To create or edit some of my photos, sometimes I use music. Music helps me relax and inspires my editing process. For this AI cartoon selfie, I listened to one of my favorite rock bands, Stevie Nicks and Fleetwood Mac.
Untrained ICE thugs working at another job they are not trained for. Long TSA lines full of frustrated travelers, adding ICE, what could possibly go wrong? That tactic worked out so well in Minneapolis.
This proves yet again that they aren't an actual federal organization, just the private militia for the Orange Turd. Definitely not a good time to be traveling in the United States.
There goes ALL international travel, and the billions it brings. Are we winning yet?
Earlier this month, the Orange Turd ordered his allies to stop using the phrase "mass deportations" and to adopt a new approach on one of his top campaign promises. He is concerned that the term "mass deportations" is unpopular to voters and the Orange Turd is worried about losing votes on the next election.
You know all those farm workers that the Orange Turd has been deporting? Those deportations caused a labor shortage because they can't get enough Americans to get off their lazy ass to go out in the field and pick those veggies. Our "stable-genius" moron president doesn't understand why Americans don't want to go work on farms for subpar wages.
Our government plan is to lower the wages they could pay them, and the farmers can deduct for room and board. Sounds like sharecropping to me. We are back to the Civil War era where formerly enslaved poor farmers were trapped in cycles of debt and poverty. Our government is going back to what they know best, indentured servitude and modern-day slavery.
What do these geniuses in our government were expecting to happen after deporting all these farm workers? Who is going to pick your crops? The Orange Turd is too stupid to realize that you need people to get the produce from the farm to the grocery shops.
Do these racist fascist clowns in our government think farm workers are coming back? In my opinion, migrant workers are not going to come back to the US as long as the Orange Turd is in office.
To me, photography is more than just taking pictures and creating/documenting my life. It may sound silly, but photography has made me feel alive. I think it is fair to say that getting involved in this hobby, has saved my life. It isn't just what I do; it is who I am. Photography defines me, I know that it has changed my life for the better. It has taught me how to live in the moment and look for beauty where others may miss it.
Now that I am turning my old pictures in a cartoon or AI caricatures of myself, it has added a new dimension to it. Not only I am having fun taking pictures, am also personalizing them by creating unique funny cartoons and inserting myself into them. I love it!
This last picture if of la Catedral de Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico. The Catedral was built in 1763.
Have you noticed? Since the Orange Turd decided to enter politics, wearing a MAGA red baseball cap is the "mark of the beast". It is viewed as a symbol of divisiveness, or a "cult-like" and blind loyalty to their "really smart - a very stable genius" leader.
Now I can't wear a red baseball cap in public (which happen to be my favorite baseball cap color), to prevent being mistaken of supporting the MAGA movement. The Phillies team uses a red baseball cap, and my favorite Yankees hats are also red. It has become politicized due to the popularity of the MAGA hats. To avoid confrontations during my daily commute, I stopped using my Yankees red hats as the MAGA red hats became popular.
I just spent a couple of hours editing some of my earlier photos from past years, turning my red baseball caps into dark blue or black. What a conundrum.
Venezuela vence a Estados Unidos 3-2 en el Clasico Mundial de Beisbol.
Venezuela beat United States 3-2 at the World Baseball Classic.
Ayer por la mañana en un restaurante de comida Latina que frecuento, acepte que nunca habia probado el desayuno de Mangu. El empleado del establecimiento me reto a probarlo y me sirvio un plato. Me sorprendio gratamente la experiencia. Todavia no puedo creer que es la primera vez en mi vida que he probado Mangu.
Not sure how other states handle their vehicle paperwork, but when it comes to vehicle and insurance renewal here in Pennsylvania, everything can be handled online. At the end of the transaction, you simply print your credentials, and you are done.
I am looking forward to this year riding season. Let the good times roll !!!!
Dicen que al capturar amaneceres, las fotos pueden ser impactantes. Muchos fotografos dicen que el mejor momento del dia para tomar fotos es media hora antes o despues del amanecer o el atardecer.
El problema de la fotografia es que uno como fotografo tiene que estar preparado a que el tiempo coopere. En ocasiones he viajado a un lugar en especifico a tomar fotos y de repente llueve o ocurren otros percances.
Anoche hize esta foto imaginaria AI de un amanecer en la plaza de mi pueblo. Es la plaza donde se encuentra la catedral de la Iglesia y las oficinas del ayuntamiento del alcalde. Quizas esta foto creada en AI me inspire a salir mas temprano en la mañana a tomar fotos. Veremos a ver, solo el tiempo lo dira.
Reading this, reminded me that life has an expiration date, and in a couple of weeks I am turning 70. Even though I still feel young and 1982 looks like just the other day, truth of the matter is that it was a long time ago. Heck, 1982 was 44 years ago and I was only 26 years old.
Ideally, I would love if my grandnephews took care of my bikes and other collectibles when I am no longer around. These things have monetary value but most importantly, to me they also have a lot of sentimental value. Hope springs eternal.
Maybe I am overthinking things too much. The way things are going in this chaotic unstable world, we could all die in a nuclear explosion tomorrow, so all my stuff will be vaporized with me. Hahaha.
First, let's go back 40 years. In 1986, a few months after graduating from MMI, I purchased a SuperFlow 110 flowbench. For my own selfish reasons and to save money in the process, my initial interest was to build my own Kawasaki drag racing cylinder head for a Kawasaki dragbike I was putting together at that time. The SuperFlow 110 flowbench was the best motorcycle tool to optimize performance I've ever owned.
Unfortunately, taking selfie or casual photos was not a common trend back then. Throughout the years, I recall having maybe three images of my SuperFlow 110 flowbench. The selfie pic sitting next to the flowbench disappeared years ago during one of my many moves; only the two images shown here have endured the test of time.
That is where AI comes in. For the past two weeks, I've been using AI to create motorcycle scenarios using old photos taken years ago during motorcycle events and gatherings I've attended.
I made a decision last night, to try to recreate a SuperFlow 110 flowbench using one of the remaining flowbench old photos taken in my Brooklyn apartment. I gave AI a few prompts, and in less than 5 seconds the application created the amazing photo featured on this post.
It even shows a Mitutoyo Micrometer, the Neway Valve Seat Cutters and a Mitutoyo Dial Indicator with a Magnetic Base Kit. I know is not the real thing, but to me this AI caricature is better than nothing. It is also a nostalgic reminder of great times during the first part of my life as a motorcycle technician.
Looking at the image I realized I don't have many recent pictures of myself working on motorcycles as I did when I was a lot younger. Right there and then, I decided to try to create an AI image of it. All it took was one try, and the picture was completed as envisioned. Amazing!
The Castro's are dead, yet because the United States had their feelings hurt when the Cuban people chose to be independent, and the Orange Turd has certainly gotten his panties in a twist, we are still starving the Cuban people to death with a 66-year-old economic embargo.
Earlier this month we conducted an alleged drug trafficking operation and bombed Ecuador, just like we did in Venezuela. Just like we did Nigeria. Just like we've done to Iran and Siria. Like we've threatened in Panama, like we're threatening against Greenland and Denmark. We've not even taken military action off the table relative to Canada, our peaceful and one of our longest allies. The Orange Turd is a sociopath, a murderous dictator wannabe.
No one likes bullies. The United States is a bully. The Orange Turd thinks he can bully the entire world into submission. Often uses its superior economic, military, and diplomatic power to coerce other nations, enforce compliance, and dictate global norms to suit its own interests.
It is a mystery to me why the United States get their panties in a twist, when other nations choose to be independent? If we follow that logic, does that means that the United States should've preferred to be still part of England, instead of entering the American Revolutionary War and fighting for their own independence?
Just as a reminder, on July 4, 2026, the United States will celebrate the 250th Anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence. Honoring the birth of the United States of America.
Every nation has an inherent right to independence and self-determination, just like the United States did 250 years ago.
I am getting a little tired of hearing MAGA's complaining about the war with Iran. Not even a week into this war and these MAGA are already grumbling. Last time I checked, your dear leader said, "It's not a war, we don't have boots on the ground." MAGA's keep complaining, "I can't pay my bills, I don't have any food in the refrigerator, my child is starving, my medical insurance premium went up." Suck it up, buttercup.
The labor market lost 92,000 jobs in February. Count your blessings you still have a job, others are not that lucky. Besides, your dear leader reassured you that Americans have to sacrifice, that this is just a temporary hiccup.
Gas is too expensive for you? Buy a Tesla. Your dear leader told you last year from the White House lawn to buy a Tesla from Elon Musk. If I am not mistaken, your dear leader make believe that he purchased a red Tesla from Elon Musk. Buying a Tesla will save you all the high gas prices you are complaining about now. If you are a true MAGA, you will follow your dear leader advice and buy a Tesla. Or as he said yesterday concerning rising gas prices, "... if they rise, they rise ...."
It's really sad to see all these MAGA supporters crying about not being able to pay bills, not being able to put gas in their cars. Your dear leader told you we are going to experience a little temporary pain, so pull yourself up by your bootstraps. Your family is starving .... for peace in the Middle East.
Remember, your peace president is asking you to suck it up, buttercup. And boots on the ground, has not been rule out. The body bags are compliments of the Orange Turd and the drunk Pentagon Secretary of War.
The Flowbench enables engine builders to analyze and improve airflow, crucial for increasing engine performance and horsepower. The Superflow 110 was my favorite tool in my toolbox. From that time, all I have left are a couple of pictures of the Flowbench.
If money was no object, I will build the ultimate, no-expense-spared motorcycle repair shop with my own factory trained technicians ideal for a high-performance pit crew. It cost absolutely nothing to dream big.
Those were the good old days.
The old gas station in Luck, North Carolina, is the historic Pink J. Plemmons Groceries & Feeds, located on NC-209 ("The Rattler") in Madison County. Once served as the town's post office. Built around 1902, this now-defunct landmark features iconic, rusting 1950s-era gas pumps and a vintage sign, making it a popular, frozen-in-time spot for photographers and travelers.
From the motorcycle resort to the old gas station is roughly a little over 4 hours roundtrip, covering about 230 miles. So, a couple of days before I had to return to Philly, I decided to visit the location. It was quite an adventure to find the old gas station, out in the middle of nowhere. All in all, it was worth it, and one of my most cherished photos from the trip.
There is now a full-fledged war taking place between the United States against Iran. All hell is breaking loose in the Middle East. How easy a draft dodger sends other people to die in a stupid ego war and to distract from the Epstein Files.
Whatever is in the Epstein files must be very damning because now Trump is starting wars to distract. We don't have money for healthcare, but we definitely have money for missiles.
So much for the "NO NEW WARS AND AMERICA FIRST". The economy is bad, and now the "peace president" has brought us into another war. Those of YOU who voted for this wannabe fascist dictator are responsible for this.
To anyone who voted for Trump = AMERICANS BLOOD WILL BE IN YOUR HANDS.
Turning pictures into cartoons have many advantages. Not only enhances visual appeal for social media it also helps create personalized content, while removing imperfections from the original image.
I took this image three years ago next to the "I Love PR" sign in San Juan, PR. Is the perfect example why some pictures need to be converted into cartoons. I know that when it comes to pictures of myself, I am my worst critic.
In my humble opinion, I look terrible on this original image and is the reason why it has been hiding in my computer for three years. Turning this hideous unflattering picture into a cartoon has brought the image back to life and to me it is more enjoyable and visually appealing to the eye.
After 26 years in the HIV/AIDS field, I think is normal to feel nostalgic after going through a major life transition like retirement. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy being retired and my newfound freedom from work-related stress.
It's been a blessing to pursue my hobbies, setting my own schedule, and spending more quality time with family and friends. The bottom line is that I absolutely love being retired and living life at my own pace.
This picture cartoon in particular, was taken while shooting at one of my favorite tourist locations at Muelle de la Libertad in el Poblado de Boqueron. During the past three years, I have visited this area dozens of times. My favorite picture so far, it's one I took during sunset hours. I will post a copy of it at the end of this post.
I can't understand why a personalized cartoon picture looks so much better than the dozen or more images taken with several digital cameras in a particular location. I just goggled this question, and received this response, "personalized cartoons often look better than photos because they simplify, exaggerate, and idealize reality, removing distracting, imperfect, or mundane details."
Maybe Google is correct, but to me, a personalized cartoon picture allows me to create a unique image that represents my personality. And that is what I am trying to convey on my blog. I am going to continue adding my real pictures, but if I can write a post using cartoons, I'll use them too.
During the presidential campaign, Trump called himself the "President of Peace" and campaigned on a platform of ending foreign conflicts. Since then, he invaded Venezuela, threatened Panama, Canada, Cuba and Greenland. Trump is currently moving aircraft carriers and hundreds of aircrafts into position in the Middle East.
The difference this time is that the Iranian leadership appears to be even more deluded than Donald Trump faithful MAGA kool-aid drinkers and their thirst for war. Trump's authoritarian tactics could use the Iran war to deflect the attention from the Supreme Court tariffs debacle, and the Epstein Files cover-up.
The Supreme Court basically told the "Stable Genius" that his tariffs are illegal, and that he violated federal law when he unilaterally imposed sweeping tariffs across the world. And while doing so, the Orange Turd alienated all the United States allies for literally nothing.
In my opinion, even though the damage is done, Trump should give a refund to all the small business he hurt. Unfortunately, the prices are not going to go down. More than likely the greedy corporations will still keep the prices higher.
This is what happens when you elect a convicted felon who calls himself a "Stable Genius". Trump is an economic moron. Our tyrannical fascist regime illegally collected billions of dollars from the American people.
What initially began as a beat up half-dead 1975 Kawasaki Z1-900 platform, ended up as a KZ-1015cc to be exact. And I bet you cannot tell the bike was spray-painted in my living room using spray cans paint. Those were the good old days.
My sister visited me in 1987 and took a picture with my pride and joy.
"Trump's mentioned more times in the Epstein files than Jesus is mentioned in the Bible."
Acosta Lespier fue catedratica de Humanidades e Historia en la Universidad del Turabo durante dos decadas. Fungio como profesora de Historia de Puerto Rico a nivel de Maestria en el Centro de Estudios Avanzados de Puerto Rico y el Caribe. Despunto como miembro fundador de la Asociacion Puertorriqueña de Historiadores, y ostento la presidencia de la Seccion de Historia del Ateneo Puertorriqueño durante 12 años.
Recuerdo haberla encontrado en la blogosfera en el 2010 cuando me uni a una comunidad de blogs de Puerto Rico llamado "PuertoBlogs". Me fascino de la manera que escribia eventos historicos de politica en Puerto Rico, e immediatamente comenze a seguir su blog titulado "Desahogo Boricua" en Blogspot. Siempre le tiraba el ojo a su blog a ver si habia escrito algo nuevo ya que su ultimo aporte fue en el 2019 cuando el pueblo se levanto y saco a Ricky Rosello de la gobernacion.
Que En Paz Descanse.
Que yo recuerde, esta es la unica foto que tengo con mami y las motoras. Ella y mi hermana vinieron a visitarme a Brooklyn, a compartir unas semanas en el año 1984. En aquel tiempo yo trabajaba en el distribuidor de motoras Honda en Paragon Honda en Northern Boulevard de Queens, Nueva York.
La camara que ven encima de la mesa es la primera camara profesional que compre en mi vida. Es una Yashica FX-3 Super 2000 35mm SLR film camera que compre en el 1988. Algo interesante que note en la foto es que en el 1989 todavia no necesitaba espejuelos, y el pelo de la barba y el bigote todavia mantenian el color negro. En el 1989 apenas tenia 33 años.
Me encanta mirar fotos del pasado, me producen nostalgia y refuerzan mis vinculos emocionales con el presente. Lo cierto es que Bad Bunny esta en lo correcto; con tantas buenas experiencias que vivi en Brooklyn, debi tirar mas fotos.
