GUILTY: Chauvin Guilty In Murder of George Floyd On All Counts | COVID-19: Stop Travelling | USDA Extends Universal Free Lunch | Morrissey Remains A Big Whinging Baby |

Taken from San Diego Zoo Skyfari 4.19.21

I know I'm not alone in saying that I cried a lot today. That jury today allowed the United States and the world to believe our own eyes. Listening to Van Jones and Don Lemon on CNN, and an on-the-street interview with the Floyd family's lawyer, and then all of George Floyd's brothers and cousins and aunts. It was all so beautiful and still so tragic and can't help but bring hope and relief and release for Americans, and especially Black Americans, today. There is so much more progress to be made, for sure. 

"If you can make Federal law to protect birds...you can make Federal law to protect black people." - Philonise Floyd

Needless to say, today was a good day. Besides watching trial coverage, we watched the hilarious Morrissey Simpsons episode, some media briefings, spent some time in the yard, got Indian takeout from Yak and Yeti and I think I'm going to pop some popcorn and watch The Sound of Metal tonight. I hope everyone had a great day. Stay safe out there. 

COVID-19 CDC (Mostly) Walks Back Testing Guideline Changes | Who's Policing The Police? | "Donald Trump and the RNC are negligent, period"

 Flamingo at San Diego Zoo (Taken 1.20.2020)

I finished this post in the afternoon but had to wait for the County's statistics to post and then got distracted with a nap, making dinner, watching World's Toughest Race: Eco-Challenge Fiji, however reluctantly because producer Mark Burnett is a piece of shit. Still, the images are stunning and something about this pandemic has made me slightly obsessed with survival/outdoor shows in addition to the remodeling/backyard shows I've also been watching.
Obviously today was the last day of the RNC, and obviously I didn't watch. Time to keep moving forward and brace for whatever else comes our way this year and look forward to the election when we can finally imagine life out of this berserk hellscape. The good news was that the CDC walked back their guidelines that asymptomatic but exposed people didn't need to be tested. The bad news is that you still have to just look our for your own health, as increasing numbers of businesses, schools, health officers, and various jurisdictions refuse to share positive cases, even when people may have been in close contact. 

COVID-19 | Too Many Problems | Save Our Stages | Arts Industries Called Out | Stop Kangaroo Cleats

Kangaroo at San Diego Safari Park (Taken 6.28.2020)

Thursday was kind of a throwaway day for me. After a great Wednesday and a night in the speakeasy with Darren, I just needed a day of nothing. I didn't watch any news or briefings or do much of anything besides a trip to Costco. We love going right before closing, it's nice and empty right around 7:45 through closing and we had no problem getting everything we needed so that we won't need to do any shopping this weekend at all. I'm looking forward to this weekend with the Casbah's live show with Scary Pierre (I'll be watching from home like everyone else,) maybe a trip to the Zoo to see the new ring-tailed lemur twins, and fixing up  the backyard with some projects and setting up our new outdoor furniture. Still, I did some reading and writing, so all of that is after the jump. 

CoViD-19 Why The Virus Is Winning | November Elections Get Scary | My Movie Watchlist | At-Home Science (Get Used To Home Education)

Siamese Crocodile (Taken 7.12.2020)

I was up alone on Friday night trying to stay up to see the comet Neowise, but when 4am finally came around, it was completely overcast with moisture in the air, so much so that it was hard even to see the moon. I felt like such a dummy for not have checked the sky earlier in the night. I tried again on Saturday night/Sunday morning but we're just not in a place where it can be seen, and apparently all those pro-photos I've seen everywhere are misleading because many are saying it cannot be seen with the naked eye. 

Between that and being so hot and gross outside all weekend, I got my share of movies in already this weekend. I was stoked to see that an old pal, Andy Siara, was the writer for Palm Springs on Hulu. The old days with Henry Clay People were super fun and Joey and Andy are both super rad people and I'm stoked they're doing great things. 

There was also a lot of news on the political and CoViD-19 fronts, the covidiot-in-chief finally wore a mask in public (albeit under his nose), and our numbers continue to break records. And of course, we did another trip to the San Diego Zoo on Sunday. I feel like it is the lowest risk because mask wearing is actually kinda enforced (more than in public anyway), social distancing is possible in ways not possible in other public settings, and the greenery offers cooler temperatures than in most places in the county. A Zoo employee who was trying to take pics of the leopard cubs told us two more ring-tailed lemurs were born over the weekend and should be on exhibit this week. Of course, we'll be back. 

Now it's Sunday night and Darren and I are in the speakeasy downing tequila, listening to Sirius XMU, and besides dropping my phone and spiderwebbing the screen and also laying Terro ant traps everywhere that are seething with ants, life is pretty okay. I've got some links and such after the jump per usual.

CoViD-19 Pandemic Continues to Spike | Federal Police Reform On The Table |

My new camera is much better than my other one in lowlight situations. 
This is Bun Bun, the wild cottontail that lives in our yard. 

After our Thursday BBQ, Darren and I hung out in the studio till the wee hours of the morning and I got to test out my new camera on Bun Bun. As a result, Friday was a super non-productive day. I didn't watch any briefings (if there even were any?) and generally avoided news all day. Nova started soccer training today (not super happy about that), so after picking her up, we went to La Jolla Cove to see the sea lions for about a half hour. I was totally impressed with some people who followed us down the cliff, all maintaining space from us and the sea lions, which isn't always the case. We also made a big trip to CostCo to continue our raging Friday night. I've been trying to find new shows and movies to watch but haven't really found anything great. Straight Up on Netflix is meh. Athlete A on Netflix is stunning and shocking and sickening and very well done in its explorations of USA gymnastics' sexual abuse. Some links and stuff after the jump. 

Covid-19 Updates | Juneteenth Reading | How To Watch The Solar Eclipse | Kitten Abundance | San Diego Zoo & Safari Park Reopen

Today I talked to my sister on the phone. She was at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, enjoying a little picnic in one of our favorite little secret areas, and I was feeling bad because me and Darren were up so late in our 'speakeasy' that I slept through the invite and miss the chance to join them. But then I got to thinking about last night and how valuable it has been to have a separate space for me and Darren to hang out and have drinks and have long talks and listen to music and appreciate each other and be thankful that during this pandemic and all the crazy times that we have each other. So no, I didn't get to watch the juvenile elephants romp around today, but I get to be with this dude and that is not at all worth any regret. 

Today is Juneteenth, so I've included a ton of reading, a couple Covid updates and a link to this weekend's eclipse. Also, my Casbah playlist was released today. Check it out here.
Hope you enjoy. 

CoVid-19: San Diego Community Outbreaks Hit Trigger | Live Nation Losses To Fall On Backs Of Artists | City Expands Curbside Programs | Juneteenth Education

I've spent the morning putting together my playlist for Casbah Live and it's funny that as someone who has over 3,000 live videos on my YouTube Channel, I found this process to be super unfun. This is why I don't DJ. I love the music that I love but I'm way too self-conscious to share it with other people. I think that's what makes the Casbah so magical. You can love what you love and there are other people there to love it with you. My list goes live at 1pm on Friday and it consists entirely of live performances I've shot at the Casbah and a couple Casbah presents shows. We're watching it now so decided to have day beers to go with it. 

In other news, this morning Mayor Faulconer spoke about the expansion of "Curbside SD" which allows businesses to extend services outdoors in limited capacities. There weren't supposed to be any media briefiengs but today we're getting an emergency County Health Media Briefing which isn't good because yesterday we were at 6/7 community outbreaks in seven days and that is supposed to be an automatic trigger to revise the public health order if we hit seven new community outbreaks in a seven day period. 

I really wanted to go back to the San Diego Zoo or head up to the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, but I'm kinda wheezy and sneezy from allergies today so I don't wanna look like I'm out in public while sick and we're going on the third hour of a plumber fixing our shower/bathtub faucet. Anyway, I'll update the trigger info back to this post after the 2:30 briefing. Links after the jump. 

Covid-19: County Is One Community Outbreak Shy of Trigger | Distance Music Classes & Camp | Parking Enforcement to Resume in July | Anti-Racist Reading | Photos: La Jolla Cove

We had a late night in the speakeasy so today was super lazy and chill, catching up on my dumbass Bravo reality shows. I have nothing interesting to report today. Covid numbers continue to climb nationwide and the online and in-real-life ignorance is baffling and depressing.  I'm gonna post some of my Monday photos from La Jolla Cove after the updates and links in this post. My top pic is terrible lighting but I loved watching this little pup so much that he gets top billing. I'll get back to normal life tomorrow.

CoViD-19: Reopening Risk Assessment | NIVA Pushes For Longterm Assistance for Venues | Governor Newsom's Briefing: Don't Open If You're Not Ready

Ficus enjoying the backyard

I try really hard not to spend too much time writing about the Covitiot-in-chief and his racist minions, but I had to laugh this weekend when there was a MAGAt boat rally. Whether there were dozens or hundreds of boats doesn't really matter, as I saw people arguing about the 'facts' in online comments. The arrogance is the point. The waste, the luxury, the extravagance, the in-your-faceness of it all is the point. That anyone thought this was okay in any way, in the middle of a global pandemic when millions of people lost jobs and many are still waiting for any kind of assistance while also in the middle of worldwide protests to eliminate systemic racism in our legislation, law enforcement, and in all aspects of civil society, is so demonstrative of this administration and the despicable people who support it. It's obvious those people exist around us every day, but seeing it put on such display makes me sad for my City. Meanwhile, I feel like everyone is on my jock today and I don't like it, so I might try and escape for a bit to celebrate #NationalPhotographyDay. This is just the first post today since the Governor finally gave another media briefing. Today's morning stuff after the jump. 

CoVid-19: Masks Still Work | CoVid Conundrum: Lockdown or Party? | Dashboard Confessional's Chris Carrabba Seriously Injured | RIP Nina Leilani Deering

Chris Carrabba of Dashboard Confessional at Observatory North Park (Taken 2.12.2020)

After my camping outing, we got home, unpacked, organized, ate food, and then I slept more than 12 hours, falling asleep around 7pm. So there you go, the way to solve insomnia is camping and drinking and staying up late, then uncomfortably sleeping in a tent for two nights. When I woke up around 7 this morning, I perused social media and saw the days trends...that life in San Diego is 'back to normal'--with equal amounts of people celebrating getting out while the rest were dismayed at the lack of courtesy and following the rules of wearing facial coverings and physical distancing. 

I also have to admit that I'm kinda loving the other trending gossip news like the firing of Stassi and Kristen (and Brett and Max) from Vanderpump Rules and the backlash on that nobody NASCAR truck driver who is quitting because of the ban on the confederate flag. But that's neither here nor there. So like I said, we'll be staying put this weekend. I'm loaded up on e-books and audiobooks, we've got a slew of things to watch on our streaming queues, and we've got some housekeeping to do, so our time will be well occupied. At home. 

Still, some weekend reading for you after the jump.

CoViD-19 & Black Lives Matter: More San Diego County and City Reopenings | Scrutinizing Police Practices | Must Watch: Dave Chappelle's 8:46

View From Sweetwater Summit County Park Campground (6.11.2020)

I'm home from camping now and it was lovely and I'm glad we went. The site was Sweetwater Summit County Park & Campground and funny enough, my sister only found it because I had told her about our hike at the Sweetwater West Staging Area, before County parks closed, so she went exploring and driving around and found this place. I had no idea such a place existed so close to home. We hadn't arranged for a pet sitter, so we still ran home to feed the pets and shower (I'm still not entirely comfortable sharing communal facilities), we even grabbed Ficus to hang out with us for a few hours before returning her home in the evening (and I maybe snuck in a nap at home), but I made campfires just like my dad taught me and we slept in a tent for two nights and ate hot dogs and made s'mores and cooked a giant breakfast in my iron skillet on a butane stove, so I think it still counts as camping. Mostly it was just nice to close my laptop on Wednesday and not open it again until today (Of course I still checked email on my phone. No true vacations exist in my world).
After two showers, my hair still smells like a firepit. There's all kinds of hiking and biking and a safe and smooth road for skateboarding, so the girls had fun, but I was 100% relaxed and pretty much stayed at our site enjoying the fresh air besides the aforementioned trips home and back.
As for businesses, things are ramping up quickly though I'm glad the Casbah is still not reopening with no intent to just open as a bar without entertainment. It's the weekend, which means we'll be staying home and avoiding the masses, but with Nova's soccer "day camp" maybe resuming next week, I'm probably going to slowly start enjoying the places and things I love like La Jolla Cove, Fiesta Island, and Balboa Park. You'll just see me in a mask and face shield while I do. Lots of catching up after the jump, but first, go read this amazing Twitter thread answering the question, "why do liberals think Trump supporters are stupid?" Updates after the jump.

CoViD-19 & Black Lives Matter: More Facilities To Reopen As Covid Cases Continue to Rise | Faulconer's Lip Service | San Diego Budget Hearing

Starting on Friday, June 12th, places like San Diego Zoo may reopen in San Diego County.
(Whether they do or not is another story. Taken 3.9.2020)

I've only listened to a very small amount of the City Council meeting today, but after listening to about five hours of last week's public comment, most calls are to 'defund' the police. For some it means not adding any additional money for next year, especially not from the CARES Act monies, and other calls for significant reduction in current funding levels, or some to abolish the department altogether. And judging from the Mayor's briefing, he doesn't expect any of those roadblocks to stop his budget tonight, but there are still an enormous amount of calls before any motions will be made by the Council. Unfortunately I think that once the public is allowed to attend meetings in person, the ability to call in will likely be discontinued as repeated callers have ended their calls with "Fuck The Police" or one that called out Faulconer "to read a book, look at the world around you, instead of going to play putt-putt golf or whatever the fuck you rich white people do for fun." Yikes.

Anyway, things are moving quickly, things are opening quickly, and we're already reviewing the guidelines for the Casbah (perhaps without music), but in the meantime, all proceeds from Casbah merch sales this week will go to the ACLU. Bars and Zoos are on the list to open Friday and I'm not emotionally ready for it. I can't wait to go, at the same time, I my anxiety about the world around me and people not following the rules tells me that it might be awhile before I'm comfortable really leaving my cocoon.

Covid-19 & Black Lives Matter Demonstrations: Covid-19 Counts Still Rising | Defunding The Police Takes Root | San Diego Council Budget Hearing

Today I was supposed to judge the Battle of the Bands at the San Diego County Fair (taken 6.17.2019)

When we look back at 2020, I hope we're able to refer to it as "The Great Awakening" or "The Metamorphosis" or something that appropriately defines and captures the energy of today's climate. The surfacing of deaths at the hands of cops that have never received proper media attention, like #MauriceCooper and #ElijahMcClain, and the spreadsheet showing the nationwide violence should have all of our heads spinning and activating in the ways that we can while still in a full-blown and maybe about to explode pandemic. On Thursday a woman appeared to be kidnapped at a bus stop by San Diego High, and by the weekend the cops are under investigation (though one day threatening to kill people should be formalized in policy that results in mandatory termination without pay and benefits) and the item to put an Independent Police Practices Commission ballot measure in November has officially been docketed for the June 23rd San Diego City Council meeting by Georgette Gomez. Things are happening. Keep pushing. Stay safe out there. Lots of weekend reading after the jump.     

COVID-19 & Protests: County Expecting Stage 3 State Guidance | County Lifts Beach Restrictions | Parking Lots & Reservoirs To Open

Today is World Environment Day (Mission Trails 5.25.2019)

I finally got some sleep today, but now it's time for me to head to the speakeasy with Darren, so be safe out there. The helicopter has been buzzing back and forth over our house for the last several hours, so as we've done for the last two and half months, and keep our butts at home during the weekend. I did want to mention I ordered these super dorky face shields, but they're also kinda awesome, they're cheap, washable, reusable, fit on any standard baseball hat, and just might be the future of drinking at bars. The shipping is a little ridic, but they're heavy in their flat pack. You can buy them here. Today's briefing notes after the jump.

Notes: Citizens Review Board on Police Practices Emergency Meeting (6.4.2020)

North Park at Night, taken12.18.2019

It's a little funny watching San Diego committee and board meetings. Obviously current circumstances brought new interest into these groups, but the fact that they're watchable on YouTube is making people finally step up and pay attention. It was almost funny hearing the comments from the public read out loud because you could feel the boardmembers seething...like "WHAT DO YOU THINK WE'VE BEEN WORKING ON FOR ALL THESE YEARS???" So all that to say that the board had already been considering a lot of the policies that people and organizations were demanding. It was a pretty interesting meeting, but if you don't wanna sit through a 90 minute video, I took notes. Meanwhile the marchers must've reached North Park because I can hear the police helicopter circling nearby. 

Notes after the jump. 

Covid-19 & Black Lives Matter Protests : Community Review Board of Police Practices TODAY | San Diego Beaches & Parks Reopening Schedule

North Park During the 2019 Rock n Roll Marathon 6.2.2019

I try not to think too much about my diet. I especially hate when people talk about dieting. I eat what I eat when I'm hungry and sometimes I eat junk and sometimes I drink and sometimes I try intermittent fasting but whatever, I cook, I eat, it's nothing worth talking about, but yesterday I don't know what possessed me to drink a little bottle of Starbucks mocha, a can of Coke, and then a bottle of Mexican Coke all in the same day but there's a reason I don't really drink coffee or caffeinated beverages. I was up all night long with the caffeine and sugar coursing through my veins. I finally got some sleep today, however, and am feeling much better. I suppose the anxiety of our new property management company coming by today didn't do me any favors, but he was chill and it was short and now it's behind us. There was no Governor's briefing or County briefing today, but the big news is that Community Review Board on Police Practices will be meeting today at 6pm and you can comment now online and watch live when it streams on YouTube. I haven't delved into the news much today, but there is a Downtown to North Park march today, and other links and stories are after the jump.

• There's a protest march happening today from Downtown San Diego to North Park at 5pm that is claiming to be youth led. Many people are vouching for the fact. I'm not here to silence voices, but it's unfortunate that the march starts at 5pm, when really all of the participants could be contributing to the Community Review Board on Police Practices which starts at 6pm. 
• The young protesters have made three demands: 
• (1) Ban military grade weapons on unarmed protesters (tear gas and rubber bullets) 
• (2) Terminate La Mesa PD Officer Matthew Dadge for unlawfully assaulting and detaining an unarmed man 
• (3) Reform police practices and enforce culturally competent training to prevent police brutality and deaths. 
• Again, I don't wish to silence these kids, but marching through San Diego while trying to have a La Mesa PD officer terminated might not be so effective?
• Meanwhile, a national campaign by Campaign Zero has been launched called #8cantwait with specific targets that all law enforcement agencies should aim to meet. 
• See the agenda of the Community Review Board of Police Practices
• Submit a public comment for the Board here (over 3500 comments have already come into the CRBPP)

• George Floyd Updates: Somber Memorial Gives Way to 10th Night of Protest - NY Times (6.4.2020)
• Why Aren’t We All Talking About Breonna Taylor? - NY Times (6.4.2020)
• Sign the Change.org Petition "Justice For Breonna Taylor"
• It shouldn't have taken Covid-19 or protests to make City meetings more accessible but hopefully the YouTube live broadcasts continue even after life returns back to 'normal' and whatever that looks like. You should take the time to peruse the committee and board videos that are now archived, and you can sign up for notifications for future meetings, too. Check out the channel here.
• I've posted a lot about protesting in the time of Covid-19, but I'll just remind people that the numbers of cases in San Diego are still growing, and the disease is known to have a 2-14 day incubation period while some people remain asymptomatic. You should monitor yourself for ANY symptoms (CDC): 
• Fever or chills
• Cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Fatigue
• Muscle or body aches
• Headache
• New loss of taste or smell
• Sore throat
• Congestion or runny nose
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea
• City of San Diego Mayor Faulconer Briefing:
• Update on protests in San Diego (no new arrests on Wednesday)
• Keeping the peace in San Diego
• Community groups need to remain organized and Lead
• Police officers are working around the clock
• Sheriff's request for National Guard in La Mesa
• City of San Diego has not requested nor has used National Guard
• Responsibly invested in SDPD to not feel additional support is necessary
• More than a dozen law enforcement agencies have pledged to eliminate the use of the carotid restraint. (Not one has said what consequences for its use would be)
• City received more than 4,000 comments on emergency Board and Committee Meetings
• Phase 2 Beach Reopening Plan
• June 8- East and West Mission Bay Park. Fiesta Island open for peds, dogs, cyclists
• June 9- All piers and boardwalks open
• June 12-Balboa Park Central Mesa and all parking lots
• July 6- Fiesta Island open to vehicles

Covid-19 & Black Lives Matter Demonstrations: Dr Weber's Amazing Speech | County Explains Triggers | Mayor Talks SDPD | Carotid Restraint Discontinued Countywide

Downtown San Diego Skyline 1.23.2020

I guess I didn't really need to watch the press briefings because they were super repetitive. The County one went over the metrics they're using to push for Stage 3 reopening and the dashboard to monitor the triggers and the Mayor spoke of the special committee meetings and proposed SDPD reform and legislation. What is worth watching is the California Black Caucus presentations from Tuesday. You should also make sure you watch the remarks from La Mesa after the mayor and the police chief left the podium. Still, all the notes are after the jump.

CoViD-19 & Protests: La Mesa Community Leaders Are Outraged | Covidiot In Chief Divides A Nation | Thoughts On Demonstrations

Mission Trails 1.9.2020

It's Wednesday and I had a lot of thoughts on my brain last night and am still catching up on all the press briefings today. I'm gonna have to get them into a separate post because the La Mesa press briefing was really intense. Meanwhile, our covidiot-in-chief is still a worthless piece of shit while my godfather's sociopathic wife--who herself is an immigrant and a person of color, which she seems to have forgotten-- is still posting memes of herself carrying machine guns in full fatigues in front of the American flag and it is so fucking gross I can't even believe that this is a person, albeit distantly, connected to me in real life. So there's a lot today. It's after 5pm and I have barely touched today's emails. There's a lot to unpack, so first some reading, after the jump. A reminder that the public meeting for the San Diego Citizens Advisory Board On Police/Community Relations starts at 6pm today.

Reading List: CoViD-19 | Black Lives Matter Protests | Extreme Night Owls | Cleveland National Forest Extends Closures

Bun Bun has gotten more used to me taking photos of her in the yard at night. (5.29.2020)

It's two a.m. and I still haven't worked my way through all of Monday's emails. I'd love to see the #blackoutTuesday mean that I could get a day of no new emails. I didn't really watch any of the protest livestreams today, so I really don't have a concept of how they went locally or nationally. The reality was that I just needed a day of family time so we watched Birdbox on Netflix which felt appropriate in this time of Covid isolation. There are really important things happening in our City and across the country and it really makes all other things trivial, but I sometimes gotta just take a minute off and deal with the ants that are trying to penetrate our house or take some photos of the bunny in the yard or call my mom and dad, you know? Lots of reading today. 

CoVid-19 & Protests: Daily Briefings | Mayor Bans Use of Carotid Restraint By SDPD | Beaches Reopen For Passive Use

9.9.2017

It's been a crazy few days. I definitely appreciate the local people who have been on the ground documenting and livestreaming the protests over the weekend to provide the rest of us with a window into what was happening in our own community. We watched live as protests turned from peaceful to violent, often at the hands of law enforcement. And while intellectually I understand how property damage is a tool by protesters to demand attention, I can't stop visualizing the woman who walked out of the La Mesa Vons with a mylar balloon or the teenage Chicana who broke a window of a small business with a bat, seemingly to impress her friends. Anyway, I haven't really gotten through the news and the 300 emails in my inbox today, but I thought I should post today's briefings and I'll follow up with more news and thoughts later. Looking forward to finally hitting La Jolla Cove soon for the first time in two and half months.