Fragments From Floyd

I mentioned a while back that I was going to try to pull together images and words from the weblog and my writing and image archives and present this as a multimedia "photo-memoir of belonging in the Blue Ridge". Thot I'd give you a quick update, even though there is not a lot to tell yet with only the barest of outlines. But it's a start, and starting--overcoming the inertia of an object at rest--is often the hardest part.

At present, I'm using Powerpoint to organize the images into "themes." I'm thinking of using an image as slide background (vs a solid color or black). For the theme of "forest", for instance, I might start with this image. Then fade to a filtered full-screen version of the image (see above, in this case, "dry brushed" the background image in Photoshop) and project subsequent images against that subdued slide background. To transition to the next theme, I'll reverse the process and move into the next theme-appropriate background. Clear as mud?

Re trying to get sound into the ppt file: undecided. I still think there would be times that having some distant "Ken Burns" type music would enhance the emotional response to the images. Toward that end, to create sound clips (including loops of things like creek sounds, wind in the trees, cricets or barred owls) I am experimenting with two shareware programs. Audio Recorder that lets me capture sound clips off the net through my sound card; and Audio Editor Pro (not a bad program for $39, but the HELP info is pretty lame. Got any suggestions for a better sound editor?)

So, ever so slowly, the little Fragments vignette (only a 30 minute presentation) is coming together. I'll have a window after classes end and before Christmas family visits begin to get focused--or else. Soon thereafter the panic of another new course prep will once again hold hostage the poor, abused Muse. She gets no respect any more.