san diego: dialed in: Rosey's Diary & Newsy Bits: Saying Goodbye To Ficus | San Diego Music Award Nominees Announced | Seaworld to Open Jewels Of The Sea | Zoo Welcomes Joeys

It's been a rough few months. I've mentioned that I've not been feeling great over the past few months, and after seeing a doctor for a real appointment and not just an urgent care appointment, I got "the talk" about some serious lifestyle changes and the usual shit they tell you, like eat healthier, exercise more, watch your alcohol consumption, lose weight, and manage your stress better. Those conversations are like, "yeah, yeah" when your in your twenties and thirties, but when you're older, they definitely hit different.

But the stress...how are we supposed to manage this? What is happening in our government and our country right now is a fucking crisis that puts everything and everyone else, including my family, in crisis. And it has been so bonkers, I can only read what I can read and watch what I can watch and listen to a few choice podcasts before I have to tune out and just binge old seasons of Below Deck.

And then on top of all of this giant shit sandwich that has been life, my beautiful sweet girl, Ficus, had declined much faster than we ever expected, and when, midweek last week, she didn't get up to greet me when I got home, we all knew it was time. I was able to spend so much time with her on Friday when we knew it was coming, and we sat outside in the sun until the whole family was home and it was time. And fuck. It is so hard to make the decision to euthanize a pet. You will constantly rethink it and wonder if you made the right call, if you did it too soon. After you look through the final photos and think about their last day, you second guess that you waited too long. All of it hurts so much. My social media posts are full of beautiful and meaningful and inspiring things, and I'll eventually read everything, but I can only really get through a couple at a time before I have to just put my phone back away. So, here I am, sharing some pictures of Ficus in better times, in the first couple years after we adopted her. When she was a scaredy dog but loved running in the ocean, or at the dog park, or at Mission Trails. Or happy just being at home on our bed.

I will forever miss her, as I miss my others who came before...Kiwi, Pascha, Boo, Monkey, Sydney, Sugar, PA...but the rawness right now...just be gentle with me for a bit. It's gonna take awhile.

RAIN:

Storm Preparedness

SAN DIEGO LOCALS:

2025 San Diego Music Awards Nominees
San Diego transit officials move to slash service, raise fares and explore a sales-tax hike. But potential service cuts and higher fares could threaten recent gains in ridership, which has nearly returned to pre-pandemic levels. - San Diego Union-Tribune (2.13.25)

I HAVE QUESTIONS:

Traffic on city roads could grind to a halt if too many residents rely on driving to get around - Hyperbolic much??
the board voted unanimously Thursday to launch a comprehensive fare study that would be required to raise the cost of one-time fares, day passes and monthly passes for the first time in 16 years
On the possibility of service cuts, MTS will pay a consultant somewhere between $600,000 and $800,000 to conduct what’s called a comprehensive operational analysis and recommend possible changes. WTF?!? Is this the same consultant that did the trash pickup study? How do I get this job?!

San Diego Reader Ends 52-Year Print Run, But Will Keep the Alt-Press Faith Online - Times of San Diego (2.15.25)
Mayor Dismisses Embattled COO and Takes Reins of City Management. Chief Operating Officer Eric Dargan is out and department executives will now report directly to the mayor. - Voice of San Diego (2.18.25)
San Diego moves to lower speed limits on select commercial streets - kpns (2.21.25)
PRESS RELEASE: Expect a Limited Wildflower Bloom This Spring in Southern California’s State Parks (2.24.25)

ZOO GOSS:

San Diego Zoo welcomes first koala joey in 2 years - kpbs (2.20.25) There are actually two joeys, to moms Merindah and Adori. At the time of this release, only Adori's joey had been emerging.
The Sloth Bear Cubs born on Dec 5th or 6th are spending a lot more time on habitat with Mama Shala close by.
In sad news for me personally, one of my favorite birds, a male Capuchinbird, has passed away. I called him Buddy, and he would come whenever I called, so I noticed his absence, which was finally confirmed by a care specialist. His mom remains, and after not seeing her for a bit, she has started coming to the call that Buddy would respond to. I hear she will be sent to Dallas (where they both came from) so she can be with other birds of her kind at a propagation center. He was only 8 or 9 years old, and his death was sudden an unexpected. I don't suspect the zoo will release any information about him or the results of his necropsy.

SEA WORLD GOSS:

Seaworld has finally announced the opening of Jewels of the Sea, a new aquarium with various jellyfish. Passholders can enjoy a preview on March 12 and 13, with the official opening on March 15. This comes after a promotion in 2024 to earn early entry by visiting the park a designated amount and collecting vouchers that would be redeemed when the opening was scheduled in that year, but obviously that was set back. I just hope the opening means we'll get to see the octopus again.

POLITICS:

San Diego Resettlement Agencies Scramble to Keep Newly Arrived Refugees from Losing their Homes. (TFG) froze the federal funding that allowed resettlement agencies to support newly arrived refugees. Some have already received eviction notices. - Voice of San Diego (2.18.25)
Rep. Sara Jacobs on countering Trump: 'We need to be acting more urgently' - kpbs (2.18.25)

NEWS:

Judge blocks Trump order threatening funding for institutions that offer care for transgender youth - AP (3.1.25)

WILDFIRES:

As Wall Street Chases Profits, Fire Departments Have Paid the Price. Fire engine manufacturing is now largely controlled by three companies. Around the country, prices have soared, and orders can take years to fulfill. - NYT (2.17.25)