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Raccoon Wars
Considering that the raccoon is the second-biggest member of the weasel family (the wolverine is the biggest)? It's no wonder that they are nasty, opportunistic, and considered varmints by both landowner and farmer alike. Also, like coyotes, the raccoons here have become "urbanized." They have lost their fear of humans, and see our backyards as a "free banquet." Why forage for acorns, mice, and other "wild food," when there is plenty of koi, doggie kibble, housecats, food plants, and other stuff ripe-and-free for the taking? A "free bath" will not drive them off. Bright lights only results in a staredown between you and the raccoons. Watching them pillage what is yours is not cute...rather maddening, in fact. My father had raccoons on his property in Mill City, and they made the mistake of going after some rabbits his ladyfriend was raising as pets. Next night, the raccoons returned to the "scene of the crime," hoping to score a free meal. They only "scored" getting whacked with a few rounds of #6 shot from my father's Remington 870 shotgun. However, he lives in Mill City, Oregon. If he were to do that here in San Diego County, he'd be in the county lockup, his shotgun confiscated...and the rabbit hutches vulnerable to another round of predation-by-raccoon. Something to think about. --LPR— July 15, 2010 3:26 p.m.
Having a Baby? It's Actually Been Done Before! (Who knew?)
"Love me--love my rat!" I actually had to tell someone that once. I just got tired of her calling Vito III "disease-ridden vermin," and if we lived together, he would soon have a playmate--as in the local coyote population. Needless to say, our relationship dids not last long after that. And one thing about Vito that made him better than that insecure little mercenary shrew I was dating--Vito's love was unconditional. Just feed him, water him, clean his habitat, and spend quality time with him...a lot better than laying out major money for dinner and a show, with the only response being "Next time, you WILL take me to see a chick flick!" I miss the little fellow! --LPR— July 13, 2010 9:02 a.m.
Judge Confirms Ruling; Sanders Must Give Deposition
Jerry Sanders has to give a deposition? Yeah, that's rich--look for him to stall the subpoena into the middle of 2015. Or, better yet, have the San Diego Sheriff's Department drag Sanders kicking-and-screaming out of City Hall to force him to give that deposition (too many friends left on the SDPD to get them to do the deed). One thing that Mr. Sanders should have learned in his tenure with the San Deigo Police Department was that no one was above the law. Perhaps he forgot--or chose to forget--this simple, basic lesson? Is there term limits on the SD Mayor's job? If so, there might be hope for SD yet (don't make me laugh, Meatwad). If not...the egress gates from Political Hell are still so far away--and still padlocked! --LPR— July 11, 2010 5:53 p.m.
Simple Oven-Barbecued Ribs
If only my apartment came with an oven, CF--I'd give your dish a tryout. (That's also why I do not bake cookies, pies, cakes, pizzas, fish sticks (made of cod and Oh My God!), and popcorn shrimp here at my place.) S'ok, though--I got a nice complement when I grilled some tri-tip last night. Still, sounds great! --LPR— July 11, 2010 5:30 p.m.
Keeping the Change on Friendship
In America, we tend not to think of "the long term," but of "right here, right now." Friendships, unfortunately, are part of the equation here. People forget that with each friend made comes a human being with a heart and a soul. Sometimes, we have to let a friend go because of their overwhelming toxicity level to your mental-and-physical health. There was a quatrain from my youth that I remember: "True friends are like diamonds... they are precious, but rare. False friends are like fallen leaves-- for they're scattered everywhere!" If we think less in terms of "disposable" when it comes to human interaction, the world would be a better place...don't you think so? --LPR— July 9, 2010 3:33 p.m.
Recipe for writing a successful neighborhood blog
Allright, Grasca! Good to see you spinning a blog-thread! Keep it going...we' would love to hear more from you! --LPR— July 9, 2010 3:17 p.m.
General Announcement, Please Read
Good morning, CF! When the hammer crashes down, we may not know why it was swung in the first place. Dealing with the results can be even more heart-rending. However, it's not just the Reader who is cracking down on comments. AOL is another good example of "comment policing" done by a company on it's various in-house sites. In fact, they yanked the "Comments" section for their main news website. Fat lot of good it did them...a lot of the "comments" would put the Readers' comments section to shame in it's outright Vitriol level! And if you think our comments were over the top, might I suggest you mosey on over to Cracked.com and read their comments page? Takes a fire-retardant suit just to enter there! The Reader is just doing what other sites are doing now. It's a version of CYA--but far better this than having to explain themselves as defendants in a libel suit in Superior Court. All because someone with more ego than talent besmirched the good name of a fellow blogger on this site. If THAT were to happen--bye-bye blogsite! You're still the greatest, CF--let's have some more! --LPR— July 7, 2010 8:05 a.m.
Comic Relief is Dead
Sad to see you go, Nan! Just goes to prove that ANY form of warfare (especially e-mail flame wars) never prove who is right--only who is left to pick up the pieces. What scares me the most is that I will log onto this site, and find our blog page has been permanently deleted by order of the Reader. I care for you folks, since you are my cyberspace buddies. However, to quote a punchline from a WWII poster: "WATCH WHAT YOU WRITE!" As for me, I'm staying on this blogsite until they shut it down! Go in peace, nan...perhaps one day, we may see you again! --LPR— July 7, 2010 7:11 a.m.
Law Firm Giving Financial Advice Taking No New Cases
When Uncle Teddy speaks--San Diego tunes him out...or tells him to attempt spaceborne coitus with the nearest lunar body! Currently, he's shilling for Medi-Fast Weight Loss Centers; D.Z. Akins; Ruth's Chris Steakhouses--if a potential shill-ee has the money, I guess he has the time-and-voice. KS/PLC: Correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't a lot of PLC's cases taken on a contigency basis? (No-win, no-pay) If so, then Esquire Steigerwalt wasn't thinking too swift when he bought Pacific Law Center. Wonder how many of those were either settled out-of-court, or were lost? Another "Uncle Teddy Approved" company circling the bowl and leaving skid marks on the way down? Par for the course in this market! --LPR— July 3, 2010 10:40 p.m.
Going On Hiatus
It is said that even the most hardened reaver tires of their craft, and wishes for a time of peace and serenity. So it is with you Nan? S'okay, we all need a bit of time away from our keyboards and the 'Net. When you do come back, we'll be waiting for you! May your journey be swift, the libations sweet, and that you return to us refreshed-and-ready! --LPR— July 3, 2010 10:17 p.m.