You are included

A train passing by on a street in Amsterdam caught my eye. It’s painted in the rainbow colours of the Pride Flag, with EVERYONE IS WELCOME HERE printed on it!

was the theme of the 2023 Pride Amsterdam, and it was nice to see the colours still there.


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Wheels in Santa Monica

Wheels is a mural made by artist, Anne Marie Karlsen from ceramic on 2nd Street in downtown Santa Monica, but I didn’t know that when I saw it. The vibrant colours and design caught my eye, framed by the trees and a parked van. More about it from here:

Anne Marie Karlsen created Wheels, an ambitious and vibrant ceramic tile mural that adorns the west-facing wall of Parking Structure 8 on 2nd Street in downtown Santa Monica. The artwork reveals different compositions depending on one’s vantage point and the wheel motif is loosely inspired by the structure of the recently retired Pacific Wheel on the Santa Monica Pier. Upon closer examination, viewers will discover that the abstracted shapes in the circular forms are in fact, photographic images the artist took of the Pacific Wheel in motion. The composition is meant to create the sort of whirling, topsy-turvy effect that one experiences on an amusement ride. The artwork acknowledges a part of Santa Monica history, while simultaneously becoming a bold new design for the future.


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The Santa Monica Roller Coaster

Some people love the roller coaster and raise their arms for that extra thrill, while others hold on with grim determination, hoping the ride will end soon. For others still, it’s just another ride on a vehicle they’re well-used to, their jaded expressions contrasting with the joy and terror of other riders.


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A thirsty dog at the beach

It’s thirsty work playing on a beach when you’re a dog. You need water to quench your thirst after chasing a ball all afternoon.

There weren’t too many dogs at the beach, but I was surprised to see them. This was also the only place on our trip to the US that we saw dog excrement on the ground, nestled in the sand at the shoreline. It’s great to play or walk with your dog on a beach, but there’s a responsibility to clean up after them too.

Beautiful beach too, looking out on the Pacific, an oil platform and Anacapa Island in the distance.


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CameraILCE-7M3
Focal length75mm
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Shutter speed1/800s