Mon, 04 Aug 2008

A Sign of the Times

Things can be a signal for a certain event. For me, the construction of the ferris wheel at Cal Expo is a sign of the coming of the state fair. When I see the giant wheel taking shape, I know the California State Fair is just around the corner.

We have not attended the fair in the last couple of years, but, this year we have tickets. My kids love the rides and we spend most of the day there. We go on wrist band days so we can have unlimited times on the rides. Otherwise, we'd go broke paying for their riding habit. It's a good time and not really expensive if you avoid the outrageous cost of food and drink.

posted 16:45 [/FromMyFone] permanent link

Sat, 26 Jul 2008

Sign of the Times?

I was out walking and my path took me through the local mall. This is a window display from Urban Outfitters. What struck me is the turntable in the display. It struck me because I believe that most of the young people to whom this store markets have never seen a record! Some may be a bit vague about CD's let alone records.

Admittedly, this is probably one of those turntables for converting your records into some electronic medium, but, still, it's an interesting image.

posted 11:10 [/FromMyFone] permanent link

Sat, 19 Jul 2008

Flamingos

Ya gotta love 'em! Everyone should have a pair on their front lawns. These are in front of the building where I work. They have been there since the company started ten years ago. Admitedly, they're a bit burried in the landscape that's in front of the building, but they have managed to survive several management changes.

Pink flamingos make a statement. Unlike other decorating elements, pink flamingos say, "bah! I don't care what you think!" Of course, they might also say, "I have absolutely no taste!", but that's a matter of opinion. You can buy them (with "extra sturdy legs") to decorate your home or place of business.

You can't get genuine Don Featherstone signature flamingos right now, however. The company which manufactured them is out of business. Perhaps this is a business opportunity for some enterprising plastics manufacturer. If having pink flamingos on your front lawn makes a statement, imagine what owning the company that makes them says about you . . ."Daddy, what do you do?" "Well, son, I own the company that . . ." well you get the idea . . .

Want to know more about pink flamingos? Check out the Wikipedia entry.

posted 08:06 [/FromMyFone] permanent link

Thu, 03 Jul 2008

Hands Free, Day Three . . .

Hey, it rhymes! Even though this blog is in the From my Fone section there isn't a picture. That's because I can't use my cell phone while driving any more in California. At least I haven't figured out a way to take a hands-free picture!

Anyway, this is the third day of the new hand-free cell phone law in California and I have been conducting an informal survey on my 21 mile round trip to/from work. I actually haven't seen that many people using cell phones -- only about five. I should point out that I come into work rather early, 6:45 am, and am traveling on the "reverse" commute for our area. But this is far less than I observed prior to the new law.

I did see one interesting thing. I was stopped in the left-hand lane for a signal and in the right lane, a gentleman had his phone, not up to his ear, but poised. In the left turn lane next to me was a city policeman. Quite a tableau!

They say that these laws have the potential to save over 7% of the fatalities on the road. I support them and have my bluetooth device in my ear as I drive. I really don't receive many calls while on the road -- actually approaching none. Now, I wish we could eliminate some the other distractions like applying eye makeup, reading, and animated conversation with passengers. Actually, I really wish I could eliminate my entire commute by telecommuting to work most days! Gass prices are killing me . . . but that's another blog . . .

posted 07:18 [/FromMyFone] permanent link

Sun, 29 Jun 2008

Certified?

Who certifies these things? Is there some sort of National Loose Slots Commission? Are there a bunch of commissioners sitting around in a closed room discussing which of the slots are loosest? "Hey, Phil, I was just over at the El Dorado and boy where those slots loose!", "Yeah, well, I bet the slots at . . ." Well, you get the idea. And, is there a west coast and an east coast commission. And, for another thing, since when is Nevada on any coast? I have been to Reno and I don't remember any sandy beaches, let alone any ocean!

My suspision is, that, like a lot of things, the only people doing the certification are the people doing the advertising! It's like a lot of things . . . player beware!

posted 11:06 [/FromMyFone] permanent link

From My Fone: Introduction

I have decided to add some simple things (a sort of bloid) which stems from things I see and take a picture of from my phone. Generally, the quality of the picture won't be so great, but, hopefully, the though which accompanies it will be better!

posted 10:58 [/FromMyFone] permanent link