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Movie Pet Peeves
Sorry it was so long (if I had a dime for every time...) I don't remember Rocky V much. Oh wait...is that the Russian? No, that's IV. The Russian episode was horrible, but Stallone insisted on doing real punches, and had to go to the hospital when he almost choked on his mouth piece. Also, he got hit so hard in the chest, it gave him a mild heart attack (I believe I read that in one of the movie trade papers). Never saw Transformers, as I'm over the age of 10. Some people have the pet peeve of James Bond never getting shot by bullets. I don't mind that. He's kind of like a super hero, and you just go with it. It's the same way the bad guys tell him all their plans, right before they plan to torture and kill him. Only to have him escape, and now...walla! he knows all their plans. I did have a problem with Liam Neeson dodging all the bullets in a recent action picture. Because, he would just burst into this drug den or something, and they'd all be shooting at him. And he never once even got grazed by a bullet. But my friends liked that movie, so...maybe I'm just nitpicking.— August 5, 2009 12:51 p.m.
Too Many Cooks
Funny People was a good movie, although the pacing was off a bit. Again, though, it's disappointing that you gave away a key plot point (the fact that Sandler has a "miraculous recovery"). That adds nothing to the review, and ruins what could be a nice, happy moment for the film goer that's discovering the news for the first time in the doctors office with Sandler. The only saving grace is, the commercials for the film gave away the same plot point.— August 5, 2009 12:46 p.m.
Driving Drunk Is Not Easy
Anecdotal situations you were involved in are always good to bring to the table, SD. It just seems when others do this, you disregard it. My cousin married a man that mentored a minority kid. He started doing better in school. Until, after years and years of him being a big brother to this kid, he decided he'd rather run with this gang. And he decided to shoot a woman, just to show off to his gang buddies. Now he's doing life in prison. Sure, it's only one situation, vs. your three success stories. Although, we aren't sure your stories ended in success, just because they made it to junior college. I hope they did.— August 5, 2009 10:11 a.m.
One Badfinger Standing
Do you remember ever hearing the story about Zeppelin playing Germany? They couldn't use their name, because of the family named Zeppelin (inventors of the Zeppelin blimps). So they toured as "The Knobs" or maybe it was "The Nobs,". Currently, Tom Petty's band (mike campbell guitarist, etc), tour as The Dirty Knobs. Anywho.... I do think Zep fans would've crapped bricks had they called it Zep. ESPECIALLY because Bonham was such an amazing drummer. There's a difference between the Pretenders not having their original drummer, and Zeppelin. And you put Jonesy not being in the band into the mix, and they wouldn't have liked it being called "zeppelin." No way. And, the thing I'd tell all these bands that want to capitalize on the name recognition...it's really not necessary. The tour of Page/Plant sold very well. All the Zep and classic rock fans, know those names. It's not like they're playing at the Casbah to 130 people.— August 5, 2009 9:22 a.m.
Bad Cops and a Bad Bank Teller
Well, you have a point with the not speaking English. Although, I can't figure out how you can go to the DMV and get forms in Spanish, when if you don't know English and an officer pulls you over, he might need you to speak English. And you might need to follow his orders or get shot. But it is a good point you bring up. The mental problems...well, again...as much sympathy as I may have for the homeless, it doesn't mean I want mental people walking around, pretending to shoot at people and police officers. Believe me, a cop shooting someone is worse on them. It's something they'll always live with and be thinking about.— August 4, 2009 10:01 p.m.
Another John Bobbitt?
Ya know, Pete. You're more right than you'll ever know. And, it makes me think...if they have to lock up spray paint and won't let kids buy it....let's start locking up things that angry women are going in to buy. Things that can be used against our junk! I won't list the items. I'll hope the male cashier can figure those things out. "Staple Gun? I'm sorry, ma'am, I can't sell this to you, unless you have a note from your husband."— August 4, 2009 4:24 p.m.
Helping the Homeless
sf...this above post is the funniest thing I've read in a month. Awesome stuff, even with the starting intro on my guilt. I've already got my attorney working on an appeal. When I was renting this house in San Marcos, I found this little Vietnamese mechanic I loved. He was recommended to me by a friend that has a car dealership, and he brings his cars to him and trusts him. Although, a minor repair on my old Jag cost me almost four grand. The funniest thing about him is...that his name is "Dang." And I wanted to say to him, "Is that your real name, or is it just what you thought Americans were calling you when you handed them the bill, and they immediately yelled 'Dang!' I figured he wouldn't understand that, though. And besides, it was a little more than "dang" that I said upon hearing what my costs would be!!! (in my best Homer Simpson voice) STUPID JAGUARS— August 4, 2009 4:22 p.m.
Bad Cops and a Bad Bank Teller
Interesting. Although, I like to think pointing anything...a cell phone, a pencil, pen, or your finger, at a cop, should result in you getting shot. A cop shouldn't have to wait, and try to figure out if you have a gun, or you're just messing around with your hand. A person that plays games like that, is someone I don't want alive in society.— August 4, 2009 4:16 p.m.
911 -- What's Your Emergency?
I think you're right. I think there was a restaurant with a similar name, on Friars Road, that was spelled with only one "g", and that's what confused me.— August 4, 2009 9:12 a.m.
Helping the Homeless
Dang it. These are those questions that, much like a criminal getting on the stand knowing they're going to be nailed when they admit to the lawyers line of question, but they insist on taking the stand anyway. The dog is tiny. About 7 pounds. We take it with us often. It was adopted from a shelter 8 months ago, and it has anxiety issues if left at home. And, even though it barks quietly, we don't think the neighbors should have to deal with hearing it. And, we don't want it freaking out, thinking we're leaving it, like it's previous owners. We put it in the back seat, and it jumps over the stick shift, and onto one of our laps. And lastly...my girlfriend drives 80% of the time. And there's good reason for this. The air conditioning in my car went out a year ago. I took it to the dealership, spent $178 to fix it. Two weeks later, it went out again. Then, the fine folks at the Chrysler dealership in Escondido told me that it would be $450, to fix two hoses that were busted. I asked why they didn't fix them a few weeks ago, and they said "That was a different problem with your air conditioning, not the hoses." I didn't believe them, but what could I do? I didn't pay, and didn't have it fixed, on principle. But the problem is...now it's hot as hell. And her brand new car, has brand new air conditioning!— August 4, 2009 9:11 a.m.