Tag: gaslamp

A short story about travelling hearts.

I was startled this morning during my walk through the Gaslamp Quarter.

Something peculiar was moving directly toward me along the sidewalk. For a split second I thought it was a person.

Then I did a double take.

A bundle of heart-shaped balloons was heading my way!

The cluster of balloons moved slowly down the sidewalk, propelled by a gentle breeze. Occasionally they’d float upward a foot or two, then quietly float back to Earth.

The travelling hearts came to a street corner. They seemed to hesitate. They turned decisively and began steadily down another sidewalk!

After venturing into a patio space in front of one building, they lifted with apparent delight and settled down. They leaned against the rail.

Perhaps they wanted to watch people–other travelling hearts–go by.

…

I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!

To read a few honest-to-goodness short stories that I’ve written, click Short Stories by Richard.

Photos of downtown, with sprinkles!

Our first storm of the season was tapering off this morning as I walked around downtown.

Here come photos of a damp city . . . with occasional sprinkles!

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I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!

New sights on a morning walk downtown.

A colorful canvas in the window of James Watts' studio on Seventh Avenue. I don't recall seeing this cool artwork before.
A colorful canvas in the window of James Watts’ studio on Seventh Avenue. I don’t recall seeing this artwork before.

This morning I walked south down Seventh Avenue, from the top of Cortez Hill to Petco Park.

I was happy to spot some new (and old) cool sights along this stretch of downtown San Diego. So I took photographs!

Some street art recently painted on a sidewalk utility box. I Love Downtown San Diego.
Some street art recently painted on a sidewalk utility box. I Love Downtown San Diego.
Complex reflection in the windows of the building at 701 B Street, which has undergone some upgrades.
Complex reflection in the windows of the building at 701 B Street, which has undergone some upgrades, including this west entrance.
Looking north up Seventh Avenue through San Diego's Financial District.
Looking north up Seventh Avenue through downtown San Diego’s Financial District.
Crane swings a load above the Bosa Tower construction site, with the old Hotel Churchill sign in the background.
Crane swings a load above the Bosa Tower construction site, with the old Hotel Churchill sign in the background.
Advertisements peeling from a construction site fence.
Advertisements peeling from another construction site fence.
A huge mural is now being painted on the rear of the Moxy San Diego Gaslamp Downtown! It appears to depict the Gaslamp Quarter.
A huge mural is now being painted on the rear of the Moxy San Diego Gaslamp Downtown! This cool new mural appears to depict part of the Gaslamp Quarter.
Reflections on the shiny Sempra Energy building, with the historic old 1887 Clermont Hotel in the foreground.
Morning reflections on the shiny Sempra Energy building, with the historic old 1887 Clermont Hotel in the foreground.
A new shirt with a West Coast State of Mind, in a window of the Padres Team Store in the old Western Metal Supply Building.
A new shirt with a West Coast State of Mind, in a window of the Padres Team Store, which is located in the Western Metal Supply Building.
Palm trees reflected in the glassy, very modern Omni San Diego Hotel.
Palm trees reflected in the glassy, very modern Omni San Diego Hotel.

UPDATE!

I took a photo of the Moxy mural days later when it was finished…

IMG_1180z

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I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!

The Syfy fan awards, cosplay, and craziness!

A fan at 2018 Comic-Con receives an award from Syfy in the Gaslamp on Saturday afternoon!
A fan at 2018 Comic-Con receives an award from Syfy in the Gaslamp on Saturday afternoon!

Breaking News!

I was going to post photos from my late morning walk through The Experience at 2018 Comic-Con, but an unforeseen event this afternoon has disrupted my plans!

In the mid-afternoon Syfy arrived in the Gaslamp Quarter to award medals to winners of their fan art competition, and . . . you’ll have to see what happened! Read the captions!

On Saturday at 2018 Comic-Con, the craziness gets underway.
On Saturday afternoon at 2018 Comic-Con, the craziness gets underway.
Waiting for a trolley with a shark fin hat.
Waiting for a trolley with a shark fin hat.
Bumblebee had a tough time squeezing into this trolley, but made it!
Bumblebee had a tough time squeezing into this trolley, but made it!
Pikachu was making a new friend.
Pikachu was making a new friend.
Someone appeared to be really hungry.
Someone appeared to be really hungry.
What planet is this? What's going on here?
What planet is this? What’s going on here?
It seems to be a planet that's packed with crazy Comic-Con fans!
It seems to be a planet that’s packed with crazy, fun-loving Comic-Con fans!
I don't know if these guys were making a political statement, or just looking a bit silly.
I don’t know if these guys were making a political statement, or just looking a bit silly.
Speaking of silly, here's a fantastic Batman photo op!
Speaking of silly, here’s a super fantastic Batman photo op!
Where did he come from? I barely got away in time.
Where did he come from? I barely got away in time.
Everyone's a kid during Comic-Con.
Everyone’s a kid during Comic-Con.
Everyone likes posing with superheroes.
Everyone likes posing with superheroes.
Kids liked this colorful robot.
Kids liked this colorful robot.
Will these guys pose for a group cosplay photo?
Will these guys pose for a group cosplay photo?
Of course! It's Comic-Con!
Of course! It’s Comic-Con!
This guy clearly has issues.
This guy clearly has issues.
It's a Comic-Con exclusive life-size Star Trek Barbee, mint in box!
It’s a Comic-Con exclusive life-size Star Trek Barbee, mint in box!
A great Ming the Merciless cosplay!
A great Ming the Merciless cosplay!
Aquaman is being pursued by a toothy sea creature.
Aquaman is being pursued by a toothy sea creature.
Someone went to the Gaslamp Quarter for a martini, and look what they saw.
Someone went to the Gaslamp Quarter for a martini, and look what they saw.
I see Other Mother in front of LAIKA LIVE San Diego!
I see Other Mother in front of LAIKA LIVE San Diego!
And here's Logan in padding. Perhaps his healing factor isn't what it used to be.
And here’s Logan in padding. Perhaps his healing factor isn’t what it used to be.
Instead of breaking Batman's back, Bane goes after the neck of an innocent bystander.
Instead of breaking Batman’s back, Bane goes after the neck of an innocent bystander.
Look what's coming down Fifth Avenue! It's the Syfy Fan Creator Award show for Comic-Con 2018!
Look what’s coming down Fifth Avenue! It’s the Syfy Fan Creator Award show for Comic-Con 2018!
The Syfy drum line gets the crowd in an even more excited mood.
The Syfy drum line gets the crowd in an even more excited mood.
Time for another selfie.
Time for another selfie.
A Syfy fan who made some super cool art gets a medal, then speaks a few words to the gathered crowd.
A Syfy fan who made some super cool art gets a medal, then speaks a few words to the gathered crowd.
Everyone's having a great--if wacky--time.
Everyone’s having a great–if wacky–time.
The Syfy band played the theme from Ghostbusters. A kid wearing a Ghostbusters t-shirt receives a medal and a high five!
The Syfy band played the theme from Ghostbusters. A kid wearing a Ghostbusters t-shirt receives a medal and a high five!
Let the insanity resume.
Let sheer insanity resume.
Deadpool makes some gyrating moves.
Deadpool makes some gyrating moves.
Apparently his dance worked. He attracted a unicorn!
Apparently his dance worked. He attracted a rainbow unicorn!
Members of the Justice League has descended into the Gaslamp Quarter. Have no fear.
Members of the Justice League of America have descended into the Gaslamp Quarter. Have no fear, good citizens!
Another photo that says it all.
Another photo that says it all.
A fuzzy pic. I feel fortunate that I took if from a safe distance.
A fuzzy pic. I feel fortunate that I took if from a safe distance.
Super-tall-Spock coolly analyzes the situation.
Super-tall-Spock coolly analyzes the situation.
While Captain Kirk is with the ladies.
While Captain Kirk is with the ladies.
More fun, creative, absurd cosplay.
More fun, creative, absurd cosplay.
Yes, it seems everyone is little off their rocker this afternoon.
Yes, it seems everyone is little off their rocker this afternoon.
Another day at Comic-Con.
Another day at Comic-Con.
Another Saturday afternoon, that is.
Another Saturday afternoon, that is.
The Guardians of the Galaxy have arrived to help guard the Gaslamp Quarter for a bit.
The Guardians of the Galaxy have arrived to help guard the Gaslamp Quarter for a bit.
Yes, the full tilt craziness has just begun.
Yes, the full tilt craziness has just begun.
Here come some fast food superheroes. First up are McDonalds and Wendys.
Here come some fast food superheroes. First up are McDonalds and Wendys.
Grimace is a big time superhero.
I bet you didn’t know Grimace is a big time purple superhero.
Jack in the Box casts his taco spell on me, making my head spin.
Jack in the Box casts his taco spell on me, making my head spin.
Panda Express and KFC complete the Legion of Indigestion.
Panda Express and KFC complete the Legion of Indigestion.
If you bite one of those apples, you'll get worse than indigestion!
If you bite one of those apples, you’ll get worse than indigestion!
Everything is returning to normal. Good old Wonder Woman and Superman are coming down Fifth Avenue.
Everything is returning to normal. Good old Wonder Woman and Superman are coming down Fifth Avenue.
And these guys, too.
And these guys, too.
She-Ra and her pal have things under control.
She-Ra and her pal have things under control.

…

I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!

You can easily explore Cool San Diego Sights by using the search box on my blog’s sidebar. Or click a tag! There are thousands upon thousands of photos for you to enjoy!

More cosplay and fun stuff in the Gaslamp!

It's the whole Spiderman and Venom gang! Looks like they overpowered Captain America and got his shield!
It’s the whole Spiderman and Venom gang! Looks like they overpowered Captain America and got his shield!

It’s Thursday and 2018 San Diego Comic-Con is in full swing!

The Gaslamp Quarter was starting to get a little crazy when I walked through in the early afternoon. Fifth Avenue wasn’t packed absolutely full like sardines, however. But I know that it will be!

Enjoy some more photos of creative cosplay and a variety of fun stuff!

Ghostbuster cosplay in the Gaslamp during 2018 San Diego Comic-Con.
Ghostbusters cosplay in the Gaslamp during 2018 San Diego Comic-Con.
Much of the cosplay I didn't recognize. Including this guy!
Much of the cosplay I didn’t recognize. Including this guy!
Cosplay of Marvel superhero Silk.
Cosplay of Marvel superhero Silk.
I see Cap has his shield back. Now he's gotta go find Thanos.
I see Cap has his shield back. Now he’s gotta go find Thanos.
Syfy Bingo Trolleys were going around the Gaslamp full of contestants.
Syfy Bingo Trolleys were going around the Gaslamp full of contestants.
This friendly Syfy gang ran out of swag bags but promised to be back with many more!
This friendly Syfy gang ran out of swag bags but promised to be back with many more!
Here comes a small mobile billboard towed by a bicycle. Cool graphic, whatever the heck you're promoting.
Here comes a small mobile billboard towed by a bicycle. Cool graphic, whatever the heck you’re promoting.
I poked my camera for a quick shot inside the Peanuts Pop-Up Shop. Psychedelic Snoopy!
I poked my camera for a quick shot inside the Peanuts Pop-Up Shop. I see psychedelic Snoopy and Charlie Brown!
Comic-Con fans line up by the Good Plates restaurant to get into The Good Place.
Comic-Con fans line up by the Good Plates restaurant to get into The Good Place.
Doctor Strange is about to cast a spell on me! Hopefully I don't go looping through time endlessly. After only four days of Comic-Con, I'll be completely worn out.
Doctor Strange is about to cast a spell on me! Hopefully I don’t go looping through time endlessly. After only four days of Comic-Con, I’ll already be completely worn out.
This poor guy near the DC Universe Experience desperately needs 2 more dragonballs. Good luck!
This poor guy near the DC Universe Experience desperately needs 2 more dragonballs. Good luck!
Cosplay from Cyberpunk Galaxy Wonderland! Whatever that is!
Cosplay from Cyberpunk Galaxy Wonderland! Whatever that is!
Cosplay of Shredder from the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
A great cosplay of Shredder from the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
Polite, well-groomed bellhops were out promoting upcoming movie Bad Times at the El Royale.
Polite, well-groomed bellhops were out promoting upcoming movie Bad Times at the El Royale.
That's either a tiny T-Rex or one gigantic human rider!
That’s either a tiny T-Rex or one gigantic human rider!
This Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan bus clearly needs to fetch more people.
This Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan bus clearly needs to fetch more people.
It's the Coneheads!
It’s the Coneheads!
The happy X-Men family!
The happy X-Men family!
Someone please inform the G.I. Joe Team that COBRA has been spotted secretly infiltrating San Diego.
Someone please inform the G.I. Joe Team that COBRA has been spotted secretly infiltrating San Diego.
Fortunately, more heroic Avengers are present. It's Black Widow (the red-haired version) and Ant Man!
Fortunately, I found some more heroic Avengers. It’s Black Widow (the red-haired version) and Ant Man!
Is 91X Man part of a superhero group? No, that radio station might play music by some super groups, though.
Is 91X Man part of a superhero group? No, that radio station might play music by some supergroups, though.
Talk about a super group. That's a lot of humanity on MLK Promenade.
Talk about a super group. That’s a big group of humanity on MLK Promenade.
This guy was handing out Den of Geek magazines. I got one for my coworker. He was an authentic nerd before being a nerd became cool.
This guy was handing out Den of Geek magazines. I got one for my coworker. He was an authentic nerd before being a nerd became cool.
Of course, I knew I'd run into a Star Wars Stormtrooper during my travels. No Leias yet, however.
Of course, I knew I’d run into a Star Wars Stormtrooper during my travels.
Another big line around Dead Quarters. I'll go brave a line or two tomorrow, I suppose.
Another big line around Dead Quarters. I’ll go brave a line or two tomorrow, I suppose.
The Syfy Wire interviews a Jack Sparrow-like pirate in the Gaslamp during 2018 Comic-Con.
The Syfy Wire interviews a Jack Sparrow-like pirate in the Gaslamp Quarter during 2018 Comic-Con.
Goodness! Golf Vader has returned to Comic-Con! Something must be done about this!
Goodness! Golf Vader has returned to Comic-Con! Something must be done about this!
Great cosplay at 2018 San Diego Comic-Con. Riddler, Wonder Woman and Poison Ivy!
Great cosplay at 2018 San Diego Comic-Con. Riddler, Wonder Woman and Poison Ivy!

…

I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!

You can easily explore Cool San Diego Sights by using the search box on my blog’s sidebar. Or click a tag! There are thousands upon thousands of photos for you to enjoy!

Cosplay and fun Thursday morning at Comic-Con!

Cool cosplay of Soul Eater characters at 2018 San Diego Comic-Con!
Cool cosplay of Soul Eater characters at 2018 San Diego Comic-Con!

Early this morning, as I walked from Cortez Hill down to the Gaslamp, I was joined by others heading toward the convention center for the very first day of 2018 San Diego Comic-Con.

The offsites still hadn’t opened, and one or two that I passed didn’t appear to be quite ready. But long lines were already forming!

I spotted lots of great cosplay as I walked along Martin Luther King Jr. Promenade, then over the Harbor Drive pedestrian bridge to see the action behind the San Diego Convention Center.

Buses packed with Comic-Con attendees were arriving continuously from hotels around the city. By this afternoon, the streets and sidewalks will be jammed with crazy activity!

Riddler gives me a villainous smile. Doesn't look good! Where's the Bat-Signal?
Riddler gives me a villainous smile. Where’s the Bat-Signal?
Deadpool is waiting in the DC Universe offsite line. He must like those dark DC characters.
Deadpool is waiting in the DC Universe offsite line. He must like those dark DC characters.
Comic-Con visitors wait in a line near Dead Quarters early Thursday morning.
Comic-Con visitors wait in a line near Dead Quarters early Thursday morning.
A big line had already formed down MLK Promenade for Amazon's Jack Ryan Experience.
A big line had already formed down MLK Promenade for Amazon’s Jack Ryan Experience.
I knew it! Loki is not dead after all!
I knew it! Loki isn’t dead!
Officers from Starfleet have beamed down to 21st century Earth to observe our odd cultural customs.
Officers from Starfleet have beamed down to 21st century Earth to observe our odd cultural customs.
Not one super dog, but two!
Not one super dog, but two!
Even folks with treats along the promenade were dressed up for the pop culture occasion.
Even folks selling treats along the promenade were dressed up for the pop culture occasion.
Stay Puft Marshmallow Man is on a rampage through The Experience! Good thing it wasn't open yet.
Stay Puft Marshmallow Man is on a rampage through The Experience! Good thing it wasn’t open yet.
Here come boxes and boxes of Funko Pops!
Here come boxes and boxes of Funko Pops!
When these guys weren't serving breakfast to hungry fans near the Hilton Bayfront, they were posing for silly bloggers.
When these guys weren’t serving breakfast to hungry fans near the Hilton Bayfront, they were posing for a silly blogger.
These sign guys have to keep moving as the lines grow longer.
These volunteer sign guys have to keep moving as the lines grow longer.
The Adult Swim canoes are on the river! I'm guessing they'll be propelled manually with oars.
The Adult Swim canoes are on the river! I’m guessing they’ll be propelled manually with oars.
A long line of wonderful, lovable nerds.
A long line of wonderful, lovable nerds.
The Turner yacht has docked for 2018 Comic-Con!
The Turner yacht has docked in San Diego for 2018 Comic-Con!
I didn't see any hamburgers nearby, so I'm guessing this is pure cosplay.
I didn’t see any hamburgers nearby, so I’m guessing this is pure cosplay.
No need to worry. lots of ice cream is on the way.
No need to worry. Lots of ice cream is on the way.
A cool Deconstructed Bike Zone near the Hilton Bayfront promotes the upcoming FX show Mayans MC. Prepare for the return of mayhem!
A cool Deconstructed Bike Zone near the Hilton Bayfront promotes the upcoming FX show Mayans MC. Prepare for the return of mayhem!
If you're looking for the line for Indigo programs, it's this way.
If you’re looking for the line for Indigo programs, it’s this way.
Just a typical early morning scene on the Harbor Drive pedestrian bridge during San Diego Comic-Con.
Just a typical early morning scene on the Harbor Drive pedestrian bridge during San Diego Comic-Con.
Great cosplays of WALL-E and Cruella de Vil.
Great cosplays of WALL-E and Cruella de Vil.
Cool cosplays of Deathstroke and Batgirl.
Cool cosplays of Deathstroke and Batgirl.
A great Rey cosplay, but by sheer chance she blinked when I snapped my one photo.
A great Rey cosplay, but by sheer chance she blinked when I snapped my one photo. Maybe some sand from that planet got in her eyes.
What it's like to walk outside Comic-Con in the early morning, before the crowds become insane.
What it’s like to walk outside Comic-Con in the early morning, before the crowds become insane.
These guys handed me a Top Secret envelope. Inside were instructions to head over to the Jack Ryan Experience for a mission.
These guys handed me a Top Secret envelope. Inside were instructions to head over to the Jack Ryan Experience for a mission.
The Donut Bar had a pop-up in the Gaslamp. Do or donut. There is no try.
The Donut Bar had a pop-up in the Gaslamp. Do or donut. There is no try.
A cosplay of Robin, ready for action.
A cosplay of Robin, ready for action.
Spidey is taking a breather, even though Comic-Con has barely begun!
Spidey is taking a breather, even though Comic-Con has barely begun!

…

I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!

You can easily explore Cool San Diego Sights by using the search box on my blog’s sidebar. Or click a tag! There are thousands upon thousands of photos for you to enjoy!

Fans converge for SDCC 2018 Preview Night!

A line of Comic-Con volunteers passes by the afternoon of Preview Night.
A line of Comic-Con volunteers passes by my camera the afternoon of Preview Night.

Here we go!

I didn’t have a pass for Comic-Con Preview Night this year, but there was still lots of cool stuff to see just walking around the convention center late Wednesday afternoon!

Pop culture fans from around the world are converging on San Diego!

Syfy has a bunch of bus wraps again for 2018 San Diego Comic-Con.
Syfy has a bunch of bus wraps again for 2018 San Diego Comic-Con.
A fun photo booth puts visitors into a comic book at the Manchester Grand Hyatt.
A fun photo booth puts visitors into a comic book at the Manchester Grand Hyatt.
Most everyone is converging on the San Diego Convention Center. It's Preview Night!
Most everyone is converging on the San Diego Convention Center. It’s Preview Night!
I spied a few instances of cosplay, but not much yet. Wait for tomorrow!
I spied a few instances of cosplay, but not much yet. Wait for tomorrow!
People wait for a Green Line trolley at the Stranger Things station by the convention center.
People wait for a Green Line trolley at the Stranger Things station by the convention center.
Walking down MLK Promenade past Dead Quarters.
Walking with vigor down MLK Promenade near the Walking Dead.
Fifth Avenue will be absolutely jammed tomorrow! Stay tuned! You'll see loads of pics on this blog!
Fifth Avenue will be absolutely jammed tomorrow! Stay tuned! You’ll see loads of pics on Cool San Diego Sights!
If you tweet this blog a whole bunch, maybe you'll move that needle. Maybe not.
If you tweet this blog a whole bunch, maybe you’ll move that needle. Maybe not.
Uh, oh! Somebody forgot to put up these big yellow letters!
Uh, oh! Somebody forgot to put up these big yellow letters!
Wow! Wonder Woman isn't the only one offering ice cream at The Experience! Batman has a Dark Knight brownie bite!
Wow! Wonder Woman isn’t the only one offering ice cream at The Experience! Batman has a Dark Knight brownie bite!
A line has already begun for Ready Player One. Where's the Start Play button?
A line has already begun for Ready Player One. Where’s the Start Play button?
Oh, man! It's Hot Wheels!
Oh, man! It’s a life-size Hot Wheels!
I got my Entertainment Weekly free Comic-Con issue! I'm going to read it as soon as I hit publish for this blog post! See you tomorrow!
I got my Entertainment Weekly free Comic-Con issue! I’m going to read it as soon as I hit the publish button for this blog post! See you tomorrow!

…

I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!

You can easily explore Cool San Diego Sights by using the search box on my blog’s sidebar. Or click a tag! There are thousands upon thousands of photos for you to enjoy!