No Tripods Allowed

One of the best gadgets in my photography toolbox for my photo-walks is something called a Platypod. It is the world's most compact tripod base.

Years ago, I remember traveling to Washington DC to photograph the Capitol Building at sunset. I was shocked when a security officer informed me that tripods are banned. I also encounter the same situation on top of the Rockefeller Center observatory in NYC. 

Even though it is a hassle, I used to carry my tripod on my motorcycle rides all the time. Now I use a Platypod. In my opinion, Platypod is a game changer for travel photography. No need to carry heavy tripods. It is all about traveling light and having fun. Check it out, it is a great tool. 

My New Toy Has Just Arrived

For the first time in a long time, I realized that my current set of lenses aren't meeting my needs to capture some of the landscape photos I tried to photograph while visiting family in Puerto Rico this past Christmas. 

A Sigma 400mm telephoto lens in pristine condition, in the original box I had ordered from Japan on Ebay has just arrived. This 400mm telephoto lens should be a great addition to my photography gear, and cover all the bases ensuring that I have the proper focal length to capture the scene, subject, and composition effectively. 

I expect to test this telephoto lens at a couple of motorcycle races I plan to attend this upcoming summer. I will keep you posted about the results.

Debi Tirar Mas Fotos

Esta foto fue tomada en la fiesta de Navidad de la Clase Graduanda de la Escuela Superior Jose de Diego del 2023 en Mayaguez, Puerto Rico. Necesite editarla bastante para "eliminar" muchas personas que estaban alrededor de mi. 

Es una de las pocas fotos que tengo de la parranda improvisada que tocamos en la actividad. Pienso que quedo mucho mejor de lo que yo esperaba, especialmente con el Pandero en la mano. Debi haber hecho lo que dice Bad Bunny en su ultimo album, "debi tirar mas fotos". Quizas lo haga la proxima vez que lleve el Pandero a una actividad de musica. 

THE ORANGE TURD CRASHED THE STOCK MARKET, AGAIN.

The Trump economy is collapsing before our eyes, and the numbers don't lie. Wall Street is in a freefall. The stock market is looking like a slow motion train wreck. Yesterday, Monday saw one of the worst stock market drops in a long time. The Dow Jones at one point was down a thousand points. Investors are panicking. Experts blame it on Trump's economic chaos. 

He told you what he was going to do and YOU VOTED FOR IT. It’s not anyone’s fault but your own. We told you this was coming. You voted thinking he was going to hurt *someone else* besides you and yours.

In just seven, short weeks, the traitor Donald Trump, has crashed the economy, taken us to the brink of recession, fired thousands of federal workers, wrecked the government, lost the respect of our friends and neighbors around the world, and surrendered to the murderous Vladimir Putin. And to top it all off, the Orange Turd administration will cut Social Security and Medicare. Remember, you voted for this. 

Regret Sets In For Many Trump Voters

The other day I spoke with friends and former co-workers who I know voted for Trump. It turns out that some of their family members received a letter terminating their federal job. No severance pay, or unemployment benefits. 

They had been working for the federal government for years, and their contract stated that they could not be fired unless they had done something wrong. They could not believe what is happening. Some now say that the biggest mistake of their lives was voting for Trump. They voted for others to lose their jobs and civil rights, not for themselves.

I guess they didn’t believe Trump when he said….. “I don’t care about you, I just want your vote “. These Trump supporters are suddenly surprised that cruelty and revenge as a political strategy actually hurts people, until it affects them. 

Social Security, Medicaid, SNAP Benefits, Education Funding and Medical Research are next on the chopping block. Don't say you weren't warned. 

Indios de Mayaguez Campeones 2024-2025

Al son de cuadrangulares, los Indios de mi pueblo, los Indios de Mayagüez, conquistaron su campeonato número 20 de la Liga de Béisbol Profesional Roberto Clemente. 

Al dominar esta noche 5-2 a los Senadores de San Juan en partido celebrado en el estadio Hiram Bithorn de la capital.

¡Una victoria más y somos campeones!

Los Indios de mi pueblo, los Indios de Mayaguez, estan en la puerta del campeonato de la Liga Profesional de Beisbol en Puerto Rico, al esta noche dominar a los Senadores de San Juan con anotacion de 2-1. La Tribu solamente necesita una victoria para ganar el campeonato numero 20 en la historia de la franquicia. 

Mayagüez Dejo en el Terreno a los Senadores y Dominan la Serie Final 2-0

Con una línea al bosque izquierdo por parte de David Mackinnon, los Indios de Mayagüez dejaron en el terreno de juego a los Senadores de San Juan con pizarra 2-1, en el segundo juego de la Serie Final de la Liga de Béisbol Profesional Roberto Clemente, celebrado  anoche en el estadio Isidoro García de la Sultana del Oeste.  Arriba los Indios de mi pueblo !!!

Los Indios de Mayaguez Dominan Primer Juego de la Serie Final del Beisbol Invernal

La Tribu domina a los Senadores de San Juan y se apunta el primer triunfo de la serie final. Los Indios de mi pueblo, los Indios de Mayaguez derrotan 5-3 a los Senadores de San Juan en el primer juego de la Serie Final del Beisbol Invernal en el Isidoro Cholo Garcia en Mayaguez, Puerto Rico.

No Apto Para Cardiacos

En un juego no apto para cardiacos, los Indios de mi pueblo derrotaron antenoche en entradas extras a los Criollos de Caguas 5 por 4. Los Indios de Mayaguez estan a ley de una victoria para entrar a la final. 

The Sea Was Angry That Day My Friends

Yesterday, several weather alerts were issued regarding rough large breaking waves, and dangerous swimming conditions for the west and north part of the island.

While the states are bracing for more feet of snow, and the California raging wildfires, we are dealing with dangerous swimming conditions in the island. Despite the bad forecast about the coastal hazards in effect, I ventured out to take a couple of pictures.

I dared to take a couple of images at one of my favorite spots in my old neighborhood. I've never taken pictures of the angry sea before.

While I stood there trying to capture the tall waves barreling against the swing hanging from the tree, this reminded me of the George Constanza Marine Biologist Seinfeld episode. It sounds funny now, but last night I was scared to death watching breaking waves of 9 to 10 feet. Enjoy the picture!

Family and Friends

 Last night, my niece joined us at the baseball park to watch the first playoff game. Even though our local team lost the game, we had a great time. What do people without family and friends do?

Los Indios de Mayaguez

El sabado 4 de enero del 2025 es el ultimo juego de la temporada regular de los Indios de mi pueblo. Mayaguez clasifica para la post-temporada en primer lugar. Arriba los Indios!

Fix - A - Flat

Happy New Year everyone! Two days before New Years eve, my Jeep Cherokee got a flat tire. I didn't even noticed the tire was flat until a mailman pointed out the problem.

To make things worse, the lug wrench to remove the lug nuts didn't match. I had to call a friend, and also ask a local bar owner to lend me his lug wrench. The lug nuts were so tight, that one of the bar customers brought a piece of pipe to finally loosen up the lug nuts to install the spare tire. 

The next day after I took the Jeep to get the tire replaced, (as shown in the top picture), nearly all of Puerto Rico was without power. Half of the island starts the New Year in the dark after massive power outage. What a way to start the New Year!