Things To Do In San Diego: Thursday, April 11-Wednesday, April 17, 2024: Sheer Mag | Trevor Noah | Bad Religion & Social D | The Hangmen | Lang Lang | Billy Joel & Sting | Schizophonics |

For a while I had been hearing that The Merrow had been sold, but this week is the first time I've noticed that a link to the old website now goes to the new name, EQ. I'll get around to updating my music venues page, but just know that EQ is FKA The Merrow. 

I started listings on Tuesday and finally went to bed around 4, then worked from the zoo all day Wednesday, then worked at the Chastity Belt show, then had to finish the listings, so I'm pretty wiped. I'm certain I'm missing a lot from these listings, so feel free to shoot me a DM on socials to tell me what's up and I'll update when I can. This weekend is the open ranch at the alpaca ranch that I love, I'm not including it in the listings but you can find it on Facebook if you search Hazpaca. I'll be going to the Bad Religion show with my mom, sister, and nieces on Friday, and have some busy weekend plans, but I'll try and manage my time and get all the things updated. 

Stay safe out there. 

Rosey's Diary & Newsy Things: COVID Misinfo Persists (Shocker!) | Avian Flu Hits Dairy Farms | Gallagher Square Reno | OB Pier Plan Unveiled | Voters Sick of Stadiums? | Fun History of Avocados in US |

Dad and kids, circa 1989

April 9th marked one year since my dad died. As I've shared before, he was very sick for a very long time, so it certainly wasn't unexpected, but in retrospect, it was definitely his style to go out on Easter 2023. I miss him dearly and I wish I had better organized old photos and videos because I miss his voice the most, even though I carry him with me. We went to a mass on Sunday...I guess called a "mass intention" for my dad and my sister-in-law, which was pretty much a normal mass with an extra shout out from the priest, but it meant a lot to my mom, so off course we went and had a nice family dinner afterward. 

I woke up pretty early today and got some house and yard stuff done with Darren. We found a baby opossum and hoped that putting her back under the house would reunite her with her mama, but Darren saw her again later on by herself, so I'm just hoping that she is old enough to survive separation. Last year, I was with Denny when I got the call that my dad had died, and he was extra cute on Monday when I had some rare late afternoon alone time with him before my friends showed up and he got silly and playful for everyone. Today was a different story, but I'll get to that in the zoo goss. I came home to find everyone already asleep, so I cleaned some more, made a fat dinner, and have been keeping an eye out for my little opossums, but nothing yet. I have to start listings since I'll be working tomorrow night at Quartyard, but hopefully can still work a schedule off some normal sleep. 

Stay safe out there. I love you.   

Things To Do In San Diego: Thursday, April 4-Wednesday, April 10, 2024: bar italia | Hurray For The Riff Raff | Jesse Daniel | Good Kid | The Cactus Blossoms | STRFKR | Old 97's | John Cleese | Slow Hollows | Chastity Belt |

Sold Out Gregory Alan Isakov at The Sound (Taken 3.7.24)

You can tell by the way the listings are starting to get longer and longer that we're staring down Coachella, with it's first weekend next week. There are so many great shows and not all are conveniently booked on weekends, so you might have to rearrange some things to say, get to the Chastity Belt with it's early door time on a Wednesday, or even double up on shows or nights going out to get it all in. As for me, I worked for Nicotine Dolls on Friday and Adi Oasis on Tuesday, and I'll be working for Good Kid, The Cactus Blossoms, and Chastity Belt this week. And next weekend my mom, sister and nieces are going to the Bad Religion show, so I guess I need to procure a ticket to hang out with them for that. 

It's a busy week and the Casbah has about a dozen announcements this week alone, so stay tuned and make sure you get the newsletter so you're on top of it. 

Stay safe out there. 

Things To Do In San Diego: Thursday, March 28- Wednesday, April 3, 2024: Mike Doughty | Marnie Stern | Mary Timony | Skating Polly | Victoria Canal | Andy Frasco & The UN | The Vices | Melissa Etheridge | Torres | Adi Oasis | Madi Diaz |

Listings are done. I don't have a lot to say except there are some great shows this week. With Easter and family and all the things, I don't know how much I'll be out, but I will be working the Adi Oasis show on Tuesday at Quartyard, so say hi if you're coming by. Full listings this week are after the jump. 

Rosey's Diary & Newsy Things: Operation Palm Lift | Animal News | A Vision For A Safer America | San Diego - Diverse & Happy |

Silverback Winston at San Diego Zoo Safari Park (Taken 3.13.24)

I really lagged getting listings done this week as I've had zero desire to work at all. I mean, I have, and I dragged my laptop to the zoo all week while tourists gawked over my shoulder because the orangutans love to watch familiar people do stuff, like type on a laptop or dig through a backpack or eat lunch, but it has been hard to focus. First, I found out that my friend, Mike D from Amenity died over the weekend. That was two days before the first anniversary of my sister-in-law's death and so this time last year, I was driving my sister's car with my nieces to New Mexico to be with my brother and his kids. By the time we got back, we had a big anniversary party for my parents and then my dad died just a few days later, on Easter Sunday. So this time of year brings up a lot from last year. I'm just trying to find beautiful things and enjoy life to the max because what else can we do? But sitting on my laptop is not my favorite at the moment, so these are some articles I've picked up over the past couple of weeks, but I'm just gonna leave it here so I can get sleep and keep myself busy doing things in the world and not just on this screen.

I love you. Stay safe out there.  

Things To Do In San Diego: Thursday, March 21-Wednesday, March 27, 2024: Federico Aubele | The Spits | Los Straitjackets | Jack Tempchin | Thumpasaurus | The Budos Band | Lyle Lovett | Swami | Devotchka | Bruce Springsteen |

While I was working on these listings, I was on the Pechanga Arena website and wanted to see if Bruce Springsteen was sold out. You get this warning that "GENERAL ADMISSION TICKETS HAVE A TWO TICKET LIMIT AND ARE NON-TRANSFERRABLE AND NON-RESALEABLE", yet you continue to the site and there are dozens of tickets for resale, some as much as $2400 each. After re-reading, I realized there is a specific "GA" section in front of the stage, but it didn't stop people from listing resale tickets there "starting at $700". It is fucking outrageous. I'm not trying to go to the show. But have you been to a concert at Pechanga? I had nosebleeds once for Shakira, and by the time the sound hit us in the third echo, she was already singing and dancing to a different song. It's great for an average rock show, or a comedy show or whatever, but ticket prices right now are outrageous. The double-dipping of the corporations that sell the tickets in the first place, to then profit again on the resale is despicable. The monopolies they have on the markets and the influence they have to try to ruin any competition is disgusting. I don't know how we go back in time, but I sure do miss standing in line at May Company customer service, where at least I knew I had a shot at getting affordable tickets to concerts coming to town. Support your small venues because the big guys are certainly doing everything they can to starve them out. Don't bother with Bruce. Head to the Casbah for Swami instead. Bruce, you're welcome to pop by after your early show ends. We'll still be rockin'. 

Stay safe out there. 

Rosey's Diary, Newsy Things & Zoo Goss | 4 Year Pandemic Anniversary | Lots of Americans with Long-COVID | Adobe Falls Restoration | SDG&E Rip-Off Rate Hikes | Loser Navarro Reports To Prison |

 

Funani and Amahle baring their teefs in the new/old pool (3.19.24)

I know I've been really inconsistent with diary posts, but Darren quit his second job with the florist, so last week was his first time with days off in ages. We took advantage by driving out to the desert on Monday, and then I went up to Safari Park with him on Wednesday, all the while trying to keep up with work and the homestead and fighting off a sinusy thing I guess I got from driving to the desert during wildflower season. Not gonna lie, I've also been kinda staying overly busy and doing all the things because this time last year was not good. Today is my brother's birthday, and it was around this time we found out my sister-in-law wasn't doing well, only for her to die about a week later, then this whirlwind of visitors and travel and my parents' anniversary and then my dad died on Easter. Naturally we're all kind of on edge with such monumental anniversaries just around the corner, so I try to keep on keeping on and will try to process all the feels in healthy and productive ways...being at the zoo is one of those ways, so I'm gonna keep on doing it. 
Now, onto listings so I can get to bed at a reasonable hour. 

I love you. Stay safe out there. 

Things To Do In San Diego: Thursday, March 14-Wednesday, March 20, 2024: Emo Nite | Karl Denson | Wild Party | Grace Potter | Shane Hall | William Fitzsimmons | Cold War Kids | The Lone Bellow |

I haven't put together a diary/links post this week because I've been out doing life. Darren gave up his second job so he can finally have some days off, and we took advantage on Monday by driving out to Jacumba Hot Springs Hotel for lunch, then doing a hike in Anza-Borrego along The Impossible Railroad. It was quite an adventure and probably one we wouldn't do again because the primitive road was kinda sketchy for our non-4x4 vehicle, but it was fun nonetheless, and the weather out there was perfect - sunny, but not crazy hot, some wind gusts but nothing a windbreaker didn't protect from. My week continued with all day at the zoo on Tuesday, where I learned my wi-fi was strong enough to do a Google Meet conference call. On Wednesday, I decided to go to work with Darren since he only had a five hour shift, and it ended up being pure magic. I spent a couple hours with the tigers before getting an impromptu behind-the-scenes peek where I got to meet some ambassador animals, including petting an echidna and watching a special session with Estrella, the sloth, and I even got to feed it. I didn't even end up doing the tram and after we had a white-Mexican dinner at On The Border. Not gonna lie, that endless enchilada deal was pretty good. 

This week continues to be great as all my usual work emails have slowed while every PR person is in Austin for SXSW and as we approach St. Patrick's Day and spring break. Seaworld (varies), San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park (9am-7pm March 16-April 7) will all have extended hours, so check their schedules if you plan on giving it a go. My favorite Alpaca Ranch has another open house on Sunday, so I'll probably head out there, too. 

As for music, there are a ton of great shows coming up. Humphrey's announced their full summer lineup and tickets go on sale this Saturday at 10am for ones that hadn't already previously been announced. Casbah has two nights with The Lone Bellow which is kind of a big deal considering the sized venues they usually play. Plus, if you love St. Patty's Day, there are events all over the county to get into some shenanigans, even though this year's OB event is canceled.

Have a great week. Stay safe out there. I love you. 

Things To Do In San Diego: Thursday, March 7-Wednesday, March 13, 2024: Gregory Alan Isakov | Forester | The Screamin' Yeehaws | Real Estate | Liily | Sam Outlaw | Birdtalker | OKAN |

I don't know about you, but I did not expect all that rain on Wednesday. I was prepared -- because January 22nd should've taught us all not to be caught off guard even when forecasters say just a 'chance of rain' -- but it was still a little more than I expected. It's not bad for me personally, but it definitely made me change plans. I was going to drive to Mission Valley during rush hour, completely forgetting about Gold Cup, but I guess in that way, the rain and traffic was a blessing because I just went home instead. Dumb errands can always wait.

This week I'm going to The Sound for Gregory Alan Isakov (with Damien Jurado opening!!) and going to see one of my kids' elementary school friends in Freaky Friday at Grossmont High. I want to see Real Estate at Observatory but I didn't really make any effort to make it happen, so that's probably a no-go at this point. I will say I'm sooo glad Super Tuesday is behind us and hope we get at least some reprieve from political ads for awhile. What a horrible nightmare shitshow those are. 

If you didn't see my last post, the HIPPOS have finally been moved back to their renovated habitat at the Zoo and the gorillas were back out today, too, so if you need to find me, I think you know where I'll be. 

Have a great week and stay safe out there. 

Rosey's Diary & Newsy Things: Spring Is Coming - Later Zoo & MTRP Hours| Wildflowers | SDMA Nominees Announced | CDC Revises COVID Isolation |

Nipho & Sundzu Investigate The Arrival of Musi (3.3.24)

I had kind of a rough day. We had our apartment management coming over to check the roofing work, but knowing I had to be up early for them meant I got no sleep last night because I get crazy anxiety when someone tells me I have to be up by any particular time, even for the dumbest things. It's a problem I've had since 3rd or 4th grade and I should probably see someone about it. But in the meantime, he came by, and I did work for a few hours and then went back to bed. I wasn't feeling any better after a nap, but made myself go to the zoo for an hour to get some sun and air and steps, but instead of feeling refreshed, I felt like I was going to collapse. This is TMI, but I get very uncomfortable periods, and today I was convinced that maybe I actually have endometriosis. I was in so much pain that I thought I was going to have to pull over on my drive home. Once I finally made it home and slammed some Advil and laid down for awhile, it seemed to get under control. Still, I'm gonna have to make an appointment because I can't be going through this nonsense with every month getting worse and worse. On top of all that, it was election day and what a lackluster election it was. Of course I voted, but there's usually something you can be excited about on the ballot. There was none of that this primary.
I intended to do listings today, but I'm just going to try to get on a normal sleep cycle and deal in the morning.     

Things To Do In San Diego: Thursday, February 29-Wednesday, March 6, 2024: Arlo Parks | The White Buffalo | Zack Oakley | Kevin Devine | David Spade | G. Love | Grouplove | zzzahara |

I am pretty glad to be putting February behind us, but I've always thought we should get a rent discount this month for it being fewer days, even on a leap year. Oh well. I went to the Evan Dando show on Tuesday and it was pretty good, though I could've done without the girl who maneuvered up to the front and proceeded to dance like the show was all about her. It's a major pet-peeve. A solo acoustic guitar performance of Lemonheads songs has literally ZERO danceable moments. Go. Away. 

Thursday night, Darren, the kid and I will be going to Arlo Parks. I'm a little bummed my photo pass was declined but whatever. I haven't exactly posted a ton of show photos lately, and no photo pass means no obligation to anyone. 

I know this site is mostly about fun events, but don't forget Tuesday is election day, so mail in or drop off your ballots before then. My ballot came during the heavy rains so it was pretty soggy and damaged, so I'll just go vote in person. Be nice to poll workers, I'm super proud my mom got trained to be one and will be working through election day. 

There are some pretty great shows this week, so get out and enjoy this town. Just bundle up, because the next storm is supposed to be a cold one.

Stay safe out there.