Photo of the Week (08/26/07)

Greetings from Shamu Stadium at SeaWorld in San Diego, California, USA!
Photo was taken on Sunday, August 26, 2007.

A friend and I headed to San Diego for a two-day trip. Planning the excursion proved a challenge – we had trouble finding two consecutive days without work commitments, social events or family obligations on both our calendars preferably before the Labor Day holiday weekend to avoid the crowds but still enjoy the park’s extended summer hours. Now I have a greater appreciation for couples and the effort needed to coordinate their schedules.

Speaking of couples, my friend (a woman) and I were talking to the woman next to us in line for the whitewater-rafting ride. She thought we were married and was really embarrassed when I said we weren’t. I have no wedding band or any type of ring on my fingers. In fact I haven’t even worn a watch in the last few years nor have my friend and I even dated each other. I’ve avoided mentioning my friend’s name to spare her any embarrassment. See, I’m being a perfect gentleman.

My one-photo-only rule was really tested this week. Should I go for the overhead shot of the shark taken in the underwater tunnel? Maybe the eerie yet cool photo of the nautiluses? Perhaps flamingos or penguins or puffins? How about beluga whales or polar bears or aquatic acrobats?

Ultimately I went with the star attraction of SeaWorld – Shamu the killer whale. The shot was taken in the evening at the day’s last Shamu Rocks show, which is immediately followed by a fireworks display. After that it was off to the motel, which was inexpensive and a block away from a “gentleman’s club”. I remain a perfect gentleman.

Angelo

Photo of the Week (08/19/07)

Greetings from Universal Studios in Universal City, California, USA!
Photo was taken on Friday, August 17, 2007.

I attended a postage stamp ceremony at Universal Studios. Customarily when the United States Postal Services (USPS) has a new commemorative stamp, it will be available for purchase only in one city for the first day, then nationwide the following day. You can also get a special cancellation mark on the stamp to show that it was bought on the "first day of issue".

The USPS has a series of stamps called the "Legends of Hollywood". Since 1994 a new stamp comes out of a "Hollywood legend" - an actor, director, etc. - and I've gotten a sheet of stamps of each one - 13 so far. Previous stamps in the series had James Dean, Alfred Hitchcock and Lucille Ball. This year it was James (Jimmy) Stewart.

You can use the internet to find out what stamp is coming out when and where, which may relates to the person on the stamp like his birthday and hometown for example. Also the ceremony may be public or private. I went to the James Dean stamp ceremony, which was by invitation only and held in the back lot of Warner Bros. Studios. The simple trick is to find out whom to contact and asked to be added.

Same deal with the James Stewart stamp. It was held at Universal Studios. I called the contact and got on the list. The ceremony was great. They played clips from some of his movies, 3 of his 4 children and their families were there and an impersonator did a little show as a finale.

Since I was already there, I went to the Universal Studios park, took the behind-the-scenes tour and watch some shows including the Waterworld one as shown in the picture. I was sitting in the "wet zone" so when that plane landed in the water, the splash completely drenched my front side. I did see the wave coming and was able to put my camera behind me before it could get soaked too.

By the way, I have one simple rule with this weekly email - I can attach only one picture. Even though I have shots from the Jimmy Stewart stamp ceremony, I didn't include any. Of all the pictures from last week, I liked the airplane shot the most.

Lastly, you may have already noticed that I am not in any of the photos. Since I am often on my own, I'm not in most of the pictures. Also I am semi-intentionally choosing the ones without me in them. Consider it "artistic preference". Rest assured, I was actually at all the places.

Angelo

Photo of the Week (08/12/07)

Greetings from Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California, USA!
Photo was taken on Sunday, August 12, 2007.

A friend invited me to watch a football game. For the non-Americans getting this email, this is the American version of the sport where we use the oval-shaped ball, not the other version with the checkered round one that David Beckham and the rest of the world plays.

My friend runs his own business and was being wooed to buy season tickets with a luxury suite. He got a couple of comp tickets for a pre-season game to check it out. For those unfamiliar with the concept, a luxury suite is typically a room behind a group of seats at a sports stadium. Usually the suite is stocked with food and drinks and has chairs and couches where you can sit and watch the televised version of the game while the actual seats will generally have a great view of the playing field. The really nice ones will even have private bathrooms. There is also a premium parking spot too. Often businesses will give buy a luxury suite and seats for the season and give the tickets to employees and/or clients.

Frankly I was not impressed. The food was the typical stadium fare and the view from the seats was partially blocked (despite what you see in the attached photo). The cost would have been $6000 - $8000 per seat for 10 games for the season - that's $1400 to $1600 a game for two seats because you are typically going to go with at least one other person. I didn't see the value and I say that despite the fact that I drank too much and spent half the game sobering up. At least my friend did the driving.

Angelo

Photo of the Week (08/05/07)

Greetings from Corona del Mar Beach aka "Big Corona" in Newport Beach, California, USA!
Photo was taken on Monday, July 30, 2007.

Off and on for the past 10 years or so, I have played beach volleyball. I even took classes to learn some of the skills and strategy to play competitively - not that I compete. I did once and didn't do too well. Enough said about that. I first started playing with a group that met every Monday during with summer months, then took the classes and started to play on weekends too year round.

At least once a summer after we're done playing, we have a barbecue and bonfire at the beach. It's done potluck-style - everyone brings something: hot dogs and buns, marshmallows & chocolate & graham crackers for smores, chips, salad, etc. When the cooking is done, we build up the fire and kick back until the beach closes.

Here's a shot of our fire. The city set fire rings on a section of the beach, which is adjacent to a cliff. From up top, you get a great view of all the bonfires - as many as 20 or so when all the fire rings are used - which happens practically every night during the summer. For all the Australians and other people in the southern hemisphere reading this email, it's summer in the north hemisphere right now.

Angelo