The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio is among the best computers that I have owned. One compelling feature/benefit: Construction. The Magnesium and Aluminum case is super sturdy—and today our cat Neko put it to the test. Unfortunately.
I plugged in to charge during a time in the afternoon when sunlight blankets the desk in my office. To reduce heat, I covered the Laptop Studio, an action that should have been recognized as an invitation to the cat; warm spot on a rectangular shape.
What makes a place historical? I ask because of the Featured Image, showing a sign which you can read and then try to answer. If the frog pond still existed, still stocked more than 120 years later, now that would be noteworthy. But, as you can see, stone wall is all that really remains—dirt filled, covered with grass. Remove the signage and who would ever guess what was?
Often enough, I have walked by this thing, here in my neighborhood of University Heights, and had assumed it to be a deliberately designed structure to slow traffic along a very residential street. I never imagined that the thing predated cars and had other meaning.
The Mac faithful boast about the Apple lifestyle and devices working well together. Samsung sells a compelling ecosystem, too, that is much broader than personal computing devices—everything from TVs to washing machines, and all in-between.
As an owner of smartphone, smartwatch, and tablet from the South Korean manufacturer, I have longed to add a laptop to the mix. Last year’s Galaxy Book3 Ultra checked off most benefits on my list, but no touchscreen and a then recent purchase of Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio stopped any irrational purchase. Two months ago, Samsung started selling the Galaxy Book4 Ultra, with touchscreen, and I was intrigued.
My father’s death yesterday ends one saga and begins another. His grandfather purchased the farm in 1895, and the core property has remained continuously with the Wilcox clan. At one time, the expanse topped 200 acres. But portions were sold off decades upon decades ago, leaving 100 acres—60 of which is for farming and the rest is woodland.
Dad chose not to leave the portion over which he has title—nearly two-thirds, including the buildings—to family. His pastors, a married couple—and not their church—are the inheritors. The arrangement isn’t some surprise; he made clear his intentions years ago.
This isn’t the way to clear up the beastie backlog—sharing a feline find from yesterday. My wife spotted the grey as we walked along the Cleveland Ave. overlook towards Campus. The shorthair is neither Blue nor Blue Too, both of which lived nearby and who joined the series in November 2016.
The Featured Image comes from Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra. Vitals: f/3.4, ISO 64, 1/120 sec, (synthetic) 230mm (digital and optical zoom); 10:16 a.m. PDT. Composed as shot.
Being bored while our ginger Neko explored the apartment building courtyard late afternoon, I pulled out Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra and turned it to some of the fortnight lilies lounging in the center space. The Featured Image and companion are among a total of seven captures.
Vitals: f/2.2, ISO 50, 1/240 sec, 13mm (film equivalent); 4:59 p.m. PDT. The other is same but 1/300 sec, one-minute earlier. Both photos are composed as shot and straight from the smartphone; no edits.
If the Featured Image confuses you, don’t despair. Explanation is necessary, but also see if you can capture the gist of the illusion: That little Big Boy is delivering a juicy burger to a parked car.
This technically is a failed photo, but one I refused to abandon. On March 20, 2024, I walked by a closed barber shop on Park Blvd in San Diego neighborhood Hillcrest. Big Boy, and a Magic 8 Ball next to him, could be seen inside. That restaurant symbol is iconic; I pulled out Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra for two quick shots.
We return to “The Menacing Palm” for what should have been a festive visit. His other guises include: “Be Mine“, “Hungry Bunny“, and “The Patriotic Palm“. But when attempting to write this post, I couldn’t access my website, for reason to be determined.
Chrome and Edge served up error: “DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN”, which is a fancy way of saying that the domain cannot be resolved. The problem can be generated locally on the computer or elsewhere. Online, at my provider’s admin site, I found no apparent problems with hosting, so I presumed the problem must be with my laptop. But the obvious thing wasn’t the cause.
This afternoon, while walking along an alley in our neighborhood of University Heights, my wife expressed delight seeing some dog art hanging from a fence door. I initially passed by the display, then thought that her reaction deserved acknowledgement.
So I pulled out Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra and took four quickies of varying compositions. The Featured Image is the best for presenting singly. Vitals: f/1.7, ISO 12, 1/1050 sec, 23mm (film equivalent); 2:18 p.m. PDT.
Crime is on the rise in San Diego. News reports, social media posts, and street talk among neighbors all spotlight an increasing trend. Porch pirates are commonplace. Shoplifters compel retailers to lock up sundry staples like batteries and toothpaste. Armed robberies, burglaries, and debit card skimming also appear to be on the rise.
So I suppose today’s incident here in University Heights shouldn’t surprise anyone. Late morning, my wife and I walked over to a parallel street, where we came upon a police car and our mail carrier speaking with someone who turned out to be his supervisor. Busted window and glass on the pavement revealed what happened.
I ignored today’s solar eclipse, which was nowhere near totality here in San Diego. Had we moved home to Maine as planned last year, well my interest would be—sincerely, ignore the pun—astronomical. While local and national news honed on Houlton, my hometown Caribou was in the path of totality.
That topic dispatched, let’s move on to the Featured Image. Late afternoon, I discovered a bug behind the bathroom door. Black color and white striations suggested spider; any eight-legger gets a free pass in this household; spiders aren’t pests, they’re pest control.
Our first feline of the month also claims Caturday number one. I walked by this kitty on March 31, 2024, along an undisclosed street West of Park Blvd. The shorthair had been watching birds, but briefly turned my way for the Featured Image, which was captured using Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra. Vitals: f/3.4, ISO 50, 1/120 sec, (synthetic) 230mm (digital and optical zoom); 11:07 a.m. PDT.
For nickname, how about Kiko, which is Hawaiian for spot—or so claims Google Translate. Kiko is the one-hundred-twenty-seventh beastie found behind door or window since the series‘ start in October 2016.