The older I become, the more I understand that life is fleeting.
Because of that, I’ve come to a decision.
I will now dedicate my spare hours to writing fiction.
Why?
While I enjoy walking everywhere and taking photos of San Diego, I feel that my efforts in creative writing might be more important. Apparently some people think my works of fiction have merit.
It doesn’t seem possible, but my website Short Stories by Richard has received visitors from school classrooms in four different countries now. Most of the students are reading the story One Thousand Likes. Many people around the world have also begun to read An Unexpected Sunflower, which is my very first short story and still my favorite.
So now I’m really going to concentrate on writing. Which means Cool San Diego Sights and my other photography blogs will be put on pause.
I’m hoping a few more worthwhile stories will come to me!
If I’m lucky!
If you’d like to read and follow my writing, you can click here!
Thank you for sharing my journey!
UPDATE!
Well, obviously, that wasn’t much of a pause. As I type this update several months later I’m still walking, taking photos and blogging. I can’t seem to stop. Oh, well. Sorry about the misinformation! The best laid plans…
Have you created a zine? Do you like to read them?
Head up to the 8th floor of the San Diego Central Library and you’ll find a collection of hundreds of handmade, self-published zines!
Some of the zines are very simple–just folded copy paper and staples. Others are so slick you might mistake them for a popular comic book or retail magazine. All are super creative. Every page communicates the author’s unique voice and vision.
If you’ve created a cool zine, you can submit your finished masterpiece to the library. They’ll consider adding it to their collection.
I looked through the bins and found all sorts of amusing, brain-bending, eye-catching covers. You can’t check zines out of the library, but you can check out these few photos!
San Diego Central Library’s zine collection is on the 8th floor. Browse hundreds of handcrafted, self-published, small circulation titles.Said While Talking, by MarinaomiAlas This Rebel Heart, by Cathy HannahRazorcakeCheer the Eff UpCleopatra in Spaaaace!Detention. Sigh…epoch oblivionMagagagagazineStep Down Your Throat ComicsGag Me With A . . .Perpetually Twelve, Number 8. The Monster Issue.
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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!
I haven’t authored any zines, but I have written a few online short stories. If you like to read, you might enjoy my website Short Stories by Richard.
There was much to see and do at the 36th Annual Encinitas Spring Street Fair!
This morning I rode the Coaster north to Encinitas. It’s the weekend of the big annual Encinitas Spring Street Fair!
Lots of food, art and entertainment could be found along many blocks of South Coast Highway 101. As I slowly walked along, I made a whole bunch of cool discoveries. It seemed I encountered new surprises every few steps!
Several tents featured art that I particularly liked. I also met some interesting people, found out about noteworthy community projects, and learned a tiny bit about the history of Encinitas.
(Click photos that contain information and they will expand for much easier reading.)
People fill several blocks of scenic Highway 101 and enjoy a fine April weekend at the Encinitas Spring Street Fair.One of these artistic surfboards for sale has Encinitas written on it.One of the guys at the City of Encinitas booth had a smile!I spotted a fun map of Encinitas in a shop window. It illustrates many landmarks and local businesses in this awesome beach city.A dog heads over to smell some locally grown flowers.Some sweet treats to eat, and another smile!More yummy food on a grill.The local band Nathan & Jessie provide some sidewalk entertainment. Check out nathanandjessie.comSome silly stuff!Author Scott Sussman was autographing his kids books. His website is octopusinkpress.com. Weird the Beard sounds like several characters I know.Beautiful, translucent Scented Gem Candles in different fantastic shapes could be seen at the Gemtera table.Sea-themed artwork by Marea Baja. Check out mareabajadesigns.comHer sea glass mosaics are created from surf tumbled sea glass collected on the beach!The yellow “Old School Shave Ice” school bus has arrived!Someone walks their bike down Highway 101 past this beach sunset mural by @CloeHakakianEncinitas artist Carla Funk had many fantastic pieces displayed at her table.I LOVE YOU THIS MUCHCarla Funk offers Art Camp in Encinitas, featuring classes in ceramics, painting and drawing. Her website is ArtTilesByCarla.comI spun the prize wheel of North Island Credit Union and won some sunscreen, which I promptly put on my nose.The San Diego County Fair had a table with these free fans. The theme in 2019 is the Wizard of Oz! It’s gonna be OZsome!Think Possible Apparel has unique screen-printed shirts with tiny positive phrases forming cool designs. Check out ThinkPossibleApparel.comOfficers of the San Diego Sheriff’s Department Senior Volunteer Patrol told me they need volunteers. You can serve your community and meet cool friends!I’m greeted by a big smile above a collection of books! Teri is of Top Reads Publishing, found at topreadspublishing.comThese books are by authors around Southern California. If you’re an author or reader, learn more at sandiego.readlocal.orgHere’s some info concerning PWSD, Publishers and Writers of San Diego.These nice folks from @kinndproject sell shirts with a golden message. 10 meals are donated for each item purchased. Visit their website kinndproject.comkindness is goldenA vendor had this fun stuff at their table.Some cool t-shirts.It’s the Welcome Home Soldier Foundation. Help vets and get some salsa at whsfnow.orgThese amazing rope animals were made by an outstanding artist in Thailand named Nong.The Encinitas Lions Club had a table at the Spring Festival.Get a ticket for An American in Paris. Funds raised go toward a program that helps those who are blind learn to surf!Here’s my favorite of the festival. Pixie Village Cottages made from fallen logs by Dennis Patterson. Visit his website pixievillagecottages.comMembers of Team Paradox strike a pose!Team Paradox is a group of local high school students who build robots. They compete with other high school teams around California, the United States and the world!Somebody investigates the fascinating displays at the Encinitas Historical Society’s tent.I’m shown the Encinitas Historical Society’s 1883 Schoolhouse on a shirt. The building overlooks the Pacific Ocean and today houses a museum.A poster details The 25th Annual Encinitas Heritage Tree Contest! The heritage tree was planted in 1952 above Moonlight Beach.These historical photos are of old sites in Cardiff-by-the-Sea, just south of Encinitas.More historical photos of Cardiff-by-the-Sea.Ted White, The Song Peddler brought his cool bicycle piano contraption to the festival! Check out facebook.com/TedWhiteMusic
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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!
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!
I finished writing another short story. This one is titled Light at the Edges.
I don’t know how to paint, but I do like to watch artists animate their canvases with small dabs of color. I also observe people, and the effect of light upon the human heart.
How does one paint light?
I hope this little story, about living in the big city, and human generosity, makes you smile.
This new story was inspired by my friend Mitchell the didgeridoo player.
Mitchell’s smile can be seen all around San Diego. Perhaps you’ve seen him playing one of his didgeridoos at Seaport Village or Balboa Park, or entertaining visitors inside the San Diego Zoo or Safari Park.
Not only does his music surge like the beating heart of the cosmos, but Mitchell has a deep interest in astronomy and our particular corner of the galaxy. He has created a unique Stellarium: a large three dimensional transparent cube filled with shining stars that represents our sun’s neighborhood. He has shown me photographs.
One day I hope to look into the Stellarium with my own eyes.
Like most bloggers I monitor my stats on a daily basis.
In the past year increasing numbers of students in at least three countries–Denmark, Sweden and the United States–have read short stories that flowed from my fingertips. Readers have arrived in spurts from a variety of curriculum and school websites, including regional sites, Google Classroom and Instructure.com.
Hundreds of students have been reading One Thousand Likes. In the past week, out of the blue, students have begun to read The Firefly.
I really don’t know what to say, except Hello to All Readers and Thank You!
I’ve mentioned in the past that I intend to spend more time writing, and that is now what I firmly resolve to do. If my blogging begins to lag, it’s because I’m sitting somewhere outside in the warm San Diego sunshine, my pen and notepad on my lap and my eyes lost in a dream.
Please forgive me if I make changes to this tiny work of fiction as I reread it in the days, weeks and months to come. A writer’s thoughts and feelings can evolve over time.
This morning I published another short story. This one is titled The Station Sparrow.
The humorous little tale was inspired by my own life experience.
I often see birds inside the enormous passenger waiting room of Santa Fe Depot, the train station in downtown San Diego. Feathered infiltrators come through the wide open doors and walk about the floor pecking at crumbs.
That got me to thinking. And imagining. And laughing.
The Station Sparrow is mostly about life, and humor’s saving grace. Click the link to read it.
Extraordinary beauty at the Japanese Friendship Garden in Balboa Park.
I believe the world is fundamentally beautiful. Beauty permeates everything. From atoms to galaxies–and everything in between.
Beauty awaits open eyes wherever we happen to walk. Perhaps you’ve noticed this is an important theme of Cool San Diego Sights.
Yesterday I finished writing a short story that is very dark. It concerns ugliness that arises from human vanity. So now I find myself in a difficult situation.
I’d rather not have a depressing story welcome readers to my website Short Stories by Richard. I want to outshine the darkness with light.
A bright, magical story is now taking form under my pen. But finding the right words to approximate eternal truths can be a puzzle. I’m stuck for the moment, wrestling.
All living things require watering. I know that with fresh eyes and a little patience the story will grow and mature.
Until these two new short stories appear, you might enjoy reading my published works of fiction here.
Endangered, wind-sculpted Torrey pines at Cabrillo National Monument.Radiant beauty along a Little Italy sidewalk.A beautiful fountain by a sidewalk in Bankers Hill. A sculpted boy with watering can.Painted sunflowers grow upon a transformer box in Coronado.Natural beauty discovered in busy downtown San Diego.More beauty at the Japanese Friendship Garden, a welcoming retreat from life’s often stressful walk. I think I might go there today with my small notebook and pen.Moving forward down life’s path, through wild natural beauty atop Mount Laguna.
Cool San Diego Sights! 