Thursday, September 30, 2021

CoViD-19: Vaccination Mandates Work; Media Still Both-Sidesing For The Resistant | Judge Shuts Down Mask Lawsuit (For Now) | Newsom Signs Policing Reform Legislation |

It's Fat Bear Week Grizzly at San Diego Zoo (Taken 9.30.21)

I'm so tired today. I went to the San Diego Zoo for a couple hours, feeling like walking around might give me a burst of energy, but in reality, it did no such thing. As expected, the news was exhausting, watching these bonehead senators trying to defend their positions or lack thereof. There was good news, however, when a judge refused to issue a pause on the state mask mandates in schools. The moron mouth-breathers took it as a win that the judge didn't grant the State's request to move the hearing until the spring, but it at least remains in effect through the next hearing on November 8. The media just can't stop both-sidesing these issues... a simple search will find dozens of cases against masks and vaccines and nurses, cops, and military personnel -- all in jobs that are supposed to protect the public -- refusing to get vaccinated, and dozens of news channels giving these people extensive coverage in their newscasts. But likewise, another simple search will show that masks are working, vaccines are working, and vaccine mandates are working. And considering the Venn diagram overlap of anti-vaxxers and psychotic supporters of the last guy, maybe this was all we really needed to clean out our military and law enforcement agencies of this trash anyway. And NICU nurses refusing to get vaccinated is, frankly, disgusting.

I have some work to do tonight and am going to try to actually sleep, so I'm gonna step off the soapbox for now. 

Stay safe out there. 

Wednesday, September 29, 2021

CoViD-19: San Diego Deaths 97.88% Unvaccinated | "Vaccination...An Extension Of Black Lives Matter" | Senate Obstructionists OK With Tanking US | Safari Park Rhino Gets A Name | Bird Protections Reinstated |

 

Kianga and baby Kamaria at San Diego Zoo Safari Park (Taken 9.15.21)

It's nearly 3am (I had to backdate this entry to keep my posts straight) and I finally got through all my stuff, so now I'm watching my Bravo trash TV and ready to go to bed because I'm wiped. My dad is back in the hospital because he feels even worse than when he went in last week and he understands that he needs to be a better patient and when they tell him he needs the CPAP machine, to do what he is told. The alternative is, quite literally, death. It's nerve-wracking to think that Kaiser nurses are planning on going on strike.  

We had a good day going to the soft opening of Dave's Hot Chicken in my old stomping grounds of Mira Mesa. I lived in the area during college at USIU, so it's always crazy to see how busy and built-out the area has gotten. The food was awesome and I guess I have to say that it was comped, but the milkshakes are bomb, the mac n cheese looks like it isn't cheesy enough but when you dig in it is absolutely delicious, and the chicken was great. I got hot and was practically crying so I can't imagine extra hot or reaper. We each got a combo: Nova got the 2 tenders, I got the 2 sliders, and Darren got the 1 slider + 1 tender dinner. I'd probably go with just the tenders next time since I mostly fork and knifed by dinner, and honestly we could probably just split one entree by adding an extra tender or two. It's right off the freeway by the Home Depot, so I imagine we may incorporate it into our post San Diego Zoo Safari Park dinner rotation. And speaking of Safari Park, Kianga's little nugget has a name: Kamaria. I'm going to try to see her on Thursday but we'll see how much sleep I get and how much work the morning brings. 

Maybe it would be best to dodge the news though because what is happening in the Senate and Congress is disgraceful. Sinema and Manchin are as crooked as their "friends across the aisle" and I hope they are held to account when this is all over, whatever the outcomes may be on the debt limit, the infrastructure bill, and reconciliation.  

If you read only one of my links today, make it the piece by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. So good. 

Stay safe out there.  

Things To Do In San Diego: Wednesday, September 29=Tuesday, October 5, 2021 | Japanese Breakfast, Shakey Graves, Algiers, Mdou Moctar, Squeeze, and more |

 

Michelle Zauner/Japanese Breakfast (Taken 6.22.2018)

I got super off track today, so I'm sorry the listings are so late but there is so much going on this week, you'd almost think the pandemic is over. I think there was a bunch of music news I was supposed to include but I can't remember any of it at the moment. It's past 11pm, and I have an entire day's worth of work ahead of me so I'm gonna get to it. We did go to the soft opening of Dave's Hot Chicken in Mira Mesa and damn, that chicken is yum, but I'll talk about that in my daily post, which probably won't be done until sunrise. It's been busy, what can I say?

Stay safe out there. Full listings after the jump. 

Things To Do In San Diego: Wednesday, September 29=Tuesday, October 5, 2021 | Japanese Breakfast, Shakey Graves, Algiers, Mdou Moctar |

Casbah (taken 1.18.21)

Nobody invites me to food stuff and soft openings anymore, so when I do get an invite, OF COURSE I'm going to go. Because of that, my listings are abbreviated at the moment. I will finish all the venues tonight, but I wanted to post what I have done in case you're making plans for tonight. I'll be back at it to update in a few hours.

Stay safe out there. 

Tuesday, September 28, 2021

CoVID-19: SDUSD Unanimously Approves Vaccine Mandate For 16+ | Pfizer Submits Data For 5-11 Year Olds | Birthday Fun |

 

Birthday Good Time (Taken 9.28.21)

It was a lovely birthday, I got so many kind messages, and Darren and I went to the San Diego Zoo. On our way home, we found a little stand on ECB selling tacos a vapor, something I've been on the hunt for years, always hoping someone will sell tacos like my family used to get when we'd go to Casa Especial in Tijuana. They were pretty good and I'd definitely get them again. Then we stopped at Baskin Robbins to get my free birthday scoop. 

I didn't do much news or work today, but the SDUSD Board meeting was fun to watch on YouTube. I definitely appreciated the 1 minute limit on callers as well as the equal amount of callers on both sides. During a pandemic we don't need to show up to rally, our numbers are represented in the 70+% of kids 12-17 whom have already gotten at least one dose of vax. The Board did the right thing, even if maybe it's too soft and not implemented fast enough. 

It is my birthday, so I'm gonna get some cocktails in the speakeasy. Thanks to everyone who called, texted, and sent messages. 

Stay safe out there. 

Monday, September 27, 2021

CoViD-19: Media Can't Stop Both-Sidesing Vaccination Mandates | SDUSD Vaccination Roadmap Up For a Tuesday Vote | Media Crying About Biden's Diss |

 

Toby the Okapi, b. March 2021 (Taken 9.27.21)

I'm over an hour late on today's post but I went to the San Diego Zoo this afternoon and then we got Minh Ky for my pre-birthday dinner, then my friend Jeff came over bearing amazing gifts and then me and Darren and Nova got into the latest episode of Below Deck Med and one thing after another and so here we are. I'm not quite sure what I'll be doing for my actual birthday, but hopefully the day is as nice as today was. There will be cake, I can tell you that. And bonus good news is that my dad is home from the hospital, though I don't know that he's in any better shape than when he went in, I think he just whined enough that they sent him home. It's not a nice way to talk about it, but there really isn't much the doctors can do to make him feel even slightly better. I know at least he's happier at home and my mom will continue to tend to his every itch and ouch more than they did at the hospital. 

Because it's my birthday, I'm gonna just cut this off and call it a night. Jen Psaki was on fire today and she takes no shit from the media jackals. Tuesday will be a day to grab the popcorn as the loud and dangerous minority of anti-vaxxers try to get San Diego Unified to vote against vaccine mandates. They're not gonna win, but they'll certainly drag the meeting out all night long and I wouldn't doubt if there is some violence and/or arrests because they're planning on showing up to the the district offices despite the meeting being held virtually via Zoom. It'll be like our own mini January 6. I'm sure the Board will do the right thing, especially when you look at the snapshot of staff and students in isolation or quarantine.  

I'll try to get to listings tomorrow, but don't be shocked if they're not posted until Wednesday. 

Stay safe out there. 

Sunday, September 26, 2021

CoViD-19: SDUSD Mulls Vax Mandate | Scott Peters Puts Pharma First |

 

Elephant Herd at San Diego Zoo Safari Park (Taken 9.16.21)

I'm gonna keep it short today and try to continue that trend for my birthday week. I had a really great day because my mom came over after my nieces' soccer games and Darren and I took her to San Diego Zoo Safari Park. She hadn't been in over five years so we took the park slowly and covered most of the park. She was teasing me how all the animals seem to come to me no matter which enclosure we're observing and while I'd like to believe that's true, really it was just the perfect cool and overcast weather that seems to make them so happy. 

I'm not sure what's happening with the State's website, it shows that it is updated by day but the numbers are still the same as Friday, which I only caught because it was such an unusual number of cases on Friday: 4,448,666. 

I've been trying to bury my head in the sand while congress hammers out the two major bills pressing forward, because as Jen Psaki would say, nobody wants to see how the sausage gets made, but finding out San Diego Democratic Congressman Scott Peters joined the Republicans in a committee vote against moving forward from the House Budget Committee. Obviously he has all the pharmaceutical corporations in his district, but he sure did get a fat payday after making moves as such earlier in the month. Get with the party or GTFO. 

My dad is still in the hospital and miserable without my mom tending to his every itch or ouch. I hope they keep him a few more days but I also know he's scared and doesn't want to die there, especially being alone. I'm hopeful that his good doctors and science can offer him relief soon, and just grateful that he has a bed and a room and the care he really needs right now, because if we were impacted by crisis of care standards, I'm afraid he might not be top of the list. 

Stay safe out there.   

Saturday, September 25, 2021

CoViD-19: Systemic Review of Vaccines Around the World | Boosters Available | Derailed Amtrak Highlights Need For Infrastructure Bill |

 

Flamingo at San Diego Zoo in the Before Times (Taken 1.30.2020)

My dad is still in the hospital but it sounds like he should be released in a day or two. We've been trying to convince my mom to take advantage of the time he's not home, because his health needs always keep her tethered to the house. If she goes shopping or to a soccer game, she never stays very long because she "can't leave daddy for too long." I'm hoping to convince her to go to the San Diego Zoo Safari Park or something with us tomorrow after I heard that she was considering going to Oktoberfest. I can't believe that 18 months into this pandemic I have to explain to my 71 year old mother that going to a venue, even outdoors, with hundreds of strangers, of mixed-vax status, in EL CAJON!!!, to drink beer and singalong and laugh and talk loudly is a bad idea. "Risk assessment, Mama!!" 

Besides all that, today was a low-key day. We watched Office Space because Nova had never seen it and obviously it's a classic, but nothing exciting to report. For some reason, the state's website wasn't updated today so numbers are getting a little harder to track. Until our numbers get below a couple hundred a day, I'm still being super cautious, though the estimated r-effective for San Diego is the lowest it has been in months. All promising. 

Stay safe out there. 

Friday, September 24, 2021

CoViD-19: In Schools, Masks Work | CA Rolls Out Pfizer Boosters | Mayorkas & Psaki Are Sick Of Bullshit Faux Outrage: Biden Admin Gettin' Shit Done | Newsom's Pen Has Been Busy |

Jaguar at San Diego Zoo (Taken 9.24.21)

What a day. I was up all night. Partially because I didn't finish working until super late and then I finished Modern Love on Amazon, played with the kittens, watched some rando stuff on YouTube and then went to bed though then I just scrolled through my phone and I got sucked into a variation of this article:

Costco confirms it's limiting toilet paper and water purchases, as customers start to stockpile amid the spread of the Delta variant - Yahoo News! (9.24.21)

Of course it sent me into a prepper spiral, trying to do a mental inventory of what we have, what we need, and reiterating what i've been saying for weeks (months?) now...Christmas is Canceled. So I went online and made an order. And then I went on another site but I abandoned my cart because, I mean, it's not like I'm sitting here with unlimited funds. And to be fair, a Costco order isn't out of the ordinary for me, it just felt a little more urgent. Still, I finally let myself fall asleep after the sun was up, my kittens were all settled on the catio, and Nova was off to school. 

When I did finally awake, I was so happy to experience the amazing storm that passed through. Lightning, thunder, hail, and then enduring, pouring rain. Naturally it made me want to go to the San Diego Zoo. We let it settle a bit and once Nova was home, went for the closing hour. It was so nice and empty, although many of the drains were backed up, so there was sitting water at the entrance to Elephant Odyssey, over by the Tapirs, and at the Hippos as well as other spots. We had waterproof shoes so not a big deal, but some tourists, all in brand new white shoes had to make a choice. I suggested they just take off their shoes and they decided that was the best way through. 

This story takes a turn, however. My sister called while we were at the Zoo and told me my dad was being taken to the hospital again. He can only be transported by paramedics and was taken to Kaiser Clairemont, which apparently now has a no visitor policy (I've attached it at the bottom of this post). I've not been forgiving in the slightest to anyone who was anti-mask and then anti-vax and once again, I'm pissed and enraged. The selfishness that has driven this pandemic as long as it has gone is affecting care for non-COVID patients. So now my dad is sitting in a hospital by himself, in a room that isn't appropriate for his care, without my mom who has been by his side for 51 years. And I'm pissed and I'm scared and I'm not ready to lose my dad. And I have no idea what comes next, but any shred of sympathy for anyone who got sick after being eligible for a vaccine and choosing not to get it is very very long gone. 

I know I post a lot of links, but the graphics on today's MMWRs are illuminating. And you should 100% watch the Jen Psaki/Sec Mayorkas press briefing today. They were not taking any of Doocy's false narratives or fake outrage bullshit, nor anyone who spent the entire week focusing on this "humanitarian crisis" and who conveniently leave out details to their reporting like requirements for claims of asylum, like the difference between evacuees from Afghanistan and 'irregular migration' at the border, and for anyone who would like to oversimplify all of it and ignore that this is a decades long problem that needs congressional action. 
There are a lot of Republicans out there giving speeches about how outraged they are about the situation at the border, not many who are putting forward solutions or steps that we could take. So, we’re a little tired of the speeches. We’d like to partner on solutions and working together to address this problem that has not been partisan in the past. - Jen Psaki (9.24.21)

Psaki is a badass. 

Stay safe out there. 

CoViD-19: Unvaxxed Still Superspreaders | CA Risk Drops From Very High To High Risk | Sea Shepherd + Mexico Partner To Save Vaquitas | SD Bans Ghost Guns & Parts | Temp Bollards Coming To Pershing Bike Lane |

 

Friday is Save The Koala Day (Taken 3.19.21)

It was a pretty nice day around San Diego. I got some work done by day and by afternoon Darren and I went to the San Diego Zoo long enough to walk to do a lap then had lunch at the Treehouse before he left to handle dad business like getting Nova to derby while I stayed and wandered around with my camera. I'm glad a I took advantage of summer hours as much as I did because 6pm closing feels so early, especially when a lot of the animals go in even before then. I still wish there was a little alert system, like maybe an interactive app, that maybe has the animals and like a little green light if they're still out or a red light if they're back in their apartments. That way I wouldn't have to do the out-of-way laps for like, the bonobos or gorillas or mandrills if I know they're already in for the night. I guess it is true for all the primate and primate-adjacent animals.  

Because my route was so extensive, I made sure to hit the Skyfari before 6 to get to the exit and my little rendezvous came to an end. Of course I get home and just do work, which is why this post is so late. The weekend is coming and since my birthday is right around the corner I considered a little party, but I just don't think the speakeasy is presentable enough for guests. Still, I'm looking forward to a chill pre-birthday weekend. 

COVID numbers are a little hard to read right now because reporting around the country and even locally has been inconsistent, but if you look at the California graph, it's looking good, at least for vaccinated people. I didn't bother posting all the stuff about boosters today, I'd rather wait until the full CDC announce comes out and CDPH addresses their implementation. I did appreciate that someone finally wrote an article debunking the notion that vaccinated people are 'just as likely' to spread COVID because the science was pointing at high viral loads but for a shorter period of time and less likely to get it in the first place, but nobody was really getting that message across.  

And for fun, most of my blog comments are from spammers trying to add links to my site. But this one is a gem in response to something I wrote about fake religious exemptions for masking and vaccinations.  "No, my EQUAL right to life, liberty, the pursuit of happiness and the fact that I will knock you the f out if you try to inject me with anything, is a valid exemption, along with my ar 15. Suck a fat one Fatass liberal douchebag" That is a very happy person who is super content with their life. 

Stay safe out there. 

Wednesday, September 22, 2021

CoViD-19: Old VOI & VOC = VBM | FDA Approves Booster For Limited Populations | Governor Newsom Signs Loads Of New Legislation | Humanitarian Crises Abound Worldwide | Photos #WorldRhinoDay

 

World Rhino Day at San Diego Zoo Safari Park (Taken 9.22.21)

I woke up with such anxiety today and I'm not really sure why, but my best cure for it is to try to zip through my email, deleting the junk and focusing on the ones that warrant a response and holding the rest for later while I escape the house. 

Darren and I went to San Diego Zoo Safari Park because it is World Rhino Day and also the new rhino baby is a month old. On their social media, the Safari Park announced the contenders for Kianga's calf: Kamaria (beautiful like the moonlight in Swahili) and Kifaru (means Rhino in Swahili). Obviously Kamaria is the better name. When we arrived, Kianga and her babe were on the far hillside, but one year olds Alice and Mwezi were playing in the lower valley and eventually rejoined their moms and one pair came up to Kilima Point. The Safari Park used to be a little more generous and basically you had about an hour after closing time to make your way to the exit, but it seems they've been a little more aggressive about clearing the park which is unfortunate because they now close at 5 and the animals don't seem to really get active until the sun drops right around that time. Still, I felt pretty lucky that one of the mama/baby pairs came up to say hi before we had to leave, though I can't really tell Holly and Mwezi from Casey and Alice most of the time.

News is crazy per always. The FDA approved boosters for limited groups, though not that limited because smokers and medically obese people qualify along with immunocompromised and 65+, so that's easily more than 50% of the population. Pfizer people should keep an eye out for that rollout in the coming weeks and months. There's all kinds of stuff going on with Congress and the Senate and the UN and the Biden Administration trying to cleanup decades of inherited disasters but I have this small inkling that they may go nuclear to pass the two major packages because the majority of Americans want the government to start working for the people and not the corporations and lobbyists and billionaire class. But it's not really worth watching "how the sausage is made" because it is so incredibly frustrating. I'm just hoping the church on my street is successful in relocating some refugees from Haiti because (selfishly) we have a ton of stuff to donate to clear space in the speakeasy and (altruistically) because the church was very helpful for people after that earthquake a few years back. I also just love having new diversity to the neighborhood and hopefully can volunteer or help if they do in fact bring some people from Texas. 

Numbers are looking good, vaccinations are up among younger people, hospitalizations are going down, all point to good news for now. Stay diligent and be safe out there. 

Things To Do In San Diego: Wednesday, September 22 - Tuesday, September 28, 2021 | Modest Mouse, Dear Boy, Mipso, Los Amigos Invisibles, Cold War Kids, Joey Cape and more!

Ben Johnson is having a book signing on Saturday at Verbatim (Taken 12.31.2019)


I decided to go ahead and do listings because it's so much easier to be thorough when I don't have emails coming in every other minute and everyone in the house is asleep. It means I'll be sleeping in, but it also means that I might get to go to the San Diego Zoo Safari Park this afternoon if it isn't psychotically hot. 

There are some really great shows this week and I definitely have FOMO for some. If you haven't heard Mipso, you should definitely check them out. They're playing Sunday at the Casbah and I'm genuinely considering going depending on how the local COVID stats bear out later today. 

Stay safe out there. 

CoViD-19: Breakthrough Cases: You Don't Want It | J&J Booster Data Released | UN "The World Must Wake Up" | Fuck You, Joe Manchin |

 

Familia (Taken 9.21.21)

Monday was my mom's birthday but because of all the kids' overscheduled lives, we didn't celebrate until today. It was fun to be with family and now we've still got my birthday and Nadia's to come. Hers is the most anticipated, however, because she'll be able to be vaccinated, the last one of the family, until we all eventually get boosters, too. And yes, we're all maskless because my sister's family were all tested 3 times last week, the rest of us aren't really out in the world much, and there were fans and air purifiers running. It's risk assessment, i guess, and everyone has to choose for themselves, but you still won't find us in a restaurant anytime soon. 

That is all to say that family time is why this post is so extremely late today. I don't go to bed until every email in my inboxes is read so I know what to expect for the rest of the week. I have to say, if you're a musician and you want to be taken seriously by anyone ever at any venue, your triple exclamation points and your ASAPs and your demands on marketing can take a hike. Venues, especially small ones, don't have a team, they usually have one or two people dodging bullets and putting out fires and juggling plates and whatever other metaphor you want. We, for example, currently have about 150 upcoming events and numerous shows to be booked. That your show isn't selling is more your problem than mine, especially if you're a local artist that isn't doing any of the legwork on your own end. So yeah. That's where I am today. There. I said what I said. 

As for news- the UN General Assembly drama with France is like watching a Real Housewives episode, the Gabby Petito case is hard to look away from, and Joe Manchin is a piece of shit owned by fossil fuels lobbyists. He should be stripped of his chairman position on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee and his conflicts of interest should be top news every day until he gets on the right side of history. Wednesday is the big gata dump day so I'll try to update sooner and get listings out there, too. 

Stay safe out there.     

Monday, September 20, 2021

CoViD-19: PFizer Submits Safety Data For Kids | COVID Deaths Match 1918 Flu | US CBP: Not A Good Look |

Moon Rising From Downtown (Samsung S9 Taken 9.20.21)

I sometimes start posts and never finish them. I have a drafts folder that I've tried to clean but sometimes I hold on to old things. Like this one time, I was ranting about "before times" stuff that I was hoping would never come back. It was an attempt to look on the bright side of the pandemic and isolation and the big shutdowns. But I never posted it because I thought it was too mean. It had to do with how I didn't miss hearing from acquaintances about their bullshit MLM "businesses" whether it be oils or keto powders or face creams or life coaching or whatever, and then last night I binged LuLaRich on Amazon Prime and I realized it wasn't mean at all...maybe I was just looking out for them. Seriously, staaaahhhhppp with this MLM nonsense. You aren't hashtag blessed, you're not a mom boss, and if you're actually making money, it's at the expense of poor and desperate people below you and you might be an awful person. Anyway, watch the limited series. 

Maybe I just binge garbage TV to avoid the dreadful news of the day. Those images of the Border Patrol agents wielding around their horse reins is horrifying. I know the other side loves to have a field day with immigration and the "border crises," but this is a decades long problem and each administration just punts to the next, particularly as long as the obstructionist Senate represents the racist minority of this country. And of course more people are going to try to come to the United States if they believe that the president is more compassionate and not a fucking psychopath. Nobody wants to really deal with the hard issues and the particular centrist democrats in the Senate can't even stand up to be democrats and nothing gets done. Get the fuck on board already. Meanwhile, this isn't going to be the only "crisis" this administration is challenged with, because they're actually trying to deal with shit as it arises, in plain view, where we're all open to judge and criticize from the comfort of our homes as our faucets deliver us (mostly) clean water, the power switches turn on (mostly) reliable light, the air conditioner keeps us reliably cool, and we have a roof over our heads. We don't know desperation and the destabilization around the world, particularly from countries run by nationalist dictators coupled with climate crises and the ongoing pandemic and things are looking pretty bleak. Still I trust there are good people out there trying to keep it all from falling completely apart instead of being the deliberate destroyers as was the last administration. I need a drink.   

Stay safe out there.     

Sunday, September 19, 2021

CoViD-19: US Cases Remain Above 150k Per Day, 2,000+ Deaths | San Diego Cases See Significant Sunday Drop: Trend or Anomaly? |


My Littles Aren't So Little Anymore - Magnolia & Jacaranda (Taken 9.19.21)

It was a perfect lazy day. I kinda got lost in the drama of the Gabby Petito case and was glued to the FBI press conference when they announced her body had been discovered, tragic as the news was. I listened to the last episode of the Murdaugh Murders podcast. I napped with my kitties. I read a little. I watched a little of the Emmys. We walked the dog around the neighborhood. Darren and Nova built new planters for some snake plant we found dumped on the side of the road a few days ago. I'm gonna skip most of the news and promise we'll get back to all of it tomorrow.  

Stay safe out there. 

Saturday, September 18, 2021

CoViD-19: Waning Antibodies After Infection | Anti-Vaxxers Turn Attacks To Restaurants | US Surpasses 2000 Daily Deaths (Again) | More Americans Depart Kabul |

 

Porter and Louis (Taken 5.13.19)

I tried to stay mostly offline today and I don't really have anything I wanna say except that it's hilarious how much of a failure the demonstration was at the Capitol today. Darren and I hung out in the speakeasy last night and poured one out for Louie. Our low-key lifestyle has gone on so long that it is hard to really feel the weight of the losses we've experienced over the past two years, but Louis' death hit me hard. And so did my subsequent deep dive into old photographs, where I definitely found some gems. Nova and I spent the afternoon watching movies and the only time I left the house was to walk the dog. This lifestyle suits me, maybe a little too well. I'm gonna get back to it. 

Stay safe out there. 

Friday, September 17, 2021

CoViD-19: Your Fake-Ass Religion Isn't A Valid Exemption | San Diego Surpasses 4,000 Deaths | US Offers Mea Culpa On Drone Strike | CA Sequoias At Fire Risk |

RIP Louis (Taken 5.22.2017)+

I started a post last night and then just decided to roll it into today's, so tonight's got a lot of reading and links, but the down and dirty is that boosters were not recommended by ACIP except for 65+ and "high risk" which I think goes beyond immunocompromised and includes hypertension, diabetes, COPD, smokers, obesity, and a lot more ailments that pretty much 50% of the population has one or more of. Meanwhile, many churches are denying religious exemptions for vaccine mandates, while front line workers, cops, firefighters, and health care employees would rather lose their jobs or sue than get a freaking vaccine that could save their lives and the lives of the communities they supposedly serve. I have no tolerance today. 

You can read all the other links, but I wanted to take a minute to talk about Louis Procaccino, as it was announced that he died. Louie was hilarious and annoying and funny and loud and kind and a superfan of music and spent his life in the industry. A few years ago he was involved in a workplace accident where a huge amp fell on his foot. It broke and never really quite healed, with complications from diabetes and being a person too on-the-go to sit on his ass and let it heal. I loved Louis so much though with the pandemic, we hadn't seen each other or talked in ages. I've maybe stayed too insulated in my bubble because it's too sad to think about the before times world we've lost. Louis was full of life except when he wasn't...he'd come straight to the Casbah after another several day stint in the hospital from some complication or other, and he treated it like a nuisance that would keep him alive just a little bit longer. I will miss his spirit for sure, and I know there are hundreds if not thousands in the music industry and community at large who would say the same. RIP Louie. 

Stay safe out there. 

Thursday, September 16, 2021

CoViD-19: Uptick In Moms-To-Be | Rural Rates Rising | Governor Newsom Returns To Governing; Signs Critical Housing Bills | Permanent Parklet Plan Moves Forward In San Diego |

Another one of Kianga and her calf from San Diego Zoo Safari Park (Taken 9.15.21)

 After the inauguration of Joe Biden, I remember feeling this sense of hope that things would get better in the U.S. And in a million ways they have and I can even feel that I'm physically different. I sleep a little better, I'm a little more alert, even my digestion has improved. 

Then we had the lead-up to the recall and I was consuming absurd amounts of news and political ads as a side-effect, and I was back to horrible sleep, pain in my shoulders and neck, comfort eating, and all that kinda thing. 

Now the recall is over and for now, it feels like I can breathe again. I can make myself focus on non-news and life in general. Today I went to the San Diego Zoo-- alone because Darren was doing laundry -- and it was so nice, the weather so perfect, the crowd limited, and the animals extra chill. I watched the two young elephants sparring, the pygmy hippos go for a dip, and sat watching the mountain lions for awhile. After Darren dropped Nova off for derby, he and I ran to Costco and stocked the speakeasy and picked up dinner. 

It was a good, normal, not crazy, average day and I'm happy to have more of those. 

Stay safe out there. 

Wednesday, September 15, 2021

CoViD-19: 1 in 500 Americans Died Of COVID-19 | US Reports 2000 Daily Deaths | Newsom Win Gets Late Night Treatment | Sexually Abused US Gymnasts Testify At Judiciary Committee |

Kianga and her calf born 8.22.21 at San Diego Zoo Safari Park (Taken 9.15.21)

I woke up in such a good mood. The recall is behind us, SD Bytes called to tell me my other laptop will be good as new in a few days, and it was the first day we didn't have to blast the air conditioner around the house. I had a productive morning, partially did listings, got some Casbah work done, caught some news and media briefings. But then I watched the US gymnasts opening statements at the judiciary committee and it just made me so sick about what was allowed to happen to these women when they children. It's a tough watch but worth the watch nonetheless. 

So after getting most of my work behind me, I convinced Darren to go to the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. They're only open until 5 right now, but getting there around 3:30 was plenty of time to walk around and then spend about an hour at Kilima Point where it was pure magic. First time mom Kianga was sharing her as yet unnamed calf. There's this thing that animals do...and maybe I'm imagining it because I'm certainly not a zoologist...but new moms will kind of 'present' their babies. The giraffes, okapi, tapir and others will kind of protect their babies from view from the public when they're brand new, but at some point they let go a little and show them off. I didn't realize that Kianga is an older daughter of Casey, who gave birth to Alice last year, but that means that I've been taking pics of her since she was little, too. It just felt like pure magic for her to nudge her calf over closer to where I was with the docent, and the calf let us know she saw us and was being super cute and playful, challenging us and then trotting away, only to come back. Puppies and kittens do the same thing. I watched them for quite some time until the "The Safari Park Is Now Closed" recording seemed a little more insistent and we were on our way. 

The San Diego Zoo Safari Park isn't a close drive, but if you take the HOV lane and exit at Del Lago, it isn't usually too bad. Weekdays are nice and empty with lots of space for social distancing and getting in your steps or just sitting by the lagoon or the Watering Hole and taking in the sights. I kinda can't wait to go back. 

As for news, I'll let the headlines speak for themselves, but LA County is expanding vax requirements for all staff and patrons of indoor bars, restaurants, venues, etc, similar to what San Francisco did. It feels like our numbers are trending down, but I had a feeling more measures would come down once the recall was behind us. I welcome them all. 

Stay safe out there. 

Music: Things To Do In San Diego: Wednesday, September 15-Tuesday, September 21, 2021 | Durand Jones, James Blake, John Legend, JMSN, Buck-O-Nine and more!!

Sold Out Show At Casbah In The Before Times (Taken 1.18.21)

I updated the listings which I left incomplete yesterday. I know everyone but me is going out into the world and going to shows and having a grand old time, but I urge that if you do, you're getting tested regularly and are wearing a mask whether you're indoor or out. I'd also recommend goggles, but I'm a dork that way and not taking any chances. 

Stay safe out there. 

Tuesday, September 14, 2021

CoViD-19: Kid COVID Concerns | Governor Newsom Remains: Californians Soundly Said NO On The Recall | California 4th Happiest State In US | First Arrest Warrants On Murdaugh Murders Saga |

 

Peek-A-Boo with young mandrill (Taken 9.13.21)

What a relief. I hate polls and I'm so sick of pundits and I'm so tired of all of this both-sidesism bullshit. Governor Newsom soundly defeated the recall, but the news gave his win about a minute-30 and then proceeded to give the next 9 minutes to all of the losers. I watch NBC San Diego, and they're like the least biased of them all, and yet... they followed up by doing a story about the City Council voted to ban ghost gun parts...which passed with an 8-1 vote...and then the story interviewed a gun shop owner, in Oceanside which isn't even in San Diego mind you, and chose not to interview a single person who supports the ban, even though we far outnumber the ammosexuals. Another newscaster from a different channel-- while everyone on twitter is talking about the election results--felt that was a good time to post an article about California leading the country in poverty, without giving any context that the number went down during the pandemic, that the index is based on high housing costs, and a ton of other factors, some of which are not solvable regardless of who the governor is. I'm just looking forward to tomorrow when Governor Newsom can have a signing party for all the bills that are waiting on his desk that might make the losers' heads explode. 

I'm gonna call it a night because it was such a long day on pins and needles, but I should've had a little more faith in my fellow Californians. Thank you to everyone who showed up. 

Stay safe out there.  

Monday, September 13, 2021

CoViD-19: California Risk Decreases | Biden Campaigns For Newsom: Vote NO On California Recall | GHS Students Protest Dress Code |

 

Ernest the Lion at San Diego Zoo (Taken 9.12.21)

I remember a friend of mine saying that as you get older you just go to bed earlier and wake up earlier naturally, and while I don't think I'm there yet, since Nova's gotten older and her bedtime later, I sometimes just make it through the 11 o'clock news and zonk out by the time they get to the weather. This then does lead to an early wakeup, but it isn't daily so maybe I have that to look forward to (or dread) some other time. 

For now, I guess it was nice to wake up to see Nova off to school, get some work done, and then with Darren's encouragement, went back to San Diego Zoo for the afternoon. We don't normally go earlier in the day so it was much more crowded than we're used to, but we still have our ways of avoiding the major traffic jams. Eventually he left to get Nova and take her to piano -- her first in-person lesson since the beginning of the pandemic-- and I did a few laps around some of my favorite parts. Did you know that not only are the Kangaroo Bus and Skyfari included with admission, but so is the full guided bus tour? I haven't done it in years, but could be kinda fun sometime. Anyway, they came and got me after the lesson ended. 

Mondays are Nova's busiest day, so after slamming a quick dinner, we took her to derby and took Ficus on a little walk in an open space reserve near Derby United. Now my feet hurt and I could probably zonk out before the news even starts but I'm gonna try to rally. 

Tomorrow is election day, and maybe the most consequential election for Californians ever. If you haven't already, please vote no on the recall and get your ballot either in the mail or a dropbox. I was a little mad that Newsom's campaign didn't have (or at least I couldn't find) graphics and resources for sharing, so I compiled a bunch at the bottom of this email if anyone wants to grab and share on their own social media. 

Stay safe out there.

Sunday, September 12, 2021

CoViD-19: At Home Testing Ramps Up | Vaccine Pressure Is A Gesture of Love | Vote NO On California Recall | Serval On The Loose in San Diego |

 

One of the Servals at the San Diego Zoo (Taken 9.12.21)

After my post yesterday, I heard from yet another friend who got a breakthrough case of COVID-19. He said he got it after the Hella Mega Tour at Petco Park and was notified through the California Notify app, which I guess it's good to know that's still working. Ideally if we shift to more available rapid tests, people will still self-attest and report on the app while also isolating. My friend says he wasn't super sick but it also doesn't make me wanna rush out and put myself in a crowded concert situation. At least when I'm at the San Diego Zoo or Safari Park I can be constantly moving, only near other people in short passing. 

So that's what I did today. Darren had gone on a bike ride with a friend, Nova was cocooning in her room, so I went to the Zoo alone and took my sweet ass time meandering through the park. After a couple hours, I caught the last Kangaroo Bus at the bottom and intended to Skyfari back to the front, but it was stopped. I don't mind heights but I certainly wouldn't wanna be stuck on the Skyfari for 10 or 20 minutes and not moving. Eventually it started up again, but I think they were manually cranking the cable in because it was a long and slow process. Meanwhile, I opted for the long way out through Elephant Odyssey, around Kopje Canyon, past the koalas, and toward the exit. If our local meteorologists are accurate, it is supposed to cool down this week, so maybe I'll head up to San Diego Zoo Safari Park for another little adventure. 

And speaking of adventure, there's a serval on the loose in North County. Apparently it was someone's pet and she died so her daughter was watching it but it escaped. Servals are NOT pets but they're cross-bred with domestic cats as a type of vanity pet and it is not good. But it sounds like if he is caught, they understand he'll be taken to a sanctuary or more appropriate place, so hopefully they can wrangle him before he's hit by a car or some other tragic end.

I'm kinda skipping out on general news today. Sundays feel like just a recap of all the  shootings and hit-and-runs and sideshows and carjackings and all the other nonsense that happens across the country on Saturday nights when an entire population is completely out of fucks to give. The rest of the news is just more reflections on 9/11 and the recall election so I don't need to further cover either here. You know where I stand on the latter. 

Stay safe out there. 

Saturday, September 11, 2021

CoViD-19: "A Pandemic of the Unvaccinated" | Remembering 9-11 | Vote NO On California Recall | Succulent Poaching Is A Crime |


Magnolia, Jacaranda, and Ficus (Taken 9.11.21)

Everyone remembers what they were doing when they heard about the terrorist attack on September 11th, 2021. My story is super embarrassing because it happened to be my boyfriend-at-that-time's birthday, so the night before we had consumed many, many cocktails, and I got a call from my coworker telling me not to go in to work because "something (was) going on at the World Trade Center", and I thought she meant the San Diego one because that was just a couple blocks from our office and was kinda like, "sweet, I can sleep in!" But then like everyone, I turned on the television and everything changed. I had just been to NYC the summer before. My high school prom date worked at the World Trade Center and I spent that week in touch with his mom, who let me know he had just left his job a couple months before. My asshole ex, of course, felt like 9/11 happened to him and him alone and that relationship dissolved soon thereafter, but the whole world changed, our way of life changed, and in retrospect we can all see how calamitous that Supreme Court decision was in Bush v Gore. I mean, there is really no way to wrap our heads around how profoundly different the world would or could be today. We learned then just how much voting matters and, sometimes it seems, not much else. 

Today was another low-key day around here, mostly just trying to keep the house cool and do as little as possible. Once the sun set, it was monumentally more comfortable. We ran to Best Buy to check out laptops for Darren and were shocked at how busy the store was at 8pm on a Saturday. After, we ran back home to grab FIcus and ended up going for a dark walk at the San Diego River Garden, and then kinda taking a meandering drive home just to enjoy the a/c a little bit longer. Now it's another rager Saturday night as I watch Real Housewives of Beverly Hills on the couch, Darren is downstairs playing guitar, and the kid is crashed out. 

I wanna say we were super tempted to go to Sylvan Esso tonight at Soma, but I have to say, and I understand this is anecdotal and doesn't represent any data, but I now know at least four people who have had breakthrough cases of COVID-19 after full vaccination. One ended up in the hospital and the other three weren't just sniffles as has been suggested and all of them have said they have never been so sick in all of their lives. While it may be the unvaccinated driving this pandemic, they all live among us. So I know many people are back to living life, but I'm just not there yet. One of them got sick from an OUTDOOR concert, so yeah, it's possible anywhere lots of people congregate. I ain't havin' it. 

Stay safe out there. Laugh your butt off at this Amber Ruffin clip where she lauds Jen Psaki. 

Friday, September 10, 2021

CoViD-19: New Delta Data | We Have The Tools But Not The Will | Kids Never Really Mattered To GOP | Vote NO On California Recall | 9-11 Remembrances |

Red Panda Chillin With His Misters (Taken 9.10.21)

It's Friday night so I'm gonna keep it short again tonight. I got my computer back today and dropped off the dinosaur to get a new battery and charging port for that one, too. And since I have my laptop back I can unload my old phone and send it in and hopefully not have any electronics problems again for a long while. We bought a case right away since the new one is one of those curved glass S9s so I got that yesterday, too. Now if only the literal pain in my neck would go away...a thing that happens when my anxiety goes through the roof. 

In an attempt to chill, Darren and I went to the San Diego Zoo for a couple hours while Nova was at school. We spent some time with the mandrills, but now the older boy just piddles his diddly when he sees me so maybe I don't wanna be like the Belgian chimp lady. I think the mama is preggers again so maybe he's reaching maturity to be sent somewhere else to mate soon. We also spent a lot of time in the aviaries, which we tend to do when it is crowded, and now that the hours are back to normal, it is definitely more crowded. It's also funny how many people we helped with directions today. The zoo map is very confusing and looks like a game of Chutes and Ladders and definitely doesn't give a sense of all the hills or stairs in the park, so I was happy to oblige. 

We had to cut the visit short to pick up the laptop in Mission Valley and it is sad that it makes me feel complete, but it does. By the way, if you need computer repair, Shannon is the owner of SD Bytes, on Friars Road in the first strip mall east of Riverdale on the south side of Friars. HIs business is also his man-cave and there's all kinds of cool old computers and typewriters and he kinda has a rockabilly vibe with all his Viva Las Vegas posters from the festival (which is actually going on right now.) He was highly recommended on Nextdoor and is really fair in his pricing. He doesn't charge for diagnostic check, whereas somewhere else I called was $95 just to open it up and see if the port really was broken, which of course would suck if it wasn't the issue. He also checked some drivers for me to see why my camera doesn't work and was able to tell me the camera is broken without charging on top of the other work. So yeah, if you need a guy, he's a good one.  

I updated some of the listings this week so check the post if you still wanna find something to do. Stay safe out there. 

Music: Things To Do In San Diego: Wednesday, September 8-Tuesday, September 14, 2021 | Silversun Pickups, Ty Segall, Sylvan Esso, The Wallflowers and more!

AJJ at the Irenic (Taken 12.7.2017)
To say these are the quick and dirty version of listings would be a lie because they took me forever to do. I know I missed a lot of things but wanted to at least get something posted for those of you looking for something to do tonight. 

As for me, I'll be home wallowing because I am so sad I'm not at the Belly Up tonight for Silversun Pickups or at OAT for Counting Crows. I heard an aerosol scientist say the other day that having unvaccinated kids eating in a classroom is like taking a whole class to swim in a pool to hold their pee and then all of them going into the jacuzzi to relieve their bladders all at once, and I guess for me, it's kinda how I feel about shows right now, especially with the exception to masking that allows for people actively eating or drinking, and for most places, they're still only a recommendation in the first place. So maybe if our numbers keep coming down I'll consider a show again, but for now I'll be sitting out some really good shows, like Sylvan Esso, Panteon Rococo, and The Wallflowers. That said, if you don't have immunocompromised people in your life, or don't have kids in school, or just aren't quite as risk-averse as me, by all means, go support these touring and local artists alike. Just make sure you mask up and are as safe as possible when you go, and think of me while you're there. 

I want to extend a huge amount of gratitude to AW who made a crazy generous donation to my sddialedin endeavors, and you can thank her for reminding me that there are still some people who want to see the listings and not doing them isn't really an option. 

Stay safe out there. 

CoViD-19: Biden Rolls Out 6-Prong Approach To COVID "Our Patience Is Wearing Thin" | VOTE NO ON CALIFORNIA RECALL | Thunderstorm Hits San Diego |

Jacaranda and Magnolia Were None Too Pleased With Thursday's Thunderstorm
(Taken 9.10.21)

I always try to get my post out before midnight, but today was a big news day. Biden laid out his new plan for COVID-19, LA Unified voted to mandate vaccines for eligible students, the Biden Administration had to withdraw the nominee to run the ATF because the gun lobby has America under its knee, and of course, there was a crazy rando thunderstorm and we actually got rain here in Normal Heights. Dagmar from NBC said there were over 180 cloud to ground lightning strikes. It's been so nice to finally have all the windows open again since Darren finally had a chance to reinforce the windows. 

Besides that, I did nothing, I went nowhere, and am looking forward to a weekend of the same. County numbers are coming down and it's looking better, but I'm still gonna kinda wait and see what happens post-Labor Day. 

Polls are looking good for Governor Gavin Newsom right now, but I don't trust polls so make sure you return your ballot and encourage your friends and family to do the same. 

Stay safe out there. 

Thursday, September 09, 2021

CoViD-19: Children Account For 26% Of New Cases | Delta's Replication | San Diego Suicides Down Y2Y | Vote NO On California Recall | Kamala Campaigns For Newsom |

Magnolia & Jacaranda (Taken 9.8.21)

It's been a long day so I'm gonna veg on the couch and watch some TV. I can't decide what is more intriguing...the Murdaugh Murders, the Theranos trial, or watching Erika Jayne drama on RHOBH. Thursday will be good TV as Biden rolls out a new plan for COVID-19 and I'm sure the media pool's brains are going to explode from the conniption fit. Hopefully I'll have my laptop back and can feel like a more functional human being, and I'm also hoping to maybe hit the San Diego Zoo while Nova is in school. 

Speaking of Nova, she's been inquiring about Doc Marten's of late, so I pulled out all of mine...turns out I've got 8 pairs, including my first ones I bought at Catwalk in 9th grade. She likes one of them, but tried wearing them to school on Wednesday and the whole sole clunked off one foot. Fortunately she was still in the yard and able to come home to change. But later in the afternoon, my sister called me from a resale clothing shop called Plato's Closet and said there were two pair of 8-hole oxblood boots. She bought them and delivered after the girls' soccer, but they didn't fit. And the store is final sale on all shoes. So now my sister is keeping them, and Darren and Nova went to get the other pair, which did fit (and fit me!!) So now Nova is the proud owner of her first pair of docs. It's funny how much confidence a pair of shoes can affect. 

Anyway, off to TV land. Stay safe out there.   

Wednesday, September 08, 2021

CoViD-19: Deaths 'Could Be Avoided' |San Diego Reports 218 Active Outbreaks | Biden Admin Addresses Food Costs | #LearnFromHistory | Vote NO On California Recall |

 

Sea Lion at La Jolla Cove (Taken 8.17.20)

I know that I'm not exactly a tolerant person for other points of views. I don't have a lot of sympathy for anti-vaxxers who get sick because they are the very reason we're still in this mess. I don't support businesses who have flouted COVID-19 protocols and guidance, even when it sucked. I would love to see The Village shudder its doors and that stupid wench who owns it can go f herself. 

All this doesn't mean that I don't take issue with some of the things we're being told. Like aerosol scientists were sounding the alarms that COVID is airborne right away and we could've spared ourselves the theatre of putting plexi-glass around everything or wiping down groceries. Or I get that they didn't want to see a run on PPE, but maybe we don't need to condemn everything China does and could've followed their lead with masking. And I also get that the COVIDiots and their Ivermectin is funny to mock as taking horse paste or livestock dewormer, but it takes away from the fact that (a), it is FDA approved for certain uses for humans, and (b) it was actually studied as a possible intervention though those studies were cut short because they quickly showed no improvement in patients that outweighed the side effects. Like sure, take something in such high doses that it cures the disease while ending the function of your essential organs.

At my parents' house yesterday, my dad was making a point about what bullshit it is that celebrities and politicians have easy access to monoclonal antibodies. And while he's right, the reality is that we all have access to monoclonal antibodies for free should we test positive for COVID. The actual problem we should really focus on is that those celebrities and politicians are getting tested DAILY so they would know right away if they were positive which means their monoclonal antibody treatments would happen sooner, before illness can even set in. Meanwhile, the rest of us have to really plan ahead just to get a test, subject ourselves to long lines among people who likely think they're positive for COVID, and then wait for the tests to process. 

Yesterday Nova was experiencing a fever and it was already 6pm and there was no place to take her for a test. The appointment systems suck ass and the walk-up sites aren't open late enough for working people or students. So we just had to wait it out. We were going to skip my dad's birthday altogether. But then as we waited and talked through it, she wasn't feeling sick and we realized she had been playing piano in her room, so she had shut off her air conditioner at the hottest part of the day in the hottest room in the house in the hottest corner of the room. After having some water and sitting in a cooler room, the "fever" was gone. But the point remains: why haven't we gotten rapid antigen tests to everyone as a precaution, and knowing they're not as reliable as PCR, have the PCR tests more widely available to everyone everywhere at all hours of the day? I'm hoping that part of Biden's six-point plan that he's rolling out tomorrow addresses this, because if not, we're going to be in this hell through another holiday surge, then a spring surge, and then another summer through infinity.      

I haven't quite worked throurh all my email so I'll have another post forthcoming, but wanted to get this out. And I know sometimes I try to correlate my photo of the day with the content of the post, I'm still on the dinosaur Dell, so I don't have easy access to my current photos. The good news is I think I get my other laptop back tomorrow. I can't wait!!

Stay safe out there!!

Tuesday, September 07, 2021

CoViD-19: US Surpasses 650,000 Known Deaths | Don't DeSantis My California | Texas Is FITA | SD Heat Advisory | Vote NO On California Recall |

Strawberry, Strawbs, Tikka, Chunk, Monster, Meows (Taken 8.19.20)

I am a chronic procrastinator. This isn't a good thing, ever. When my computer problems happen or my phone stops functioning I wonder if I just wait it out long enough if maybe the problem will just fix itself. It never does. If the bathroom needs to be cleaned I wonder, "who's gonna clean that?" and then have to acknowledge I'm an adult and oh, yeah, those are my shared responsibilities. 

For the past several years, Davy has been my awesome computer tech guy but he's got a life and other better things to do so sometimes he can't get right to it. But Darren's laptop is non-functional now, too. So now we're in a pinch where I'm using my very old, very slow Dell, which won't keep a charge, Nova's Chromebook will only get me so far. Ideally Darren's going to buy a new laptop by the end of the day but I had to suck it up and call around to repair guys. The first place basically quoted me about $400 per laptop with parts and diagnostics and likely take a week for parts and labor. Then I jumped on NextDoor, found a different guy who does a free diagnostic, told me he can look at it today, and as we dropped it off he could already tell it was my charging port Hopefully the part is easily acquired and I can have my laptop back tomorrow. Fingers crossed. 

I also finally had to do something about my phone so I spent part of the afternoon waiting for a dude to bring it by and set it up. What was supposed to be a $25 deductible ended up being $200, so that sucks, but I'm getting an upgrade on the phone and the last time Asurion came out, the guy took care of everything on the phone. Sorry, Nova, you're gonna have to wait on a new phone for a while longer. 

The expenses just all kinda come at once. I can't even fathom how some families survived home schooling with no computer or one family computer or limited wi-fi or having to borrow devices from their schools. And also having just driven through Mission Valley at noon on a Tuesday, I can't believe everyone is acting as if life is just back to normal again. It really is mind-boggling to me. At this rate, I'm pretty sure we can once again project that Christmas is canceled. Buy your consumer goods while you can. 

I don't know what my laptop sitch will be or whether or not I'll get to do listings this week. In a perfect world, I would've gotten my laptop back by 5 and carried on with life as usual. But alas, this dinosaur Dell may not be able to do the job. We'll see. Don't hold your breath for listings. 

Off to celebrate my dad's 73rd birthday. After this summer's scare, we're all so glad he is still with us. 

Stay safe out there.  

Monday, September 06, 2021

Labor Day | US Surpasses 40 Million Known COVID Cases | Clock Is Ticking: Vote No On California Recall |

 

(Taken 8.31.21)

I'm really going to try to handle my business tomorrow. My laptop is bricking on me and won't charge beyond 46% so I'm probably going to have to order a new one so that I can take this one somewhere to get a new battery and get the charging port reinstalled. I guess I also have to call ATT and get a new phone because not being able to take or post photos is kinda inhibiting my actual job. So frustrating. 

But I do have to admit, that the laptop situation kinda makes me focus a little more on getting a post up and then walking away. I finished watching Clickbait on Netflix and midway through I was irritated that the killer was so obvious and then the big reveal was shocking. Definitely didn't see it coming, so now I'm glad I watched. 

I went down a twitter rabbit hole today about Dr. Fauci. People are seriously insane. But even doctors and public health people seem to think he's really missing on his masking messaging, but if you have to think that he's just trying to get universal masking compliance, his "any mask will do" philosophy may be right, even though all the infectious disease and aerosol scientists are saying that cloth is definitely not enough, especially in indoor settings like schools. But man, try reading and not commenting, because you'll find they're mostly bots with 0 followers anyway.  

I also went down a rabbit hole about the Murdaugh family of South Carolina. Holy shit. I included a link below but you should also specifically look for the podcast called Murdaugh Murders by Mandy Matney. Such a crazy story...dad was shot two days ago, but will survive. Mom and Son were killed 6 months. Son was going to go on trial for 3 felonies related to the death of Mallory Beach while he was drunk driving a boat that crashed. Then that unravels that the dad had already settled a wrongful death suit for his housekeeper falling and dying from her injuries. Then it resurrected a cold-case of a gay kid who may have had a relationship with the older son. And literally every investigation is compromised because the family basically is the law there. Intriguing and gross. Worth a read/listen. 

Stay safe out there. The election is a week away. Drop off, mail in, or vote in person asap!!

Sunday, September 05, 2021

CoViD-19: Holiday Weekend Testing & Reporting Drop | Vote NO On California Recall |

 

Rhinos Holly & Mwezi (?) at San Diego Zoo Safari Park (Taken 8.24.21)

My computer is about to die and it won't charge and I'm kinda freaking out so I'm gonna keep it short. Today's COVID-19 numbers were all over the place because reporting is getting wonky in different places, so I suspect by Tuesday or Wednesday we'll have a better sense of where average numbers are and I'm sure by next week we'll see how Labor Day worked out for everyone. Meanwhile, I've been bunkering at home and am currently watching Clickbait on Netflix. I might have to just suck it up and order a new laptop because this situation is unsustainable. 

Stay safe out there. 

Saturday, September 04, 2021

CoViD-19: Delta Isn't Finished With Us | US Approaches 40 Million Known Cases | Vote NO On California Recall |

 

Loggerhead Turtle at Sea World (Taken 6.28.21)

I slept. Darren and I hung out in the speakeasy last night and had a super fun time and I was still up when the sun rose, which was my cue to go to bed and I slept and it was glorious and I feel refreshed and I ate a big fat salad and drank my fluids and had a big bowl of berries for lunch and Darren made us some beautiful cod with rice and broccoli for dinner and it feels good to have put good things in my body after a night of sheer gluttony.

That was really the extent of my day. I was mostly unplugged from the news today which was definitely a break I needed. We started watching Only Murders In The Building on Hulu and it is pretty great. Steve Martin and Martin Short seem to thrive off making fun of themselves and don't seem to mind playing has-beens. After we caught up with the first three episodes we were looking for something else to watch and discovered that My So-Called Life is on Hulu, so Nova seemed to enjoy getting a glimpse of high school life in 1994. I think we've got a low-key weekend ahead of us, though I might drag the family to the San Diego Zoo one last time while they have the late hours which drop back to 6pm closing on Tuesday. While I'm sad about that, Sea World's hours have already cut but it also means Sea World's fireworks are finally over come Labor Day. Ficus definitely appreciates that. We'll probably have some family time for my dad's birthday which kicks off all our family gathering busy season, with my dad, then my mom, then my birthday, then my niece's, all in a span of 4 weeks. I will eat all the cake. :)       

Stay safe out there. 

Friday, September 03, 2021

CoViD-19: US Poised To Exceed 40M Cases/650k Deaths In Coming Days | We Have To Do More To Protect Kids | Vote NO On California Recall | PBS: Music Venue Comeback | Destin & Joel Hit The Marvel Bigtime |

 

Elephants at San Diego Zoo Safari Park (Taken 8.31.21)

Sometimes its the little life things that are exhausting and can bring us down, but sometimes the whole giant big picture can just be too much. The Texas ruling has really freaked me out. I mean, I'm not of an age where I would need to worry about an abortion, but it's the reverberation of the sexual harasser, the rapist, and the lunatic religious zealot showing us that the SC really is out of touch with the majority of Americans. This has all been well funded, well planned, well organized, and I fear what else this means moving forward. We thought Citizens United was bad. A few years ago Darren and I were really invested in Man In The High Castle but had to stop watching because it was so intense while also watching The Handmaid's Tale. And here we are and it sucks and it makes me mad on so many levels, especially in the way I actually find myself thinking I hope this person or that person just dies. And then that is fucking horrible and it just becomes this anger shame cycle.

So I wish I was a little more optimistic, and I'm sure tomorrow I'll be fine but sometimes it's just a lot. Besides fires and floods and bloviating hypocrite politicians and asshole radio hosts trying to steal our state, our cases are crazy high nationally and on pace to hit 40,000,000 known cases this weekend, and likely hit 650,000 known deaths, which doesn't even count all the excess deaths that were misrepresented. Meanwhile the other party is penetrating school boards and redistricting committees and local politics because the majority who would normally counter them are scared to be in a room with them as they scream unmasked and unvaxxed and possible carrying weapons or looking to incite violence. 

Still, it's Labor Day Weekend and it's supposed to be perfect weather here in San Diego, so I'm gonna wrap it up, maybe have a cocktail or two, and try and get outta this funk and see the bright side of things and understand that while things are really really bad in a lot of places around me but I'm kind of exactly in a perfect place for me at the moment. If you wanna skip all the COVID and political stuff today, NBC did a story about Destin Daniel Cretton directing the latest Marvel flick. If you recall he filmed a lot of I Am Not A Hipster at the Casbah and had a couple more super acclaimed indie flicks since then. And that he was able to bring Joel P West (my birthday twin) on board to do the music is amazing. Also, PBS did a feature on the comeback of music, including a bit on The Shell. Links are below. 

Stay safe out there. 

Thursday, September 02, 2021

CoViD-19: Moderna Submits For Booster | More Evidence For Booster: Vax Waning Protection | Fletcher MSNBC Appearance | Buses May Shoulder Pass | Bike Safety Stop Passes Senate | Vote NO On California Recall |

 

Maybe M'kaya? at San Diego Zoo Safari Park (Taken 8.31.21)

I know, I know. I'm super late today. I still have a newsletter to write, too. Ugh. But I couldn't not go to the San Diego Zoo today. The late summer hours end on Labor Day and since I don't really go on the weekends, I just needed to hear "asante sana!" one final time. I needed to hang out with the mandrills. I needed to say goodnight to elephants Mary, Devi, and Shaba. I had to whistle at the African Gray Parrot. I know. I'm a whack job. Don't mind me, I'm just the crazy lady talking to the animals. 

Besides that, the news is news, I guess. It's hard to see the footage of just demolished areas of Louisiana, and then to see New Jersey and New York just get destroyed, too, it is unbelievable that the Senate is still going to have the reconciliation bill. The right just doesn't seem to give a shit if you live or die, just that their corporate overlords hoard wealth and women can't access an abortion. Fucking hypocrites, every single last one of them. We can't let California go the way of Texas and Florida; it is more critical than ever to vote no on the recall. Sometimes the news is heartbreaking, but days like today it is just damn infuriating. 

Stay safe out there. 

Wednesday, September 01, 2021

CoViD-19: Time For Better Masks | SD Reaches 75% Talking Mu | Labor Day Weekend: Not The Time For Travel | State Parks Closed | Texas Taliban | New York First Ever Flash Floods |

 

Momma Kianga and Baby Rhino (9 Days Old In Photo) at San Diego Zoo Safari Park
(Taken 8.31.21)

I can't really talk about what happened in Texas because I've read The Handmaid's Tale, I've heard stories about what some middle east countries were like before they became ruled by religious extremists, and I can't really think about it too hard or it makes my head explode and leads to this depressing rabbit hole of "how did we get here??" which includes other questions like how did TFG become president, how did we not reform the Supreme Court after the 2000 election, how have we let nutjobs define the narrative, how have we let the gun nuts and racists and billionaires run rampant on the country? It's too much. 

I guess all I can really say is we cannot let that happen to California. You have to vote no on the California recall, and we have to do it loud and resoundingly and with no question about the result. 

Beyond that, it was a low key day. Went to the San Diego Zoo to enjoy the late summer nights before they go back to regular hours after Labor Day. I'm really gonna miss the late night walks but I guess I'll be putting La Jolla Cove back into my evening rotation. Remember that we live in a beautiful city and a beautiful state, try and keep it low key and local this weekend. State parks are closed due to fire danger, the CDC is recommending no travel, regardless of vax status, and Jeff just sent me a link that Neko Case...in spite of requiring vaccination and testing for patrons at their shows, have canceled their tour because someone in their touring party tested positive for COVID. What was safer and lower risk before isn't really at the moment. 

Stay safe out there.