A tattoo addiction has left 20 percent of my body covered with subcutaneous ink. Depictions of water, cherry blossoms, a green demon, and an octopus cascade down my arms. I am eternally wearing long "sleeves." …
May 26, 2005
News & Stories
Ollie tells the stories of his tattoos
Unapologetic from New Orleans
I’ll Never Write The World’s Greatest Novel, Allen Boudreaux I just got home from watching Revenge of the Sith, the first showing at 12:01 on Thursday. It was, like all five Star Wars movies before …
May 26, 2005
Sticky Workers
'The African honeybee is legendary for being completely irascible," says Tammy Horn. Commonly referred to as "killer bees," the African honeybees "have over 100 natural predators, so they have to be more aggressive. But they …
May 26, 2005
No Toking, Please
When the Steve Miller Band plays Embarcadero Marina Park South on Saturday, May 28, the band's lounge should be stocked with six grilled chicken breasts ("cold, sliced thin"), one gallon vegetarian soup ("homemade"), one whole …
May 26, 2005
Slaves' Wages
"The reason is vocal soreness," says Interscope Records spokesman Chris Lehman as to why the Audioslave show was canceled last week. Yet, the day after the cancellation, posters went up along El Cajon Boulevard promoting …
May 26, 2005
Death Cheated at Casbah
"I started feeling sick right as I was walking off the stage at the Casbah on April 12," says 7th Day Buskers guitarist/banjoist Shawn Rohlf. Severe chest pains landed him at his doctor's a few …
May 26, 2005
Vinyl Fever Flare-Up
Hillcrest's Off the Record closes its door on Fifth Avenue tomorrow (...to reopen June 4 on University Avenue in North Park). About a block away, record junkies can still get a fix. Thirsty Moon Records …
May 26, 2005
Mega-Conscience
Dave Mustaine, who has lived in Fallbrook since late 2004, is organizing a Lollapalooza-type tour he calls Gigantour. At this writing, 16 dates had been announced. "I wanted to have the first stage be powerful …
May 26, 2005
Kids, Kids
A 22-year-old Marine, who said a 22-year-old sailor "disrespected" him at Club Metro, was convicted May 2 of second-degree murder for the death of that sailor. Myron A. Thomas and two other Marines were accused …
May 26, 2005
Free Long Distance
When I have to fit three parties in on one day, it helps to start in the afternoon. At Mimi's Cafe one night for dinner, I overheard a waitress named Melissa talking about a CD …
May 26, 2005
Loathing Las Vegas
The worst thing that can happen to a man who gambles is to win. -- Charles H. Surgeon 'Why don't you gamble?" David pondered his answer for the span of two exits. I was lost …
May 26, 2005
Pension Debt Infinitely Worse
Now that criminal charges have been filed against former and current pension-fund trustees, some San Diegans feel the city has hit bottom. There is nowhere to go but up. Not so. Individuals and institutions in …
May 26, 2005
You Can Have My Dead Trees
Just north of Santa Ysabel in San Diego's backcountry, Mesa Grande Road intersects State Route 79. Less than a mile to the west on Mesa Grande is a sight not seen in the county for …
May 26, 2005
The Reader's Eye on Television
What about Betsy? "I said, your love!" the flat-screen TV speakers blare into the semi-neutral, designer-coordinated bedroom. Betsy whirls around in a gossamer nightgown, singing the chorus, "Your love keeps liftin' me," and she falls …
May 26, 2005
Mileposts
It was a distinguished turnout at the recent wake for Republican Jack Walsh, a well-loved San Diego city councilman turned county supervisor turned real estate maven who died last month at age 71. With Father …
May 26, 2005
Perfect for a lazy Spring or Summer afternoon, Oceanside's Guajome Regional Park offers hiking, jogging, fishing, picnicking, and camping.
Aside from North County's beaches, not many public spaces for anything resembling true "hiking" can be found in Oceanside or in neighboring Vista and Carlsbad. One significant exception is Gaujome Regional Park, an oasis of …
May 26, 2005
Rules for Old Men Waiting
Rules for Old Men Waiting. Random House, 2005; $21.95; 210 pages. FROM THE DUST JACKET: A brief, lyrical novel with a powerful emotional charge, Rules for Old Men Waiting is about three wars of the …
May 26, 2005
Bon Tons 26. Dolly Vardens 19.
'I didn't know baseball started so early on the West Coast. You have a reference to it being played in California during the late 1850s." I'm talking to Bill Swank, 64, about his latest book, …
May 26, 2005
The First Nobu
As a relative newcomer to San Diego, I held some misconceptions about both Solana Beach and Nobu. The first wrong idea was that the town was some snooty rich folks' enclave just a notch below …
May 26, 2005
Rut Breaker
“I would have to force it down people’s throats. Then it became cool to drink it again.”
Grace, Mira Mesa
Denomination: The Christian and Missionary Alliance Address: 9050 Mira Mesa Boulevard, Mira Mesa, 858-271-7730 Founded locally: 1975 Senior pastor: Bill Impey Congregation size: 75 Staff size: 2 Sunday school enrollment: 20 Annual budget: $175,000 Weekly …
May 26, 2005
Please, mingle, it's a Eruv
Hello Matt: Can you explain the source and purpose of the mysterious, barely visible elevated "wire" that runs down the south side of El Cajon Boulevard, from 59th Street to Montezuma? It doesn't appear to …
May 26, 2005
The Otis jump
Matt: My friend insists that if you are in an elevator and the cable breaks and you fall to the ground, you'd be killed. I still can't see why you couldn't jump up at the …
May 26, 2005
Monster Stuff
“We’re from Chicago. We ordered a sausage-and-mushroom pizza to see if they measured up.”
May 26, 2005