| Fun computer question! skype, etc |
[Jan. 28th, 2009|11:01 pm] |
Does anyone out there in the internets know the answer to this?
My friend just bought me a Macally Icecam (webcam)--it's (I think) the newest version, 2008. I have a 2005 Mac ibook and Mac OSX 10.2.
It wont friggin work! My computer is recognizing the camera, but I just get a black screen (as does the person I'm talking to on skype).
I tried:
reinstalling skype
checked all the video settings--they're ok
rebooting lots of times
resetting PRAM
various combinations of booting, rebooting, reloading skype, plugging in camera, etc etc
Downloading a thing call iUSBcam which I might supposedly need, but I'm not sure if it's actually being utilized when I open skype.
Any skype wizards know the answer to this? So close to technological wonderment, yet so far!
I should note that a while ago my computer had video/display problems, but I think this was fixed the last time I took it in--not sure.
Thanks folks!
EDIT: I figured it out!
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| (no subject) |
[Nov. 13th, 2008|08:16 pm] |
i just do not have the motivation to do this work right now.
i think a big pot of coffee and a slap in the face could help. |
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| (no subject) |
[Nov. 12th, 2008|10:11 pm] |
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I hauled home a BIG stack of books and was dancing to Buddy Holly in Starbucks by myself with a really long scarf on today. I think I was really tired. I might be going nuts. But life is fun. The end. |
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| (no subject) |
[Nov. 3rd, 2008|09:35 pm] |
It's been raining for three days, so, as we say here in california when the rainy season starts: "the fire season is over."
little things are clicking into place, on a backdrop of lots of big things lurching ahead. The election is tomorrow and the whole day of pouring rain gurgling on fat leaves and dirt had a special pre-election flavor. On the way home all the big shapes of the west oakland skyline were encircled in a weird haze, everything was dark early thanks to daylight saving and clouds, and I was drenched. Things looked different on the way home the way they sometimes do after it really, really rains--I noticed an evangelical church a block away from home that looks straight out of faulkner, a big white porch with two old colored windows and yellow floodlight. never saw it before. I kept thinking of waking up at 6:30 tomorrow to stand in line and drink coffee and wait to vote. When results are coming in I'll be at improv rehearsal, and I wonder if election news can penetrate the iron wall of avant garde that surrounds mills. We usually improvise on the dance stage in front of a giant, lit-up, pink screen, and that's where I'm going to be when they close the polls. |
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| update! |
[Oct. 22nd, 2008|11:00 pm] |
Mac repair update: turns out my computer was still under repair warranty, and the kernel panic thing had to do with the airport. So I got mac to fix the airport for free! And now i finally have my computer back! Thanks everyone so much for the help!
general life update: i need a morale boost of some kind, but on the whole there are lots of things to be happy about. i'm seriously not sure that I can work any harder, or better, so i think I just need an act of god or a career change. or thanksgiving break. but i love my house and i got to see randy newman last weekend which was totally, completely, unbelievably brilliant.
the end. |
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| Mac Friends - Help! |
[Sep. 28th, 2008|07:27 am] |
Dear People Who Know About Computers,
Any thoughts on this? I have an ibook G4 from 2005 and I just started getting the infamous black "You need to restart your compute. Hold down the power button for several seconds or press the 'restart' button" message. (It comes up as a semi-transparent black box; the message is in several languages, it was happening several times per day.) I just got a new battery and logic board thanks to applecare this past july, but my applecare is expired now.
I wiped the HD and reinstalled OSX. While I was doing that, I got 'restart' message again. I waited a day, then tried to turn the computer on and magically it was able to finish installing. Everything seems to be running fine for now, but do I need to worry about this? Is it RAM failure? Any ideas?
Thank you thank you thank you!
EDIT: It just shut down with that message 4 more times in the course of half an hour. Shitfuck! Any advice is greatly appreciated. |
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| Easy Decisions |
[Sep. 13th, 2008|12:32 pm] |
Sarah Palin is dumber than I could have possibly expected her to be. And I really gave her and her party a chance and an honest, open listen. But good lord, this woman CAN NOT be VP.
Gibson: "Do you agree with the Bush Doctine?" Palin: "His worldview?"
...
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| (no subject) |
[Sep. 5th, 2008|09:07 pm] |
earthquake!
the bureau in kahn's room shakes with a boom.
"cheers! north beach falls into the sea! " |
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| (no subject) |
[Sep. 3rd, 2008|09:05 pm] |
Coming home and watching the RNC on the tiny, ancient black-and-white TV with the coat-hanger antenna, in a haze of cigar smoke.
Feeling overwhelmed--this election is so strange. I'm supposed to return now to baroque music and neuroscience study and both of those things seem remote and silly in the midst of this. |
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| question for viola people |
[Jul. 25th, 2008|06:12 pm] |
For viola-playing people:
What's your favorite interpretation of Bach's 4th cello suite (especially the prelude) on viola? Or cello, for that matter?
I just listened to the Michael Zaretsky version (viola) and thought it was...missing something. I really want to hear a violist play this piece like it has some meat to it.
Bonus points if you know an awesome interpretation on gut strings.
Thanks! |
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| (no subject) |
[Jul. 22nd, 2008|08:27 pm] |
I can't believe it took me this long to realize Randy Newman is the best songwriter ever.
I'm going to go learn every Randy Newman song now. |
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| (no subject) |
[Jul. 14th, 2008|06:07 pm] |
I am dreaming of my future sailboat,
and dreaming of reading more good books like the present one while inside the sailboat:
"Bach, the Fencing Master: Reading Aloud from the Cello Suites" by Anner Bylsma.
This book reads like a journal, literally--it reads like listening to someone's thoughts, play-by-play, as they explore the cello suites in their own home. About half the book is reproductions of bach (and anna m.) scores, and scribbled bowings and notes.
My teacher recommended it to me, and when I asked what it was about he said, "well, it's about the cello suites, but it's not, it's about everything, it's about life! I don't know." He's right!
The funny thing is it reads much like the cello suites do--something that feels all your own, like it was made specially for you to enjoy, but also makes you feel desperate to share it with every person you find.
I scored three other amazing books at the music library today. It was really good luck. |
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| (no subject) |
[Jul. 5th, 2008|05:03 pm] |
I had a surprisingly amazing july 4th. bernal hill in massive dreamy clouds of fog, lighting up from independent fireworks in every direction. good people and irish coffee.
today i am battling craigslist. shit happens. |
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| Lutoslawski--more silly music posting |
[Jun. 29th, 2008|07:33 am] |
In case I get cynical about certain kinds of music again, I should remember to listen to that Lutoslawski quartet.
I put it on this morning thinking thinking it might be unlistenable now, since I'm not so enamored with modern compositional "tricks" and concepts. Without all that, I worried it would sound empty to me.
turns out it is still achingly beautiful. and note-for-note perfect.
I'm betting I'd feel the same way about Gorecki if I put it on.
I guess a few bad apples spoil the bunch, sometimes.
hm. |
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| (no subject) |
[Jun. 27th, 2008|01:28 pm] |
Today is a pretty good music day, and I think I came upon something musically last night, too, even though I was blocked most of the day. I forced myself to just go down, turn on the recorder, and wank off of the piano for about half an hour, just to see if there could be some fortuitous mistakes/random bolts of inspiration, and I think there may have been a few.
Today I think is doo-wop time.
I saw a movie last night (projected on a big wall outdoors in oakland) called Girls Rock, which is a lame title--but it was about a rock'n'roll camp for girls in Portland, age 8-18. My two favorite moments:
A 9-year old jewish autistic crazy super-spazzy too-smart/precocious girl who was madly into distortion and screaming and sonic youth, and who played her guitar with her teeth and couldn't be told to stop, had a noise song with lyrics that went:
"HOW DO YOU TUNE A TACO!!!"
Oh my god, this girl is a GENIUS. Genius, genius, genius.
she also wrote (apparently) 14 songs about her little tiny dog pippi, including a really creepy slow one called "sleeping giant pippi."
Another really young girl, 8 at the most, had a loud screaming (and catchy!) rock song whose first line was: "San Francisco sucks sometimes!" --talked about how when she has to vacation there with her mom it's really boring, and she hopes san francisco will BURRRRRRRNNN. I laughed my ass off. I think that's the song I've been trying to write for like 4 years.
A rock'n'roll camp for girls is starting in the bay, by the way, next week for the first time ever. The girls will be performing their stuff at Hotel Utah next saturday. I kind of really want to go, if anyone woulf like to join me.
Additionally I have morphed my room from the total wreck that it was into something liveable and am happy. |
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| Reasons for not going to Cal this summer |
[Jun. 20th, 2008|12:48 pm] |
I finally subscribed to The Week thismorning.
Then I (finally, finally) signed up for July Lindy Hop lessons at the Verdi Club.
And last night I attempted to draw someone with oil pastels and pen, but I think I have forgotten how to draw.
Shot two rolls of film the other day and then had my camera inspected by the fine people at the camera shop up the street.
Today it's really hot and I am threatening either to go swimming/attempt to draw again, or to do a Lodge Day. I am not sure if I have the cajones to attempt a Lodge right now. I'm enjoying the idea of doing non-music things.
I also called insurance companies and made dentist appointments.
All of these are things I normally mean to do and never seem to get around to. I think I have only gotten around to them because I am more or less completely burnt on doing my "more important" things: reading obsessively, practicing obsessively, writing music obsessively.
Also, I've been hiking a bunch, blew my knee out, but it was fixed in time to lindy hop (pretty badly, hence the drive to take lessons again) on wednesday night, and then play a (really weird) open mic at Ireland's 32 on a whim. Full moon + absurd amounts of arnica oil=fixed knee=happier karlyn.
I am happy.
Additionally, looks like blues piano classes at jazz school can happen.
I know, I know, I need to get a job.
EDIT: I just want to note that I am really really excited about Lindy Hopping all summer. |
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| (no subject) |
[Jun. 14th, 2008|07:28 am] |
My house is driving me nuts, for some reason.
Promised myself I'd stay through the summer because of the practice space, piano, and access to gear I have here. Unfortunately, I came home and the place was so trashed I can hardly concentrate to practice here. There was not a single clean dish when I returned, and somewhere atop the pile of dishes there is now a borrowed movie projector, which was hooked to VHS tapes of Twin Peaks. Someone (one of the people who doesn't actually live here) put it on, then left, and I couldn't figure out for the life of me how to turn it off. Another one of the people who doesn't actually live here appears to enjoy getting stoned and shaving off all of his body hair in our shower using my razor. My favorite roommate, who I really do like, is in the depths of depression, and woke up yesterday with intense back spasms. There's a new kitten in the backyard, who is adorable, but under constant attack from the other kittens, and I have woken up two out of three days to cats yowling bloody murder at 7 am.
All of this kind of thing was rolling right off me a few weeks ago, partly because I was unstoppably busy, and partly because I was used to the bay area and had built up a wide variety of survival techniques. I'd figured out that there was no point in being in the mood for the quiet life, because I don't have access to that. After two weeks in MN, I'm desperate to get back to work on the things I love, but can't seem to find it in me to concentrate for very long or feel overly inspired.
The search for houses, as usual, reveals that things are way out of my price range, and that I'd be compromising my ability to practice music in order to have a clean, quiet, or relatively drug free house.
what I want to be doing is driving to death valley, right now, but it's too hot and I've got no one to go with until november.
I am just awfully impatient to get back into the swing of things here. I have almost zero structure right now, which is good, but I need to remember how to use it to my advantage, rather than getting railroaded by my surroundings. Vacation at home made me let my guard down. (But god, it was nice.)
I know this is lame and unproductive bitching on the internet, but, we all have our weaknesses... |
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| (no subject) |
[May. 17th, 2008|05:31 pm] |
update: today I realized that Elvis Costello is an absolute genius. There are so few lyricists (these days, in the mainstream) whose words are actually worth listening to--he is in my top 5, for sure.
also, that exam cramped my hand like a motherfucker. Whole (big size) bluebook in less than 2 hours. By the end, I was in some kind of stupor and had no idea what I was talking about. Something about economies. Oh well, over now.
I found some kind of state park by the highway near the bay bridge. It looks like some sort of wetland/wasteland by the highway, I have lways been intrigued by it when I'm on the bus across the bridge. Last week I noticed there's a tiny sign furhter on that says it's a state park, and what looks like a walkway that is only about 2 blocks long, followed by some weird construction sites and more wetlands. I really really want to go there. If anyone else in Oakland wants to come with me, let's do it.
Close to finish line...feeling a LOT better now that that final is over. I had been dreading it. |
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| my aim is true. |
[May. 17th, 2008|07:06 am] |
2 things that make this study morning, and last night, good:
1. Salman Rushdie's "Haroun and the Sea of Stories." In the first chapter, everyone is living in a sad town that's forgotten its name, next to a "mournful sea full of glumfish."
My copy of this book has writing on the inside of the cover, because it was given to me for my 15th birthday by my boyfriend at the time.
"I can't love evil germs,
I can't love smelly poo,
I can't love satanist sperm,
but I sure as hell love you!!!"
I still find this endlessly funny.
2. Elvis Costello's "My Aim Is True."
I am not that often in the mood for Elvis Costello, but when I am, it's the best thing ever, nothing like it.
I have a final in 48 minutes. It is saturday morning. |
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| Kev Hopper |
[May. 13th, 2008|10:39 pm] |
Last time I posted I was still formulating an opinion on Kev Hopper's "Saurus"; now I am in love with it.
(Who was it that posted anonymously on my last entry about this album?) |
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