SkyFire

Sometimes the sunset is just amazing.
This photo doesn't do it justice.

Unusual sculpture at milepost 63

Pic to follow when we get back home

Via iPhone

Http://lancehirakawa.blogspot.com
Http://www.friendfeed.com/lancehirakawa

On iPhone

In response to my friends post on his blog.

I must agree the hype about the iPhone has been getting tiresome. There will be and are a large number of alternatives that do a great job. The 3G phone only adds a marginal amount of functionality, there is STILL no cut/copy/paste, and the camera is only 2mp.

My coworker John just got a new phone from Verizon that does many of the things, and even he admits he wont be using his web browser, he doesn't want to pay for the data plan.

Having said all that, i really to use mine a lot. Please don't ask my wife, i think she wants to flush it down the toilet. I have been waiting for a device that is a small form factor computer, email, communication device for over 25 years. When I got my hands on the first Apple Macintosh SE, i commented to friends, i love this thing, and i even have a 300 baud modem and had a connection to DarpaNet (the precursor to the internet). My comment was, that this would be even better if it was more portable.

I do agree that the android platform that Google will use to run their rumored phone might be very kewl, when it comes out "next year?" 'Nuff said.

What I like about the iPhone, especially now that 2.0 software is out, is the ability to add programs. I have downloaded (free) applications that range from a cowbell and light sabre (and a few other games) to a network subnet calculator and a streaming radio program (Pandora).

The coolest intergration from Apple is the remote control that allows me to run my iTunes or my wifes from anywhere i can get on my wifi network.

All in all, the a real mobile browser and live maps, a decent phone, an ok camera, all very tightly integrated is really the complete package. My work blackberry does almost everything (no camera) my iPhone does, just poorly. It did do email via exchange-push better before the upgrade. If I could skip it across the lake (I don't pay for it) I would.

There are alternatives, and they are good. What you choose really does depend on what you need. John has his phone and a GPS, for him, thats a good combo. I feel no need to upgrade to 3G yet, but I will probably very strongly consider getting the next iPhone.

DragonFly

IMG_4001
Originally uploaded by lancehirakawa

Photo safari today.
Subject, fauna.
Hoped to get some horses. The would not cooperate.
Stoopid horses!

Only 3 pics in the set that I'm happy with.

They're on Flickr HERE

Traveling Roses

Today is farmers market day. The rose guy is here with lots of
choices. I got these 2 for my wife's birthday tomorrow. Shhhhh don't
tell her.

2nd set of July 4th pics, by request.

I got a request from Sarah to post more pics of fireworks. Here they are!

Hi Jim!

July 4th Slideshow

Fireworks post

IMG_3880
Originally uploaded by lancehirakawa

Took me a while to get them edited down to a manageable number to post.

The best ones were of everyone at Johns party with Sparklers.

The set is here:

http://flickr.com/photos/lancehirakawa/sets/72157606015179374/show/

Comments and criticisms are highly appreciated.

How to spot a wing-nut or Methinks thou doth protest too much

I admit it. I was looking for Wall*E swag. Curious which burger chain was going to be pushing toys that I could put on my dashboard. Childish, yes, i admit that.

Now I realize movies with a moral can generate invective. So I wasn't totally surprised to find some people complaining about it in the movie review comments. What did surprise me was seeing so much of this drivel.

It’s a leftist anti-Wal-Mart piece of propaganda. Consumption isn’t bad. Buying into the global warming hoax is just so sad.

I realized 2 things at nearly the same time

1. I may not find "throw-away" toy promotions for this movie (at least I hope I do not) since, isn't that really the point of the movie.
2. The wing-nuts seem to complain most vehemently when they are threatened.

What disappoints me a little, is that I can't get a small Wall*e toy for my dash. I'll live.

Our economy is based on consumerism. Of that there is no doubt. New products are what drives it. I'm not against capitalism, but perhaps i will buy more products with less disposable packaging and in a small way trash the planet more slowly.


NOTE: This post was edited to remove attribution to that quote. The author tells me she did not make that post. Appologies to her.

It begins

Security blanket

Post by my cat

What is this thing. It on my nap spot.
HOW DARE IT!

I will now show displeasure by kneading
security blanket!