World at War

February 24 marks the first anniversary of Russia’s incursion into Ukraine. The United States’ involvement prolongs the conflict—leading to more lives lost and ever-increasing destruction of homes, businesses, and infrastructure.

As allies join the fracas—and increase armaments supplied to Ukraine (OMG, tanks!), along with billions upon billions of financial support—what should have been a regional conflict escalates to global war. We are on the brink, and Joseph Biden’s ministrations in Kyiv this week and elsewhere among NATO members sets the world on a dangerous course. Europeans prepare for the possibility of nuclear bombings (one, two, three examples), while Americans are as clueless as lemmings racing towards the cliff.

The other night, I dreamed that nuclear missiles had been launched on the United States. We waited to see where they would land (because what else could we do after the fact) and for word that a retaliatory strike was outbound (there was none and wouldn’t be). Finally, three mushroom clouds appeared on the horizon, all lined up. Unfortunately, a disturbance taking place outside our apartment woke me before my question where could be answered.

In that vain, thinking about cities across the nation quite literally becoming boom towns, I present the Featured Image taken with Leica Q2 Monochrom on Valentine’s Day. The black and silver globe, which sets on a moving pedestal rotated by sunlight, belonged to my father-in-law.

I used the camera’s Macro mode, which is activated by turning a ring around the f/1.7 fixed Summilux lens. Vitals: f/2.8, ISO 640, 1/30 sec, 28mm; 6:14 p.m. PST.

That’s enough gloom for tonight. If bombs do fly, well, you won’t be reading this post. Now excuse me while I get into the spirit of the times and watch movie “On the Beach“.