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Hexagonic dining
Sorry SDaniels, the bread was ordinary, nothing special, and I eat cold bread at other places. The French do a lot of things special, like sauces and wine. I happen to truly love bread & therefore was disappointed. Just my opinion. Several years ago, I would make sandwiches (60 or so), bring fresh fruit (bananas, grapes) and feed the homeless around here. 3 years ago I took lots & lots of holiday cookies. I sat around the coffee cart in front of the library with many very appreciative people. We had a nice time. BUT, things have changed since the time I was accosted, and the people that used to be here have moved on. The "new group" of homeless are aggressive, demanding, pushy. With every encounter I become disillusioned about their plight (many want to be out there). I am compassionate, but now I am also afraid. Empathy does not mix well with fear. I am also relentless in my efforts to get the City moving on their plan (next step is a permanent shelter). That's my story Thanks for reading.— February 3, 2010 12:36 p.m.
CCDC and other disappointments
Whoa there, PistolPete, you want me to die? That's a strong & strange comment. If you find me offensive, don't read my blogs. Cuddlefish, I have lived downtown for over 10 years, during which the skyline became inundated with very tall buildings, new events, etc. I actully love living here. I just think that the "clubs", rooftop bars, entertainment venues should make an effort to be good neighbors. Common sense would help. "People who live downtown want noise, excitement, 24/7". I really disagree with you. SD is still going thru growing pains. The condos are empty, the ground floor commercial developments (per City Council?) are empty. Restaurants are closing their doors. FYI, I called The Ivy last Friday and the manager told me they had lots of noise complaints & she would try to fix it!! I am not alone. SDaniels, thank you for your comments. No details, but it would be difficult for me to move AND I don't want to move.— January 28, 2010 2:03 a.m.
Hexagonic dining
In response to all of the above comments: First of all, I have little to cry about (other than medical issues,& no money!!). Next, I do manage to eat at some very fine restaurants and I realize you ASSUME I am paying. I was/am upset about COLA. Whether you believe me or not makes no difference. I fall under the "very low income" on the Housing Dept. eligibility charts. So, chortle all you want, continue to criticize, do whatever you please (free country). I will keep on writing.— January 28, 2010 1:42 a.m.
Keep kicking the poor
Burwell, you are absolutely right that I could find a substantially cheaper place to live. Cuddlefish, you are wrong about my living quarters & I do not buy at galleries I have lived in San Diego most of my life. Friends & and family are here. I happen to love San Diego. Since I have lived downtown over 20 years, I choose to stay. San Diego is an expensive place. "Who the hell do you think you are....." Just me, Burwell. And I did provide for myself whan I was able. I had a substantial 401K, which I had to use to live on because the company I worked for denied my disability claim (ERISA allows this & provides that no matter how long it takes, the ONLY thing they pay is the amount of the disability monthly payments). In my case as in many others, the company delayed, delayed & delayed some more. My 401K money was gone. It was 3 years. My theme: How I learned to stop worrying and loathe insurance companies. I am pretty darn sure that I paid much more than peanuts for SS & Medicare. I started working in 1964. I would still be working if I could. I am not demanding a handout. I merely want to chastise Congress on the COLA issue. If you, or anyone, reduced my income by $500/month, I would definitely be on the street. When I was working I paid about $100/month for really comprehensive health insurance. Now I pay $125/month for basic coverage. I take 10 medications. 6 are covered so they cost me $222 every 3 months. The others I buy for $112 every 3 months. Cuddlefish & Burwell: you are probably young men who have grown up (???) in a me, myself and I, world. As for the homeless, I just did not want them in my neighborhood (NIMBY). The City should have done something about homelessness a long time ago. Maybe the City should contact Cuddlefish to allow the homeless to "camp" outside his home. The bottom line is, Congress did take away COLA. Even that minimal amount could have helped.— January 19, 2010 7:23 p.m.
CCDC and other disappointments
What is your vision of "the concept"? Maybe you are right. Can you show me the error of my ways? Thanks for reading, CuddleFish— January 19, 2010 6:09 p.m.
A Horse is a Horse, of course, of course
Guess I touched some sensitive places. This area has had problems and I just did not want the horse to be wandering in the street. I know nothing about horses and I suspected a car going by might be a problem. I actually thought the whole incident was funny. The 5 police cars did not all stay. There was no citation and the police were just talking to this guy. He may have been lost, looking for a place to stop, I will never know. Burbclaver, thanks for reading my blog. What would you have done if this had taken place in front of your residence? Do you just wait & assume they will leave? You say he was doing no harm & would have gone on his way. How do you know? I happen to live in an area where it is best to be hypervigilant. You may have the luxury of wait & see. thestoryteller, you are right. Cuddlefish, my name is a far cry from entitlement. My niece started calling me that because she had 2 Aunt Sandy's. She died at age 22 and I chose that webname to honor her short life. (This is absolutely true). I will not be changing it.— January 6, 2010 1:24 p.m.
Retired fat
It seems most of us picked the wrong professions, should have gone into Public Service. $21,228.81 is a good Yearly salary for lots of people. After only 8 years that is a preposterous amount of benefit. If you work for 20 years and if your company has a decent pension plan, you might get 50% of your salary. And it probably would not come close to Mr. Garrett's. He says he is entitled and I am sure he is, but WHY? HOW? These pension issues should have been stopped before they got started.— December 27, 2009 4:56 p.m.
Keep kicking the poor
Thank you for reading my blog. I am limited because I have Medicare. Plus I take several medications and looking through drug formularies is a chore, which I have done at least 20 times! I checked your website recommendation & found that most companies want nothing to do with me! Auntsandiegospeaks— December 25, 2009 3:40 a.m.
New! Rapid! Costly?
Hey PistolPete, I have been using the bus & trolley system here since I gave up driving (too costly) almost 10 years ago. I do not have the experience of NYC or Chicago but, I also do not have the problems you apparently do in using public transportation. PATIENCE, leave a little early, learn to relax! There are few places I cannot go. I think it is a good system. I also have to comment on your use of Sandy Eggo. The breakfast menu at Brian's 24 at the Ramada, used to include the "Sandy Eggo". The waiter kept telling me I should order it (because of MY name, not the City). It was too much food for one. Now I'm hungry!— November 25, 2009 10:51 a.m.
Losing Z Gallerie
Pursuant to the folks here & what I heard through the grapevine, San Diego is the only scheduled closure right now. Thanks for reading, Harvestmoon Tikicult, the chef is Brian Malarkey, formerly of Oceanaire.— November 18, 2009 7:36 a.m.