Thursday Two Questions Meme - Newsworthy

photo courtesy of yahoo.com

Since I have been without a television for months, I get my news by way of the internet. My home page is Yahoo. When I open my browser the news is staring me in the face which I enjoy because I like to know what's going on in the world.

I think for the past week or so when I've opened my browser I've been inundated with celebrity news. One day the headlines showed two actresses wearing the same dress at a Hollywood premier, another day showed Lindsay Lohan doing something or other and yet another day showed Britney Spears with a new career. Today, I found out that Jennifer Anniston is moving in with her beau. My reaction to all of this - who gives a crap! Sorry for the language but I really am baffled as to why Yahoo would think that all this celebrity "news" is really newsworthy.

In the grand scheme of things with all the important issues going on around the world do we really care about what Jennifer Anniston does? Nothing against her but her life is really not that important to me. Give me real news, something that concerns all of us.

My two questions this week are:

1. Do you get your news online or on TV?

2. What is newsworthy to you?

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Watery Wednesday - Yerba Buena Gardens Waterfall

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Sabrina & Jo Do Dinner

Me and my favorite little buddy out and about in the neighborhood.

Ruby Tuesday - Ruby Randomness

Mural In The Sunset District San Francisco

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Red Dirt Steps @ The SF Botanical Gardens

Dale Chihuly Artwork @ The DeYoung Museum SF

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Mellow Yellow Monday and Macro Monday

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Tracfone LG500G Cell Phone Review

I have been with Tracfone for years and decided to upgrade my basic phone to one that had web browsing capabilities. There were a few that caught my eye but I kept coming back to the LG500G for a couple of reasons.



First, I liked the fact that it also housed an MP3 player and that it took a 4gb micro SD card. I also liked the fact that it had a 1.3 megapixel camera. Finally, I loved the look. I went to a local store to see it in person and found this to be the phone I wanted.



I ordered the phone directly from the Tracfone website. They were advertising a special price of $29.99 for the phone and accessory kit with double minutes for life. You just can't beat that, so I ordered it.



It was shipped within three days of ordering. I am not much on reading directions so I basically took the phone out of the box and began charging it. While it was charging which only took about two hours, I activated the phone online through the Tracfone website which took about 5 minutes. I was impressed.



Once the phone was charged I went through the settings and customized the sounds and display on the phone. I then uploaded my mp3's to the micro SD card I purchased and then inserted the card in the phone and voila! I had an mp3 player as well as a phone. I then decided to test the camera. Went to my favorite gardens and got photos of flowers, landscape and murals. I was surprised at the quality of photos. I was also able to send them directly to my Facebook account through the phone.



The phone has web capabilities with many applications that you can download. However for me, I don't use the browser that often but I like to know it's there in case I have problems with my computer and need to get online. That is also another reason I upgraded and bought this phone.



I've always been slow when texting but with this Qwerty keyboard, I am gaining speed and love it. I can text photos to friends and family. There is also video capabilities of which I have not yet tried but will soon. Another good aspect is there is no charge to minutes when playing your mp3's which is great because I'm listening to them all the time.



Another thing I really like about this phone is the fact that you can lock the keyboard. I like having the phone on during the day so it's handy to be able to lock it so the browser isn't activated when in your pocket or purse.



There are also a couple of games on the phone though I don't use that. Another great thing about the phone is you can buy your minutes right over the phone when you sign up for that service through the Tracfone website. Oh, did I mention double minutes for life? If you buy for example 200 minutes, you automatically get 400. I signed up for their plan which will automatically get me 400 minutes each month.



I've only had the phone for a couple of weeks and love it! I've been able to use my mp3 files as ringtones and customize the wallpaper with my own photos.



This phone also has Bluetooth capabilites. I basically use my old headphones and they work great. You can set the volume for the phone and sounds for it as you see fit. You can also customize the setting to how long you want the screen and keyboard lit up or if you want to save power you can do that as well.



I have been all over the city with it and the service is perfect. I have yet to have a dropped call even on an underground train station. The service was clear.



All in all I love this phone - everything about it is fantastic!!!

Camera Critters #177

Taken at the Yerba Buena Gardens. This duet was entertaining the crowds.

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Taken at the SF Botanical Gardens

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The San Francisco 49ers Team of the Decade Hardcover Book

Back in the 80's the San Francisco 49ers were at the top of their game. I still remember so vividly the parties in the streets after those super bowl wins. That was a special time in San Francisco history and I don't know that we will ever see that again with the Niners.

I bought this book when it was released and read it a couple of times. It serves as history and shares inside stories into the Niners rise to the top with their super bowl victories. The book is in great shape with only some minor wear on the dust jacket. It was kept in a closed book shelf for years.

This is a wonderful addition for any collector who loves sports.

For more details and ordering instructions visit the listing at Jo's Collectibles Mercantile.

Macro Flowers Saturday - The Rose

Photos Taken @ The Rose Garden in Golden Gate Park San Francisco

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Skywatch Friday - San Francisco Skies

San Francisco Botanical Gardens

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Yerba Buena Gardens

Fisherman's Wharf

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Thursday Two Questions Meme - What Is He Thinking?

Taken among the redwoods at the SF Botanical Gardens.

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I was traipsing around the redwood trail at the botanical gardens when I spotted this little guy perched about 15 to 20 feet high upon a redwood. What was interesting about this is that he did not move. I got as close as I could but still had to use my zoom lens. I deliberately made noise yet he did not budge which is very unusual for a squirrel. At first glance, due to the fact that his tail was in that position I thought he was sleeping until I saw his eyes were opened. There were other squirrels as feisty as ever climbing other trees yet this guy did not move an inch.

I was there watching probably about 10 minutes or so and his pose was fixed the entire time. I still don't know what he was doing. My guess is he wanted to jump but was afraid or he was praying he would land safely? :D

My two questions this week are:

1. Do you study animals while out photographing?

2. What is your best guess as to what this little one was doing?

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Watery Wednesday - Water Fountain In Golden Gate Park

Taken @ The Band Concourse In Golden Gate Park

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Water Fountain Short Video Clip


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Ruby Tuesday - Fruit and Ladder

Photos Taken At The DeYoung Museum San Francisco

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Xiao Ping Luo Glazed Stoneware Teapot

Photo taken at The DeYoung Museum



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When I saw this piece at the DeYoung Museum I fell in love. It is just so unique and creative that I had to snap a photo. In person, this is a very large teapot so I urge you to click the photo for a larger rendition.



I don't know anything about the teapot so you can Click Here to learn more about the artists and their craft.



Enjoy!



Be sure to visit my store at Jo's Collectibles Mercantile.

Macro Monday - Oriental Trumpet Lily Petal

Taken at the SF Botanical Gardens

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Camera Critters - Bluebird

Photos taken at the SF Botanical Gardens

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Macro Flowers Saturday & Weekend Flowers - Yellow Lilies

Photos taken at the SF Botanical Gardens (where else? :D)

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Thursday Two Questions Meme - Hometown Favorites

For those of you who know me and follow this blog you know I love the botanical gardens. However, even before I discovered the gardens decades ago, my favorite spot in my hometown was Fisherman's Wharf.

The wharf is touted as a tourist destination though many of us locals frequent this vibrant and alive area. From the wharf area you can not only see the Golden Gate, Alcatraz Island, Coit Tower and the high rises in downtown SF but you have a bustling neighborhood full of world renowned restaurants, unique shops and a host of artists and musicians that fill the streets with a party atmosphere.

One of my favorite times to visit is during the morning hours when the streets are still quiet and the smell of the ocean permeates the air. You can feel the morning mist bathe your skin while seeing the Golden Gate hiding behind a veil of fog. It's then that I so appreciate living in San Francisco.

My two questions this week are:

1. Where do you live?

2. What is your favorite spot in your hometown?

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Watery Wednesday - San Francisco Bay

All photos taken along SF Bay @ Pier 39 in San Francisco

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