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Are you my mother? Juvenile pup and female on Boomer Beach (8.14.2020)

This heat wave is really just the icing on the cake, isn't it? It's bad enough we're all at home the majority of the time, now we get this insane heat and rolling blackouts to go with it. Keep your phones charged, my friends. It's 3 in the morning and still 75 in Normal Heights and it's still at least 84 degrees in my living room (which is as high as my Galileo thermometer can measure.)

Anyway, I'm pretty worthless in this weather. My wi-fi doesn't reach my bedroom (probably something we should take care of, stat), so I mostly waited until the sun went down to even start going through the day's news and briefings. Then I watched Knives Out which took all my attention. 

Being Friday, we did take Nova to soccer and visited the sea lions while she was there. This time we started on Boomer Beach, where Darren took a quick swim and I dipped my feet a little bit, too. Then we went to to our regular spot on the cliff over the Cove, but the sea lions claimed the little trail down. I joked that it was because they were tired of humans, but in reality I think they liked the cooler dirt instead of their regular white rocks, which I imagine were too hot for comfort. Anyway, there's a lot to get through today. I really hope the covidiot-in-chief is golfing this weekend because I really can't take anymore of his bullshit. Lots of stuff after the jump, with Friday's photos thrown in for good measure. 

COVID-19 The Social Contract | La Jolla Cove Etiquette & Photos | Impending MLB Shutdown? | Danger Of Recirculated Air | San Diego Sets New Record For Community Outbreaks

Nova has soccer on Fridays, so it's become a habit that we head to La Jolla Cove to commune with the sea lions. I've been expressing a lot of frustration about this lately because as it is frustrating year-round when people get too close to them or block their right-of-way, it's doubly or triply frustrating because people are not wearing masks and giving other humans proper space. My cousin tried to call me out, as if I was saying that I'm entitled to be there and other people are not, and nothing could be further from the truth. I know that La Jolla Cove is one of the true gems of this City and I wish more locals could experience it regularly, that tourists come and take beautiful memories home with them, but when people are inconsiderate to other humans and to the animals, whether by littering or smoking or not following the State and County health order, I get really, really pissed about it. So today while we were on the cliff, we had it to ourselves for nearly an hour until two guys decided to come down, one wearing his mask under his chin, so I told him he needed to put it on correctly or stay away from us. And when we went to Boomer Beach and three young boys were daring each other to touch a tragically dead sea lion pup, I screamed at them to leave it alone. Just by living in society, there is a social contract. Everyone has the right to be there and enjoy themselves. They do not have the right to be a dick without consequences, even if that's just being yelled at by some random lady (me.) COVID-19 news and updates and more Sea Lion photos after the jump.

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Sea Lions at Boomer Beach La Jolla (7.27.2020)

When I was younger than I am now, I was obsessed with home makeover shows like Trading Spaces. I would watch a two-hour block on Saturday nights as I was getting ready to go out and think that I was $250 of MDF away from my dream home or backyard. 

Last week, I was definitely feeling a rut. It felt like nothing but bad news and then to seal the weekend, my laptop completely stopped charging after two weeks of sometimes charging and sometimes not. But I also have a family and had to acknowledge how my downer attitude was rippling through our house. To be fair, I know it wasn't just me, maybe something in the stars, because it seemed a common theme across far too many of my friends, too. 

There was nothing really for me to do but not be online. And I'm sure you already know that there's a direct correlation between how much news we consume and our general wellness. And so I got my ass in gear. Sure, I watched my share of TV, movies, and comedy specials, but on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday I was up by 7am and working. At home. On my home. (More 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: Sea World Does Good | Is Expired Food Really Expired | County Gets Fact-Checked | CoVid-19 Butterfly Effect | Pride & Symphony Cancel

A photo from Sea World - Taken December 2019

I decided to use this photo from Sea World today because earlier today I saw a video Sea World releasing rehabbed sea lions and a harbor seal and it brought me joy. It was a pretty rough day yesterday, I just couldn't shake the negativity, the president was more obscene than usual, the mayor released his budget with some drastic cuts, and it just felt like a lot of bad news just kept pouring in. But I turned it off for awhile, connected with my sister and nieces and a friend on HouseParty, had a 'speakeasy' night with Darren in our studio and woke up feeling in a much better mood today. Today Nova and Darren picked up some Dudley's bread that was part of her band fundraiser and we got an amazing apple berry pie for which I made fresh whipped cream. It was also really fun tuning into Seaport Sessions and though there were some technical difficulties, I have so much love for the San Diego music scene and watching with everyone chatting was a huge plus. I've got a busy Friday ahead of me so I'll put this out into the world and hope everyone is finding ways to keep their spirits up during this insane time. Lots of stuff after the jump.

CoViD 19: No School, No Work. What are we going to do?

People often comment on how much I go out, but I don't think that the reality of what a homebody I am is evident to everyone. But I am. I binge a lot of TV. I read a lot. I can stay in pajamas all day and all night. Financial concerns aside (because if there aren't emergency funds or reprieve for renters, we are effed) it isn't that hard for me to be asked to stay home. However, with all of us home, we are going to be right on top of each other, all day and night, for the foreseeable future, so here are some thoughts of ways we hope to ease this time. In lieu of listings this week, I give you #socialdistancing in San Diego:

Great News For Seals! California Coastal Commission Unanimously Approves Permit Extensions

Today the California Coastal Commission voted unanimously to approve 10 year extensions on two permits which allow for the beach at Children's Pool to close beach access during pupping season (December-May) and for a guidance rope with signs about the Marine Mammal Protection Act during the remaining months of the year. I was there to join supporters like the Seal Conservancy and the Sierra Club. The meeting went from 9am until about 7pm, with numerous items on the agenda, though the La Jolla Seals, with the biggest group of supporters and opposition, was the last issue heard for the day. It was especially satisfying because a woman screamed in my face that if I supported the seals, I was against veterans, and I'm a traitor and I should leave the country. Uh, wow.  I didn't get to stay for the duration of the meeting, it was great to hear the process work. At the end of the night, it was pretty hopeful as Commission Chair Steve Padilla closed the night implying that monitoring was important, that enforcement is a challenge, and if harassment continues, the Commission might need to step in and do more, not less, to protect these beautiful animals.

Lots of older pics after the jump.

World Sea Lion Day - May 30, 2019

I mentioned I've been sick this week, but to say I didn't do anything this week would be a lie. On Wednesday, I was well enough to take Nova to soccer, and I thought the fresh air and no contact with other people would serve me well, so  I went back to La Jolla Cove to shoot the sea lions. I came to find out that the next day, May 30th, was "World Sea Lion Day," though I can't seem to find all the calendars that let us know such things.

Obviously I've been posting a lot of these lately, but since I'll be flooding you with music photos the next week, I thought I'd post some of this week's shots to celebrate the day. Though not shown, I'd also like to draw attention to their neighbors in La Jolla, the California Harbor Seals, who still need our help to sign two petitions: one is to keep up Casa Beach closed during pupping season and the other is to keep the safe distance rope up year-round. The hearing is June 12-14. I also just kinda wanted to post since I'm taking a gajillion pics each week and not really sharing them and maybe to just post something that makes me smile after getting all ranty on my last post.

La Jolla Seals Pupping Season In Full Swing

It's really easy for me to fall into habits of being a homebody, so I've been trying extra hard to give myself little field trips during the week or find fun things to do when I take Nova to soccer. Each year, I try to visit the La Jolla Seals at least a few times during pupping season, so I decided to hit the beach last week. The Seal Conservancy has counted over 50 new pups born this season, and their recent newsletter was a reminder that two permits are going to come up before the California Coastal Commission this year, one is to save the winter beach closure during pupping season (permit #6-14-0691 A1) and the other is to keep the viewing guideline rope up (permit #6-15-0223 A20) for the 7 non-pupping season months. Sadly, I also saw a deceased pup on the beach, which is a reminder that they're so fragile and why it is so important that we give these beautiful mammals the space and protection they need. A handful of pics are after the jump.

It's Pupping Season at Casa Beach!

It's pupping season at Casa Beach, aka Children's Pool! I got an email from Seal Conservancy over the weekend that said the first pups had been born at the La Jolla seal rookery. The first, born on Saturday (2/4), was feared abandoned but was later seen with her mom. Two more were born on Sunday (2/5). Naturally, we're always drawn to this time of year, and since the beach closure during pupping season has been upheld (for now), and it's been a little on the colder side, it's been pretty nice to spend some time on the sea wall and the new lifeguard tower watching them. Being on a tighter budget, this is one of the most amazing free things to do in San Diego, I guess all you really need is a tank of gas and the time to go by.

We stopped by Tuesday night before the Dashboard Confessional show at Che Cafe, and then made a point to go on Thursday after Nova was out of school. The fog was thick and heavy where it felt like a drizzle, so taking photos was reminiscent of shooting the XX through their fog machines, but I think you can get the idea even with my subpar skill.

I want to be very, very clear here. I respect these animals. I deeply love them and think they're an important part of what makes San Diego so amazing. So as much as I enjoy watching them, I also usually spend half the time cringing at how close people get to them, how they don't read the literal signs or the very obvious body language of the animals. I was on the open side of the beach as they swam in shallow pools created by low tide, but as the tide rose, it was clear Mama was ready to beach herself and her pup, and a clueless woman, with her toddlers, just wouldn't step away. I always wrestle with whether or not to *scream* at people, but eventually she'd taken her fill of selfies and moved along. Don't be one of those people. I know my zoom can be a little deceptive, but at no time was I imposing on their turf.

A final thought...the fight over the seals and sea lions isn't over. While the seals are protected for now, the La Jolla Town Council is fighting fiercely to force the sea lions (who generally hang out at La Jolla Cove) to move the colony. They're calling it "Crisis at the Cove" and are stopping at nothing to fight the City of San Diego. On top of that, the current federal administration is demonstrating a complete and utter lack of concern for animal welfare, habitat loss, climate change, pollution, and science in general, so it's up to us to protect and preserve this treasure, whether that's financially, offereing time, or just spreading the word and showing up when this inevitably goes back to the California Coastal Commission over and over and over again. Join the Seal Conservancy here.

More photos after the jump.

Photos At La Jolla Cove (4/14/2015)

I'm having a frustrating day. Instead of going into a whiny rant, I'm just going to post some photos I took this week when we took the girls to La Jolla Cove. It is especially beautiful right now, and pupping season runs through May. Casa Beach is closed and that massive Lifeguard tower is being built, so you can't go on the seawall at Casa Beach, so this is a little further up, by Scripps Park. There is also construction at the top of Scripps Park, but you can still pass the bathrooms to access the stairs down to the beach. I absolutely love the seals and sea lions and even the seabirds, so I'll say that I'm a big supporter of giving these animals space, and it's the law, though in the video clip about a kid who was bitten in the face a few weeks ago the lifeguard says 25 meters, which is pretty much the entire span of the beach. I was appalled at people getting within a foot or two of the animals and especially the mom who thought it was cute when her toddler was petting a sea lion. The crossing guard in me couldn't help yelling at a woman "you're too close!" when she went in for a selfie with the sea lion laying in the sand and his bark was captured when she was too close.

My favorite picture of the day. These guys were body surfing to the shore.

More pictures after the jump.