Tag: iPhone 13 Pro

Photo by Joe WilcoxJul 17, 20229:03 pm

The Cats of University Heights: Solo

The parade of kitties looking out from indoors continues with the ninety-seventh feline found behind door or window. Initially, two were together—as you will see in the next profile. This fine furball appeared as his (or her) companion departed from a vantage on the Florida side of the alley separating Alabama. I used iPhone 13 Pro to capture the Featured Image, on May 4, 2022. Vitals: f/2.8, ISO 32, 1/1815 sec, 77mm; 9:54 a.m. PDT.

Since Star Wars fans regard as special the date—because “May the Force be with you”—and also acknowledging that the other cat abandoned this one, nickname Solo suits both situations. The moniker refers to character Han or to being alone. Clever, eh?

Photo by Joe WilcoxJul 15, 20229:20 pm

I Know What Grandma Would Say To This

She would start by quoting Proverbs 16:18. “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before stumbling”. Then she would more provocatively cite 1 John 2:16,17 because, well, grandma isn’t intimidated by how other people might react.

“For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. And the world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God abides forever”.

Photo by Joe WilcoxJul 14, 202210:07 pm

Does Anyone Care Enough to Comply?

While my household has ample supply of masks, including environmental and medical N95s, I have absolutely no plans to cover up should mandates return—and looks like they will; in Los Angeles County, at least, and possibly here in San Diego, too. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention returns both areas to the SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome Coronavirus 2)/COVID-19 high-risk category, which could lead to resuming face-covering requirements.

As of yesterday, according to official public health data that excludes Long Beach and Pasadena, 1,107 people are hospitalized in LA County—up from 606 about thirty days earlier. One-hundred twenty-nine are in intensive care, or about 11 percent of capacity. Daily Coronavirus deaths: Four, which is down from six on June 14. And that’s a health emergency enough to bring back mask mandates?

Photo by Joe WilcoxJul 12, 20229:13 pm

The Cats of University Heights: Blackie

For the ninety-sixth feline found behind door or window, we return to Alabama for the ninetieth profiled putty-tat from the street between boundaries Adams and Lincoln.

I first saw the black on April 30, 2022—date for the Featured Image. The companion comes from today, and I used iPhone 13 Pro for both. Vitals: f/2.8, ISO 32, 1/602 sec, 77mm; 1:38 p.m. PDT. The second: f/2.8, ISO 32, 1/1179 sec, 77mm; 3:23 p.m.

Photo by Joe WilcoxJul 7, 202210:52 pm

The Cats of University Heights: Doodle

Today, while walking with my wife, I spotted a black-and-white kitty looking out a window. But approaching, I discovered two shorthairs. Surprisingly still: Tonight, while examining the Featured Image, I see somebody familiar. The larger furball, with dark face, is Scooch, who I observed outdoors a few houses away with Springer during September 2021. Both are nicknames.

The portrait comes from iPhone 13 Pro. Vitals: f/2.8, ISO 32, 1/469 sec, 77mm; 9:32 a.m. PDT. What shall we call the ninety-fifth feline found behind glass and/or screen? I say Doodle for spots that look like they were drawn on with a marker pen.

Photo by Joe WilcoxJul 6, 20228:55 pm

The Cats of University Heights: Defender

The number of dogs living in the neighborhood exploded exponentially during the SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome Coronavirus 2)/COVID-19 lockdowns. Northern California is fido-country, and high-techies suddenly able to work from home hightailed south, where lofty salaries ($296,000 median at Google) made buying or renting in San Diego comparably affordable for San Francisco-area escapees. Can we send them back?

How many mutts can one person, or couple, own? Gotta ask because I see fewer people walking one dog and many more leashing two, three, or more—and that’s without tallying the overall increased numbers. Not surprisingly, doggy decorum demands harassing cats; do these NorCal migrants simply not know better because they lack feline finesse or are they merely amused letting their beasts taunt kitties?

Photo by Joe WilcoxJun 29, 20229:53 pm

iPhone Turns 15

How many people engrossed in their handhelds remember, or even know, what cellular devices were like before release of the original iPhone on June 29, 2007? Coincidentally, my daughter changed service providers today. She expressed surprise, and glee, at how easy was the process going from one iPhone model to another, including the automatic porting of her number.

When there appeared to be a glitch with that process, I called her carrier to ask about the transfer. My daughter unexpectedly rang, and with one tap I merged her incoming call with the one in progress. How amazing is that? And calling is one of the least used functions, when a plethora of apps and social media demand interaction and get it.

Photo by Joe WilcoxJun 28, 202210:35 pm

The Cats of University Heights: Pan

On the same property where nearly six years ago appeared the series‘ fourth and fifth felines—Skull and Biscuit—another surprised me on June 8, 2022. The Featured Image, taken with iPhone 13 Pro, shows still posture that made me think statue. Vitals: f/2.8, ISO 32, 1/881 sec, 77mm; 4:50 p.m. PDT.

Only later did the animal move and, briefly, turn my way—long enough for a portrait using Leica Q2. Vitals, aperture manually set: f/5.6, ISO 100, 1/500 sec, 28mm; 4:53 p.m.

Photo by Joe WilcoxJun 23, 20229:03 pm

The Cats of University Heights: Chocolate

Hey, that’s not Paws. Same window, different kitty. I shot portraits using Leica Q2 and iPhone 13 Pro, but the Featured Image comes from the cellular device; telephoto lens and 95-percent post-production crop wins the day. Vitals: f/2.8, ISO 32, 1/622 sec, 77mm; 1:56 p.m. PDT, May 28, 2022.

The ninety-fourth feline found behind glass and/or screen earns nickname Chocolate for fur colors. She (or he) is a Snowshoe like Willow, yes?

Photo by Joe WilcoxJun 21, 20229:18 pm

The Unhappy Meal

Before June 17, 2022, I hadn’t been inside a McDonald’s since before SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome Coronavirus 2)/COVID-19 was declared a pandemic, on March 11, 2020. My daughter needed a ride, and on on the way back to her residence she asked for fast food. I grumbled and pulled into McD’s.

Whoa, what happened to prices? The current $5.99 for a Quarter Pounder is about a buck less when I last bought a combo meal, which is now $10.49 for a burger, fries, and drink.

Photo by Joe WilcoxJun 20, 202210:20 pm

The Cats of University Heights: Arrow

In the driveway where I met Peohe in December 2017, a tabby appeared on April 25, 2022. He (or she) presumably belongs to the family that purchased the property sometime during the first two years of SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome Coronavirus 2)/COVID-19 restrictions.

I used iPhone 13 Pro to capture the Featured Image and companion. f/2.8, ISO 32, 1/1488 sec, 77mm; 9:56 a.m. PDT. The other is same but 1/645 sec. Location: Mississippi Street, some place between El Cajon Blvd and University Avenue (I know where but won’t say).

Photo by Joe WilcoxJun 15, 202210:23 pm

Teachable Murals

If there were alternate realities, in another my wife and I would have purchased what we call the Schoolhouse nearly five years ago. Location, nearby Alice Birney Elementary, was one of the appealing attributes—that and misguided speculation San Diego would never allow any type of overdevelopment nearby the kids.

A block-long, multi-residence high-rise is under construction across from the school and SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome Coronavirus 2)/COVID-19 restrictions kept away students for more than a year. Both are ambience-killers. We’re better off with the decision made in this reality.