More than 10 years ago, in late October, an abandoned property on North Ave. in San Diego’s University Heights community was fixed up as a neighborhood fright-fest for local kids. I’ve called the place the Halloween House ever since, despite its later, rustic, charming renovation that in no way resembles the one-time use. The front yard is masterfully, tastefully designed and manicured—mixing rocks with various types of trees and shrubs. The backyard, also smartly tended, opened onto the alley behind. Typically, a RV would be parked behind the sliding-door fence.
However, massive change started some months ago, with construction of a second building that fills most of the once-lovely backyard. As often as every week, I walk down the alley, between Adams and Madison, to see the construction’s progress, which, unless appearances deceive, the COVID-19/SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome Coronavirus 2) pandemic slows down. Today, while moseying by the place, I laughed at what is the Featured Image—captured using Leica Q2. Vitals, aperture manually set: f/2, ISO 100, 1/1000 sec, 28mm; 10:54 a.m. PDT. Why does this dude look so familiar but I can’t place him?