Entries
Crazy for Ron Jeremy
I saw a heavyset woman charge the stage, waving her arms overhead. She stuffed a dollar bill in the dancer’s G-string, then grabbed his head, and planted a long, deep kiss on his lips. Women in the audience were screaming …
How to Pick a Pit Bull
A few years ago, a counselor told me that I have a low tolerance for stupidity. Add ignorance to that, and you have my view on the controversy surrounding pit bulls. After yet another vicious attack that made headlines in …
I've always Wanted to be a Video Game Artist
My Journalism 101 teacher at Palomar College thought the following story was "excellent," however, she failed to submit it to the editor of the school paper in time to make the final edition for the year. Rather than let my …
Nancy's Second Chance for Happiness
Her body curved into a "C" whenever I looked at her. She avoided making eye contact with me. Nancy was a two-year-old Pit Bull/Queensland Heeler mix I found in Kennel 5 at the San Diego County Department of Animal Services …
Underachievers and Free Lunch
Tom Tancredo said "Colorado doesn't need 5,000 more illiterate peasants." Well, neither does Escondido! Yesterday, I drove by Lincoln Elementary School at 1029 N. Broadway, and became so enraged when I saw the sign out in front of the school, …
A Pit Bull's Point of View
Now that the testicles have been ripped off a 6-month-old-baby in Murietta, I suppose it will be even harder to convince people that my two pit bulls aren't dangerous. I adopted Gus (formerly known as Lavidicus) two weeks ago. He …
New Law Bans Trans Fat
On January 1, a new state law banned retail food facilities from using oils, margarines and shortenings containing trans fat, except when deep frying yeast dough or cake batter for items such as doughnuts. Next year, the ban will be …
Alone for the Holidays
My daughter, Melody, is spending the holidays on the island of Oahu. This may seem like a dream to some people but Melody, who moved to Honolulu in September, says that the island is getting smaller by the day. She …
Kids Should Serve Adult Time For Adult Crimes
"The sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole for juvenile offenders should be eliminated. ...even those teens who commit horrific crimes (and chances are that immaturity and substance abuse are factors) will be far different people after …
Oxy on the Rise
"As a parent, I was very surprised at the information that we got," said Councilwoman Marie Waldron at the Escondido City Council meeting of December 16. She was referring to what she'd gathered at the recent Legislative Policy Summit of …
What Did I Ever Do to Deserve This?
Yesterday, my suffering began when I asked my husband to move my cedar chest from the living room to the front porch. He is the descendent of the Pennsylvania Dutch; and, even at 60, is as strong as a team …
Dogs Behaving Badly
There is strength in numbers. Whoever coined that phrase must have owned a pack of strong dogs. Dogs are amazing opportunists and are good at sizing up their strength against human beings and other dogs. While it is not unheard …
A Killing At All Costs
"She was helping the police," a neighbor said, sadly. He was referring to Jennifer Favreau, the 31-year-old informant who was shot and killed by Escondido police on Thursday. The young man, who lives in the Pepperwood Meadows apartment complex, said …
Is This Crazy or What?
I've lived in Mountain Shadows Mobile Park since 1994, with few problems. At one time, I became a friend of one manager. We still e-mail each other occasionally. I don't know the latest one, but she obviously isn't too swift. …
Blessings--Coming to a Heart Near You
Katie was a senior dog that I adopted at the county animal shelter in Carlsbad in 2005. Police officers found the old Akita mix tied to a tree in a river bed and left for dead. She was considered a …
No Bailout For Animals
"If you're walking down the street and you see a piece of paper on the sidewalk, bend over and pick it up. It will empower you. No one else had the strength to do it."--Black Elk While Wall Street fat …
Pit Bull Justice
When I open a kennel door at the County animal shelter in Carlsbad, the dog inside usually can't get out fast enough. She often springs forward in a frenzy of uncontrollable excitement. But on August 21, I met a dog …
Waiting For "The Call"
I was averaging two hang-up calls a day. After hopping out of the shower to answer the last one, I decided to get to the bottom of them, no matter what it cost me. This person wasn't a mouth-breather, so …
Unhappy Mother's Day
May 10 must be the year's hardest day for Maryanne. In 1997, her son, Andrew Cunanan, went on a killing spree that ended with the death of fashion designer Gianni Versace, on a sparkling day outside his mansion in Florida. …