Hi all. As you can see, November was a very busy month for the Miller Monkeys (ie, no posts). I want to at least say to the few of you who had been following our blog that we'll try to continue to post every week.
We had a wonderful time with some of the extended family over thanksgiving. Yadira along with several other gals did their share of shopping as well. The kids have had a blast decorating the house and they each have a small tree in their rooms.
We wish God's blessings for everyone in this busy yet awesome holiday season.
Friday, December 5, 2008
Thursday, December 4, 2008
video to MP3 player
This post is mainly for a few friends and family members that have MP3 players with video capability. It is sometimes a bit tricky to get working videos onto some players. My particular player is the Sansa Fuze. The video type that is compatible with the player is .avi format. Also, it has to be the correct bit rate and size or it won't play. I did not come up with this totally on my own, but found some on-line forums that helped. The problem is that the software that is provided by the manufacturer will not just convert a DVD and put it onto your player. that would be too simple. Also, itunes does not do this either, I believe.
Step 1: rip the DVD to your computer. you can use any ripping program. I use DVD fab HD decrypter. it is free http://www.dvdfab.com/free.htm
this is obviously only to use with DVD's you actually own
Step 2: use a program to remove the menus and previews and only leave you with the main video you want. I use DVD Shrink 3.2. It is also free, but no longer in production and sometimes hard to find. DVD HD decrypter will also do this, but only if you pay for it (not available in the free version).
once you load up the video (use the "open file" button at the top), I choose "re-author" and then click on the "DVD Browser" tab which lists the menus and tracks. Right click on Main Movie and click on "add". You then click back on the "compression settings" tab to remove which languages and subtitles you don't want. Finally, you click on "backup" and it prompts you to save it in a folder of your choosing. The final output will be several files (5 or so usually) named VTS_o1_1.VOB and so-forth.
3. third step is to use a third program "Any Video Converter" found here http://www.any-dvd-converter.com/any-video-converter-free.exe
you choose "add video" and then select the output files (the .VOB ones you made with DVD shrink). when they are displayed in the main window you select them all by dragging a box around them or using "ctrl" and selecting them all. next you right click on them and choose "merge output". This combines the several video files all into one file. You also select the profile at the far right to be AVI and the video codec to be mpeg4. Finally you click "encode" and it converts and combines the videos into a single .avi file. once it is done, I usually then rename the output file to be the name of the movie rather than the default gibberish it usually names it. You now have the entire movie in one file without any menus or previews.
*** this is the step that would be different if you are using a player or ipod that uses a different type of video (ie. mpeg or quicktime. you would encode it to this format instead of .avi ***
4. The final step then is to use the software that came with the Sansa to convert and upload the video to your MP3 player. the latest version of the sansa media converter is located here http://mp3support.sandisk.com/sansa/SMC
It is pretty self explanatory. you select the .avi file you just made with Any Video Converter, and then click on convert and it converts it to the correct bit rate and size and puts it onto your player. *** again, this step would be slightly diffferent depending on which player you have and thus which program you use to get the video onto the player***
Before you delete it off your player at some future point, make sure to copy it from your player back into a folder for safe keeping on your computer so you don't have to go through all these steps again.
It sounds a bit arduous, but in all will take little over an hour. and the software is free.
Step 1: rip the DVD to your computer. you can use any ripping program. I use DVD fab HD decrypter. it is free http://www.dvdfab.com/free.htm
this is obviously only to use with DVD's you actually own
Step 2: use a program to remove the menus and previews and only leave you with the main video you want. I use DVD Shrink 3.2. It is also free, but no longer in production and sometimes hard to find. DVD HD decrypter will also do this, but only if you pay for it (not available in the free version).
once you load up the video (use the "open file" button at the top), I choose "re-author" and then click on the "DVD Browser" tab which lists the menus and tracks. Right click on Main Movie and click on "add". You then click back on the "compression settings" tab to remove which languages and subtitles you don't want. Finally, you click on "backup" and it prompts you to save it in a folder of your choosing. The final output will be several files (5 or so usually) named VTS_o1_1.VOB and so-forth.
3. third step is to use a third program "Any Video Converter" found here http://www.any-dvd-converter.com/any-video-converter-free.exe
you choose "add video" and then select the output files (the .VOB ones you made with DVD shrink). when they are displayed in the main window you select them all by dragging a box around them or using "ctrl" and selecting them all. next you right click on them and choose "merge output". This combines the several video files all into one file. You also select the profile at the far right to be AVI and the video codec to be mpeg4. Finally you click "encode" and it converts and combines the videos into a single .avi file. once it is done, I usually then rename the output file to be the name of the movie rather than the default gibberish it usually names it. You now have the entire movie in one file without any menus or previews.
*** this is the step that would be different if you are using a player or ipod that uses a different type of video (ie. mpeg or quicktime. you would encode it to this format instead of .avi ***
4. The final step then is to use the software that came with the Sansa to convert and upload the video to your MP3 player. the latest version of the sansa media converter is located here http://mp3support.sandisk.com/sansa/SMC
It is pretty self explanatory. you select the .avi file you just made with Any Video Converter, and then click on convert and it converts it to the correct bit rate and size and puts it onto your player. *** again, this step would be slightly diffferent depending on which player you have and thus which program you use to get the video onto the player***
Before you delete it off your player at some future point, make sure to copy it from your player back into a folder for safe keeping on your computer so you don't have to go through all these steps again.
It sounds a bit arduous, but in all will take little over an hour. and the software is free.
Monday, October 27, 2008
Patrick goes 'nuts'
Yes, as previously promised, Patrick's First Buckeye Game. So this is how it goes, We had tickets for 4 games at the beginning of the year. As those of you who have season tickets know, people are ALWAYS asking you for tickets to games you don't have. Another famous comment in the off season, "oh, I'd LOVE to go to a Buckeye Game sometime, just call me anytime you have extra tickets." Where are all these people when you have extra tickets? No where to be found.
I had been planning to wait another year or two to take Pat to a game. I thought he wouldn't be able to sit still for 3 1/2 hours. Well, turns out for the Purdue game, we didn't have anyone to watch the kids so Yadira and I could go. I truthfully offered to let her go with Pat and I would stay with the girls, but she didn't want to. So after calling about 30 people the couple of days before the game and finding NO ONE who wanted to go to the game, we packed up the Fam and headed to C-bus. Us boys had a great time at the game, and the girls went to the zoo.
Patrick did great. He asked a lot of questions about the game process, and he had fun trying to spot #33, who's jersey he was wearing. His favorite thing was to play "where's Brutus". It is a lot like playing Where's Waldo, trying to find Brutus in an ocean of Scarlet and Gray. It didn't take him long to figure out that he could ask for food and get it in almost limitless quantities. It's AMAZING, people actually walk up to your seats and bring you food.
Mom and her lil' Buckeye before the Game
On the way in, awe inspiring view of the 'Shoe
We hadn't even sat down yet, before he had his first hot dog.
He thought Script Ohio was pretty neat. Although it was upside down for us :(Dotting the 'i'
5 hot dogs, 1 popcorn, 2 diet cokes, 1 water, 1 dipping dots, 1 hot pretzel later.
This was pretty neat. While walking through Buckeye Grove on the way out of the stadium we saw two buckeyes on the trees and I lifted him up to get them. It will be a souvenir that not many people have, a buckeye right from the hallowed grounds.Pat and I had a great time, and I can foresee many future Buckeye Games together (when mom doesn't want to go, of course). So to all you big talkers, who claim to want to go to a game but are too whipped to go through with it when the time comes, too bad. All future tickets are now spoken for by a new generation of 'nuts'.
-Scott
Tricky Treats
We had trick-or-treat in our neighborhood yesterday. Lake Township always does it the Sunday before Halloween. Isabel, Patrick, and Nicole could hardly wait to load up their buckets with candy. In fact, they kept asking all during church if it was time to go home and dress up. A bunch of friends met at our house before hand and then we all pillaged the neighborhood for treats. Shaun and Sarah; Randy, Lavonne, and Nina; and Jesus and Laura all came for the fun. Jesus, Laura, and Sarah were the only adults brave enough to dress up.
Shaun and my dad Charlie were in charge of passing out candy at our house while the rest of the crew ventured around our neighborhood to get some goodies. Several of our neighbors were letting the kids pick their own candy (the parents tried to persuade their decision-making, ie. chocolate, of course) but the kids always ended up getting what they really wanted. Patrick was trying to load up with Kit-Kats. That is, when he wasn't picking candy eyeballs and other assorted body parts. The wax Dracula fangs are especially tasty. It started out beautiful and sunny, and ended up cold and rainy. At the end of our trail (or was it trial?) each kid ended up with at least 2 lbs of candy.
Shaun and my dad Charlie were in charge of passing out candy at our house while the rest of the crew ventured around our neighborhood to get some goodies. Several of our neighbors were letting the kids pick their own candy (the parents tried to persuade their decision-making, ie. chocolate, of course) but the kids always ended up getting what they really wanted. Patrick was trying to load up with Kit-Kats. That is, when he wasn't picking candy eyeballs and other assorted body parts. The wax Dracula fangs are especially tasty. It started out beautiful and sunny, and ended up cold and rainy. At the end of our trail (or was it trial?) each kid ended up with at least 2 lbs of candy.
- Yadira
Captain Jack Sparrow, Cowgirl, and Sleeping Beauty
Andrew, Sydney, and Aaron (our neighbors)
Nina, Nicole, Captain Morgan, err. Jack, and Isabel
Laura (sister-in-law), Pat, Sarah (friend), Nina, Nicole, Jesus (brother), Kaylee, and Isabel
Charlie gets a kiss from Marilyn Monroe. This was right before his heart stopped and we had to administer CPR. Thank God he is all right. Although he now goes by 'Charles' and has a funny facial tick.
Scott sure looks hot with the red boa wrapped around his neckFriday, October 17, 2008
Tooth Fairy Time
Patrick lost his first tooth 2 weeks ago. He got $2 from the tooth fairy. The next morning he was convinced that the tooth fairy had brought $7 dollars. He told us that he woke up in the middle of the night and looked under his pillow where he saw one $5 dollar bill and two $1 dollar bill. Patrick looked behind and under his bed several times until he finally gave up on that idea. We told him that he had probably had a dream
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Field Trip to Kingsway
The kindergarten class took their first field trip to Kingsway Farm. Patrick was so excited because he was going to be able to ride the bus (I take him to school in the morning). I believe that was the highlight of his day. The kids went on a hayride where they were able to pick their own pumpkin. Patrick took quite a bit of time because he was looking for the shiniest pumpkin. After the hayride the kids went on a train ride and to the petting area. They also got to watch a puppet show about pollination. It was a great morning to share with Patrick and his class.
Western Day/Pony Express
The kids had a western day at school. That evening we went to the Pony Express, a major fundraiser for the school. The money raised that evening goes towards the operating budget of the school. We had a great meal. The school has many activities planned for the kids; pony rides, jumping house, face painting, and train rides. The kids went in the jumping house and a train ride. They all got to show off some of their best dancing moves also.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Relient K Concert 10/12/08
As some of you know, My sis Jessica and I are avid concert goers. One of our favorite groups is Relient K . We have each seen them several times in concert. I know most of their songs by heart, have been waiting for the chance to see them again. We went to Columbus last year to see them with Switchfoot. Now THAT was a great concert. Well, they are now on tour, with 3 lesser known bands (House of Heros, This Providence, and Ludo). I really didn't know anything about these bands before, and still don't know that much about them. They were OK, one or two songs were actually a bit good, but we didn't know them so it's a bit hard to appreciate them live. The third band, Ludo was actually a bit weird, but entertaining. Their signature song is titled "Love Me dead." Yeah, like I said, weird.
So in deciding when and where to go see Relient K, we decided to go to the Pittsburgh show 10/12 instead of the closer Cleveland show 10/31 because Jess couldn't go that date. Another friend from church, Caleb, went along. I think the overall experience was OK, but not great. A bit disappointing for a two hour each way commute. I am still dragging from lack of sleep 2 days later. A few lessons were learned from this endeavor (even this old dog can learn a new trick or two. probably 3 would be pushing it).
Lesson 1: you are taking a chance going to a new place to see a concert that is two hours away, and you have never been to. A pig in a poke, so to speak. Be especially wary if the name is something like Club Zoo. Ok, I know, should have known better than go to "Club Zoo". Hindsight is 20/20, and there is very little info out there on the internet about it. Suffice it to say, this may be an OK dance club, but not a great concert venue. Small main floor, and off the main floor was a dance floor/bar area on which we were standing (for 4 hours). very crowded, people in front of us standing on chairs, rails, etc. so seeing the stage was a challenge. Small stage, big speakers combined to allow about 6 feet of stage frontage on which to see the band. large columns were spaced throughout the converted warehouse that (in)conveniently blocked your view. Jess was able to purloin three bar stools in the back of the dance area that we stood on for Relient K. At least we could see them. You get the picture. If you check out my high quality cell phone video, you can just see the gray column on the right of the picture.
Lesson 2: NEVER go to a concert with three opening acts that you have never heard of. Contrast this with the Music Builds tour with headliner Third Day, and under card of Robert Randolph, Jars of Clay, and Switchfoot. Check out Jessica's blog for pix of this awesome event. It is painful standing for 3 hours to wait to hear your band, with long set changes between, etc. Which leads me to...
Lesson 3: NEVER go to a general admission club concert. Pay the extra bucks to see your favorite band with reserve seating, preferably in the front.
Oh well, enough complaining. like I said, next time I will plan better. A quick shout out to Jess and Caleb, had a great time with you both, hope we can do it again at a better place.
FYI: coming soon, Patrick's First Buckeye Game. Yes, believe it or not, he got to go to the Purdue game with me...
-Scott
So in deciding when and where to go see Relient K, we decided to go to the Pittsburgh show 10/12 instead of the closer Cleveland show 10/31 because Jess couldn't go that date. Another friend from church, Caleb, went along. I think the overall experience was OK, but not great. A bit disappointing for a two hour each way commute. I am still dragging from lack of sleep 2 days later. A few lessons were learned from this endeavor (even this old dog can learn a new trick or two. probably 3 would be pushing it).
Lesson 1: you are taking a chance going to a new place to see a concert that is two hours away, and you have never been to. A pig in a poke, so to speak. Be especially wary if the name is something like Club Zoo. Ok, I know, should have known better than go to "Club Zoo". Hindsight is 20/20, and there is very little info out there on the internet about it. Suffice it to say, this may be an OK dance club, but not a great concert venue. Small main floor, and off the main floor was a dance floor/bar area on which we were standing (for 4 hours). very crowded, people in front of us standing on chairs, rails, etc. so seeing the stage was a challenge. Small stage, big speakers combined to allow about 6 feet of stage frontage on which to see the band. large columns were spaced throughout the converted warehouse that (in)conveniently blocked your view. Jess was able to purloin three bar stools in the back of the dance area that we stood on for Relient K. At least we could see them. You get the picture. If you check out my high quality cell phone video, you can just see the gray column on the right of the picture.
Lesson 2: NEVER go to a concert with three opening acts that you have never heard of. Contrast this with the Music Builds tour with headliner Third Day, and under card of Robert Randolph, Jars of Clay, and Switchfoot. Check out Jessica's blog for pix of this awesome event. It is painful standing for 3 hours to wait to hear your band, with long set changes between, etc. Which leads me to...
Lesson 3: NEVER go to a general admission club concert. Pay the extra bucks to see your favorite band with reserve seating, preferably in the front.
Oh well, enough complaining. like I said, next time I will plan better. A quick shout out to Jess and Caleb, had a great time with you both, hope we can do it again at a better place.
FYI: coming soon, Patrick's First Buckeye Game. Yes, believe it or not, he got to go to the Purdue game with me...
-Scott
Friday, October 10, 2008
Church Fall Outing
On Sunday October 5th we had our annual church outing at Kingsway Farm. The owners go to our church and they open their doors to us every year. The kids always enjoy going there. They got to pet the animals, solve the mini corn maze, play in the hay tunnel, ride the train and one of their favorite activities playing in the corn pit. Afterward, we have a meal together and wait for the hay wagon to come to take us on a hayride.
Hayride
Dylan and Patrick
Laura and Jesus
Jessica and JoeyThe night festivities ended with a Hayride in the dark. The kids had a great time and the weather was a bit chilly.
Isabel's 8th Birthday
Isabel and Grandma Miller
Isabel with Abuelito and Abuelita
Isabel turned 8 years old on September 26. We had a small celebration with the family at our house. She was treated to a special surprise from Grandma Miller. On her b-day Grandma took her to Robin's house so that she could ride one of her horses (Isabel would want a horse of her own if we let her have one). She was able to ride "Buckey" after several attempts to get on it. The next day I heard she fell of the horse once, but Robin told her to be a true horse rider you have to fall off the horse at least once.
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Pharmacy Geeks Get Together!
Andy, Brian, Yadira, Jaime, Yvette
Yadira and I got together with some of the old gang for the Minnesota game on 9/27/08. Eric and Kim are Minnesota season ticket holders (they live there now, for those of you who don't know). They got a bunch of tickets for the Minni@OSU game and invited some of us to go. We met Eric and Kim, Yvette and Bill, and Eric's sister Laura and her husband Mike at Champps before the game and then we walked over. It was a great time! Afterward we went to Brian and Joy's house (they still live in C'bus) and met with a few other friends from pharmacy school who didn't go to the game. All in all, a great time and great to see some old friends!
Pre-Game Festivities
Eric and Kim
"Goldie", Minnesota's mascot
Brutus looking to kick some "Goldy" tail
We had pretty nice seats
Yes, we were really that close to the action.
Bill and Yvette
Kathryn, Rob, and baby
