Tag: cool

Cool stuff rises for 2014 Comic-Con!

Workers put up Blacklist venue for 2014 San Diego Comic-Con.
Workers put up special venue for 2014 San Diego Comic-Con.

This afternoon, four days before the start of 2014 San Diego Comic-Con, I went for a walk around the Gaslamp and convention center and took a bunch of very unique pictures!

Check out some photos of construction workers assembling cool event venues, hanging banners, applying gigantic building wraps, and painting colorful advertising murals for the upcoming San Diego Comic-Con!

Enjoy!

Fans going through this door will get to be put on the Blacklist.
This structure will promote the new Constantine television show.
Blacklist site is by the convention center and Omni Hotel.
Blacklist site is by the convention center and Omni Hotel.
Gaslamp's Tin Fish restaurant to be taken over by the Blacklist.
Gaslamp’s Tin Fish restaurant to be taken over by the Blacklist.
Hannibal poster with Comic-Con construction in background.
Hannibal poster with Comic-Con construction in background.
Grimm ad by the Gaslamp trolley station.
Grimm ad by the Gaslamp trolley station.
Emerald City will be a new NBC TV series.
Emerald City will be a brand new NBC TV series.
Brad Pitt's Fury on side of the Hard Rock Hotel.
Brad Pitt’s Fury splashed on side of the Hard Rock Hotel.
Workers take break while hanging 2014 San Diego Comic-Con banner!
Workers take break while hanging big 2014 San Diego Comic-Con banner!
Several Comic-Con banners already on San Diego Convention Center.
Several Comic-Con banners already on San Diego Convention Center.
Huge Legends building wrap on Marriott Hotel features Sean Bean.
Huge Legends building wrap on Marriott Hotel features Sean Bean.
Workers on platform apply Legends graphic on building for Comic-Con!
Workers on platform apply Legends graphic on building for Comic-Con!
Magic 2015 table top gaming poster on Marriott Hotel parking wall.
Magic 2015 table top gaming poster on Marriott Hotel parking wall.
True Blood banners hang from San Diego trolley posts.
True Blood banners have been hung from San Diego trolley posts.
Huge Simpsons wrap being applied to Marriott!
Huge Simpsons wrap rises colorfully on the Marriott!

Looks like the left half of the Simpsons graphic is up so far.

Simpsons TV show to launch on FXX.
Simpsons TV marathon to launch in August on FXX.
Assassin's Creed obstacle course being installed across Harbor Drive.
Assassin’s Creed obstacle course being installed across Harbor Drive.
Obstacle course includes jumping and climbing.
Obstacle course includes lots of jumping and climbing.
Ubisoft's video game Assassin's Creed Unity to debut at 2014 Comic-Con.
Ubisoft’s video game Assassin’s Creed Unity to debut at 2014 Comic-Con.
New television show The Strain has mural painted on Gaslamp building.
New television show The Strain has mural painted on Gaslamp building.
Worker paints worm dangling from a huge bulging eyeball!
Worker paints worm dangling from a huge bulging eyeball!

Stay tuned! Many more pics are coming!

UPDATE!!!

Here come more pics that I took early Tuesday morning, with about 48 hours to go before 2014 Comic-Con officially opens…

The Strain building mural is finally completed.
The Strain building mural is finally completed.
The Assassin’s Creed obstacle course looks half finished on Tuesday.
The Assassin’s Creed obstacle course looks half finished on Tuesday.
The Interview on Hard Rock Hotel with James Franco and Seth Rogen.
The Interview on Hard Rock Hotel with James Franco and Seth Rogen.
Large blue Constantine dome appears to be covered with strange runes.
Large blue Constantine dome appears to be covered with strange runes.
Constantine banners hang by the Gaslamp trolley station.
Constantine banners hang by the Gaslamp trolley station.
The Tin Fish restaurant completely covered with Blacklist graphics!
The Tin Fish restaurant now completely covered with Blacklist graphics!
History Channel mural on Petco Park advertises Vikings.
History Channel mural on Petco Park advertises Vikings.
Ascension building wrap being applied early Tuesday morning.
Ascension building wrap being applied early Tuesday morning.
Closer look at Ascension graphics on Gaslamp building.
Closer look at Ascension graphics on Gaslamp building.
Goosebumps green face peers from Hard Rock Hotel.
Goosebumps green face peers from Hard Rock Hotel.

Here’s one last cool pic which I altered a bit by increasing the contrast:

View from San Diego Convention Center as Gotham trolley passes.
View from San Diego Convention Center as Gotham trolley passes.

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Cool sand sculptures at Sun and Sea Festival!

2014 Imperial Beach Sun and Sea sandcastle greets visitors.
2014 Imperial Beach Sun and Sea sandcastle greets visitors.

I had to take one more trip to Imperial Beach this summer because of another big, fun event by the pier. Today was the 2014 Sun and Sea Festival! The event replaces the U.S. Open Sandcastle Competition which came to an end back in 2011.

Master sandcastle builders who have won many international awards converged to demonstrate their craft and compete for top honors just north of the Imperial Beach pier. When I arrived, the creations were roughly half done. So I got a bunch of interesting photos of the artists in action!

Featured sand sculpture built by Kirk Rademaker of Sand Masters.
Featured sand sculpture built by Kirk Rademaker of Sand Masters.

This centerpiece sandcastle stood near the foot of the pier, adjacent to busy vendor tents, and a variety of other fun activities.

Crowd watches master sand sculptors creating fantastic works of art.
Crowd watches master sand sculptors creating fantastic works of art.

Looking north from the pier toward the field of action.

Teams north of Imperial Beach pier works on a detailed creations.
Teams north of Imperial Beach pier work on detailed creations.
Plastic fork with two tines removed is used to create stonework detail.
Plastic fork with two tines removed is used to create stonework detail.
Patience, planning and creativity on a Southern California beach!
Patience, planning and creativity on a Southern California beach!
Sand creations are sprinkled with water to prevent disintegration.
Sand creations are sprinkled with water to prevent disintegration.
Tall structure looks like an exaggerated Eiffel Tower.
Tall structure looks like an exaggerated Eiffel Tower.
Sand head props up photos used to model more amazing creations.
Sand head props up photos used to model  rat from Ratatouille.
One unique sand sculpture was all about dogs.
One unique sand sculpture was all about dogs.
A dog has its day at Camp Run a Mutt.
A beach dog has its day at Camp Run a Mutt.
A castle with tall spires in the Imperial Beach competition.
A castle with tall spires in the Imperial Beach competition.
The 2014 Sun and Sea Festival attracted many onlookers.
The 2014 Sun and Sea Festival attracted many onlookers.
Brushes are often used to smooth and contour the sand.
Brushes are often used to smooth and contour the sand.
Water and sand are mixed to form raw material.
Water and sand are mixed to form raw building material.
Close look at some detailed work getting started.
Close look at some detailed work getting started.
Artist works on a tire of a Transformers sand sculpture.
Artist works on a tire of a Transformers sand sculpture.

Unfortunately, the Transformers sculpture wasn’t too far along, so I couldn’t get more interesting pics.

I think this is an octopus.
I think this is an octopus.
Huge, complex sand sculpture with many team members working.
Huge, complex sand sculpture with many team members working.
Now and Then is the theme of this sculpture.
Now and Then is the theme of this sculpture.
Long straight edge turns a broad swath of level sand into a boardwalk.
Long straight edge turns a broad swath of level sand into a boardwalk.
I like how quaint this sandcastle appears!
I like how quaint this sandcastle appears!
The Sand Squirrels was one team competing at the festival.
The Sand Squirrels was one team competing at the festival.
Rocket's engine of the Futurama sand sculpture.
Rocket’s engine of the funny Futurama sand sculpture.
Robot appears to be doing some sun bathing!
Robot appears to be doing some sun bathing!
Super cool locomotive sand sculpture near the IB pier.
Super cool locomotive sand sculpture near the IB pier.
I liked this huge underground sand train most of all!
I liked this huge underground sand train most of all!
Everybody is watching the teams build their sand creations!
Everybody is watching the pros build their sand creations!
Kids on the pier's other side build castles, too!
Kids on the pier’s other side build castles, too!

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

These might be secret agents from the pages of Marvel Comics.
These might be super secret agents from the pages of Marvel Comics.

A little more than a week to go until the 2014 San Diego Comic-Con! So far I’ve noted two different trolley wraps. I posted awesome pics of Gotham character graphics a few days ago, and now I’ve got photos of the S.H.I.E.L.D. RISES black trolley wrap!  Watch out all would-be supervillains!   These trolleys are patrolling both the convention center and Gaslamp!

Stay tuned for lots more cool Comic-Con stuff!

San Diego Comic-Con black trolley wrap reads S.H.I.E.L.D. RISES.
San Diego Comic-Con black trolley wrap reads S.H.I.E.L.D. RISES.
S.H.I.E.L.D. emblem on a San Diego trolley for 2014 Comic-Con.
S.H.I.E.L.D. emblem on a San Diego trolley for 2014 Comic-Con.

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Art adds life beside the ocean in Imperial Beach.

Ocean Riders bronze sculpture by Wyland has three dolphins.
Ocean Riders bronze sculpture by Wyland has three dolphins.

Imperial Beach is in many ways a typical Southern California beach community. The Pacific Ocean and surfing are dominant themes. You see it in the local culture; you see it just about everywhere you turn.

The above photo is of a very cool sculpture just steps from the beach, in Imperial Beach’s Dunes Park. Ocean Riders, dedicated in 1996, was created by Wyland, a famous environmental artist who is known worldwide for his graceful depictions of marine animals.

Utility box on Seacoast Drive shows girl playing in the sand.
Utility box on Seacoast Drive shows girl playing in the sand.
Sea and Sky sculpture by Ken Smith.
Sea and Sky sculpture by Ken Smith.

The above sculpture can be found adjacent to the beach a short distance north of the Imperial Beach pier.  In 2009, it was part of an Urban Trees exhibition along San Diego’s Embarcadero.

Fantastic mermaid and shark street mural in Imperial Beach.
Fantastic mermaid and shark street mural in Imperial Beach.

This mural represents typical Imperial Beach street art. I found this on the side of a building on Palm Avenue.

Surfboard sculpture in outdoor museum.
Surfboard sculpture in outdoor museum.

You see in this pic one of 25 surfboard sculptures placed along Palm Avenue between 3rd Street and Seacoast Drive. They belong to The Imperial Beach Outdoor Surfboard Museum and represent the history of surfboard design dating from ancient times to 1985.

Shiny metal sculpture of abstract surfer on Palm Avenue.
Shiny metal sculpture of abstract surfer on Palm Avenue.
Cool surfboard rack on a bicycle near the beach!
Cool surfboard rack on a bicycle near the beach!

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A very cool photographer near Seaport Village.

Photographer near Seaport Village shows me some great stuff.
Photographer near Seaport Village shows me some great stuff.

Yesterday I took a leisurely walk past Seaport Village. I said hello to a gentleman in the nearby Embarcadero Marina Park North who was displaying some stunning framed photographs, hoping for a donation. I’d never seen him there before.

I’m glad I paused to chat. Ralph Guest is one cool dude. (And a much better photographer than me!) In semi-retirement, he’s just begun to show and sell his photographs. He spends a lot of time out east of San Diego in the desert, especially in and around Slab City, which he described for me. He’s taken many amazing photos of the place, and of the people, who are called Slabbers. The folks out in the desert are a laid-back, independent,  unique bunch. He described a place out there named East Jesus, where trash is converted into art and power is supplied entirely by solar power. According to Wikipedia, “The inhabitants of East Jesus…provide a refuge for artists, musicians, survivalists, writers, scientists, and laymen. They are dedicated to providing a working model of an improbable improvised community…” Sounds to me like a rather interesting place! Ralph has photos and videos that can be checked out via links on his website.

It’s great to meet new people!

Ralph Guest is a super cool and interesting guy!
Ralph Guest is a super cool and interesting guy!

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Pacific Beach boardwalk down to Mission Beach.

Beginning my walk south from Crystal Pier along boardwalk.
Beginning my walk south from Crystal Pier along the boardwalk.

Now please walk with me as I head south down the Pacific Beach boardwalk. We’re starting at Crystal Pier and going all the way to Hamel’s down in Mission Beach. It’s one of the most amazing walks (or bike rides) in all of the world!

Cool octopus art made of tile, stones and shells.
Cool octopus art made of tile, stones and shells.

This bit of artwork was next to the walkway right by the pier.

Folks head toward a shark and big ice cream cone!
Folks head toward a hungry shark and big ice cream cone!
Youth hostel by Pacific Beach boardwalk has sunny mural.
Youth hostel by Pacific Beach boardwalk has a sunny mural.
A small backyard is paradise on the beach!
A small backyard is paradise on the beach!
Colorful surfboards by beach contain happy messages.
Colorful surfboards by beach contain happy messages.
Fish tacos are a San Diego specialty!
Fish tacos are a San Diego specialty!
Shells and boogie boards line the boardwalk for passing tourists.
Shells and boogie boards line the boardwalk for passing tourists.
Just a sample of what you'd see while walking along the beach.
Just a sample of what you’d see while walking along the beach.
Looking out toward the blue Pacific Ocean.
Looking out toward umbrellas and the blue Pacific Ocean.
Several camps on the sand teach people to surf.
Several camps on the sand teach people to surf.
Kids learning to surf file along carrying surfboards.
Kids learning to surf file along carrying surfboards.
People chat as a lifeguard watches the beach from a tower.
People chat as a lifeguard watches the beach from a tower.
Colorful beach toys left on the concrete sea wall.
Colorful beach toys left forgotten on the concrete sea wall.
Beautiful and unusual homes line the boardwalk.
Beautiful and unusual houses line the boardwalk.
The Surf Rider building includes a huge surfboard!
The Surf Rider building includes a huge surfboard!
Bicycles are a very popular mode of transportation.
Bicycles are a very popular mode of transportation.
I reached the Hamel's castle surf shop in Mission Beach!
I reached the Hamel’s castle surf shop in Mission Beach!
Lady looks through a high stack of surfboards.
Lady looks through a high stack of surfboards.
Cool mural in alley shows a roller coaster.
Cool mural in alley shows a roller coaster.

This mural in the alley behind Hamel’s shows a roller coaster. Is there a roller coaster nearby in Mission Beach? Yes, indeed! We’ll visit Belmont Park in my next blog post!

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Cool urban art on Garnet Avenue in Pacific Beach.

Cool art on a music store window on Garnet Avenue.
Cool art on a music store window on Garnet Avenue.

Yesterday I went for a very long walk through Pacific Beach and Mission Beach, two extremely popular beach destinations just a few miles north of downtown San Diego.

I began by walking west along Garnet Avenue in Pacific Beach, from around Ingraham Street all the way to the beautiful and historic Crystal Pier. This stretch contains more bars, tattoo parlors, smoke shops and swimwear stores than just about anywhere else in Southern California. It’s a young, hip, beachy sort of place, that’s mostly laid back and unpretentious. You’ll see bikinis and skateboarders and tourists and families and surfboards atop cars and under arms just about everywhere you go.

You’ll also see a lot of very cool urban art: on walls, on windows, on rooftops, in alleys…all over the place! Here are some random pics I took as I walked westward in the sunshine…

Aloha Spirit mural on side of Pacific Beach building.
Aloha Spirit mural on side of Pacific Beach building.
Surfers are a major theme in this popular beach city.
Surfers and the ocean are major themes in this popular beach community.
Mural shows lifeguard climbing a tower among palms.
Mural shows lifeguard climbing a tower among palms.
Street art between two buildings on Garnet Avenue.
Funky street art between two buildings on Garnet Avenue.
Pacific Beach public art features a large seagull.
Pacific Beach public art features a large seagull.
Street art in an alley behind a tattoo parlor.
Street art in an alley behind a tattoo parlor.
Hubcaps and tiles add flavor to a colorful local eatery.
Hubcaps and tiles add flavor to a colorful local eatery.
Another tattoo parlor embellished with urban art.
Another tattoo parlor embellished with bold swirls of urban art.
Photo mural on one wall shows old Crystal Pier and Garnet Avenue.
Photo mural on a wall shows old Crystal Pier at west end of Garnet Avenue.
Sunny Pacific Beach has a sunny utility box.
Sunny Pacific Beach has a sunny utility box.
Images of surfers and beach scenes are everywhere.
Images of surfers and beach scenes are everywhere.

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Gotham wrap on San Diego Comic-Con trolley!

Poison Ivy, Catwoman, Penguin, Riddler on a trolley!
Poison Ivy, Catwoman, the Penguin and Riddler on a San Diego trolley!

Okay! I finally got pics of the cool 2014 San Diego Comic-Con trolley car wrap that promotes the upcoming television show Gotham. There are images of nascent Gotham City supervillains Poison Ivy, Catwoman, the Penguin and Riddler. A young Bruce Wayne (after the murder of his parents) and James Gordon (before he became police commissioner) are also shown. Looks awesome! I hope the show lives up to the hype! If I spot any more wraps in the coming couple weeks, I’ll post ’em!

Gotham television show on San Diego Comic-Con trolley.
Gotham television show on a special San Diego Comic-Con trolley.
Characters include Bruce Wayne, Harvey Bullock and James Gordon.
Characters include Bruce Wayne, Harvey Bullock and James Gordon.
San Diego Comic-Con wrap shows Bruce before becoming Batman.
San Diego Comic-Con wrap shows Bruce Wayne before he became Batman.

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Funny double takes around San Diego!

Two street lamps got themselves in a twist.
Two street lamps got themselves in a twist.

Here are some funny cool photos for you to enjoy! These were taken at various times in and around downtown San Diego. Once in while I have to blink and do a double take!

Sticker turns dog into an uncurbable beast.
Sticker turns dog into an uncurbable beast.
Buster stuck his hand in wet concrete.
Buster stuck his hand in wet concrete.
Someone has to water all these watering cans.
Someone has to water all these watering cans.
The Deli Llama is wearing his elegant best.
The Deli Llama is wearing his elegant best.
This bicycle can be ridden above the sidewalk.
This bicycle can be ridden high above the sidewalk.
This outdoor glass elevator is a bit flat.
This outdoor glass elevator is a bit flat.
This GoCar won't go.
This GoCar won’t go.
Stylish patch for an old broken window.
Stylish patch for an old broken window.

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Guardians of the Galaxy Comic-Con banners!

Gamora of Guardians of the Galaxy on a banner.
Gamora of Guardians of the Galaxy on a cool banner!

I took these quick photos this morning during a meandering walk through downtown. 2014 San Diego Comic-Con is only three weeks away!

A couple days ago I saw a San Diego trolley with an awesome Gotham television show wrap. I didn’t whip out my camera fast enough, unfortunately. Next time I have a chance, I’ll snap a pic and post it!

I started this blog last year, just a few weeks after Comic-Con had ended, so this year I plan to get a load of interesting images! Stay tuned!

Star-Lord in action on a San Diego Gaslamp street lamp!
Star-Lord in action on a San Diego Gaslamp street lamp!
Groot and Rocket are ready to fight cosmic evil.
Groot and Rocket are ready to fight cosmic evil.
Drax on a cool San Diego Comic-Con sign.
Drax on Comic-Con banner near San Diego Convention Center.
Big Hero 6 banners line Broadway in downtown San Diego.
Big Hero 6 banners line Broadway in downtown San Diego.

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