Category: Tech

Photo by Joe WilcoxAug 7, 20239:29 pm

Night Garden

On the same property where are the solar-powered lamps that I shared with you last month are decorative lights that surround a sculptured montage of rocks, succulents, and waterfall. When walking by this evening, I decided to stop for a shot—several, actually.

The Featured Image is my selection of the set, and it is edited to taste. While taken after sunset, the original photo isn’t nearly as dark. I amped blacks, dehaze, and highlights, looking to more strongly contrast areas of light and dark—particularly shadows upon the stonework and light on the greenery.

Photo by Joe WilcoxAug 6, 20238:24 pm

Chair Pair

Will the Featured Image win awards, or even kudos, for compelling street photography? Never. I don’t have a good supporting story either. The chairs caught my attention for being two, fitting the space placed, and […]

Photo by Joe WilcoxAug 4, 202310:01 pm

The Cats of University Heights: Moonpie

Along a Mississippi alley, I spotted this fine feline on June 2, 2023. This rascal is the one-hundred-twelfth furball found behind door or window since the series‘ start in October 2016. Believe it or not, the animal is on the second floor.

I used Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra to capture the Featured Image. Vitals: f/4.9, ISO 160, 1/125 sec, 230mm (film equivalent); 7:38 p.m. PDT. What nickname shall we give? How about Moonpie.

Photo by Joe WilcoxAug 3, 20239:17 pm

Big, Possibly Temporary, Win for Single Family Homeowners

Today, San Diego Planning Commission unanimously approved Housing Action Package 2.0, which further eases development and redevelopment of properties to increase population density (real intention versus stated objective of creating more affordable housing).

But, the most controversial portion, which had garnered protests for and against, stalled: California State Bill No. 10, which became law last year. Localities choose whether to adopt the provision, which would essentially enable eradicating portions of single-family neighborhoods for the construction of up to 10-unit residences on as little as a single lot. Location must be in a “transit-rich area”, which is a bit misleading. According to the bill, that “means a parcel within one-half mile of a major transit stop” (e.g., city bus).

Photo by Joe WilcoxAug 2, 20239:47 pm

Exit Strategy

For lack of people posts, let’s have one with a big crowd—mass of Comic-Con attendees leaving the San Diego Convention Center at the event’s close on Sunday, July 27, 2014. What luck this year that Hollywood is on strike.

The Featured Image is memorable for camera: Nokia Lumia Icon Windows Phone. Microsoft may have fumbled the mobile market and let Android and Apple make winning touchdowns, but the shooting hardware was best of class.

Photo by Joe WilcoxAug 1, 20239:55 pm

The Cats of University Heights: Twilight Twins

For several years, I have sought photos of one or both blacks that stay to the back of a cottage complex on Florida Street. But the shorthairs are always too far away. Then, unexpectedly, on June 10, 2023, while walking along the alley behind, I passed by the open back gate and there they were.

Problem: Timing and equipment. Deep dusk had already set in, with buildings blocking the last rays before official sunset at 7:56 p.m. PDT. The Featured Image is one-minute earlier. Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra can be prepped for such night shooting but wasn’t—and I needed to be quick on the shutter.

Photo by Joe WilcoxJul 31, 20239:49 pm

Fountain of Hope

A tad over four months has passed since our daughter was discharged from the San Diego County hospital where she spent 30 days. In-patient, then out-patient, rehabilitation followed, as she continues recovery from brain trauma: “severe hypoxic injury and bilateral subcortical infarctions”.

She seems normal enough, but a professional or family member could quickly see that she is at least somewhat disabled. Physical handicap persists and she needs some supervision; while intellect and memory seem to be mostly intact, she’s childlike in a way that makes her vulnerable.

Photo by Joe WilcoxJul 30, 20239:34 pm

You Looking at Me?

This squirrel took some offense to my pointing Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra on July 26, 2023. He (or she) scurried up the telephone pole, then turned around and started back down when the smartphone came […]

Photo by Joe WilcoxJul 29, 20239:00 pm

Hidden Bunch

I occasionally share some of the things people put out in San Diego alleys, like the Apple PowerMac G3 (circa 1999), art gallery, big face clock, family room, profane hat, rustic mirror, rusty typewriter, Seventies stove, snowboarding boots, solid wood dresser, Victorian-style sofa, or Vitamaster Slendercycle—to name but a few.

But humans aren’t alone; nature puts out a few surprising finds, too—as the Featured Image demonstrates. These tempting grapes grow along a fence in an alley whose location I choose to withhold other than to say somewhere in University Heights. Interestingly, some vines have riper ones than others.

Photo by Joe WilcoxJul 28, 20239:36 pm

Big Band Bubble Brigade

Summer never really ends in San Diego but ebbs and flows throughout the year. Yet the last Friday night live music event in Old Trolley Barn Park feels like end of the season, even as the dog days of August are yet to come.

I walked over this evening, beckoned several blocks away by the boisterous big band sound of Sue Palmer & Her Motel Swing Orchestra. She drew quite the crowd, and sizable group—mostly older folks—danced before the stage. If mosh pits were for kids and grandmas, well I observed one tonight.

Photo by Joe WilcoxJul 27, 20238:52 pm

Crisis is the Best Measure of Character

One of my direct neighbors—meaning living in the same apartment building—had her SUV stolen four nights ago, while visiting a friend in Mission Valley. We live in University Heights, which overlooks that San Diego community. Also taken: Cell phone, purse, and wallet. To say the least, this is a devastating event.

Rather than rant, or be angry, she nervously laughs about what happened. I understand. There’s an absurd, “this can’t be real” quality that is tragically laughable. She takes charge of the situation and doesn’t whine “Why Me?” or seek sympathy as a victim. She is determined and matter of fact in her resolve to recover life quickly.

Google by Joe WilcoxJul 26, 20239:56 pm

Remembering Nexus 7

Ten years ago today, July 26, 2013, Google released the Asus-manufactured (second-generation) Nexus 7 tablet in the United States. I almost need say nothing more than share headline to today’s Android Police story by Zachary Kew-Denniss: “10 years ago, Google launched the 2nd-gen Nexus 7, and no tablet has captured its magic since“. Dek: “An elegant tablet from a more civilized age”. Ah, yup. (Oh, check out the tech site’s way-back-when unboxing video.)

To be honest, I was enamored with the first iteration released the previous year, too. But the second checked all the right boxes: Android version maturity, balance, price, size, specs, supporting services, and utility. The thing felt good to handle and use, and Google smartly marketed the device as a tool for family and school purposes (great marketing video; click through). Apple couldn’t come close for communications, informational utility, virtual assistant capabilities, etc. etc.