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Michael....
Hey, now! 1) Though I did not care much for MJ's musical output (My favorite MJ song was "Beat It," btw), and felt that he made himself a target for every Perez Hilton wannabe with access to a blogsite (ee-yuk-upchuck) by his public behavior? The man's popularity--even after his demise--speaks for itself. In his case: Let The Music Do The Talking! If you listen, the meaning of the story of the King of Pop will unfold...both the triumphant and the tragic. 2) When I was told that my first entry regarding Vista Ranch had enriched me by $250, I thought that the caller-in-question was either drunk off their gleuts...or was playing an especially cruel prank on me. After all, my "time-on-blog" was less than one year. It was when I saw the check in my mailbox that I knew that it was for-real, but also a dream had come true. I was good enough to gain more than "kind words" for my writing. 3) MsJlee--First, welcome aboard the good ship "SD Reader Blogsite." Second, the only way to hone your skills is through constant writing (I learned that in HS Junior english class). So, just keep on writing and submitting. Practice not only makes perfect, but keeps the fire of desire stoked and your tools sharpened! If you have the tools, talent, desire, and ability...you must exercise them to keep them functional! --LPR— June 26, 2010 9:38 p.m.
Confessions of a One-Time PB Bum
Something in this story does not smell right. Part "Iron John," part "The Over-Macho Tripe In Men's Adventure Books," part "How To End Up Cold Meat In The Coroner's Wagon With A Few Choice Words to A Police Officer," and the rest "Why Strung-Out Drunks Are Not Funny." Mix it together, read once, award 1st Place In The Reader's Neighborhood Blog Contest for July. The thread-in-question, sadly, should have been titled: "Don't Let This Happen To You." There must have been better threads than this...but what's done is done. Congratulate the man on his victory...after all, I took 2nd place last year with one of my threads (and it was in my first year writing for this blog). Then let's move on. --LPR— June 23, 2010 12:01 p.m.
Early Morning--13-Jun-2010
Thanks, nan & CF--your kind words mean a lot to me. PISTOL PETE SIGHTING: Guess where P.P. is now blogging? That's right--in the San Diego City Beat's blog section! Calls himself "Pistelero Pete" now, but still just as acidic and anti-social as ever! The more things change.... --LPR— June 21, 2010 5:21 p.m.
Cookin with mama
I first was exposed to the "cooking experience" by my grandmother Frannie. That was when I lived in Woodburn, Oregon with my grandparents during "the divorce" and my Dad being overseas in Okinawa. Then came my time at Lemoore high School, and my taking Home Economic Courses--where my love for cooking started to grow every day in class. I still love to cook for myself and for others--it's good pastoral therapy to whip up a dish that both pleases the palate, yet is frugal to prepare. And if you don't get how the "power of cooking" can work magic in your life--just invite your love-partner over for a home-cooked meal! You'll be surprised! --LPR— June 21, 2010 5:16 p.m.
Strange bedfellows: Baseball & money
Usually, when you get such a missive from your "favorite" sports team, they are basically giving you a choice of a slotted head or a Phillips head on the device they are about to sc*** you with (in this case raised season-ticket prices). Really doesn't matter how well the team does--or not. You still get the same missive every year that you have those season-long ducats! Too rich for my arteries! --RKJ— June 14, 2010 9:08 p.m.
How Much is that Doggie at the Shelter? Nada!!!
Sorry, AG--my apartment's rather small, plus the "pet rent" is per-critter, w/o a "buddy discount." That reeks, but unlike TV, you cannot change the channel to suit your needs. So, it looks like a trip to C'bad to check out the candidates! I'll have to hit up 511.com to get bus route times. Thanks for turning me on to this, AG. :-)(-: --LPR— June 14, 2010 2:10 p.m.
He Wasn't Resisting
Who watches the watchmen? That would be the Customs and Border Patrol's Office Of Professional Responsibility (their Internal Affairs division). It ia also our responsiblity to ensure that justice is, indeed, properly served. Besides protesting at the border, use the "Letters To The Editor" section of your local paper to let your feelings be known. And if you recieve (as I did) a summons to sit on a Federal Jury (or a Superior/Municipal Court Jury, for that matter), do not shirk the summons, but just do your time in the barrel! If you get assigned to a case--then you can not only see justice done, but help make it so! So, in reality, it is we, the citizens, who watch the watchmen. As it should be! --LPR— June 13, 2010 8:44 a.m.
How Much is that Doggie at the Shelter? Nada!!!
Is the fee waved at the North County shelters as well, or is it just in the City of San Diego? If they waved the fees up here (O'side, Escondido, Encinitias), I might consider adding a new buddy (an indoor cat) to my life. Something to think about... --LPR— June 13, 2010 6:18 a.m.
Bad Owner
I have had my run-ins with "bad-doggies" and their even worse owners. Reccomended counters: 1) Pepper Spray--I carry a cannister with me at all times, and know how to employ it. One burst in the mush usually drives them off. Equally useful for giving an agressive owner a high-Scoville Unit "attitude adjustment" if they come after you with mayhem on their minds. Oh, BTW--under a law signed by Pete Wilson when he ran the state, pepper spray does not require a license to buy-and-use, but you can only use it in self-defense (or in the defense of another, including your pet). Scoville-Levels measure the "heat strength" of the spray used. The higher the Scoville Level, the hotter the spray! 2)Cellphone--call 911 when it's safe, and report the situation. If you are bit, you will need to be seen-and-treated by medical personnel, preferably in the local hospital's Emergency Department. Also, give the responding officer all the information you can about the offending pooch-and-owner, such as physical descriptions, any vehicles used, and so forth. If bozo does get picked up, and it goes to court--testify and have done with it! Perhaps the sight of time in the county hoosegow might elevate his thinking about his actions. 3) Weapon Of Last Resort--Face it, folks...if your dog is being killed by somebody's "pooch-from-purgatory," it's like a family member being attacked by that very same beast. Now is not the time to flee (not smart, anyway--that pooch will then go after you...hunting instinct, you know). Nope, it's time to draw the steel and go for broke! That beast is killing the very friend that relies on you for it food, shelter, and protection. The very least you can do is fight back...and fight to kill! Now, this does sound extreme, I understand. But if it has to be, then sending the offending pooch to Doggie Heaven (be it by gunfire, blade, baseball bat, or bare hands) might save the life of another potential four-legged victim (or two-legged, in the case of a kid or infant)in the long run. If the owner pitches a beef about what happened? Quietly remind said owner that if he had kept his eyes on his pooch before anything could start, then the incident-in-question would never have taken place to begin with! Mind you, #3 is only for "when all else fails." However, it should be part of your "threat responses" when dealing with a bad doggie and a worse owner. ! Granted, there are plenty of "angels" of every breed out there, ones who would rather lick you silly than bite you dead! I have found that if a large dog has a name of "Baby" or "Lovie," there is a good reason for it. --LPR— June 4, 2010 9:49 p.m.
The death and attempted suicide of Ginger and Frank Bass
Here's something to think about, folks: "MARRAIGE VOWS ARE NOT A SUICIDE PACT!" I, too, had the misfortune of dealing with a spouse who, though outwardly loving and kind, turned out to be a borderline sociopath. Though I never was physically struck by her, the constant browbeating and verbal abuse were warning signs...ones I chose not to heed. After all, I was raised on the belief that "'till Death do us part" meant exactly that. You only left the marraige when you left this life. I was lucky to get out when I did--yet the pain still scars me. However, better to be alive and "Monday-morning critique" your actions, than it is to die horribly at the hands of a person you thought loved you. Women can be just as abusive as men--and the results are just as tragic. If you are in such a situation, find the courage and clear out, post-haste. Your possessions can be replaced, but your life, once taken, can never be returned! ZERO TOLERANCE FOR ANY FORM OF SPOUSAL/CHILD/COMPANION/ELDER ABUSE! --LPR— June 4, 2010 8:47 p.m.