Thursday, April 27, 2023
Things To Do In San Diego: Thursday, April 27-Wednesday, May 3, 2023: Dawes | Nude Party | Backseat Lovers | Adams Avenue Unplugged | Art Walk | Taco Fest | San Diego Book Crawl | Cheese Expo | Encinitas Spring Street Fair |
Thursday, April 20, 2023
Things To Do In San Diego: Thursday, April 20-Wednesday, April 26, 2023: The Breeders | Crocodiles | Gipsy Kings | No Vacation | Earth Day | Tei Shi | San Diego Music Awards | Baby Bushka | Melissa Etheridge |
Friday, April 14, 2023
Rosey's Diary: A Post About Dying: Grief, Relief, and The Complicated Feelings Of Loss.
Me, Mom, and Dad, Christmas 2021 |
Thursday, April 13, 2023
Things To Do In San Diego: Thursday, April 13-Wednesday, April 19, 2023: They Might Be Giants | The Silent Comedy | Los Bitchos | Tenci | HEALTH | Bratty | Murder City Devils | SDMA Showcases | Christine and The Queens | Night Beats |
Wednesday, April 12, 2023
Personal: R.I.P., Daddy: Big Ed Bystrak
After years of close calls and over a year under home palliative care, on Sunday, April 9th, 2023 my dad took his final breath. Just last week, my parents celebrated their 53rd wedding anniversary, and while my dad was bedbound, the rest of us celebrated with a feast from a local taco shop and one of those chocolate mousse tuxedo cakes from Costco. A week later, he's no longer with us.
More, after the jump.
Thursday, April 06, 2023
Things To Do In San Diego: Thursday, April 7-Wednesday, April 12, 2023: Screaming Females | Two Another | X | Pinback | Colin Hay | G. Love | Jupiter Flight | City Of The Sun | Muse | Tyson Motsenbocker | Etran de L’Aïr |
Here's the deal. I usually at least try to separate the listings posts from my diary-esque posts, but after returning from New Mexico, I haven't gotten back on a great schedule. My dad is not doing well, my brother is likely coming out this weekend with the kids and they're obviously not doing well, and all I can do is go shoot a bazillion photos a day at the zoo and hang out with a gorilla who demands no explanations of how I'm feeling about any of it. So listings are done, possibly not ordered as much as I'd like, and I bookmarked a bunch of things to tell you but now I can't remember any of them except that if you wanna buy tickets to the North Park Music Festival, they extended the early bird pricing for maybe another week? I'll check that when I have time but by the time I do, it may have passed, so go search it if you want it. At the Casbah, we've been announcing so many shows my head is spinning, but I'm especially excited about Slothrust at Soda Bar and The New Pornographers at Music Box, which ideally I get to work and get paid to be at while also getting a chance to shoot them and just be in attendance. We'll cross that bridge when we get to it. I already know I forgot some stuff in these listings, like a parade and celebration for SDSU on Saturday. I'll try to update, but I've got so much family stuff going on right now, who knows? I'll try to add the weekend roundups because those seem to be helpful between Pacific SD (which is the Union-Tribune without subscription), KPBS, and San Diego Magazine. Until then, be safe, healthy, and let's be grateful Davey is out of the hospital because I'm not ready for another amazing human in my life to die, even when he was close to it. If I find a GFM to help him, I'll add the link.
Stay safe out there. I love you all.
Saturday, April 01, 2023
Things To Do In San Diego: Saturday, April 1-Wednesday, April 5, 2023: North Park Festival of Beers | Husbands | xiu xiu | Bobby and The Pins | Band Argument | Lucero | Sunny Day Real Estate |
It has been a bit of a crazy week, and since I would actually like to have a normal Saturday life (and not sleep all day), I'm just gonna say I mostly got the listings done. I'm sure there are things I forgot, but sleep is calling my weary and exhausted body.
Thank you for all the kind words and Venmos to me @sddialedin, which will help me get back to New Mexico when we have the actual memorial, and also to the Go Fund Me for my brother and his kids, which will help them as they try to navigate their new life.
Also, with Darren's work schedule, it was kinda easier doing listings during the weekend, so it's possible I may stop doing Thursday-Wednesday and maybe switch it up back to Monday to Saturday or something like that. Just don't count on me for consistency is all I'm saying. I'll have listings, just maybe not in the capacity anyone else wants.
I love you all.
Be safe out there.
Listings through Wednesday are after the jump.
CoViD-19: Ending The Emergency, Research Still Trickling | Fletcher Resigns | California Passes Windfall Profit Law |
Amur Leopard Cup (4.5.23) |
I've had a hell of a month, so this post is just to clean my slate of drafts. I've got a lot to talk about when I'm able.
Friday, March 31, 2023
Things To Do In San Diego: Friday, March 31: Unknown Mortal Orchestra | Michigander | Soulfly | Thumpasaurus | Super Diamond | Art Alive Bloom Bash |
Is tonight a Revenge Friday? It looks like it with so many sold out shows!
I got home super late last night and had to make sure you all got your Casbah newsletters, so I didn't stay up to do listings, so once again I'm just doing tonight's stuff and hopefully sometime between tonight and tomorrow I'll finish the whole week. But, I am working tomorrow at Balboa Theatre and you know I need to go get my zoo time in, so we'll see how it all goes. Maybe I'll even convince Darren to pop down the street to check out Fresh Veggies Micro Brass for a minute, since I've not seen him more than 20 minutes this week.
Also, a ton of shows went on sale today. I've been notified by Jeff that we're attending Ryan Adams & The Cardinals in October, so I guess it's time for me to believe in DRA's sobriety and amends and start to appreciate his music again, which I haven't really been able to listen to for a few years. Casbah also announced a ton and let me tell you something. You know how a band plays here and then later they play another tour in bigger venues and skip San Diego? It's because when they're on these smaller tours we're too slow! The agents get ticket counts, sometimes daily, to compare how quickly tickets are purchased in every market of a tour. Of course their goal is for every show to sell out, but how fast it sells out matters, too. So while September or October may seem far away, buying your tickets now not only secures your entry to shows, but it also means that maybe those artists won't leave us behind as they get bigger and plan future tours. That's your little Pay No Attention To The Man Behind the Curtain moment for the weekend.
Be safe.
Love you all.
Friday listings are after the jump.
Thursday, March 30, 2023
Things To Do In San Diego: Thursday, March 30, 2023: Lead Pony | Colony House | Theo Kandel | Mason Jennings | Padres Home Opener |
I know I said I wasn't going to do listings this week, but after a long day yesterday, I crashed out super early, and thus woke up around 4am. I mostly just checked email, but I already finished packing and it sounds like everyone here is still asleep and we're not planning on hitting the road until around 9am, so I'm trying to take advantage of the quiet and the strong wi-fi before our drive. So I was able to crank out listings just for today, and if I can get to the rest of the week, I'll try on Friday, though I might have to do them from the zoo because a friend of mine has kept me posted and Denny has been moved in with his half-brother Maka! Eventually, that means he'll move in with all three boys, but geez...I visit him nearly every day for a year and go away and this happens?!? And don't even get me started on the Fletcher scandal. Ugh.
As for my family, thanks for all the kind comments and responses. We're doing well, considering the circumstances. My brother and his kids have a long road of transition to this new reality. I'll write more about that at another time, but there's a GFM if you'd like to contribute. Some have asked if they can help with this unexpected trip which isn't necessary, but my Venmo is @sddialedin if you're so inclined. A memorial hasn't been confirmed yet, but it might be a little later down the road, like Memorial Day Weekend, in which case we'll likely all be driving back and doing this all over again.
Stay safe out there. I love you all.
Wednesday, March 29, 2023
Personal: RIP Melissa Hayes Bystrak
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Taken 10.2.22 |
Thursday, March 23, 2023
Things To Do In San Diego: Thursday, March 23-Wednesday, March 29, 2023: Andy Frasco | Adi Oasis | Delta Rae | David Cross | Copeland | Mustache Bash | Beabadoobee | Daniel Rodriguez | Vanessa Carlton |
It's a big week with a ton of sold out and almost sold out shows, so my recommendation to you is to get used to buying your tickets in advance because our small venues are on fire right now. Casbah has continued to announce a bunch of new shows, including Bully, Manic Hispanic, and The Amalgamated but probably the biggest news this week is that The Boss, Bruce Springsteen, announced a San Diego show on December 2nd at Pechanga Arena, with tickets on sale Friday. I'll be working at the Delta Rae show on Saturday, going to beabadoobee on Monday, and might check out Vanessa Carlton on Wednesday since I haven't seen her since Sunset Sessions a million years ago. And Darren wants to go to Andy Frasco, but seeing as I'm finishing these listings at 5:45am, I'm going to try to get some real sleep.
CoViD-19: COVID-somnia Is A Thing | Crazy California Storms | Uvalde Interviews Released | Zoo Photos: Andean Bear Cubs
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Andean Bear Cubs, Born December 10th, 2022 (Taken 3.21.23) |
When I was young I always envisioned myself having some great outdoorsy lifestyle, but the reality is I think I like the idea more than the actual lifestyle. Like when I was a kid, I had a tackle box and was always organizing it and adding lures and bait, but in reality, I just liked the colors and collecting things. The only fishing I ever did was at a local campsite in a stocked lake (more like a pond) and never ever got a bite. I certainly wouldn't have known what to do if I'd caught anything.
In my 20s, I was freshly single after my college boyfriend and I broke us, and had the great idea that I'd get a big dog. We'd go hiking and camping and to the beach and I had my car and I could live an active and outdoorsy life on a whim. Problem was I ended up adopting the neediest, most skittish dog ever (RIP Pascha) who certainly wasn't going on any hikes or anywhere other people existed, and I worked in the most corporate of corporate jobs, a nine-to-five that afforded me one week off a year but definitely not enough money to ever save to use the time off. So that whole plan was a big fail.
Nowadays, I have the time and the resources to kinda do what I want and go where I want, but Darren and Nova do not have that flexibility, so going to the Zoo is my great compromise...I'm outside, I'm among beautiful plants and amazing animals and I have developed a relationship with so many of the animals - engaging with the gorillas and orangs, certain birds that communicate with me, even the mountain lions respond in their own way when they see me. This week I finally got to see the Andean bear cubs, and with the zoo open later, it's just been a pleasure to see the animals adapt as the seasons change.
All that being said, this week has been low-key for me and I'm perfectly okay with that. I mentioned last week that my dad is back at home so I've gone to help out my parents a few times, I worked a couple merch gigs - MoonTricks at Music Box and Protomartyr at Casbah, I got a raise at my day job, and spent a ton of time at the zoo while Nova has been off living her teenage independence and Darren working all the time. This week was also the 8 year anniversary of Ficus' Adoption Gotcha Day, which maybe makes her 10 or 11, we can't really be sure.
I've been stoked on the rain though haven't seen it that intense in a very long time, and I was glad to have the van all stocked up with my rain gear and I've been getting good use of my rain boots. When Darren did finally have a day off, we went to Balboa Park free Tuesdays which was the Mingei and Museum of Art this week, which turned out to be a great way to get dry before spending the rest of that afternoon at the zoo. Now I'm working on listings and I guess I've procrastinated enough, so hopefully you'll have your listings by morning.
Stay safe out there.
Thursday, March 16, 2023
Things To Do In San Diego: Thursday, March 16-Wednesday, March 22, 2023: Vance Joy | KRS-One | Old 97's | St. Patrick's Day | Titus Andronicus | Jason Mraz | Damien Jurado | BAILEN | Algiers | Protomartyr |
Wednesday, March 15, 2023
COVID-19: 3 Years Later | $17 Humane Society Offers Adoptions | Biden Issues Gun Background Check EO | Bank Bailout | Another Atmospheric River Blasts California |
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New Male Tiger Dumai at San Diego Zoo Safari Park (Taken 3.10.23) |
It has been a mostly chill week for me and I'm loving this weather. I'm happy to report my dad is back home as of Sunday night, which I think most people in his circumstances would prefer, but it was also comforting to know he was under the care of medical professionals for a few nights and we were off the hook for driving to Chula Vista. Since he's been reclassified as hospice care, he will once again have more in-home assistance for my mom, and we'll go back to helping at night half the week. There's always an upside correlating with the downside and vice versa.
Thursday, March 09, 2023
Things To Do In San Diego:: Thursday, March 9-Wednesday, March 15, 2023: Choir Boy | Charlie Parr | Adam Melchor | PUP & Joyce Manor | Otoboke Beaver | EXTC | The Church | Marc Anthony | SZA | Forty Feet Tall |
COVID-19: At Least 26% Of Parents Are Assholes | Spring Break Plans | Murdaugh Murders Fallout | SDG&E Wants More Of Your Money | My Daddy Update |
Tuesday, March 07, 2023
COVID-19: Emergency Ends, Reporting Ends, COVID Carries On | California Tax Extension | Bird Flu | Murdaugh Murders: Guilty! 2 Consecutive Life Sentences |
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Little Kaja at 14 months and 1 day old (Taken 3.5.23) |
I had been really enjoying my laid back, low-pressure life lately, working remotely at the zoo and all that goodness, but then suddenly that isn't the case. In the past couple weeks, I worked for Almost Monday, King Tuff, Jawny, and Braxton Cook, as well as celebrating Darren's birthday, catching the SG Goodman show (with after-show cocktails at Ould Sod and we know how that goes), plus I was streaming the Murdaugh Trials, and even had jury duty tossed in there. And then there were van repairs and helping my dad and taking Nova and a friend to Sea World for a day and it's all kinda worn me out. And I know a lot of those, particularly hours of Murdaugh Trials were optional, but I couldn't resist the intrigue and anyway, I was only streaming while I did a million other things anyway. Darren has been working his ass off, too, so this week I would just like for everything to slow down, am politely declining invitations, and would like to just be able to get by with my laptop in my backpack at the zoo while I watch all the babies -- Kaja, of course, but there's a new golden takin born on Friday, there's Andean bear cubs who have finally been making appearances, there are amur leopard cubs recently born that haven't made their public debut but who we hear stirrings about not to even mention how much I would like a day at Safari Park since I took off the free seniors month. I've just got to get a handle on all these ding-dang emails and concert announcements...like, my actual work. There are so many shows coming up, it's gonna be a busy spring and summer, I can tell you that right now.