AVI to MPEG to WMV

This is one of the posts where I mention some details of an obscure tech process which is likely of interest to no-one apart from myself, but may come in handy when I want to do it again and can´t remember what I did.

It all started when I wanted to download some video for my iPaq, which only plays WMV files.

I found a freeware AVI to WMV convertor --> http://www.boxoft.com/avi-to-wmv/

But it actually produced MPEG files which wouldn´t get picked up by the "update library" function and couldn´t be played

2nd step was a freeware MPEG to WMV convertor --> http://www.winff.org/html_new/

Success!

Coat hooks

We used to have four (4) but now we have twelve (12). Still run out though

Airline hand luggage sizes

Apparently most airlines including british airways have the same size limits: 56 x 45 x 25cm
Some have smaller limits though, I understand that ryan air only allows 55 x 40 x 20cm and first choice only allows 45 x 35 x 20cm

Sent from my BlackBerry® smartphone

Recipe: Tofu Marengo

Ever since getting a name check in Red Dwarf I've wondered about this
dish. Due to a hearing error I thought for years that it was made with
meringue, and thus not easy to make a vegan version of. Happily the
confusion was resolved earlier this year, and I've since had a couple
of goes at it.

I found a couple of sources regarding the dish:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicken_Marengo
http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/chicken_marengo_on_94849

The second attempt (pictured) was the most successful. This time I
abandoned the attempt to fry the tofu in flour, I just fried it in
olive oil till crispy, then stabbed each slice a couple of times to
let the sauce penetrate it. Didn't have any thyme so used tarragon,
oregano and bay leaves

So what other favourite meals of famous generals should I go for the
develop the theme?

Photography

When I was a nipper I was given a camera, along with some notes on shutter speeds to use depending on how light it was, and summat about "f" values. I never understood it. Still don't. And since it was in the old chemical photography days, in the time between taking the photos and getting the images back I'd forgotten what I took a picture of, or why. And how. I can do some technical stuff but never got my head round photography. I'd kind of like to though, and have had a few attempts at "arty photos". Recently I took these, which I like

When I say recently, it was in April 2012. Images taken - I'm pretty sure - in FACT in Liverpool

Online auctions, and trust

Occasionally I buy or sell things on eBay. When I tried to do this today I couldn't - I can't list any items until I have set up an automatic method for paying their fees. This seems to mean pre-authorising PayPal on my credit card - which will only happen when I believe that it is a reputable and well-run organisation. While the pigs don their goggles and taxi down the runway I headed over to eBid.net

Looking good here, and my item is listed, but then I got an email. Apparently my account is unavailable until I have provided them with a scan of a recent utility bill and my passport/driving licence. There are very few people who I will trust with documents like that, and eBid aren't on the list

I'm going down to the supermarket to write out some of those little cards that they have...

Compund Interest Woman

This outfit gave me an idea for a super heroine. Although it appears unlikely Einstein actually said that "Compound Interest is the most powerful force in the Universe"

Manchester weather

I had a beer with D last night. We were in hot sun and talking about how changeable the weather has been recently. I didn't take a picture. Here is a picture that we talked about though, taken the next morning - in the rain.

Tea with PH and MG

Cashew Nut Risotto (not shown)

A pint with D

This bar was in the most unusual place

Alan Moore knows the score

I don't normally link to other people's articles, but the opening to this piece on the BBC site by Alan Moore made me laugh quite considerably:

"Without wishing to overstate my case, everything in the observable universe definitely has its origins in Northamptonshire... "

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-16968689

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