Balboa Park As Seen From San Diego Zoo

San Diego Museum of Man At Balboa Park, As Seen From The San Diego Zoo

I went to the San Diego Zoo in December, and saw the beautiful Museum Of Man from the Sky Ride.  You may have seen some of the pictures I have posted before of this particular amazing building, but I haven’t posted pictures taken at the Zoo of it. So here you are…..

You may wonder what the Sky Ride is, it’s a wonderful lift with seats for about 4 people that will take you from one part of the Zoo to another, and you go up, up, up in the air!  Best of all, it’s a free ride with you annual pass, otherwise I think you have to purchase tickets.  We love the Sky Ride!

The Sky Ride At The San Diego Zoo

The Sky Ride At The San Diego Zoo

Pictures may be taken near or afar, but San Diego Zoo, and Balboa Park are two treasures that you have to see up close.  Did I tell you we love the Sky Ride?  Well, we also love the San Diego Zoo, and Balboa Park!

Thanksgiving At The Manchester Grand Hyatt Hotel in San Diego

Manchester Grand Hyatt Hotel Lobby

Oh, I love to feel grand and what better place to have that feeling than at the Manchester Grand Hyatt Hotel in San Diego, located in downtown San Diego, near Seaport Village.  Guess where an incredible Thanksgiving took place?  You might have guessed…..at this grand hotel!  Yes, we had our Thanksgiving meal there in 2015.   So thankful for this beautiful hotel, because not only was the food good, but the entire experience – like spending the afternoon there just lounging around in the bar area, and walking through the lobby, and generally just feeling grand!  I’ve also stayed at this hotel several times, and it has beautiful views of Seaport Village and the bay.  This hotel is beautiful!  Here’s some pictures:

A few more pictures for you, again this is a beautiful hotel, and the artwork incredible!  I could sit here for ages and stare at the paintings or stare at their decor – masterpiece!

Can’t believe it’s 2016 already!  By the way, Happy New Year!

2015 in review

The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2015 annual report for this blog.

Here’s an excerpt:

The concert hall at the Sydney Opera House holds 2,700 people. This blog was viewed about 9,300 times in 2015. If it were a concert at Sydney Opera House, it would take about 3 sold-out performances for that many people to see it.

Click here to see the complete report.

The San Diego Zoo – How Fun!

The San Diego Zoo

I love the zoo!  How about you?  This is going to be a simple and short post, but just want to say it’s one of the best places in San Diego, and makes for a great day out.

This is Chandi at the Zoo when she was about 18 months old.

Orangutans - San Diego Zoo

Orangutans – San Diego Zoo

This was Chandi just yesterday celebrating her 7th birthday at the Zoo. She seems less afraid of the orangutans now!

The San Diego Zoo

The San Diego Zoo

Here are some more pictures of the Zoo taken yesterday, November 21st, 2015

 

20151121_152546

San Diego Zoo

20151121_151733-2

San Diego Zoo

20151121_134951

San Diego Zoo

20151121_133728

San Diego Zoo

My favorite part of the Zoo yesterday, hard to say between the monkeys, orangutans, elephants and koalas, I loved all those best, but really enjoyed seeing the elephants.

The San Diego Zoo

The San Diego Zoo

How could I not put a picture of a cuddly koala in this post?  I so much would have loved to hold it!

San Diego Zoo

San Diego Zoo

So glad to have an annual pass again.  See you again soon, Zoo!

Magical Bathroom at Sloan’s Ice Cream in San Diego

Did you know there’s a place with a magical bathroom?  You may have to come all the way to San Diego to visit it though!  Just kidding!  I think there’s more of these – at least there are in Florida.

The place is called Sloan’s Luxury Ice Cream, and the ice cream is delicious!  I’ve switched my tastes lately to frozen yogurt, and resist ice-cream, but who can resist the decor, it beckons you, tantalizes your every bit of sense, and plunges you into temptation – the temptation to indulge in ice-cream or fudge.  Of course, there is candy, and I believe all kinds of toffee apples covered with scrumptious coatings of the most exquisite imaginings, such as white chocolate, caramel, and…..well you get it! Then there are toys that entice the kids.

But, then…….there is the magic bathroom.  Just be careful that you lock the door, or else everyone will be able to see you while you are in there.  See my video below.  I actually made this video several months ago in August, before my oldest went off to college in September, but didn’t get to upload it until yesterday.  When my kids saw there was a bathroom which was visible from a part of the store where all the stuffed animals are, they were curious because you could see into the bathroom, so off they went to explore.  I could not get my son to be part of the video, but he enjoys Sloan’s just as much as all of us.

We went just again this Friday to celebrate my youngest daughter’s birthday.  Did I tell you it’s a great place for a celebration?

Here’s my video

Sloan’s Luxury And Magical Bathroom

 

Happy Diwali!

Diwali Mela, San Diego - 2015

Happy Diwali!  I’ve had some sad news recently, so it’s hard to get into the mood for celebrations, but celebrate we must.  Most of my celebrations shown here, took place before the recent sad event, so I am just sharing with you as a way of trying to get over some of my pain.  As you may know, Diwali is known as the Festival Of Lights, and it signifies good over evil, light over darkness, and knowledge over ignorance.  May Diwali shine it’s light on my family, and yours.  May the Goddess Lakshmi shower us with her love and blessings.  If for some reason, the link does not take you to the gif image of Lakshmi,  you may see it here on my Pinterest Board.

Here are some pictures I took at the Diwali Mela in San Diego on October 24, 2015:

Diwali Mela, San Diego - 2015

Diwali Mela, San Diego – 2015

Diwali Mela, San Diego - 2015

Diwali Mela, San Diego – 2015

Diwali Mela, San Diego - 2015

Diwali Mela, San Diego – 2015

Diwali Mela, San Diego - 2015

Diwali Mela, San Diego – 2015

There were ever so many people there, these two pictures will give you a glimpse at part of the crowds, both during daylight and at night – it was packed!

Diwali Mela, San Diego - 2015

Diwali Mela, San Diego – 2015

Diwali Mela, San Diego - 2015

Diwali Mela, San Diego – 2015

Diwali Mela, San Diego - 2015

Diwali Mela, San Diego – 2015

Diwali Mela, San Diego - 2015

Diwali Mela, San Diego – 2015

Diwali Mela, San Diego - 2015

Diwali Mela, San Diego – 2015

Diwali Mela, San Diego - 2015

Diwali Mela, San Diego – 2015

These girls had a very interesting costume, especially the head gear, but it certainly looked nice and colorful!

Diwali Mela, San Diego - 2015

Diwali Mela, San Diego – 2015

Diwali Mela, San Diego - 2015

Diwali Mela, San Diego – 2015

Diwali Mela, San Diego - 2015

Diwali Mela, San Diego – 2015

Diwali Mela, San Diego - 2015

Diwali Mela, San Diego – 2015

Diwali Mela, San Diego - 2015

Diwali Mela, San Diego – 2015

Diwali Mela, San Diego - 2015

Diwali Mela, San Diego – 2015

Diwali Mela, San Diego - 2015

Diwali Mela, San Diego – 2015

Diwali Mela, San Diego - 2015

Diwali Mela, San Diego – 2015

Diwali Mela, San Diego - 2015

Diwali Mela, San Diego – 2015

Diwali Mela, San Diego - 2015

Diwali Mela, San Diego – 2015

Diwali Mela, San Diego - 2015

Diwali Mela, San Diego – 2015

Diwali Mela, San Diego - 2015

Diwali Mela, San Diego – 2015

Diwali Mela, San Diego - 2015

Diwali Mela, San Diego – 2015

Diwali Mela, San Diego - 2015

Diwali Mela, San Diego – 2015

Here, they are dancing with the dandia sticks.  It’s a South Indian dance I believe.

Diwali Mela, San Diego - 2015

Diwali Mela, San Diego – 2015

There were all kinds of dances, even hip hop!

Diwali Mela, San Diego - 2015

Diwali Mela, San Diego – 2015

Diwali Mela, San Diego - 2015

Diwali Mela, San Diego – 2015

Also, there were American girls dancing to Bollywood music.  I think they did a pretty good job.

Diwali Mela, San Diego - 2015

Diwali Mela, San Diego – 2015

Here’s a video of their dance:

Diwali Mela, San Diego - 2015

Diwali Mela, San Diego – 2015

Diwali Mela, San Diego - 2015

Diwali Mela, San Diego – 2015

Diwali Mela, San Diego - 2015

Diwali Mela, San Diego – 2015

Diwali Mela, San Diego - 2015

Diwali Mela, San Diego – 2015

Diwali Mela, San Diego - 2015

Diwali Mela, San Diego – 2015

Here is a video that includes a variety of the performances.

Unfortunately, I could not include all of the performances or show the entirety of each performance.  I hope  you like the videos, and I hope you like the pictures.

I also hope you will candles, and illuminate your home with just candlelight later this evening.  Remember, let light prevail over darkness.

Diwali Candles

Diwali Lights

Don’t forget to eat some Indian food – how could you not when it’s Diwali!   I have some virtual food and drink just for you!  Here’s naan bread with lentils, chicken curry, rice and raita (Indian yoghurt).

Indian Food

Indian Food

I love samosas, you can’t enjoy Diwali without samosas, or at least I think so.

Samosas

You might even want to have a special dish of mine – my very favorite, and of course it’s a Punjabi dish – Makhi Di Roti (bread made from corn meal/corn flour) and Saag (spinach)!  You must give this one a try!

Makhi Di Roti and Saag

Makhi Di Roti and Saag

After this, you must have sweets.   You must have burfi (can’t even describe how delicious they are – Indian fudge is the closes I can get to it, and oh, how I love fudge!).  Then there’s gulab jamun (syruppy goodness) and jalebi (sticky and syruppy goodness).

Ambala Sweets & Snacks, Artesia

Ambala Sweets & Snacks, Artesia

Gulab Jamun

Gulab Jamun

Jalebi

Jalebi

You might want to try kheer, which is basically a delicious rice pudding dish – it is a little less sweet than the jalebi and gulab jamun. Sorry about the quality of this picture.

Kheer

Kheer

Want more sweets?  I knew you would!

Indian Sweets - Mithai

Indian Sweets – Mithai

Then, if you’re like me, you’ll have to wash the sweets down with a delicious cup of chai.

Cup of Indian Chai

Cup of Indian Chai

Now, hopefully that was a nice Diwali, some pictures, some entertainment, some food, some sweets and some tea!

Guess what? For the first time ever, we have been given the day off for Diwali in the USA and they didn’t even know they were giving us the day off for our special holiday!  They thought they were giving us a day off for Veterans Day, well….I am very glad that we have Veterans Day!  Thank you to all those who served, and made this day possible so that we could all be off together, and celebrate away from work!  Please can we make Veterans Day next year be on Diwali too?  Please?  I don’t think it will happen again, as Diwali is on different days, sometimes in October, and sometimes in November.  Still, it doesn’t hurt to ask or wish for it…….please, let it be on a holiday again, or better still – give us Diwali off (wishful thinking)!!!  Anyway, must go and enjoy Diwali now.  Happy Veterans Day, and Happy Diwali!

Star of India And Some Star Sunsets in San Diego

Who said there could not be star sunsets?  I’m sure this was a star sunset.  To me a star, is something that shines bright.  Yes, a star and the sun both shine bright, so let’s just for once call it a star sunset.

Sunset in San Diego at the Embarcadero

Sunset in San Diego at the Embarcadero

I wish the little reflection thing in the water (round green light) hadn’t shown up on my picture, but let it be part of it as I don’t do any retouching of my pictures.

Sunset in San Diego at the Embarcadero

Sunset in San Diego at the Embarcadero

On this same night of the star sunset, just a little earlier, I took a picture of the Star of India.  I like to think this could be the Star of San Diego too.

Star of India in San Diego

Star of India in San Diego

Even more compelling for the argument of calling it Star of India, and Star of San Diego is when my little girl enters the picture – she is the star of India to me, even though she has not been there yet (India, of course is birthplace of my parents), she is the star of San Diego (her birthplace).  She is the star of the UK (my birthplace) and also the star of Italy (her dad’s birthplace). My little star is associated with four different countries.  Of course, she’s not really a star in these 4 places, just in my eyes.

Star of India in San Diego

Star of India in San Diego

This picture below was not taken this summer like all the other ones, it was taken last year (even time-stamped).  I’m not sure if I like the time-stamp feature, I stopped using it. I did some posts previously on the Star of India, you can read it by clicking on this link.

Star of India in San Diego

Star of India in San Diego

So, I’m not sharing many pictures today, in fact, I have been quite stingy with pictures compared to usual.  Sorry for not writing too much lately.  I have been caught up in so many other life events, you wouldn’t believe it.  I hope you are all having a wonderful October.

Some Companies Must Stop Violating The Rights of YouTube Uploaders Like Luchanik

*Some companies must stop violating the rights of YouTube uploaders like me – Luchanik.  I uploaded a video that I recorded on August 15, 2015 on Indian Independence Day in Los Angeles showing Raveena Tandon and how she was made upset towards the end of the show.  I noticed at least four different organizations that uploaded my video who did not give me any credit for the video. That is wrong – plain wrong, in fact it is unethical, and illegal, especially in this country – the USA.

I filed a copyright claim against a certain company who are giants on YouTube and mostly show Bollywood material – of course Raveena Tandon is a Bollywood actress – a mega-star, so of course they might have wanted my material – they have 165,000 or so subscribers, while I only have 137 subscribers or so.  Is it fair that they should be able to upload my video without giving me credit?  No?  Was it the right thing for me to do to notify YouTube?  Yes, I think it was the right thing to do.

Obviously, they did not like it as YouTube took the video down.  A certain company counter-claimed, and said their upload came under “fair use” because they uploaded less than 20 seconds.  I think the video was much more than 20 seconds that they uploaded.  I was then given 10 days to go to court to protect my rights, however, why should I have to go to these efforts – YouTube should be able to protect my rights.  Obviously, it was evident that I posted the video first – I uploaded it on August 16, 2015 and a certain company uploaded it on August 21st.  I responded to YouTube, and said I would not take it to court, and that it is my content, but if they feel they wish to reinstate it – it is up to them.  A certain company then filed another counter claim against me, saying that they made the video and not me!  This is devastating, and absurd!

Guess what silly thing they did that YouTube let them get away with and no wonder my video got taken down!  Their video begins with _g, their full link is (now deleted the reference) and mine begins with =6, my full link is http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=63Quv0W2Scg see screenshots (now taken down the screenshots too) of both videos which are currently down.  Well, they claimed their video was my video beginning with =6, how could it be?  The link is unique to the uploader, and they can’t now claim to be me – luchanik!  No wonder, YouTube took my video down, because they were basically saying it was their video.  I think it is a bot or something that deals with these complaints so if someone claims on the Complaint Form that their video is a certain link, the bot is not intelligent enough to say “Hey, you can’t possibly have that link” – this is what should have happened, but didn’t, and they got away with it.  So the next thing I knew was on Friday, September 18th, I got an early morning email from YouTube that my video had been taken down and that I had received a copyright strike!  If you get three copyright strikes, you can lose your account.  This is my first copyright strike, and if I had copied someone’s material, then I can understand that I deserved it, but I didn’t copy anyone’s material – this was mine.  Talk about a rude awakening!  How can this be?  I made the video, I was there in Los Angeles – not a certain company!

As you can see, these people are playing nasty! I don’t like injustice.  I like to speak up when someone is unfair.  Now, these people “a certain company”, (sorry, but I wanted to delete reference to their website and name again) – are giants on YouTube and I am a small person, so it is the giants against me.

If they are the Rightster, am I the Wrongster, I ask you?  It’s like a song….I next want to say – Who Is The Monster?  That’s just me rhyming!  But really, wouldn’t it make a great song?

Here’s their link that shows their video begins with _g

(removed link)

Here’s my video, which shows my link begins with =6

Here’s a link to a video that I made showing me hold my smartphone with one hand, so that I could record myself in front of the mirror showing you with the other hand my camcorder with the footage of August 15th.  It’s just my proof, and I may not have video taped myself in the best way possible in order to achieve my goal of showing the proof, but I did the best I could.  I have nothing to fear, I have the footage?  Do they have the footage on a camcorder or SD Card?  I seriously doubt it.  Here’s the proof – or my attempt to show it. I just made a video showing the proof – with me holding the camcorder with the footage playing, here it is:

(video has been removed by me so you can’t see it anyway)

Also, read this link to see just how hard some people have it with Copyright Notices on YouTube.  The system needs to improve – a lot.  If we upload to YouTube, make it fair for us, not unfair!  Some of these people who file copyright claims will repeatedly do it to irritate the complainant, and I sincerely hope this doesn’t happen.  I don’t want to spend all my time and energy on this – I have so much else that i can do with my life!

I sent YouTube a different video that is private and just for them to see with the footage from my camcorder on the day when I got the horrible email.  I also had to go to Copyright School in order to get some access back to my account, and I had no problem answering all 4 questions because I answered them honestly – the questions were something like “Do you know it’s wrong to steal someone else’s content?”  Well, how did the other guys answer the questions? Obviously dishonestly!  They must have lied because they obviously copied my content and lied again about the link which caused YouTube to take down my video.  I am indignant that I had to go to Copyright School – this whole thing is absurd.  Someone, please help me!  Or YouTube, please just reinstate my video.  If you ever see that it is down again after/if it comes up, remember that these so called “Rightster’s” will probably try to irritate me again.  I already am expecting it, and ready to fight them again.

I really hope that YouTube puts my video back up, because this isn’t fair!  These big giant companies can’t go around playing unfair games with small people like me, thinking they can get away with it.  I also hope that the copyright strike goes away, and what about an apology from YouTube and one from a certain company? I’ve a feeling that’s not going to happen.  I guess this is what happens when you make a video that kind of goes viral!  You pay the price – not nice!

Update as of September 22nd, 2015 – my video was reinstated!  Yeah!!!!  So, it should have been, after all it was all mine – 100%.  This situation has been resolved amicably, but I wish I didn’t have to write this post and make a video showing proof, which I have subsequently taken down now – there was no point in leaving that up anymore.  Is there a point in leaving this post up?  For right now, I think it’s educational more than anything else or at least hopefully.    In hindsight right after writing this update, I decided to take out all reference of the name of the company that caused me a lot of problems.

* I changed all reference to the company previously named since I don’t want to remain bitter about this any more.

Sand Sculpting Challenge Exhibition in San Diego

What a lovely day!  Especially, when you get a day off on Labor Day!  Then, why not enjoy San Diego – after all, it’s spectacular! So, we went to downtown San Diego, where it sure is lovely, and saw that they had a Sand Sculpting Exhibition.  What a fabulous exhibition, and all the artists are so very talented!  Amazing work!

This first picture is my favorite, so appropriate as it sure is a Rat Race, and I’m sure happy that the worker is honored this Labor Day – as I got the day off!  I appreciate it.

U.S. Sand Sculpting Challenge - Rat Race - We Honor The Worker This Labor Day

U.S. Sand Sculpting Challenge – Rat Race – We Honor The Worker This Labor Day

Here are more, I won’t describe each one

U.S. Sand Sculpting Challenge

U.S. Sand Sculpting Challenge

Bruce Jenner - U.S. Sand Sculpting Challenge

Bruce Jenner – U.S. Sand Sculpting Challenge

U.S. Sand Sculpting Challenge

U.S. Sand Sculpting Challenge

U.S. Sand Sculpting Challenge

U.S. Sand Sculpting Challenge

U.S. Sand Sculpting Challenge

U.S. Sand Sculpting Challenge

U.S. Sand Sculpting Challenge

U.S. Sand Sculpting Challenge

U.S. Sand Sculpting Challenge

U.S. Sand Sculpting Challenge

U.S. Sand Sculpting Challenge

U.S. Sand Sculpting Challenge

I hope you had a fantastic Labor Day, and Happy September!

Cute in San Diego

Chandi in San Diego

Did you know there’s a cute memorial of a sailor kissing his girlfriend in San Diego?  It’s by the US Midway Museum.  It might have got a bit more cuter, with my Chandi posing in front of it.  What do you think?  I think, cuteness……unlimited!

Cute in San Diego

Cute in San Diego

Chandi in San Diego

Chandi in San Diego

Chandi in San Diego

Chandi in San Diego