Flower Basket Shawl & Cool Cell Phone Tricks

Let's just get the knitting issues out of the way right now folks. I finished Repeat #14 on the FBS last night. Yep. I'm going to start on the edging. Since this is a 'summer' shawl, it doesn't need to go down to my butt. I would like to finish this this week and block it! Woot. Then start on some holiday knitting. I did take pictures of the so far unseen Birthday scarf. So, it will make an appearance after November 1.

On to very cool news you can use....I recently changed cell plans to Verizon and got a brand-new, kick-ass cell phone for doing so. For FREE!! FREE! It's a Motorola E815. My calling plan remains the same price, but now I can call anybody on Verizon FREE at anytime. Love that!! Best Friend phone calls...FREE....anytime!! Love that!!

I've also moved out of the dark ages since before I had a 'text' only phone. Now I have a phone that, I'm pretty sure, if I knew how to 'hack' it correctly, it could take me to the moon because it is just such a fancy pants. Since I don't know a lot about 'hacking' my phone YET, I've been learning just the plain regular NEW everyday stuff you can do with it.

ONE of the two of the coolest uses I have found are Google SMS (Short Message Service). This would have come in SO handy when I was looking for the power company last week which I knew was on Sahara Road, and yet didn't have it's address. If I had known how to use Google SMS, I could have just put in my zip code, typed Nevada Power, and it would have sent me back a message with the phone number and address. As it was, I spent $1.40 calling information to get the damn phone number, which was relaid wrong anyway!! 3 times!! (Looking for a credit on that, no worries.)

So, if you have a cell phone that can send and receive text messages, this could save your life. So, really, what is Google SMS?

What is Google SMS?

Google SMS (Short Message Service) enables you to send queries as text messages over your mobile phone or device and easily get precise answers to your questions. No links. No web pages. Just text — and the information you're looking for:

• Get local business listings when you're on the road and want to find a place to eat.
  
• Obtain driving directions to get from point A to point B without having to ask for directions.
  
• Find movie showtimes and theater locations of movies currently playing near you.
  
• Check weather conditions and 4-day forecasts to plan your day.
  
• Study the latest stock quotes and stay on top of the market.
  
• Get quick answers to straightforward questions.
  
• Compare online product prices with ones you find in retail stores.
  
• Look up dictionary definitions to expand your vocabulary or prove a point.

How do you use it?

• Enter your query as a text message.
  
• Send the message to the US shortcode 46645 (GOOGL on most phones).
  
• Receive a text message (or messages) with your results, usually within a minute. Results may be labeled as "1/3", "2/3", etc.
  
• To get Google SMS help info sent directly to your phone, send the word 'help' as a text message to 46645.
  
• Try the online demo

I fussed with the online demo quite a bit. I learned if I put my zip code in first, it would give me any info in relation to that. Which is why just putting in Nevada Power doesn't' give me any info, but putting in my zip, then Nevada Power sends back the address and phone number.

I then fussed with actual queries on my phone. It WORKED. Added the Google 'shortcode' to my contacts to use on the fly. This is a very cool use for a phone. Don't forget to download the wallet-sized tip sheet until you get it memorized.

The number TWO 'hack' is using your cell phone as a flash light. Lifehacker suggests "Set your cellphone wallpaper to plain white. Then you can use your cell screen as a makeshift flashlight in emergency conditions like finding your keys in a theater." If you have a camera phone with a flash, knowing how to turn on the flash and keep it on, would also work. Lifehacker has some of the most useful tips on how to make your life move along a little easier, make sure to visit it soon.

My hands are now like ice. And will be that way until we hit next summer. Sigh. My feet too. Anything below 80* is freezing to me. I have Desert Blood. Guess I'll have to learn how to knit some fingerless gloves for use at the computer. Any suggestions for someone who needs an easy first-time pattern?

Mummy Cat

Wonder if I could do this to Luna? She loves to wear sweaters and jackets. Hmmmmm.

Every life has a measure of sorrow. Sometimes it is this that awakens us.
--Buddha's Little Instruction Book, Jack Kornfield