I received a rejection for my story 20,170 and 1 from Science Fiction & Fantasy Magazine. I think the story had been out with them for maybe a week. To put so much work into a story and then be rejected so quickly, you have to wonder if they even read the story. Maybe the first paragraph was read and then it was promptly rejected. Unfortunately, with the move fast approaching I don’t have time to get the story back out in the mail. I need to do some research and figure out where I want to send the story to next. It’s been rejected twice and was sent back unread by SCIFICTION.com going under. Not good news. Where else to send it? Well, that’s not going to happen now until late December or early next year. In the meantime, I have a lot of packing to do. Plus, I’d rather send the story out with a SASE with the new address—sure, I could send something out with the new address, but I want to play it safe.
I also spent some time researching Skype technology. Specifically, I’m trying to teach myself how to record a Skype conversation for my next video blog. Of course, I have a lot of work to do on this, but I should be able to get a simple test going with Virtual Audio Cable 3.10. I found some screenshots on the web that teaches you how to set your PC up to use the Virtual Audio Cable driver. From my understanding, the VAC driver is a virtual sound card, allowing you to take the source from two different audio sources and put them together. Again, being able to record a Skype call for the purpose of a video blog would be great. I know it’s been done by podcasters out there, but I’m hoping I can pull this off myself. We shall see. Without a lot of time and the move so close, I’m hoping I can run a simple experiment. Why the rush? I’m waiting for final confirmation that my video blog will be picked up on a Magic website. They’re hoping to run the first episode in the next week or two. With my move so close, I want to start working on episode 2. It was my goal to have a new episode out every few weeks. I have two ideas for the next two episodes, but haven’t worked out all the technical glitches. I also need to test the software and the equipment to ensure that the sound quality is good. Once I record the audio and the “video” (game board) of the show, I then need to convert the file into a watchable format (.avi DivX 5.1.1 codec 640 x 480 and .m4v Quicktime iPod 320x240). All of this takes time and doesn’t just happen at a click of a button. I’ve had my computer reboot on me in the middle of converting (many times), software shut down on me when I try to load too large of a file, and all sorts of bad conversion problems.
The good news is that I picked up a 200 GB hard drive last weekend at one of the Black Friday sales ($29.99 was really cheap) so that gives me plenty of space to start playing around with the video. I won’t have to junk up my current c: drive. I’m having fun in doing all of this work, but I am juggling moving, work, family, and trying to work on this video blog. I’ll be focusing more on the last minute packing this weekend and then the sad part happens: All the computers will get packed. I’ve wires to pull through the floor, cables to store, and systems to get ready for the move. I’ll be bringing all the PC equipment to our new place myself.
How long will we be down without Internet access (after we move)? Who knows! Hopefully, it’ll not be long. I expect that I’ll be making hardly any updates after we move. I’ll be too busy cleaning, unpacking, and working on the new house. And with the holiday season upon us, there isn’t much time to purchase and wrap gifts and get a Christmas tree up. I have to admit that I’m looking forward to being in the new home and having a Christmas tree up. I want to have the lights off and stand in the living room with my wife and son and see the lights on the tree. I’m really looking forward to that. It’s not that I want lots of gifts, but there’s something about seeing your family all happy and relaxed, enjoying the moment which is good.
I’m looking forward to that time. Well, I’m off. Take care and have a good day. Peace.
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