Microsoft Fail

For all the Mac users out there - this may seem like an obvious title line, but really - Microsoft, EPIC fail.

So along came a system crash - and then a new computer set up (yeah!!!!  nothing like the smell of a brand, new MacBook Pro).  So now - we have a rebuilt hard drive (software) on an old computer, functioning beautifully (a bit slow) - but good for a back up.

And NOW we have a new computer set up - with an updated DAW.  The awesome, beautiful - fantastic Sequoia 12.  Seriously - no sarcasm - best EVER.  I cannot speak enough about this program and how life (or mix, edit and mastering) changing it will be.  I will work more efficiently - quicker and with ease.  I am so pumped and I have just started diving in.

That being said - unfortunately Sequoia 12 is ONLY Windows compatible.  Always has been - so I have grown accustomed to it.  My old machine was/is running Win 7 Pro - great.  But with a new machine and new software - I thought, what they hey - let's upgrade to Win 8 Pro!

For 90 bucks from Tek-Micro (I absolutely recommend buying from this third party distributor - their customer service is 1000 times better than Microsoft and they are quick and affordable!) - I snagged Win 8 Pro.  The specs said I was compatible (on the Microsoft website!) and I was good to go.  Right?

Wrong.  So my installer wouldn't work.  Registered the legitimate key - but kept saying I wasn't connected to the internet although I was.  After staying up most of the night and struggling with it - I got a hold of tech this morning.  Oh!  You have to buy the new drivers for 150 dollars!  What?!!  And for just 50 dollars more you can get our support for a year.  Um - no thank you!

Now, my fellow Mac users (this is on a MacBook Pro running bootcamp by the way), I know your shaking your head and saying things like 'but Mavericks was free' and 'my Mac installed updated drivers before/while installing my FREE new operating system'  or the classic 'my Mac never does that.  You don't get this with Apple - that's what you pay for right out of the box'.  And you are correct.

Thankfully - I bought the license from Tek-Micro (once again - get your software here!) .  I went to contact them on their website and was instantly welcomed with a personal (by that I mean an actual person!) IM.  I explained my situation and he immediately apologized and understood my situation.  This happens daily apparently (Ugh!).  So, he offered to exchange my license for a Win 7 Pro one.  THANK YOU KEVIN (that was his name)!!!!  I got the new license key in 20 minutes - activated my Win 7 Pro and will never, NEVER look back.  

If only Sequoia 12 had the support team to re-program for Mac OS, *sigh.  

And Microsoft - epic, EPIC fail on your part.  Shame.

iPad for Toddlers?

I think this is an interesting topic for parents.  Do you own an iPad?  Does your toddler have access to it?  Are you concerned with screen time - do you limit it?

I have been asked these questions and have asked them several times.  At almost 3, Rick and I have gotten into our comfort zone with iPad use.  But that means screen time limitations for us as well.  

The age old expression 'set an example' reigns true when it comes to technology use.  Which is tricky for us - since our professions include - rather - DEPEND on the use of computers (remember my system crash? devastating....). 

Not only is it important for us to limit ALL of our screen time, but also limit what is available ON the iPad.  We used to have all sorts of apps from Netflix to PBS Kids, his games and a large stash of movies.  We noticed that Soren was opening up PBS Kids and Netflix more often than his games which resulted in a whole lot of 'TV' watching (and memorization of the Cars script!).  

Whether it is on a big screen in your home (we haven't owned a TV in more than 4 years!) or a tiny tablet - it's still TV.  So, we talked about it and decided to delete those apps and keep his learning games (this is one of our favorites - and they just released this one too!).  We also store it away for weeks at a time so that he continues to use his imagination and relies less on the iPad for entertainment.  Bringing it out is a treat - although, I must admit - sometimes we do watch some space videos on YouTube *wink.

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here he is playing endless alphabet - we keep this one on our phones too.  it's a phonics based alphabet game.  no matter where we are now - Soren points out letters to us and sounds them out.  he will even tell you what words start with those letters.  he said to me yesterday 'ja-ja momma - that's J.  Jump starts with J!' then proceeded to show me what jumping is!

Potato Stamping

After being introduced to Montessori method education, I've become a bit obsessed.  Ok,  a lot obsessed.  Especially if you ask my family members.  It is such a great forum and the literature is filled with ideas on how to introduce learning into the everyday.

The last couple years, Soren and I have made gifts, cards, posters, stickers and now - wrapping paper.  We snagged a sweet potato (go Paleo!) from the fridge - sliced it in half and carved (for Pappa's Valentine's Day gift) a 'X' on one and the other an 'O'.  Soren wanted the red and white paint separate to start, but ended up with some swirls and pinks - we stamped away!  The finished product looked incredible and we had a blast!

The next time you have gifts to wrap or looking to make some personalized cards - I highly recommend this activity.  It's a blast seeing them stamp and get messy!  Soren kept exclaiming - 'it's an X momma!  and an O!!!  I made SO many!!!'

Kefir and Curls

Just a quick note on what's new and old.  We said goodbye to a few of Soren's curled locks this week.  My little adventurer was up for the clippers so we gave him a nice short (but tasteful) 'do'.  I couldn't believe how great he did, he just kept giggling, hesitantly 'my head tickwles...hehehe.'

I do miss those little locks and look forward to them growing in (which they do - very quickly). 

Here is a before 'clippers' pic drinking Kefir.  A standard favorite in our household.  Also known as shake - because you have to 'shake it up' before drinking.  He's always had a good taste for Kefir and it keeps those probiotics in that little belly as we cruise through this arctic winter!  

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We have a weekend filled with recording, mastering, a baby shower and a hopefully - a little family time ahead of us.  

Happy Weekend and Happy Valentines Day!

System Crash

This week has been particularly challenging - or rather the last 4 days. 

I woke up in a funk on Saturday morning only to roll into work 3 hours early (to wrap up pending projects and a broadcast) to have my computer crash on me.  In 7 years - a completely corrupted, crash.  I was beside myself.  I had a concert to record in 4 hours and if you know how much time it takes to rebuild a Windows system - it simply wasn't going to happen.

Thankfully our household holds two iLok keys with three systems set up for ProTools 11 and our very own RME UFX.  I know to some that all sounds like a different language - so let me translate: OUR systems saved the day!  Along with my mantra of never, NEVER saving documents and files to anything but external hard drives and ALWAYS backing up to DVD.

I have never had a system crash on me quite like this before.  I have ALWAYS been able to restore in the past.  I traced it back to a recent install I had to let the firewall down for - that had to have been it.  

That being said - I feel like for the last 4 days I have turned into the Grinch at home.  I have been trying to install - uninstall - reinstall and re-build a system which takes a LOT of time and a LOT of patience (legacy software combined with updated versions equals GIANT headache!).

Not leaving me much patience or time for my little kiddo and partner in crime (who really helped saved the day - in more ways than I can even begin to explain!).  I feel like I have been a horrible mother.  Super irritable and not giving Soren the time he needs and deserves.

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this is Soren 'CRASH!!!!' - ing on the couch

Which leaves me reflecting about this job and the work that I do.  I have learned that when I am with my family - I am WITH my family.  Mind, spirit and body.  Whole heartedly.  Work will wait.  And truthfully, my loyal clients - this in turn, makes me more useful to you and a better engineer.  Just as my clients want me to be present for them and their work (much of the time *wink), I need to be present for my Son, my Partner and most of all for Myself.

This weekend wasn't just about a system crash, but a very, very personal one as well.