Category: Society

Photo by Joe WilcoxJul 15, 20269:27 pm

The Trekkers

Fourteen years ago today, San Diego Comic-Con wrapped up for another annual gathering. Sunday is my favorite day of the entire event. Locals, particularly families, dominate attendance. Most of the Hollywood crowd has left the building, so to speak.

But pulp media presence is full-force present by way of brands. Star Trek is one of the biggest, considerably more so currently than 2012. One booth used to sell authentic sci-fi uniforms from several prominent TV series—I’m partial to those from Battlestar Galactica, thank-you. Star Trek was among them, but Anovos, the company producing the uniforms, no longer exists.

Photo by Joe WilcoxJul 14, 20268:35 pm

Day Three Crowd, Comic-Con 2012

Saturday at San Diego Comic-Con is by far the busiest day and most jam-packed, whether measured by attendance size or number of panels featuring actors, content creators, showrunners, and more.

Fourteen years ago today, a throng of people pushed past the G4 booth—as you can see from the Featured Image. Vitals: f/2.8, ISO 125, 1/17 sec, 3.4mm; 1:43 p.m. PDT.

Photo by Joe WilcoxJul 13, 20269:52 pm

Stormtrooper in a Kilt

Ho-ho, the on-this-date review from San Diego Comic-Con continues—reaching back to July 13, 2012. My attendance started in 2009, although I had a press pass for 2008—about nine months after the Wilcox family moved to Southern California. My return for two days next week will be my first appearance since 2017.

The Featured Image is intriguing for a couple of reasons. The kilt is obvious. You can see that. You have to wonder what impression a brigade of like-adorned stormtroopers would make. Would rebel forces laugh and not take their adversaries seriously enough, ending up even more dead?

Photo by Joe WilcoxJul 12, 202610:57 pm

I Wonder, Woman, Who Is Super, Man?

Like eleven years ago, July 12 is a Sunday. While the dates and days sync up, something else doesn’t: San Diego Comic-Con concluded on this date in 2015. The 2026 gathering won’t start for another 10 days, with Preview Night. I will be there on Thursday and Sunday, my first dalliance since 2017.

The Featured Image is among the last dozen photos taken using Fujifilm X-T1 and XF18-55mmF2.8-4 R LM OIS lens on this date 11 years ago. Vitals: f/3.2, ISO 250, 1/60 sec, 18mm; 1:49 p.m. PDT.

Photo by Joe WilcoxJul 9, 20268:24 pm

Decisions, Decisions

Eleven years ago today, I stomped about San Diego Convention Center shooting photos of Comic-Con 2015. Next week, I return for two days—Thursday and Sunday—marking my first attendance since (gasp) 2017. Oh, I tried but failed to secure passes.

During 2015 Con, I purchased the Fujifilm X-T1, bundled with two lenses, from Best Buy and made good use of the kit during most of the four full days. I used the X-T1 and XF18-55mmF2.8-4 R LM OIS lens to capture the Featured Image. Vitals: f/4, ISO 2500, 1/60 sec, 18mm; 4:31 p.m. PDT, July 9, 2015.

Photo by Joe WilcoxJul 8, 20269:57 pm

I Want That One

Let’s play memories like Facebook or your favorite photo app might do by presenting posts or pics from that day over the years. On July 9, 2015, San Diego Comic-Con commenced with Preview Night, and I was there.

In no way could I guess that the year would be my last with full attendance to the event over the full four days and evening. I did possess an entire Con pass for 2016, but I underwent cataract surgery that limited going to Saturday and Sunday; handicapped, I made no meaningful pictorial record.

Photo by Joe WilcoxJul 4, 20269:57 pm

“Happy Birthday!”

I remain amazed at the typically hostile reaction I receive to the flag t-shirt purchased from Costco several years ago. For example, few people will acknowledge or respond if I greet them when walking while wearing the tee, which differs from the cordiality that is otherwise common enough. But yesterday, one man yelled as we passed: “Happy Birthday!” Thank you.

Today, the United States of America turned 250, a remarkable feat for a Constitutional Republic. But, in San Diego, you wouldn’t know that it’s not just a holiday but the Semiquincentennial celebration. Mid-morning, I walked from Upas Street in North Park along 30th to Meade Ave and to our apartment in University Heights. Every business was open. Even the barbershops. I also counted only five American flags, two at businesses. That’s it!

Photo by Joe WilcoxJul 3, 202610:33 pm

A Tragic Scene

The text message appeared at 6:29 p.m. PDT: “Crash at Florida and Monroe! Don’t know the scoop!” I responded to my good friend and neighbor: “I better go look!!” She owns kitties Guido and Little, who have appeared in my “Cats of University Heights” series.

Approaching the scene, I expected to see a couple of shattered and smashed cars in the intersection. As you can see from the Featured Image and companions, I came upon something more somber, and unsettling.

Photo by Joe WilcoxJun 30, 202610:00 am

MacBook Neo: Sadly Underpowered, Easily Overwhelmed

If you are an iPhone and/or iPad owner who has pined for a somewhat affordable Mac, if you aren’t rushed and don’t mind waiting, and if you are bestowed with Herculean patience, then Apple MacBook Neo is for you. If you don’t mind paying $100 more than you would have five days ago, by all means partake the forbidden fruit.

For the record, other than anyone fitting the above criteria—or perhaps someone wanting to be one of the cool kids—I don’t recommend MacBook Neo for almost anyone who does more than surf the web or check email. Lag is the best term to describes how the Neo feels in real world usage. Performance reminds me of early Chromebooks, other than Google’s own Pixel series, and also Netbooks. Remember those?

Living by Joe WilcoxJun 23, 20264:29 pm

They’re Here, But Where’s the Lanyard?

The mailman, whose last day delivering to my street is tomorrow, delivered not one but two golden tickets: Thursday and Sunday passes to San Diego Comic-Con 2026. The annual pulp media pilgrimage starts one month from today, July 23, and runs through the 26th. Additionally, the lucky—or the chosen—can attend Preview Night on the 22nd.

Thursday is official first day. Friday tends to be busier. Saturday often is busiest because of the masquerade ball that evening. You will see more cosplayers strutting about than on any other day. I call Sunday “family day”; locals predominantly fill the convention center. Meanwhile, the majority of celebrities have gone. (Should I say good riddance?)

Photo by Joe WilcoxJun 21, 202610:13 pm

Godspeed, JB

This afternoon, as I walked along Mississippi Street, about a block-and-a-half South of El Cajon Blvd, a gentleman coming towards me wished a hearty “Happy Father’s Day!” He passed, I turned around, and I called, “Are you a dad??” So that I could return the sentiment. He isn’t one yet.

So, I asked how old he is. Thirty-one. He hopes to be a father someday, but he’s still single, and he is but six months into the current relationship; I heard hope in the man’s voice regarding the woman.

Photo by Joe WilcoxJun 20, 20269:18 pm

Letting Go

For several months I knew the day would come when the inevitable could no longer be delayed: Part with the Exerpeutic Folding Magnetic Upright Bike with Pulse purchased from Amazon in April 2013; price before discounts was around $130. I still use the exercise bicycle—several times a week, at least, especially during the colder season.

Letting go was a process of reaching a moment of absolute need for additional space. Our daughter is staying with us, and I have been slowly moving out things stored in my now former home office, which has become her bedroom. The day arrived when the space occupied by the stationary bike was needed for other things.