Tag: Galaxy S25 Ultra

Photo by Joe WilcoxMay 5, 20269:57 pm

How We Named Her

Two days ago, I asked on Facebook: Why Did You Choose Your Child’s Name? An aunt, niece, and two sisters responded. For example, Nanette answered about another niece: “Lynnae’s name was chosen as part of my middle name and adding the ‘ae’ to make it unique”.

My wife and I considered several names before settling on Molly for no reason that I can recall. Coincidentally, my then 94-year-old great-grandmother started a health decline during the late stage of Annie’s pregnancy—and she was way overdue! I told Annie that the baby wasn’t coming out until Gram passed. She died on August 1st, Molly was born the next morning, 18 days late. I would later learn that Molly is a nickname for Mary—Gram’s name. Serendipity?

Photo by Joe WilcoxMar 17, 202611:00 pm

The Cats of University Heights: Fluffer

A drawback of letting a backlog build up is recollection. Why, when, and where did I take the kitty’s photo? Oftentimes, I don’t remember those off-street—in the distance. My recall is better for those animals seen out and about; other cues, such as specific surroundings, typically trigger memory.

According to file location data, this fine feline joins the large but nevertheless select group of kitties seen on Alabama Street between Adams and Lincoln; number one-hundred ninth to be exact. The shorthair is also eighty-first found behind door or window. I don’t recall even taking the photo.

Photo by Joe WilcoxMar 11, 20269:40 pm

The Cats of University Heights: Wiley

Along Panorama Drive on Feb. 4, 2026, my wife spotted this fine feline, whom I pursued with the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra. The shorthair stalked something, and from the sounds of things several birds—none of which would ever be in reach. Nivkname: Wiley.

Vitals for the Featured Image: f/3.4, ISO 32, 1/132 sec, (synthetic) 230mm (digital and optical zoom); 10:23 a.m. PST.

Photo by Joe WilcoxMar 8, 20269:50 pm

Pelican Party

I spent some time helping out my daughter’s friend this afternoon. A bit of chaos descended last week. While he was at the hospital for treatment of an injury, San Diego parking enforcement towed the larger of two RVs, which was his domicile along with our daughter. Reason: The vehicle parked in the same location for more than 72 hours, which caused it to be classified as derelict. For sure, because he was injured.

They were in transition from a 37-footer to something little more than 20 feet long. As Voice of San Diego explains: “Cops Crack Down on RV Living“, and it’s the big ones they primarily target. A day or two later, and our daughter’s friend wouldn’t have lost so many personal belongings in the tow-job. (Shall we just call it theft?)

Photo by Joe WilcoxMar 6, 20268:27 pm

These Eyes

Sitting on the couch, working on Samsung Galaxy4 Edge, I look up and over the screen Cali stares back. She wants on my lap and the computer off it. Look at that face of challenge and jealousy. If looks could kill, I would for sure be a goner.

I used Galaxy S25 Ultra for the Featured Image, tonight. Vitals: f/2.4, ISO 1600, 1/30 sec, 70mm (film equivalent); 7:58 p.m. PST.

Photo by Joe WilcoxMar 4, 20269:03 pm

For the King of the Throne

Oddly, we are not done with cats. Unexpectedly, once again, the topic turns to fancy litter boxes on sale at Costco. In October 2025, the product was a robotic pooper scooper on sale for 599.99 (one-hundred bucks off).

By comparison, the new offering is a bargain.: $389.99. The Featured Image is clear: Your cat can be king (or queen) of the throne, and you can monitor the animal’s health progress based on its, ah, business. Ah, okay. For our cat family, no thanks.

Photo by Joe WilcoxMar 2, 20269:01 pm

The Cats of University Heights: Stormy

Who is this? As my wife and I walked along Alabama yesterday afternoon, this fine feline strutted our way—and with no initial interest in us. Neither of us had ever seen the grey and white before. Annie attracts animals like she and they are mutually magnetized. The kitty eventually warmed up to her for pats.

The cat had a collar and bell, but no tag. Thus, a nickname is necessary. For shining brightly before Annie, I choose Nova. The Featured Image and companion come from Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra. Vitals: f/3.4, ISO 40, 1/125 sec, (synthetic) 230mm (digital and optical zoom); 4:21 p.m. The other is same but 115mm.

Photo by Joe WilcoxFeb 28, 20269:53 pm

We as in You and Me?

T Village of University Heights is undoubtedly a liberal haven—or at least for those who demand to be heard. For all I know (and don’t), Republicans might outnumber Democrats, but you’d never know from the cacophony the liberals make. Their numbers matter less than who makes more demands. They’re a noisy group for sure.

Several overly-liberal areas stand out from others in the neighborhood. Shirley Ann is one street. Panorama Drive is another. Slogan signage tends to be loudest there. Take the Featured Image as an example. (Vitals: f/1.7, ISO 50, 1/200 sec, 23mm (film equivalent); 9:27 a.m. PST, today; Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra.)

Photo by Joe WilcoxFeb 27, 202610:29 pm

Is He an Escapee?

Times can come when 10x zoom capability is quite handy on a smartphone. That would be the case with the Featured Image, which was captured day-before-yesterday using Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra. Vitals: f/3.4, ISO 32, 1/250 sec, (synthetic) 230mm (digital and optical zoom); 12:12 p.m. PST.

The photo is surprisingly sharp, considering use of hardware capability combined with software magic (what else would you call it) to simulate the zoom range. Please feel free to pixel peep this one.

Photo by Joe WilcoxFeb 24, 20268:57 pm

Two Signs, Two Political Perspectives

Signs like the one in the Featured Image are sporadically appearing on lawns across my San Diego neighborhood of University Heights. “Don’t poke the bear” at one time applied to Soviet Russia, which if provoked too aggressively could respond by unleashing nuclear weapons.

There’s an appropriateness to its use to describe Communist California. Governor Gavin Newsom, who has aspirations about being the Democrats’ 2028 Presidential candidate, has gone wild with his response to policies advocated by the Donald Trump White House.

Photo by Joe WilcoxFeb 23, 20269:21 pm

Power Up!

As part of our preparedness for manmade or natural disasters, we keep three different battery backups: Bluetti AC50, EcoFlow River 2 Max, and Jackery Explorer 300. At least one recent wide-area San Diego power outage had us put all three into service. They performed admirably, providing power for numerous devices for the length of the blackout.

On Feb. 20, 2025, we received notice from the rental management company on behalf of San Diego Gas and Electric that our electricity would be off today from about 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Reason: Uprade the apartment complex to smart meters. Oh joy. At our previous apartment, the utility bill doubled after similar switchover. But that’s topic of a future post, if necessary.

Photo by Joe WilcoxFeb 22, 20269:43 pm

A Total Loss

A series of squatter fires has culminated in the near destruction of the last house among the derelict cottages located on Georgia Street across from Kindred Hospital. In June 2021, Georgy joined my “Cats of University Heights” series. She lived with her owners in one of the residences—before being rehomed, following their renoviction.

Later becoming what I called squatter villas, the buildings burned partially here and there over the course of several years. Yesterday morning, another fire gutted the front building that had been the most intact. Presumably, homeless folk seeking to stay warm or cook food started all the blazes.