Snapping a series of iconic skyline pictures around Manhattan became more than a photography exercise. It reminded me about my own identity.
When I was a boy growing up in New York City, I remember taking the Circle Line cruise around Manhattan with my mother. I was delighted by the incredible views of the iconic skyline, but it was a blip in my larger experience living in the Big Apple.
Like many New Yorkers, doing touristy activities was usually something left for… tourists.
A Tourist Comes Home
Today I find that ironic and even a bit sad. Even though I live in Connecticut today, I still commute into the city. So, I’ve tried to pay a little more attention to this beautiful metropolis that I permanently identify with and am always connected to.
I’ve recently had a couple opportunities to spend time on the water around Manhattan at dusk. And I was excited to see what photos I could capture from the Hudson and East Rivers as the sun set and the skyline lit up.
The Power of iPhone and Adobe Lightroom
I used my iPhone 15 Pro Max to capture these shots. Even in the dark, its software-driven computational photography was able to capture decent images and brighten up the sky and darker regions. It’s actually quite impressive.
Then, I pushed the limits of these images even further using the power of Adobe Lightroom. While the focus of all these shots is all about the Manhattan skyline and bridges, the river and sky occupy half the frame. So, I made the creative choice to make these portions pop a little more than reality offered me.
My Origin Story
So yes, I’m straddling the line a bit between photographer and digital painter. But I don’t think it’s a problem to enhance the glow of the city I love and often define myself by.
It simply represents how I feel about this complex place. And this little photography exercise warmly reminded me that I am forever part of it.
My father used to say New York City is the greatest city in the world. While I know that’s a bit arrogant and certainly invites discussion, you can’t debate the pride that most New Yorkers feel about their hometown.
It is my origin story, and I continue to circle it.
Is “Star Trek” falling into a black hole of missed opportunities and fan disillusionment? Well, here’s one Trekkie’s opinion.
There are numerous theories why “Star Trek” has had a bumpy ride during these past years. While on the one hand, Paramount+ has given us multiple new series, they were often uneven (“Discovery” and “Picard”). Plus, the best ones were cancelled too soon. (“Lower Decks” and “Strange New Worlds.”)
And then there’s the problem with the movies… or lack of them.
Kelvin Timeline Abandoned
We waited ten long years for the fourth Kelvin timeline movie… only to have it recently cancelled after so many false starts. (The Kelvin timeline was a clever ‘alternate reality’ version of the “Star Trek” universe, which allowed the producers creative license to make certain narrative changes in this Kirk-era prequel.)
I remember reading that the problem was the huge price tag vs. the expected box office.
The writers would have had Chris Hemsworth come back as Kirk’s father. But Thor was too expensive (not to mention all the other actors).
That would have been a wonderful way to wrap this version of “Star Trek.” And I expect many of the other proposed scripts had potential as well. But the producers clearly couldn’t make it work.
A New Ship with Nowhere to Go
So, Chris Pine’s Kirk and crew won’t get their final voyage together on their new ship that was constructed at the end of 2016’s “Star Trek: Beyond.”
Sure, I’ve read there’s now a completely new movie reboot in the works. And that’s fine (if it actually happens).
But that doesn’t change the fact that Trekkies waited a decade for the movie they wanted… and then never got.
“Star Trek” on Paramount+
Instead, we’ve seen a “Star Trek” renaissance explode on television via Paramount+ since 2017. And that’s not so bad, right?
But this great streaming run is seemingly ending. “Star Trek: Strange New Worlds” has wrapped filming its truncated fifth and final season.
And the new “Starfleet Academy” has had a rough first season. They’ve already shot the second season, but the series hasn’t been picked up beyond that.
A lot of fans (myself included) are angry that we never got the spin-off series “Star Trek: Legacy” after “Picard.” With Seven of Nine (Jeri Ryan) helming the new Enterprise-G, that series would have been spectacular. It would be the perfect bridge between the old and the new.
Instead, we got a show about some cadets in Starfleet Academy that nobody asked for.
Kurtzman Trek
It really shouldn’t be that hard to read the room when it comes to satisfying the core fan base.
I certainly understand that the recipe for “Star Trek’s” ongoing success must include bringing in new fans. And that means evolving the franchise.
I know that many Trekkies have been piling blame onto Alex Kurtzman lately. He’s the showrunner behind all the recent Star Trek series on Paramount+. And he’s clearly been tweaking the “Star Trek” formula.
There’s nothing wrong with updating the “Star Trek” universe. But I would say the core elements of great science fiction storytelling must always apply.
No, not every Trek episode has to be perfect, but with so few episodes being created for each season (10), there’s not much room for misfires.
Grading “Starfleet Academy’s” Freshman Year
“Starfleet Academy” has launched to a slow start. Happily, it’s been picking up steam. Episode 9 is the best yet.
It’s directed by Jonathan Frakes with a more exciting plot that gets out of the classroom and tests the rigor of our cadets. Plus, we get to see Captain Ake, played by Holly Hunter finally act a little more like a strong starship leader.
Still, you might say a good 9th episode is a little late in the semester.
I think the problem with “Starfleet Academy” is that it’s trying so hard to be fresh, it doesn’t feel enough like “Star Trek.” It’s too loose and too often silly.
Sure, it gives us the Doctor from “Star Trek: Voyager” and a couple characters from “Discovery” as anchors. But that’s not enough.
This series has some real work to do, but I’m not sure how you course correct when your second season is already in the can.
“I Don’t Believe in a No-Win Scenario”
I’ve read that some fans are complaining about the politics of “Starfleet Academy.” I don’t think that’s the problem. Being a Trekkie has always required being open to inclusive ideas. That’s the point of “Star Trek.” For 60 years.
Not to oversimplify, but I think this all comes down to the basics. We need to focus more on better storytelling. Better character development. Better science fiction.
And please just give the core fans more of what we want.
There is an upside to this year’s brutal, wicked-cold winter. Simply that it’s coming to an end. And now it’s time to start looking for spring.
Yes, there are colder places on this planet with more extreme winter conditions right now. But let me just say as I don my weatherman’s hat from the greater New York City area… it’s been a brutal winter.
Blizzard. Ice. Single-digit temperatures. Yeah, lots of fun.
I like to say it’s been “wicked cold.”
That line harkens back to a past life when I lived up in the Boston area and just about every winter was brutal. “Wicked cold” was simply… winter.
But I’ve softened considerably across years of experiencing coastal Connecticut’s gentler winters. And now, it’s been something of a rude (re)awakening.
I will say, however, that shoveling all the snow hasn’t been quite as difficult. Why is that? Well, we’ve got the power of a high school sophomore on our team. And that’s made a huge difference. #TeamLester #grateful.
Power Up
I’m also grateful that we haven’t lost power across these winter storms. Sure, I charge everything up, including my portable power banks. But… as we all know, without a full generator back-up system, portable power banks will only cover you for so long.
Plus, I know we’ve got an exit strategy. #thankstofriends
Wicked Fun
But here’s the really good news. Wicked cold doesn’t necessarily have to mean wicked bad. Winter can be wicked fun.
Plus, I’ll always take the bite of brisk over summer humidity.
A fire in the winter fireplace is always a special experience.
And I’ve got admit, there’s a certain satisfaction that comes with surviving a certain amount of adversity.
And suddenly, spring is right around the corner.
Hello Spring?
Yes, it’s early, but I hope we’re close to that tipping point. Not to predict, but I see early signs beneath the retreating snow line.
And to celebrate this pending seasonal shift, I present to you yet another Barrett poem.*
Ode to the Fading Winter
My weatherman’s hat is placed on my head, To report on single digits I dread. From cold New Yorks streets to the Norwalk shore, It’s wicked cold, like Boston days of yore. Though I’ve softened in the years in between, This brutal frost is a rude, chilly scene.
The shovel goes fast, I’m happy to say, With my high schooler’s strength to lead the way. Go #TeamLester! We have strength in the snow, Using three shovels and stacked in a row. With an exit plan and friends close at hand, We’re weathering storms across frozen land.
But wicked cold days can be wicked fun, More than humidity and summer sun. Fire in the hearth and pride in the soul, When you’ve survived the freeze and reached your goal. The struggle stings, but the win is so sweet, As we clear ice and the slush on the street.
Now snow retreats and the sun starts to climb, We’ve reached the tipping point, it’s about time! The signs of the green are starting to show, Peeking from patches of melting white snow. Goodbye to the ice and winter’s sharp sting, I’m ready to say a “Hello” to spring.
*Editor’s note: I prompted the videos and structure of this poem into existence using a little GenAI assistance via Google Gemini and Flow. Thank you! (My ice photos are still the real deal.)
At Home with Tech 