Tag: happy

A happy story about youth and gratitude.

I believe I finally got it right. My latest short story. For a while it seemed wrong, incomplete.

Returning the Ball is a happy story about youth, youthful optimism, and a heart’s gratitude.

This quick read is likely to make you smile. Perhaps even wipe a tear. Click the above link to read it.

Need something to read this Labor Day? I’ve gradually built a collection of short stories (and a poem) at my blog Short Stories by Richard. These small works of fiction are ideal for a beach read. Or half an hour by the pool.

Enjoy your day and thank you for supporting Cool San Diego Sights! I plan to head up to Balboa Park! What will I discover today? I don’t know!

Richard

La Mesa dancers walk to fight breast cancer!

I spotted these friendly people heading along the sidewalk during my walk in La Mesa.
I spotted these friendly people heading down the sidewalk during my walk in La Mesa.

I was walking through La Mesa today, taking random photos of street art, when I happened upon some super cool people!

Ladies from the Flavor Company, a cultural fusion dance troupe headquartered in La Mesa, were greeting strangers all up and down the sidewalk. With big smiles they were promoting a walk coming up for the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer of San Diego! The 4-mile walk will be taking place Sunday, October 14 in Balboa Park!

Talk about setting a great example for us all!

Click the above links to learn more!

Smiles from some of the ladies of the Flavor Company, a cool dance troupe headquartered in La Mesa.
Smiles from some of the ladies of the Flavor Company, a cool dance troupe in La Mesa.

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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!

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Sailboats, sunshine, and the Commodores!

The Commodores do a sound check before their evening performance at Bayside Summer Nights.
The Commodores do a sound check before their evening performance at Bayside Summer Nights.

Adventures all over today, including walks in La Mesa and Logan Heights.

The best came near the end. I just happened to arrive at Embarcadero Marina Park South as the legendary Motown group Commodores began their sound check for this evening’s Bayside Summer Nights concert. It was like a free “concert” for myself and a few lucky others.

The Commodores have provided so many good moments and memories in my life. Their stirring music has such strong rhythm and heart. Soul, defined. When you listen, you smile, then you start singing too.

Night Shift. Lady (You Bring Me Up). Easy.

I heard bits and pieces of them all.

And in the near distance, sailboats and sunshine on San Diego Bay.

Yes, life is good.

Getting the chairs ready for an outdoor concert on San Diego Bay.
Getting the chairs ready for an outdoor concert on San Diego Bay.
A sailboat tacks. I could hear the sails flapping.
A sailboat tacks. I could hear the sails flapping.
The Commodores on stage produce their legendary magic.
The Commodores on stage produce their legendary magic.
Beauty nearby.
Sunshine and sails. Easy like Saturday afternoon.
Life is good.
Life is good.

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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!

Scenes of life at Ruocco Park.

Walking very slowly, rhythmically, toward Ruocco Park, playing bagpipes.
A man walks along slowly, rhythmically, playing bagpipes.

Just before sunset I found myself at Ruocco Park, between the USS Midway and Seaport Village. Many were out in the warm air enjoying life. I saw people talking, laughing, creating music, walking, skating, sitting, catching a ball on the grass . . .

People at a picnic table and on the grass at Ruocco Park.
People at a picnic table and on the grass at Ruocco Park.
Couple rolls down the Embarcadero on inline skates and a skateboard.
Couple rolls down the Embarcadero on inline skates and a skateboard.
Kid looks with yearning at an ice cream seller's cart.
Kid looks with yearning at an ice cream seller’s cart.
Folks talk as the sun approaches the horizon.
Folks quietly talk as the sun approaches the horizon.
A family walks along and gazes out at a sunlit ship.
A family walks along and gazes out at a sunlit ship.
A slow walk along San Diego Bay at Ruocco Park.
A slow walk along San Diego Bay at Ruocco Park.
A couple sits on a bench inside a work of public art, The Riparium, in a corner of Ruocco Park.
A couple sits on a bench inside a work of public art, The Riparium, in a corner of Ruocco Park.

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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!

Photos of Steven Universe music video with Estelle!

Wow! I just watched an amazing performance!

A fun, upbeat music video featuring Estelle was videotaped this afternoon in San Diego during 2017 Comic-Con! And hundreds of super enthusiastic people–young and old–came out to sing along!

Many in the crowd dressed like their favorite Steven Universe characters or held up signs containing messages of optimism and love!

The crowd sang along and enjoyed every second of it. I’m still feeling elated as I write this blog! Even though I’ve never watched a single episode of Steven Universe or heard the song before.

Estelle is a Grammy-award winning musician. She also voices the character Garnet in Cartoon Network’s super popular animated TV show. It looks to me like Steven Universe rocks!

The guy in charge of the production announced to the crowd that the video, titled Stronger Than You, should appear on Cartoon Network in a couple days.

Let me share a few photos…

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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!

Cartoon Network character balloons take flight!

A whole flock of Cartoon Network characters take to the sky! Fun balloons fly over the fountain at Children's Park during 2017 San Diego Comic-Con!
A whole flock of Cartoon Network characters take to the sky! Fun balloons fly over the fountain at Children’s Park during 2017 San Diego Comic-Con!

Fourteen of seventeen Cartoon Network character balloons have been inflated so far for 2017 Comic-Con. You can see them soaring above the fountain at Children’s Park on MLK Promenade! I learned this morning two more balloons will be added tomorrow, and one final balloon on Friday!

Do you recognize some of these characters? If you do, feel free to leave a comment!

This helpful sign appeared on Thursday!

The Cartoon Network balloon characters include: K.O., Ice Bear, Four Arms, Richard, Robin, Darwin, Buttercup, Cannonbolt, Panda, Steven Universe, Beast Boy, Gumball, Raven, Omnitrix, Grizz, and Steven's Shirt!
The Cartoon Network balloon characters include: K.O., Ice Bear, Four Arms, Richard, Robin, Darwin, Buttercup, Cannonbolt, Panda, Steven Universe, Beast Boy, Gumball, Raven, Omnitrix, Grizz, and Steven’s Shirt!

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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!

Cosplay dogs become celebrities at PAWmicon!

Three canine superstars get their photo during PAWmicon. Cosplay goes to the dogs.
Three canine celebrities get their photo taken during PAWmicon. Cosplay goes to the dogs.

The humans can’t have all the fun during Comic-Con!

Check out some photos of dog cosplay at today’s PAWmicon event, which took place at Hazard Center. Helen Woodward Animal Center had adoptable dogs dressed up as superheroes, and friendly pups proceeded to save smiling humans! As the bumper sticker says: Who rescued who?

Dogs brought by those attending the event were also dressed up for a costume contest. I know–a bit silly–but every two-legged and four-legged critter at PAWmicon seemed quite happy!

Helen Woodward Animal Center created PAWmicon to help adoptable dogs find loving homes. Cosplay for a cause.
Helen Woodward Animal Center created PAWmicon to help adoptable dogs find loving homes. Cosplay for a cause.
I spotted Hairy Pawter in the Dogwarts Express.
I spotted Hairy Pawter in the Dogwarts Express.
Bat-dog was keeping an eye on the mayhem.
Bat-dog was keeping an eye on the mayhem.
I see Harley-canine and Super-growl.
I see Harley-canine and Super-growl.
Bat-dog returned to the relative safety of Gotham. San Diego is just too crazy.
Bat-dog returned to the relative safety of Gotham. San Diego is just too crazy.
A cosplay dog is a star of the show.
A cosplay dog is a star of the show.
The furriest critter around wasn't a pooch--it was Chewbacca!
The furriest critter around wasn’t a pooch–it was Chewbacca!
Not sure who this dog is pretending to be. Perhaps Captain Paw-merica.
Not sure what superhero this dog is dressed up to be. Perhaps some sort of Captain Paw-merica.
Here comes Scooby Doo. He ate so many Scooby snacks, he outgrew the Mystery Machine!
Here comes Scooby Doo. He ate so many Scooby snacks, he outgrew the Mystery Machine!

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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!

Bayou Brothers rock the House of France!

Folks dance on the stage at the center of Balboa Park's International Cottages. The lawn program today was hosted by the House of France.
Folks dance on the stage at the center of Balboa Park’s International Cottages. The lawn program today was hosted by the House of France.

For a moment I thought I’d taken a wrong turn. Was this Louisiana? Upon entering the lawn area of Balboa Park’s International Cottages, the energetic, rollicking Zydeco music coming from the stage made me suddenly feel like dancing about! And I don’t dance!

San Diego’s own Bayou Brothers band was the main entertainment this afternoon for the House of France’s lawn program! And they appeared to be an enormous hit!

An accordion starts hands clapping and feet stomping.
An accordion starts hands clapping and feet stomping.
A nice crowd enjoyed some great entertainment on a perfect Sunday afternoon.
A nice crowd enjoyed some great entertainment on a perfect Sunday in the park.
People gathered outside the House of France to listen to the music, talk, and look at some cultural displays.
People gathered outside the House of France to listen to the music, talk, and look at some cultural displays.
A poster says Welcome to the House of France. It depicts Mont St. Michel, Château de Versailles, la Tour Eiffel, and other popular national attractions.
A poster says Welcome to the House of France. It depicts Mont St. Michel, Château de Versailles, la Tour Eiffel, and other popular national attractions.
Some visitors inside the House of France sample treats and enjoy more good conversation.
Some visitors inside the House of France sample treats and enjoy more good conversation.
While outside, the music played. Another wonderful event in Balboa Park.
While outside, the music played. Just another wonderful day in Balboa Park.

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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!

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Dreams by the water one Sunday afternoon.

Fisherman on pier and a sailboat.
Fisherman on a pier, and sailboat.

This morning I explored the heart of La Mesa. I’ll blog about my adventure shortly.

This afternoon I returned downtown, then strolled for a couple of magical hours along San Diego Bay. I gazed at the whirl of people all around. I glimpsed moments in life.

Near the softly rippling, bright water, life can seem like a dream.

Walking along, touching a tree.
Walking along, touching a tree.
A momentary pause on some steps.
A moment on some steps.
Ice cream on a sunny Sunday afternoon.
Ice cream on a sunny Sunday afternoon.
Resting on the shady grass.
Resting on the shady grass.
Family and a passing white sail.
Family and a passing white sail.
A kite high in the blue sky.
A kite high in the blue sky.
Dreams float on sparkling blue.
Like dreams on sparkling blue.
Looking down into mystery.
Looking down into mystery.
A busy day and a smile.
A busy day and a smile.
A story some will not see.
A story some will not see.
Fishing for memories.
Fishing for memories.
A wave upon waves.
A wave upon waves.
Fishing beyond an old fence.
Fishing beyond an old fence.
Many choices.
Many choices.
The passage of time.
The passage of time.
Realizing dreams.
Realizing dreams.
A moment of fantasy.
Youth and fantasy.
A bite to eat.
A bite to eat.

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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!

Fill a red shoe online for Ronald McDonald House!

Your online gift to Ronald McDonald House will sponsor a meal, buy supplies for a student, support a night's stay for a family with a hospitalized child.
Your online gift to Ronald McDonald House will sponsor a meal, buy supplies for a student, or support a night’s stay for a family with a hospitalized child.

Today was Red Shoe Day. If you drove about San Diego, you might have seen smiling, unselfish people holding up big Ronald McDonald shoes at major intersections. Perhaps you were in traffic and didn’t have a chance to make a charitable donation.

Well, here’s your opportunity. Make your donation online (or learn about Ronald McDonald House) by clicking here!

Help support Ronald McDonald House. Fill the red shoe with an online donation!
Help support Ronald McDonald House. Fill the red shoe with an online donation!

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