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Mojito Wednesday
According to my father (who played mixologist while in the Navy), a mojito requires white rum and cushed mint leaves, over ice. Sounds tasty enough (even though I do not drink distilled spirits), and it's originally a "Cubano" bar staple (now overdone by so-called "hipsters").) Not the same as a mint julep, which featuresd creme de menthe as the "booze base." --LPR— June 30, 2011 12:34 p.m.
Picture Day Fiasco
Hey, Mindy! Cute story, that. And yes, I tend to go my own way when it comes to "non-blog" items. You fine folks have given me much to think about when it comes to how I put my skills to work. However, when you are in a situation for the first time (as in "the new meat" of the writer's group you just joined), the level of support you get depends on how supportive the members really are to anyone "new to the craft." The same is true for poetry groups. Though I loved my time at the Magee Park Poets, I would often run into some Al Colonge (a wannabe) who often focused his "resnarks" about the fact I tended to do best with Dark Poetry. One even called me "Old Doom-and Gloom." (FYI--When Magee Park Poets moved their "base of operations" to the "Dove Branch" of the Carlsbad City Library (off the 309 bus route, near Encinitas), I had no other choice but to exile myself, since getting there-and-back on the bus was a no-go. But I still miss my buds!) So, like I said, I usually go my own way. Enjoy Your Day! --LPR— June 30, 2011 12:27 p.m.
The fate of a 19-year-old San Diego girl
Enjoy life while you can, mija! Take it from me--hitting 21 isn't all that it's cracked up to be. Nor is getting into a bar "legit" for the first time. Trying to grow up before your time? You will--but it's never that pleasant! --LPR— June 28, 2011 4:54 p.m.
Grilled Cheese & Tomato Soup
Sorry, nanners--I'm highly allergic to mayo. However, I have found that a good low-cal way to make the "ultimate in comfort food" is to spray PAM (or it's equivilant) on both the bread and the griddle before you grill that puppy up. Plus, the "grilled cheese" can serve as a platform for other "grilled" sandwiches, by putting the filling-in-question between the cheese slices. (I use 2-per-sandwhich, fixed in my toaster oven, btw.) I like minestrone, Navy Bean & Ham, or split-pea soup (all homemade via crock-pot)to go with my sandwich. In other words--Num-Num Time! --LPR— June 14, 2011 5:50 p.m.
Going Out on a High Note?
Mencken-- Your column might be "humorous" in your view...but to me, it's nothing more than Sadean-level grotesqueness on the printed page. Steve Martin may have remarked that "Comedy Is Not Pretty" (and even titled an album with that). Your "comedic" rantings in your blog crosses over from "not pretty" to "ugly all day, in and out." I will not stop reading the Reader because of your blog...but I know which section will be avoided. As for that "lady" selling the so-called "suicide kits"... Frankly, I think she needs an address change, with accomodations provided by her state Department of Corrections "at the pleasure of the sentencing judge." We need no more Kevorkians...one was plenty. --LPR— June 14, 2011 5:41 p.m.
Hot Dogs Around Town
When I worked at Target of Escondido, we featured hot dogs, cheese-dogs, and smoked sausage in our Food Court (depending on availability). It made for a quick-and-cheap lunch for me on many a day. The Food Court Team Leader at the time had come up with a rather graphic-yet-descriptive name for them: "beaks & cheeks" (as in chicken beaks and cheek meat from any four-legged food animal make up most of the filling). Alas, my hot-dog ingesting days are a relic of the past (unless I go the Trader Joes route, pretty tasty stuff), as is smoked sausages, ham, kippers (sob), and bacon (thanks to my CHF). Still, better to give up the weenies and live, than be a weenie and die too early. --RKJ— June 14, 2011 5:27 p.m.
Going Out on a High Note?
A new low in journalistic ethics. Suicide is not a joking matter. I lost a lot of friends to self-destruction (be it fast or slow), and each death tore that much more out of my heart. One should also remember that a suicide destroys more than the victim. The family and friends of said victim will never be the same--and often families get torn asunder by such an act. I daresay that this column has all the grace of some bozo standing near a freeway overpass, encouraging a sufferer to take the final leap into the afterlife. Mr. Mencken--how dare you? And you can take the "almost factual news" defense, spread mustard on it, and eat it. For there is no defense about this column...for it deserves none. --LPR— June 10, 2011 2:13 p.m.
San Diego dating service doesn't satisfy
Good article--brought back many memories. I remember the old "Single" magazine that used to be sold here in San Diego County. I got a few dates by responding to the ads, and they were cool. What wasn't cool was I ended up on a mailing list for "The Millionaire's Club" dating service. It was to expensive for me to join, so I did not bother. Frankly, if you decide on using a dating service, you need to remember that Prince Charming or Princess Hotstuff will more than likely NOT be your first date. It's the same equation--you have to deal with a lot of candidates before you pick "the winner." As for expectations: Some are realistic--but most are not grounded in reality. Frankly, when you meet somebody you might be interested in, you might want to remember that you are dealing with the another member of the human race. One who has both strengths and weaknesses. If they do not meet "your needs," send them on their way--but try to be polite about it. The point about the woman leaving the restaurant via the rear door (after seeing what her date looked like) has probably inflicted a nasty psychic scar upon her date, and exposed the woman's true character (the one she was hiding all along). Dating is like fishing--you have to keep baiting your hook and tossing the line in the water, for you never know when the fish will bite! Enjoy our day. --LPR— June 10, 2011 2:01 p.m.
My Trip Through My Living Hell Just Got Longer...
To use a quote from one of my favorite movies ("Hoodlum," starring Lawrence Fishburne): "Yes, but fear can be a good thing sometimes--it checks the angry spirit." Mdme. Stephanie St.Claire, to Ellsworth "Bumpy" Johnson, in a dialog about the use of fear. BTW: Both "Bumpy" Johnson and Stephanie "The Queen" St. Claire were real life hoods back during the 1920's, operating a numbers racket in Harlem. Johnson later added heroin to his repetoir, and was considered "LCN's man in Harlem." He died in 1968, and his succeesor was Frank "Superfly" Lucas and his Country Boys. (Info from History's "Gangland," a series about street gangs in various parts of America, plus the major biker gangs. The DVD set is well worth the money, and, no, it does not glorify the criminality these thugs do.) --LPR— June 8, 2011 2:45 p.m.
My Trip Through My Living Hell Just Got Longer...
Hey, gang! A quick update here: I am getting a bit better, endurancewise. I can now walk 1/4 mile without needing a rest break. No miracle, but progress indeed. My "output" isn't as heavy now. I had a chat with my dad ( a former Navy medical corpsman), and he told me that if the "output color" is yellow or white, no biggie...and to expect most of the "output" to happen in the morning or during my shower (steam still is the best way to get rid of the gunk!). I still am scared, but life can only be lived one day at a time. I have cut back quite a bit, and am using more beans (via the crockpot) in my diet. In fact, tonight's dinner is pinto beans, sauerkraut, corn, and cubed chicken thighs in a tomato-base sauce. It will be ready when I get home. I thank you for your prayers and kind words--I sure do need them. And yes, I have lost some weight--down one pants size (good for a start). Enjoy your day, folks...just remember, it's later than you realize! --LPR— June 2, 2011 2:37 p.m.