Sunset, March 25, 2006. This is an interesting version of a sun pillar; the extended pillar is obscured from view by the presence of lower-lying clouds in the foreground. So rather than a pillar of light extending upward, you get what looks to be a second sun. I’ve been semi-conscious today at best (the flu is shaking me around like a rag doll, it is, and made me sleep through most of the afternoon), so I’m glad I happened to look out the window and catch this.

Sunset, March 25, 2006. This is an interesting version of a sun pillar; the extended pillar is obscured from view by the presence of lower-lying clouds in the foreground. So rather than a pillar of light extending upward, you get what looks to be a second sun. I’ve been semi-conscious today at best (the flu is shaking me around like a rag doll, it is, and made me sleep through most of the afternoon), so I’m glad I happened to look out the window and catch this.

The missus, while we were out to dinner last night. I don’t think she caught me snapping a picture of her with the cell phone this particular time, although I got a couple of other snaps in which she was fully aware.

In other news, I’m finding the cell phone (which most of you will remember I’m getting for free) to be useful, although not magically so. It’s stuffed with a bunch of extras but I’m mostly using it for Web surfing and picture taking, with the occasional phone call. In each case it’s the third best option I have for each — it’s nice to snap a picture with one’s cell phone, for example, but I’d rather use my camera; it’s fine for calling someone but I’d rather use my home phone or Skype if I’m on the road. It’s primary advantage is being portable, and overall I guess I can blame it for being a jack of all trades and master of none. And it’s my understanding relative to other cell phones, mine is pretty damn cool. This is what I get for being so late to the cell phone party, I suppose. I don’t really have a frame of reference.

What I would like to see, of course, is something that actually does everything with some measure of competence. One of the things that appeals to me about those upcoming “ultra-mobile PCs” is that they seem to have the capability to do everything I’d want a portable device to do, with a useful form factor. If someone would build a cell phone in one those things, that’d be something I’d want to have. In the meantime the cell phone is nice, but I haven’t decided whether it’s something I’d keep after the six month free period is over.

One nagging feeling I have is that I’m not adequately exploiting the “free” aspect of this phone. Everything about it is free, including the premium services. I should be downloading scads of music off of Sprint’s music store so I can own it later when the lights go out. But, eh, I already have iTunes and Rhapsody. Again, the third best option. But perhaps I’m just not looking at it the right way.