Tag: city life

Four silly signs and one tasteless funny shirt!

Caution sign warning of flying pigs hangs on rear wall of Kansas City Barbeque.
Caution sign warns of flying pigs.  It hangs outside the rear wall of Kansas City Barbeque.

Here’s some funny stuff I’ve photographed while walking about downtown San Diego. You might or might not laugh!

Downtown tattoo parlor window contains sign indicating Walkens Are Welcome.
Downtown tattoo parlor window contains sign indicating Walkens Are Welcome.
Funny shirt in restaurant window reads Dick's Last Resort...Helping Stupid People Breed Since 1985.
This wonderfully tasteless shirt in a restaurant window reads Dick’s Last Resort…Helping Stupid People Breed Since 1985.
I've seen small cars, but none this tiny! A NO PARKING FIRE LANE traffic sign stands next to a narrow pedestrian path.
I’ve seen small cars, but none this tiny! A NO PARKING FIRE LANE traffic sign stands next to a narrow pedestrian path.
A very silly--and possibly true--assertion at Simon Says Coffee in the Gaslamp. Coffee Is The Most Important Meal Of The Day.
A very silly–and possibly true–assertion at Simon Says Coffee in the Gaslamp Quarter. Coffee Is The Most Important Meal Of The Day.

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Paths of light: night photos under the library dome.

View of the lit dome of San Diego's downtown library, seen from the 9th floor at night.
View of the lit dome of San Diego’s downtown library, seen from the 9th floor at night.

Yesterday evening after work I walked a bit in the darkness. The air was cool, downtown was quieting. I was drawn to the San Diego Central Library, and of course I had to ascend to the 9th floor. Few others were about. I lingered high above the city, outside under the lattice steel dome. I watched small trolleys slip past below. A thousand distant lights stretched toward the South Bay. The world seemed remote. Paths of gentle light were traced above, around and below. I seemed to float in a swirled galaxy; but I saw no stars.

Inside a glowing steel lattice. The new library's dome in the past couple years has become a distinctive feature of San Diego's skyline.
Inside a glowing steel lattice. The new library’s dome in the past couple years has become a distinctive feature of San Diego’s skyline.
Gazing through the unique dome toward the 12th and Imperial Transit Center's clock tower.
Gazing through the unique dome toward the 12th and Imperial Transit Center’s clock tower.
Nine stories below, a trolley heads north into the heart of East Village.
Nine stories below, a trolley heads north into the heart of East Village.
Looking down into the large reading room of the San Diego Central Library after dark. Under the dome, people were quietly studying, or just gazing out into the nighttime.
Looking down into the large reading room of the San Diego Central Library after dark. Under the dome, people were quietly studying, or just gazing out into the nighttime.
Meshed paths of light seem to radiate like a halo from the top of San Diego's amazing downtown library.
Meshed paths of light seem to radiate like a halo from the top of San Diego’s amazing downtown library.

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A Miracle on Sixth Avenue

A walk down a city sidewalk.
A walk down a city sidewalk.

Here’s another very short story I wrote this morning. It might be somewhat true. I simply had to get these words out of my system. Names have been changed to protect the guilty.

A MIRACLE ON SIXTH AVENUE

by Richard

John walked slowly toward his parked car. Sixth Avenue was just another street in the city.

Without thinking, he searched the sidewalk with downcast eyes. Cigarette butts, rotting food, a discarded bottle, a dead cockroach, bits of toilet paper. Disgusting stains, crushed things.

A plume of smoke up ahead caught his attention.

As he neared, John noticed a crowd of people had gathered close to the rising black smoke. Excited faces were staring down at the freeway from an overpass.

A van was on fire below. Traffic on the freeway had been stopped by a police car with flashing lights, and two firemen with a hose were getting ready to put out the flames. The empty van, alone on the concrete, simply burned, nothing more.

At least forty people on the overpass leaned forward to stare down at the freeway. More were arriving, drawn by the smoke, as ants are drawn to sugar. Every person in the crowd held up a phone, carefully framing a photograph. A photograph of an empty van on fire.

The people checked their phone, appeared unsatisfied, changed the angle, held it higher. Needing to capture destruction, meaningless and distant. They watched with perfect fascination and took a second and third picture. A hundred identical photographs.

John kept walking. He’d never before felt such a wave of disgust.

That night he couldn’t sleep. He couldn’t purge from his mind that crush of people. Gawking, predictable, animal humanity, eagerly recording flames and black smoke, because flames and black smoke seemed exciting. Why? For what reason?

People were shallow and disgusting.

But what in the world is new?

And so John walked from his parked car up Sixth Avenue the next morning, a remnant of that dark shadow in his mind.

The sun was up. At the overpass there was no smoke. Cars passed in a blur on the concrete below. The incident was erased. Time swallows everything. Just different trash on the sidewalk.

“Good morning,” said an approaching person. The stranger’s eyes were wide, directly meeting John’s own eyes. A sincere, friendly smile was on the stranger’s lips.

“Morning,” John half-smiled.

And the passing person was gone.

The sun rose higher.

A small miracle had saved everything.

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To read more stories like this, visit Short Stories by Richard.

You might also want to check out my Foolyman Stories blog, for some creative writing that’s just plain silly!

Early morning photos of a walk down Eighth Avenue.

Sunrise in downtown San Diego. Photo taken from Eighth Avenue and A Street.
Sunrise in downtown San Diego. Photo taken from Eighth Avenue and A Street.

Early yesterday morning I walked down Eighth Avenue, from the top of Cortez Hill to Petco Park. Here are a few random, interesting photos…

Blue Sky apartment tower under construction in downtown San Diego.
Blue Sky apartment tower under construction in downtown San Diego.
Cool street art visible from Eighth Avenue, south of Broadway.
Cool street art visible from Eighth Avenue, south of Broadway.
Early morning activity in front of Lucky D's Hostel.
Early morning activity in front of Lucky D’s Hostel.
Some faded utility box artwork on a sidewalk in San Diego's East Village.
Some faded utility box artwork on a sidewalk in San Diego’s East Village.
A boy jumps rope on one October morning in a downtown San Diego parking lot.
A boy jumps rope on one October morning in a downtown San Diego parking lot.
Birds in a row atop a street lamp. Bright clouds as day begins.
Birds in a row atop a street lamp. Bright clouds as day begins.
Surveyors have begun their work early in a parking lot beside Market Street. Another utility box with colorful street art.
Surveyors have begun their work early in a parking lot beside Market Street. Another utility box with colorful street art.
The recently completed Sempra building, just north of Petco Park, reflects clouds and blue sky in the morning.
The recently completed Sempra building, just north of Petco Park, reflects clouds and blue sky in the morning.
Worker inside old brick building that is being renovated. Cool posters in windows advertise Underground Elephant.
Worker inside old brick building that is being renovated. Cool posters in windows advertise Underground Elephant.

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Small scenes of real life on San Diego Bay.

Fishing from sailboat moored in Crescent area of San Diego Bay.
Fishing from sailboat moored in Crescent area of San Diego Bay.

Before the Trolley Dances began this morning, I walked for a stretch beside the quiet water, between Grape Street and the Coast Guard Station. It was an ordinary morning on San Diego Bay, in an area where few tourists venture. I photographed some typical scenes of real life.

People and dog climb into a small dinghy from floating dock.
People and dog climb into a small dinghy from floating dock.
Man rows boat across the water. A typical scene of life on the North Embarcadero.
Man rows boat across the water. A typical scene of city life on the North Embarcadero.
Homeless man stretches out on a public bench beside the water.
Homeless man stretches out on a public bench beside the water.
Looking out across the blue water. Hangars of U.S. Coast Guard Air Station San Diego can be seen in the distance.
Looking out across the blue water. Hangars of U.S. Coast Guard Air Station San Diego can be seen in the distance.
Working on the weekend. A guy pushes a bunch of bright yellow floats out onto a pier.
Working on the weekend. A guy pushes a bunch of bright yellow floats out onto a pier.

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Listen to the Earth whisper at Fault Line Park!

Morning photo of the new Fault Line Park in San Diego's East Village. The Central Library's dome is visible in the background.
Morning photo of the new Fault Line Park in San Diego’s East Village. The Central Library’s dome is visible in the background.

An incredibly cool new public park opened in East Village a couple weeks ago. It’s called Fault Line Park, and is located south of Island Avenue between 14th and 15th Street. The park is situated directly above a shallow rupture of the Rose Canyon Fault System, which stretches through downtown San Diego.

In addition to a children’s playground and places to sit and walk, the 1.3 acre Fault Line Park contains a really unique feature. A public art installation, titled Fault Whisper, by artist Po Shu Wang of Living Lenses, allows visitors to monitor our active planet. Large, shining spheres stand on either side of the fault line.  At the west sphere, curious ears can listen to the Earth’s subterranean movements, which are recorded by a seismometer embedded below in the actual fault! They can also look through an eyepiece toward the opposite sphere, to see whether the Earth has shifted!

What brilliant, interesting artwork!

Even though I listened intently, I couldn’t hear the Earth whispering early this morning when I took these pics. Perhaps old Mother Earth was still sleeping!

This line marks where a part of the Rose Canyon Fault System has ruptured, just 14 feet below the surface. The fault line isn't considered dangerous.
This line marks where a part of the Rose Canyon Fault System has ruptured, just 14 feet below the surface. According to geologists, there’s no great earthquake danger here.
Photographer records cool reflections in one of the large stainless steel spheres in Fault Line Park.
Photographer records cool reflections in one of the large stainless steel spheres in Fault Line Park.
Plaque describes Fault Whisper public art, created by Po Shu Wang in 2014. Two spheres stand on either side of the fault line. From one you can listen to the Earth and monitor movement.
Plaque describes Fault Whisper public art, created by Po Shu Wang in 2014. Two spheres stand on either side of the fault line. From one you can listen to the Earth and monitor movement.
Here's the opening where you can press your ear to listen. There's a speaker just inside. The Earth's movements are translated into musical notes.
Here’s the opening where you can press your ear to listen. There’s a speaker just inside. The Earth’s movements are translated into musical notes.
Looking through the eyepiece at the opposing sphere. If the Pacific and North American tectonic plates have shifted since the art's installation, it isn't noticeable.
Looking through eyepiece at the opposing sphere. If the Pacific and North American tectonic plates have shifted since the art’s installation, it isn’t very noticeable.
Stella Public House restaurant in East Village is located right next to the cool new Fault Line Park.
Stella Public House restaurant in East Village is located right next to the cool new Fault Line Park.
If Stella Public House is as awesome as the super friendly employee I met, you'd better head over there at once!
If Stella Public House is as awesome as the super friendly employee I met, you’d better head over there at once!
View of Fault Line Park in East Village from outdoor patio shared by Stella Public House and Halcyon coffeehouse and cocktail lounge.
View of Fault Line Park in East Village from outdoor patio shared by Stella Public House and Halcyon coffeehouse and cocktail lounge.

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Preparing for another delicious day in Little Italy.

Typical early morning deliveries in Little Italy include kegs of beer and boxes of spirits.
Typical early morning deliveries in Little Italy include kegs of beer and boxes of spirits.

Another early morning stroll. Today: through Little Italy. Trucks were lined up on India Street, delivering to many popular restaurants. You like Italian? You like a friendly neighborhood with history and character? This is the place to go.

Food delivery truck advertisement promotes San Diego Restaurant Week, September 20-27.
Food delivery truck advertisement promotes San Diego Restaurant Week, September 20-27.
Pulling the dolly up a ramp, getting ready to retrieve potatoes and other fresh ingredients for a tasty Italian meal.
Pulling the dolly up a ramp, getting ready to retrieve potatoes and other fresh ingredients for a tasty Italian meal.
Plaque in sidewalk on Date Street declares A nickel will get you on the subway, but garlic will get you a seat. Old New York Proverb
Plaque in sidewalk on Date Street declares: A nickel will get you on the subway, but garlic will get you a seat. Old New York Proverb
A second plaque further down the sidewalk proclaims Las cosas claras y el chocolate espeso. Ideas should be clear and chocolate thick. Spanish Proverb
A second plaque further down the sidewalk proclaims: Las cosas claras y el chocolate espeso. Ideas should be clear and chocolate thick. Spanish Proverb
Little Italy street banner shows actor Danny DeVito enjoying a drink.
Little Italy street banner shows actor Danny DeVito enjoying a drink.
An umbrella and chairs that will soon be arranged for casual alfresco dining.
An umbrella and chairs that will soon be arranged for casual alfresco dining.
Lady inside Little Italy eatery is busy preparing for another delicious day. Buon Appetito.
Lady inside Little Italy eatery is busy preparing for another delicious day. Buon Appetito.

Early morning activity in downtown San Diego.

Delivery man with fresh bread awaits morning opening of restaurant in the Gaslamp Quarter.
Delivery man with fresh bread awaits morning opening of restaurant in the Gaslamp Quarter.

I woke up earlier than usual today. During the summer it’s pleasantly cool outside at daybreak, so I decided to take a long walk.

The city, at the six o’clock hour, had just begun to blink open its sleepy eyes. But a few signs of life were already evident downtown.

Here are photographs of early morning activity that I snapped while meandering randomly about, before I finally boarded the trolley for work…

Life in the city stirs into action as another weekday begins in downtown San Diego.
Life in the city stirs into action as another weekday begins in downtown San Diego.
City employee checks parking meters before the streets become much busier.
City employee checks parking meters before the streets become much busier.
Brad Perry, of KUSI News, had finished a segment on Good Morning San Diego when he spied a silly guy with a camera walking by.
Brad Perry of KUSI News had finished a segment on Good Morning San Diego when he spied a silly guy with a camera walking by.
A dog also noticed that same curious guy, who just sauntered on by down the sidewalk.
A dog also noticed that same curious guy, who just sauntered on by down the sidewalk.
Early morning commuters await separately at the Convention Center trolley station.
Early morning commuters wait separately at the Convention Center trolley station.
One guy has most of this quiet patio to himself as he enjoys a morning read and coffee. A hungry dog peers into the doorway.
One guy has most of this quiet patio to himself as he enjoys a morning read and coffee. A hungry dog peers into the doorway.
A lone jogger heads down Martin Luther King Jr. Promenade while many San Diegans are still in bed.
A lone jogger heads down Martin Luther King Jr. Promenade while many San Diegans are still lying in bed.

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Fishing, friendship and life on a downtown pier.

Another easy, carefree day of fishing at the Embarcadero Marina Park Pier in downtown San Diego.
Another easy, carefree day of fishing at the Embarcadero Marina Park Pier in downtown San Diego.

I have lots of favorite places. One is the small public fishing pier in downtown San Diego, located at Embarcadero Marina Park South. I walk there quite frequently. When I stand on this short pier, leaning against the rail above the bay’s gently lapping water, I feel my mind and spirit expand.

I walked past the pier last Saturday morning. I’d seen a sign announcing a Kiwanis fishing tournament, and thought it might be fun to take a few photos. But when I arrived, nobody seemed to be there. Perhaps I was too early.

When I got home and reviewed all the photos on my computer, I figured I’d blog about the pier anyway!

I casually know a few of the regulars. Back when JJ’s Sunset Deli by the Bay was open, we’d eat, sit and talk on JJ’s patio at the foot of the pier. Jim had the best ribeye steak sandwiches. I even blogged about it. But I deleted that post when he shut down and retired at the end of last year. It’s a very big shame a new tenant hasn’t taken over the cafe. It’s a small gem that adds unique charm to San Diego and thousands of fond, priceless memories.

The Embarcadero Marina Park Pier extends less than a hundred feet from the shore, but the T-shaped end is about 300 feet long. At times many fish can be caught here. It’s possible to catch mackerel, bass, croaker, halibut, guitarfish, bat rays, leopard sharks and many more local species. Kids love the place. There’s grass nearby and picnic benches, and curving paths for running and riding, and rocks to climb down that are covered at the waterline with tiny, quick crabs.

There are homeless people scattered about the park. But they’re generally just hanging out, talking, sleeping, trying to enjoy the sea breeze, some shade or warm sunshine.

Know what’s really cool? No fishing license on the pier is required! That’s the case with all public pier fishing in San Diego.

Across the bay from the pier (which is located behind the San Diego Convention Center) is beautiful Coronado Island.
Across the bay from the pier (which is located behind the San Diego Convention Center) lies beautiful Coronado Island.
The small pier is a favorite spot for fishermen and families, especially on weekends and during the summer.
The small pier is a favorite spot for fishermen and families.  It’s an affordable way for many locals to enjoy their beautiful (but sometimes expensive) city.  The pier is most popular on weekends and during the summer.
This friendly pier regular drags the bottom of the bay hoping to snag lost fishing poles and other sunken treasure!
This friendly pier regular drags the bottom of the bay hoping to snag lost fishing poles and other sunken treasure!
Someone caught a small mackerel, which flops around on the wooden pier.
Someone caught a small mackerel, which flops around on the wooden pier.
Another beautiful San Diego day on the Big Bay. The pier is located at Embarcadero Marina Park South.
Another wonderful San Diego day on the Big Bay. The modest pier is located at Embarcadero Marina Park South.
Two brown pelicans perch on a rail hoping for a handout from sympathetic fishermen.
Two brown pelicans perch on a rail hoping for a handout from sympathetic fishermen.
Fishing poles in a line on a hazy day. Across the gentle water to the south stretches the San Diego–Coronado Bridge.
Fishing poles in a line on a hazy day. Across the gentle water to the south stretches the long San Diego–Coronado Bridge.
Joggers, bicyclists, skaters, picnickers, tourists, people attending Summer Pops concerts nearby...almost everyone likes to visit this pier for great peaceful views.
Joggers, bicyclists, skaters, city residents, tourists, people attending Summer Pops concerts nearby…almost everyone likes to visit this pier for great peaceful views.
Just spending some time on the pier, relaxing, talking, enjoying life among friends and fellow fishermen.
Just spending some time on the pier, relaxing, talking, enjoying life among friends and fellow fishermen.
Birds are plentiful on San Diego Bay...
Birds are plentiful on San Diego Bay…
And so are boats, of every kind!
And so are boats, of every kind!
Walking along the path that encircles Embarcadero Marina Park South. The small structure which housed the pier cafe, unfortunately, has been vacant this year.
Walking along the path that encircles Embarcadero Marina Park South. The small structure which housed the pier cafe, unfortunately, has been vacant this year.
Kids look excitedly into the blue water. Maybe the big one is down there just waiting to be caught!
Kids look excitedly into the blue water. Maybe the big one is down there just waiting to be caught!

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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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