Pumpkinspun’s Musings

I’m currently testing out some screencasting software for use later this fall, when I’m working more remotely and need a quick and dirty way to show clients how to use software, a website, a blog, etc.

So this morning I ran my very first ever screencast, using an online Screencasting creator, Screencast-o-Matic.

The screencast itself is probably of interest mostly to web designer/developer types who have access to Windows and need to test for multiple versions of Internet Explorer. (For you non-geeks, it’s a chance to hear my voice and tell me whether I still have any remnants left of my Philly accent, after years in Vermont.)

I’ll also be playing with some simple videocasting software from a laptop for quickie fiber arts demos too, so if you have suggestions for doing hands-on demos using a webcam, send me a note or comment.

Notes: I ran this using XP via Parallels on my Mac.

Find the Screencast here if the image is gone.

The software demo was for Microsoft Expressions SuperPreview, and was a beta temporary download to use for a month.  In perusing the website for Microsoft Expressions, it was not clear to me whether the SuperPreview would be available as a stand-alone piece, or as part of the Web suite bundle only.   I found it useful for testing coding side by side on a page using IE7 and IE6.

My custom ordered/designed Golding Spindle arrived today. A treat to myself, for being smoke-free for over 9 months now.. I wanted something that I would use, and be beautiful, to remind myself of the hard work I put in the days following February 25, 2008, when I quit the habit. As I have an affinity for the fiddle, and my Ravelry name is fyddlestyx, I thought it would be just wonderful to have a fiddle design with a celtic band. When I visited the Golding’s studio in June with our elist’s KnitCamp I was admiring the various rings that Tom Golding showed me. I think that’s when I started imagining the fiddle spindle.

It spins like a dream, and the painting that their artist Jan Elliott did to make it just like I imagined was perfect.

Details, as per the card that was included:

• Whorl: 2 3/4″ Cherry Whorl, finely scrolled.
  Style: Vintage Ring, signed sterling silver celtic design
  Shaft: walnut, 5/16″ x 8 3/4
  Weight: 1.6 oz
  Handpainted by Jan Elliot

This will be a cherished spindle, a well used spindle, and an ongoing reminder of another step I took towards better health.

Thinking of quitting smoking?

• Set some goals for your self, realistic ones.
  That includes WHY you’re quitting. For me, I was successful only when I wanted to quit for ME, and not for loved ones.
• Ask for support from your family, friends, co-workers and even online buddies. One of the most helpful tips I got was from an e-list buddie, who gave me a very useful acronym to remember for addictive triggers: HALT (Hungry, Angry, Lonely, Tired). Every time I got a craving I first sat and thought it through.. which one is it this time? Usually by the time I’d figured it out, the worst of the craving had passed for that moment.
• Make an appt with your local state run quit tobacco group (mine was at the local hospital). Often times they have funding which includes 3 months of the patch or gum or meds. I went with the patch, with the gum as backup. When I finished the patch after 3 months, the gum was more of a mental crutch for me.. knowing it was there. I hardly used it, but still carry some with me — knowing it’s there helps me enormously. I liked the orange-flavored gum.
• If you are a social networking/media type and enjoy online contact, join QuitNet. I found some support in the forums there and I appreciated all the emails I got from them reminding me of even the tiny incremental anniversaries. While I didn’t join the paying level.. they have a lot of helpful stuff at the free membership level. Knitters might also find the Ravelry group Knit & Quit helpful as well!
• Plan ahead for some other things you can do with your hands during the really stressful times. At work, I had a squeeze ball and drank ALOT of tea! At home I spent hours upon hours unravelling thrift store sweaters to turn back into yarn for future projects. It became a slight obsession that I even took with me to cafes at times. But that’s for another post.
• Stay strong.. the first three weeks are hard work.. then the next couple months less so. It doesn’t mean I still don’t get the occasional craving, but I feel SO much better, and after just a month, I found walking upstairs easier. Have a buddy or two who have been through it but are NOT the preachy types that you can count on to call occasionally.

Lastly.. good luck and if it helps.. share your quit tips and quit rewards here!