The Fire Ant Gazette - A Midland, Texas Blog

Random Thursday
Category: Random Thursday...
Posted Thursday, May 25, 2006 at 08:08 AM [GMT-6]

But first...the next edition of FATCR will see a return to its roots, assuming I can figure out what they are.

Here's what I love: someone who blogs for the sheer joy of writing. No explanations, no apologies, no distractions. Is it fiction? Is it biography? Don't ruin it by wondering, because if nothing else, it's universal. Go see Deborah's Glove Box Stories over at SanLeon.net and say howdy to yet another excellent Texas writer.

I forgot to share this last week, but during a morning bike ride I was fortunate to glance over at a movement in the field off to my right and spot a burrowing owl (aka "prairie owl") landing atop the mound of dirt marking his burrow. Without getting too mystical, I'd just say that spotting one of those little critters -- which aren't exactly rare in these parts, but one might go years without seeing one -- can do wonders for your spirit.

I don't have a camera phone, and haven't really even had the urge to get one, but that may change now that higher resolution models are on their way. According to this report in today's Wall Street Journal, Nokia, Sony Ericsson, and other unnamed manufacturers plan a U.S. release of camera-equipped phones in the three-megapixel range. Sony Ericsson, Nokia, and Samsung already have two-megapixel phones on the market, and reports are that the image quality is quite good. Of course, megapixels are one thing; lens quality is quite another. I assume that the latter is getting better even as the former continues to increase.

And, finally, the Burning Question of the Day©: Do dogs have dominant legs? I've observed that when Abbye and I come to a curb and I give her the "up" command, she generally first lifts her right front paw. Does this mean that she's right-footed? And what about hind legs? Is there a dominant back leg? (The answer to the latter question is possibly easier to answer for male dogs, IYKWIM.) Somebody needs to research this and get back with me, as I don't want to buy Abbye the wrong set of golf clubs.

By the way, I've just uncovered a bit more of the cover art presented in yesterday's contest.

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Comments

...I don't want to buy Abbye the wrong set of golf clubs

Or scissors. ;-)

I'm sure the research has already been done. Beth seems to have a handle on the latest useless research studies out there. She probably even knows the answer already.

I'm with you on the camera phones. Even with upgrades, I'm guessing the quality still isn't there. If I want pictures, I'll use my camera, which is small enough to fit in my purse. Phone, phone. Thank you.

Posted by: Gwynne at May 25, 2006 09:26 AM

Scissors...of course. There's nothing worse than trying to use a wrong-handed (which, in my case, is right-handed) scissors. I'm sure that's why Abbye continues to use her teeth.

Actually, I'd love to have a good camera phone. I have a digital SLR camera, which is much too big to carry for casual running-around. I don't have a problem with convergence (if that's the right word) of technology, as long as all of the bits are good at their jobs. Unfortunately, thus far there's too much compromise of quality in the name of marketing, or getting to the market first.

Posted by: Eric at May 25, 2006 09:39 AM

Hm. I'll keep my eyes open for research covering that burning question, Eric. I would lean toward saying yes, they do. I think my girls each favor one side over the other (not sure which, honestly haven't paid that much attention since I'm not positive they're old enough to use scissors, so it doesn't really matter in the scheme of things.)

I have a camera phone. It's an older model (3 years?) but I'm generally pleased with the pictures I get. Mind you, I'm not trying to be the next Ansel Adams with it, but if I need to steal someone's credit card number while they're at the checkout, it's fine. (Kidding, kidding. Though have you seen that that's a common problem with clerks who have camera phones? Kid you not on that one.) Anyway, I hardly ever use it and when I next upgrade my phone I'm not going to bother - mostly because some of the places I have to go for work won't let you bring in a camera phone (recording device.)

Posted by: beth at May 25, 2006 10:13 AM

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