Indoor/Outdoor Christmas Light Chain and Projector
Two weeks ago we saw a Christmas projector in the shop and we were interested to buy on but it's a bit expensive ranging from £50 up. Then, we looked online, Argos and Ebay, for outdoor garden decorations and lighting, still way above our budget. So we bought a different one from Argos. It was an outdoor Christmas Cane that lights up and a window snowflakes that is battery operated.
After a week, we brought home a brochure from ALDI and saw Christmas outdoor light chain battery operated and a Christmas projector. But, when we went to buy from the shop, we only found the light chain and didn't see the Christmas projector. So, we bought one light chain and installed it in our garden as well as the snowflakes and cane. We loved the effect so we decided to buy another light chain and that's when we saw the projector. We bought the snowflakes projector but before we install it, we had to go back to ALDI to do some groceries and found a snowman and other colourful xmas character projector, so we decided to buy that one as well and decide which one to use.
It is very easy to assemble, you won’t be needing the manual. But it is always good to browse it and keep it handy because you might want to read something. These lights have a timer function. Both are 6 hours on and 18 hours off.
The light chain is battery operated and batteries included when you buy it. The cables look durable. It has a button that will let you choose between continuous on or timer. Press once for timer function to activate and the lights will be on for 6 hours and off for 18 hours. Press twice for continuous mode. Press three times for off.
On the other hand, the Christmas Light Projector is indoor and seasonal/temporary outdoor. It is mains operated. Once plugged in, it will automatically set to light for 6 hours and switch off automatically for 18 hours. Here's the sample of the lights that we bought.
iTrack Pocket is designed for YouTuber either your a presenter, a musician, a singer or someone who needed a decent audio quality for video recording that's done simultaneously. Like when I do most of my video recording, the audio is recorded separately. For example Im using Quicktime player for the video and Garageband for the audio, then put or mix it together using iMovie. The challenge is to make sure that the audio goes with the video and there's no noticeable delay. So the perfect solution for this is the iTrack Pocket. It so so portable that you can record anywhere, anytime.
Here are the list of questions to ask if you want iTrack Pocket:
1. Are you a singer who wants to record yourself or your ideas instantly and with decent audio/video quality?
2. Are you a musician who wants to record your instrument, your performance, your ideas?
3. Are you an iPhone user or planning to buy one? Because this gadget uses IOS platform. You will be needing either iPhones or iPad.
4. Do you want an easy setup, portable, and can be used almost anywhere?
5. Are you a vlogger, YouTuber, presenter?
6. Do you want a recording studio that fits in your pocket as well as your budget?
If you have two or more yeses to these questions, then iTrack Pocket is for you.
This mini gadget is an all-in-one solution that will do all the trick and save you time and money. No need to buy expensive condenser microphone, mic stand, camera, tripod for your camera, audio interface, recording software and loads of time and effort in editing. iTrack Pocket is literally a studio in your pocket.
Where to buy? Loads to choose from online. I bought mine from Gear4Music and it was Black Friday that time so I got a good deal. It was only £14.99 plus £3.49 delivery.
What's included in the box? Just the iTrack Pocket itself, the lightning cable and the manual. The box itself contains the instruction on how to install, register, etc. So don't lose the box, you need it for the bundle code and serial number.
Is it easy to install or use? Well for me it was a bit tricky, because Im not an iPhone user. Im lucky because not only my other half bought me an iPhone for xmas, she's been using iPhone ever since so I got a private tutor on how to use iPhone. iTrack is sort of plug n play. It doesn't come with a CD or installer. All you have to do is download Impact by Focusrite from App Store and plug your iTrack using the lightning cable then connect it to your phone and open the app after you downloaded and install it. Don't forget to register your iTrack. Instructions are found on the box as well as your registration code, etc. You are all set. Just hit record.
What iPhone is it compatible? iPhone 5, 5S, 5C. Apple devices using iOS 6 or 7.
How to record instrument? You can either record using the built-in stereo mics or plug your instrument (guitar, bass, keyboards) using the 1/4" input. Then adjust the volume knob on the side. Make sure it doesn't clip. Then, you're ready to record.
How to add effects? You have the option to add effects either before recording or after you record your video. Just simply click/press the FX icon and swipe to choose what amp/effects to use.
How to edit/cut video? There's a strange looking icon on the bottom next to the FX icon, click that and then a film strip will appear on top of the screen. You can drag either ends to edit the length of your video.
How to delete or discard recording? I really struggled at first to remove or delete the test recordings that I did. It was because, I couldn't find the delete button. Being new to iPhone didn't help as well. Or perhaps, it was my eyesight. But eventually I found the icon. First, you need to go to file/recording library or folder. Then on the top right corner, you can see a word SELECT, press that one and then select a video or videos you want to remove. After you select or click the video/videos you want to delete, the margin or borders will become highlighted. Then at the right bottom corner or your phone, you will see the bin icon. Press it to delete.
How to upload recording? The upload icon is located on top, click it and select where you want to save or upload the video.
After going to church this Sunday, our family went to Southampton to have fun and guess what we did, Ice Skating. Mind you, we don't know how to skate how much more skating on ice. We grew up in a country where there's no snow and definitely no ice skating rink. But, no matter what the odds, we still went ahead.
First obstacle was getting a ticket, the day before we already went and check. But, we did not manage to get a slot because it was sold out that day. So, what we did was book online. Again, even booking online was difficult. Seems like everyone wants to go skating. We got the 2:30 PM session. No penguins available when we booked online.
Now going to Southampton was traffic that day and it was really horrendous. We opted to park in IKEA because it seems like everyone was parking in West Quay. But, even there, it was jam pack too. Straight away, we went to the ticket booth and showed our booking confirmation online. It was straight-forward. They will just give you token and direct you where to go or what to do. We enquired if there were penguins available and the lady at the ticket booth said there were two available. So we took those.
Went inside and there are bench and lockers plus loads of friendly staff to assist us. Again straightforward, shoes off and hand it to the staff and asking what for your shoe size. Then, they will give you your ice skates. You can ask for helmet and wrist support/guard, and it's free. We noticed that all the staff are jolly and you know that they really love what they're doing.
We waited for about 5 mins or so because they were cleaning the skating rink and making sure that it's good to go. Then, queue started to buildup and the excitement as well from the room was just going higher and higher. And, when they announced that the skating rink was open, every was just too keen to go.
Coming in was really difficult because apart from lots of people on queue and getting penguins, the ice was really slippery. After we got our penguins, we were just moving slowly and holding on the sides. We managed to go around counter-clockwise, following everyone. There were lots of people who fell and bump their bums on the ice but staff were there ready to help and also most of the people were helpful to assist each other. It was generally fun. Just be mindful because there were loads of people and kids, so you don't cause accident or if you are looking after a couple of kids or more, keep an eye always because there are really loads of people. The music was also added attraction. It makes it more energised and fun to skate.
I thought that we were only gonna go for one round and that's it but we managed to go about 4 or 5 rounds. It was tiring though because most of the time, I was holding on the rails and looking after my little boy. So, after the session was finished, we headed back and return the penguins and the skates. We were really exhausted and hungry. But that's not a problem because there are lots of restaurant/fastfood nearby. We went to Five Guys. There was a queue but it was not that bad. The peanuts there was free and it taste nice, just be careful and mindful of allergies. The serving was big. Because we ordered little burger and I don't think it was little. The chips was also delicious. Hotdog was lovely as well and tons of choices for your drink. Also it's drink all you can.
This is a 4-in-1 men's grooming kit (beard, stubble trimmer, hair clipper). Waterproof, can be washed directly under the tap but make sure that the charger wires are not hooked. Skin-friendly, high-performance blades for a gentle trim. Really soft and smooth to the skin. Up to 60 minutes use on a 10-hour charging. Really good wireless shaver.
