I hope to travel again soon. That sounds a bit more wistful than it should, but travel these days is no fun, not—at least—like it used to be (or used to SEEM to be). There are too many variables: weather, lack of or strikes by airline employees (the latter in other countries right now), unruly... Continue Reading →
These two photos were taken in San Francisco, just hours apart. They were taken at the Herbst Pavilion, which once was part of the Fort Mason Arts and Cultural Center, a former military base converted to facilities for the public. I believe they were taken in October 2014, the last time Comic-Con—my employer at the... Continue Reading →
This view of San Diego was taken from the starboard side of the Silvergate ferry boat on the first day of Comic-Con, July 20, 2022. I was taking the ferry over to the Convention Center for Preview Night and was immediately smitten with this big sky view of the San Diego skyline. I really enjoyed... Continue Reading →
This photo is from one of my first trips to California. Once upon a time, all of the Los Angeles area was dotted with outdoor newsstands. Some were big, like World News in Hollywood (which was partially indoors), and some were smaller affairs. There were a lot more magazines back then, and visiting these newsstands—often... Continue Reading →
Comic-Con 2022 is now one for the history books and it was a show that had a major personal effect on me. It was the first San Diego Comic-Con I went to as an attendee in 25 years (if you’ve been following along, you know I worked for the organization from 2000-2021), and this event... Continue Reading →
It's Comic-Con time! I hope you're able to attend this first, full-blown Comic-Con in three years and if you see me walking around aimlessly (or with aim in mind), please stop and say hello. I know it will be difficult to figure out who is who since we'll all be wearing masks, but here's a... Continue Reading →
When I worked for Comic-Con, I would regularly post this little graphic I made from a photo I took behind the San Diego Convention Center. This year will mark the first time I've gone to a "real" Comic-Con International: San Diego (its proper name) as an attendee since 1997, 25 years ago. I'm looking forward... Continue Reading →
This photo is from a trip to San Francisco and was taken near the Golden Gate Bridge, on a site that offered a huge vista of that magnificent structure (ironically not shown here). Those pay binocular thingies that you find in tourist areas always fascinate me and they always signify travel to me. I have... Continue Reading →
I have many fond memories of Fourth of July picnics in backyards. Outdoor grills, fireworks at night, trying desperately to avoid sending a bottle rocket onto someone's garage—or worse, house—roof. All those days are gone forever, at least for me, days that meant family (good and bad ... I'm talking about you, Uncle Louie) and... Continue Reading →
I recently went through my entire photo archive and found a ton of photos I forgot I had ... hence the new "From the Archives" category. I don't remember when this was taken, but I think it was after yet another wildfire here in Southern California. This twilight photo always reminds me of a bear... Continue Reading →
This row of colorful surfboards was found behind the Hotel del Coronado, in one of their newer sections. I'm not sure what exactly it's called, but the hotel has been adding a lot of new buildings and additional rooms to their already-impressive layout. I love the idea of an old-fashioned resort hotel, even if some... Continue Reading →
I came across this little impromptu art gallery one day while I was out walking in my neighborhood. I'm not sure what happened to it after I snapped this photo, but it sure was a pleasant surprise. I'm imagining some kids came along and snagged a piece of original art for themselves ... or at... Continue Reading →
Every once in a while, I make the trek down to the beach behind the Hotel del Coronado, just to make sure the Pacific Ocean is still there. Some days it's bright and sunny, like this one, with crystal-clear blue skies and plenty of people out enjoying the beach ... other days it's moody AF... Continue Reading →
They call it May Gray, followed by the inevitable June Gloom, a weather phenomenon that means cloudy days over Southern California for pretty much the entirety of both those months. Sometimes it burns off early, sometimes late, sometimes not at all, but if it sticks around, you're pretty much guaranteed a day that won't get... Continue Reading →
Just about every time I roam up to the beach behind the Hotel del Coronado, there's some kind of special sand castle. I don't know if the hotel has a sand castle specialist—I've seen ones for weddings and even proposals, I believe—or there's just a talented sand castle builder who stops by on a regular... Continue Reading →
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