The Greatest Computing Device

I read an article today about how the iPad’s future may be in jeopardy thanks to rumors of an upcoming folding iPhone. It’s also rumored that this phone will expand to the size of an iPad Mini. While this new device that sounds bulkier in pocket might excite some, I can’t see moving from my 3rd Gen 12.9-inch iPad Pro for a smaller screen at this time.

I’ve probably written about this on here before, but this iPad may be the best Apple product I’ve ever purchased. It’s certainly the only computing device I’ve used for seven years without feeling the need to replace it, and to say I’ve gotten my money’s worth is an understatement. To combat iPadOS updates that tend to slow down older models, I’ve stripped it of all apps save for a few (Safari, Mail, Messages, Procreate, etc). While it’s not a substitute for a real laptop, and though the battery level is roughly 82% of its original capacity, the pencil feature is the main reason I keep it in my daily rotation; I simply can’t draw on my iMac or MacBook like I can on this little iPad.

So cheers to you, little iPad, for perfectly filling a niche no other device can. You’ve found your true calling among my digital tools, and until you become too slow to draw or fully bite the dust, you’ll continue to avoid the upgrade cycle.


Command Center

It’s that time of year again: spring storms that double as tornado factories. Since last year, I’ve made a few improvements to the basement, though. I put a digital antenna on the TV to see local weather broadcasts from a safer position, and I moved my iMac downstairs to keep an eye on the porch and yard through the security cameras. All this would be useless if the power went out, but it’s pretty good otherwise.

Ashley joked that I looked like a security guard in a command center watching the cameras with my can of chips.


Stalking His Prey

This is Jonas’ very serious kebab-wanting face.


Quiet Contemplation

Photographed Art After Dark this evening. I focused on getting images the museum could use all year (not in traveling exhibits) of people enjoying the museum.


Another Opening Day

The Reds Opening Day Parade, March 27, 2025. I marched with 8K Construction and documented the crew as well as the fans along the route. Sadly, the Reds turned over a one-run lead in the 8th inning later that day and lost to the San Francisco Giants. But at least the parade was perfect.


A Good Bread Shop

I’m happy this bread shop went in on the Avenue last year. If you ever need good, fresh bread, you know where to get it.


CANstruction

MA Design and HGC teamed up to create a CANstruction sculpture at the PNC Center this morning. They hired me to produce a time-lapse video and document the 5-hour build. Their sculpture ended up being Hot Wheels-themed, with two cars and a big flame on top. After deCANstruction, all cans will be donated to the Freestore Food Bank.


Small But Mighty

Shot a house in Wallace Woods this morning that is small on the inside but has a huge backyard. The owner spent years converting the steep-sloping yard into a Japanese garden with cascading wooden walkways, a greenhouse, a fountain, and native Japanese plants and flowers. While it’s unfortunately not the right time of year to showcase how beautiful the garden will be in two months, I got a sense of how peaceful it will be for the future owner should they maintain it the same way.

It would be a dream to step into something so well-built. I hope whoever buys it understands what they have.


The Girls

Travis has a show at a bar in Ross, OH this evening. Ashley, Allie, Caitlyn, Rob and I all drove out to watch his band play. I didn’t take my camera this time, and I only took one photo (this one) all evening.


Stowaway

While sitting on the couch watching TV, we heard something rustling in the plant on the fireplace mantle. Having had a bad experience with a mouse in the house the day before, we assumed another one had gotten in. With Ashley halfway up the stairs in fear, I crept over to the plant, looked inside, and was relieved to see a Lazarus lizard instead.

I gently picked up the pot, took it to the porch, and waved the reptile away.


Caesura

A collage of three painted windows at the Cincinnati Art Museum by Shahzia Sikander.


Above the Bar-b-q

Photographed a renovated apartment in the West End. The sign for Mom Bell’s Kitchen Bar-b-q still hangs on the side of the building. I wonder how long it’s been gone. A quick search doesn’t reveal much, sadly. A local historian wrote a little piece about it on his website but didn’t uncover anything about Mom Bell.

One thing I do know is a sign was once painted above its picture windows advertising a menu item called Tim Austin Champ’s Steak Burger. You can see it on Google Streetview if you look closely. Austin was a boxer from Cincinnati who won several championships throughout the 90s before retiring in the 2000s. I don’t follow boxing, but he seems to have been a pretty big deal.

I doubt I'll ever know the story behind this place without speaking to neighbors or anyone old enough to remember the West End in the 90s. Hopefully I meet someone one day who does.


archived daily photos

2025: jan | feb | mar | apr | may | jun | jul | aug | sep | oct | nov | dec

2024: jan | feb | mar | apr | may | jun | jul | aug | sep | oct | nov | dec

2023: jan | feb | mar | apr | may | jun | jul | aug | sep | oct | nov | dec

2022: jan | feb | mar | apr | may | jun | jul | aug | sep | oct | nov | dec

2021: jan | feb | mar | apr | may | jun | jul | aug | sep | oct | nov | dec

2020: jan | feb | mar | apr | may | jun | jul | aug | sep | oct | nov | dec

2019: jan | feb | mar | apr | may | jun | jul | aug | sep | oct | nov | dec