Tag: life

Cancer Survivors Park: Hope, beauty, healing.

Today with modern medicine there's a pretty good chance of beating cancer.
Today with modern medicine there’s a pretty good chance of beating cancer.

Cancer Survivors Park is located at Spanish Landing, across Harbor Drive from San Diego International Airport. It’s an inspiring place of hope, beauty and healing.

At the center of the park is an arrangement of bronze sculptures by renowned artist Victor Salmones, representing people from all walks of life dealing with cancer. The journey can be complicated and difficult. A walkway that meanders through the park features plaques containing useful, positive messages.

If you also feel inspired, please feel free to share.

Some people have been cured from every type of cancer.
Some people have been cured from every type of cancer.
People from all walks of life can get cancer.
People from all walks of life can get cancer.
Cancer is the most curable of all chronic diseases.
Cancer is the most curable of all chronic diseases.
Bronze forms represent people beginning to undergo medical treatment.
Bronze forms represent people beginning to undergo medical treatment.
Realize that cancer is a life threatening disease but some beat it. Make up your mind you will be one of those who do.
Realize that cancer is a life threatening disease but some beat it. Make up your mind you will be one of those who do.
People like you and I start the difficult journey to have their cancer eliminated.
People like you and I start the difficult journey to have their cancer eliminated.
Make a commitment to do everything in your power to help yourself fight the disease.
Make a commitment to do everything in your power to help yourself fight the disease.
Beginning cancer treatment can be a bit scary and confusing.
Beginning cancer treatment can be a bit scary and confusing.
Find a qualified doctor in whom you have confidence who believes he can successfully treat you.
Find a qualified doctor in whom you have confidence who believes he can successfully treat you.
Young lady begins cancer treatment, feeling uncertain.
Young lady begins cancer treatment, feeling uncertain.
Treat your cancer promptly, properly and thoroughly and have a positive mental attitude.
Treat your cancer promptly, properly and thoroughly and have a positive mental attitude.
Happy family emerges from cancer treatment with a brand new life.
Happy family emerges from cancer treatment with a brand new life.
Get state of the art treatment. Know all your options. Knowledge heals.
Get state of the art treatment. Know all your options. Knowledge heals.
Bicyclist rides through San Diego's Cancer Survivors Park.
Bicyclist rides through San Diego’s Cancer Survivors Park.
Cancer Survivors Park is located at Spanish Landing, near Lindbergh Field.
Cancer Survivors Park is located at Spanish Landing, near Lindbergh Field.

Love, play and relaxation on San Diego Bay.

Lovers have an intimate moment by the water.
Lovers have an intimate moment by the water.

These pics were all taken at Embarcadero Marina Park North.

People fascinated by beautiful San Diego Bay.
People fascinated by beautiful San Diego Bay.
Just relaxing on the grass enjoying a nice day.
Just relaxing on the grass enjoying a nice day.
Couple paddling boards in Marriott Marina.
Couple paddling along on boards in Marriott Marina.
Children explore the water from rocks.
Children explore the blue water from rocks.
Walking in Embarcadero Marina Park North.
A stroll  through Embarcadero Marina Park North.
Walking along the water past a picnic bench.
Walking along the water past a picnic bench.

Art, music and fun on San Diego’s waterfront!

Street performer on a bench plays guitar and sings.
Street performer on a bench plays guitar and sings.

Enjoyed my walk today. Took a bunch of pics. Street artists and performers use their talents to add zest to the colorful San Diego waterfront.

Silver robotic mime and a frozen high five.
Silver robotic mime and a frozen high five.
Resting on the grass, waiting to sketch a tourist portrait.
Resting on the grass, waiting to sketch a tourist portrait.
Playing a bluesy guitar near Seaport Village.
Playing a bluesy guitar near Seaport Village.
Passersby talk with a funny caricature artist.
Passersby talk with a funny caricature artist.
Man with horn plays Mariachi tunes near the USS Midway.
Man with horn plays Mariachi tunes near the USS Midway.
Little girl on wall awaits a cool twisted balloon creation.
Little girl on wall awaits a cool twisted balloon creation.
Hand painted names make memorable souvenirs.
Hand painted names make memorable souvenirs.
Caricature artist at work on a sunny San Diego day.
Caricature artist at work on a sunny San Diego day.
Birds perch on guitar-playing white statue-man.
Birds perch on guitar-playing white statue-man.
Captain America patrols San Diego's Embarcadero.
Captain America patrols San Diego’s Embarcadero.
Sax player entertains people on San Diego waterfront.
Sax player entertains people on San Diego waterfront.
Artist sells space art and handmade crafts on the Embarcadero.
Artist sells space art and handmade crafts on sidewalk.
A beautiful day by the water put to music.
A beautiful day by the water put to music.

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Why I loved Jerry Coleman.

Jerry Coleman in Padres broadcast booth.
Jerry Coleman in Padres broadcast booth from http://www.newstimes.com.

I loved the cheerful voice of Jerry Coleman.  The good humor, dignity and optimism it conveyed during Padres broadcasts were an important part of my life.  I listened to that voice for over thirty years.

Jerry Coleman was a remarkable man.  He was both a genuine war hero and genuine baseball superstar.  There was nothing phony or inflated about his life achievements.  And he remained humble.  He didn’t have a trace of conceit.  He simply loved life, his family and country.

In a world where many self-centered people are hungry for fame, and make fools of themselves to achieve it, I think it was the humility of this truly legendary man that made him so loved by ordinary San Diegans.  That and his simple good humor.

I never met him.  But losing Jerry Coleman feels like losing a friend.

A quiet New Year’s Day on San Diego Bay.

Anthony's Fishette is empty, closed on New Year's Day.
Anthony’s Fishette is empty, closed on New Year’s Day.

It didn’t matter that most places were closed.  The Embarcadero was wide open.

On this sunny New Year’s Day people were simply walking or sitting at the edge of San Diego Bay, gazing out at the water and boats.

People gaze at San Diego Bay from benches by The Fish Market.
People simply talk or gaze at San Diego Bay near The Fish Market.
Kids climb in trees near Greatest Generation Walk.
Kids climb in trees near Greatest Generation Walk.
Ice cream vendor near USS Midway scoops New Year's Day treat.
Street vendor near USS Midway scoops a New Year’s Day treat.
Man reads book on Tuna Harbor Pier on New Year's Day.
Man reads book on Tuna Harbor Pier for New Year’s Day.
Gull relaxes atop pile of yellow floats on pier.
Gull enters the new year atop pile of yellow floats.

Scenes of people enjoying life in Balboa Park.

Lady plays harp on El Prado in Balboa Park.
Lady plays harp on El Prado in Balboa Park.

Just some photos taken in Balboa Park of people enjoying life.

Glassblower at work in Balboa Park's Spanish Village.
Glassblower at work in Balboa Park’s Spanish Village.
Folks walk past fountain near Reuben H. Fleet Science Center.
Folks walk past fountain near Reuben H. Fleet Science Center.
Girl tries to grab brass ring on Balboa Park carousel.
Girl tries to grab brass ring on Balboa Park carousel.
Man plays guitar in Spanish Village gazebo.
Man plays guitar in Spanish Village gazebo.
People ride the Balboa Park Miniature Railroad.
People ride the Balboa Park Miniature Railroad.
Street performer plays an Australian didgeridoo.
Street performer plays an Australian didgeridoo.
Two artists on El Prado paint colorful canvases.
Two artists on El Prado paint colorful canvases.
Two young men enjoy slacklining in Balboa Park.
Two young men enjoy slacklining in Balboa Park.
Boy plays with ball while man reads Balboa Park plaque.
Boy plays with ball while man reads Balboa Park plaque.
Man sails small boat near Balboa Park fountain.
Man sails small boat near Balboa Park fountain.
Handmade boat near Balboa Park fountain.
Handmade boat near Balboa Park fountain.

Homeless and graffiti under Highway 163.

Homeless and graffiti beneath Highway 163 in Mission Valley.
Homeless and graffiti beneath Highway 163 in Mission Valley.

These two pics aren’t very cool.  But they are important.  They show another world that many often don’t see.

I took these photos where Highway 163 crosses over Camino de la Reina in Mission Valley.  I climbed up a hill of dirt under the overpass and emerged between the opposing lanes of traffic.

Numerous homeless people live along the San Diego River in Mission Valley.  Some of them hunker down in shelter provided by this makeshift concrete roof.

Another world in the shadows beneath lanes of busy traffic.
Another world in the shadows beneath lanes of busy traffic.

UPDATE!

I got the following three pics late in the summer. I didn’t see anyone, but obviously numerous people pass through.

Looking under Highway 163 where the homeless often pass or gather.
Looking under Highway 163 where the homeless often pass or gather.
This is where Highway 163 passes over the San Diego River.
This is where Highway 163 crosses over the San Diego River.
Weeds and graffiti beneath the concrete.
Weeds and graffiti beneath the concrete.

Colorful boats beached on Shelter Island.

colorful boats beached on shelter island
Colorful boats beached on Shelter Island.

Many of these small boats are used by people who live on San Diego Bay in sailboats and other vessels moored nearby.  Beached at the dinghy landing next to Shelter Island’s boat ramp, many appear weathered and sun-faded…but quite colorful!

Here are a few more pics I took on a later walk…

Colorful sandy-bottomed boats lie on the sand near Shelter Island boat ramp.
Sandy-bottomed boats lie scattered near Shelter Island boat ramp.
Gazing along a small beach on Shelter Island in San Diego Bay.
Gazing along a small beach on Shelter Island in San Diego Bay.
Scattered rowboats and kayaks create a fascinating image.
Various rowboats and kayaks create a fascinating image.

To eyes that see, these words give life.

shakespeare sonnet by old globe theatre

This small monument to William Shakespeare is located just across from the outdoor Lowell Davies Festival Theatre, not far from the Old Globe Theatre. The San Diego Museum of Art’s Sculpture Garden can be glimpsed in the background, beyond a fence.

The words beneath the Bard’s sculpted head and pen compose the memorable conclusion to his Sonnet 18:

“So long as men can breathe or eyes can see, So long lives this, and this gives life to thee.”

reading in plaza by old globe theatre

These nearby tables in Balboa Parks’s theatre complex are a fine place to find life in the written word.

Seaport Village portrait artist draws faces.

seaport village portrait artist at work

A whole variety of street performers, entertainers, psychics and artists can be found along the path that separates Seaport Village from Embarcadero Marina Park North. It’s a lively scene, especially during the summer. I snapped a great photo of a portrait artist sketching the faces of a couple who were seated together. Some of the artists seem more skilled than others; some paint, some draw, some do cartoons and caricatures.

The following pic is from another sunny summer day…

Street artist by Seaport Village paints kids sitting on wall near the bay.
Street artist by Seaport Village paints kids sitting on wall near the bay.

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