Why Pay A Monthly Subscription?

Last night I was reading a heated discussion on a photography forum (seven pages and hundreds of replies) about the pros and cons on why people pay for a subscription membership versus using a standalone photo program.

It is no secret that I edit/modify all photographs I take. In my opinion, it helps to bring my images to life. That is my preference and a different topic altogether.

Why are some people happy to spend money on a monthly subscription to edit the images they take? In the past it was simple, you paid for the standalone software once, and that was it. Nowadays, photography editing software is only available on a monthly subscription. You have to pay a monthly fee indefinitely.

I've been using Adobe Photoshop Elements since 2004, and currently have different versions of their standalone program just in case the time comes that my laptop has to be replaced. I am very happy with Photoshop so far, and the program is capable enough for my photography needs. It's unlikely I will ever go for any subscription monthly software.

Two Wheel Tuesdays

When I was shopping for my current motorcycle, a Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14, that year model was color Persimmon Red. Red is my favorite color, but I had other plans.

I bought the bike and a few months later decided to change the fuel tank and all the side panels; and transformed my bike into a black model. This was my plan all along. The color change transformed the bike into a different animal.

While looking at some of my old pictures yesterday and talking to a friend about bikes, I realized that I've been riding motorcycles for a long time. This year marks my 50 years on a motorcycle. My friend asked how I plan to celebrate this milestone. Let me think about it and I'll get back to you, I said.

Feliz Cumpleaños!

Un 23 de septiembre de 1868 centenares de puertorriqueños de diversas clases sociales, tomaron por asalto el pueblo de Lares y proclamaron la República de Puerto Rico. Un dia como hoy nacio la proxima presidente de la Republica de Puerto Rico, mi sobrina. Felicidades!

No Soup For You

Back in 1997, as a first time Philadelphia visitor, I was shocked to see so many homeless people on the streets. As a former New York resident, I thought I've seen it all. A year later after I relocated to Philly, I then realized that the homeless population was out of control. But I digress.

If you are familiar or has watched the Seinfeld TV series, you probably know the infamous Seinfeld episode of the Soup Nazi. This was an establishment that served the best soup in all of Manhattan. A customer's failure to strictly obey the rules provokes the Soup Nazi to shout "no soup for you" and refuse service. It is a hilarious episode, and Seinfeld is one of my favorite comedies of all time.

I love soup but the sodium content is off the charts. When you eat out, you are at the mercy of the restaurants, and as a rule they add too much salt in their food.

Last night I visited my favorite local Latin restaurant. My mouth was watering thinking about ordering chicken with rice and beans. While I was being served, a homeless person walked in and told the server he wanted a soup.

I could hear them arguing at the counter; the homeless person was .50 cents short to pay for the 1.50 cents soup. No soup for you if you can't pay, said the server. To stop the back and forth bickering, I told the server that I will pay for the soup. 

At that moment, in a fit of rage, the homeless guy grabs the soup, threw the hot soup at the server and calmly walked out the door.

Celebrity Breakups

What is people's obsession with a celebrity's life and their relationships? Could it be because they want to live the life of their beloved celebrity?

Everywhere I look these days is all about Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck divorce rumors. I personally believe the media has been gossiping on a daily basis about their on-again, off-again relationship because it is a way to increase traffic to their website. More clicks/traffic means more revenue.

In the next few days I expect to see lots of headlines about Donald Trump Jr and Kimberly Guilfoyle breaking off their engagement now that there are rumors of him dating another woman.

I don't remember seeing that many headlines when I called off my engagement to Kim Kardashian.😀

Two Wheel Tuesdays - Tales From The Garage

One of the highlights of my last trip to Puerto Rico, was to introduce my grandnephews to motorcycles for the first time.

It was great to see them enjoying themselves at the motorcycle garage, getting their hands dirty playing with tools. Both of them already have their own set of plastic screwdrivers and hammers, but nothing compares to holding in your hand real tools. The look of joy on their faces when they tried to start one of the scooters, and ride it inside the garage was priceless.

I'll never forget the first time my father taught me how to work in a small AM transistor pocket radio at his radio and TV repair shop. I was about 9-years old. Those are memories I will cherish forever. I sure hope my grandnephews first visit to the motorcycle shop was as memorable as mine was at my father's radio/tv repair shop.

Never Judge A Book By Its Cover

The federal prosecutor now in charge of investigating the man suspected of trying to assassinate Trump is an immigrant to the United States, from Haiti.

Markenzy Lapointe is a U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, and was born in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. From what I've read so far from Markenzy Lapointe, he came to this country when he was 16 years old with his mother, impoverished.

He graduated from Miami Edison High School in 1987, and then attended Miami Dade College. After graduating from college Lapointe then joined the Marines and served in the first Iraq war in 1990. Graduated from Law School, and served in the US attorney's office before joining a Miami law firm.

Donald Trump numerous times have said this about immigrants specifically from Haiti: "they are poisoning the blood of our country". In my opinion, in this case, Ryan Wesley Routh, the suspected wannabe domestic terrorist, is the man with the poisoned blood in our country. 

It is ironic that while Trump disparages anyone from Haiti, a person from that nation is in charge of investigating the person suspected of his assassination attempt.