Well, that was just about a complete waste of time....

Yesterday, I stopped at Fry's. I picked up a JVC GZ-MC505, figuring I had about 50-50 odds of being happy with it - one of their higher-end digital camcorders. One person recommended the JVC Everio line to me (and was happy with a lower-end camcorder from it), and another told me they had crappy image quality and should be avoided at all costs. Sadly, I am obliged to come down on the side of the second person - the video is grainy enough on my monitor that I fear what it would look like on a TV if I burned it to DVD. I realize that home movies are crap by definition, but this was particularly bad. Of course, that's after it went through their software, since nothing on my PC could open those files (as I'd expected, from what I'd heard). So maybe it's just that their software bites (since the recommending party uses a Mac, where other options can open the files).

I also picked up a digital photo frame at the same time. The images are so dark and blotchy on it. I realize it is a small thing and not going to give ideal resolution, but making even lightened pictures turn so dark they're hard to recognize is not a selling point. Back it goes.

I also picked up a 9-volt battery for the smoke alarm at my parents' house. I am pleased to report that this worked as expected, and therefore doesn't need to be returned.

I think I'm going to let the camcorder thing go for a bit. Scott found one he thinks looks promising, but it is not out yet. Maybe we'll give it a try. Maybe not. Right now I am frustrated enough to be doing the sour grapes "why do I need one of these stupid things anyway?" sort of comment. :P I'll probably get over that, tho.

A day, photographs, and memories.

Scott and I went to the Portland Art Museum this afternoon for the "Quest for Immortality" exhibit on Egypt. It was a nice exhibit, and I had a good time, but I think I've had my dose of the art museum for a while. Still, we had a good time, so that's worth it.

A big Happy Birthday to Scott, just a couple hours early. :)

I finally processed another roll of slide scans and am uploading them now. Depending on how early I get up, I will either post links to my favorite ones in the morning, or tomorrow night. You can always go to my Flickr account and see what's there, though, before I get around to that.

Tonight, as I was signing off IM, someone said "night night!" to me. And I've said this before and others have said it to me. But suddenly I was back in childhood, hearing, "Night night, sleep tight, don't let the bed bugs bite!" I had to ask Mom what bed bugs were, I remember that. I don't remember what my reaction was or anything, though, just the uncertainty as to what they were. Heh.