Ant-Man street banners in San Diego for Comic-Con.

Ant-Man banners in downtown San Diego decorate street lamps for 2015 Comic-Con. The tiny Marvel superhero better not park here!
Ant-Man banners in downtown San Diego decorate street lamps for 2015 Comic-Con. According to a nearby sign, the tiny Marvel superhero better not park here!

I just got home from a short walk after work through downtown San Diego. I wandered down Broadway and a bit through the Gaslamp. I noticed a bunch of new street lamp banners are up for 2015 Comic-Con. They all promoted the upcoming Marvel Ant-Man movie!

I’ve also included a couple bonus pics, just for fun!

While I walked around, I spotted this cool guitarist making music by the door of the Hard Rock Cafe.
While I walked around, I spotted this cool guitarist making music by the door of the Hard Rock Cafe.
A bar called Analog in the Gaslamp had a huge (non-digital) Rubik's Cube out on the sidewalk! The security guard said it's there just for fun!
A bar called Analog in the Gaslamp had a huge (non-digital) Rubik’s Cube out on the sidewalk! The security guard said it’s there just for fun!
Large Marvel Ant-Man movie banners flutter in the breeze down the center of Broadway.
Large Marvel Ant-Man movie banners flutter in the breeze down the center of Broadway.

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Conan O’Brien Live at Comic-Con trolley wrap!

A new San Diego Comic-Con trolley wrap features Conan O'Brien turned into what appear to be Funko POP! toy figures. Here he's a blank-eyed zombie, and his own ordinary bland self.
A new San Diego Comic-Con trolley wrap features Conan O’Brien turned into what appear to be Funko POP! toy figures. Here he’s a blank-eyed zombie, plus his own ordinary bland self.

I spotted another 2015 San Diego Comic-Con trolley wrap in the past couple days! This one promotes Conan O’Brien’s television show on TBS. He’ll be hosting his talk show live from Comic-Con July 8-12. I’ve read that he’ll also be moderating two panels in Hall H: The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2 and The Last Witch Hunter.

The images on the trolley wrap seem to show Conan turned into several Funko POP! toy figures!  Cool!

And here Conan O'Brien has been transformed into Batman and a green Frankenstein monster. The latter seems true-to-life in various ways.
Here Conan O’Brien has been transformed into Batman and a green Frankenstein monster.
Here's a wrap on an older version San Diego trolley at America Plaza. Conan will be live from Comic-Con July 8-11.
Here’s a wrap on an older version San Diego trolley at America Plaza. Conan will be live from Comic-Con July 8-11.
Finally, here we have a commuter who's entirely unconcerned that Frankenstein Conan is threatening him with scary outstretched monster arms.
Finally, here we have a commuter who’s entirely unconcerned that Frankenstein Conan is threatening him with scary outstretched monster arms.

Stay tuned for a ton more cool Comic-Con stuff in the coming few weeks!

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Before I Die: chalk street art dreams in Hillcrest.

People walk down a Hillcrest sidewalk past chalk street art desires.
People walk down a Hillcrest sidewalk past chalk street art dreams.

Human dreams are wildly varied and ever-changing. I saw proof of this in Hillcrest. Dozens of desires have been documented at a street corner on University Avenue, written in chalk on what appears to be a very large chalkboard. People passing by have paused for a moment to write what they would like to accomplish before they die.

This dynamic neighborhood, just north of downtown San Diego, is youthful and worldly. Those who’ve chosen to contribute to this participative street art have listed many dreams. Some are crude, some are desperate, some are erased.  Some are possible, some are impossible.  Some are profound. The absurd and the serious mingle together. Some dreams are mere whims, other dreams are ambitious. Some are selfish, some are unselfish.

Before I die I want to... Hunt mud ducks. Feel I am worthy.
Before I die I want to… Hunt mud ducks. Feel I am worthy.
Save the world. Make love. Visit Paris. Meet my biological parents.
Save the world. Make love. Visit Paris. Meet my biological parents.
Publish a book. Drink one more drink.
Publish a book. Drink one more drink.
Find hidden treasure. Find Waldo.
Find hidden treasure. Find Waldo.
People walk toward Alibi as they review reasons for living.
People walk toward Alibi as they review reasons for living.

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Watercolor Society members paint portraits near roses.

Artist works at edge of the Sybil Stockdale Rose Garden behind the Command Center at NTC Liberty Station.
Artist works by the Sybil Stockdale Rose Garden, behind the Command Center at NTC Liberty Station.

Yesterday, while I waited for the San Diego Comic Art Gallery to open, I walked a bit around NTC Liberty Station. I was pleased to stumble upon painters at work in the beautiful rose garden behind the old Command Center. I learned the artists were members of the San Diego Watercolor Society, which has its gallery in one of the nearby buildings. I took a few photos that you might enjoy.

Members of the San Diego Watercolor Society practice painting portraits amid beautiful roses
Members of the San Diego Watercolor Society practice painting portraits amid beautiful roses
This creative lady at an easel sported a cool paint palette hat!
This creative lady at an easel wore a unique paint palette hat!
Brushes wait on a nearby bench.
Brushes wait on a nearby bench.
The painters appeared to be mostly working from photographs.
The painters appeared to be mostly working from photographs.
Friendly gentleman receives some feedback as he carefully applies color to a canvas.
Friendly gentleman receives some feedback as he carefully applies color to a canvas.
Artist in a corner of NTC Liberty Station creates a watercolor portrait.
Artist in a corner of NTC Liberty Station creates a watercolor portrait.
Another member of the San Diego Watercolor Society walks toward the old Command Center on a perfect Saturday.
Another member of the San Diego Watercolor Society walks toward the old Command Center on a perfect Saturday.

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Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles at IDW comic art gallery!

A very cool comic art gallery created by IDW Publishing opened a little over a week ago in San Diego's Liberty Station.
A very cool comic art gallery created by IDW Publishing opened a little over a week ago in San Diego’s Liberty Station.

This morning I enjoyed an incredible treat. I checked out the new San Diego Comic Art Gallery, part of IDW Publishing’s new headquarters at NTC Liberty Station. IDW is the fourth largest comic book publisher in the United States, and their rapid expansion was the reason for their move. Their new home is in a renovated barracks at the historic Naval Training Center San Diego, located in Point Loma. NTC Liberty Station has become home to a number of other museums, galleries and cultural attractions, a few of which I’ve blogged about already.

The first exhibition at the San Diego Comic Art Gallery concerns the art of Kevin Eastman. He is a co-creator of the stupendously successful Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. He and Peter Laird imagined the funny characters during a casual brainstorming session over thirty years ago. Their Mirage Studios was founded in 1983. IDW now owns publishing rights to Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, so original artwork provided by Kevin Eastman appropriately fills the comic gallery for the public to freely enjoy. Perhaps the most incredible part of the exhibition is a realistic representation of his studio, filled with creative materials and his own personal collectibles. There are shelves and shelves of toys, figurines and cool pop culture stuff!

Flash photography is not allowed in the museum-like gallery, because the light degrades the extremely valuable artwork. Consequently, many of my photos came out dim or blurred. Here are a few which turned out reasonably okay. They provide a flavor of what you’ll see should you visit!

The first exhibition of the San Diego Comic Art Gallery features the work of Kevin Eastman, co-creator of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
The first exhibition of the San Diego Comic Art Gallery features the work of Kevin Eastman, co-creator of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
Kevin Eastman began reading comics and drawing at a very young age. Major influences include Jack Kirby and science fiction. He created a character named Ninja Turtle just for fun.
Kevin Eastman began reading comics and drawing at a very young age. Major influences include Jack Kirby and science fiction. He created a character named Ninja Turtle just for fun.
One of several TMNT drawings in a front window at the new San Diego Comic Art Gallery.
One of several TMNT drawings in a front window at the new San Diego Comic Art Gallery.
Many examples of original Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle artwork are on display in the fun, family-friendly museum.
Many examples of original Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle artwork are on display in the fun, family-friendly museum.
Foot Warrior Chick and a Foot Ninja with cloak, two enemies of the world-famous comic book, movie and cartoon turtles.
Foot Warrior Chick and a Foot Ninja with cloak, two enemies of the world-famous comic book, movie and cartoon turtles.
Images in one display show some work of comic artist Kevin Eastman and the studio where he has worked.
Images in one display show some work of comic artist Kevin Eastman and the studio where he has worked.
The studio you see before you is what I work in today. Every item has been brought from my home studio, and personal collections spanning over thirty five years. Cowabunga Dude!
The studio you see before you is what I work in today. Every item has been brought from my home studio, and personal collections spanning over thirty five years. Cowabunga Dude!
Photo through glass of the Kevin Eastman studio, transported to San Diego for this special exhibition.
Photo through glass of the Kevin Eastman studio, transported to San Diego for this special exhibition.
Wood panel by studio window shows the four funny, dynamic turtles in action.
Wood panel by studio window shows the four funny, dynamic turtles in action.
Leonardo, wearing a blue mask, overlooks visitors to a room where kids and adults are encouraged to draw, experience and read about comic art.
Venus, wearing a blue mask, overlooks visitors to a room where kids and adults are encouraged to draw, experience and read about comic art.
Inked panel is one sample of the fun TMNT artwork on display at the Kevin Eastman exhibition.
Inked panel is one sample of the fun TMNT artwork on display at the Kevin Eastman exhibition.
From sketch to finished page, visitors to the gallery can view a comic book's creative process.
From sketch to finished page, visitors to the gallery can view a comic book’s creative process.
Leonardo, Michelangelo, Raphael, Donatello and Splinter, the Turtles’ sensei.
Leonardo, Michelangelo, Raphael, Donatello and Splinter, the Turtles’ sensei.
Shredder, the villainous leader of the Foot Clan in New York City.
Shredder, the villainous leader of the Foot Clan in New York City.
Colorful graphic depicts Raphael, of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
Colorful graphic depicts Raphael, of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
Life is Art. Paint your Dreams.
Life is Art. Paint your Dreams.

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San Diego Comic-Con trolley wrap: Scream Queens!

A cool San Diego trolley wrap for 2015 Comic-Con promotes Scream Queens on Fox. A killer new series from the creators of Glee and American Horror Story.
A cool San Diego trolley wrap for 2015 Comic-Con promotes Scream Queens on Fox. A killer new series from the creators of Glee and American Horror Story.

I finally got pics of the very first trolley wrap for the upcoming 2015 San Diego Comic-Con. The bold graphics promote Scream Queens, an American horror-comedy television series, which is having its world premiere at Comic-Con. The series will be televised on Fox starting in September.

I spoke to a super friendly trolley driver on Thursday (she always smiles and waves at me!) and I learned that more trolley wraps are in the process of being readied for Comic-Con. What they are, I don’t know. We’ll find out together!  Stay tuned!

Keke Palmer, Diego Boneta and Lea Michele all have scary bloody hands!
Keke Palmer, Diego Boneta and Lea Michele all have scary bloody hands!
Faces of Scream Queens on a San Diego trolley include Ariana Grande, Lucien Laviscount and Nick Jonas.
Faces of Scream Queens on a San Diego trolley include Ariana Grande, Lucien Laviscount and Nick Jonas.
A bloody-handed Jamie Lee Curtis peers between trolley cars at me! Yikes!
A bloody-handed Jamie Lee Curtis peers between trolley cars at me! Yikes!

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Japanese Self-Defense Force ships visit San Diego.

Three Japanese warships are visiting downtown San Diego's waterfront.
Three Japanese warships are visiting downtown San Diego’s waterfront.

This afternoon I spotted three ships of the Japanese Self-Defense Force in San Diego. They were docked at the downtown Cruise Ship Terminal on the busy Embarcadero. The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force must be training with the US Navy off our coast, although I find nothing about any joint naval exercises when I do a quick search of Google News.

A year ago I spotted three warships belonging to Japan docked in the same spot. I see the big training ship Kashima, of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, has returned. (Last year an article I researched referred to it as a landing ship.)  I suspect the other two are destroyers, like last time.

It’s an interesting sight you don’t often see up close, so I took a few pics!

A sailboat on San Diego Bay checks out an unusual sight on a cloudy day.
A sailboat on San Diego Bay checks out an unusual sight on a cloudy day.
Bow of big training ship Kashima, of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force.
Bow of big training ship Kashima, of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force.

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Bart Club street art utility box in North Park.

Bart Simpson takes many strange forms on one sidewalk in North Park. He's elongated at times, or has multiple eyes.
Bart Simpson takes many strange forms on one sidewalk in North Park. He’s elongated at times, or has multiple eyes.

Here’s another branch of San Diego’s strange and whimsical Bart Club! This example of Bart Simpson street art decorates a single utility box, located in North Park at the intersection of 30th and Adams Avenue.

More zany, bizarre Bart Club street art can be found in downtown San Diego’s East village at the intersection of Eighth Avenue and G Street, and at SILO.

This side of the fun Bart Club utility box has the funny cartoon character's face in need of a shave!
This side of the Bart Club utility box has the funny television cartoon character’s face in need of a shave!
A two-headed Bart Simpson makes for some very cool and unique San Diego street art.
A two-headed Bart Simpson makes for some very cool and unique San Diego street art.
Here's some more Bart art. He's looking like a spotted, floppy-eared dog!
Here’s some more Bart art. He’s looking like a spotted, floppy-eared dog!

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Photos of crazy fun at 2014 San Diego Comic-Con.

Wonder Woman in a glass case and passing fans.
Wonder Woman in a glass case and passing fans.

2015 San Diego Comic-Con is less than a month away! As everyone gets ready, it’s time to remember some of the crazy fun stuff we experienced in 2014. Here’s a collection of blogs which contain numerous photos from SDCC last year.

Because I live in downtown San Diego, I’ll attempt to photograph a whole bunch of cool sights and Comic-Con craziness again this year, including trolley wraps, building wraps, special events, exhibits, cosplay and miscellaneous stuff around the Gaslamp! Stay tuned!

Click to enjoy:

Cosplay and Comic-Con craziness in the Gaslamp!

Comic-Con morning near the convention center.

Pics of 2014 San Diego Comic-Con Preview Night!

EXCLUSIVE: Cool stuff rises at 2014 Comic-Con!

S.H.I.E.L.D. rises on a black San Diego trolley!

Gotham wrap on San Diego Comic-Con trolley!

Cool detailed model of Boba Fett.
Cool detailed model of Boba Fett.

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UPDATE! Creators of San Diego’s Navy Bicentennial plaque.

Corroded plaque shows tallship, ironclad, early warship, aircraft carrier and jets.
Corroded plaque shows tallship, ironclad, early warship, aircraft carrier and jets.

I have received more information about the origin of the Navy Bicentennial plaque situated on San Diego’s Embarcadero near the USS Midway Museum.

Last September, I published the blog Help solve a Navy mystery in San Diego. This fascinating plaque is passed by thousands walking along our waterfront every day. It’s located on the Greatest Generation Walk among other military memorials and monuments, but even today there is no public information about what the plaque is or where it came from.

After emailing the Port of San Diego, last October I published the blog Unknown Navy plaque: Mystery partially solved!  I’d been sent information that included a detailed description of the plaque.  I also learned that the plaque had been moved from the Broadway Pier.  But the exact origin remained unknown.

Then, out of the blue, two amazing things have happened.  Cool San Diego Sights has received comments shedding light on the actual people who created this very important, historical plaque.

The first comment I received went:

My name is William Abell and I was an ML3 aboard the USS Ajax AR6 and I helped create this plaque in the ship’s foundry in 1975. I have a certificate from Admiral J L Holloway III commemorating the plaque’s creation and my part in its creation. The date on the certificate is Oct 13, 1975. The plaque was to be a gift to the City of San Diego. I am now a retired police commander living in Monroe WA.

The second comment I received yesterday morning.  It directed my attention to this blog post:

I am Molder Chief Petty Officer Jesse G. Lopez USN Ret. The foundry crew from Navy Repair Ship USS Ajax AR-6, created the pattern which was made by Patternmaker Chief Carlos De Santiago USN RET and molded by myself when I was a MLFN. Petty Officer Abell was our Third Class in charge of the molders.

AMAZING UPDATE!

I’ve received detailed information about the plaque, including photographs of its creation and creators! Click here!

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