I am so embarrassed. My ancestors on both sides of the family emigrated from New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, respectively—and, being a border baby, my attitudes are much more Canadian than American. So how then […]
Tag: holidays
Flickr a Week 21b: ‘Tyne Cot Cemetery’
We turn our eyes across the Atlantic to commemorate this fine US Memorial Day, courtesy of self-titled “Tyne Cot Cemetery“, which Eric Huybrechts captured on May 12, 2018, using Nikon D7100 and 11-16mm f/2.8 lens. […]
Flickr a Week 15a: ‘Happy Easter’
Self-titled “Happy Easter“, which Tobias Nordhausen made on April 18, 2015, is serene and simple—making something small seem so much bigger, and more important, before the bokeh building background. Vitals: f/8, ISO 100, 1/125 sec, […]
Flickr a Week 15: ‘Passover’
For one of the most celebrated Jewish holidays, we present a small family gathering that is sadly evocative for 2020. The COVID-19—aka SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome Coronavirus 2)—pandemic compels people to socially isolate (e.g. […]
Flickr a Week 5b: ‘Camera Hogs’
We celebrate Groundhog Day with a surprise: real porkers—and you don’t want to be close enough to see their shadows. Brad Sims shot the irresistible, self-titled “Camera Hogs“, on March 2, 2019, using iPhone X. […]
Flickr a Week 3b: ‘MLK Memorial’
We sneak in a third photo for the week to commemorate the Federally-designated Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Washington, D.C.-based professional photographer Geoff Livingston marks the occasion with self-titled “MLK Memorial“, which he shot on […]
God’s Gift
Rain is the forecast for this San Diego Christmas, but brief sunshine summoned my wife and I to take a morning walk. As we approached our apartment, rain returned about a block away, catching me […]
San Diego Snowman Dresses Up
What a difference that three weeks make. On Dec. 1, 2019, I shared “San Diego Snowman” adorning a home along Maryland Street, here in the community of University Heights. Since, my walking path deliberately passed by, as I looked for something to return: His black hat that I recall topping his rock-for-brains head before heavy rains pelted Southern California and presumably washed it away. I hadn’t mentioned his missing adornment for concern it was imagined; a false memory.
But look at him now! Stoneman is dapper wearing the topper, scarf, and something else: Smile replacing frown. He’s happier perhaps for Christmas being three days away. I am overjoyed to snag a portrait of his fine wear before rains return, starting overnight.
San Diego Snowman
He won’t melt from Southern heat or Winter rains. The stoneman waits on the steps of the house next to where lives Morla the tortoise. I first spotted him about 10 days ago, and finally […]
Sigma fp and the Stormy Day
Torrential rains and overly-gusty winds pelt San Diego this Thanksgiving Day. I mark the moment with the first photo from Sigma fp and 45mm F2.8 DG DN | C lens. The last letter refers to “Contemporary”. The kit arrived last week, but I waited to take the first shot—so that it would be memorable, which it’s not. I put the quest for the Holy photo behind me and set instead to practical matters.
The Featured Image is a nearly 100-percent crop of the companion pic. The water droplets on my home office window serve as a quick test of the fp’s autofocus capabilities and image quality—how much detail is revealed. The Fujifilm GFX 50R and Fujinon GF63mmF2.8 R WR lens, which I sold over the weekend, spoiled me with respect to IQ. The Sigma shooter satisfies so far—not that one pic is much of a measure. But, hey, miniature palm trees within the droplets encourage me.
Candy Crush
If you believe the Wall Street Journal (and some other news outlets), “No One’s Making Sweethearts This Year, Crushing Lovers of Valentine’s Day Candy“. NECCO (New England Confectionery Company), the manufacturer behind the confection, closed its doors in 2018. Sweethearts’ new brand owner, Spangler Candy Company, hopes to have production lines ramped up for Valentine’s Day 2020, but existing supplies are limited for this year. Hehe, good thing this stuff has long shelf life.
Given the Sweethearts shortages, I was surprised to see a bowl of the candies strategically placed between the cosmetic and jewelry sections inside Macy’s Fashion Valley. Shouldn’t there be a security guard to protect these precious commodities from smash-and-grab robbers rushing the bowl? I imagine a sitcom plot where an attempted jewelry case robbery is merely a distraction for stealing Sweethearts instead.
Where are These Santas From?
Before the Internet, my international news and cultural information mainly arrived via shortwave radio. Back then, many global stations would send to listeners who asked stickers and other memorabilia. Few days ago, my wife dusted […]