Trump Said In Audiotape He Needed To Deploy Plan Against COVID When It Could Help His Reelection

In one of the recorded interviews from July 2020, Trump told Bob Woodward he had a plan for dealing with the COVID pandemic.

In the audiotape, Trump said he needed to deploy the plan against COVID at a time that it will help his reelection. In other words, not at a time where it will save the most American lives, not at a time where it will keep people healthy. Trump told Woodward he will wait until the time it would be best for Trump's reelection.

At that time, more than 70,000 Americans had already died from the virus. Trump told Woodward, "if I release the COVID plan now, people will have forgotten about it when its time to vote". Woodward should've said to Trump, "if you do it now, it may save more lives".

For saying something like deploying a plan based on election timeline and blocking things that would save millions, this loser should rot in jail. It's terrifying that so many American's still support this disgusting treasonous guy. 

If you can listen to this recording, Trump in his own words allowing Americans to died needlessly, and you still support Trump, then you’re just beyond hope. No amount of evidence will ever convince Trump followers. 

Two Wheel Tuesdays - Philadelphia Museum of Art

Two Wheel Tuesdays is a weekly celebration of riding motorcycles. Much like the annual ‘bike to work day’, it is an opportunity to join a community of folks and ride your motorcycle to work instead of driving your car. 

As a weekly event, Two Wheel Tuesdays is a great tool for building community around motorcycles. 

The following two pictures were taken around ten years ago at my favorite museum, the Philadelphia Museum of Art. When I traveled to the Netherlands in 2006, the Anne Frank House was under renovations, therefore I was unable to visit. 

What Is Your Favorite Museum In The World?

Will You Marry Me?

Are you a person who follows society conventional customs, or do you do your own thing  in the way that you like?

Earlier today I was reading a news article from Canada, where some people are up in arms because Sukhmin Garcha, a 27 year old woman, surprised her fiance when she got on her knees and proposed to him. 

Surprisingly, as per the news article, lots of the hateful negative feedback she received came from other women.

Should A Woman Ever Propose Marriage?

Phillies Headed To World Series Against Houston

Last night the Philly fans turned into the streets despite the cold rain, to celebrate the Phillies victory against the San Diego Padres in the NLCS.

For the first time in who knows how long, the Phillies are heading to the World Series against the Houston Astros. Bryce Harper, the guy who this year signed a 13 year/$330 million dollars contract, took the team to the promise land with a bunch of home runs. He was also named the Most Valuable Player.

As is typical with Philadelphia teams, they usually choke once they reach the championship series. In Spanish we have an expression, “tanto nadar para morir en la orilla”. Literally it means “so much swimming to die on the shore”. Go Yankees!

Compelling Black and White Images

I don't like to subscribe to magazines because I randomly receive them by mail. For years, I've only kept one subscription, Outdoor Photographer. Once a year they usually put together an entire magazine edition on Black and White Photography.

I am not a fan of black and white photos either, I’d usually prefer color images. It is the reason why I like to tinker with Adobe Photoshop Elements and Topaz Clarity editing programs.

One of my biggest frustrations is capturing a picture and realize it did not come out the way I intended. Take for example the image shown above of the Philadelphia City Hall. To be able to make the image look the way I like, I played with Topaz and Adobe Photoshop Elements black and white conversion.

I was lucky the image converted nicely into black and white, I’d tried with other images in the past and they looked flat. Maybe is the way the City Hall building is designed, or the architecture strong lines.

The bottom line is that until recently, I didn't realize that I can transform and rescue any images that didn’t quite make it as color photos. As I said earlier, I prefer color images. In this particular case I chose black and white as a last resort when things weren’t working in color. The gamble paid off because I love the way the Philadelphia City Hall image looks in black and white.

Taking compelling black and white images is an art that maybe someday along this photography journey I would fully embrace.

They're Real And They're Spectacular

This week marks seven years since I bought my first Nikon DSLR. It's been seven years of learning by experimentation. To be honest, t’s been more complicated than I previously thought. I am still learning.

The following year, I attended an introduction to DSLR photography class. It was an excellent workshop. On my way home after the class, I remember thinking, "from this point forward, my pictures should look a lot better".

A few months later, I wondered if I could take pictures from top of the Brooklyn Bridge boardwalk very early in the morning. I finally did. Imagine my surprise to see groups of runners and bicycle clubs riding up and down the bridge, at five o'clock in the morning. It was difficult to hold the camera and tripod steady in the pedestrian walkway, (which is a boardwalk like no other). The boardwalk vibration caused by the runners/cyclists ruined most of the pictures. Only two or three images were worth using.

If you've never been to the Brooklyn Bridge boardwalk, it is one of the best sights and landmarks in New York. Walking across the bridge you can experience spectacular views of the Brooklyn Bridge, the Lower Manhattan and the East River. It is safe to say, the NYC skyline views are real, and they're spectacular.

A Telemarketer Call

While I was at the motorcycle garage this morning, I received a telemarketer call. I usually let those calls go to my voicemail, but sometimes I answer them for their entertainment value. 

To make a long story short, the woman was calling with a special offer to Hilton Honors members. She asked if I was interested in listening about a Myrtle Beach offer. I told her that I was not interested in traveling to any hurricane-prone area during hurricane season. Myrtle Beach just experienced Hurricane Ian a few weeks ago.

She suggested offers in Las Vegas or Orlando, FL. Hurricane Fiona just swept through Orlando, FL, and Las Vegas is a no-no for me, simply because I hate gambling. So I asked if she had any offers to travel to Belize, which hopefully will be my next travel destination.

And just like that, realizing she wasn't going to sell me anything, she politely thank me for being a Hilton Honor member and hung up the call on me.

The Boy Who Loves Cars

I dare you to read more about Anthony Ryan Schmidt. Anthony is a 14 year old who loves to collect and photograph model cars using his iPhone. He also has autism.

To take his images he wears ear protection because he also suffers from a neurological condition called misophonia. I wasn't educated much about autism, or misophonia. Despite his neurological disabilities, he is an amazing and very talented teen.

I am very impressed and jealous at his photographic talent; he takes photos of his model car collection and makes them look life-sized. He captures stunning images of his model cars against detailed backdrops.

Even though I am not into cars, I am inspired by his passion photographing model cars . He has an exceptional eye composing his photos. His images are absolutely stunning, very talented young man. 

Top image is a picture taken from Anthony's website.

Philadelphia Fans Are Ecstatic And Energized

The undefeated NFL football team, the Philadelphia Eagles (5-0) play tonight against America's team, the Dallas Cowboys.

The Phillies (baseball team) advanced to the Conference Final series against the San Diego Padres. In addition, the hockey team, The Philadelphia Flyers have won their first game of 2022.

Philadelphia sports fans are ecstatic and energized about the city sports teams. May the best team win. Go Giants!!!

2022 PHILLY AIDS WALK - AIDS IS NOT OVER

Tomorrow, October 16, 2022, is Philadelphia's annual AIDS walk in our city. People can register as a walker, volunteer, or virtual walker to support services for people living with HIV.

Working on this field was my bread and butter for the last 26 years. I plan to attend the walk tomorrow to offer my support. You can make a difference, please raise public awareness about the disease. AIDS is not over.

Throwback Thursday

This is the same model bike I owned when I was 19 years old. My first street bike, my first love, a 1972 Kawasaki 750 triple.

In 1979 I sold my bike for $650 dollars. Selling my old bike is one of my life biggest regrets. Same motorcycle in good running condition now sell for around $15,000 or $20,000 dollars. In hindsight, I wish I've never sold mine. So now everytime I go to a vintage motorcycle show, and I see one of these bikes, I take a photo with it and wish it was mine. 

The first two images were taken in 2014; the third image was taken last year at another vintage motorcycle show. 

Alex Jones Found Guilty, Must Pay $1 Billion Dollars

Conspiracy theorist Alex Jones must pay almost 1 billion dollars to family members of those children killed in the Sandy Hook school shooting for spreading lies that the shooting was fake.

Finally, years after constant harassment, abuse and cruelty family members faced from harassers after Jones pushed his destructive lies, justice has been served.

A Recipe For Disaster

When Ed Rendell was elected as governor of Pennsylvania in the early 2000’s, he began a campaign to shut down hospitals for the mentally ill, and shelters for the homeless in Pennsylvania. The skeptics argued that it was a recipe for disaster.

Rendell claimed that community programs were less expensive than residential treatment hospitals. His goal was for residents to end up in privately run group homes, public housing or with family members.

At that time, my employer offered medical services and outreach to one of the city  biggest shelters. Our health center provided in-house two fulltime social workers and two medical providers embedded in the shelter. When the shelter closed down, we lost over1,000 patients.

Now 20 years later, the city of Philadelphia in conjunction with SEPTA is in the process of implementing outreach services to people dealing with homelessness, addiction, and is planning to arrange for shelters to those in need. One of the reasons why SEPTA (the city public transportation services) is getting involved, is because almost daily someone using drugs or suffering from mental illness jumps or falls onto the train tracks. 

In my opinion, the main reason they are getting involved is because ridership for SEPTA is down pre-pandemic levels. Less people are using public transportation than ever, people feel unsafe when they see open drug use and behavior like that. In my opinion, it is too little and too late for them to take action now. 

As you are probably aware, Philadelphia has the nation's worst opiod crisis and probably homelessness in the United States. If you look at the posted images, they were taken by me recently in the Kensington-Allegheny area infamously known as the Badlands. 

The homeless guy on the first picture was so high on drugs at the train platform, that he stepped on his shoelaces and dropped the cardboard full of dozens of needles in front of me. The second picture is of a bus bench being used by homeless drug addicted individuals to get high and sleep all day, everyday. The third image is of a young man so high on drugs, that he decided to sleep in front of the entrance door of the local pharmacy.

Twenty years ago the skeptics were proven right, it was a recipe for disaster.

I am guessing that since we have elections in less than 30 days, the local politicians are now desperate fishing for votes to stay in power. It is the typical wash, rinse and repeat survival mode of our useless politicians.

Underwater Photography

Earlier this year I purchased a Telesin 6" dome port for my GoPro action camera. It is the best investment I've made in terms of underwater GoPro accessories and gear. It is a great option for anyone looking to take 50/50, over under, half underwater half above pictures. I was hoping to put it to the test in the Bahamas this past summer, but went to Puerto Rico instead.

The GoPro dome port surpassed all my expectations. And despite a few glitches here and there, passed the test with flying colors. Here is a sample of some of my first underwater photos ever. Images were taken at two different locations, Buye Beach in Cabo Rojo, and Condado Beach (Playita del Condado) in San Juan.