Mike Miller
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emkey1.bsky.social
Mike Miller
@emkey1.bsky.social
64 followers 60 following 120 posts
Early Gen X'er

Late diagnosed Level 1 Autistic

Plato’s Allegory of the Cave, found in *The Republic* had a profound impact on me when I first read it. My autistic brain feels like it explains much of the insanity that is human existence
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emkey1.bsky.social
Mt. Hood, taken near sunrise.
This image features a striking view of a snow-capped mountain, possibly taken during sunrise or sunset. The mountain, which appears to be a prominent peak, dominates the background, while the foreground consists of dark silhouettes of trees and a small town nestled at the mountain’s base. The sky is dramatic, with golden clouds illuminated by the warm light of the setting or rising sun, contrasting against the cooler, darker tones of the sky and the mountain. The lighting adds depth and a sense of majesty to the scene, highlighting the rugged features of the mountain. The town below is lit with small lights, adding a sense of scale and human presence without overpowering the natural grandeur of the landscape. The overall composition balances the elements of nature and civilization, creating a picturesque and almost surreal atmosphere.
March 8, 2025 at 12:30 AM
emkey1.bsky.social
Wealth flows like a river. The wealthy live at the source, where they divert what they want. Downstream families depend on what’s left. When the upstream hoard, downstream families suffer. Is it freedom to let a few hoard, or is freedom making sure all can survive and with hard work, thrive?
March 5, 2025 at 7:58 PM
emkey1.bsky.social
"The World". Essentially a floating condo that sales around "the world". June 29th 2012 in San Francisco.
This photo shows a large white cruise ship named “The World” docked at a pier in San Francisco. The vessel dominates most of the frame, viewed from near its bow, with multiple decks and its name clearly visible on the hull. A small group of people stands on the pier in front of the ship, and a few classic lampposts line the walkway. The sky is bright blue with thin, wispy clouds stretching overhead, adding a sense of scale and contrast to the scene. Launched in 2002, it’s owned collectively by its residents rather than by a single cruise line. Individuals purchase apartments (or suites) on board, effectively turning the ship into a floating luxury community. It’s around 644 feet (196 meters) long and has about 165 residences. The ship features restaurants, a spa, pools, fitness areas, lounges, and other amenities you’d find in upscale condominiums—just at sea. Instead of running set cruises like typical passenger lines, “The World” continuously travels the globe. Residents help decide the itinerary each year, and they can stay aboard full-time or come and go as they wish.
February 24, 2025 at 11:38 PM
emkey1.bsky.social
Throwback Thursday. Here's a bit of history from the town of The Dalles OR.

In 1933, at the height of the Great Depression, Congress passed the Glass-Steagall Act. The idea was simple: keep Main Street banks from gambling with depositors’ money, something many blamed for the economic free fall.
Throwback Thursday. Here’s an interesting? little bit of history from the nearby town of The Dalles, where I spent my middle school through high school years. In 1933, at the height of the Great Depression, Congress passed the Glass-Steagall Act as part of a broader banking overhaul. Its goal? To rebuild public trust by drawing a hard line between everyday banking—like checking accounts and loans—and the riskier world of Wall Street investments. The idea was simple: keep Main Street banks from gambling with depositors’ money, something many blamed for the economic free fall. The United States National Bank of Oregon, like every bank at the time, had to play by these new rules. No more mixing routine banking services with stock market speculation. That’s why the plaque outside their Dalles Branch matters—it marks the July 5, 1933, opening of the first U.S. bank branch operating under Glass-Steagall’s stricter framework. Mounted on a stone pillar, the bronze plaque stands on a quiet street lined with older buildings—a subtle reminder of a milestone reached during an era of financial panic. Behind it, you can see The Dalles’ small-town charm: weathered facades, parked pickup trucks, and a street that’s seen nearly a century of change since that day. But the walls started cracking decades later. By the 1980s, regulators began letting banks dip their toes into securities trading, blurring the line Glass-Steagall had carved. These shifts set the stage for the law’s full repeal in 1999 under the Gramm–Leach–Bliley Act. Gone were the rules blocking mergers between commercial banks, investment firms, and insurance giants—the very safeguards meant to curb reckless risk-taking and conflicts of interest. What began as Depression-era armor against financial disasters lives on as a debate in economics textbooks.
February 20, 2025 at 2:51 PM
emkey1.bsky.social
Pier 27, San Francisco California. February 4th 2024.
This photo shows a rainy day scene viewed through a window covered in raindrops. The droplets are scattered across the glass, varying in size, and create a textured, distorted view of the outside. In the blurred background, you can see a large multi-level building, possibly a cruise ship terminal or a similar structure, along with several parked cars. The wet pavement reflects the overcast sky, adding to the gloomy atmosphere.
February 13, 2025 at 1:20 PM
emkey1.bsky.social
This "call box" caught my eye recently when I was walking to the Ferry Building in San Francisco. Neither side is still in service.

The Police side shows the iconic "pyramid" that what was the Transamerica Corporation HQ until 2018. It's currently in the midst of a major internal renovation.
The image shows a vintage-style **police telephone box** mounted on a red pole. The box is painted blue and red and is labeled **"Police Telephone"** and **"Department of Electricity"** on the front. It is located on a sidewalk in an urban setting, with palm trees, buildings, and the **Transamerica Pyramid** visible in the background. A green bike lane runs parallel to the sidewalk, and the surrounding infrastructure, like the blue streetlight pole, reflects a classic city aesthetic. The scene is likely in San Francisco, given the architecture and the Transamerica Pyramid.
February 4, 2025 at 2:21 PM
emkey1.bsky.social
Here she is, the very first day my late wife and I met her for the first time.
February 3, 2025 at 11:52 AM
emkey1.bsky.social
Golden Doodle, her name is Marley.

I don't recall what had her so excited. Most likely somebody walking by, possibly with a dog. She has to announce her presence to anyone nearby and loves to say hello in the most high energy and vocal way possible, even though she is four plus years old.
The image shows a light-colored, curly-haired dog standing on its hind legs while looking out of a window. The dog is wearing a green collar and appears engaged, possibly watching something outside. The scene is indoors, featuring a wooden floor, a dining table with chairs, and a well-lit window allowing sunlight to brighten the room. The dog's stance suggests curiosity or excitement about what it sees outside. Her name is Marley, she is a Golden Doodle.
February 3, 2025 at 11:52 AM
emkey1.bsky.social
Doodle Dogs are awesome. Watertown, New York, 28 January 2021.
The image shows a cozy domestic scene featuring a person relaxing, wearing blue jeans and brown shoes, with their legs outstretched. Resting against their legs is a fluffy, light-colored dog, likely a Goldendoodle or a similar breed. The dog is holding a pink and white braided rope toy in its mouth, looking directly at the camera with an endearing expression. The background includes wooden furniture, a coffee table, and a neutral-toned carpet, contributing to the warm and homely atmosphere.
January 31, 2025 at 12:41 PM
emkey1.bsky.social
Near The "Race Track" in Death Valley, Christmas 2015. The note on the door reads "GUSTY WINDS PLEASE LATCH DOOR". At the time this was the only place to relieve one's self. I believe it has since been removed.

If you are wondering what it smelled like, the answer is very bad.
This photo shows a beige-colored, single-unit portable toilet standing in a desert environment. It’s made of molded plastic, with the door partially open and ventilation holes near the top. The surrounding landscape is dry, with small desert shrubs and rocky terrain, and you can see low mountains in the background under a clear, blue sky.
January 30, 2025 at 12:34 PM
emkey1.bsky.social
Lyle, Washington. 10 March 2024
A close-up, ground-level view showing a curly-haired dog’s front legs standing over a small purple wildflower. The dog’s body is mostly out of frame, with only its legs visible. The flower stands upright amidst low green moss, creating a striking contrast between the vibrant purple petals and the neutral tones of the dog’s fur and the muted background.
January 29, 2025 at 12:36 PM
emkey1.bsky.social
Watertown, New York 04 April 2021.
This image shows the side of a light-colored building with horizontal siding. In the foreground, two distinct shadows are cast on the wall: on the left, a person (likely holding a camera or phone) and on the right, a small dog-like silhouette. The branches of a nearby tree also create a dappled pattern of shadows above the two figures. The ground beneath the wall is covered with leaves and grass.
January 28, 2025 at 10:56 AM
emkey1.bsky.social
‎⁨Sletten⁩, ⁨Minnesota⁩, ⁨United States⁩, 28 June 2015
This image depicts a black-and-white rural scene with a small church featuring a prominent steeple on the left side of the frame. The church is surrounded by open fields, with a few scattered gravestones visible nearby, suggesting a cemetery adjacent to the church. A tree stands beside the church, adding a touch of natural contrast. On the right side, a road extends into the distance, lined with telephone poles, emphasizing the rural and tranquil atmosphere. The sky is filled with large, fluffy clouds, enhancing the sense of openness and simplicity in the scene.
January 27, 2025 at 1:42 AM
emkey1.bsky.social
‎⁨Point Reyes National Seashore⁩, ⁨Inverness⁩, ⁨California⁩, ⁨United States⁩, 12 March 2011.
A coastal scene where the main focus is a pale yellow ice plant flower (a succulent often found near beaches). Its fleshy, green-and-reddish leaves spread across sandy dunes, and you can see wispy dune grasses in the foreground. The background is soft and out of focus, showing more sand and a hazy horizon, suggesting the ocean just beyond the dunes. The overall feel is bright, with a clear blue sky overhead.
January 25, 2025 at 10:21 AM
emkey1.bsky.social
‎⁨Cascade Village Shopping Center⁩, ⁨Bend⁩, ⁨Oregon⁩, ⁨US. 19 July 2018
This image features a stylized graphic of a person riding a bicycle while holding a surfboard. The surfboard has the phrase **"LIVE BAJA"** prominently displayed in a distressed font, giving it a rustic and weathered look. The background consists of wooden planks with a mix of natural and aged finishes, enhancing the laid-back, beachy vibe of the design. The overall composition conveys a relaxed and adventurous spirit, likely inspired by the Baja California region's surf and cycling culture.
January 23, 2025 at 10:12 PM
emkey1.bsky.social
Gastonia, North Carolina. Most likely at a Cracker Barrel. The 18th of February, 2018.
This image features a section of a vintage-styled interior with retro advertisements displayed on a wall. The ads include brands like "Rainbow Beverages," "Cott," and "Bire-ley's," promoting sodas and fruit drinks with colorful illustrations and nostalgic typography. A hanging industrial-style light fixture with a visible bulb is at the center of the image. The wall is paneled and painted in a muted color, with a beige curtain hanging below the advertisements. The overall scene conveys a nostalgic, mid-20th-century vibe.
January 22, 2025 at 11:46 AM
emkey1.bsky.social
2017 becoming 2018. Phish, Madison Square Garden, New York.
January 21, 2025 at 2:00 PM
emkey1.bsky.social
Phish, outside Madison Square Garden 31 December 2017.
January 20, 2025 at 9:21 AM
emkey1.bsky.social
W 36th and 8th Avenue Station, New York City, 31 December 2017.
January 19, 2025 at 3:14 PM
emkey1.bsky.social
Brooklyn, New York. January 2025
January 18, 2025 at 3:50 PM
emkey1.bsky.social
Phish, ‎⁨Walmart AMP⁩, ⁨Rogers⁩, ⁨Ozarks⁩, ⁨United States⁩ 28 July 2021. Name that tune?
January 16, 2025 at 12:39 PM
emkey1.bsky.social
I found the end of the rainbow. The pot of gold should be easy to find since it's in an area that has been clearcut.

Washington state, 11th of January 2025.
January 15, 2025 at 1:21 PM
emkey1.bsky.social
JFK, 03 August 2017. We had just landed and were on our way to see the final three shows of Phish's historic Bakers Dozen run. Also at the 11th night on 04 August.
Looking out over JFK Airport, a plane is landing, building roofs in the foreground, cloudy sky in the upper half of the image Red and yellow lights, a crowd of people below, dark concert audience scene at Madison Square Garden in Manhattan.
January 14, 2025 at 3:41 PM
emkey1.bsky.social
Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers at Red Rocks Amphitheater, May 30th 2017. Easily one of the top five live Rock & Roll bands in my opinion, and they were clearly still at the top of their game on that last tour.
January 13, 2025 at 5:27 PM
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23 July 2016, Phish at Chula Vista. The best seats my late wife and I ever had for Phish.

I won't claim to be a good photographer. I just try to capture things that seem interesting to me. Many of the older images I post were taken on an iPhone 6, this one included.
January 12, 2025 at 3:41 AM