I don’t for a second doubt that the owner of this dog regards it as a collectible—and the “Ty” tag surely means something. You remember Beanie Babies, right? Well, this pooch isn’t one of them. He appeared in the window as my wife and I wife walked by on June 15, 2023.
Ha! After I put away Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra, after taking the Featured Image, a smaller dog poked up its head and vamoosed before I could react. Vitals: f/2.4, ISO 50, 1/3200 sec, 70mm (film equivalent); 11:50 a.m. PDT.
According to one of my neighbors, who tends a butterfly garden in her front yard, a female Monarch lays eggs on milkweed. As such, the mom-to-be stayed still long enough for me to shoot six shots, the last being the Featured Image.
This one is composed as captured and as produced by Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra. Meaning: No post-production. Vitals: f/4.9, ISO 50, 1/850 sec, 230mm (film equivalent); 11:25 a.m. PDT, today.
Marking a trendy trend among the trendy artisan set, Communal Coffee in San Diego’s North Park neighborhood won’t accept your money for payment. Your credit or debit card is legal tender, even Apple Pay, but keep bills or coins in pocket, purse, or wallet.
The privilege of digital currency comes with a perk—and one some of you won’t want: The tip nag screen that appears during the purchase process. Oh, don’t feel guilt or pressure, with the glaring eyes of the barista bearing down on you with expectation of 20-percent or more gratuity to top off that swank latte with almond milk.
Around my neighborhood are many little lending libraries. Some are fancy, others large, then there those paying homage to something. All are wooden boxes of various types placed and placarded (as LittleFreeLibrary). Someone made them.
But why go to all that trouble? Today, I happened upon the best book sharing station ever. Why build something new, when you can repurpose something else—in this instance a fence post upon which to place a cardboard box with books. I love it! Use what you got instead of making something new.
As the hunt for my neighbor’s missing kitty Bruce continues, I take a moment to regard one of our two felines. Neko has started to occasionally nap on the bed in my old office, which is now our daughter’s bedroom. She moved into our apartment on April 11, 2023, as part of recovery from a traumatic event, which her medical record describes as “severe hypoxic injury and bilateral subcortical infarctions”. Her progress so far is nothing short of miraculous, considering where she was on March 2. That said, doctors have counseled us to expect one to two years for her brain to heal as much as it will ever.
Our girl’s arrival kind of sent the cats (Cali is the other) into exile from one of their main rooms in the residence. But the Featured Image, taken today using Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra, shows how Neko is starting to share territory with our girl. Vitals: f/2.4, ISO 125, 1/60 sec, 70mm; 10:40 a.m. PDT; composed as shot.
June is when come out the proud boys—and I don’t mean the group caught up in what occurred inside and outside the U.S. Capitol building on Jan. 6, 2021. Rainbow banners fly in homes and businesses around San Diego, supposedly supporting the prideful.
So I was quite surprised, today, to come upon colors of different character and national pride. At the corner of Madison and Texas streets, someone set up a stand selling the flag of Mexico and related sundries. Driving to Costco and stopped at a red light, I rolled down the car’s window and used Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra to shoot the Featured Image and companion.
While walking together today, my wife and I came upon Mr. Frankie, enjoying some sun with his owner. But they weren’t alone! Housemate Mickey was outside with them. She is two years old and joined the family at four months. By the way, Mr. Frankie just celebrated his fourth birthday.
I used Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra to capture the Featured Image and companion. Vitals: f/4.9, ISO 64, 1/120 sec, 230mm (film equivalent); 3:46 p.m. PDT. Second shot: f/2.4, ISO 50, 1/2900 sec, 70mm (film equivalent); 3:45 p.m.
The problem with black pusses is identification. Is this shorthair Noire, who has consistently appeared in a nearby property? In more than a year of walking this stretch of Mississippi Street, I have never seen any kitty on these premises—until this May 1, 2023 sighting.
I used Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra‘s 10x optical zoom to capture the Featured Image. Vitals: f/4.9, ISO 50, 1/250 sec, 230mm (film equivalent); 4:39 p.m. PDT. Does this cat look like a mouser to you? The beastie does to me—hence the nickname.
Let’s recap: On June 2, 2023, I walked along Adams Avenue from San Diego neighborhood University Heights to Normal Heights. At 2:46 p.m. PDT, I stopped before the clock near Boundary Street. Four minutes later, I stood on the bridge overlooking I-805 traffic. Locals say the 805—and they put the article before all major roads (e.g. “the 163”). I am an East Coaster and writer who detests the. (You hadn’t noticed that I often omit “the” like someone speaking English as a second language?)
At 2:55 p.m., I delighted in the colorful car wash sign. Continuing along, I approached my destination around 3:06 p.m. How could I resist a classic Volkswagen wagon parked outside the Vons supermarket? Out of my pocket came Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra and into my photo library went the Featured Image and companion.
The prominent decoration in San Diego during June are rainbow flags. I don’t love them. There are so many, meaning is pointless. Besides, I see more cultural, political, and societal division because of them than the inclusion the colors supposedly represent.
Continuing along Adams Avenue from the clock, you will pass the self-serve car wash. The Featured Image, from Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra, is a refreshing blast of colors compared to the tired and overly displayed rainbow. Hence, my stopping for a shot, on June 2, 2023. Vitals: f/1.7, ISO 10, 1/1400 sec, 23mm (film equivalent); 2:55 p.m. PDT.
Today, Apple held its annual developer conference, where the company announced new versions of iOS, macOS, and iPad OS along with hardware that includes 15-inch MacBook Air. Any other year, I would have watched the keynote and downloaded developer builds of the new platforms. Instead, I cancelled my annual developer subscription that was about to renew.
How time flies. In December 2022, I started a complete fruit-logo exodus. This morning, Samsung emailed that my iPad Pro had been received for credit towards the Galaxy Tab S8+ acquired last month. My smartphone is Galaxy S23 Ultra, replacing iPhone Pro 13. I gave up the 16.2-inch MacBook Pro for Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio.
Walking home from Trader Joe’s this afternoon, I passed a rabbit hanging out on the lawn where Kitty used to go. (One of the “Cats of University Heights“, the tuxedo vanished in September 2021.) The bunny seemed quite content until I reached for Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra; he hoped off and stopped behind the gate leading into the backyard.
The smartphone may not produce the sharpest photos, but they’re good enough, particularly considering the benefit: Massive 10x optical zoom in a device carried in my pocket; no bulky, costly expensive camera gear required.