Tag: Galaxy S25 Ultra

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When Less is More

When Twiggs shuttered both locations—Park Blvd in University Heights, Adams Ave in North Park—in October 2023, many locals, me included, were blindsided. The coffee shops operated for about three decades successfully—granted, changing owners several times and more recently a few years before the sudden end.

New shops replaced both storefronts. The one on Park simply took over the space, with so little changes that one might not realize that Twiggs ever went away. But over on Adams, the new coffee shop is a complete makeover. The change isn’t just dramatic; the place stands apart from every other coffee shop in the five-community locales of Kensington, Hillcrest, Normal Heights, North Park, and University Heights.

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Little Library for Justice

This post is not a commentary on immigration enforcement, ICE raids, or the troubles in Minnesota. Emotions are so piqued and polarized, any meaningful discussion seems pointless. I observe that people either oppose or support ICE actions—vehemently, with little middle ground for meaningful discussion.

However, the Featured Image is meant to present passive resistance as manifested in my San Diego neighborhood of University Heights. The sign on the Little Free Library speaks for itself. Look lower left and you will see hanging the last whistle. Half a minute earlier, ahead of me, a woman walking her dog took the second-to-last one.

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When Dreams Die

Since we started regularly going to the San Diego Public Library, University Heights book salethird Saturday and Sunday of each month—I have searched for my version of the Holy Grail: A complete set of Encyclopedia Britannica. This weekend, I found it but couldn’t buy it.

The problem is clutter, space, and timing. Our daughter is coming to visit for a bit, and I am surrendering my home office so she can have space of her own while here. The apartment is 772-square feet, but actual useful living space is diminished by the layout. We’re not hoarders, and still my wife and I feel cramped by clutter caused by lack of place to keep what we use daily or to store for emergencies.

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They Came from Boston to Dance

What do I know about anything? Third weekend of the month is the book sale at the local library, from which I walked home via Park Blvd. Where Meade and Mission meet the street in a quasi-triangle, there is the University Heights pillar. Approaching, I observed a group gathered and milling about; well, that piqued my curiosity.

Passing through them, I could see from the men’s T-Shirts that they were members of a dance company. I wondered if a public demonstration might be coming or perhaps people were being trained to dance; meaning, everything was educational. Observation led me to presume that they were publicly practicing (and maybe teaching), deliberately outdoors on an absolutely gorgeous, unseasonably warm day; high temperature topped 25 degrees Celsius (78 Fahrenheit).

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The Cats of University Heights: Pretty Kitty

I simply cannot believe the weather we are having here in San Diego. High temperature tipped 26 degrees Celsius (80 Fahrenheit). That kept the kitties in the shade or indoors, like the one from the Featured Image, which was shot on Oct. 14, 2025, using Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra. Vitals: f/3.4, ISO 80, 1/400 sec, (synthetic) 230mm (digital and optical zoom); 8:08 a.m. PST.

I came upon the pretty kitty along Lincoln, which marks the neighborhood’s boundary with North Park. She is the one-hundred-forty-third feline found behind door or window.

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Alabama Alley Freebees

San Diego weather is unseasonably mild this week. For example, today’s high was 22 degrees Celsius (72 Fahrenheit). Forecast is 23 C (74 F) tomorrow, with no measurable cooling for the remainder of the week; what a treat, or would be, if not for the flu.

I find sunlight—heat, more so—to be therapeutic. That makes reading in the car appealing right now, and I walk when temperature is highest. But I don’t want to directly infect anyone, so I traverse the alleys, like we Wilcoxes did during the SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19 lockdowns. There are many fewer face-to-face encounters.

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December Dusk

My wife entered full flu today, while mine continues marginally diminished. Friends popped up everywhere wanting to help. One special friend sent lemon soup via Uber Eats; we wouldn’t let her come by to prevent viral exposure. At a distance another friend dropped by a walnut cake with cute cats card inside. Bianca and Jennifer, we are humbled and grateful.

That brief introduction brings us to another quick and easy Featured Image—once again from Pixel 10 Pro XL. Annie pointed out the incredible setting-sun sky on Dec. 29, 2025. I chose the Google smartphone over Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra because it more accurately renders colors—and without oversaturating them. Vitals: f1.7, ISO 32, 1/120 sec, 24mm (film equivalent), 5:09 p.m. PST.

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Adventures in Anthropomorphism

We the people crave relationships, including inanimate objects that are given human characteristics (e.g. anthropomorphizing) so that there is something shared in common—something familiar, relatable.

Take the Featured Image as example. One of my neighbors ever-so-slightly adorned a cactus with eyes, making meaning in the process. The taller cacti suddenly is an adult—let’s say single parent—standing alongside a shy youngster. Maybe someone else sees a shaggy little dog instead. Regardless, some story suddenly emerges where before there was nothing more than two cacti.

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The Cats of University Heights: KitKat

I may not have the spelling right—two words or perhaps “C” instead of “K”—but the name is correct. This forlorn little thing came to her current owner quite unexpectedly about three years ago. A young man and woman came by looking for the, ah, pet parent after witnessing some beastly human kicking the cat in the face, injuring her jaw and breaking considerable number of teeth.

They were going to drive the wounded cat to San Diego Humane Society but instead left her behind. The couple had come to the home of an animal lover. She puts out food for stray cats, possums, skunks, squirrels, crows, and other birds. She once rescued a snake whose tail got crushed by a car. She nursed it back to health and had it released six months later. She likewise cared for KitKat (and had help from a relative who is a veterinarian).

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Better Off Dead

I am a big fan of repurposing. Take that thing and use it another way. Even when buying something new, I look first for multi-purpose uses. What else can this thang be used for?

But I don’t know about this! I see the rationale, though, and can’t argue with it. One of my neighbors repurposed his Halloween decorations for Christmas. The Featured Image and companion tell the story.

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Well, Hello, Google Pixel 10 Pro XL

FedEx delivered quite the prize yesterday afternoon: a phone I have long contemplated trying out. As you can see from the Featured Image: Google Pixel 10 Pro XL. Testing starts tomorrow; I dedicated today to setup.

By the way, manufacturers and retailers are offering some surprising enticing deals on the device, for the holidays—and most expire soon. Full selling price is $1,199 for the 256GB variant. Best Buy and Google currently discount to $899 and Amazon to $849. AT&T and Verizon claim $0 per month, based on bill credits spread out over three years. But there are conditions, like trade-in device, new line of service, or correct rate plan. What’s that saying? If it’s too good to be true…