Ask a Hipster — Advice you didn't know you needed
Big Screen — Movie commentary
Blurt — Music's inside track
Booze News — San Diego spirits
Classical Music — Immortal beauty
Classifieds — Free and easy
Cover Stories — Front-page features
Drinks All Around — Bartenders' drink recipes
Excerpts — Literary and spiritual excerpts
Feast! — Food & drink reviews
Feature Stories — Local news & stories
Fishing Report — What’s getting hooked from ship and shore
From the Archives — Spotlight on the past
Golden Dreams — Talk of the town
The Gonzo Report — Making the musical scene, or at least reporting from it
Letters — Our inbox
Movies@Home — Local movie buffs share favorites
Movie Reviews — Our critics' picks and pans
Musician Interviews — Up close with local artists
Neighborhood News from Stringers — Hyperlocal news
News Ticker — News & politics
Obermeyer — San Diego politics illustrated
Outdoors — Weekly changes in flora and fauna
Overheard in San Diego — Eavesdropping illustrated
Poetry — The old and the new
Reader Travel — Travel section built by travelers
Reading — The hunt for intellectuals
Roam-O-Rama — SoCal's best hiking/biking trails
San Diego Beer — Inside San Diego suds
SD on the QT — Almost factual news
Sheep and Goats — Places of worship
Special Issues — The best of
Street Style — San Diego streets have style
Surf Diego — Real stories from those braving the waves
Theater — On stage in San Diego this week
Tin Fork — Silver spoon alternative
Under the Radar — Matt Potter's undercover work
Unforgettable — Long-ago San Diego
Unreal Estate — San Diego's priciest pads
Your Week — Daily event picks
What's your favorite type of drink?
Magicsfive, you are priceless - yay you indeed! lol...interesting how wine is neck and neck with mixed drinks. I would suspect that represents a significant change in drinking trends as younger, post baby-boomers come of age.— April 23, 2009 6 a.m.
Celebrity Idiots -- The Jamie Fox and Hulk Hogan Edition
Ovod: "Bread and Tea, yes." Feels good to read that phrase in Russian again. It has been a long time. Spaseeba, for the smile. Lizavetta— April 23, 2009 4:25 a.m.
Celebrity Idiots -- The Jamie Fox and Hulk Hogan Edition
I ate Russian fare for nearly 3 months during the Breshnev years. I remember the "heeleb" and "chai" etc., quite well. :) I loved the borsch and caviar, and vodka, of course...(which I was amused to learn meant "water." :)))) I also remember the water vending machines and the queing for whatever was available...like the open meat markets. I know Russia has changed since those days...but I do remember liking the dark bread and butter with strong tea in the morning. Thanks for reminding me...:) Hope all is well.— April 23, 2009 3:05 a.m.
Police Officer Shootings
My God, melbamoose, that is impressive. Especially since you injured your dominant arm and are typing one-handed! Clearly there is a lot more to this issue than meets the eye, and you are right there needs to be more accountability and I would add, scrutiny. We don't (at least I don't) know all of the facts for each of the above cases but it is a powerful list. Thank you for taking the time to post it. As I've written before I used to live in Humboldt County (Northern CA) when I was transferred there for work. There's a major drug problem up there, and some very poorly trained, twitchy officers by their own admission. I was taken aback when I learned that out of the 10 fatal shooting deaths in Humboldt the first 3 months of that year, 6 were the result of a police shooting; 60% of all deaths by gun shot in that community were caused by the police in barely 3 months!! They also had 3 major lawsuits for excessive force against the police department. Two went to verdict and resulted in multi-million dollar judgments; one was settled for one million. Immediately thereafter, the reigning police chief "resigned" and they brought in a guy to "shake things up." They held multiple town meetings in which people railed about what was going on with the police department: the beatings and shoot-outs in the downtown area against citizens (one was a woman threatening to kill herself...she leaned out of the window and she was blown away) with innocent citizens crouching in doorways. To his credit he admitted mistakes had been made and he dismissed several officers and called for re-training of the rest. He took a lot of heat. But I will say none of the changes would have occurred BUT for all of the media coverage in that area scrutinizing the actions of the police force and each and every death at the hands of a police officer. Some people were killed while in custody! The media did not let up, and may have been slanted against the force but the end result was it made for a more transparent force which owned up to its mistakes and need for reform. So you have a point, in that as what started this blog: if you have nothing to hide, then there's nothing to worry about...that holds true for the Police as well, right? Lastly, many of the issues you raised about difficulties in getting information, police reports, etc., are often caused by two factors: 1) internal police procedures which slow everything down; and, 2) the lawyers representing the City and the officers accused. Especially the lawyers, because I know for a fact they will not let any paperwork be disseminated until they review it first. And if it is really damaging they will at least try and claim it is "privileged" and therefore non-discoverable, it they are acting ethically. They aren't doing this to protect the officers as much as the City's coffers. It was one aspect of the legal practice I could not stomach. Were all of the above individuals killed by an officer?— April 23, 2009 2:39 a.m.
Celebrity Idiots -- The Jamie Fox and Hulk Hogan Edition
Hi ya Ovod! Russian dressing is an actual food product put on sandwiches and possibly other things, especially the Ruben sandwich (corn beef; swiss, monterey jack, or provolone cheese; sauerkraut; with Russian Dressing all grilled on light rye bread. It's lip-smacking good. Usually they use Thousand Island dressing, but Russian Dressing is also used. If I remember correctly, Russian Dressing is a combination of Thousand Island and French, maybe some horseradish thrown in too. (Josh correct me here if I am wrong). And if it is Russian, you know it is hearty and hard to forget! :)— April 23, 2009 1:34 a.m.
Receiving Bella
So sorry to read about your niece; so glad to read she is doing better and I assume will be okay. Nothing worse than an ill child you can't help, especially when that child is your own or one you love. As for principessa Bella (let her know she looks like a princess :), I have found that children mostly just like to be with us...especially bright inquisitive children. They like to do what we do with us, when appropriate. For example one thing I used to do years ago when I babysat, was dance with the kids in the kitchen. Socks on, some good boogy music, all the kids all at once. Hopefully the floor is smooth enough so a little sliding can occur, along with twisting ala Chubby Checker. Each kid gets a turn holding your hands and twisting together...down to the floor or as far as the will allows and back up again. Spin them, teach them "the swim" or "the robot" jazz hands...whatever. They will giggle the entire time until they are red in the face. And then, when dance time is over...they will be compliant and sleepy. Just in time for a story, or a tour of cool kid stuff on the internet, or will willingly curl up next to you on the couch and lean on your shoulder while you check your email and work. (Pillow fights have the same effect but can be hazardous to hair styles and furniture...not to mention pillows). The only caveat: children hold fond memories of fun with their Aunt (or cool babysitter) in perpetuity. So be prepared to be asked for a dance until they are about your height. They will, however, still talk about it and you with a smile. And kudos to the poster with the cornstarch recipe. Great idea! Hope all is well for you and your family (with a special thought for your Dad, too). Lisa a/k/a "lallaw"— April 23, 2009 12:11 a.m.
The Loss of "Cool"
I love you magicsfive. lol... :)— April 22, 2009 8:14 p.m.
Electric Cigarettes, Cyrus, Homeless, Chinese...Something offensive for everyone!
Okay Josh, now you've hit on one of my biggest pet peeves: check-out line malingers. Some people are so incredibly inconsiderate at the check-out line, much like the woman you wrote about. I'm sure we all have a story. I mean, whaaaaaat was her problem? Did she think the grocery store was a bank? And then she has the nerve to crack a retort back to you instead of apologizing? I was behind a guy at Henry's not that long ago. He had one item, a bunch of grapes, which he put in a large cart. Okay, whatever. I and my two items patiently waited our turn. Except he proceeded to park his cart at the end of the conveyor, farthest from the cashier, and then pick through the grape bunch he chose tossing those grapes he deemed unacceptable back into the cart. After about 5 min. of these (it felt like an hour) and a few knowing smiles between myself and the cashier, he suddenly realizes I am standing behind him and he shoots a glance at me. I just smiled and asked, "so, did you get them all?" He then proceeds to check out with his freshly pruned bunch of grapes (squashing a few of the rejects on the floor that fell through the cart). He's quite friendly and chatty at this point, so that is returned, but then he has the nerve to make derogatory comments about my two food choices, ala "militant vegan-ish" as was discussed ad nausem in another blog!! This guy was beyond inconsiderate. He was and I would guess remains clueless.— April 22, 2009 2:17 p.m.
Police Officer Shootings
Dear MelbaM.: Please don't misunderstand my point, and thank you for your sentiments about my niece. I realize it is a fine point, but I am NOT saying that the cops were warranted, i.e., "justified" in smashing my niece's face into the trunk of her car, especially since she was already cuffed and under their control at that point. It was horrific, foul, and illegal. What I am saying is we should all realize it can happen at the hands of a cop (not a police officer), especially if we put ourselves in a position of risk. From everything I have read to date about Jake Faust, he did not put himself in a position of risk with his moving violation. I would like to read more about his case. However, my dear niece, whom I love like a daughter did put herself in that position by provoking the officers who stopped her. She had the misfortune of being stopped by a cop who has a reputation, apparently, for violence. (This incident did not take place in San Diego). My statement goes back to my earlier post where I indicated that we should always be respectful and compliant with police officers, but don't necessarily give them your blind trust. Be wary, maybe even a little afraid, and be smart if you find yourself in a confrontation with a police officer. It is not a confrontation you are going to win with insults, arguments, or resistance. Please know I am not referring to Jake when I say the above. Would you mind writing what happened during that traffic stop? And it always makes me laugh how so many otherwise reasonable citizens get angry with the wronged party (the Plaintiff and the attorney in this case) because money was paid out of community coffers to them. How about getting angry with the guys who did the deed that caused the litigation in the first place?!! Why isn't there more public OUTRAGE leveled at the Defendant and/or their attorney? In the case of police matters such as Jake's case, if the police officers were made personally liable for any settlement or jury verdict that was the result of a wrongful shooting or use of excessive force I believe we would see two immediate results: 1) officers would be a lot more careful out there when it came to using force; and, 2) the City Attorney would be a lot more willing to settle cases where settlement was appropriate instead of litigating the matter both in court and through the media. Not to mention, a personal judgment in California is good for 10 years and can be renewed in perpetuity until it is paid. Wage garnishments, reasonable seizures of property would mean the guys in the wrong would pay the community back. A community that has been twice wronged by them through the loss of capital and the loss of a decent, otherwise viable citizen.— April 22, 2009 1:55 p.m.
Police Officer Shootings
Anyone who does not do a "yes sir," or "yes mam," to any police officer that directs them to cease, desist, leave, provide ID, put their hands wherever, get down on the ground, or drop it is simply asking for trouble. They are putting themselves in danger. I always told my sons, at that point they are IN CHARGE. It does not matter one bit if they are right or not. They have all the power, all the authority and you do not. So check your ego and be polite and compliant. Eventually, if they have the wrong person or you have a reasonable request, it will come out and the vast majority of the time you will be fine. The point is: they have a gun and they are allowed to use it. You do not know what you got at the other end of that gun; they are a lawful authority. Josh is dead on with this point. It is just plain stupid not to listen to them, and frankly really irritating when someone does not then the worst case scenario happens and they yell, "police brutality." I'm not speaking for Josh here, but seems to me that was his point: do what the cops say, nobody gets hurt. That doesn't mean he or any of the other posters are saying cops are always right. He's given plenty examples of when they are not. My niece, whom I love dearly and who lived with me for many years, has a terrible attitude about police officers. She also went through a period where she drank more than she should. She gets in a car, admittedly drunk, and gets pulled over. (Thank God). She was in the wrong. But she got mouthy with the police and called them names. Well, upsettingly, they slammed her beautiful face into the trunk of her car several times. And she looked like she had been beat up - punched in the face frankly. I'm kind of choked up as I write this, and I was really upset when I saw her face. But I had to say to her and to myself: darlin I love you but you were an idiot to call the police "pigs" and resist arrest. You were wrong. Point being, they shouldn't do it but they can do it so why the hell push that button? And sometimes they have very good reasons for telling you to do something and we put them in a position to make that choice for us, like it or not.— April 22, 2009 1:58 a.m.