towelheadedcameljockey
towelheadedcameljockey is a Reader contributor. See staff page for published articles.
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Ticks-ident
"But, at least with cancer, there is no big debate going on. At least with cancer you can get proper diagnosis and treatment." Actually, my mother had cancer which was untreatable. She was never diagnosed properly even though she went to the doctor countless times with pain until she woke up one morning with bright yellow eyeballs, literally. It was her 4th round of battle with cancer that I saw her go through in my 17 years of life with her and this time she lost. We had found possible treatment about one month after being diagnosed, but it wasn't covered by any type of insurance so we had to try to come up with several grand to start it off. By the 2nd month of even trying to figure out how we're going to do this my mom had to move into a convalescent home because she had to have 24 hour care, and all thoughts of any treatment came to hault. Unfortunately, a convalescent home was the only place her insurance covered this type of care. Seeing my mother die in a place where pretty much everyone was around 70 years plus while she was much younger was heartbreaking for me. I get that this something very important for you and Lyme disease is definitely something many know nothing about beyond "you get that from ticks, don't ya?". Just please try to express yourself a little more wisely and with some compassion next time. Because it seems to me it's not about who's disease is worse, better or which you'd rather have, it's just about getting the word out, educating and letting people know the need for help.— July 16, 2009 3:44 p.m.
Ticks-ident
"Honestly, I would rather have cancer." This comment disgusts me. I know what you're trying to imply, but seriously think about what you're saying. Barbarella, I recently heard on a SD talk show that we're having an incredibly irregular amount of mosquitoes are infesting our finest city this summer so we may be joining the masses as far as the blood suckers go. Which is too bad, I'm with you where being in a bug free zone has always been one of our plusses. Except those ants of course....— July 16, 2009 1:11 p.m.
Michael Jackson Saga Continues -- Debbie Rowe and Joe Jackson Edition
From TMZ - "Rowe's Lawyer -- Debbie Doesn't Want MJ's Money Debbie Rowe's lawyer just fired off a letter to the New York Post ... demanding a retraction of its story that Rowe has accepted $4 million to walk away from Michael Jackson's two eldest kids. The letter -- written by Rowe's lawyer Eric George -- says "Among the several contenders for overzealous and inaccurate sensationalism, the New York Post has now seized top honors." George says "Ms. Rowe has not accepted -- and will not accept -- any additional financial consideration beyond the spousal support she and Michael Jackson personally agreed to several years ago." This is a very significant statement and we've confirmed it with another Jackson source. "— July 15, 2009 12:40 p.m.
Michael Jackson Saga Continues -- Debbie Rowe and Joe Jackson Edition
GREAT opening paragraph. In fact, I laughed through a lot of this piece. I don't know how out of line Debbie Rowe is for seeking whatever it is she's seeking. The media chose to thrust her into the spotlight, and the pappo have been swarming around her estate for some time now. When you hit your limit, you start seeking out things you now feel do. Hell, she carried his babies and married the man. I don't know how the situation would be if she wasn't on the cover of every magazine and the talk of every TV show before even figuring out what it was going on, or what she wanted to do. I'll tell you what though, I'm sick of LaToya Jackson face being plastered everywhere. She reminds me of Octomom, not only because of her need to suck in all the media attention she can get but also her looks (minus the weight). Speaking of looks, does Joe Jackson look like a chubbier, black version of Vincent Price to anyone else?— July 15, 2009 9:27 a.m.
BREAKING NEWS BLOG -- Michael Jackson and Farrah Die
*to clarify, Feldman revealed he was molested by his own assistant, not Jackson's.— July 10, 2009 12:29 p.m.
BREAKING NEWS BLOG -- Michael Jackson and Farrah Die
As much of a d-*che I think that Feldman is, he's actually made it very clear that Jackson did not molest him. He did say that now as an adult as he looks back on their relationship there were some inappropriate things which took place, but he said there was never any physical abuse. Basically, Jackson showed him nude's of chicks and they giggled at them. Feldman came forward with this information after he was subpoenaed to testify at the Jackson trial and share what their relationship consisted of when he was a child. With as much explaining as Feldman does, he would have had no problem stating that Jackson molested him if it had happened. But, he made it clear it didn't. He did however reveal he was molested by his assistant when he was a child. I totally found it bizarre and pretty damn lame that Feldman showed up to the tribute, dressed in a Jackson costume. If you're going to denounce your friendship with someone very publically, don't then go right into the spotlight after they die to show how much you now realize you cared for them. I understand you can still grieve the loss of someone you may not be on good terms with at the time of death, but staying out of the big show seems like it would have been best.— July 10, 2009 12:27 p.m.
Letters
Yes, but food is what people want to read about in the reviews. I understand atmosphere and neighborhood connections but to be quite honest, I've been to Red Sails three times with a friend of mine who simply adores the place. She's lived in Point Loma for over 25 years and so like you, I think she feels a big connection to Red Sails. I've only resided in San Diego for ten years and like I said, have only been to Red Sails three times but each time there was nothing about the food I found worthy of any praise. My friend is obsessed with their crab sandwich, which I gave a shot and was highly disappointed with. I'm no crab coinsure and I'm no food snob, I just know when something isn't that good. The last time I was there was the final time I'll ever go because our waitress basically left us on our own as she did with the few other tables in her section. It was a terrible experience. I will tell you that the bartender and manager working (possibly an owner) were both very cheerful and helpful. They came to our rescue when trying to pay the check. We had waited a total of 15 minutes for the waitress to return to pick up the bill which we initially had to chase her down for but it never happened. Maybe I should only sit at the bar from now on. However again, since the food isn't that good and since I'm not a drinker, it just doesn't make sense for me to go. I agree there are plenty of great places in Point Loma for eating and it's a great community in San Diego. I figure a food critic has got to be pretty harsh. There are a lot of places out there that leave a lot to be desired once all is said and done. It's good to read your explination, it shed light on why it is you felt how you felt and I think sounded a little more grown up (besides the start of course). However, I think you should reconsider your excuse that "all women have a right to change their mind as they choose". Sure, anyone has this right and it's a great right to use. Yet the situation should be sensible for it to come into play. Man or woman should not just stomp off in a furry everytime they're disappointed or upset with something. That's equal to couple's who are on again, off again for the entire time you know them. Those types of reactions are something people usually outgrow by the time they're twelve, or at least should. I think most women are logical enough to realize this and don't react in such ways on a normal basis because according to your reasoning, you would have no problem with someone just saying the phrase "well, she's just being a woman" when someone stomps away or overreacts to something. To me, that seems highly demeaning and just wrong. It seems that bad reactions shouldn't be categorized by gender, but by individual.— June 19, 2009 9:38 a.m.
Breaking the Law, Breaking the Law (when it's students)
Why is race always defined as black and white? What about the browns, tans and the olives!!! "Elphbert Laforteza" - sounded like it could be a a few different shades, all except white. Elphbert....I'm guessing he wished that wasn't in print.— June 18, 2009 12:31 p.m.
Letters
"I've stopped reading her pretentious reviews." - Just like you've stopped reading Board's blogs over and over...right? Why not stop completely flipping out and actually explain your thoughts like a civilized educated person (one that you usually appear to be). Going around name calling these guys then saying you're never coming back, only to return is a couple weeks is just plain silly.— June 18, 2009 12:26 p.m.
Breaking the Law, Breaking the Law (when it's students)
Lots of people have regret for their actions which lead them up to getting charged with something. Judges take these things into account upon sentencing, but of course there are many other major factors that decide what is the time for the crime. The exploding bottle in a trash can kid is an idiot when it comes to common sense. He had already been busted by the school (along with several other kids) trying to do a prank which involved them taking out several of the school chairs to make a big "09" somewhere on the property of the school. One of the kids (not him) had a stolen master key to gain access to the school when they were trying to complete this prank. So, after getting caught with this prank and disciplined, this kid still wanted to complete a prank, so he thought exploding bottles were the key. These things really can't do any more harm then making a big bang (I'm middle eastern, I know these things) but the kid really, really made a dumb decision. I feel he's going to probably lose his ROTC scholarship but being someone who's involved in such things as ROTC he should be fully aware of how sensitive people are to things like explosions, especially on school grounds. Isn't respect, or pride, their main thing? I think he may be more sorry that he got caught, because he's feeling down on himself and what's happening in his life instead of feeling sorry for what he may have put teachers and staff through, who were probably fearing for the kids and their own lives. I remember the student hitting the toddler. I don't know if it was UCSD or USD, or SDSU. I tried finding something, but came up with nothing. Again, I get that this kid felt terrible for what he did. Returning to the scene AT LEAST is a sign to me that awareness kicked in. If the parents came forward and asked for charges to be dropped, that's another major thing in his favor. However, he still has to serve something for breaking the law. There are too many stories out there, of someone doing something like this then completely panicking and doing something they would not typically do. I totally don't agree with someone being able to get out of doing time for a crime just because they have the money to pay. That doesn't make sense to me, and I would have to assume there are only certain situations this applies to. If not, something has to change. First time I've really heard of this, so it's something interesting to look up at least.— June 18, 2009 12:04 p.m.