Tag: Galaxy S25 Ultra

Photo by Joe WilcoxJun 8, 20259:22 pm

The Fix is In

Where have I been? Posting has been light for an extended period of time and non-existent since May 21, 2025. Couple months back, I developed an inguinal hernia; right side. Interestingly, or not, I had one repaired on the left side around age eight.

Surgery took place 10 days ago, and healing advances nicely. The surgeon operated at an outpatient surgical center, which I initially regarded skeptically, presuming a hospital must be better. But thinking differently, later supported by experience: What better place than where surgeons and support staff cut all day long? Practice makes perfect as they say, and a surgical center must be prepped and ready to handle the unexpected.

Photo by Joe WilcoxMay 17, 20259:37 pm

Fighting Fire with Words

The third weekend of the month is the book-sale room at the University Heights Public Library. The place is on the same street as yesterday’s fire and about two blocks walk away. My wife and I had to see the aftermath.

Annie saw the signs first, as my eyes were drawn to charring along the building’s right front section. As you can see from the Featured Image and companions, some neighbors are quite displeased with what, reportedly, is a recent series of incidents occurring on the property—and this most recent fire not the first.

Photo by Joe WilcoxMay 14, 202510:12 pm

Red Fox Perishes

The big, unexpected news and social media story this week here in University Heights is the sudden closure of the Red Fox Steakhouse and Piano Bar. According to bloggers, Facebookers, Journalists, Nextdoor posters, and more (oh, the dirt they sling): Management called staff to an all-hands meeting midday Monday (today is Wednesday) and fired everyone. Red Fox was closed immediately.

Except for San Diego Union Tribune wrongly calling the location North Park most of the scuttlebutt appears to be consistent but lacking one thing substantive: Why? Since everything in business is one way or another related to money, speculation and second-hand former employee reports indicate financial hardship. That would make sense, if, say, there was cashflow problems that prevented buying staples—like raw meat and veggies to cook and serve. Who knows.

Photo by Joe WilcoxMay 1, 20258:50 pm

Winning Time

I do believe one of my neighbors successfully completed some level of marathon race in good time. During Winter (really late Summer in San Diego), we would occasionally see him training running in our neighborhood of University Heights.

B.A.A. refers to Boston Athletic Association. Boston Marathon took place on the 250th Patriots’ Day (a fine New England Holiday that I fondly recall)—April 21, 2025. I shot the Featured Image, using Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, nine days later. Vitals: f1/7, ISO 50, 1/8000 sec, 23mm (film equivalent); 11:10 a.m. PDT. Composed as captured.

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 16, 20259:18 pm

Hillcrest Farmers Market Relocated

The third weekend of the month means book sale at the University Heights Public Library. My wife and I traipsed in for a looksee, and I left with two books for a buck a piece. Prized one: The Hugo Winners – Volumes I & II, edited by Isaac Asimov.

We continued along Georgia Avenue to the bridge that overlooks University Avenue. Unexpectedly seen: Hillcrest Farmers Market, which relocated there little more than a month ago. San Diego is converting part of Normal Street, where was the Sunday market, to an outdoor promenade.

Photo by Joe WilcoxMar 14, 20259:10 pm

Rain Respite

A series of storms pelted San Diego County most of this (business) week. Sun would appear between some of them, and winds raged during transitions, too, and throughout some of the heaviest rainfall periods.

Yesterday, during hours of respite, I used Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra to capture the Featured Image, which didn’t turn out as anticipated. The city road sign, which perched on the corner a day or two earlier, was mostly submerged in a massive puddle. But, somehow, that nuance is lost in this shot and another two (unpublished).

Photo by Joe WilcoxMar 13, 20256:38 pm

When Did Mickey Get Tatted?

Five years ago, I shared with you a quick photo of the local psychic shop, asking: “Yes, But Did She Foresee the Pandemic?” I could have wondered if she could see the end of her business location. The place closed a few years later, and a vintage clothing store opened. That’s gone, too.

The Featured Image, taken today using Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, reveals the current tenant. I want to know when Mickey got tatted. With what? Minnie Mouse? One wonders. He hides it well.

Photo by Joe WilcoxMar 9, 20259:15 pm

The (Honorary) Cats of University Heights: Kello

I detest Daylight Saving Time and the turning of clocks forward one hour in the Spring. Today, PDT resumes, and I would prefer Standard Time all year long. The naturally occurring daylight cycle better aligns with my Circadian rhythm—and yours, too.

That introduction means to prepare you for this fine feline’s nickname: Kello, which is Finnish for clock. I saw the kitty today, while walking with my wife along Texas Street in North Park. Being beyond the neighborhood boundary, Kello joins the esteemed group of honorarians—35 in all.

Photo by Joe WilcoxMar 7, 20257:32 pm

Oh, Bearded Me

After my father died nearly a year ago, my sister sent some of his memorabilia—thousands of slides (mostly) from the 1970s; journals from the same era (not yet read by me); and a handful of photos.

About six months passed before I opened the boxes containing the stuff. Nearly three weeks before dying, he gave away the family farm to strangers, which poisoned my interest in my father’s personal things. I am still quite unresolved about the situation.

Photo by Joe WilcoxMar 5, 20259:58 pm

Cute But Cautious

My wife interrupted our walk on Feb. 28, 2025 to point out “cute” birds in a tree ahead of us. I pulled out Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra for a couple of quick captures. The Featured Image is best of six. Vitals: f/3.4, ISO 32, 1/250 sec, (synthetic) 230mm (digital and optical zoom); 4:16 p.m. PST.

I am not a bird watcher, so identification is a bit tricky. My guess, with a little Google Lens assistance, is American Goldfinch. I dunno. Meaningful 10x zoom fully made this moment.

Photo by Joe WilcoxFeb 25, 20259:41 pm

Battered Boots

For days upon days, I passed by these boots left out for someone—anyone—to take. San Diego isn’t known for rain, but a storm pelted them sometime after I shot the Featured Image on Feb. 11, 2025. I might have grabbed them, but they weren’t my size and need for work boots is zero.

But I liked looking at them—well-worn and broken in. They’ likely have many more years of wear than what appearances might suggest. They’re rugged, and I hope enough that they survived the rain. Someone took them the next day of sun, or so it seems. They disappeared.