I avoid walking through Hillcrest, unless need presses. The neighborhood is atmospherically and physically filthy. Strange how people don’t know that they live in Hell. But the same could be applied to most of California, expanding Dante’s nine circles of Hell to the 21 missions around which major cities were built. San Diego was the first, in 1769.
Franciscans sought to bring Heaven to native populations, rightly or wrongly (you decide which). Centuries later, the fire of Hades burns across the state, by many measures.
Among them: burglary and theft (often perpetrated by groups of people); disparity of wealth (very rich and very poor and little population between them); environmental destruction (in part to build more residences); homelessness on a massive scale (accounting for about one-third of the nation’s total); housing costs (unbearably high rents and home selling prices); law and disorder (fostered by no-bail and catch-and-release policies); one-party system (entrenched Democrat politicians); over-regulation (ask any business owner and expect an earful); and—oh, why bother continuing. I am reminded of Eagles song “The Last Resort“, from their 1976 album “Hotel California”.
How does any of the above relate to the Featured Image and companion? The shop (Eli Vigderson’s European Car Repairs) where were the autos is located in Hellcrest on University nearby the Jack in the Box at Seventh. I passed by after dropping off Apple Watch Series 5 at FedEx. Samsung offered $150 trade-in against Galaxy Watch6 Classic. I love it.
Composed as captured, both shots come from Galaxy S23 Ultra. Vitals: f/1.7, ISO 10, 1/400 sec, 23mm (film equivalent); 1:56 p.m., yesterday. The other: f/2.4, ISO 50, 1/530 sec, 70mm (film equivalent); 1:57 p.m.