Tag: Galaxy S26 Ultra

Photo by Joe WilcoxApr 19, 20269:26 pm

‘No Library Cuts!’

A few days ago, Amazon sent email with book recommendations, and one actually piqued my interest: Washington by Ron Chernow. Hey, it’s a Pulitzer Prize Winner, and with the nation’s 250th anniversary upcoming it’s a timely biography to read.

Cough, cough. I choked on the price. The Kindle version sells for $16.99, discounted from $24. Seventeen bucks for a DRM-wrapped ebook? Ah, n-o-o-o. Hardcover: $23.76, discounted from the list of $41. Still, I wanted a copy of the bio. I looked at the calendar and remembered the third Saturday of the month was ahead, and that meant book sale weekend at the University Heights branch of San Diego Public Library.

Photo by Joe WilcoxApr 18, 20269:26 pm

I Don’t Believe in Coincidence

Something quite unexpected—remarkable, honestly—occurred while we were at the veterinarian office with Neko, yesterday. While he was in the back to have his wound cleaned, I sat in the waiting room vocabulary practicing in the How to Study Korean app. Someone at the front desk spoke to somebody on the phone about a dog. The animal didn’t have a microchip and would need to be picked up.

I mentally added context (correctly): Somebody dropped off the animal, hoping to locate its owner, which wasn’t possible without the microchip. The office couldn’t keep the dog. The rescuer would need to retrieve the lost pet, whose next destination likely would be the San Diego animal shelter.

Photo by Joe WilcoxApr 16, 20268:54 pm

Two for the Road

In six entries, I have written directly, or used photos of, the alley art gallery located here in University Heights. Chronologically: “Alley Art Gallery“; “Mutt Masterpiece(s)“; Pallet Palette; “Eighteen Years Ago Today“; “Return to Facebook“; and “In Memory of Scott Adams“.

On April 8, 2026, in front of the artwork, I passed by two bicycles put out for the taking. These aren’t the first free bikes to appear in a neighborhood alley—one person’s throwaway becoming valued takeaway for somebody else.

Photo by Joe WilcoxApr 14, 20269:18 pm

It’s a Ticking Security Bomb

Look what I saw at the dentist office today. Uh-oh. Windows 10 officially reached its end of life on Oct. 14, 2025. However, consumers and businesses can sign up for Extended Security Updates for, in the case of Home users, an additional 12 months of protection designed to “reduce the risk of malware and cybersecurity attacks”.

I couldn’t resist saying something to the doctor about Windows 10. He knew support had ended and that something should be done about that situation—but in the near future. He brushed aside concerns, asserting that the computer, and another in the next examining room, weren’t connected to the Internet. They’re standalone PCs. Hence, they’re low outside security risk.

Photo by Joe WilcoxApr 12, 20269:50 pm

The AI Scoundrel

I praised the artist’s skills of Rick’s male owner to his partner. But, as she confessed, he uses artificial intelligence tools to create the stickers, which are quite popular around the neighborhood. So is the black cat, who is a glutton for attention and knows how to easily get it.

Rick joined my “Cats of University Heights” series in August 2021, when he lived in an alley house with (presumed) litter mate Pixie (nickname). She’s still there; Rick moved on to Alabama Street, where he chose new owners and has lived lavishly since.

Photo by Joe WilcoxApr 6, 202610:17 pm

What’s Normal About This?

The same day I photographed Queen, March 26, 2026, my attention turned to a mural promoting Normal Heights (where our car was in the shop for a small repair). I don’t recall ever seeing the street art on any earlier visit. One or two parked cars impeding the view would be enough to keep me walking instead of stopping.

But this day was different, and I took advantage of the unobstructive view to shoot the Featured Image using Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra. Vitals: f/1.4, ISO 64, 1/2500 sec, 23mm (film equivalent); 8:18 a.m. PDT.

Photo by Joe WilcoxApr 2, 20269:52 pm

Absolutely Authentic Audio

Every year before Easter, I listen to the original Jesus Christ Superstar recording from October 1970. My parents gave me the double album for Christmas 1971 and regretted it. Mom begged me to stop playing the rock opera over and over again. I obstinately continued. (She preferred Conway Twitty, Loretta Lynn, and other well-known Country Music artists of the time.)

JCS is the background music for this post, but in different fashion than more recent years. Rather than listen to the digital download, I dug out the two-set CD that I purchased decades ago. Physical media is all the rage, suddenly, and we still have all the accumulated discs—thankfully.

Photo by Joe WilcoxMar 31, 20269:24 pm

What a Concept!

Get clean laundry and, as a bonus, teeth cleaned at the same time. Put in a load of clothes, climb into the dentist chair, and vroom. While the washer does the final rinse, you will get the final rinse of your mouth. Remember to spit! There’s debris to expel and fluoride grit, too.

Honestly, I laughed when seeing the store signage along Adams Avenue in San Diego neighborhood Normal Heights on March 26, 2026, and then connecting how someone like me would read the thing. Regardless the intentions, what a concept!

Photo by Joe WilcoxMar 30, 202610:09 pm

The Cats of University Heights: Kitty Puppy

You needn’t ask. Kitty Puppy is this fine feline’s real name, although I am uncertain about whether or not to hyphenate. The 16-year-old is housemate to Stormy, who is a relative newcomer to his residence. I have seen them greet one another, nose to nose, outdoors.

Seen where? Meet the series‘ one-hundred tenth Alabama Street cat—that’s out of 635 profiles, including this one. Some streets pack in more apartments and condominiums. Along Alabama, many single-structure homeowners add so-called Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs). I suspect that increased population density explains the cat concentration.

Photo by Joe WilcoxMar 28, 20268:57 pm

Blessed Inspirations

One of the more unusual attractions here in the village of University Heights is the Hsi Fang Buddhist temple. The impressive structure, which includes a bookstore and residences, is located in the San Diego community’s main commercial area.

For no other reason than habit, I typically walk on the East side of Park Blvd. But today that way was blocked, and I was directed across the street, where I stopped to see some of the Temple’s inspirational marketing materials and decor. (I should go by more often.)

Photo by Joe WilcoxMar 15, 20269:20 pm

This is What Inflation Looks Like

A common misconception about inflation is that prices go up, when in reality the value of money (e.g. spending power) goes down. The Economist explains the classic case: In late-1923 Germany, when, because of hyperinflation, “a loaf of bread cost 140 billion marks. Workers were paid twice a day, and given half-hour breaks to rush to the shops with their satchels, suitcases, or wheelbarrow, to buy something, anything, before their paper money halved in value yet again”.

I got a taste, quite literally, of what this phenomenon is like, and I present it as a demonstrative model for your education. Pizza Hut gives so-called “Hut Rewards” points for redeeming menu items. I had accumulated just more than 600. Large pizzas with any toppings are 300 points, so I had gained enough for two free pies.

Samsung by Joe WilcoxMar 14, 202610:18 pm

The Costs of War

The price of gasoline at this Shell station (formerly Valero) is typically mid-range for the area; not the highest and by no means lowest. Less than two weeks ago, price at the pump was $4.30 per gallon. A few days ago, I paid $4.90. Now it’s $5.70.

Can you say, “Iran war?” Because that’s what is surely behind these rising prices that have yet to reach their ceiling. Americans will be impacted everywhere, from cost for fuel oil to gasoline, for starters, and rising costs of anything transported by air, land, or sea.