Month: December 2023

The Winter Solstice – a Spiritual Journey

My brother Tim’s video about the sun setting on the winter solstice

Hi, folks. Tim Fasano here. The sun is setting on the winter solstice.

It is also the time of year where we celebrate the birth of the divine child and savior. Other civilizations throughout history have had a similar form of mythology: Horus in Egypt, Mithras in Persia.

All speak of a rebirth and a regeneration. All things that are born must die. All things that die will be reborn.

It is something central to human nature to tap into the mysterious and the universal. It is an archetype that seems to be consistent with all civilizations and all humanity. It’s okay in this modern world to believe in myths, to have strong belief in religion.

I mean, myth in the classical sense, not to step it on anybody’s religious sensibilities. It’s okay to believe. That is what makes us human.

Freedom of Speech Wall at Pomona College

This wall spans the entire length of the “Walker Beach” quad at Pomona College, where students are free to exercise their right of free speech. Every semester new paintings and graffiti go up. I love to walk through here and “read” the wall.

This wall spans the entire length of the “Walker Beach” quad at Pomona College, where students are free to exercise their right of free speech. Every semester new paintings and graffiti go up. I love to walk through here and “read” the wall.

Colorful Glass Brick Wall at Claremont McKenna College

I stumbled upon this beautiful glass brick wall while strolling the campus of Claremont McKenna College. All students have left for winter break — no “holdovers” — so I’m free to roam uninhibited and find things I didn’t know were there. Like this wall in front of Marks Hall. On all my walks across campus, I’d never seen it. I don’t know who designed it or built it, but they did a great job. Very creative!

I stumbled upon this beautiful glass brick wall while strolling the campus of Claremont McKenna College. All students have left for winter break — no “holdovers” — so I’m free to roam uninhibited and find things I didn’t know were there. Like this wall in front of Marks Hall. On all my walks across campus, I’d never seen it. I don’t know who designed it or built it, but they did a great job. Very creative!

Saxophone Christmas Busker

I’ve seen this guy around town a lot. This particular video is from last Friday when I made a trip to the Village to take in the preparations for that night’s annual lighting of the Christmas tree. It’s odd that one of the women approaching from the right puts money in his collection urn but doesn’t linger to soak in the tunes.

I’ve seen this guy around town a lot. This particular video is from last Friday when I made a trip to the Village to take in the preparations for that night’s annual lighting of the Christmas tree. It’s odd that one of the women approaching from the right puts money in his collection urn but doesn’t linger to soak in the tunes.

Christmas Lights 2023

Sandy and I set up our outdoor Christmas lights yesterday, and I shot this video last night. I replaced a burned-out string with a new one featuring an eight-setting blinker mechanism. The accompanying music was produced using AVIA, an AI-based Music Generation Assistant.

Sandy and I set up our outdoor Christmas lights yesterday, and I shot this video last night. I replaced a burned-out string with a new one featuring an eight-setting blinker mechanism. The accompanying music was produced using AVIA, an AI-based Music Generation Assistant.

Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas

They were setting up for Santa in front of City Hall.

Topiary Nutcracker and Female Pedestrain
I loved the topiary nutcracker holding the presents, and when the woman walked by eating a pastry, I knew I had my shot.

They were setting up for Santa in front of City Hall.

Topiary Nutcracker and Female Pedestrain
I loved the topiary nutcracker holding the presents, and when the woman walked by eating a pastry, I knew I had my shot.

Untitled
I did not stay for the lighting of the Christmas tree, but I did capture this video of the city bus driving by the tree that the city lights up every first Friday in December.

Large Christmas Tree Ornament
How could I resist taking a snapshot of this huge Christmas ornament outside the Chamber of Commerce?


The American Clock Company is going out of business after many years of serving the community. It was the only place where I could get the battery replaced in my old watch. The guy who ran this old curiosity shop of clocks and timepieces also fixed my grandfather’s wall clock by installing a new battery-operated mechanism. This is one business that will be missed. When this guy walked by holding a bag of chips and a sandwich, I took the snap.