/2005), a pack of wild cats (all looking pretty much like our cat Sammy, except Mr. Boots, who had large white spots and white feet). The wild kitties watched us make breakfast from a safe distance. There were about four of them and they were definately a pack. Wild Sammys like blueberry pancakes, by the way.

We had a good weekend with no rain (except when we were sleeping in our water-tight camper).

Happy New Year!