There's nothing wrong with taking the long way home.
September 23, 2015
News & Stories
Dangerous bike spots: Friars Road, Nimitz Blvd, University Ave., Pershing Dr., Genesee, Pacific Hwy at Barnett Ave.
Film recommendations from a trash aficionado
Despite the salacious title of A Virgin Among the Living Dead ((France/Italy, 1973, Wizard Video), this Jess Franco film is actually quite artsy and unnerving. A young woman returns from boarding school after her father’s …
September 23, 2015
Jackson Boone's hippie heart
Starlit has been called one of the best new releases to come out of Portland in the past year. The song collection centers around Jackson Boone’s new-found sobriety, they say. Whatever. Here is a singer/songwriter …
The best gin and vermouth for a Negroni
Process: First, we did 5 rounds of 5, keeping the gin constant and doing 5 different vermouths. Victoria and I silently rated them, then shared when we were done. Then, we did 5 more rounds, …
September 23, 2015
McDonald's out, well-being in — but some treats remain
Did you see how Cleveland Clinic (5 million patients a year, 3000 doctors) has kicked McDonald’s out of its hospitals as of September 18? They want to put their money where their mouth is in …
Alice in Wonderland on acid
Chinatown (USA, 1974, Paramount), set in the mid-1930s, is reminiscent of today’s issues of the rich and powerful. Inspired by real people and events, it’s Polanski’s homage to the golden age of film noir and …
September 23, 2015
Coconut & Canoe
“We are fans of the tiki culture,” says Andy Tolley, who as Captain Coconut plays with Freddy Canoe (Rick Roessler) in TikiTronic. “We’re very retro culture. Bachelor-pad lounge mixed with space age.” It’s not Nick …
September 23, 2015
Passionate energy just this side of anarchy at San Diego Museum of Art
Coney Island: Visions of the American Dreamland, 1861–2008 is a game, splashy exhibition.
September 23, 2015
Find a return to yesterday in the heart of the city
That dropped Ping-Pong ball song would be the wrentit.
September 23, 2015
Stickles's march to the sea
"Tell the world my story. Nobody believes me. They think I’m bullshitting them.” The story Titus Andronicus mastermind Patrick Stickles is referring to is a complicated one. Much of it is peeled away within the …
September 23, 2015
Usernames are a vestigial organ
Dear Hipster: I want to get Instagram on my phone, but I am not so good at naming things, and I can’t bring myself to install the app till I have a good username in …
September 23, 2015
The "joy" thing
“The less you have, the easier it is to get dressed and ready. You only keep things you actually like, or as KonMari says, things that bring you joy.”
September 23, 2015
"Cholo goth" duo gets ripped off at Riot Fest in Chicago
“We are mostly a San Diego/L.A./New York band,” says Rafa Reyes, half of cholo goth duo Prayers. The release of their Young Gods album took them on a 14-city, three-week tour, which ended September 11 …
September 23, 2015
The soul force of Blueprints to Freedom: An Ode to Bayard Rustin
Roll the credits! Bayard Rustin (1912–1987) performed on Broadway with Paul Robeson in John Henry. As a student, his rich tenor sang blues and gospel in nightclubs to make ends meet. An exceptional athlete, he …
September 23, 2015
Juan Vargas passes the contribution hat again
Democratic congressman Juan Vargas has been passing his campaign-contribution hat again. An invitation circulated to Washington lobbyists for an hourlong 8:30 a.m. September 18 breakfast event at Johnny’s Half Shell on North Capitol Street Northwest …
September 23, 2015
Hollywood, please call us
Though it served as a major filming hub during the silent era, of late our town can’t buy a decent production. Anchorman was 2004. Before that, Traffic and Titanic. The statute of limitations has long …
September 23, 2015
Three poems by David Middleton
Self-Examination: Reflections in a Mirror Time once again for my six-months’ exam I stand before a mirror to assess This aging body’s state, each troubling sign I’ll need to show my doctor — lumps or …
September 23, 2015
You are what you eat
When you think of family bands, groups such as the Osmonds, the Bee Gees, and the Jackson 5 come to mind. A young quartet from Los Angeles has emerged on the sibling band scene, though, …
September 23, 2015
Barlow-fi
Lou Barlow grew up in Massachusetts and stumbled into Dinosaur Jr., which helped define an era of alternative rock when they weren’t marinating in backstage passive-aggression. Solo, Barlow started Sebadoh, pioneered the entire “lo-fi” thing, …
September 23, 2015
It is now practical to get rid of the VCR
Dear Hipster: I’m trying to part ways with some of the old things around the house that I don’t use, including a substantial collection of movies on VHS. I’ve got about 300 titles, mostly from …
September 23, 2015
Landslide at Tourmaline
On Friday afternoon, September 11, 2015, there was a cliff collapse inside the cove at Tourmaline Surfing Park. Normally this type of landslide is a clear reminder to the locals to not sit up close …
September 23, 2015
Who you callin' Kevin?
Distinction among Kevins I’m looking at the cover of your September 17 issue. Hey — this ain’t cool, man. My name’s Kevin. You should have put the knucklehead’s picture on there so that people I’m …
September 23, 2015
Joan Kroc gets the Hollywood treatment
With Dean Spanos and the rest of his extended Chargers-owning family possibly poised to pull the plug on San Diego, the eccentric history of another super-rich local team owner is about to get the Hollywood …
September 23, 2015
Little and little, the soul in prayer quits discoursing
Now when by means of such exercises the soul is become well eased from remorse and begins to be moved to the resistance and hatred of sin by the love of God rather than fear …
September 23, 2015
An anti–Silver Linings Playbook
Straight Time (USA, 1978, Warner Brothers), directed by Ulu Grosbard and starring Dustin Hoffman, is a quintessential ’70s movie of the New Hollywood, a period I regard as the best in film history. I love …
September 23, 2015