CoVid-19: Post COVID Damage | SDG&E Wants To Jack Your Rates | Super Storm Hits San Diego & Beyond | Insanity of Desantis | 4 Day Work Week Works |

Kaja at San Diego Zoo (2.22.23)

As a native San Diegan, I've always considered February & March to be spring. It was always my favorite time to do outside stuff like Sunset Cliffs or tidepools because of the absence of tourists and the typically moderate weather before the prolonged May Gray/June Gloom season. But this weather this week and this season has been so different and while I love it generally, I also heed the warnings...I'm not parking by any of the numerous Eucalyptus or Queen Palms in my neighborhood, with Nova older and in school we're not going to Laguna this round of snow even though we have chains, and I'm always a prepper...even for just short trips I always have a stash of backup clothes, umbrellas, shoes, jackets, snacks, and water in my van, ready for anything. But the biggest thing I can say is that these latests storms are hitting all across our state and whether connected or not, the midwest, too. As we've seen over and over again, whether real or exaggerated, this has already certainly lead to increases in gasoline and power prices and groceries. All that stuff doesn't go anywhere when trucks can't drive the 8 or the 5 or the 15 or way up on the Grapevine. California refineries certainly use any excuse to increase scarcity and thus drive prices, and naturally we're all at home with more heaters on to keep our frigid homes livable. Get your eggs, fill up your tank, hit the farmers markets for local produce and goods. It's not a full scale meltdown, but the corporations will treat any blip in the norm like it is and pass the costs to you to drive their profits. (internet time jump)

It's a week later. Maybe more rain on the way, snow in the mountains, nothing quite apocalyptic, but gas prices are still pushing up anyway. We're so fucked at the whim of all these gross assholes. Yay. 

It was Darren's birthday yesterday, I've had a really great week, and now I'm ready to go to bed after a margarita afternoon so I can sleep in and do my listings and be ready to work for King Tuff on Wednesday. And if you like any kind of country, don't miss S.G. Goodman at the Casbah on Thursday. It's gonna be an amazing show. I'll also be working at Jawny at Quartyard on Friday which is about a dozen tickets from sold out at this moment. 

Be good. 

Be safe. 

Things To Do In San Diego: Thursday, February 23, 2023-March 1, 2023: RIP O | The Builders and The Butchers | Almost Monday | Steve Poltz | Sure Fire Soul Ensemble | August Burns Red | Dinosaur Jr. | Magical Animals | King Tuff |

O photo by Tim Fears Photography

Like everyone in the local music community...and far, far beyond San Diego, I was devastated by the news that O had died. It's very hard to hear news like that and not center yourself. Like everyone, I loved O. He was a legend. When I was in high school, I was a fan of Fluf and my bedroom wall had magazine photos from floor to ceiling of bands and people and places and I would cut out ads in Thrasher of O skating. Were those Foundation ads? I don't remember now. And even though I'd been a fan for ages, when we became friends I would always be in awe of him and his stories, always a little starstruck. When I started working at the Casbah 15 or so years ago, he was always around and when I'd sell merch, we'd shoot the shit. The first time I worked for the Melvins, I remember being in the office with Tim and O and Buzz and it stood out to me how O introduced Buzz to me, as if he was lucky to be meeting me, and he'd say something like "she runs a sick blog around here" and then just reminisced and told stories and I'd try to soak it all in, and also wonder how they remembered so much shit with such big lives. When I ran into him at NAMM in the Fender Guitar suite the first time I went, he was introducing me to legendary guitar players and guitar makers, again making it seem like they were the ones who should be honored to meet me. he would do this with lots of his music buddies, too many times to track, and I always tried to play it cool, but it was such a sweet little nod that made what I do feel worthy. 

I think after a week of reading so many amazing tributes, that was the common thread, that O was a fan of people, made you feel so fucking cool, no matter what level or depth of friendship you had with him. If you got O's seal of approval, you were doing something right. I can't begin to track how many people's lives were touched by O through all of his numerous endeavors, his ability to be everywhere all at once, but he will always be a legend. I'll miss him sidestage at the Casbah, but I'll especially miss all the times I was a lone photographer for a show with a four foot gap from the band to the rest of the crowd and he would come join me so I wouldn't feel so alone. We're all better for having known him. 91X put this week's Loudspeaker tribute online which I've linked below. I know that there will continue to be tributes and I know we'll all have a massive party at the Casbah when the time is right. It just won't be the same without him. "Rock N Roll has no Boundaries, it knows no ethnicities, it just barges on in constant change...Music is my innermost relief." Otis B.  

Music News

• 91X Loudspeaker Tribute To O
• O's Casbah Pandemic Playlist 
• San Diego Bayfest Announces Full Lineup: July 8th 2023 @ Waterfront Park
• Damian Marley, Common Kings, Koffee, Prof, Denm, Kahlil Nash
• Download a MUSEUM MONTH pass

COVID-19: Looking At Long COVID | Trainwreck Fallout | Bird-Flu Crossover | Biden Visits Ukraine | California To Host Hearing on Gas Gouging |

Sea Wolf at Soda Bar (Taken 2.18.2023)

Like everyone, I was stunned to hear about the sudden passing of O and every time I think about it or try to write something, I fail. So I have some thoughts, but this post isn't for that. This is just a typical COVID and newsy post, which will transform once again as the data stops coming in next month. It doesn't mean COVID is gone, but the data just isn't going to be collected in the same way moving forward. 

Things have been pretty low key for me. Darren has been working so much lately so I'm just doing my thing. I went to La Jolla Cove to check out the sea lions on Valentine's Day and then we had an amazing dinner at home, and besides my usual, I worked for Bass Drum of Death on Thursday. We had a really great night on Saturday checking out Sea Wolf at Soda Bar, and it was our first time out together in awhile. Those early shows fit great with our current lifestyle and Darren's work schedule so long as my sisters can cover helping out my parents on those nights. So we fit it in when we can. And the rest of the time we're just trying to find some joy and do what we gotta do. 

Stay safe out there.    

Things To Do In San Diego: Thursday, February 16--Wednesday, February 22, 2023: Bass Drum of Death | Kaki King | The Lone Bellow | Karl Denson | El Tri | Sea Wolf | Steve Lacy | White Reaper | Daring Greatly | Silent Comedy |

I certainly love a three-day weekend and all your favorite places are having fun little dance parties and whatnot, so if you're looking to shake your ass, there are plenty of opportunities to do that. I'll be working at Bass Drum of Death on Thursday night and am hoping to pop into the Sea Wolf show on Saturday night but no other major plans beyond that, though I got a cool invite to The Legion home opener but don't really have anyone to go with so I might have to table that for another time. There's also the world premiere of The Silent Comedy's documentary and a live performance up at the Brooks Theatre which I'm sure will be a super cool night. 

On Monday night, the San Diego Music Foundation announced the nominees for the San Diego Music Awards. Tickets are on sale for the event on April 25th, and voting for some reason is running through DoSD so you can do that here. 

News:

• San Diego Music Award Nominees 2023
• San Diego Music Awards: Thee Sacred Souls and Rebecca Jade lead the field with five nominations each - Pacific SD (2.14.23)
• An inside look at the renovation of Copley Symphony Hall - kpbs (2.24.23)
• Download a MUSEUM MONTH pass 

COVID-19: The End of Data Is Nigh | The Kid Is COVID-Free (Finally) | Feinstein To Retire After Term (Finally) | Another Uni Shooting | UFOs |

Cormorant Mama & Chick Feeding at La Jolla Cove (Taken 2.14.23)

Hardly anybody is talking about COVID-19 anymore but I'm going to. Nova had successfully avoided catching COVID for the entire pandemic and then the school district stopped free weekly testing and between her extracurriculars with pep band (playing flute, deep sigh) at the home basketball games, the close proximity with her fellow students in Academic League, her time among her peers at The Center and it was bound to happen, even if she says she was still masking. 

And I'm sure there are people that don't care. There are people who never test, even when they're obviously sick. And there are people who still work or send their kids to school because they don't know better or they can't do otherwise, because they don't have sick time or daycare or whatever. This isn't about any of them or for any of them either.

 

This is about how much it SUCKS when someone in the household gets sick and you do everything you can not to spread it within the household. Not only was Nova sick and mostly isolated in her room for the last 12 days, but I felt obligated to make myself scarce so she could at least cook for herself, eat, watch TV and breathe maskless in the house and to just minimize our shared air. And that sucked. As much as I love going to the Zoo or Sea World or whatever, I felt like I haven't been home in a couple weeks. In the summer when I was sick, it was easy enough for me to stay in our studio, or for Darren to do the same part time when he was sick, but our studio is not really livable in the winter as it's currently configured, and it doesn't feel like kicking a 15 year old to her own apartment was the fair or right or just thing to do. 

 

So naturally when she tested super faint on Sunday and then finally negative on Monday, I was rejoicing when she finally went back to school today, Tuesday. I slept in. I lazed around in my pajamas and did my work on the couch while watching the Murdaugh Murder Trial on YouTube at 1.5x speed. I took care of my overgrown eyebrows that I can only take care of with the sunlight in a shared room. After doing some work, I went on a drive to La Jolla Cove and spent some time with the sea lions, the pelicans, and the cormorants. I popped by Children's Pool to see the 14 seal pups that have been born so far this season. I stopped to pick up creamed spinach at Boston Market because I had a craving. I went to the Zoo and caught Denny for a couple minutes before he went in, then spent some time at the orangs and some time in Parker Aviary. I picked up some rib roast on the way home. We cooked the meat and garlic bread and mashed potatoes and vegetables and we had a lovely Valentine's Dinner together at home. And I have a table full of flowers from Darren's new job. And the kid went to school and to The Center and came home beaming that she is once again part of the world. It felt nice to feel normal again.  

Happy Valentine's Day! Stay safe out there.  

Things To Do In San Diego: Thursday, February 9-Wednesday, February 15, 2023: Unsane | SUUNS | Whistle Stop Anniversary | The Stone Foxes | Jungle Brothers | The Detroit Cobras | "A Dolly Parton Valentine's Day" | Devotchka | Early James |

I feel like I'm so behind in life right now. I basically lost the whole weekend by being sick -- just a cold, not COVID -- and I haven't really caught back up, but I wanted to make sure listings were up for the week while I catch up on Murdaugh Murder trial coverage. I did handle some stuff this week -- like a big overdue Costco run on Monday, and finally dealing with my renewed license that never came in the mail back in September. After surviving the DMV, I rewarded myself with a full zoo day, and Wednesday I caught my niece's soccer game at Nova's high school (though Nova is still faintly C+, so she's still isolating.) Darren has been working a ton and with Valentine's Day coming up, he's gonna be super busy next week, too. I love his new job because he's always bringing home flowers and houseplants that need a little TLC. We had date night this week and caught the John Early comedy late show at the Casbah on Tuesday and that was a blast though made for a slightly painful Wednesday after a bit too much whiskey. 

Obviously Sunday is the big game, so I'm trying to decide if I should tag along with Darren to Safari Park, do maybe a combo day of the San Diego Zoo and Sea World, maybe do a hike or hang out at La Jolla Cove, or actually just veg on the couch and watch the game, which, in comparison to the other things, sounds like a dreadful idea. 

I hope everyone has a SUPER awesome week. Stay safe out there. 

COVID-19: Happy To Be Boosted | State of the Union | Devastating Earthquake in Turkiye, Syria | GRAMMY Winners | Fossil Fuel Record Profits |

Happy 3rd Birthday, Amahle!! (Taken 1.23.23)

I guess I should get a normal post out before the listings for the week publish, even though this has last week's COVID data and the new data will be out today anyway. I'm still completely consumed with the Murdaugh Murders trial, and I've been listening and/or watching on YouTube pretty constantly for the past couple weeks. It is obvious to me that Alex is guilty, but I don't know that the prosecution is doing a very good job presenting the information to the jury. It will be a goddamn shame if he walks on these charges, though he'll still be locked up for his financial crimes anyway. 

As for other news this week, I thought Joe did a great job with the State of the Union, at least the 75% or so that I watched before we went to the Casbah on Tuesday night, and the death toll of the earthquake in Turkiye and Syria and the region is now in excess of 15,000 which is absolutely devastating. 

You know I've been following the HPAI -- the bird flu -- and while there are some people freaking out on Twitter about it jumping species, at least locally it sounds like maybe things are getting better. The Safari Park has begun to put some of its birds back in their public accessible habitats, including Max, the talkative Salmon-Crested Cockatoo. I hope that means good news worldwide, but that remains to be seen. Just know when egg prices drop, I'm gonna be farty mcfartypants with all the eggs I'll be deviling and egg salads I'll be shoving down my gullet. 

Hope everyone is doing well. Stay safe out there. 

Things To Do In San Diego: Thursday, February 2-Wednesday, February 8, 2023: Deb Talan of The Weepies | Save Ferris | Dune Rats | RJD2 | Nick Hakim | Tiltwheel | Loudon Wainwright III | Margo Price | Matt Heckler | Ottmar Liebert |

Well, here are the listings. And these ones go through Wednesday since it feels a little easier to get them done on Wednesday nights when Darren has a work day than when he's off and we both want to run errands or do stuff or go to Nova's pep band basketball games and whatnot. 

There were some serious show announcements this week but I'm realizing that it is harder and harder to plan for shows too far in advance so I just go to what I can when I can. And I'm certainly not dropping three-hundo for my family to see boygenius and Clairo especially at a field/park when we've already had the privilege of seeing both in far more intimate settings. I'm sure we'll get over it. Maybe we'll hike the San Diego River Garden and listen from afar. 

What I really want to share is that our pal Cynthia from the Casbah has recently had surgery for cancer. She's been really private about it, but Casbah staff and friends are trying to get the word out to help her during her recovery. If you've been to the Casbah or Soda Bar in the past few years, you've probably been served by this amazing woman. If you can help in any small way, please donate here. 

Stay safe out there. 

• February is MUSEUM MONTH (Get half price admission at select museums. Download a FREE Digital Pass HERE.)
• February is FREE SENIORS ADMISSION at San Diego Zoo Safari Park:
• The San Diego Zoo Safari Park invites guests ages 65 and older to visit for free throughout the entire month of February. During Seniors Free month, seniors may present their valid photo ID upon arrival and gain free admission to the Safari Park, where they can explore expansive habitats and connect with wildlife. The Safari Park’s 1,800 acres are home to vital conservation efforts—with more than 3,000 animals representing over 300 species, and a botanical collection of more than 1.75 million plants—offering remarkable educational opportunities and fun for the whole family. By visiting the Safari Park, guests help support San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance in its mission to save wildlife worldwide and help create a world where all life thrives. The Seniors Free offer is valid only at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, and only for the month of February; parking not included.
• AEG Announced the Re:SET Concert Series will be coming to Thrive Park at Snapdragon Stadium. You can register for presale tickets where you'll find that tickets START at $99.50. VIP starting at $275. 
• Friday, June 2 with boygenius, Clairo, Dijon, Bartees Strange
• Saturday, June 3 with LCD Soundsystem, Jamie XX, IDLES, Big Freedia and more
• Sunday, June 4 with Steve Lacy, James Blake, Toro y Moi, Foushee 

CoViD-19: Annual Bivalent Boosters | Emergency Declarations Ending | More Talk No Walk On Guns | Murdaugh Murder Trial |

Sweet Kaja (Taken 1.29.23)

I'm not gonna lie, I've been obsessed with the Murdaugh Saga since I discovered Mandy Matney's podcast a while back and have been following the family drama since sometime in the late summer of 2021, before Alex allegedly murdered his wife and son, and now Alex Murdaugh is in the midst of his double homicide trial so now I'm watching far too much YouTube, including Emily D Baker's channel and this fun one Gossip, Rumor, and Innuendo. It's all very dark and morbid but it's infinitely fascinating. If you have good links, please let me know!! 

This is kind of an incomplete post, but since Thursdays are reporting days, I thought I should get last week's COVID numbers up, at least locally and statewide, before they all completely disappear on us, and at least there are some links of why most of these numbers don't really reflect reality anyway. We've been pretty good over here, testing when we need to and masking when appropriate and when I say I'm not feeling great, it's generally lady problems and I'm actually fine, I just get a little knocked down at that particular time of the month, every month, until one day I'll age out of the cycle and have all kinds of new stuff to complain about. 

The past week was a good one overall. I do the Zoo nearly daily, we went to Nova's high school's basketball game to hear her in pep band on Wednesday, I went to the media night of Beyond King Tut with my sister on Thursday, I got in a couple hours at the Zoo and then Sea World on Friday, a full day at Safari Park on Saturday where I got to ride two of Darren's guided tours back to back (you can watch one of them here), and then did a full Zoo day on Sunday, getting to watch the drama unfold as Adira, the red panda, climbed out of her habitat. I've mentioned my issues with a particular photographer psycho at the Zoo and after some security incidents last week, rumor has it that it won't be a problem anymore, though I shouldn't say anything more about that until the smoke has cleared, but at least I don't have to be afraid of that situation or person for now. And now I'm watching recaps of today's Murdaugh court proceedings and will still get to bed at a normal, functional, human hour so I can have a productive Thursday. We're taking the van in for service so fingers crossed that doesn't break the bank. And I did full listings tonight...so those will post at 6am on Thursday.  

Stay safe out there.  

Things To Do In San Diego: Wednesday, February 1, 2023: Black Joe Lewis | The Wood Brothers | King Pari |

Black Joe Lewis at the Casbah (Taken 8.28.2016)

Okay, okay. I know. I'm supposed to do listings by Wednesday mornings, but the weekend kinda backed me up with my actual work and then I wasn't feeling 100% on Monday, even skipping the Zoo, and then Tuesday our little Jacaranda maybe ate a bee or got stung by one or both, which left him sick all day barfing all over the house and when he finally rested, we cozied up into the bed and I didn't get around to my actual work until the evening and then the listings needed to be done and I decided I didn't want to be up until 4am to do them. So I'll get to them. But for now, I'm just posting Wednesday. Sorry.  

Things To Do In San Diego: Wednesday, January 25-Tuesday, January 31: Will Sheff/Okkervil River | Windser | Frankie and the Witch Fingers | Inspector | Junior Boys | The Kabbs & The Havnauts | Dark Star Orchestra | Film School | The Wood Brothers |

I ran into an old music scene pal over the weekend who had some stuff to say about this site and wondered why I still do listings if all I ever do is complain about doing the listings and that there are automated ways I could and should be doing them and then they'd be less of a headache. But the truth is, my site, my right to whine, right? I wouldn't do them if I myself wasn't curious and after working for a brief time for a site that uses event scrapers (and having programmed about 90% of the ones that site still uses) when I do look over there and see the site promoting shows that have been canceled or incomplete listings because nobody took the time to edit over them. So I still do these manually and I think one of these days I'll get around to adding a bunch of the venues I include here that aren't currently on my music venues page, but I'm in no rush to do any of that. I like doing what I do and living this chill life and watching my Bravo trash shows while I do them while everyone else in my household is asleep. I won't do them forever, but 16 years in, I'm not stopping anytime soon. 

I haven't included big show announcements in awhile, but damn, Livenation announced a show with Beck, Phoenix, Japanese Breakfast, and Sir Chloe and I'd definitely be stoked to catch that one. Casbah keeps announcing a ton of shows, like Beabadoobee at SOMA which went on sale Friday and sold out in a matter or hours. Maybe less. Hopefully our show with 100 gecs does the same when it goes on sale. And I've heard there are fewer than 200 tickets left for Sylvan Esso in September, so don't sleep on those tickets if you want to go.

Stay safe out there. 

CoViD-19: Your Rapid Tests Still Work (Mostly) | Egg Producers Accused of Gouging | Klantee Teen Outs Herself As Bigot & Shill For Anti-Trans Groups |

Sweet Denny (Taken 1.23.23)

It's not even 10pm and everyone in my household is asleep, so I figured I'd catch up on my weekly COVID post so I don't have to worry about it tomorrow when I do the listings. 

Things have been pretty chill and also kinda crazy, if that makes any sense. I spent the weekend hopping between the zoo and Sea World, spending the chilly nights at home. Darren worked at Emo Nite at the Casbah on Friday and though it's always kinda insane, this time he actually got bit by a patron that they were trying to kick out for being out of control. Blame the king tides, the new moon, the Lunar new year, whatever, but it feels like the world is collectively losing their minds. Back to that in a second. 

After a brief zoo trip on Saturday when Denny was being especially playful, I worked for comedian Matt Braunger at Soda Bar, which was a great time. On Sunday it was more of the same, after the Zoo closed I went to check out Mardi Gras at Sea World, which has their hours extended until 7 on weekends for the next 5 weeks. 

Fast forward to Monday and Darren officially started his two-day a week part-time job delivering flowers. I dropped him off and decided to do a full day at the Zoo, lunch and laptop in tow in case any necessary work or email popped up. I've mentioned the crazy photographer bully before, but today she was on a tear. She cornered a woman who was  with her toddler, shooting with her magnum lens over the mom's shoulder. The mom was having none of it. When told to mind her boundaries and respect the mom's personal space, a whole screamfest ensued and the bully was eventually escorted out of the zoo. I don't know what will come of it, but I for one will not be heartbroken if I never have to see her again. She can find a new hobby somewhere else. Or maybe we should hire her for security at Emo Nite so she can go aggro there. Blame that new moon, I guess. 

There were two mass shootings within days in California and it is heartbreaking and scary thinking small incidents and sudden rage can have such deadly consequences. Be vigilant, be alert, pay attention to your surroundings, and sad to say, always assess escape routes in public spaces. The whole world has gone mad. 

I love you. 

Stay safe out there. 

CoVid-19: Here Comes The Kraken | Are We Finally Taking Avian Flu Seriously? | What Exxon Knew About Climate Destruction | Silly New Yorker Visits San Diego | Gas Stove Gaslighting |

Downtown San Diego & Coronado Bridge As Seen From the Bayshore Bikeway
(Taken 1.18.2023)

It's been a minute since I've posted and there have been so many things I've meant to post about but life gets in the way sometimes. Like for one thing, all this storm coverage has been crazy. I know that there has been real destruction and loss, but when San Diego is featured on the YouTube channel "World Is Dangerous" and they show flooding in Mission Valley, I kinda have to laugh. My dad worked at the VA in the valley for over 30 years and there was a time he considered moving our family closer to his work, but he saw them building right in the flood plain and nixed that idea real quick. But it's also the media and the City and County's failure that warnings aren't more urgent: we build this whole section in a flood plain and sometimes it will rain. The Fashion Valley parking lots were built to flood in these circumstances. So, too, Mission Center Road and several of the other north/south crossings over the river. Avoid the area. If you live in the area, know that this is a known mitigation, seek higher ground, and FFS, don't try to drive through moving water. There needs to also be better outreach among the unhoused that this is not a safe place to be in such conditions. 

Another thing tripping me out is the egg 'crisis'. When the San Diego Zoo first took the flamingos off habitat, the news should've been warning about the issue much more fervently than they have, and now they're just talking about it like it's a gouging problem. It is not. As of today, 57,868,714 birds have been culled because of the avain flu, H5N1, or HPAI - highly pathogenic avian influenza. The penguins at the Zoo are in a covered area by the bears. My favorite parrots have been moved into a covered aviary. It is all connected. We can ignore it or realize we're creating these super-bugs and climate change is fucking with birds migratory patterns, spreading new diseases to new places. 

Last, of course, COVID is all but ignored these days. The County data is getting less and less specific, as is the State and the CDC. Numbers haven't been reliable for a while but every week they are less so. Still, you can get a general sense of the virus by the numbers still available so as long as they are, I'll keep posting what I can. We were happy that Nova was tested weekly at school, and now even that is being canceled. 

Finally, for a long time I was posting political stuff and White House briefings, but it's all such a shit show with this new Congress that I just can't even. It isn't worth my stress or space. 

I hope everyone is doing well. On the one hand I would like to be posting more than once a week, but on the other hand, I'm kinda living my best life these days and I just don't see a reason to stop. For fun, I posted this ridiculous article by a New Yorker who gives her experience of San Diego. It's so poorly written and absurd that I just laugh every time I think about it. 

Stay safe out there. 

Things To Do In San Diego: Wednesday, January 18-Tuesday, January 24, 2023: Spiral Stairs | Blind Boys of Alabama | Mapache | Unwritten Law | Emo Nite | The Trebels | Hibou | Macy Gray | Stones N Roses | Alexa Villa | Elise Trouw |

I was in the middle of a regular post when I realized it was time to do listings so I powered through and got them done even though I very easily could've been in bed by 9pm on Tuesday night. The regular post will have to wait a day. I had a really great week -- on Thursday we got to go to the media party for The Sound, which was super cool and spacious and looks like it's going to be a great place for concerts, though don't let the seating chart dissuade you, the balcony is much closer to the stage than indicated on the map. 

Having four sold out nights in a row at the Casbah on a three day weekend let me actually enjoy my weekend - I bounced around Sea World and the Zoo and went to La Jolla Cove and did some shopping and did my thing all weekend long; Darren's weekend shifts were cut due to the crazy ass weather, and after having to drive to Chula Vista in that weather to help out my parents, I was toast and didn't make it to Transfer on Saturday night. We'll just have to book them again soon, right? 

Darren did work at the park on Monday, so I spent the whole day at Sea World for their Inside Look weekend which was pretty cool, but naturally Tuesday was a beast for work coming off that long weekend. I still got my zoo walk in, and Darren started a new additional part time job that allowed him to come meet me after. I'm excited to talk about that but I'll wait until he's locked in before I spill the beans. I'll just say that I texted him in the middle of the day to ask how it was going and he responded, "I found my new calling." Love that. 

So listings are done and I want to go to a couple shows this week, but we'll see how the weather abides. Since I won't drink and drive, not even a sip, and have sworn off ever using Uber or Lyft ever again if I can avoid them, getting out and around is a little bit logistically challenging and takes a lot more motivation and planning. So no guarantees. But at least I have the Zoo.        

If this rain continues and you've discovered that all your umbrellas are missing or broken (as I did), the Big Lots in La Mesa has a ton, plus rain ponchos for only $1.19. I hit up about 15 stores all over San Diego, so trust me on this. That's the spot. 

Stay safe out there. 

Things To Do in San Diego: Wednesday, January 11-Tuesday, January 17, 2023: The Planet Smashers | Dale Watson | R.A.P. Ferreira | RFTC | Idlehands | Transfer | Richard Marx | Reverend Horton Heat | HR | Pato Banton |

I know you only see me posting about the zoo these days, but I do swear I get out every once in awhile. I'm looking forward to checking out a preview party at The Sound, and I'm hoping to make it to see Transfer on Saturday night, too. There are also lots of new shows being announced, including Sylvan Esso at The Sound, Avey Tare at Casbah and more to come this week. 2023 is going to be a great year for music and it's only just begun. 

Full listings after the jump.
Stay safe out there.  

2023: COVID-19: It's Still Here, I'm Still Masking | Kaja Turns One |

Kaja on his 1st Birthday (Taken 1.4.2023)

It's been a minute since I've posted COVID data and whatnot, but with good reason...it finally got Darren. I talked about it in a recent post, but because everyone was sick in my house, I was pretty much trying to give them space. I was making myself scarce around the house, spending full days at the San Diego Zoo, going to Sea World, shopping, just doing whatever to let them rest at home. Nova still has a cough, though her locally based doctor said she's okay to be at school with a mask, but I'm happy to report that the Paxlovid seemed to work for Darren and he didn't get the dreaded rebound. He's been working but it's now slow season at the park, so we hung out at the Casbah on Thursday for a private party with The Airborne Toxic Event and then I went to work with him on Friday and enjoyed a chilly day at the Safari Park. Sea World's Christmas Celebration went through the 8th, so I was double dipping, going to the Zoo, then Sea World after, hanging out with the walruses. 

I've been trying to get back into a groove, work is definitely getting busier as Casbah is celebrating 34 years, and I've made the zoo a habit...it forces me out of the house and off my laptop for a couple hours every day. My dad is officially off hospice care, but that means we have to help out a lot more. Today we helped move him, spent the rainy afternoon at the zoo, then went to North Park because I somehow messed up my neck and shoulder and got a massage at Green Bamboo Massage (which was amazing). 

This post is lacking all the usual links because while we followed the mess in Congress last week, I just can't. These morons are going to freeze our country to have no action ever besides bullshit investigations. If you're a government employee or military, you better save up because you know a government shutdown this year is imminent and guaranteed.  

I'm gonna call it a night. I have a million pictures to post but the truth is that I've taken so many photos in the past two years that I've filled my hard drive, so I'm gonna have to take the time to move stuff before I can even dig in and post new stuff. Not tonight, however, because I'm only jacking my shoulder more with the small motor movements of typing on this laptop. But I do wanna thank my friends at NBC for using one of my photos on their Kaja coverage (linked below). 

We've got some old family friends coming into town next week so I'll be doing the tour guide thing but I'll try to make sure listings are done and posted on time. 

Night night, y'all. 

Stay safe out there. 

Things To Do In San Diego: Wednesday, January 4-Tuesday, January 10, 2023: Social D | Cayucas | Vanguard | California Honeydrops | The Fall of Troy | Bowie Birthday Bash | Lady Dottie | The Sounds of Animals Fighting |

Bowie Celebration with Ziggy Shuffledust & The Spiders From Mars (Taken 1.8.2020)

Happy New Year! Or, Happy New Year. Or, Happy New Year? 

Not gonna lie, this isn't exactly how I wanted 2022 to end and 2023 to start. Darren had been working his ass off, pulling doubles between the park and the Casbah, we let loose at a staff party on Tuesday, and we thought we were just hungover on Wednesday. On Thursday he was getting ready for work and had a nasty cough so I suggested he test and he was very positive very quickly. I was negative. He was immediately isolating, but I had to work three nights at the Casbah so I was really dodging him. He took Paxlovid and tested negative on Tuesday. Ideally he's cleared for work on Wednesday, but in the meantime I picked up Nova from the airport on Friday, and while a doctor cleared her to fly and she didn't get caught in the SWA nonsense, she's been sick since she got back. She's negative for COVID and she was also tested for strep, but it would be nice to know what she's got and to get all the yuck out of her lungs. She'll likely miss this whole first week of school. 

So yeah, shows are kinda the last thing on my mind at the moment. But there are a lot of venues easing into the year so these were actually pretty easy to compile this week. While everyone has been sick and isolating, I've been keeping out of the house. On Monday and Tuesday I went to both the Zoo and Sea World and ran a ton of errands just to let them have the space in the house. I definitely can't keep that up as I have actual work to do and my feet are killing me. I'll be working at a super secret amazing private show at the Casbah on Thursday, and if Darren is actually cleared and can avoid Paxlovid rebound, we'll probably go to the Bowie Party at the Casbah on Sunday. 

Stay safe out there.   

Things To Do In San Diego: Saturday, December 24, 2022-Sunday, January 1, 2022: Exile on Kettner | Christmas | Marujah | Lady Dottie | Starcrawler | The Greyboy Allstars | Trombone Shorty | Swami John Reis | NYE |

Exile on Kettner Blvd (Taken 2019)

It's officially Christmas Eve and there's so much to do, but as I mentioned in the last post, I stayed up all night and figured it's a chill week so I may as well do the listings through New Year's Day. I was actually kinda surprised how many venue calendars don't update whether or not they're open on Christmas and New Years, but I'm sure you're all smart people and can figure it out. I got some NYE stuff in here, but I'm guessing there are dozens more that I didn't include...reach out to me on socials if there's something you think is relevant to this audience. As for me, I'm on the fence about Saturday morning zoo time or crawling into bed now that I've endured both a Christmas and a Hanukkah movie in the time it took to compile these listings. Whatever I end up doing will be great because it's the weekend and it's Christmas and my only obligations are a couple trays of deviled eggs, getting some sleep, and not letting my social/COVID anxiety overtake me and getting my ass to Exile on Kettner tonight. I gotta tell you though, it isn't reassuring when people who I know were at the Casbah on Monday for the big party are now reporting that they're sick with COVID.

Whatever the day brings, be safe out there. Merry Christmas. And check back, I'll definitely be updating NYE listings as I see more things roll in. 

COVID-19: Avoid a COVID Christmas | USPS Free COVID Tests | Senate & House Pass Omnibus Budget | Massive Arctic Blast Engulfs US |

I haven't posted in awhile and I could lie and say I've been super busy, but the truth is that I have been slowing down. I do my daily zoo trips, I binge bad television, I run errands, I sleep when I'm tired whether that's a normal night's sleep or just napping here and there, and we're still running down to Chula Vista a few times a week to help my parents. We did finally get a tree last week and it took a couple days for Nova and I to be home at the same time to decorate it, but I love it and I love how cozy the house feels when we have it. Darren took a few days off this week to be able to spend time with Nova before she left to St. Louis, and obviously from the storm it almost didn't happen, but Southwest assured us that her flight would be unaffected besides a slight delay. She arrived and is safe, though the "feels-like" temperature there is like -19 degrees Fahrenheit so hopefully the California wardrobe she has is adequate. 

Since Darren had taken the day off to get her to the airport, after he got caught up on sleep and I did my daily zoo trip, we actually went up to the Safari Park. It's really beautiful right now and they did an amazing job with lighting it up, though it's not really worth taking photos ---better to be seen in person. Today was his first full day on trams and he did seven tours, came home to eat and grab a nap, and then worked at the Casbah. He went to bed at 3:30 and will be getting up at 6:30 to do the same double shift for Christmas Eve, working a full Safari Park day and then a full Casbah night, so hopefully he can power through and get the rest he needs, because Exile is gonna be busy. I am just trying to give him the room to sleep peacefully, since I zonked out the entire time he was at Casbah and I really want to get next week's listings done. 

I feel like at the end of the year I want to recap everything, this site being my version of the family Christmas letter, but suffice to say that we made it and I'm content and comfortable with my little orbit and that feels good. We got the amazing news this week that my dad's doctors no longer consider him on hospice care -- maybe that's an insurance thing because they're tired of paying for his home care but he sounded hopeful, that his doctors don't think he's further deteriorating. He's not well, but he's stable. Compare that to last December when he was telling me all the things I needed to know before he died and I'll take the current prognosis anyday, even if it means we have to step up our game to help transfer him if he loses his nurse who was coming a few times a week.

It feels like my social feeds are just full of people being sick, so hopefully everyone can stay healthy through the holiday and new year. I ordered our free COVID tests the first day they were available and they arrived this week. Get yours if you haven't already. 

Stay safe out there. Merry Christmas.  

Things To Do In San Diego: Friday, December 23: The Cure Christmas Dance Party | Cash'd Out | Trio Gadjo | Infected Mushroom |

I'm really trying to do listings for the next week, but in case I can't get them done, all you need to know is that Exile on Kettner is at the Casbah tomorrow with Andrew McKeag at the helm and it's free! So maybe you'll catch me at the Casbah tonight or tomorrow or both, I haven't quite committed yet, but either way, happy holidays and stay safe out there. Friday listings after the jump.