The march through the backlog of unpublished putty-tats continues; this one is from June 28, 2023. I have seen the kitty many times since then—yes, recently—but have yet to get a portrait better than this shot. When better is pretty bad, what does that say, huh?
I used Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra to capture the Featured Image. Vitals: f/4.9, ISO 50, 1/800 sec, 230mm (film equivalent); 5:05 p.m. Nicknamed for the partial name of the flowers, Sage likes to sunbathe most afternoons.
There is something strangely out of place about this sign. The style is very 1950’s or 60’s. Then there is need for air conditioning. San Diego coastal area is quite temperate. This lounge’s location, in the North Park sliver between Normal Heights and University Heights, is somewhat breezy. Wind blows from the West across an overlook and up Adams Avenue. Cooler is more common than hotter.
The classic sign styling couldn’t be ignored. I pulled around Nikon Zf with attached NIKKOR 40mm f/2 (SE) lens and captured the Featured Image. Vitals: f/11, ISO 320, 1/125 sec, 40mm; 9:11 a.m. PST, today.
An unusual and exciting circumstance came to pass today. Both my hometown (Caribou) high school basketball teams—girls and boys—played in the Maine State finals; Class B. They last advanced together in 1983, when the Lady Vikings won and the men lost.
The boys’ game was a blowout, as Caribou beat York 65-44. But the girls gave a show that people in Aroostook County will talk about for decades. Playing the Biddeford Tigers, the Vikings dominated until the last seconds of the fourth quarter, when their rivals tied the score at 40 and put the game into 4-minute overtime.
At long last, we blast through the big backlog of unpublished kitties, starting with a tabby taken on Oct. 21, 2023, using Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra. The shorthair appeared in a driveway along Meade about a block beyond the neighborhood boundary. Hence, the honorary designation.
This fine feline is also the thirty-fourth member of the esteemed group of honorarians, joining: AI, Boo, Buddies, Charmer, Chill, Coal, Comber, Cotton, Envy, Esther, Fancy, Floofy, Guapo, Liberty, Lonesome, Jade, Mona, Moophie, Mousy, Ninja, Oliver, Too, Promise, Queenie, Pussyfoot, Rascal, Raven, Sammy, Shakey, Tag and Tig, Timber, Tom and Jerry, and Tula.
For days upon days, I passed by these boots left out for someone—anyone—to take. San Diego isn’t known for rain, but a storm pelted them sometime after I shot the Featured Image on Feb. 11, 2025. I might have grabbed them, but they weren’t my size and need for work boots is zero.
But I liked looking at them—well-worn and broken in. They’ likely have many more years of wear than what appearances might suggest. They’re rugged, and I hope enough that they survived the rain. Someone took them the next day of sun, or so it seems. They disappeared.
This afternoon, I sighted my first Volkswagen ID. Buzz electric bus parked along Shirley Ann Place in my humble neighborhood of University Heights. Until the encounter, I was thrilled about VW bringing back the minibus, which is one of my all-time favorite vehicles.
But this thing is ugly (and pricey). And all electric? Not hybrid? When I think of the evocative freedom to travel that a minibus imbues, limited range between charges squashes ambiance and purpose behind it.
Eleven days ago, I shared a short homage to the Barber of Seville, who retired at the end of the year. He cut hair for about half a century and kept at it past age 80. George clearly wanted to keep going, but he ached and tired too easily. Time had come to close a career that defined the man and the customer social circle built up over decades. Surely, he is lonelier for the retirement. He will be missed.
Today, I walked up Monroe Street to Park Blvd, in my San Diego neighborhood of University Heights. Across the way, a worker prepared to remove the business sign hanging over the door. He had already detached the thing from the building. Sometime later, I passed again. The smaller barber’s sign had been removed, too.
While walking with my wife, today, I saw a fairly large group of people overflowing the sidewalk at Florida and Monroe in my neighborhood of University Heights. Initially, I wondered if they gathered to protest, perhaps against Donald Trump or for Palestine—either or both likely given the mood across Liberal San Diego County. Recent group gatherings closed down one or more local highways during rush hour.
But as we approached, I could see no placards and heard loads of laughing. Then my eyes turned to someone bent over marking the street with chalk. He continued until out of sight. As Annie and I resumed, a look over my shoulder revealed the group moving away. Later, when we returned to our street, I continued in the direction they had taken.
What’s going on with the Featured Image? Well, as my wife and I walked by TapRoom Beer Company, something strange caught my attention. Inside, an art class appeared to be underway. Seriously. A bunch a folks gathered around at least one table, and they sketched and watercolored.
I turned back, pulled out Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, and stealthily snapped a fast photo, which would be rather meaningless without explanation. Hence the reason you are getting it. I wanted to capture more of the group but there wasn’t good way without being too obvious and coming off as an annoying Peeping Tom.
While walking about our neighborhood of University Heights, today, my wife and I spontaneously decided to get in the car and drive to Ocean Beach; an errand beckoned us. Once completed, we continued onwards to Sunset Cliffs.
I already carried Nikon Zf with NIKKOR 40mm f/2 (SE) lens attached. However, what was needed: NIKKOR Z 24-200mm f/4-6.3 VR. So Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra pinch-hit for the long shots.
I am nowhere ready to officially review the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, even though my preorder arrived on Jan. 30, 2025—way early. The smartphone started selling in stores and online today. If you are considering moving from, say, either the S23 Ultra or S24 Ultra, don’t delay. The new model is surprisingly affordable, for a limited time.
Samsung typically offers magnanimously generous launch deals, particularly the value given for trade-in of older devices. To my surprise, Samsung hasn’t yet replaced the fantastic opportunity presented during the preorder period. Free storage upgrade is still available, and your S23 Ultra or S24 Ultra is worth $750 or $900, respectively, against purchase of the newer smartphone.
The Barber of Seville is responsible for most of my haircuts during our more than 17 years living in San Diego. His shop is, or was, located along Park Blvd in my neighborhood of University Heights. He trimmed my thinning locks one final time on Dec. 5, 2024, about a week before his last scheduled customer—appropriately a priest (George is a good Catholic).
He cut hair for about 45 years, 30 of them in the same location. He owns the building, and at our last meeting he was unsure what business would take over the space. Recently, somebody put up brown paper, covering the windows from inside. Something is going on inside as preparation for whatever will be the next occupant.
