Category: Society

Photo by Joe WilcoxMar 22, 202510:05 pm

Medical Office Oasis

I (rightly) complain a lot about the insane amount of residential building going on in San Diego—much of it obliterating charming cottages or Craftsman-like homes and greenery galore. (What’s the use of having a backyard for the kids to play when you can build an Accessory Dwelling Unit and rent it, eh?)

That said, the city also is lush, with well-manicured properties packing yard spaces full of flowers, plants, trees, and other natural paraphernalia that add charm and character. Consider the Featured Image, captured two days ago using Nikon Zf and NIKKOR 40mm f/2 (SE) lens, to be representative.

Photo by Joe WilcoxMar 19, 20259:48 pm

What Do You Make of This?

Results of routine bloodwork brought me to walk through Hillcrest today. Along Cleveland Ave., I passed the progressive church with the rainbow doors, where the banner in the Featured Image rather riveted my attention. The congregation is studying fascism for Lent? Not scripture? Not Jesus’ life?

You know what rhymes with Lent? Repent. That would be a great place to start and more scriptural. Fascism studies turns the attention of parishioners to the sins of others when they should be digging up their own and offering them with repentance. What did Jesus say about taking the log out of your own eye before the speck in your brother’s eye?

Photo by Joe WilcoxMar 10, 202510:02 pm

Mighty Mural

There is something strange about the things you pass by often, maybe every day, to which you are blind. You don’t see them. The Featured Image and companion capture portion of a mural that I walked by dozens and dozens of times—simply ignored, until today.

The artwork spans a cement block wall along the alley-side of a home here in my San Diego neighborhood of University Heights. The motif features kids at play mixed with Eastern religious symbology; pardon my ignorance but perhaps Hindu.

Photo by Joe WilcoxMar 8, 20256:32 pm

Tell Us What You Really Think

Some people wear their heart on their sleave, as the adage goes. I still see Harris-Walz signs around my San Diego neighborhood of University Heights. I know lots of folks who are downright distraught that Kamala lost the election. Honestly, they should be relieved that she did. The former vice president wasn’t ready, if she ever will be, to become Commander in Chief.

As for Donald Trump, he gets a pass from me through the first 100 days. Peace in the Middle East and between Russia and Ukraine would be major milestones, if his administration can facilitate such outcomes.

Photo by Joe WilcoxFeb 15, 20258:32 pm

Where the Arrows Lead

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.

Photo by Joe WilcoxFeb 12, 20257:15 pm

Sketchy Saturday

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.

Photo by Joe WilcoxFeb 7, 202510:21 pm

Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra: Oh, Yeah

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.

Photo by Joe WilcoxFeb 5, 20259:27 pm

The State of the Union

The U.S. Federal government is undergoing dramatic transformation, as President Donald Trump unleashes a nearly daily torrent of executive orders. Entire agencies are being gutted and/or face dissolution.

The poster child, so to speak, is U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), which by statute delivers humanitarian aid across the globe. On Jan. 20, 2025, the Commander-in-Chief “implemented a 90-day freeze on foreign assistance“, while the organization’s future is being evaluated. Meanwhile, firings and other actions shake up FBI, Dept. Education, and other agencies.

Photo by Joe WilcoxJan 24, 20257:21 pm

Creature Feature

Sometimes, it’s not what you shoot but why. On Nov. 10, 2024, while walking along an alley in my San Diego neighborhood of University Heights, my wife and I passed a collection of kids’ toys looking down from a roof.

Initially, I continued on, then stopped, when mentally revisualizing the scene. Sulley the monster appears to be holding up the metal bar. I assume that was the intention of the person putting the Disney character there, but it could be coincidence, too.

Living by Joe WilcoxJan 20, 202510:09 pm

One Crazy Inauguration Day

A little after Noon, today, Donald Trump became President for the second time—47th and previously 45th. During his acceptance speech he promised to immediately secure the Southern Border, asserted there are two genders—male and female (and I agree)—pledged to reduce inflation and create jobs, and thanked God.

As he stopped by different venues during the day’s events, he signed a rash of executive actions (e.g. orders), which include: ending diversity, equity, and inclusion programs across the Federal government; recognizing biological sex, not gender identity; designating international cartels (think Mexican) as terrorist organizations; and withdrawing the United States from the Paris (Climate) Agreement and World Health Organization, among a slew of others.

Photo by Joe WilcoxJan 19, 20257:06 pm

Gritty Graffiti

Let me preface this post by strongly saying that the Featured Image isn’t an expression about my attitude with respect to the current crisis in the Middle East. Rather, I observe surprising graffiti and use it to illustrate current events.

A tenuous ceasefire is underway between Israel and adversaries in Gaza and Lebanon. Earlier today, Hamas released the first three of 33 hostages in exchange for 90 by the Israelis. The conflict started on Oct. 7, 2003 when terrorists breached Israeli defenses from Gaza, killed more than 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and grabbed 254 hostages. Nearly 100 remain in captivity.

Photo by Joe WilcoxJan 13, 20254:18 pm

Los Angeles Burns

The time is overdue to post something about the scourge of wildfires ravaging Los Angeles County. Dry Santa Ana winds, coming off the desert, were forecast with the unusually sternest of warnings a week ago. Then, as sustained gusts reached about 50 mph, the first reports of a brushfire went out—around 10:30 a.m. PST on Tuesday Jan. 7, 2024. Within minutes, intense flames and oversize flying embers drove forward what would be called the Palisades Fire. Ten acres would be burned by the top of the hour and more than 1,200 by 3:30 p.m.

Thousands of structures, including entire neighborhoods, burned to the ground in communities with names people living outside the state might recognize, such as Malibu and Pacific Palisades. The wildfire even destroyed businesses and homes along California’s scenic, and iconic, Pacific Coast Highway—someplace where residents would never reasonably expect such carnage.