Shelly,

I bought a Canon HV20. I wanted to invest in something that would last until after I have infants/toddlers, and something that I wouldn't grow out of. HD really is the way things are going, so I figured it was wise just to step up and do it now. I paid $650, which really is alot of camera for the price. I haven't been limited by it yet, though I would like a real focus ring. I think they've since released the HV30, which you could look into, or it may cause the HV20 to drop in price, which is a good thing.

Re: Word count...Why, am I too verbose? If I were limited, I would be very direct and use lots of imperatives. Like, for the video I just made:

1. Remove hardware and sand dresser.

2. Apply a coat of latex primer.

3. Apply three coats of semigloss paint, sanding and dusting in between coats.

4. Use watered down white glue to apply paper to front.

5. Seal the piece with a polyacrylic clear coat.

That's 46 words.

If this is for your newspaper article, lemme know when it comes out. I have a colleague from Indianapolis who brings the Star to class. I'd love to see it. Cheers.