CCSP!

Saturday 18 September 2021

A few weeks ago, after several months of study and hours of practise tests, I was scheduled to sit the Cloud Certified Security Professional (CCSP) on 28 August. To build my career and prove my skills, I wanted to earn a globally recognised cloud security certification. But the testing centre had some issues with the roof, the testing centre cancelled the test last minute, and I had to reschedule for 18 September. I was disappointed but went back to preparing myself for the exam which I took this morning.

I PASSED!!!

CCSP
I PASSED!!

After the ISC2 officially validates my test score, I'll update my LinkedIn profile.

But this is the worst test-taking experience I have ever had. The testing centre is inside a small office in the Princeton Forrestal Village.

The Westin Princeton at Forrestal Village
The Westin Princeton at Forrestal Village | Saturday 18 September, 2021 | FujiFilm X-T3 | XF27mmF2.8 | 1/1800 sec at f/8.0 | ISO 6400

The reception staff asked us to wash our hands as soon as we entered the testing facility, which is not a CDC recommendation for preventing the spread of COVID, so I suspect this is just Security theatre. But what the hell? Clean hands are not a hassle. We had to be vaccinated to take the test, but the testing centre required that we wear a face mask while in the waiting room (30 min) and during the exam (3 hours). That was a challenge.

I get anxious when my face and mouth are covered. Even when I had my radiation treatments for Graves Eye Disease (2019) and had to wear a mesh mask over my face, it was only possible because they dosed me up on Xanax first. I do not recommend taking Xanax before sitting an exam.

At one point, while in the waiting room before the exam, my heart started racing. I got up and went outside. By wearing the face mask, I added to my usual test anxiety. Fortunately, I remembered my deep breathing exercises from when I had hyperthyroidism (2018). That, combined with an intense focus on the test questions, helped me make it through. That is the longest I have ever worn a face mask. PearsonVUE determines these safety requirements.

We endured a pre-exam authentication procedure that made me feel like a criminal. I endure two palm vein scans, two scans for each hand, presented two forms of identification (I used my passport and New Jersey drivers license), sat for a photograph (the type they use in mug-shots), removed all clothing not attached to my body, locked them in a locker, turned out my empty pockets to show that I had no hidden items, etc. The admin told me that sometimes they also do a pat-down.

Then after that first authentication procedure, we were asked to get into another queue behind an opaque wall. We had to show ID again, turn our pockets again, and have our palms scanned again. The exam proctor informed us that the exam room had audio and video recording. I was allowed to enter the exam room with my insulin pump (federal ADA laws), but not my blood glucose testing kit or hard candy (in case I got hypoglycaemia). Before the test would start, I had to read and acknowledge a non-disclosure agreement regarding the test itself.

The ISC2 determines the authentication requirements for sitting the exam.

At the end of the test, I raised my hand, got the proctor and bolted for the exit. The admin staff reminded me to get my stuff from the locker and handed me my test result. I crumpled it up, stuffed it in my pocket and got out.

If they insist on in-person testing, then the ISC2 needs to find a mask-less process. I recommend they move the exam online.


Bhavana and Shaan were excited about my accomplishment. We decided to visit Flounder Brewing for a celebratory ale and rustic pizza from Testo.

Bhavna and Shaan
Bhavna and Shaan | Saturday 18 September, 2021 | FujiFilm X-T3 | XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR @ 20 mm | 190 sec at f/8.0 | ISO 640
Saturday 18 September, 2021 | FujiFilm X-T3 | XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR @ 55 mm | 1340 sec at f/2.8 | ISO 640
Saturday 18 September, 2021 | FujiFilm X-T3 | XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR @ 55 mm | 1340 sec at f/2.8 | ISO 640
Corn and bacon | Saturday 18 September, 2021 | FujiFilm X-T3 | XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR @ 55 mm | 1200 sec at f/6.4 | ISO 640
Saturday 18 September, 2021 | FujiFilm X-T3 | XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR @ 55 mm | 1350 sec at f/2.8 | ISO 640
Saturday 18 September, 2021 | FujiFilm X-T3 | XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR @ 55 mm | 1210 sec at f/2.8 | ISO 640
Testo Pizza
Saturday 18 September, 2021 | FujiFilm X-T3 | XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR @ 55 mm | 160 sec at f/5.6 | ISO 1600
Testo Pizza
Saturday 18 September, 2021 | FujiFilm X-T3 | XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR @ 32.1 mm | 160 sec at f/5.6 | ISO 1000

Friday 17 September 2021

Friday 17 September, 2021 | FujiFilm X-T3 | XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR @ 55 mm | 140 sec at f/2.8 | ISO 12800

Wednesday 15 September 2021

Wednesday 15 September, 2021 | FujiFilm X-T3 | XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR @ 55 mm | 1280 sec at f/2.8 | ISO 640

When Kiran was born, Bhavna and I were sleep-deprived zombies from taking care of her "still in a diaper" 18-month-old sibling, Shaan. Bhavna had a long exhausting labour experience. My right hand was nearly crushed by providing father support. Father's are so useless. When the nurse requested that I complete the requisite birth registration paperwork, I ended up with some creative spellings for our newest experiment's name.

I spelt Kiran, a gender-neutral Hindi name meaning "ray of light", with a "y", as Kyran, an Irish Celtic male first name meaning "little dark one". Oy! Not at all flattering and the opposite meaning of what we intended.

Kiran learned to spell her name with the "i", which caused issues when she started kindergarten. Why are Americans, predominantly white and black Americans, so bad at pronouncing non-Western normative names? It's not like Asians haven't lived in the USA for centuries. Our district is nearly 40% Asian, so this bothered me. She had more problems later on at college with paperwork, etc.

Recently, I went online looking for how to legally change her name to set her right before things got worse.

Tuesday 14 September 2021

Pachira aquatica
Pachira aquatica | Tuesday 14 September, 2021 | FujiFilm X-T3 | XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR @ 55 mm | 150 sec at f/2.8 | ISO 6400

Like Phillip Caron, I too have an intense dislike of games of chance.

All games that are luck driven are strictly a waste of time after the age of six. Sorry, Chutes and Ladders, Trouble, and War are all on the list. I’m on a warpath against these games. Now, I do play these games on occasion. I have a four year old. These games serve their purpose to introduce young children to games. Children can learn basic rule structures socially and technically. There is nothing better to teach them about the unfairness of life. Having them lose at something that they had no control over anyway.

Beyond that they are useless.

Have you ever seen someone get excited when they beat you at one of these games? Pathetic. You won at a game… of pure chance. There wasn’t a shred of skill used in that victory. Can you even call it a victory? I could have played that game by myself. Your presence wasn’t even required for my loss.


The John Clyde Memorial Native Grassland Preserve, formerly the Griggstown Native Grassland Preserve, is a nature reserve and bird reserve located in Griggstown, an unincorporated community within Franklin Township, New Jersey. I visited the Preserve for the second time last November and for the first time in February 2019. This time Bhavna accompanied me. I have finally got around to posting the images.

The Preserve's meadow is 102 acres, and another 345 acres is woodland. The Preserve connects to 218 acres of the Ten Mile Run Greenway - the Bunker Hill and Franklin Park Natural Areas. It is home to many migratory birds and dozens of other birds and animals that make their permanent home in the surrounding wetlands. Some species found on this meadow include:

  • Grasshopper Sparrow and Bobolink (both New Jersey state threatened species)
  • American Kestrel and eastern box turtle (both New Jersey special concern species)
  • Short-eared Owl (New Jersey special concern species - non-breeding)

The township has engaged in extensive habitat restoration activities to assist these species, including removing 5,800 feet of fence and hedgerow - a vital step in creating 102 acres of meadow. The meadow is restored with a mixed planting of native grasses and native wildflowers. The Preserve has six trails through restored grasslands and mature forests.

Some local Eagle Scout projects have included constructing a kiosk, trail construction and marking, building a Barn Swallow nesting structure, and placing Bluebird and bat nesting boxes throughout the western portions.

There are no restrooms on-site.

Griggstown Native Grassland Preserve
Griggstown Native Grassland Preserve | Saturday 21 November, 2020 | FujiFilm X-T2 | XF27mmF2.8 | 1280 sec at f/8.0 | ISO 400
Griggstown Native Grassland Preserve
Griggstown Native Grassland Preserve | Saturday 21 November, 2020 | FujiFilm X-T2 | XF27mmF2.8 | 1250 sec at f/8.0 | ISO 500
Griggstown Native Grassland Preserve
Griggstown Native Grassland Preserve | Saturday 21 November, 2020 | FujiFilm X-T2 | XF27mmF2.8 | 1600 sec at f/4.5 | ISO 400
Griggstown Native Grassland Preserve
Griggstown Native Grassland Preserve | Saturday 21 November, 2020 | FujiFilm X-T2 | XF27mmF2.8 | 1250 sec at f/8.0 | ISO 800
Griggstown Native Grassland Preserve
Griggstown Native Grassland Preserve | Saturday 21 November, 2020 | FujiFilm X-T2 | XF27mmF2.8 | 1/1250 sec at f/2.8 | ISO 400

This is another set of images that I forgot to post. I don't remember all the details but one day in November, after we expected that some of the snow had melted and that the ground might be dryer, Bhavna and I took a hike around the Meadow, Pond and Stony Brook Trail Loop.

Stony Brook Trail Loop
Sunday 29 November, 2020 | Apple iPhone 11 Pro | iPhone 11 Pro back camera 6mm f/2 | 1120 sec at f/2.0 | ISO 20
Stony Brook Trail Loop
Sunday 29 November, 2020 | FujiFilm X-T2 | 80 mm | 1350 sec at f/8.0 | ISO 200
Stony Brook Trail Loop
Sunday 29 November, 2020 | FujiFilm X-T2 | 80 mm | 1250 sec at f/8.0 | ISO 3200
Stony Brook Trail Loop
Sunday 29 November, 2020 | FujiFilm X-T2 | 80 mm | 1250 sec at f/8.0 | ISO 640
Stony Brook Trail Loop
Sunday 29 November, 2020 | FujiFilm X-T2 | 80 mm | 1250 sec at f/8.0 | ISO 2000
Stony Brook Trail Loop
Sunday 29 November, 2020 | FujiFilm X-T2 | 80 mm | 1250 sec at f/8.0 | ISO 2500
Stony Brook Trail Loop
Sunday 29 November, 2020 | FujiFilm X-T2 | 80 mm | 1/2900 sec at f/8.0 | ISO 400
Stony Brook Trail Loop
Sunday 29 November, 2020 | FujiFilm X-T2 | 80 mm | 1250 sec at f/8.0 | ISO 500
Stony Brook Trail Loop
Sunday 29 November, 2020 | FujiFilm X-T2 | 80 mm | 1250 sec at f/8.0 | ISO 1000
Stony Brook Trail Loop
Sunday 29 November, 2020 | FujiFilm X-T2 | 80 mm | 1250 sec at f/8.0 | ISO 12800
Stony Brook Trail Loop
Sunday 29 November, 2020 | FujiFilm X-T2 | 80 mm | 1250 sec at f/8.0 | ISO 10000
Stony Brook Trail Loop
Sunday 29 November, 2020 | FujiFilm X-T2 | 80 mm | 1250 sec at f/8.0 | ISO 1250
Stony Brook Trail Loop
Sunday 29 November, 2020 | FujiFilm X-T2 | 80 mm | 1250 sec at f/8.0 | ISO 640
Stony Brook Trail Loop
Sunday 29 November, 2020 | FujiFilm X-T2 | 80 mm | 1250 sec at f/8.0 | ISO 3200
Stony Brook Trail Loop
Sunday 29 November, 2020 | FujiFilm X-T2 | 80 mm | 150 sec at f/8.0 | ISO 12800
Stony Brook Trail Loop
Sunday 29 November, 2020 | FujiFilm X-T2 | 80 mm | 1/2000 sec at f/8.0 | ISO 400
Stony Brook Trail Loop
Sunday 29 November, 2020 | FujiFilm X-T2 | 80 mm | 1350 sec at f/8.0 | ISO 400
Stony Brook Trail Loop
Sunday 29 November, 2020 | FujiFilm X-T2 | 80 mm | 1250 sec at f/8.0 | ISO 1000

Away

Monday

I am so tired this morning. I was up late last night throwing up my dinner. I think I had food poisoning from one of the sausages I ate last night. The sausages had either gone "off" or were undercooked. I put them in the garbage.


Hamish Gill shares his thoughts on the ongoing retro camera design trend, specifically the design of Nikon's Z Fc.

I personally prefer a dial that allows me to see at a glance where I am within the settings, but this, I believe, is just a simple user experience preference. In fact, I find the same with analogue clocks. I can read a digital clock just fine, just as I can use a digital camera with a jog dial and digital readout just fine too. But somehow, when I look at an analogue clock dial, I get more of a direct and instant appreciation for the time. I have the same with a camera with dials. I’m not going to attempt to explain this in great detail, I don’t feel I need to, it’s just my preference, and I don’t think it needs to be anything more complicated than that.

Wednesday

The photographs from the 36 exposure roll of Kodak Pro Image 100 that I exposed a few weeks ago during our visit to Brick Farm Tavern and East Broad Street have finally been developed and scanned. The Dark Room sent me a link earlier this week.

This is my second time shooting Kodak Pro Image 100. I used Kodak Pro Image 100 last fall, mostly while attending an outdoor beer garden hosted by Flounder Brewing Co. At that time, I was using the Minolta X-700. My Minolta XD-11 and MD Rokkor-X 45mm f/2 lens exposed this roll.

I tried capturing the same images I exposed on my Fuji X-T2 that day. Swapping back and forth between the two cameras was challenging, so I enlisted Bhavna's help. I would hand her one camera, and she would return the other. This is one of the few times I have exposed an entire roll of 35mm film in one weekend. Out of a 36-exposure cartridge, I got back about 32 usable images. My only regret is that I didn't get better-quality scans or make some prints. I could send the negatives back to The Dark Room to get prints or scan the negatives using my Epson Perfection V600 Photo Scanner.

Saturday 3 July 2021 · Minolta XD-11 · MD Rokkor-X 45mm F2
Saturday 3 July 2021 · Minolta XD-11 · MD Rokkor-X 45mm F2
Hopewell Pharmacy · Saturday 3 July 2021 · Minolta XD-11 · MD Rokkor-X 45mm F2
Saturday 3 July 2021 · Minolta XD-11 · MD Rokkor-X 45mm F2
Saturday 3 July 2021 · Minolta XD-11 · MD Rokkor-X 45mm F2
Saturday 3 July 2021 · Minolta XD-11 · MD Rokkor-X 45mm F2
Saturday 3 July 2021 · Minolta XD-11 · MD Rokkor-X 45mm F2
Saturday 3 July 2021 · Minolta XD-11 · MD Rokkor-X 45mm F2
Saturday 3 July 2021 · Minolta XD-11 · MD Rokkor-X 45mm F2
Bhavna · Saturday 3 July 2021 · Minolta XD-11 · MD Rokkor-X 45mm F2
Saturday 3 July 2021 · Minolta XD-11 · MD Rokkor-X 45mm F2
Saturday 3 July 2021 · Minolta XD-11 · MD Rokkor-X 45mm F2
Sourland Mountain Spirits · Saturday 3 July 2021 · Minolta XD-11 · MD Rokkor-X 45mm F2
Bhavna · Saturday 3 July 2021 · Minolta XD-11 · MD Rokkor-X 45mm F2
Dog Run Bar · Saturday 3 July 2021 · Minolta XD-11 · MD Rokkor-X 45mm F2
Saturday 3 July 2021 · Minolta XD-11 · MD Rokkor-X 45mm F2
Saturday 3 July 2021 · Minolta XD-11 · MD Rokkor-X 45mm F2
Saturday 3 July 2021 · Minolta XD-11 · MD Rokkor-X 45mm F2
Saturday 3 July 2021 · Minolta XD-11 · MD Rokkor-X 45mm F2
Saturday 3 July 2021 · Minolta XD-11 · MD Rokkor-X 45mm F2
Saturday 3 July 2021 · Minolta XD-11 · MD Rokkor-X 45mm F2
Saturday 3 July 2021 · Minolta XD-11 · MD Rokkor-X 45mm F2
Saturday 3 July 2021 · Minolta XD-11 · MD Rokkor-X 45mm F2
Saturday 3 July 2021 · Minolta XD-11 · MD Rokkor-X 45mm F2

Thursday | Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #157: Getting Away

After two years of physical health challenges from 2018 through 2019 that kept Bhavana and me close to home, unable to travel, we had looked forward to 2020 and the travelling. But, then … COVID-19.

During most of the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, Bhavna and I looked for safe places to be that we felt was safe. Places to be among people without being "with" those people. That place was the Brick Farm Tavern.

We noted that the owners at the Brick Farm Tavern and the staff who worked there cared about creating a safe space. At first, the owner put out picnic tables space about ten feet or more apart to make the social distance. The staff all wore masks, and we were ourselves required to wear masks when servers came to the table. They opened an outdoor bar in a shed near the bocci court, further reducing risk. It wasn't the same as being inside, but they made it work. Each week from June of 2020 until January 2021, we dined at the Brick Farm Tavern until it became too cold to sit outside. It was our once-weekly getaway.

We're out to dinner at Brick Farm Tavern. Again. This time we brought some family to enjoy our home away from home.

Thursday 22 July, 2021 | FujiFilm X-T2 | MD ROKKOR-X 50mm F1.7 | 1125 sec at f/2.8 | ISO 3200
Thursday 22 July, 2021 | FujiFilm X-T2 | MD ROKKOR-X 50mm F1.7 | 1550 sec at f/2.8 | ISO 400
Thursday 22 July, 2021 | FujiFilm X-T2 | MD ROKKOR-X 50mm F1.7 | 1150 sec at f/2.8 | ISO 400
Thursday 22 July, 2021 | FujiFilm X-T2 | MD ROKKOR-X 50mm F1.7 | 1125 sec at f/2.8 | ISO 400
Thursday 22 July, 2021 | FujiFilm X-T2 | MD ROKKOR-X 50mm F1.7 | 1160 sec at f/2.8 | ISO 400

Friday

We were always regulars at Flounder Brewing, but now we are regular regulars.

Friday 23 July, 2021 | FujiFilm X-T2 | MD ROKKOR-X 50mm F1.7 | 1125 sec at f/2.8 | ISO 5000
Friday 23 July, 2021 | FujiFilm X-T2 | MD ROKKOR-X 50mm F1.7 | 1125 sec at f/2.8 | ISO 1250

Saturday

Matt and Jeff were playing at Hopewell Valley Vineyard. We got a bottle of white in a bucket of ice, ordered a pizza with onions and a side salad, and sat back to relax and listen to classic rock and pop.

Hopewell Valley Vineyard Pinot Grigio
Saturday 24 July, 2021 | FujiFilm X-T2 | MD ROKKOR-X 50mm F1.7 | 1/2500 sec at f/2.8 | ISO 400
Saturday 24 July, 2021 | FujiFilm X-T2 | MD ROKKOR-X 50mm F1.7 | 1/1800 sec at f/2.8 | ISO 400
Saturday 24 July, 2021 | FujiFilm X-T2 | MD ROKKOR-X 50mm F1.7 | 1125 sec at f/4 | ISO 8000
Saturday 24 July, 2021 | FujiFilm X-T2 | MD ROKKOR-X 50mm F1.7 | 1125 sec at f/2.8 | ISO 640
Saturday 24 July, 2021 | FujiFilm X-T2 | MD ROKKOR-X 50mm F1.7 | 1125 sec at f/2.8 | ISO 10000

Weekly Journal

Tuesday

During the pandemic, Bhavna and I talked about how when it was safe to do so, we would take some road trips to Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, perhaps with a stop in Boston to visit some of our college days favourites. I wanted to satisfy my urge to photograph lighthouses, and Bhavna wanted to experience the romance of the New England coastal towns.

Now that most of the North East are vaccinated, it seemed like the right time. It's cooler up north, so a trip to Maine would help us escape the heat and humidity of a New Jersey summer. It seems that everyone everywhere had the same idea.

New England resorts are booked through the end of October. Hotels like the Marriot have raised their rates to almost resort levels. My brother-in-law planned road trips to Tennessee. On Sunday, he mentioned that even the usually budget-friendly Holiday Inn has rates one would expect if staying in a hotel in Manhattan or Philadelphia.

But I think we really need to getaway. What to do?


Tuesday 29 June, 2021 | FujiFilm X-T2 | MD ROKKOR-X 50mm F1.7 | 17000 sec at f/1.7 | ISO 400

I'm bored with breakfast. Every day it feels like I eat the same things. Part of it is that my mornings are busy, and I am too lazy to make something, but it's also partly because I have not returned to some of the routines I had pre-pandemic.

Pre-pandemic, I alternated between a few places to get coffee and breakfast on the days I worked from home. Sometimes I went to Bagel Barn for a bagel, egg and cheese bagel sandwich or bagel with a schmear of cream cheese. It's excellent with a coffee from Buy the Cup. Sometimes I drove into Princeton for a muffin and cappuccino from Rojo's Cafe. If time permitted, I sat outside on Palmer Square. On Friday's, if my morning calendar allowed it, I drove into Hopewell for a sit down slow breakfast of grits and collard greens.

I am wary of using the word normal, but I miss these routines. I think it's time for a reset.

Last on the Card for June

I think this is the first time I am linking to the Last on the Card challenge. According to Adobe Lightroom, the last image pulled in before July 1 is this one. The photo has not been edited or post-processed in any way. But that begs the question. Given that my Fuji X-T2 can use in-camera film recipes to apply certain effects to a JPEG before an image is recorded, can I use the straight out of camera JPEG for this challenge?

beer
Tuesday 29 June, 2021 | FujiFilm X-T2 | MD ROKKOR-X 50mm F1.7 | 1640 sec at f/4.0 | ISO 400

Wednesday

No one can amass millions of followers on a person blog in a matter of weeks. That is something that can only happen on a social platform like Instagram or TikTok. And that's why most people don't go down the personal site path. Most people are not chasing freedom of expression. They're chasing fame. Quantity over quality seems to be the law of the modern web. ~ Manuel Morale

Thursday

Two years ago, I started photographing migrating Warblers in southern New Jersey. I rented a Fujinon XF100-400mmF4.5-5.6 R LM OIS WR lens and did my best. These photographs are not significant compared to other photographers, but they are precious images to me.

Prothonotary Warbler
Prothonotary Warbler | Sunday 19 May, 2019 | FujiFilm X-T2 | XF100-400mmF4.5-5.6 R LM OIS WR @ 400 mm | 1500 sec at f/5.6 | ISO 4000

Kunj Tirvedi has been photographing wildlife - lions, tigers, cheetah, elephants, etc. - around the world for over two decades, mainly in Africa (Serengeti, Samburu, Kaziranga, Madagascar, Mauritius, Tanzania), America (Argentina, Antarctica, Florida), Europe (Iceland, Norway) and Asia (India, Sri Lanka). He's put together a two-volume bounded portfolio book of his bird photograph, simply entitled "Birds, My Portfolio". I am fortunate that Mr Trivedi's daughter is a good family friend, and she loaned me both books.

Thursday 1 July, 2021 | FujiFilm X-T2 | MD ROKKOR-X 50mm F1.7 | 1125 sec at f/1.7 | ISO 2000

The book starts with a foreword that introduces the photographer and explains the purpose of the books and the care and effort put into selecting each photograph and identifying each bird. Though there is no index or table of contents, the book is broken down into sections featuring specific birds - rollers, bee-eaters. I agreed with Kunj Trivedi when he wrote in his book that the "Lilac Breasted Roller was my favourite bird...". The lilac-breasted roller is stunning. But one of my favourite photographs is one of an Indian Roller in flight. Others are the European bee-eater and Fischer's Lovebird. Their colours remind me of the wooden fishing boats of the West Indies. The photographs are stunning. The book contains over 400 photos.

One more thing about which I am thinking. When will I produce my photobook, what shall I put in it, and who will "read" it?

Friday

I've had an ongoing debate about electric vehicles (EV) with my friend Johnny over the last several months. Unfortunately, there's no economic incentive in the USA to push for bikes, e-bikes, scooters etc. A dedicated bicycle infrastructure requires almost no maintenance, vehicles are incredibly cheap to buy and run, insurance for accidents is irrelevant, and health improvements means fewer hospital visits.

In addition to providing a more affordable and more efficient form of alternative transportation for riders, e-bikes actually help improve things for everyone. While e-bike riders can directly benefit from lower transportation costs, perhaps quicker commute times, and free parking, more e-bikes on the streets mean fewer cars. And fewer cars means less traffic.

I'm writing a bit tongue in cheek, but promoting bicycling could lead to an economic recession. With very few notable exceptions, the USA government won't prioritise cycling infrastructure.

Electric bicycles certainly can't replace all car trips but e-bikes continue to outsell electric cars massively around the world. The growing number of e-bike styles and the emphasis on e-bike utility mean that an increasing number of people are trading a second car for an electric bicycle. If I worked from home regularly, Bhavna and I could get by with just her car and with me using an e-bike for trips around the area.

orange cat
Sir Alphonso Mango | Friday 2 July, 2021 | Apple iPhone 11 Pro | iPhone 11 Pro back triple camera 4.25mm f/1.8 | 130 sec at f/1.8 | ISO 640

At first, Alphonso Mango was like, "Please, play with me".

orange cat
Sir Alphonso Mango | Friday 2 July, 2021 | Apple iPhone 11 Pro | iPhone 11 Pro back triple camera 4.25mm f/1.8 | 135 sec at f/1.8 | ISO 640

Then ... he was a bit more forceful. "Get off the computer. Play with me now!"


The Last Word by Flounder Brewing Co | Friday 2 July, 2021 | FujiFilm X-T2 | MD ROKKOR-X 50mm F1.7 | 1/1000 sec at f/4.0 | ISO 400

This evening Bhavna and I picked up a few slices of pizza from Joe's and headed over to Flounder Brewing for a few pints of ale. While we dined, we were surprised to see Jim D. and Kath D. sitting at another with a group of their friends. They came over to say "Hello," and we ended the evening with a few pints at their table. It turns out that Jim's friends, Rob and Tammy, live in our neighbourhood at the other end of Blue Spring Road.

Saturday

I let Alphonso Mango play outside on the deck. It's enclosed. Bhavna and I sat outside so we can keep an eye on him. He had so much fun sniffing around and exploring and hiding under the house plants.

Saturday 3 July, 2021 | FujiFilm X-T2 | XF100-400mmF4.5-5.6 R LM OIS WR @ 100 mm | 1640 sec at f/5.0 | ISO 1600
Saturday 3 July, 2021 | FujiFilm X-T2 | XF100-400mmF4.5-5.6 R LM OIS WR @ 100 mm | 1640 sec at f/5.0 | ISO 640

In the evening, Bhavna and I drove to Conclave Brewing for a pint. We visited Conclave only once during the pandemic, choosing to sit outside. Today it was raining, so we sat inside. We ordered food for delivery from a place called Pork Chops BBQ. The menu was an odd mix of Filipino, Spanish, and Portuguese food. I ordered a paella platter and a serving of fried plantains. Bhavna had a salad.

Saturday 3 July, 2021 | FujiFilm X-T2 | 50 mm | 190 sec at f/1.0 | ISO 6400

Sunday

Today was a whirlwind of activity. We went to the Brick Farm Tavern for an outdoor BBQ. The chilli cheese dog was delicious. The experience was like being at a BBQ at a friend's house. We didn't have to do any cleanup after.

Sunday 4 July, 2021 | FujiFilm X-T2 | XF27mmF2.8 | 1400 sec at f/9.0 | ISO 400
Sunday 4 July, 2021 | FujiFilm X-T2 | XF27mmF2.8 | 1950 sec at f/5.6 | ISO 400