Saturday afternoon, filling time while waiting to pick up the daughter, thought I’d play with the camera a little. Some selections for your general derision. Enjoy
Tag: Virginia Beach
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PHOTOS: December 2023
Some selected photos from the Eastern Shore of VA and (very) Southern Virginia Beach from December 2023. Enjoy.
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VB Convention Center Abstract
Taken with iPhone 12, 26mm/1.6
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Wednesday, March 1st, 2023
- I’ve lived here in Virginia Beach for decades. It’s as much my home as anywhere else I’ve lived. I love this place, but there are some uncomfortable truths about living here that some of you in other places may not know, or you might be aware of one or two things. First, this town is Red. Very Red. You can’t be AOC and run for office here. Elaine Luria voted for Scott Taylor in the election before she ran against him. Also, they tend to get their way a lot. We had a referendum about whether or not to extend a light rail system from Norfolk into Virginia Beach. That referendum passed. Until the City Treasurer decided he wanted a do over because he didn’t get his way. The second referendum failed, and now there’s no light rail in Virginia Beach. Second, If you’re not a fan of the military, this is not the place you want to live. I would argue that we have the highest concentration of military personnel here than anywhere in the world. Politics is going to cater to the military here in one form or another. Third, because of the number of military folks here, folks from the Government like to come here to use our fair city as a backdrop. I’m pretty sure that every President since Bill Clinton has come here for something, and I’d bet that Reagan and Daddy Bush has been here as well when they were in office. Every one of them would have traveled by motorcade from the plane to wherever they were going, and each time they have had to close down at least one of the major arteries here. But you would think from reading Virginia Beach as a trending topic on Twitter yesterday that this has never happened before, and I’m here to tell you that memories are conveniently short. At the very least, they’re color coded.
- One Twitter troll who identified as MAGA on his bio responded to my take on this by saying “He’s not a president”. I’d like to be clear on this: I did not like Donald Trump. Didn’t care for Hillary either, but I held my nose and voted for her because I did not feel like opening the Seventh Seal of the Apocalypse. As much as I hate the fact that Trump won, here’s the deal: He won. As did Obama, W, Clinton, HW, Reagan, and so on. Trump was elected President. Anyone with a shred of fairness and logic about them has to acknowledge that. See, there’s an objective reality and then there’s the cultish delusion that the MAGA folk have fever-dreamed their way into, and you can wish really hard that it isn’t so, but Biden won the election, just like every other President that’s been elected. Just because you don’t like the guy doesn’t mean shit. Flip it around and tell me what the MAGA folk would say if I said “Trump isn’t MY President!” They’d say something along the lines of “Facts don’t care about your feelings, soy boy.” I promise you, the sentiment is mutual. I just happen to acknowledge reality, snowflake. There are two years left on the clock, minimum. If you want to get rid of Biden, the answer is simple: Run someone better. I don’t think that will be Trump, though. I suspect he will be otherwise engaged or barred from running.
- Finally, all the clearly Republican folks on Twitter bitching about the traffic today…if only there was alternate transportation, like, say, light rail…
- Someone on my team made a bot to perform a function, and decided to name it Hubert. Amazingly, I found a GIF in Teams of Hubert Humphrey. I was shocked. I mentioned that I’ve had Humphrey on the brain lately because I’ve been watching the CBS coverage of the 1968 DNC from Chicago. My boss implored me to get a life or two. I hadn’t thought of an interest like that as being all that indicative of needing to get a life, but I suppose it isn’t a common interest? I like watching news coverage of historical events. I’m trying to curate a few playlists on my YouTube Page of those things, so jump over there and check it out as I grow it.
- Another thing to file under Memories are short: MTG got the vapors when someone decided to get all up in her grill at a restaraunt: “I was attacked in a restaurant tonight by an insane women and screamed at by her adult son. They had no respect for the restaurant or the staff or the other people dining or people like me who simply have different political views. They are self righteous, insane, and completely out of control. I was sitting at my table, working with my staff, and never even noticed these people until they turned into demons. People used to respect others even if they had different views. But not anymore. Our country is gone.” This woman has harassed David Hogg, AOC, and at the very least hung up a transphobic sign on her door directly across from a Rep with a Transgender child. You’ve shown who you are, and you’d think when someone gives you a little of that same medicine, a person capable of self-reflection might pause and reconsider some things. I’m guessing you’re not that person, Marjorie. It’s ok. I used to be the same way, and it’s easy to let that all-ego no heart or brains trick you into thinking that you did nothing wrong and that you’re being picked on. You’re not being picked on. You’re getting exactly what you deserve. One thing I learned the hard way is that if you don’t take the time to reflect and change your heart and mind, is that when karma comes along and does that for you it’s not a pleasant experience. Not at all.
- Semi-serious question for the White House Press Office: What is stopping you from yanking FOX News’ credentials? After yesterday’s revelations, they clearly don’t deserve them. Seriously, square up and yank those passes, be ready with the receipts, and don’t cave in. Not the same level, but when Gizmodo ‘found’ the iPhone 4 at a bar and leaked it, Steve Jobs barred them from Apple Events for years. I always used to tell people on Beach Mac that you could go to all the other tech sites to get the news, or you could go to Gizmodo to get what someone else told them about the news. Let Fox be the new Gizmodo. Let ’em be in exile for the rest of the time Biden’s in office, or Harris for that matter if she comes after. Sure enough a Republican will restore their access. But let them cry about how long that will be. I think that would be perfect.
- Remember, this is a Patreon Podcast, as are all the poddlements from Tuesday through Friday. Go to my Patreon to subscribe, and thanks.
- I’ve lived here in Virginia Beach for decades. It’s as much my home as anywhere else I’ve lived. I love this place, but there are some uncomfortable truths about living here that some of you in other places may not know, or you might be aware of one or two things. First, this town is Red. Very Red. You can’t be AOC and run for office here. Elaine Luria voted for Scott Taylor in the election before she ran against him. Also, they tend to get their way a lot. We had a referendum about whether or not to extend a light rail system from Norfolk into Virginia Beach. That referendum passed. Until the City Treasurer decided he wanted a do over because he didn’t get his way. The second referendum failed, and now there’s no light rail in Virginia Beach. Second, If you’re not a fan of the military, this is not the place you want to live. I would argue that we have the highest concentration of military personnel here than anywhere in the world. Politics is going to cater to the military here in one form or another. Third, because of the number of military folks here, folks from the Government like to come here to use our fair city as a backdrop. I’m pretty sure that every President since Bill Clinton has come here for something, and I’d bet that Reagan and Daddy Bush has been here as well when they were in office. Every one of them would have traveled by motorcade from the plane to wherever they were going, and each time they have had to close down at least one of the major arteries here. But you would think from reading Virginia Beach as a trending topic on Twitter yesterday that this has never happened before, and I’m here to tell you that memories are conveniently short. At the very least, they’re color coded.
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Seagull, 88th St VB, Sept 20 2021
About This Photo
Canon T5i 135mm f/5.6 1/250
“It’s all quite simple,” Scrappy said. “The problem is you haven’t yet identified the obstacle you’re facing.”
Scrappy took a second to preen an errant feather before continuing. “You think that the problem is your situation, but you know the truth. You put yourself in this situation. You believe that your problem is the people who put you here. You put yourself here. So I want you to listen. The only person stopping you from solving your problem is you. I don’t whine when my brothers in the flock won’t let me eat with them. I find food on my own. I don’t complain when my brothers fly so fast that they leave me behind. I get there on my own. I do what I have to do to survive. Sure, they’re not happy about it. They’d like me to go away because I’m tiny and should have been gone a long time ago.
Scrappy shifted his position and looked out over the water. “Now I’m sitting here talking to you when I should be down there looking for breakfast. So I’m going to leave you with this: The only person in your way is you, and deep down, you know what you have to do. You have to fix it. Or you don’t, and that means whatever that means for a human. I couldn’t possibly know. I’m just a rat with wings, right? So you think about it, and if you decide to do something, all you need to do is follow me. Better yet, follow yourself. I’m going to be far away from here this time tomorrow, and it’s time you learned how to survive on your own.
Then, Scrappy flapped his wings a few times and flew away, leaving me to my future. -
Surfers, 88th St VB, Sept 20th 2021
About This Photo:
Canon T5i, 62mm f/5.6 1/80
On the North End, there’s no one to tell you that you can’t surf.
I honestly can’t remember if we were dealing with a Tropical event out at sea on this day, but clearly business had picked up. These were not the only dudes out for a session that day, but the rest of the pack were several streets down from us. I think they were worried of crossing into Fort Story by accident, so they moved on down the beach.
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Colorful Neptune, 31st St, Sept 19th 2021
About This Photo:
Canon T5i, 50mm, f/4.5 1/400
Something a little different than my usual shots of The Big Guy.
I almost want to photoshop some white earbuds on it, but so far I’ve resisted the urge.
With the exception of my beloved seagulls, Neptune (and his little bro on the Eastern Shore in Cape Charles) is by far the thing I’ve captured the most. I have a feeling I won’t be done with him for a while.
It’s more about the canvas than the painting with him.
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Storm Clouds, August 13th 2021 Lynnhaven Parkway, Virginia Beach
About This Photo:
iPhone 12 1.5mm f/2.4 1/160
Sometimes you’re at the 7-11, and you see impending doom. Happens all the time, right?
Or is that just my block?
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Fronds, Red Wing Park, July 24th 2021
About This Photo:
Canon T5i, 55mm f5.6 1/80
The framing of this photo makes it for me. There’s a beauty in the pattern.
I love finding patterns in nature to shoot. Whether you believe that’s by chance or design, intelligent or not, it’s beautiful.
“Wheels within wheels in a spiral array
A pattern so grand and complex…” —Rush -
On The Rocks, Red Wing Park July 24th, 2021
About This Photo:
Canon T5i, 18mm f/4.5 1/400
There’s a sense of adventure here of conquering a pile of rocks (that probably shouldn’t have been conquered, but no harm done)
What you only get a hint of in this photo is the giggles and absolute glee of this kid has he stamped over this pile of rocks to get to where you see him. Absolutely delightful.