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Stepping Out After Midnight...In Vista Ranch
Time to clear a few things up: 1) AG: Unless you read what brand I did buy at AM/PM (Caffeine-Free Diet Coke), my diet was not that impacted. My usual "half-time hydration" on my walks is Powerade Mountain Blast. However, they were out, so time for Plan Bravo. CFDC may have quite a bit of sodium, but I also only use sodium when I prepare some of my dishes. The other reason was that it had no caffeine--which I prefer after 6pm in anything I drink (chilled coffee, iced tea, sodas). This way, I can get a much better night's sleep! 2) "It's a Texas Thing...you wouldn't understand." Oh, but I understand perfectly. That's why I do not keep any D.P. in my fridge. Both regular D.P. and Mountain Dew (also 86'ed from my fridge) have a hellish amount of caffeine--and that's the LAST thing I need in my life, even when I'm on-line with you folks! 3) CF: Thanks for the Woolfe essay--loved it! Now, back to my cooking!— November 2, 2009 4:14 p.m.
Time For CPS To Ring Another One Up...
Evening, folks. Thanks For The Comments--glad most of you liked the entry. I do have an announcement: "Vista Blues" will be taking a week off. I plan on using that week to get cracking and type up the manuscript for the book form of this blog. I have lots of material, and need time to get the "first draft" typed up, then transferred to Word 2003 format (I'm currently using Works For Windows 9, btw). So, assuming the NK's don't flip a Nodong Nuke at San Diego, I will be back in the blogging saddle next Thursday afternoon at @ 13:30 hours! Love You All! RKJ (Robbiebear, NPR)— October 21, 2009 6:48 p.m.
Say What You Will About E-Books...Print's Never Gonna Die!
Maybe you should't make a place with no light, no ambiance,and smells like a mold factory going into three-shift high output a place to enjoy a book-or-two. Flip on the lights, unleash some "industrial strength" air freshener (or open a few windows),turn on the stereo, pull up a chair, and enjoy! FFP: Hate to tell ya, bud, but even flash drives have limits, in both storage capability and life-span. I use a laptop for all of my work (on/off-line), and no matter how many GBs or TBs your drive has, they eventually reach their limits. I always archive my important work (hard-copy plus binder, or on DVD-RW disk) to prevent it from going buh-bye when I need it most! I also have found out that "flash card" storage (as in the ones for digital cameras) also hold data rather well. So, I tend to use these rather than flash drive sticks for my archival storage (with hard copy and DVD-RW as my backups). New blog entry later tonight! --RKJ— October 20, 2009 10:37 a.m.
Our Date With Hate!
Okaaaay, time for me to weigh in! 1) russel, thanks for the clarification. And no, I haven't a bias against The Sunflower State or it's citizens. After all, Wichita helped build Boeing B-17's during World War II, plus one of my favorite bands (Collective Soul) is from out that way. 2) Folks, I love the give-and-take a lot...but sometimes, it gets to the point where I'm afraid to check the "comments" page. I often wonder if this is The Reader I'm reading...or a literary version of a "Level II" Nuclear Exchange? 3) Hatered may be a popular emotion, but it's one that also poisons so easily. Many folks will--with a great big smile on their face--purposely swallow each dose and say "Yum-Yum!" afterwards! our society may never learn to deal properly with hate. However, one should take into account the final two lines of the folk song "These Cities Are Burning Now" before declaring such a state normal: "To the rest of the world, here is my theses--Peace To The World...or The world In Peices!" --RKJ— October 18, 2009 6:27 p.m.
Paycheck politics
"Payday Advance"= Legalized Loan Sharking. The normal practice in these operations is to have the customer write out a personal check for the amount dispensed in the loan--plus fees (including interest). The personal check is then held for two weeks before being presented to the customer's bank for payment. Under California law, the "Payday Loan" folks cannot file "rubber check" charges against those who welsh out on that loan. However, the customer's bank can nail that customer for "non-sufficent funds" charges (and they do get steep) for each time the check is presented to them by the Payday Loan company. Also, a lot of payday lenders do not give cash for that check to first-time users. They usually do a "check for a check" routine, in which the customer then has to go to a check-cashing place to get their money. It's no wonder that the Department of Defense has declared Payday Loan companies "out-of-bounds" to their personnel. It's also a very easy way for those with little training in personal finance to get into a lot of trouble! Instead of encouraging such places to do as they will, we need to regulate them much more closely. For in these troubles times, they spring up everywhere--only they are not useful plants, but noxious weeds that poison everyone they touch! --RKJ— October 16, 2009 4:40 p.m.
The Other Side Of California...Life In The San Joaquin Valley
1) Yes, Nan, I did live in Woodburn--full-time from 1977-1979. It was also my "decompression chamber" when I lived in Salem from 1983-1984, and Monmouth from 1984-1985 (I was attending Western Oregon university, known then as western Oregon State College). I also visited my grandparents every winter from 1985 until 1994 up there. Nothing like seeing snow on Christmas Day. I was put on the train back to Oceanside Station on New Year's Eve. 2) Certainly, my father's first and middle (Robert Bruce, my grandfather's also, BTW) was a tribute to the first King Of The Scots (who won their freedom at Bannockburn in 1358). However, the Clan from which I have my last name (Johnston) were border Scots...with a few of my ancestors living across the border in England as well. --RKJ— October 14, 2009 3:40 p.m.
Columbus--The Man, The Myth...The Mercenary!
Hi, folks! Time to put in my two cents here... !) FFP--The so-called "demonization of heroes" concept just does not fly. Humans are humans--warts and all. To pedestalize folks like Columbus, Drake, Raliegh, Vespucci, Cortez, Pizzaro and Magellan is to ignore the reality for some sort of fantasy. The more we learn what sort of folks these "explorers" truly were, the better we can understand not only their histories, but also about the "Age of Exploration" itself. And BTW: In the ultimate example of colonial arrogance, the Lateran Treaty divided the world into two spheres for exploration, exploitation and extermination. The two signers--Spain and Portugal--divided the world into two spheres of influence. One half went to Spain, the other to Portugal. Eventually, Spain (under Phillip II and the Duke of Alva) conquered Portugal, rendering the Lateran treaty moot and void. Also, FFP, about three essays ago, you made a rather snide remark about me taking my dates to places like Chili's and Applebees...as in how I got a third date after two at such eateries! First off, m'man, it's not good practice to invite your date home for a dinner on the first-or-second date. Mainly, because the lass-in-question will suspect you have far more on your mind than feeding her a home-cooked dinner. When I'm getting to know my new female friend, I prefer to do so in a public place...it's easier for both parties concerned. Second--I have a beer budget, and make do accordingly. Of course I'd like to take my new-found lady friend to Mille Fleurs, Mr. A's or Anthony's Star-Of-The Sea room...but no can do on my budget! Chili's, Applebees, or Famous Dave's is the best I can afford. --RKJ— October 13, 2009 1:11 p.m.
The List Blog—Sound your Barbaric Yawp:
Hey, folks--anybody home? Since music was mentioned... Here is a list of my fifteen "Breakup" songs--Hard Rock/Heavy Metal style: 15: "Two-Time Girl" by Stryper: Not what you'd associate with the "Come To Jesus Headbangers," but a good way to lead off this list. 14: "The Time of your Life (Good Riddance)" By Green Day: A bit on the slow side from these guys, but sums up the sentiment about breaking it off. 13: "Dead Men Tell No Tales" by Motorhead: A kiss-off to a "friend" who liked smack more than his friends. 12: "Private Property" by Judas Priest: A "beating you to it" Breakup song, about unwanted attention from someone you do not like! 11: "If Looks Could Kill" by Heart: The ultimate "you azz is dead meat, and so's this relationship" song. Ann Wilson at her angriest. 10: "Up To The Limit" by Accept: A track from "Russian Roulette," done in the style of "Scram Or Else" that makes it very cathartic. 09: "Locked & Loaded" by Halford: This spells out why abusing your love-partner--in any way--usually merits retribution. Good power-walking song as well. 08: "Little Liar" by Joan Jett and The Blackhearts: An atypical slow number telling a Joe Isuzu-type to get bent and get gone! 07: "Take These Chains" by Judas Priest: Breakups do hurt--even when the principals are separated by 3000 miles. 06: "Don't Go Away Mad (Just Go Away) by Motley Crue: One of the few Crue songs I like. 05: "Nobody Home" by Deep Purple: When I first heard it, I was hooked!! 04: "Seek And Destroy" by Metallica: A cationary tale about what can happen when a breakup turns really bad--as in your former friend will not see the sun ever again! 03: "I Saw Red" by Warrant: Not a pretty sight, finding your love-partner in the sack with a new man-toy. 02: "Don't know What You Got ('Till It's Gone)" by Cinderella: How very true indeed. Check out the video for some awesome Nature scenes. 01: "Son Of A B****" by Accept: Lots of cussing (rather descriptive), good driving beat...very cathartic. Also rather funny, when you hear it for the first time. Catch you another night! --RKJ— October 9, 2009 6:40 p.m.
The Ball Ended Yesterday For The Pads...
I do wish Mr. Towers the best of luck. With his abilities, any team would pay a ruler's ransom for his services. And woe to the Padres if the team Mr. Towers lands on plays in the National League! In pro sports, however, it's basicly a real-life version of Janet Jackson's "What Have You Done For Me Lately?" And after fourteen years, Mr. Towers was picked to be the scapegoat...and had his employment terminated. It's the worst aspect of pro sports, in my view. You can have a winning team, season after season. But have just ONE losing season? The calls from the fans are for your head! Most fans forget that it takes years to grow a perrenial championship-winning team. They grew up on instant gratification, and expect their teams to live up to the following motto: "This team wins NOW AND FOREVER...or YOUR HEAD rolls after THIS SEASON!" That is usually when the "fans" start calling for the firing of a manager (or head coach), GM, or team president? It is best to remember that most of these calls are from folks only want "Wins Au Autrance" ("Wins Over Everything" in French), and cannot see that in sports, Instant gratification is a concept that ruins teams...and makes fans look like utter doofuses! --RKJ— October 5, 2009 6:12 p.m.
Hit Me, I'm a Man, I Can Take It
Yo, Adam! Now you know why I limit my beer intake when I go out to my favorite tavern (Smitty's Dowtown in Vista). Two is my limit--then I switch to Diet Coke for the rest of the session. Seeing what happens to young folks who mix testosterone, booze, and attitude problems just goes to show anybody who cares to look that: A) Money doesn't confer brains. B) The pain you feel when pie-eyed goes tenfold the morning afterwards. C) Boozing and Bruising never proves your machismo--only your stupidity, especially the next morning. D) It's more fun to watch bar fights than to participate in them--and safer as well! E) A roundhouse punch to a opponent's head doesn't solve your problems--it merely exacerbates them! F) How macho can you truly feel after winning a bar fight--with only a pair of steel linked bracelets on your wrists as the prize? Well, gotta start dinner! --RKJ— October 5, 2009 3:44 p.m.