The morning after New Year's Day, we decide to eat on the cheap. CiCi's Pizza's buffet option is less than 10 USD, and it includes unlimited pizza and dessert. I decided to eat as much as possible to avoid spending money on food later throughout the day. January 2, 2016
I wasted no time going for the pizza and wings. I noticed my friend's mother had some sort of pasta. Being the uncultured swine who strictly eats meats and no greens, I decided to try the pasta. It was pasta with tomato sauce and white cheese. My doctor told me to watch my cholesterol, and I've been really cautious not to forget my supplements. I've been taking Cephalexin and Ibuprofen (as part of my toenail procedure), and Vitamin D and Omega-3 to get the right levels of cholesterol. I eat fast food only about once a month nowadays, but when I do, I tend to go overboard. Oh, and the drink? It was just water. Have to eat healthy, right? January 2, 2016
Big thanks to Big Lots! in San Antonio for reminding me of the tragedy that is Valentine's Day. I have been #triggered. January 2, 2016
However, it seems that according to my goals for 2016 (my New Year's Resolutions), I am to find love before December 24, 2016, which at this point seems highly unlikely, and even if I find someone willing to accompany me, will likely not be from the same strain or walk of life that I am from. I mentioned this previously, but as photographers, we live very poor and frugal lives. We are in it for the pleasure of meeting new people, documenting the course of history, telling a story, and sharing an art. I suppose that very concept applies to other brands of art. I know quite a few lonely artists. We are outgoing, for sure, but don't talk to us about love. We'll paint you a picture if that makes you happy.
Inside the store of The Camera Exchange, large amounts of used and new Leica equipment sits on the shelves as many strangers like me happen to stumble across it. This is a Leica M8 digital rangefinder, selling for almost 1,500 USD in mint condition. Also in the frame is a Leitz Wetzlar 50mm f1.4 Summilux, a legendary sharp M-mount lens. January 2, 2016
More premium cameras of the Leica variant. On the left, a Panasonic GM5. On the right, a Panasonic-branded LX100. Both are handsome and rugged cameras with very sharp Leica DC Vario Summilux lenses. The Leica D-Lux Type 109 is a more expensive, rebranded version of the Panasonic LX100.
Here is a Polaroid Land Model 250 instant camera, which was first mass produced in the last 1960s, a true classic. It is fitted with a bright Zeiss Ikon rangefinder viewfinder. It was being converted to take standard AAA batteries. It also has an attachment that lets you use modern flash master and slave rigs to take advantage of its small aperture. January 2, 2016
Here is a photo of my friend's mother take using the Polaroid Land Model 250 instant camera. This is a double exposure. The sales associate thought the flash was on during the first shot, resulting in a really dark first exposure. January 2, 2016
Bill Miller Bar-B-Q in San Antonio, TX, a famous restaurant known for its high-quality Texas-style dinners and sandwiches. They have signage in the front of the property promoting their high minimum wage pay ranging from $12 to $16, which is unusually high in Texas, considering Texas shares the federal minimum wage of $7.25. These jobs are not hard to come by, but they are, however, difficult to keep. One misstep and you're cut. January 2, 2016
Near another famous pizza place, Pizzaritas. This is near the River Walk in San Antonio, TX. January 2, 2016
River Walk in San Antonio, TX. I started to observe the massive amounts of parasols being carried by couples, and, quite frankly, I don't know what I was more jealous of, being a single, lonely guy in his early 20s, or not having a parasol with me to protect me from the huge rainstorm that was to come later that day. January 2, 2016
More parasols and couples. January 2, 2016
River Walk in San Antonio, TX. January 2, 2016
River Walk in San Antonio, TX. January 2, 2016
These are very important birds. January 2, 2016
1888 Texas Mercantile. There quite a few shops in the River Walk, most of which were overpriced tourist attractions selling clothing and other souvenirs. January 2, 2016
I did buy a "souvenir" at The Chocolate Factory for my family. I was looking at the variety of different flavors there were and was astonished to see how nice the people working there were. When I think of high-end chocolate shops, I expect nothing but pretentious and uninterested sales associates, but this store was an exception. In fact, I ended paying $12 for 4 balls of chocolate that day. The girl was a QT, by the way. Although I think I spent so much out of novelty and the fact that my mom said she missed me, so I bought her a little something. She doesn't eat chocolate much, so I figured the little she does better be high class.
After this incident where I gave up with my budget plan for the day, I decided to cheap out throughout the rest of the day. No more Italian food, or high-end Chinese cuisine for me. It is hard to handle money I don't have. I have been unemployed for almost 3 months now. For Christmas, I bought my friends and family gifts I thought they would need. I bought my brother a Phillips shaver because he had asked me once or twice to borrow mine. I gifted my 14-year-old sister a laptop (Lenovo G50 + 2nd gen Core i3) because I know once she goes to art school downtown, she'll need a strong machine to handle her art portfolio. For me, I bought a few photos books to study, an Audio Technica ATR2100 microphone (which has both USB and XLR inputs--good if I want to podcast or use my camera for filming). For friends, I got them a lot of gift cards. I didn't have much time to figure out what they wanted, but I kept them in mind at the very least. It's the thought that counts.
Underneath the small tourist shopping center. January 2, 2016
More parasols. Even the tables have protection against the rain! January 2, 2016
I'm guessing this is some sort of smoke machine. I didn't get closer to investigate as there was a suspicious body tailgating so I walked faster to out maneuver into a larger crowd. January 2, 2016
Someone commented on how my photos from this day were very "cool" (in terms of hue / color). It was actually raining all day, and it being overcast didn't help much either. January 2, 2016
River Walk in San Antonio, TX. January 2, 2016
I saw this couple approaching, so I stood in the middle of this set of stairs and waited for them. I don't think they noticed me. January 2, 2016
River Walk in San Antonio, TX. January 2, 2016
I usually never drink carbonated beverages any more, but today was a special today. I was inspired to drink a Coca Cola because earlier in the week I had gone over to my friend Efren's house. We watched the first two episodes of Umaru Himouto-chan in the living room while eating meatball pizza and buffalo wings. Despite all of cute anime girl moaning, crying, and obnoxious laughing, Efren's parents and grandparents didn't say much. I felt right at home. Cola!
I guess the fish forgot how to swim and drowned. January 2, 2016
Homewood Suites at the San Antonio River Walk. January 2, 2016
View from my hotel room. January 1, 2016
Ducks. January 1, 2016
Really, Coca Cola? How could you remind me?! I lose again! #triggered January 2, 2016
"Windows has recovered from an unexpected shutdown." This was at the Frank Madla Transit Center. January 2, 2016
Inside San Antonio's VIA public transit system. According to the operator, service hours vary per route, with the earliest bus closing shop at around 9 PM, and the latest one stopping at 11:00 PM. That is nothing compared to Dallas public transit. DART stops at around 3 AM! January 2, 2016
After an hour of exploring the city, I found out the Ingram Park Mall up north had just closed. My plan was to visit the mall, get something mall to eat, and buy gifts for the family. The mall closed at around 8 or 9 PM. It was a shame, too, because my phone's battery was at 15%, and I need to get a charge quickly. Imagine: my phone dies. How will I know which route to take? How will I know how to get to my hotel? So I left the bus and started walking. Walking is good for you. January 2, 2016
I saw this old man from across the intersection. He saw me taking his photograph, but didn't say anything. January 2, 2016
I stumbled upon one of these. My savior! I haven't seen one of these since I left Dallas. January 2, 2016
At the dollar store I bought two items: a 10ft. micro USB cable (the one I had stopped working--lucky me) and a parasol. My parasol was only $4, and for the price, the quality was amazingly good. It was spring loaded, and the plastic used hold everything together was rugged and overall well built. It looked like it could survive a windy rainstorm.
Now I needed a place to stay for an hour while my phone charged. And oh did I find one. Jack in the Box: I don't like you and you don't like me, but for today, we are friends. January 2, 2016
I really hate Jack in the Box. The way they build their burgers just irks me. Do you really have to dump an entire container of pepper on the bun? Really? Anyway, there wasn't much time left, and with the state at which my battery was, I couldn't risk walking another block, so I decided to crash there for an hour.
I was immediately welcomed by the cashier named Brandon. What a cool guy! Very enthusiastic. He asked if I was a photographer, to which I responded, kind of. He asked for a photo and posed with his manager. January 2, 2016
I spent $4 on a small cup of bitter coffee along with hot M&M chocolate chip cookies. I took out my AC adapters to see which one could charge my phone the fastest. They were all the same 5.1V adapters. January 2, 2016
Met Brandon outside after his shift was over. We waited for the bus together. He told me about how he loved his job at Jack in the Box, and how he wanted to move into the real estate business. January 2, 2016
After my short bus ride, I proceeded to go to the Tower of the Americas across town. There was a huge crowd walking in my direction. I asked a couple and they said there was a college football game that had just ended. January 2, 2016
Near the Tower of the Americas. I was being followed by a police officer. Maybe I shouldn't have gone through that dark street. I heard pops afterward and thought they were gun shots. They were more like "poof"s, though. January 2, 2016
Finally made it to the Tower of the Americas! January 2, 2016
Tower of the Americas. January 2, 2016
The ticket booth. January 2, 2016
Ordered my ticket to see the observational deck. January 2, 2016
San Antonio, Texas. 2016-01-02; 22:37
View from the observational deck. This is.. San Antonio. January, 2 2015
Decided to take a photo using flash. It looks like it is snowing. January 2, 2015
Pay 50 cents and you get to look inside this telescope. January 2, 2015
A look inside the telescope. It is very dark inside. Almost nothing is in focus. Soft glass. January 2, 2016
Art work posted within the Tower of the Americas. January 2, 2016
On the way back to the hotel, there was so much construction, I had to wait for cars to pass by so I could avoid the mud. January 2, 2016
More construction. January 2, 2016
View of downtown San Antonio from a bridge along the way to my hotel. January 2, 2016
According to Motorola 360 smartwatch, in just two days I walked around 30,000 steps. Not bad for a 2-day adventure, right?
Edited on October 11, 2017.